Has techonology improved my life?

I was going to blog about how technology has improved my life, but Horizon has been down since mid-morning...bleh!

Seriously, folks...I wrote my first 80,000-word manuscript 25 years ago. I wrote the draft in longhand, then typed the manuscript on my trusty portable electric typewriter. Four rewrites (and retypes!) later, I sold the manuscript to Silhouette Books. By the time I began my second book, I had bought my first computer. With the help of a 15-year-old neighbor, I learned Wordstar, and writing books became a whole lot easier for me. So, yes, I have appreciated new technology, and I continue to appreciate new technology. I have a cell phone, a DVD player and a digital camera, and I enjoy using them. But I'm concerned about how some aspects of technology, most notably the Internet, have begun to replace face-to-face social interaction, especially for young people.

Some Thoughts on Web 2.0/Library 2.0

Although I read the article on Web 2.0 with interest, I can't say I'm enthusiastic about the possibility that "You and your mobile devices...are always online, connected to one another and to the Web." I'm already "connected" more than I'd like to be and as much as I can afford to be, financially. My concern is that we have begun to assume that everyone has access to a computer and the Internet, and that's not really true. Computers are still a luxury item for many people, and Internet service has become increasingly expensive. Yes, computers witn Internet connections are available at most libraries, but there are only a limited number of computers available for a limited amount of time. I see the increasing "need" to be connected in order to access information as a way of making it more difficult for those who need the information most to get ahead in the world to actually get it. I also see the increasing "desire" to be constantly "connected" as a way in which many people become isolated from the joys of living in the real world with real people.

In reading the article on Library 2.0, I again had the feeling that we are being urged to spend even more time with a machine. The comment that "Libaries are not merely in communities, they are communities" is so true. Yes, libraries need to provide as much information as possible, but we also need to continue to provide a community where living, breathing people can meet other living, breathing people face-to-face, not in the cyberspace virtual world of a humming piece of machinery.

Hooked on LibraryThing

Okay, I am SO hooked on LibraryThing, thank you very much. I'm afraid I'm going to have to PAY for an account so I can add all my favorite books. I've only added a few books so far, but I can see reaching the 200 max sooner rather than later. I loved adding my profile, too.

Meez a ReaderWriterGirl

Yes, I look almost exactly like this! Try meez.com at http://www.meez.com/home.dm?r=832151 and have some fun!

Zoey - Cat with a Badge

My creation
Originally uploaded by readerwritergirl

This was so much fun! I created a badge for my cat. She's going to be so happy! You, too, can create a badge for you pet at http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/

Have fun!