Y.I. Wednesday: Why I Know the Reason So Many People are Unemployed

I know, I know.... according to the latest polls, unemployment is down, but I look around and still see so many reasons why people have lost their jobs, and will continue to.

Every thing is so automated now a days.

Recently, I had to head over to the nearest lab for some testing. This particular lab is located in the local hospital, and to check-in for your appointment you actually visit the 'check-in kiosk', instead of stopping to talk to a person.

No more registering with a body. There is simply one person on duty, at a nearby desk, for any 'added' info or additional questions.

The kiosk is your admin person.

Wow.

All I needed to do was punch my info into a computer, which was hidden behind a little wooden cubby; things like my birthdate, zip code and confirm some insurance info and my address.

Viola!


Checked in and done.

Within about fifteen minutes everything was complete, even the lab appointment.

It's wonderful that this visit was so efficient. Though, not wonderful when I thought about the person behind the desk that is there no longer there.

Computers: our friend, and our enemy.


Other places where I've noticed computers replacing people, and cutting down on how many bodies which companies have to employ:

• I can avoid driving to the bank for a deposit, because I can use my iPhone to do the check deposit.
• I don't think many of us reach a body upon our first three minutes on the phone with any given company.
• At the library, I can check out my books at either of the 'virtual librarians'.
• Self-Check-Out which initially began in grocery stores, is now in several other types of stores.
• Self-Serve areas at the Airport, Post Office, and Computerized Voting Machines etc....

Time is hard to come by, so I'm happy we can gain more of it by utilizing automated, electronic, and computerized systems (in most cases), but I am sad for those who are no longer employed, because these computers they were replaced by them.

I can only hope that this might actually turn out to be positive in the long run, because those who are replaced by robots/computers can get a new lease on life by starting a new career which they love more! 

Or... go into computer programming and repair....

Gauging by the way the world is evolving, they will never be without a job.

Y.I.Phone Wednesday: Why I Said Goodbye to My Blackberry

Recently, I said goodbye to my 'Beloved Blackberry...
Probably, for much of the same reason many other's have...

It's, as my husband says, 'antiquated'.

I really had not thought of describing my BB that way,
I liked it, I really did not have any big complaints about it....

but, compared to my iPhone,
I do think it's:

slow

complicated

small

&

bulky


THIS is in no way a Blackberry bashing...

This was actually a hard decision for me.

Familiarity is nice.
Having gotten used to it's functions and operating system,
I didn't want to get rid of my Blackberry.
Plus,

I don't usually purchase something to replace something-which-still-works,

In the past, I'm almost always the last one with the latest technology,

I really don't care about games, gadgets, apps or surfing the net on my cell phone...

But,

I work with the internet and communicate via email often.

I am a business owner, a volunteer and a busy mother, and I have many schedules to keep.

Time is at a premium for me.

So,
with the recent crash of my laptop,

and the new switch to an iMac at home, 

I had been bitten....

I'd tasted convenience,
had a peak at continuity,
simplicity and efficiency.

Wow,
I like those things.

So,
sayonara my dear friend.

I've moved on to:

synced calendars

connected notes & to-do lists between computer/phone

iCloud

quick desktop-access email

simplified documents

speed
a big screen
and lot's more...

I can't say I didn't try...

When I was thinking of what the iPhone offered,
I looked at the 'new and improved' Blackberries hoping I wouldn't have to say Goodbye...

Sadly, they left me wondering what was new besides the color and shape,
because it was clearly still 'Blackberry'.

I am a fair person, so, since I've touted my new toy,
let me give you the cons of going from a Blackberry to the iPhone:

Contacts lose extra notes when transferred, so beware when switching over
I am (still) not a fan of touch screens for texting and emailing, though it is better than most touch screens
With Blackberry, I could use Bluetooth to transfer pictures to my Mac (with iPhone I can't)
Blackberry was fun to say...
and everyone knew I hadn't spent too much money on it.


(It annoys me when people think I spent a couple hundred on my new gadget...remember, I like efficiency and saving money...Yes, it was on sale for fifty bucks...)

Now, I am time and money efficient, because:

I will never have to buy multiple calendars because I can sync several,
I won't ever have to print out directions/emails (saving trees),
I don't need to pay for VZ Navigator or a GPS system,
I won't lose my eyesight as quickly due to all of that unnecessary squinting,
I can work with my clients documents on the road because they link up between my computer and phone while tracking edits,
I can deposit checks by taking a picture of them (how cool is that?)...

O.K...I'll stop...