Facebook, Twitter, blogging these are phrases that have crept up on us in recent years and for some of us who have only recently been testing the vast water's of the internet it can be mind boggling and a completely different language. However salvation was at hand recently in the guise of Shauneen Armstrong from the Labour Party Press Office and Neill Ward, Youth and Development Officer, at a training day held by the Party.

Having an online presence does require initial investment, consisting mostly of your time. This is so you can build up a decent level of content. After all no point having these various media tools at your finger tips with nothing to say.

Blogging is effectively your shop window to display your wares in. From the technical side of things it provides you with the tools of building your own website in a very user friendly and non-technical way. It is ideal for posting press releases, photos, policies and regular up news updates on.

Facebook is what is known as a social network website, it is a great way of making keeping in touch with people in a more social and friendly way. Facebook grew out of the America college idea of a year book so as to introduce yourself to your fellow students. It's ideal for telling people what you're up to and also great for starting campaigns on.

Twitter has exploded on to the Irish political scene in recent months and is now considered the fastest way of getting breaking news to public and media. Twitter is a little restrictive in that you can only use 140 characters. It can be effectively considered as an internet text message, you can also post photos as well with captions so it is very useful for posting brief information on events as they happen. An internet enabled phone, such as a Blackberry or an Iphone, is ideal for Twitter

It might still sound a bit baffling, but in my opinion it like learning to drive, once you start it becomes second nature and you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner.

Pat Dunne is a member of the Littlepace Branch, Dublin 15.