Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Cyber Communication (email, IM’s, etc) (11/04/10)
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TITLE: Techie Granny | Previous Challenge Entry
By Leola Ogle
11/06/10 -
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I admit it - I’m old! I remember telephone party lines and when mobile phones were so big you needed two people to lift it (okay, that’s a slight exaggeration.). I had just gotten used to the phenomena that I could send a paper around the world via a fax machine, when technology escalated way beyond that.
Giving up my word processor for a computer was agony, like an old friend being replaced by a newer, more modern version. I could certainly relate. Embarrassed to admit I didn’t know the first thing about my new computer, I did what any intelligent person would do. I bought a teaching video. Perfect idea, except that instructor spoke a foreign language: icon, control panel, case sensitive, desktop, start menu (apparently I would be able to order food from my computer). I lost track of all the words he used. If my computer contained those things, I had no idea how to get to them. When he mentioned search engine, I knew I had bought the wrong video. I watched them unpack my computer, and it didn’t include a separate engine.
Being a quick learner, I mastered that computer. It was that or be out of a job!
When cell phones became owned by everyone including kids, I declared “I don’t want or need one!” So - my first one was large enough that I could easily find it whenever I absentmindedly dropped it into my purse. Do you know they make special pockets on purses for cell phones? I thought it was just a handy place to keep my keys.
I had to get a cell phone - I felt so left out. Whenever I was in a restaurant, I noticed most people didn’t talk to each other, they talked on their phones. At first I considered buying a toy phone that looked real so that I could at least look in the groove (do we still use that word?), but then my husband explained the “family plan”. Well, I certainly belonged to the family - in fact, they wouldn’t even be here if not for me. I didn’t need a cyber guru or teaching video to tell me how to produce a family. I finally started putting my tiny phone in those little pockets on my purse though. Don’t ask me how many calls I missed before I learned that lesson.
I begrudgingly gave up writing real letters for corresponding via emails, wisely learning to be guarded with my words because once it was in cyberspace, God only knows who might read it. There’s also a blackhole sucking up some emails never to be seen again, like those socks missing from the dryer.
Getting a phone with internet access rocked my world, but I soon became disillusioned and called my husband.
“This phone is possessed! It vibrated all day, but when I try to answer, no one is there.”
Alright, no one told me the vibration meant I was getting an email. Definitely not my fault! These things should be clearly explained.
I finally learned texting. I love texting! That way if I’m crabby or don’t like someone, there’s no voice to give it away. Besides, I really don’t like to talk to some people, you know -“blah, blah”- so I text instead. I know not to text while driving. I am definitely not that coordinated anyway.
I do social networking and have 400 friends there, mostly because I’m too nice to decline a friend request. My family was concerned that I have friends called Motorcycle Maniac and Dangerous Dan, so my grandson went into my profile to make my phone number and address inaccessible. Gee, it had been accessible to people?
Haven’t done twitter yet - maybe next week! Can I tell you a little secret? I hate IM. Email me and I’ll tell you why!
I thank God for modern technology because my granddaughter is currently serving in Afghanistan. I love God, my family, and country, but she’s mommy to my great grandkids. My sorrow at them being separated for nine months was softened when I found out they could Skype everyday.
Someone please tell me that picture sent over cyberspace of a tiny gal in fatigues holding an enormous weapon is not really my Rachel! Maybe I’ll master Skype so I can ask her.
Bye now! If you’re in my contact list, you’ll be getting an email because I’m starting a prayer chain for Rachel.
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