Computers Time Savers or Time Wasters Modern Technology
Modern Technology
Love it or hate it...technology is here to stay. Back in 1986 - out of work and searching the want ads on a daily basis - I was at a standstill. With the introduction of Apple Macs and Personal Computers my devoted attention to the love of the written word and writing up a cash book had suddenly become obsolete. Every job I applied for required some skills or at least some interest in the latest technology.
Whether it be an understanding of the latest word processor or the ability to build a database in DOS, technology was an essential part of any job criteria. I had no idea what a DOS was, but I was impressed with the idea of a word processor. Having been a 'gung-ho' typist since leaving school at the age of 15 but not without the occasional error, the thought of never having to correct a mistake again using an eraser or - last resort - having to insert a clean sheet of paper and retyping the whole thing was something I needed to look into further.
For a long time still, I resisted computers for as long as I could. It all sounded too new and progressive. I was comfortable producing work in the old way from the old school. Eventually I realised I was going to get left behind unless I became 'technologically savvy'. I was looking for work in an era where computers no longer meant half a building dedicated to the contraptions. But I didn't even know how to find the start button to turn on a computer, how was I ever to understand programming languages and software packages?
Before Computers
After Computers Comes the iPad
How could I have known a new era was about to erupt in our faces? How could any of us know twenty years ago we would be able to tap in to any where in the world in an instant? Get information about any subject in any language within seconds?
I'm not sure if I spend more or less time now with a keyboard. I've been using them for a long time and I still remember pages and pages of manually typed script. All going well I could type 100 words per minute but what about those times when I did have to start the whole page over?
The beauty about technology, computers and everything in between - iPods, iPhones, flash drives, networks, routers - is that the more frustrated you are from not finding an answer the more chances you have of finding an answer. I can spend countless hours, sometimes days on end searching, surfing and looking for help.
Rest assured there is a geek, nerd, technologically 'savvy' fellow out there somewhere halfway across the world that has already stumbled across your problem. He has solved it and is only too happy to share the solution with you.
Lots of luck finding him!
Copyright © Karen Wilton 2010
Computers time savers poll
Are computers time savers or time wasters?
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Comments
I love it!! I had thought only someone who has had to struggle with a super fast paced advance in new technology could understand this, but you explained it beautifully. I graduated from high school around this time and ended up in a similar predicament - no computer knowledge in my head yet every employer, it seemed, wanted someone with experience. I'm glad you shared your experience!
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Thank you so much for your comment Rafini. I must admit the more I use computers and surf the web, the more I learn and not just about technology. It is fast paced and easy to get left behind.
Computers definitely give you the answers you need. I recently found answers to purchasing an Set-Top Box and Slow Cooker on the Net. The guys at the shops simply grabbed the user guides to provide answers to my questions, whereas real users were on the net.
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Thanks for your comment Steph. I agree, the Internet is a wonderful source of information if we can only wade through the rubble!
Haha, I was just thinking about this as I realized that I've been sitting here in front of the TV while browsing HubPages for a couple of hours! Great Hub!
Nice hub! Technology has definitely gone a long way and it's still getting better.
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Thanks for the comments. We've been without power for three days following a cyclone and apart from the food that's defrosting in the freezer the only thing I really missed was the computer and internet!
It is quite astonishing how far computers have come and now we have iPhones and iPads - what's next? Hope you have received well from your cyclone.
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Apparently cloud computing is the way of the future...meaning less hardware required and software programs able to be accessed online. Who'd have thought?
Karanda, and now that you are writing for hubpages and maybe other sites you will find more time lots of more time disappearing while you sit tapping on the keys in front of your computer. we seem to become obsessed with writing now. cheers
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Too true Eileen, hours and hours simply fade away. Not just for writing but for reading all the great hubs that are out there too!
This is so true and you are right, 25 years later and it has changed everything we do. With my first computer that the company provided and those nasty huge disc that could hardly hold any data by todays standard, I learned it and enjoyed it though. Glad you decided to go forward and didn't get left behind..
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ehern, can you believe I really want to buy an iPad now? Looks like the more you have to do with technology the more you want to do!
I use my computer in a way that saves time, but others use it in a way that wastes time. It is up to the operator of the computer to decide whether it is a time saver or a time waster. Nice article by the way.
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Thanks for the comment jtyler. I am so pleased for you that you have found ways to use the computer to save time. I am in the process of scanning old documents and photos into my computer so I'll have it all in one place and be easy to access!
For me they are time savers, I can create, print out, save, delete,re-write in nano speed, couldn't do that with my Quill. My keyboard is a blessing and without it in front of me on my lap I would be in turtle speed mode. No more paper to throw out with mistakes, I simply delete and re-create, fabulous.Three cheers for technology...
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Aren't computers wonderful saddlerider1? Mostly I love my keyboard too, especially when I'm stuck somewhere with a pen and piece of paper and have to revert to thinking long hand.
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