Michael's Tips for the Technophobic 
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New Technology
New technology terrifies many people. Technology most often equates to change and having to change the way we do things, really frightens people. We live at the confluence of ongoing technological innovations in computer technology, telecommunications, and digital imagery to name just a few. Daily life as we know it over the next 10-15 years will continue to change at an accelerated rate. You will need to learn new things on a daily basis or risk feeling [and being] further out of touch with the world you live in. Programming your VCR will seem like a trivial task compared to some of the new things you will be asked to learn.
Unfortunately the world is becoming more technological. New technology means change. With change comes uncertainty. Is it time for me to change? Am I doing the right thing? Where do I find all this new information I'm supposed to learn, even if I had the time?
New technology often brings with it a number of new concepts and new tools to master. Internet technology, as I see it, is a key technology because it offers a solution to surviving in an era of rapid technological change. It offers a new paradigm of learning, learning about anything and everything. It is the best means of imparting computing skills to the masses (the non-technonerd population) that I have seen. The Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, is the best example of both a concept and an associated set of tools that advocates information sharing, learning, and ultimately technology itself. The rapid growth of the Internet is the best proof of its success. The Web has evolved tremendously in the years since it's introduction and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
And now for those TIPS...
- Make learning about new things and new techniques a daily part of your life. Subscribe to one or more 'daily' E-mail tip services.
- Give it a quick 30 minute effort -- As with many things getting started is always the hardest part. When faced with a new piece of software, dive in, and see how much you can learn in 30 minutes. After that much time you will:
- have a better idea if it is worth investing additional time & effort on this software
- know enough to compare 'getting started' experiences with others
- not have the 'I have to get to that, soon' weight hanging over you
- have a sense of accomplishment for having started -- it gets easier each time you do it
- Cut the cord, NOW -- When your organization decides it is going to switch from WordPerfect to MS Word make a total switch to the new software, TODAY. The longer you continue to do your 'important' work in the old system, the longer the conversion process will take.
- Find the 'killer' features -- Most products have one or more features that really save you time or make life easier. Find them, learn them well, share them with others (their questions will ensure you learn it well) and then pick up the other features.
- Gather a support group -- Remember that you are not the only person that may have trouble learning this particular new concept, software, or whatever. Take the initiative to bring up the topic at lunch, or on break. Talk with others in your group and find some like minded individuals. Share/pool your experiences.
- Find a mentor -- There is a techno-nerd type who would just love to show off his/er expertise. Flattery and ego stroking can entice shy mentors to come forward. Getting a mentor for your group makes it even more efficient.
- Discover the programmer's point of view -- The 'nerd' who wrote the software had a specific world view. It probably isn't the same as yours but you can certainly suspend yours and adopt his/ers while using the software. The better the software, the less important this becomes.
- wizbang! vs. useful -- There is a lot of fancy software out there, some expensive, some free. Regardless of price, not all of it is something you need or want! Cluttering your PC and life with gadgets in the long run wastes your valuable time. If a software package is not helping you, get rid of it completely or look for a more useful alternative.
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