Modern technology: do you resist or just "go with the flow"?

[welsummerchicks]

I'm fascinated with technology and study new developments and new research that might indicate what is on the horizon.

Do I use it, buy it?

Not a lot. I have the cheapest cell phone, a tv that's almost 18 years old, and a timer in the work shop that you wind up and it CLICKS, LOL.

I expect the people at work to pay for the extremely up to date expensive computer I use; at home I have some 200 dollar piece of trash that is about 12 years old and limping along and shedding more fur than a dog in spring, and all my other 'personal technology' is equally in shambles.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
Same here!

x 3


Rusty

x 4

 

[Judy]

My TV is about 10 years old, a heavy old CRT, my cell phone goes with me (turned off) in case of emergency, and I have a laptop because my desktop died and it was cheaper, plus I do take it when I travel. I've never texted and own no camera. I have both a cell and land line only because it's simpler than doing all that changing over, and would not save much, if any. No plans to upgrade a thing unless something dies (figure a flat screen TV is in my near future.) To me it's a bit boring to have to learn new technology. I'm delighted to have internet and email, I keep in contact with a few friends scattered over the globe for almost nothing, but that's enough.

I still pay my bills with stamps, too.

 

[nivtup]

My perspective

Computer - need a functional PC of any sort. Currently on a laptop that was a steal of a deal.

Need internet access - a link to the worlds knowledge.

Need to know what the construction of the nuclear reactors in Japan looks like? 3 minutes of looking on the net, and all of the information on the news makes a great deal more sense.

Need to know how to properly prepare to raise pigs? Internet has reams of info.


Cell phone - I have an IPhone - Work related - NO APPS - It works like a phone, has full time access to email, and can be used to send a photo to help describe a problem if needed.


TV - No HD, No flatscreen, No bells, No Whistles

I am happy to have a remote control so that I can watch 3 programs at once.


Spreadsheet (Excel) - Must have for mathematical powers.


When I am doing home time - Cell is off - Work email is ignored



Now - To go off on a tangent

Last year my stepson was in an auto accident

We were contacted through his social network LONG before being contacted by any authorities.

We were at the local ER long before they knew any information.

We were told he was being airlifted to Seattle through the social network, long before anyone else.

We were almost to Harborview (1-1/2 hour drive) before we were contacted by the authorities.

It was THE MOST AMAZING THING I EVER SAW HAPPEN


5 children / teens were in that car. ALL are alive and doing well.

I would suggest that 20 - 30 years ago the result would have been different.


Technology is a great thing.


I do not want it to overcome my personal space.

 

[mandelyn]

I get it if I need it, but I don't actively seek out the newest thing. Have you all seen that commercial about Best Buy's "buy back" guarantee? One scene has a guy getting a 3-D TV unloaded off a truck with a 4-D advertised on the delivery truck, with his kid in the front yard running in circles saying "You got the wrong one silly head". That's the part that I don't like... people who feel the need to rush out and get the newest thing. Technology is moving so fast, it's almost pointless to keep up with everything new they come out with. Plus if you wait awhile, prices fall. We could of run out and bought a nice flat screen for something like $2500. Buuuut... our old 36in regular old TV still works, I didn't want to pay that much, and I always like to wait for any kinks or flaws to get worked out of the first generation. Same with cars, I wait a couple years on a new model since there is always recalls in the very first one.

Plus if we get a new TV, we need a new laptop, my husband's is a dinosaur by comparison. It has all the bells and whistles, top notch from 2005. But it can't send internet through to a TV like the new ones can. BUT WAIT! Now the xbox can do it, and we just got the latest one of those since our original 360 kicked the bucket. I think there is a TV that can do the internet by itself, nothing but the cord. Until even that goes wireless if it isn't already. Pretty nifty. But only needed when you shut off the cable, which we plan to do when we go high tech. Upgrade the electronics AND eliminate a portion of a bill, that's what technology is good for.

So we went from needing all manner of gadgets to make it happen, to now needing nothing but the TV. By waiting, we'll get a better service and a cheaper price.

But my cell phone... I know how to call to check my bank if I need to... don't need an app for that. It takes really bad pictures, my upgrade will be better at that and still make good calls. Don't care if it does anything else. My brother just got one of the Droids for work and he hasn't set it down much because of all it can do. If I take my internet mobile... I wouldn't have a life! LOL But then again... I could sit out in the chicken coop on an Iphone, video a chicken laying an egg, upload it, and post it online, without leaving the coop or changing the gadget. Hahaha.

But then came the internet, and then came the Iphone, and life was made "simple".

As everything goes digital and high tech, so do crimes. Back in the day you couldn't rob a bank from the comfort of your basement computer den. Now you can. There are apps to swipe the banking information from people using internet cafes. So it isn't safe to check your banking while you're getting a coffee in a wi-fi zone. Phone viruses... computer stuff made available to online capable phones. The first one was created way back in 2004.

If you're struggling with learning the new technology, you also have to learn what not to do with it, and what about it poses risk. If you put all your information on there, you also have to know how to protect it, and have a basic understanding of how it all works. Common use internet service is risky. Not securing your home wireless service makes it easily hackable too.

The default settings you buy it with are often not enough. Look into all the available technology to keep yourself protected too. Whatever the good guys are doing, the bad guys are finding ways to make it work for them too.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I have one room that is just stacks of servers I built to run my website. Cat5 cables running all over the house an a 60 foot tower holding a 20X20X40 set of Moonraker 4s.

I did use a smart phone to keep up with stock when I ran a shop an junkyard but now I have stepped down to a basic texting phone. And I would never correct someones message to me unless I could not understand it. There is no respectable reason for doing such a thing.

 

[DuckLady]

I like my computer to be up to date because that is how I earn my living.

And the cell phone, well, we had basic phones forever. BUT....I got an I-phone last November and I love it love it love it.

 

[annaraven]

I'm pro-technology. I love my gadgets. I have an android phone (switched away from iPhone), MacBook Air, iPad, Kindle, DVR (love being able to record programs and watch them on *my* time - not many, I don't watch much but the ones I like tend to be at inconvenient times), and tend to be the one to tell my engineer DH about the new tech. I listen to podcasts while doing laundry and housework. I was also an early blogger and early twitter user - keeps me in touch with people better, because I tend to think to call when it's 3am and they're in bed! In short, I love tech. I don't see it as an either/or situation though - I also love my garden, my chickens, and my kitchen.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

We still have the old flip open style cell phones that are around 8 years old. Carried them so long the numbers are worn off the keys. We bought them because they were some of the first cheaper type phones that could take and send pictures but neither of us could figure out how to send pictures after I bought them, so only use them as a regular phone.
Our computers are both over 10 years old and hand-me-downs from my kid sister. Finally bought a new TV after the last one died that we'd had for 18 years.
I'm too old for all this modern stuff. We just had to replace our cookstove and the new one is digital. I can't even turn the darn thing on, much less set the clock on it.
Our last trip outta town with a freind, he asked where my GPS was at to find a place. I told him to look above the visor. He did and said... that's a map. Yep I said, it's how you Go Practice Searching for a place.

We did buy the kids a Wii for Christmas a couple years ago, but I won't play it either. I tried once and my kids whooped me so bad I was ashamed to ever try again.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Quote:
I know so do I and I do have an iphone as well

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