Did I really just buy something?

That's pretty much what I'm thinking right now, I bought a few domain names I've been thinking about for awhile, but it makes me think "what did I really just buy?" probably less than a floppy disk worth of information on some random server I'll never see. Was it easy? oh yeah, way too easy, they make sure buying nothing is as easy as it's gonna get. I suppose I feel that what I payed was a little bit much for just random data off somewhere, but it's the idea of owning it that makes it valuable I suppose. At least with paypal I feel a little more comfortable buying things online, like theses few domains or the DVD of the animated CAD series I got a few days ago, dunno why I feel more comfortable, maybe because they make a bunch of claims of "security" heh. Anyways, for anyone out there buying stuff online, here's some tips:
1. If the computer has ever been used to surf the web with Internet explorer, DO NOT use it for purchases, Internet explorer is like shopping at a shady convenient store with a crazy guy in the back while you're buying your energy drink, you have a high chance of being robed, and once Internet explorer has been used, that guy can stay back there and rob you every time. This also applies to a computer that's used for email with people who open attachments with "exe" in their name (yes, there's people who still believe paper.doc.exe is a word file) and computers where people use heavy p2p and other untrusted things.
2. Don't be stupid. Get firefox.
3. Did I mention not being stupid yet?
4. Please, for love of anything, look at the site, don't be stupid.
K, now that that's done.
5. Under no circumstance will a website HAVE to use money transfers and other BS. Here's how it goes, if the website is selling something you want, unless it's pornographic, the website is eligible for being able to use paypal, thus, it should be using paypal, if it doesn't, LEAVE. (Paypal does not support pornographic sites, thus, if you want to pay for one of those, you're stupid, it's the internet, try harder)
6. K, here's the last one, only buy something online if : It can't be bought in stores, it saves you a considerable amount of money (remember, there's shipping, but, in most cases you don't have to pay tax), it's easier to have it shipped than picked up, or if you're just so lazy you can wait a few days to have it handed to you rather than go out and risk an encounter with the UV ball in the sky.

Buying things online is useful, but you gotta be smart, just like anything else, if you can buy it in person, and it's not a big deal, then do it, take as little risk as possible.
-Lukas