How technology has changed over the time I have used it.

Here are my thoughts on how technology has changed during my lifetime. There are the technical aspects, such as the dramatic departure from a typewriter to a computer. This seemed fairly straightforward, and I didn't miss using the messy carbons that were used to make a copy. I also didn't miss the whiteout used to correct a mistake. Come to think of it, I think this is still one of the assets of the word processing part of computers. I also remember a time when fax machines were new, and in the hospital in which I worked they were only to be strictly used for ASAP or emergency situations. Then those rules became more relaxed, but I noticed how most people would call the offices receiving the fax to see if it arrived, and then discuss the content. I remember thinking - why don't you just call in the first place? Now, almost 30 years later, I think most people trust the fax machine to do what it was intended to do and that the document will go the right person, and we're too busy on our computers usually to check on every fax sent. We can email to see if it arrives. So, as you can see, I don't have much faith that they have changed our lives all that much and actually in the long run use more time. HOWEVER, there are some offices where technology is used in a reasonable, systematic manner. For instance, I know an accountant's office which is paperless and works very well. There is nice artwork on the walls, which are painted a pretty golden color. There is a hush in the office, much like the hush of libraries when I was a little girl. Everyone is efficient, but there is not a hurried feeling of rustling through papers. All in all, I think that is the key - to know what you want and need to know and use that knowledge wisely. Lora