Some time ago, I faced one of my fears head on. I went into an Apple re seller, and I played with an iPad. Well that’s a bit of an exaggeration. My friends played on it, I just gave them suggestions for YouTube videos, but I stood really really close to it and did try doing a few swipes, but hey, can’t knock a phobe for trying! It was good fun, until I saw the mouse. There’s just something not quite right about a mouse without no wires, and the inability to right click. Don’t understand that one either. But I accept the fact that some of my friends fetishize those products despite what I would consider basic design flaws.
It’s all about acceptance. I have to accept that I will probably not get technology until people start making things that I could use as accessories in my life, or even make my life easier. But I am very grateful for the things I do have. So here’s a list of kudos to the technology that I couldn’t live without.
Internet banking. The handiest thing ever invented. It’s not that I’m not good with money, but it’s always nice to see how little I have in my bank account. It’s so helpful for paying bills and topping up my beloved brick of a phone.
Instant messaging. Not gonna lie, this is where I get all of my gossip. Correction, personal news about random acquaintances. I’ve never been much of a texter, as some friends will testify to, but since I got with the program of instant messenger, I have taken to it like a duck to water. I always vow to use it more!
Free movies on the internet. Not the normal type of movie but actual ones that mainstream audiences can watch. I’ve recently devised a rewards based incentive to doing my college work over the summer. (Doing a Masters means doing work during the summer; funnily enough they don’t mention that in the fancy brochure!) I live on a budget, so even though I can buy DVD’s at a cheap enough prices, there’s nothing cheaper than free. So for every day that I do work, and there is a very broad definition of work going on, I reward myself by making myself more cultured and watch a classic move from a Top 100 list.
And finally Twitter. A place where I express my smart ass nature in 140 characters or less. I really like Twitter, and I mean really. Plus, it’s a great way to keep tabs on your favourite celebrities, or political parties, or me! Depending on who you follow, Twitter is one of the funniest places in the world. I follow a certain Irish writer named Colm Toibin, along with Stephen Fry, he’s probably the main reason to be on Twitter.
But, there’s always a catch. Internet banking is great, until you realise how much debt you’re in. Instant messaging is great, unless you’re using Facebook chat, which always seems to have a knickers attack every time I’m in the middle of an important conversation. Free movies are great, provided you live in a zone where you can access the sight. Or if you choose to download make sure that you have all the right software, and beware that that software updates itself every nano second. But Twitter, there’s nothing bad about Twitter. Apart from the trolls, but I don’t think I can blame technology for them.
