The Internet has obsessed Bambang Sukamto. Everyday, the handicraft businessman from Sumberbening village, Ngawi, East Java, visits the Muneng telecenter in Madiun to surf the virtual world. My life depends on this, he said last week.

He has been so passionate for a year. Riding his motorcycle, he has to cover 40 kilometers to reach the neighboring city for an email check. Usually his customers express interest or make price bargaining via email a