I’m writing this entry on my oh-so new Vista laptop. This same laptop lost internet connectivity for several days this week causing me angst that’s hard to describe although here’s one definition that comes close: an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about personal freedom.
Do I want to publicly confess that I sometimes have tech issues at home? Mmm. Yes. Am I frustrated and do I want to heave-ho this laptop straight out the window? Yep. Will I? Nope. This is part of being an early adopter of new technology, sometimes it’s frustrating but if I didn’t muscle through challenges like this, I might be writing on an 8” floppy and a Wang word processor. So I’m going forward.
I’ve realized how integrated being online is with my entire life and how weird is it to think of “being online” as some separate activity. I found I couldn’t separate my work or writing from being able to access the internet. I found how obssessed I get trying to work through an issue (I think I knew that before.)
A primary contact at my ISP has been great. He has both aptitude and attitude that made the difference. We briefly talked about how some tech support staff can only follow the scripts they’re given. He made a comment about how some people work in IT and how limited their knowledge is versus people for whom technolgy is part of their lives. He hit the nail on the head with that comment.
The depth of knowledge difference. Yep. I can hear it, I can smell it, I can sense it.
I don’t work in IT. IT is not my job. Technology is a significant part of my life from my Plantronics 640 headpiece to my cool new Q phone. Now, I don’t always own the latest and greatest because financial responsibility is another element of my life but technology is core part of my life. My home office is where all the energy is in this house.
I’m not so thrilled with a company that has lots more financial reserves than me being unwilling to talk to me unless I have a MasterCard in hand when they clearly shipped early but embracing new technology means struggling sometimes.
And this whole headache shows how important testing is. We are clearly needed.
(I once found a new job when I complained about a website (nicely) to a company who turned around and hired me.)
As I move forward with Vista and Office 2007, I’m reminded how important testing is. And how important it is to embrace the never-ending new stream of new technology.
And I’ve thought about how users feel. I spent time desparately wanting something to work versus spending time wanting to break something. An interesting switch in focus.
Hasta la vista, Vista? Nope. Embrace the new. And as I resolve issues, my own depth of knowledge increases.
