Computer Nerd to Ludite and Back Again.

Having been  in software design my whole career and a hardcore computer nerd since I was in the Commodore users groups as a kid., the last few years have been troubling. I think the amount of technology has overwhelmed me.

As the format of  how we compute is changing from desktops to laptops to smart devices, I’ve actually become of more ludite like, feeling that my new gadgets are causing more confusion, pain and time sucking than they’ve been helping. Longing for the days of a one button joystick or a plain old keyboard. Retreating to nature without a GPS or phone in hand.

But then you see something like this. Which is actually at the crossroads of total invasion and not requiring any cognition to use and you think ah hah! That’s what I’ve been wanting all along. Not to shun technology altogether but I’ve been wanting something more sophisticated more, savvy so I wouldn’t have to learn something new or have 10 different devices that basically do the same thing.

Nice job Google Guys, let’s get there quicker than not, cause I’m craving for some REALLY smart tools.

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Computer specs have exceeded my needs! YEAH!

I’ve seen computers as a tool, a toy and something I’ve totally coveted for close to 25 years. I was shopping for computers back when you HAD to order them in a magazine. You couldn’t get them anywhere else. The idea of a computer store was a sheer novelty.  I was always searching and hoping to find a way to get the next best and biggest computer, the one I thought I always wanted has always been out of my price range and something I would have to wait for.

My first computer was a Commodore 128 (128 for 128 K of RAM memory)which my parents spent $250 for one Christmas. Bar none, the best Christmas gift ever and one that would unknowingly direct me into my current career. I spent the next 6 months on my paper route saving enough money to by myself and 5 1/4′ floppy disk drive. Until then I ran all my programs off a cassette tape drive. Eventually I had enough stuff including a 14.4 kbps modem that I ran a bulletin board on. (1986) Take that, Al Gore who invented the internet!

Since then I’ve spent thousands upgrading and buying new machines. To play the coolest games or to hook up video equipment, make it faster, then get a bigger something or other, then get a smaller something or other. About 8 months ago I started to realize I hadn’t fallen into my pattern of shopping for fun toys when I get bored. In fact those direct emails I’ve been getting from Tigerdirect.com and Apple are really starting to get annoying! Those mailers from Microcenter have been shredded confetti even before I take a peek at them. And now I’m wondering why they’re not being very green by sending anything to me.  I’m sure they know I haven’t been back in a long while, given all of my data on their loyalty program.

Just about anything I really want to do on a computer honestly only takes about 1/3 of the resources of anything that costs less than $700.  I’m almost having a mid-life crisis realizing that either my activities are bordering on the old and boring or maybe technology has just surpassed me. It’s a little scary, since for so long I’ve had an identity as the guy who loved computers for so long… now that nothing special.

And like an ailing Mel Gibson my last words trickle out of my mouth….. “Freeeeeeeeeddooooom!”

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