The Inherent Unreliability of Technology
It's Only as Good as They Make It
Did you enter your Apple ID password today? Did it ask again... and again? Why is the internet slow? Oh! It's asking for the Apple ID password again... cannot verify. Why is there no sound coming from the TV? Bluetooth headset crackling? Does this all sound familiar?
Yes, it does -- at least for me and a billion other people. In fact this was just my morning... the first hour. As a technology professional, or someone silly enough to deal with the stuff for a living, I am astonished about how simple little activities turn into a troubleshooting session. The mundane task of turning on a TV these days is a complicated mess of remotes, boot sequences, and choosing the correct HDMI port. Back before MP3s, when we wanted to listen to music we pulled out a cassette tape, popped it in the boom box, and hit play. It worked 100% of the time. Today you need to login with your ID, verify your credit card, maybe even enter a new one, click on those silly "I'm not a Robot" pictures, and THEN you get an error that your music client does not support the digital rights format of the song that you want to listen to. Yep, we're totally ready for self-driving cars...
The truth is that technology is not magic. In fact, it is a simple human construct like the wheel, sliced bread, and CBS's The Amazing Race. Genius, of course, but just like the people that created it, technology is fallible with all the imperfections and failings of any of us.
So what do we do? How do we keep from going insane? How do we approach technology so that it once more is an enhancement of convenience rather than a time consuming burden? It's a big subject, but here are three things that you can do:
Temper Your Expectations
This does not mean expect to be disappointed, rather set realistic expectations about the tech that you use and how you approach it. Do not assume that any digital solution is going to be a time-saver unless you put in the effort to learn and adapt to it. Set some reasonable goals and know what you can handle in your journey to get there.
Know the Creator
No, this is not about religion, but literally know who makes the tech that you use. It doesn't mean knowing them personally, but understanding the reputation of a hardware maker or software developer can help you choose what you would like to use. For example, Apple has always had a good and reliable reputation and that is seen in their products compared to others. If you take some time to do research, it could pay off in reduced downtime and frustration later.
Nail the Workaround
Tech often does not work the way we expect, and the way it works can change with updates, bugs, or even the speed of our internet connection. By first understanding the goal with any task, you can choose differing paths to the objective when the tech throws up roadblocks. Workarounds are the keys to getting around the human factor that is baked into the hardware and software that we use. And, believe it or not, knowing how to work around issues will build your tech confidence higher than any computer science degree I can think of.
I hope this special article can help calm a little bit of the insanity that technology brings to our lives. Wendy and I have used the three best practices above for years, and we are happy to share them with you.
Oh, it's asking for my Apple ID again....
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Apple's Special Battery Replacement Pricing
$29 for Many Through December 2018
iOS 11 uses a lot of power, and you may have read in the news that if you have an older iPhone with a failing battery, you may be having less than a positive experience.
Right now if you need a battery replaced, Apple has reduced the price to $29 for several models through the end of 2018.
Here is a link to the details: https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/battery-power
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New Printer: Quick Tips for the Home User
*See Article Above About Expectations
Printers should not be stressful, but they are. They turn off by themselves, then they turn on by themselves; they need ink; they need wifi -- it's almost like having another child for many. Printer is low on ink... feed printer.
When picking out a printer for your house, the choices can be daunting. I am not covering business printing here -- that is a whole different animal. Finding a good and reliable printer can be challenging, but here are three tips to help:
Keep Inkjets under $150
Consumer grade inkjet printers are the mainstay of the suburban home. They plow through ink, but are inexpensive. Don't be tempted to spend more than $150 on an inkjet for the house. In fact, if you can find one for around $125, that would be best. At those prices you should get a good printer to fill your needs, but not feel bad when it fails and has to be replaced in two years... or less.
Get Extra Capacity Inks
It depends on the model printer, but all manufacturers offer extra capacity ink replacements. They can go a long way to keep you from constantly swapping in new ones at every turn.
Second House? Consider Laser
Inkjet printers clog when they are not used. Oftentimes, they will not be able to be cleaned and have to be tossed. If you have a printer at at second home or a location where it will sit for months on end, consider a low cost black and white laser printer.
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