Old Dog . . . New Tricks
Posted by lynnnicholscpa on June 16, 2012
For an accountant who began his career with a 10 key adding machine and a pad of ruled paper in 1964, learning to use an i-phone 4S is a daunting task. My thumbs are too big for the “keys.” I am not accustomed to the various arrows and other miniature icons that allow access to the phone’s more spectacular functions. So far, I am able to phone a few friends, check the weather, receive and send simple text messages, and even take a photo. My first attempt at using the voice commands ended when my profane expression of frustration triggered a “That’s not nice” response from the phone’s feminine voice.
Will I eventually learn to use it ? Yes, of course. Would I rather stick with the “tried and true”. . . the “familiar” ? Sure. But then, if I had hewn to that attitude for the last 45 years, I would still be solving problems with a 10 key adding machine and reporting the results on 12 column ruled paper.
So, in spite of the pain, I will embrace the i-phone and the “cloud.” Having given up the 10 key years ago, then being forced to abandon DOS, I will now give up paper files, my own server, and finally surrender my “cell” that actually resembled a phone. Send me a text. I need the practice !
Change is the only constant.
