How has technology changed your job?
I stopped the day job 15 years ago, so I’m fortunate that I haven’t had to go through the chaos of switching over to technology. It’s hard enough working out where it made sense to save something on my own computer, without having an entire company system to deal with.
As a writer I’ve found technology to be a blessing, although it was better in the old days when I hand-wrote plays and then the first edit was typing them up onto my word processor. In some ways that was the best time.
Except computers = distraction
I must write
Hang on I need to check my emails
I need to reply to these emails
I must get on with my writing
Ooh I haven’t checked the news today
Now I’m tense and screwed up
I’ll just play one hand of solitaire to clear my mind
Two hours later…
Tea time!
As such they’ve actually reduced my productivity levels, and naturally I blame the machine.
Seriously, they are brilliant and I wouldn’t be without a computer as a writer. I obviously don’t use the spelling apps though as they seem to spell American and don’t recognise quite a few common words or phrases I use. A good old grammar and spell check is more effective.
However and scream!
I did have one issue the other day. I took the option a few months ago to back my computer up to One Drive. Okay I did it accidentally…even so…
It seemed sensible, it was brilliant when I needed my new laptop, and I was comfortable as the documents were still available on my computer. This meant if I wanted to take my laptop out with me and use it in a public place, I didn’t need WiFi to get my documents.
To my absolute fury Microsoft decided to change that. I powered up my computer as normal, only to discover that all my documents are now located on the cloud, including, and get this, my desktop. Apparently it is not on my computer it’s on the cloud. Therefore the documents I purposely kept to work on without WiFi are no longer available.
I was furious at that breach of privacy and the idea that they get to reach right into your computer and change what the hell they like.
Total control
So although I’m still grateful to computers, I feel that these tech billionaires have gone too far now. They too have proven the point that all power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
From now on, when they want to start charging us more and more we will have very little choice but to pay. They’re starting to own and control us. There is probably a work-around though.
In fairness I need to look into Apple products as they’re fiercely taking on the UK government for demanding that they weaken their security. Another case of the powers that be doing what they like without any consultation.
Apparently it’s so that they can track the really nasty websites, but the way I look at it, we have AI now, set up a fake person and join them to those groups, surely they will get all the information needed that way? I don’t know of course, but I do know that I’m grateful for technology yet my reservations about the people behind it are mounting.
I have excellent security on my computers, my information is as safe as it can be at the moment. Where it is not safe is on the Cloud, only on our own computers can we say that private information is private, as long as we take precautions.
I am sorting this out though, it’s going to take time, but it will be done.
So yes, it’s changed my work, the machines themselves did it for the better, the people behind it not so much.
Best love and lots of happiness today to you and yours.
Deb xx
Deb Hawken - Amorah 