Technobuddy

By JJ

May 24, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

I’m a basic, simple kind of person. No blackberry, no ipod, just a cell phone, and a computer at home. I very rarely get on the computer at home, since I am on one all day at work. I have other things to do, like go outside, play with the kids, play with the dogs, do yardwork, visit friends, etc.
So no, I am not controlled by technology. I control the technology in my home. I would much rather be outside doing ANYTHING than sitting in front of a computer all day long. Life is short and I plan on getting in as much play time as possible.

By Dave

May 24, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

As an IT professional, I burned out 4 years ago and I am still able to function without being plugged in. - No home internet, I take my laptop to a wifi cafe every 3 days to check e-mail. - No cable, home phone, satellite TV. I use rabbit ears and watch 5 hrs TV a week. - My cell phone can’t get a signal at home except once ever few hours. - I drive in for work, no one calls me on my cell for work and I still manage to do just fine.

The gadgets I use at home are my Dewalt drill and my lawn mower.

I am much happier than ever before.

By LL

May 24, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

You go JJ!!!! I’m with you. Except I have no cellphone and no Internet connection at home. After 5pm, and every weekend, there are no electronics to distract me from life. I play, work in the yard, hike, cook, write and, when I can, go camping. People who spend 24/7 on the Internet, and those constantly connected somehow, are missing out on all the good stuff.

If they only knew what they were missing. sigh

By LL

May 24, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Could this be a trend?

Or are there only three of us who know what life is really all about?

We rock!

By Bill

May 24, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Dave, your comments remind me of a trip I made to Dayton a few years ago. I stayed as a house guest of a real computer whiz - a lead engineer, a Phd, at Wright-Pat’s advanced avionics lab.

I was covering a story in Dayton for the newspaper and asked if I could use his computer. It was ancient. I told him how surprised I was to find such an antique in his house.

He smiled and said: “I do this stuff for a living, not for fun.”

By JJ

May 24, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

The ONLY reason that I even have the computer is for my high schooler…..and she is only allowed 1/2 hour per day on it. But now that she is out of school, and I am at work, I guess she will be sitting there all day long…….

Now I must admit, I am a tv junkie. But the weekends, it too, is turned off, unless I plug in a movie or watch On Demand.

Yes LL WE ROCK!!!!

By Ray

May 24, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Go for it Bill

By Willie

May 24, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

I have dial up, and a cell phone, I use them as needed/wanted. I read a lot, watch tv less than a hour per day. I like them, I hope they don’t go away. I go a lot. I even come home sometimes. Have a good day. I have a pet rock. Life is good. I am happy.

By LL

May 24, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Willie - you crack me up! Glad life is good. Mine is too. I have a pet dog. Rocks in the head and yard. We are happy. ;)

By Bruce L Ekin

May 24, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

I have a Question Bill. Husted.

What is the Purpose of a computer ? Since I have purchased about 8 to 10 of them since the first IBM PC jr. No I guess the first computer was a Sinclair that never worked.
This question is not to be a smarty or flippant. I just like to always come back to square one, from time to time to understand why I should purchase another new computer Sincerely, bruce Leonard

By cjc

May 24, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I think when we can find a moderate balance where technology serves us, instead of the other way around, we’ll be better off. I enjoy being wired into my life, but there are those times I unplug and go for a more monastic approach: go to the mountains, take a book and enjoy nature. The cell phone receives no signal; I have no laptop to port with me.

By Bill

May 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Bruce, it’s a fine question.

The purpose of a computer is to do - within the range of its capabilities and the capabilities of its operator - whatever you need doing.

You’d get the same sort of answer if you asked the purpose of a hammer. Saying that a hammer’s purpose is to drive nails would sure limit it. And would ignore the fact that hammers do a perfectly fine job cracking open pecans, or - in the right hands - straightening out dents in a car, or putting shoes on a horse. A geologist finds it handy to crack open rocks.

If all that’s true of something as simple as a hammer, imagine how it is with computers.

It does a heck of a job playing my online game, Guild Wars. But my mom finds that the use of a computer is sending e-mail. And my uncle the electrical engineer could tell you how it helps design circuits.

I read the other day where a research outfit is tying together a bunch of game consoles and using the down time of those machines for medical research. Same box that plays Halo.

The trouble with good questions is that the answer is never very satisfactory.

By Too Plugged In

May 24, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

I admire all of you that are able to unplugged. I am one of those “freaks” that can’t imagine life without my cell phone. I would give up Cable before I gave up my high-speed connection. I often think about shutting everything off for a weekend… but I have never actually done it.

By Susan

May 24, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

I was going to write a note saying that I unplug when I get home.

But, hey, I’m home and - unless this doesn’t post - I didn’t unplug. It’s a hard habit to break.

By textile

May 24, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m weird, but I like my computer. I work with one all day as a means of communication and check my home computer once a day to catch up on news and friendly email. Come the weekend I only use it for directions to where I’m going. I still think it makes my life easier and filled with a lot less paper.

By Chris

May 25, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

Sinclair Computer - HA! I remember mine, and I couldn’t get it to work either.

I’m a wired professional (IT Sales) and love having the ability to quickly connect at home or reply to emails on my Moto Q.

The key is maintaining control over your personal time, and having the discipline to put the device down.

I did just that last weekend, and I will repeat it this weekend. Enjoy!

By cp

May 25, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

My work is totally internet based so I am logged in at the office and also at home most weekdays and evenings. I login on Sat morning to check my email but otherwise I am able to unplug over the weekend without any symptoms of withdrawal. I cancelled my home phone two years ago and now I’m strictly cell based so I could not easily give that up. However, like one of the previous posters, I too would give up my cable in favor of the internet connection. TV holds no interest for me whatsoever. I’m old fashioned enough that my favorite entertainment is reading. I have even considered getting one of those digital book readers but frankly, I cannot get past the notion of holding a big juicy paperback in my hands.

By Becky

May 25, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t have a computer at home, nor do I have any movie channels on my cable. I handle all of my computers needs at work. I do have a cell phone because I don’t have a home phone..I do a lot of reading..I probably read about 3-4 books a week…

By Reader & Writer

May 25, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

I am married to a techno-junkie. I cannot imagine the man unplugged for an instant. For him, the more constant access he has the better his life is. He is career computer engineer who never, emphasis never, sees a need to turn off. Computers are his livelihood and his hobby. His goal is to automate every repetitive, boring, mundane task of his life and in everyone else’s life; When an earlier responder wrote of the pleasure he had in actually holding a book in his hands, I nearly wept in frustration. My sweetie has reader on one of his computers read his email while he is working with the others in his study here at home. How can he stand to work on computers at the office and immediately begin to work with them as soon as he comes home? He cannot understand why I can’t understand that he doesn’t consider any of this as a problem. I guess I’m asking which of us really has a problem, or do we both? Insights are welcomed.

By Sped Teacher

May 27, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

I love technolgy. I use it in my classroom all day, then come home to hours more. No TV, but iPod, Palm, and MacBook keep me up to date.

By RJ

May 27, 2007 3:21 AM | Link to this

I appreciate the sentiments being expressed, but am I the only one who finds it a bit entertaining that several folks are commenting on a blog about how they don’t like technology?

By Susan

May 27, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this

Maybe, RJ, it is a sign of the tug of war we all face.

I am not really crazy about cars but they are sure part of my life. I don’t love traffic but I sure spend a lot of time in it.

I - honest to Aunt Gracy - am not wild about computers, I get no thrill from processor chips. But it’s a part of life now and - since it is - a sane person learns to accommodate them. Just as I accomodate cars.

And - like cars again - there are times when a computer comes in handy. So, yes, it is a paradox - commenting on computers using one to type on a blog - but no more of a paradox than the car that sits outside and my morning trek in traffic.

By deidreNC

May 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

i have 1 computer that works most of the time…1 cell phone and 1 land line only because i get no service at home (on the cell) i only got the cell cause i got one for my teenage daughter and thought oh why not its only 10 extra$$ a month (haha)-i have 2 computer degrees…have fixed many broken computers…now i look at one all day at work so i rarely get on the one at home…i used to think OH! the kids have to have one etc…well now if it breaks oh well…theres school and work and the library if we need it that bad…i have to admit i love having a cell phone mainly for use as a phone book to keep all my numbers in lol…there are days that no one turns on the computer…oh yeah..theres a weird glitch happening that when we hang up the telephone the computer comes on…(im cracking up here—-its really true)

i have a pet dog and cat…read probably too much…sit and talk to the kids…rarely watch tv..usually turn it off in summer months…

yes life is good i rock too :)

By Phil C

May 28, 2007 4:21 AM | Link to this

Like other items and activities from chocolates to Sex, anything can and will be by some, abused or overused ! The trick is to know how to balance your life and the things that are in it.

By CJM

May 29, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Instead of unplugging in the evening, my practice is to plug things in. Once I start to charge my Zen, Treo and earpiece, I do not use them. I turn the ringer off on my phone at 9 pm (yes I know that only leaves me 2 hours of off peak cell phone usage between 7 and 9 but I really do not enjoy getting into conversations when I am trying to wind down for bed). I still do what my grandmother taught me when I was 3…read for at least fifteen minutes before dozing off to sleep. I do not download my work email to my pda (thanks Treo for making it so that I only have to push one button for that to happen…yay) unless I am out of my office during work hours. Otherwise, why would I need to check work email? All of this to say that I am a sucker for gadgets but I refuse to let them take over my life. We have had a few crackberry interventions for friends who take them into the shower with them. One was prompted when a friend sent me the following response to an inquiry about a recipe: “just stepping out of the shower, will respond to your email more completely when I reach my bedroom and have moisturized”. It’s just not that serious.

By JJ

May 29, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Well I DID unplug this past weekend. I even turned my cell phone off Sunday and Monday, and didn’t check the computer not one time.

I spent time with the dogs, time doing yard work, I was with my family and friends, and mostly by MYSELF. My daughter went off for the weekend and I haven’t seen her since Friday afternoon.

VERY RELAXING WEEKEND!!!!

By Bill

May 29, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

I followed my own advice, mostly. I went to a barbecue with friends; watched the Braves (considering the series with Philadelphia that wasn’t very relaxing), and read.

I did fall off the wagon a little on Sunday - no one was home and I did log on to my online game. But - even then - I killed monsters with kindness.

Now I’m back in the newsroom - facing two computer monitors, grouchy people and, a real horror, an update in the software we use for writing.

By LL

May 29, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Glad to hear you had a nice, non-beeping weekend, Bill. Fun, huh?

I think we’re all back to the rat-race today, ugh. Oh, and you should understand the upgrade without notice. That’s IT’s way of getting back at the rest of us for yelling at them. Been on both sides of the help desk. It isn’t pretty.

By Bill

May 29, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Yeap, LL - all this makes me want to invest heavily in lottery tickets. I start my work day before dawn and after the luxury of sleeping until - gasp - 7:30 during the holiday I’m spoiled. I need a nap or several million in unmarked bills.

By Katie

May 30, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

I’m a simple person. I have a cell phone that I rarely use and a computer at home that I don’t use very often. I much rather be outside working in the garden, playing with my dogs, taking walks with my husband or reading books. I just recently found out what a raspberry was, or is it a blackberry—anyway, I am very behind the times in technology and I think I’m better off.

By RamblinLonghorn

May 30, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

I’d rather listen to a podcast than the wind whistling in the trees.

I’d rather watch a Baseball game on an HDTV than go to the park.

I’d rather play World of Warcraft than hike around the world.

you get the picture. Now I do wish I could have a USB Grill (I already have a USB powered toaster =P)

By Motorcycle Man

May 31, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

I spent all last week on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I carried my PDA with me. I would occasionally check my email and answer it. WHY? Because, if I hadn’t, when I got back I would have had a nervous breakdown trying to catch up. Most were simple ‘deletes’ anyway. And in a couple of cases, if I had NOT answered, I would not have liked the choice others made when I returned. IMHO, it is better to manage the emails as you get time, rather then force them all on you at once.

I also took the time to email some photos to friends letting them know what they were missing while they worked. THAT was enjoyable. :)