Keeping up with technology
Dee Gatrell
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find it difficult to keep up with all the new technology. I want to update with one piece of technology that covers all—texting, apps, things I don’t even know about—by the time I figure out what the piece of technology is, it will be out of date.
It wasn’t all that long ago that the cell phones came about. They were big and klutzy and only a few people had them. And remember when it was said no one would want to have a computer in their homes?
Then each year they came out with something new, something smaller in phones and computers. But then the screens were so small on the cell phones if you have bad eyesight it was hard to read. Finally, bigger screens arrived and I loved it. But then texting arrived and I wasn’t ready for that—trying to type a message on the numbers turned into something like hI. HowARyoS. I couldn’t figure out where the space was!
Now we have keyboards that I haven’t adjusted to, and I still don’t do texting. I’m told I’m way behind. My latest cell phone has a keyboard, but I have to pay extra to use it. And if I want to get my email on my cell, I have to pay extra. Shop for ring tones? Extra. Online locker? What the heck is that anyway? I can’t get it since I don’t have internet on my phone.
Then there’s something called YPMobile. Huh? And Mobile video? With each of these is a bunch of other stuff that I haven’t figured out yet. I keep thinking I’m keeping up with the times until one of my children show me their IPads, Smart Phones, and they even twitter. Twitter? I can barely keep up with my email, blogs, FB, My Space, and my writing. One of my daughter’s has a Smart Phone. They actually have lessons on how to use it.
Of course there is Skype. At least I know how to use that. One problem. A lot of friends and family haven’t caught on to Skype. Finally something I know how to use and I end up on Facebook because the others don’t have it or like one of my cousins, she never could figure it out.
Remember the days we left the house without a phone? How did we survive? What happened if we were stranded on the highway with no way to contact anyone? What if we had a flat tire and couldn’t call AAA? And if we forgot our list for the groceries, there would be no way to call home and ask what was on that list.
Email is another thing we didn’t have. I love email. I’m addicted to email. I stay in contact with friends and family and I don’t have to write a letter by longhand or type it and actually put it into the mailbox where it took many days to get to them if they lived in another state. Now it’s OMG! You did what today? You need to blog that, it’s so funny.
Blogging is another thing I have a hard time keeping up with. But as a writer we have to communicate in every way we can. I’m trying to keep up with. But I wonder who will read my blogs. Will they find it boring? Will they really enjoy the tales of my grandkids on my personal blog? Will I convince them they will love a novel I posted a chapter or two about?
I have to admit, I love all the new technology, but I find it hard to keep up with and too expensive to get into it all.
We have chronological ages, physical ages and (I think) also technological ages.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are immature, we adopt all technology because it is cool, or everyone else is using it or because some adult doesn't want us to.
In maturity we pick and choose those technological changes that improve our lives.
In old age, we don't see the point and miss out on some technologies that could benefit us.
I officially put myself in old fart territory when I refused to buy a phone with a keyboard because I will not text, and I don't have a flat screen HD television because my 12-year old set is still working just fine.
~ Jim
My parents were lost trying to operate cell phones. On one occasion when my father was sick, I came into his room to find him furious. It seemed as if "the (expletive, expletive)cell phone wouldn't work." Unfortunately, he was trying to dial with the TV remote.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor is technically quite astude and in the tech business. So, I'm always hearing about new technologies I didn't know existed, which makes me feel very old and very out of tune with the world--and yet my kids don't always know about the very latest developments either, and they're in their twenties.
Jim-once your sets go and you replace them with new flat HDTV-you'll never look back. Just the fact that they're about 10 times light and easier to move is such a benefit that you'll love them.
I put myself in the troglodyte category. if not for the weight and breakage problems I'd prefer sticking with cuneiform. My fond ancient memories are when you could buy something, plug it into an electric socket and then use it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Those addicted to all the latest gadjets can't seem to live in the moment. Did you read that the Catholic Chuch has approved IPod confessions? $1.99 to be absolved from sin. Love you column, Dee.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I decided to get a cell phone. I broke down in the woods where I live, and I didn't have a cell phone. Luckily, a phone repairman agreed to drive me back to my house! He apparently was breaking the rules to do so. The trick afterwards was finding a phone that worked in my area.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems life is going so fast, and I can't keep up with it. As a writer how are you suppose to work full time, take care of the family and write when you're also suppose to be promoting yourself through all the new technology? I know all of it is suppose to help get yourself out there, but it makes me wonder if it will only affect the quality of your writing because you're so busy with all the new technology you're not taking the time to write that "good book".
Thanks for bringing up the technology issue, Dee. My son-in-law is a computer programmer and even my four year old grandson is almost at the point where he prefers e-books to paper books. Unfortunately, his favorite series (the one I introduced him to) about a farting dog is not yet e-published.
ReplyDeleteI don't yet have a smart phone because I can't imagine wanting to use the internet when I'm within an hour or two of home. My job frowns on people who play with their phone at work.
I recognize the names of a bunch of e.friends here, Guppies all. That's technology at its best. I guess not new, come to think of it. I remember embracing the internet enthusiastically, but I guess that's not new either now. But how nice to look something up instantly. The library is so far away. My family still remembers the time I tried to learn to text, because I wanted to know how. I have a Kindle, and I actually made it find something on the internet. I was exhausted afterward. Jim, I think I belong to the old fart club, too.
ReplyDeleteGee. I'm way past keeping up with anything. I have a minimal cell phone that I forget to turn on, and I don't want an iPad. If I'm writing, my laptop is as small as I want to go. I do have a Kindle and love it, but I still read print books at least half the time. My grandchildren find it all intuitive. I don't. But I'm with you--I love email.
ReplyDeleteFun blog, Dee.