It is hard to believe when we grew up there was no special technology. How the times have changed. We had rotary phones that sat at a desk or hung on the wall. You hope for a very long chord, so you go where no one could hear what you were talking about. Then came the cordless phones!
In 1988 I was a librarian at a Catholic school in Florida. I loved that job. Our little library consisted of various collections of children’s books. We had a few sets of encyclopedias that the kids used for research. We couldn’t afford to purchase a new set every year— too expensive. Our budget did allow us to add new books each year.
Our card catalog was wooden, with drawers. Cards needed for each book were: subject, author, and title. It needed to be kept up to date. When checking out a book, the kids would write their name and grade on the checkout card. They would give me the card, and I would stamp the due date on the card and in the book. The cards would be filed; so when the book was returned, I could put the correct card in the book, and shelve the book. Quite a process.
Handwritten overdue notices were replaced with computer generated notices. Yes, we saved time. The card catalog still had not been computerized. With our small budget, the library had come a long way.
This was only the beginning of what was to come into our lives.
Our computer “lab” started out with a few Radio Shack TRS-80s — the dinosaurs of computers. Slowly, computers were donated, and we made them work. It was a process. The kids were introduced to the start of a technological age — it would only get better. I would see the kids once a week, and I believe they loved the time we spent together. Many happy memories. Thanks to my husband and two boys, we made the computers work. I don’t know what I would have done without them.
One second grade student, that I will always remember. raised his hand for what I thought was a question. Willie said to me, “Mrs. Staufer, I am having technical difficulty”. By now Willie is probably all grown up. I often think about his statement and laugh.
Would you believe that I spent two weeks teaching first graders how to work and click their mouse. Now kids are born with that engrained in them.
Over the years our lab was updated and could hold 18 students. We started a school network in the lab. The computers in the classrooms and office were still all standalone. They could be a challenge. One soon became good at troubleshooting. We had certain disks for certain computers and kept them in our pocket during class time.
The school I was at came into the age of technology. Classes now have iPads, so I would think the internet would finally be throughout the school. A public school, here in Atlanta, distributes laptops to each student. My granddaughter went from hardback books to E books. Assignments are turned into the teacher online. Wow! Is all I have to say.
Now here we are with technology integrated into our everyday life and homes. It is a bit crazy. Things that we now need to be in the know about are:
First is Alexa. She knows your name, what you order online, can turn on/off the lights in your home, and give you a weather and traffic report. I believe she has replaced the radio, too. You find yourself getting upset with her when she doesn’t do what you ask. Maybe her ears need cleaned out?????
Your doorbell can play 25 songs, and let you see who is at the door.
The thermostat in your home is controlled by your I-Phone. Yes, there are YouTube videos to show one how to work it. (I speak from experience.) You can lock your door with your phone.
Amazon, or as I refer to it as the new Sears and Roebuck, makes ordering easy with packages showing up at your door the next day. Oh yes, Alexa will tell you when they have been delivered. I remember going into the Sears Catalog Center, ordering, then picking up the order a week later and paying for it (usually with check, cash or money order). Yes folks, debit cards weren’t in the picture yet.
Paper catalogs are now online. I really miss the Sears Christmas Catalog that we would receive each year, pick out what we would like from Santa, and then give our list to mom and dad. Practically everything you could want can be ordered online, then delivered to your home—even groceries. Yes, folks, we are in hog heaven with all these conveniences.
The home phone has almost been replaced with our cellphones. Cells go everywhere with us. We can read, play games, and even do our banking online. Can things get any better? Let’s not forget FaceTime. Now you can call your grandchildren and see them while you have a conversation.
Lastly, is the TV. We have gone from small black and white TVs to flat screen wall units. The days of yore were when we had six channels, the Star Spangle Banner played at midnight, then TV was off the air at midnight. It probably came on at six or seven a.m.
If you have purchased a Smart TV for your home, now you must figure out how to turn it on and off. Yes, Alexa can do that too! You have one hundred plus channels to watch. A favorites list can be created, so one does not need to flip to that channel. Movies are on demand.
The kids today have no idea what they missed.
So here we are in the Age of Technology, trying to learn what is what and hope that you remember the twenty steps to get where you need to go. Again, let me state, “Thank you Lord for children and grandchildren”. Yes, they are the maneuverers of the age. You love them even when they tell you to pay attention.
This week I graduated to streaming TV. A whole new subject to learn about. Once you get it working then you need to figure out the remote, so you can get where you want. My remote has a Netflix button. It is easy to get there and watch movies, documentaries, and TV programs. The TV is an adventure all of its own. Thank heavens for children and grandchildren that can help you navigate (not kidding).
Speaking of remotes, you may need to use two or three to maneuver where you would like to go and what you would like to play. Yes, and on occasion, you need to look for them. There are so many times I would like that old black and white TV back with its six channels. You turned a button to turn it on and off. You flipped the channel dial, so you could get to your channel. I believe things began to get complicated when the VHS player was born.
Let’s face it! Even though these bits of the Technology Age can make our life simpler —- if we can figure out and remember how to work them.
Gotta love it all!
Blessings from The Blogging Grandma!