Since starting this blog almost three months ago, I’ve been challenged to understand the various aspects of social media, handheld devices and apps. Yea, I know Social Media has been around for a while but I must admit that I’ve been slow to adapt. From what I hear, so has others in my generation. I can handle the ins and outs of Facebook but some of the other platforms are a struggle, quite honestly. The Millennials have burst into the scene and put their mark on the world with social media, apps and handheld devices. But the more I struggle to make it work, the more I realize…I’m a Desktop Girl.
See, when I was in high school, we had typewriters, the IBM Selectric. I could type 105+ words per minute consistently. I even received the Typing Award in high school because I could type faster and more accurately than anyone else. I know this was a long time ago but that’s how it all began for me. We also used eraser wheels, correction tape and finally white out when we made errors. Life was good! We thought! While in college, I adapted to the Word Processor which was the first bridge between the typewriter and where we are today. And finally, the desktop computer with a variety of software options for documents, spreadsheets, charts, graphs, etc. Though all of this has changed since inception, we still use some version of it today. I understand that computers have been around forever, I’m simply referencing the home computers and my adjustment to apps and handheld devices to get my work completed.
Remember these? I certainly do. LOL The funny thing is, my children have never seen some of these. Which means they certainly haven’t used them. Way back when, we typed directly on the paper. When an error was made, we had to use one of these techniques to correct our error. I recall erasing an error and attempting to line my paper up to continue typing. Loaning a piece of correction film to a classmate was an everyday thing . And let’s not forget painting the white out on the paper (so it was not noticeable) and then blowing it dry before continuing. LOL…it all sounds so funny now! Especially when all we have to do is hit the delete or backspace key and start over. It’s so much easier now!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about all the new technology that exists today. It’s just changed so much! Now you can do EVERYTHING from your phone! Wait….what? And how? From what I understand, there are some apps that only work from handheld devices and a desktop version is not available. Why is this and what am I suppose to do now? I understand that it allows us to be productive “on the go” but when do we really get to focus on exactly what we’re doing if we’re always on the go? I just struggle with working from my Phone, Notebook or Pad to accomplish most of my tasks. I get so annoyed at myself from my lack of knowledge. Frustrated because I can’t make it work the way it should! For me, I prefer to sit at my desk and work from my desktop computer. Not a laptop on my desk but a desktop computer! With a separate Monitor/CPU and keyboard. Yes, this makes me a Desktop Girl!
Occasionally, I will ask my children for assistance. I’ll call them on their phone or ask them to show me something when I see them. Well, this doesn’t always work! They are moving so fast and my aging gracefully eyes are traveling at warp speed to keep up with their fingers. Or else they’ll say to me…Mom, just do this or that; look in the top right corner for the three dots, or don’t forget to tag whomever, and use the hashtag (#)! What? Slow down! is always my response. They are always so willing to help but I know they’re thinking she’s having another “Platinum Highlight Moment”. I don’t know if any of you are having these issues but my challenges are real!
It gives me great pleasure when everything is working as it should be. My computer is moving at a rapid pace (in which my son says is slow), I can open as many windows as I need to accomplish my tasks, and my printer has ink and paper,. This is my life! I know so many have adapted to the laptop or some type of Pad or Notebook to work from. Not me! I just can’t seem to make it happen. Why is this such a struggle for me? Am I stuck in the past with technology? Does my age limit my ability to grasp this new concept in technology? I would like to think NOT! I’m still trying and I refuse to give up! Soon, I’ll be posting a blog about my handheld device efficiency! Now that’s going to be interesting! LOL
I look at the Millennials and they seem to have it all together. They’re working from Starbucks, restaurants and any other gathering spot. Businesses are beginning to renovate their open space to accommodate this type of “work on the go” concept. This is why I have to adapt. I welcome the day I can go to a restaurant and accomplish my tasks at the same pace. But that day is not today! I’m sure to get there soon. Any tips you have are welcomed. But for now, I must admit that I’m a Desktop Girl! And I’m happy about it!
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We’re Seasoned, Unique and still Beautiful!
Platinum Highlights… “Embracing the Change”
