As I drag myself kicking and screaming into the 21st century, I find the collecting of new technical toys makes the journey less fraught and more enjoyable. That is not to say that this act of self dragging is not without its more stressful moments. I have been trying to change the password on my new iPhone server for most of the day with no success.
But the culmination of all these new toys: MacBook Pro, iPad, and iPhone is that all my files (and therefore my “work”) are within easy access to me. I now have at my finger-tips, all the information via the internet or applications that utilise the internet that I could possibly use.
The photo at the top of this blog post was taken two days ago in a Norwich Starbucks with my iPad. It was an experimental gesture, which explains why I have such a bemused look on my face. I have “played” with all my new “toys” and found that in some cases that they are very user-friendly and in others, downright hostile.
I am fairly computer literate. Or at least, I once was. Years ago I got in on the ground floor of these “new-fangled” home computers, of course these new home computers were just practice for the office machines that we would soon be getting in our workplace. The “jump” was deemed necessary because we didn’t want to appear stupid. (or at least too stupid)
I remember the first ever work-related computer conference that we were required to attend as part of our foray into this new world. The chap running it initially addressed the crowd with the words, “And if all else fails? Control, Alt, Delete.” The room exploded into laughter. We’d all been there, done that and had the various tee-shirts. Soon after, we got past the ctrl, alt,del stage of our knowledge, but we never forgot that “newness” and the feeling that we were heading for territory that, once entered, could never be left.
I have, over the years, sort of ‘dumbed” myself down. Many of my peers (and this amazes me) are not computer literate nor do they wish to be. They have the novice’s mistrust of the machine. They still fear that they will do something that will cause it to blow up or crash. This explosion or “death-knell” will be costly and complicated to fix. Better to not depend on these new-fangled gadgets than to waste all that money on something that little Timmy or Ellen can use in their sleep.
I am not sure where this idea came from. This belief that computers and electrical gadgets are for the young only. Sure kids pick it up quickly, it’s in their very nature to pick up new things quickly. Schools teach kids everyday and rely on computers to help handle the modern curriculum.
In the Norwich Apple store today, while I was getting my new phone charged up, I noticed a huge amount of what can only be termed as geriatric’s learning how to use iPads and MacBooks. The average age around that table of learning was about 65 or 70. Old ladies with blue-rinsed hair and old men with canes and comfortable shoes were learning about the intricacies of these modern 21st century toys.
They were, I might add, apparently doing very well. I do know that Apple pride themselves (quite rightly) for their after sales customer service, but I do believe that if the old folks being shown these new (to them) products were having too much trouble, I would have seen the smiles of the staff start to slip. I saw not one smile threaten to disappear nor slide into an exasperated frown.
After today, I don’t feel like “The Lone Ranger” in search of a computer loving Tonto. I feel like more folks my age and older are embracing the computer age right along with me. Of course some of the more arthritic ridden won’t opt for the iPhone, I think that if they had nimbler fingers that they would be joining me there as well.
I tried out my new phone’s camera today, and although my photographic skills leave a lot to be desired (Lord Snowdon has nothing to worry about) I can at least capture the image I am aiming at. Even if I am sharing the shot with my subject via my reflection.
Related articles
- ∞ It’s not Apple’s job to be a parent to your kids (loopinsight.com)
- Rumor: New iPads Could Come in April, iPhone 5S in August (techland.time.com)
- New rumor has iPhone 5S in August, new iPads in April (electronista.com)
- What’s in a name? Plenty, when the name’s iPhone (mobot.net)
- Apple patent hints at touchscreen MacBook (macworld.co.uk)
- What to Expect from the Next iPad (thetechscoop.net)
- Zen Pinball for iPhone Review (teksocial.com)
I can imagine a similar reaction to Close Encounters being played! :-/
Times are always changing. I was in my theater job the other day and the musical director played the theme music to E.T. … kids looked up from their iPhones and MacBooks and said, “Where is that music from?” I almost threw my clipboard on the floor and stormed out.
P.S. I really dislike my iPhone. I much preferred the Blackberry I had, but the iPhone was on sale from AT&T for 99 cents. Oh well.
You see? The only difference between the techno-weenies and the geekocrats is a willingness to, as my friend Sergei used to say “Keep pushing buttons. Something will happen.” If you say it with a Russian accent, it really works.
I’m starting to know the feeling, but with my iPad! LOL
Thanks mate! ;-D
Sometimes I feel it would be more productive to just glue my iPhone to my hand. It always seems to appear there whether I’m conscious of it or not.
Nice post Mike.
Love the photos!
LOL Now that you mention it… 😀
Is that gorilla supposed to look like Freddie Mercury or is it just me? xD