My first experience with technology was our hunk of a lunk computer that sat in our guestroom. I had very little interaction with it, but my parents used it for work. I remember being fascinated with the blue screen and the relationship between typing and text on the screen. I can also remember being scolded for sticking my little fingers in the floppy disk slot because computers were “very expensive to fix!”
Since then, a plethora of computers have entered and exited my house, as my family and I never could seem to find a keeper. One of us was always clicking the wrong button or typing too hard on the keys. I had always played around with certain games and such, but when my family got internet was the first time I actually become hooked on the computer. AOL Instant Messenger, or AIM, changed my life in the 90s. I loved making up screen names and being able to chat with my friends without actually having to move my lips. I also began stalker tendencies with my obsessive urge to check everyone’s away message to find out what they were doing, or their profile to find out who their best friends were or who they were dating. I miss the days of writing “Shoutout to all my girlz MF*AS*BS*DB*TM*” and seeing if my initials were in their profiles. Thinking back, a lot of needless drama could have been avoided if AIM was never invented...
At this time I was also rocking out hard with my CD player. I remember packing for my eighth grade field trip and taking up valuable space in my backpack with the talents of Britney Spears, DMX, and some mixed CDs with the latest Jamn and Kiss hits. As I watched my brother go on this trip 7 years later, all he had to do was sync his ipod and hit the road! The times sure had changed.
Currently, I think I do a good job of keeping up with the latest fads. I own a Macbook Pro, Iphone, Ipod, and a fancy flat screen tv. I use Facebook, Twitter, and several email accounts. I feel that I can hold my own when it comes to technology, but I also know there is a lot more that I can learn. I hope to become more proficient in Mac programs, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Although I originally resisted some technology, I hope to learn from my intolerance and become more willing to try things in the future. I approach technology in my comfort zone, which makes me reluctant to try it. I need to see others enjoying the technology first, then see how it applies to my life, before I commit. I know times will never go back to AIM and CD players, but I ackowledge that things have become bigger and better and will continue to.
Since then, a plethora of computers have entered and exited my house, as my family and I never could seem to find a keeper. One of us was always clicking the wrong button or typing too hard on the keys. I had always played around with certain games and such, but when my family got internet was the first time I actually become hooked on the computer. AOL Instant Messenger, or AIM, changed my life in the 90s. I loved making up screen names and being able to chat with my friends without actually having to move my lips. I also began stalker tendencies with my obsessive urge to check everyone’s away message to find out what they were doing, or their profile to find out who their best friends were or who they were dating. I miss the days of writing “Shoutout to all my girlz MF*AS*BS*DB*TM*” and seeing if my initials were in their profiles. Thinking back, a lot of needless drama could have been avoided if AIM was never invented...
At this time I was also rocking out hard with my CD player. I remember packing for my eighth grade field trip and taking up valuable space in my backpack with the talents of Britney Spears, DMX, and some mixed CDs with the latest Jamn and Kiss hits. As I watched my brother go on this trip 7 years later, all he had to do was sync his ipod and hit the road! The times sure had changed.
Currently, I think I do a good job of keeping up with the latest fads. I own a Macbook Pro, Iphone, Ipod, and a fancy flat screen tv. I use Facebook, Twitter, and several email accounts. I feel that I can hold my own when it comes to technology, but I also know there is a lot more that I can learn. I hope to become more proficient in Mac programs, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Although I originally resisted some technology, I hope to learn from my intolerance and become more willing to try things in the future. I approach technology in my comfort zone, which makes me reluctant to try it. I need to see others enjoying the technology first, then see how it applies to my life, before I commit. I know times will never go back to AIM and CD players, but I ackowledge that things have become bigger and better and will continue to.
Jill, I loved your Instant Message story. It made be glad that I had three sons during that period of technology. The drama was not quite so high for them.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph brought back something I heard recently: "Teachers are pragmatic. If it works, it will be used again. If it doesn't work, you won't see it again. It seems like your reluctance is a skepticism to commit without sure knowledge that it will work.
Hi Jill,
ReplyDeleteI approach new developments in technology in the same manner as you. If I see my friends or co-workers using them I am intrigued and likely to try them as well. Also, like you i have to quickly see if they are a benefit or make things in my life more efficient. i missed out on the whole AIM phase but found your comments very funny. Ed
Jill, I love that you wrote about AIM. I, too, was an AIM junky and couldn't wait to post song lyrics that matched my mood, or telling the AIM world where I was. This was especially useful in college as you could tell exactly where your friends were by checking their away message. And I still have a fascination with CDs...I know, I'm a little behind. :-) Kids have it easy these days with their Ipods, EReaders and the like. Just pack one item and you have your music, internet, and books! It's amazing to me how quickly technology advances.
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