So you made it through the first day
Laura Blankenship September 2nd, 2008
It’s over now, the first day. I’m sure there were things that went great and things that did not go so great. Here in the ETC, we’re sorting out how to work our newly refreshed computers in the New Media Lab, helping people with Blackboard, fixing things with video, and trying to put the last finishing touches on summer projects. My favorite thing that’s happened so far has been the many emails I’ve received asking how to do something that are followed almost immediately with another email that says “Never mind, I figured it out.” It’s true that many things about using certain applications are not obvious or maybe it’s a new application to you, but it’s also true that, unlike in times past, you probably won’t hurt anything by trying out a few options. I remember too well the days of pressing the wrong button sending your paper into the trash forever. I can also remember the days of the “sad mac” and the “blue screen of death” when it was likely you’d never turn your computer again, much less retrieve any data stored on it. These days, with the ability to store data on a server that’s backed up instead of a hard drive, means that even if your computer does die, you won’t lose your files.
Maybe technology has gotten a bit more complicated, which makes it more likely that you will need to call for help or search Google for the answer, but it’s certainly more stable in many areas. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve lost a file or had a computer crash so badly, nothing was recoverable. I even dropped my computer down the stairs and it was fine! But technology also changes more rapidly than it did in the past. Small updates to most software happens almost weekly. New web applications come out every day. People browse the web on iPhones and iPods. Wifi is almost everywhere. So, in that sense, technology might seem unstable. One day, you’re using an application and the next thing you know, it’s obsolete or has changed so dramatically as to be barely recognizable. I personally like change. I like that applications get better (as most do when they change). I like seeing new capabilities, new ways to do my work, or keep up with my kids, read the news, or even be entertained. If you’re not like that, it’s okay. I’ll try to serve as a guide, to provide insight into the new, directions for navigating the change. But don’t be afraid to try some things yourself. Really, you can’t break anything. And if you find something cool, please share!