Technology: Help or Hindrance?

As watched Oprah's first webinar event tonight, I was reminded about some of the humor we all must have as we work to learn and use new technology.  I have worked hard to keep my sense of humor as I continue to work toward my "Boomer Chick, Media Mavin" goal! 

As I watched Eckhart Tolle's video image freeze mid-sentence, mouth contorted in some pose, I am sure his "Ego" would not like….that is if he let his Ego be too present (read the book if you don't get this……Ego is talked about a lot in the early chapters), it struck me that many times as we advance technology, it does not always work quite the way we hoped.  And sometimes, we cannot "bench test" all the bugs out of technology……we just need to be ready to adapt and be flexible as we implement…..even with excellent preparation.

So, in Oprah's case, the website clearly warned us……they tried to prepare for 500,000 viewers, and hoped things would be smooth.  In their case, though, the great news is that the "show" will be available for viewing after the fact.  Great planning Oprah…since many of us were watching a few words separated by many frozen images as the feed of the show clogged the internet. 

The neat thing about technology is that once we have the horrible first experience where something does NOT work, we learn, adapt and fix things readily.  I am willing to bet her webcast next Monday will be improved…..not sure how, but I am betting that the experience tonight will give them some ideas. 

There are many times, as I have learned about videos, the web, websites, etc., where I was ready to pull my hair out when technology that I thought should work, did not when I needed it to.  Sometimes it was "Murphy's Law", other times, just operator error (aka, my not really knowing how it should work.) 

My main conclusion is this: Technology is generally a great help when applied to the right things at the right time.  When you feel it is a hindrance, find your sense of humor and then determine a way to make it NOT a hindrance, but a help….and make it appropriate for the user. 

I heard a great quote today…..so I cannot resist to put it here:

"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know how to use my telephone." – Bjarne Stroustrup