#7 Technology - random musings

There have been 3 separate strands of thoughts running through my head this week in relation to technology. Working in systems in the library, I'm clearly committed to it but I think there can be TOO MUCH of a good thing. As I've said previously,I really enjoy many of the tools, I've been relying on online resources not only for work, but for managing my life generally, but I think you can get seduced into a bottomless pit. This fairly pedestrian observation has come noticeably to the surface for me this week as a result of giving up my ebay habit. I don't turn my home computer on as much (ie the second I wake up, or come in the door). And I have found that I have a lightening of spirit or something because I am free now to do other things. I have become too easily sucked in to checking my email compulsively or doing random google searches. So that's my new resolve - to stay away from the computer more!
Something else that I have been thinking about is how important it is to have a realistic attitude to technology. It doesn't always work. Expect things to go wrong.
We have been trying to set up a new public access network at one of our library branches in the past few weeks and it has been been plagued by many problems. These have all been much more bearable because firstly I always double the projected time for any new installation, and secondly the staff have had a relaxed attitude. Things don't work any quicker by having dramatics!
The final thing that I have been thinking about is people's fear of technology. One of the great outcomes of this Learning 2.0 course is that many library staff will become more comfortable with trying new things and solving problems. People often have the tendency to cry for help immediately anything unexpected happens without trying to resolve the problem themselves. They don't want to take responsiblity for thinking about the issue so they continue to be scared of technology. I wish I could convince people to try to work things out themselves -it really isn't rocket science - because once they do, the whole weight of fear of something going wrong with the computer will fall from their shoulders and they will feel wonderful!