#12. My thoughts on technology

It seems that new technology gets invented every week. Sometimes I wonder whether too much technology will make us dumber in the future, or less practical and attentive to things. Thirty years ago we were expected to add and subtract without the use of a calculator. Twenty years ago we didn't have the benefit of spell-check. Today we have a mind-numbing amount of technology to tell us where to go, what to do and how to do it!

Not that I don't appreciate some technology. I like it when technology actually reduces consumption in general. For instance, music will soon be available for download instead of having to buy compact discs. The same goes for movies. No more Blockbuster, just download the movie for a fee. (already available with Shaw Cable, to a point) I'm looking forward to having a stereo system which is just a hard drive with awesome speakers attached. It will have a screen with playlists onto which I download music for a fee. No more clunky 5 disc CD changer. No more CD storage towers. No more HMV stores.

E-mail has the potential to reduce paper use as well. You can now have your bills delivered by e-mail and pay them on line. No more paper bills in the mail!

Furdley Frog

My creation, originally uploaded by gaanweweer.

This furrowed brow of Furdley Frog was created by fd's Flickr Toys. I allowed the link to my Flickr file but Furdley is not so sure. He's giving me a Froggy Frown. The website promised that I could change the look of my Blog by uploading an image. But I didn't do it quite right and now I'm just adding this image to a post in Bloggernoodles. Oh well, I tried. Sorry, Furdley.

Heffalumps

Heffalumps, originally uploaded by Mrs. Vargas.

I love elephants. I found this on Flickr and thought I'd add it to my blog 'cause I love elephants!

Steps 7, 8, and 9 (downloadable audio and video)

These three steps didn't take me very long. YouTube was fun, but the other two were kinda boring. I can see how a podcast would be interesting - kind of like listening to "talk radio" of your choice. Nice to be able to choose your subject. NetLibrary is a good service and I'm glad I played around with it.

Wicked Wikis

Step 5: Wikis have lots of potential! I like the idea of patrons being able to post their review of a library book they just read into the Library catalogue. Also that the Library should be the virtual "hub" of society by encouraging input from St. Albert residents on all kinds of community concerns.
I especially like the "Library Success" wiki where success stories from library programs can be shared. What a great idea!