Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Apple Macintosh computer. I love this article I just read about the devotion people feel for Mac. Once you go Mac, you don't go back, right? The article talks about how Apple's founder, Steve Jobs, not only created this amazingly wonderful new machine, but he also changed culture -- and that's rare. Nowdays, Apple employs my sister and allows me to function every day, so for those things I say, Bless you, Steve Jobs and Apple! Happy 25th birthday!
I've had my cell phone for almost two years -- only two years -- but lately I've been feeling slightly behind the times. My cell phone doesn't have a camera, can't play videos, doesn't even have an alpha keyboard and can't even access the Internet. I don't need all those things, I reasoned.
Well, when my sister, who works at Apple, got her iPhone, I had serious smart phone envy. Then my nephew got a smart phone. Still, I resisted. I did, however, get a text messaging plan about a year ago. People laugh at me when I text -- it takes forever! But I embraced it and I swear I even have traces of "texting thumb" already!
I just read this article (http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/11/29/1129phoneshame.html) and now I'm convinced. It's time to get a smart phone. It's the smart thing to do! (I called today and found out that I can upgrade to a new phone after December 8! Woo hoo...smart phone, here I come.)
So after hearing social media and communications expert Shel Holtz speak today about incorporating social media into communications, I became keenly aware that technology could very quickly pass me by. Or has it already? ;) I think I’m doing ok – I’ve had a MySpace page for years and I now have a facebook page, I’m a Linked In member, I have a photobucket account, I text message, and just today, I became a twitterer! I’m so proud of myself!
My Grandpa D. lived to be 95 years old. I remember one day, when he was about 94, he asked me about CDs. He knew all about “Certificates of Deposit,” but these shiny round things that played music were new to him, so I explained them. We then started talking about the Internet. He just shook his head. He couldn’t fathom it. Grandpa was born in 1907 and in his lifetime had witnessed the invention of the assembly line (holy cow!), the aerosol can, the atomic bomb, the television, traffic lights, the fluorescent light bulb, the jet engine and literally, sliced bread!
My nephew, who is 14, recently asked me what kind of cell phone I had when I was his age. I just laughed. Apparently instead of “wear pajamas to school day,” they now have designated technology days for kids – days when they can bring their cells, iPods, etc. to school without getting in trouble. My nephew says he’s bored a lot. I can’t fathom that. I don’t ever remember being bored when I was his age. There was always something to do…and when I was his age, I didn’t have cable TV, an iPod, cell phone or even a computer!
You heard it here – I’m making a vow to never let technology pass me by. I will at the very least read about the latest trends! ☺
