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azuriteETA (2/18/07): This post was formerly a paid post sponsored by PayPerPost. However, because such posts are against LiveJournal's TOS, I've removed the "ppp" tag, any sponsorship notices, and the link which I was paid to include. However, because the words and opinion in this entry are still my own, I'm keeping this entry up. I am still a member of the mailing list on the "Productivity 501" website, and I find it very interesting and helpful, so I recommend you Google it if you find this entry interesting.
I remember a few years ago, I started to believe that there was an anime for any subject. Go to OtakuWorld and you'll see anime listed under the most strange of "genres," like Flowers, Mega-Conglomerates, or Cooking. So it probably shouldn't be too surprising that there's a website for practically everything, too. But part of me is still a bit skeptical that people would take time to purchase, design, and maintain a website for something that doesn't bring them any money. But then, here I have my own domain that never generates a cent for me, my own LiveJournal, and plenty of other such places. I guess personal satisfaction is a big drive for many people-- and that's a very good thing, because if you truly want to be PROUD of something you present to the public, then you will do your best to make it visually appealing, and have content that's useful.
So go figure, I find one such site... about productivity. It's kind of strange saying it, but that's what the site's about-- being productive, becoming MORE productive, and HELPING you to increase your productivity. (I used to have a folder on my computer with all my Microsoft Office programs called "Productivity." For some reason, the more I say it, the more I grin. I wonder why?)
I browsed through the site, and right off the bat, I found something interesting: The Two Types of Technology Users. It's funny, because in my time working in "tech support," I've recognized that there are different types of people that use technology, but I've never thought to try and class them before. Now that I've read this, the two classes of tech users actually make sense.
You've got the type that has a problem, and looks to technology to create a solution. These are the people that want to learn how to do things, and keep putting what they learn to good use. There's a difficulty they're having, and they think or know that technology (whether it's new hardware, new software, or simply learning to use what they have) will help.
And then there's the type that sees the shiny new gadget that's in the Wall Street Journal, or on the cover of Wired (or on Home Shopping Network...), and wants, wants, wants, even though he or she can't really think WHY they need it. They have a solution (the new technology), but no real problem, and if the new technology is especially complicated, they have to learn a LOT of new things, and get into the habit of using something they didn't have to (and had no need to) before. This doesn't make these kind of users BAD people or anything; they just go about finding and using technology in a different way. The people that say "Hey, everyone else has got one, I need one too" also fit into this.
I'm a tech person of the first type. While I say that I like to use new technology, I'm usually not the first one to go and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars unless I've done lots of research. I'd like to think that I've learned enough lessons (personally and from other people's mistakes; I see them all the time in tech support, and even with my own family!) to judge whether a piece of new technology is worth my time and money.
My mom, on the other hand, is a tech person of the second type. She still hasn't figured out how to work her new iPod Nano! But then, Mom's never really been into hyped products like the iPod, and I don't even know if she's really that interested in portable music anyway. I was kind of thinking she would use it on the bus, or when she bikes, but I didn't expect her to think it was so difficult to use! (Then again, she is trying to use it on a PC...)
Oh, and this made me giggle: The Sacred To-Do List. I always felt kind of silly making endless To-Do Lists. In fact, my obsession with little pieces of paper led to me writing all number of fanfics, sketching all sorts of things when I was supposed to be paying attention to class/work... but still, I thought of myself as productive, because I didn't attempt to REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER! Having something written down and where I can see/find it ('find' being the keyword when you're disorganized like I am. Productivity and organization DO go hand in hand) was the best. At least now I'm getting better at actually crossing out the things I've done, and throwing the list out when EVERYTHING is done, so I don't have millions of scrap papers lying about my room. Am I really silly for putting such emphasis on a list of random things I think of? After reading this, I don't think so anymore. :)
I remember a few years ago, I started to believe that there was an anime for any subject. Go to OtakuWorld and you'll see anime listed under the most strange of "genres," like Flowers, Mega-Conglomerates, or Cooking. So it probably shouldn't be too surprising that there's a website for practically everything, too. But part of me is still a bit skeptical that people would take time to purchase, design, and maintain a website for something that doesn't bring them any money. But then, here I have my own domain that never generates a cent for me, my own LiveJournal, and plenty of other such places. I guess personal satisfaction is a big drive for many people-- and that's a very good thing, because if you truly want to be PROUD of something you present to the public, then you will do your best to make it visually appealing, and have content that's useful.
So go figure, I find one such site... about productivity. It's kind of strange saying it, but that's what the site's about-- being productive, becoming MORE productive, and HELPING you to increase your productivity. (I used to have a folder on my computer with all my Microsoft Office programs called "Productivity." For some reason, the more I say it, the more I grin. I wonder why?)
I browsed through the site, and right off the bat, I found something interesting: The Two Types of Technology Users. It's funny, because in my time working in "tech support," I've recognized that there are different types of people that use technology, but I've never thought to try and class them before. Now that I've read this, the two classes of tech users actually make sense.
You've got the type that has a problem, and looks to technology to create a solution. These are the people that want to learn how to do things, and keep putting what they learn to good use. There's a difficulty they're having, and they think or know that technology (whether it's new hardware, new software, or simply learning to use what they have) will help.
And then there's the type that sees the shiny new gadget that's in the Wall Street Journal, or on the cover of Wired (or on Home Shopping Network...), and wants, wants, wants, even though he or she can't really think WHY they need it. They have a solution (the new technology), but no real problem, and if the new technology is especially complicated, they have to learn a LOT of new things, and get into the habit of using something they didn't have to (and had no need to) before. This doesn't make these kind of users BAD people or anything; they just go about finding and using technology in a different way. The people that say "Hey, everyone else has got one, I need one too" also fit into this.
I'm a tech person of the first type. While I say that I like to use new technology, I'm usually not the first one to go and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars unless I've done lots of research. I'd like to think that I've learned enough lessons (personally and from other people's mistakes; I see them all the time in tech support, and even with my own family!) to judge whether a piece of new technology is worth my time and money.
My mom, on the other hand, is a tech person of the second type. She still hasn't figured out how to work her new iPod Nano! But then, Mom's never really been into hyped products like the iPod, and I don't even know if she's really that interested in portable music anyway. I was kind of thinking she would use it on the bus, or when she bikes, but I didn't expect her to think it was so difficult to use! (Then again, she is trying to use it on a PC...)
Oh, and this made me giggle: The Sacred To-Do List. I always felt kind of silly making endless To-Do Lists. In fact, my obsession with little pieces of paper led to me writing all number of fanfics, sketching all sorts of things when I was supposed to be paying attention to class/work... but still, I thought of myself as productive, because I didn't attempt to REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER! Having something written down and where I can see/find it ('find' being the keyword when you're disorganized like I am. Productivity and organization DO go hand in hand) was the best. At least now I'm getting better at actually crossing out the things I've done, and throwing the list out when EVERYTHING is done, so I don't have millions of scrap papers lying about my room. Am I really silly for putting such emphasis on a list of random things I think of? After reading this, I don't think so anymore. :)
