Sunday, September 27, 2009

About Patrick's computer experience

Well, it seems that I did not read the instructions for this assignment carefully enough. I need to have two entries up by midnight tonight (Sunday Sept., 27). This is something that I will need to give more attention to, reading with understanding.

This entry will be about me and my experience with computers and productivity software. Like most of you, I have been using computers for personal pursuits and just plain fun for a good number of years now. I have some experience using computers in the workplace as well, but have not needed to use the typical office software that will be covered in the class I am taking.

The places where I have used computers at work did not employ MS word or excel, at least not in my departments. Instead we used a system called Lightspeed. This was a menu driven system, designed for use in automotive shops. It had functions for creating and tracking service repair orders, inventory tracking, parts invoicing and many other things that I did not use.

At home I have used a variety of applications, including Quicken, Turbo Tax, and word processors. These have been very helpful at times and very frustrating at times. Usually my lack of experience and understanding of how to use them has been the root of my frustrations. Things like not being able to find a file after I saved it, not being able to do something I thought the application was capable of doing, or not being able to access a feature that I know came with the operating system(such as the snip tool).

I am taking this computer class to learn how to be more adept at using my computer, and because today's job skills are demanding more computer savvy employees. Having proper training with productivity software and a better working knowledge of basic computer functions can only help me in my career.

Patrick Russell

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Views on computers and micro technology

Hello Everybody,

This is my first ever blog! It is my hope that you will find my views and perspectives interesting. I will be talking mainly about computer technology and how it relates to me and the way it impacts my life. I have some rather strong opinions on certain areas of computer and micro technology, and how people at large deal with it and use it on a daily basis.

One example is the apparent dependency our society has on computer technology. For instance, I walk in to the bank to make a deposit, but their computer system is down. Instead of having a back up system in place, they are unable to do any transactions until the computers are back online. Is this a good way to run any business? I think not!

Another example of what I think is a problem that our society needs to address is the lack of etiquette people display while using their cell phones. I see people all the time, ignoring the other people they are eating a meal with, or a mom disregarding a child only so she can gossip with a friend. What happened to manners being important? New technology does not mean we should completely throw our manners out the window.

Then there is this whole texting issue. Why do we need to feel such a strong need to be in constant contact with everyone we know? Often times at the expense of others we know and care for, who are sitting right next to us. I completely do not get this!

So, now that I got that off of my chest, I guess I should say something more directly related to personal computers.

These are wonderful tools, and great toys at the same time. For the money I have spent on computers over the last 15 or so years, I feel like a lot of it was rather frivolous. I mostly play games or e-mail, none of which is essential to me and the way I live. If I did not have a personal computer, it would hinder somethings, but not cause me any real strife.

Just the same, I do get a good deal of enjoyment from them and can communicate and share pictures with relatives that live hundreds of miles away. I also learn about work related things with my computer, so there is some professional merit as well.

So in the end, it seems that I am a supporter of computers and micro technology, and, yes, I do own a cell phone. I also do sometimes use poor manners regarding the use of my cell phone.

My two cents worth,
Patrick Russell