Posted on: Friday, July 16, 2004

COMMENTARY
Ticked off by tech? Reboot your brain

By Tim O'Brien
Knight Ridder News Service

Admit it right now, and we can get on with the rest of this article. All is not perfect in your relationship with technology, is it?

So what do we do? Can we survive the continuous onslaught of new devices, upgrades, iterations and speed? Here are 20 suggestions to help you keep perspective and avoid your next techno-migraine.

1. If you don't turn it on, it won't ring. It is OK to turn off your cell phone or beeper. We have no obligation to be available every minute.

2. If you don't check as often, you'll have fewer interruptions. Check e-mail two or three times per day. And turn off the sound that notifies "you've got mail."

3. The time it takes to reboot is an opportunity to calm down.

4. If it says retry, they don't mean it. Close it or reboot.

5. Computers don't think at all, much less think like you.

6. Don't assume compatibility between machines or with tech support.

7. DOS is part of the past. It will not come again. Get over it.

8. Mac people are right-brained. PC people are left-brained. Don't argue, emulate.

9. Yes, all those wires mean something.

10. When in doubt, don't open it. It could be something very bad for your machine and network.

11. Productivity enhancements begin the day you erase solitaire from your machine.

12. Put a list of all your passwords in your safety deposit box or personal safe. Update it each time you change passwords.

13. Never use the last one of any critical supplies. Keep extra toner, ink cartridges, paper, discs and CDs in one safe place, just in case.

14. Have a backup plan for when technology fails you. It will. It is only a matter of time.

15. Protect critical private information. There are people who would steal your identity or publish your trade secrets. Firewalls, anti-spybot software and other security measures are not luxuries but required equipment.

16. Don't hit or kick it. It is unlikely to help, might hurt you and could ruin the equipment you hit. Both medical and repair bills are expensive.

17. Remember, technology exists for us, we don't exist for technology. You are in control. Just remember where the off button is and use it freely.

18. Remember the computer programming acronym GIGO: garbage in, garbage out. Don't question the quality of the output if your input was substandard.

19. Cell phones, pagers and PDAs are to help us be more productive. What do you do with the time you save using these time-saving devices? More? That's the most common answer. Why not less? Relax and enjoy calmness instead of the rush of adrenaline.

20. At birth, you came with no technology. At death, you will take none with you to your next level of expression. In between, keep a perspective on technology's relative importance.