I remember having those same feelings a few years ago. One day I walked into my office and discovered that, while I was at lunch, someone had put a desktop personal computer on my desk. I sensed that my life was about to change. I didn't want it to change. But, I was twenty five years into a career with the same company. I was too young to retire and too old to change careers. I decided that, if was going to survive the next ten to fifteen years and have a shot at continuing to advance, I would need to learn to use that P.C. faster and better than my peers.
The months that followed were somewhat surprising as well as humbling. I dedicated one hour per day to exploring the programs in my computer. The first few days were very frustrating. After a few days I was able to swallow my pride and ask a few questions. After a few weeks I could unashamedly ask the same questions for the tenth time. I also found that I had joined a fraternity/sorority of "computer people". I have since learned that computer people around the world are patient, understanding, loyal and eager to help me learn and relearn.
Within a few months I found that my work day had reduced from sixteen hour per day to eleven hours. The information relative to my areas of responsibility was much more readily accessible and useable. As my staff became more computer literate, we found that the quality of our work was greatly enhanced along with the improved efficiencies.
This past year, we moved on to the next computer frontier, cyberspace, the "dreaded Internet". The internet is a world wide series of servers (computers) linked by satellite and phone lines. The servers contain data bases of universities, government, business, public libraries and individuals who wish to share information. Sounds very complicated doesn't it?
To my surprise, this was the easiest first step of my life. It is not brain surgery nor nuclear science. It is as simple as typing in a subject that I am interested in and hitting the "enter" key. A universe of information pops on to the screen and my life is greatly enriched by this easy and fun way to access information on virtually any subject.
Before I leave home for work each morning I read the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Indianapolis Star, United Press International, Associated Press, Reuters, PRN and several other news services for no charge in the internet. I also send a note to my sister in Sacramento, a niece in Cape Coral, another niece in Santa Anna, my daughter in Atlanta, a close friend in Rhode Island and a cousin in Mississippi. In the evening I search the National Library of Wales, The Library of Congress and the Brigham Young University genealogy files to learn about other Roblings.
Traveling through the knowledge spectrum of the whole wide world while sitting comfortably in my study at home is an exhilarating, breathtaking, and indescribable experience. The total bill for these thrilling experiences is pennies per day.
It is now possible to bank, bill pay, buy and sell stocks, look at your bank account, and track your portfolio on line. You can talk to and hear people on line, without long distance bills and see the person you are talking to on screen. Very shortly we will be able to pick out our groceries and have them delivered to our homes while snuggled comfortably by the fireside in our pajamas. What's coming after that? I don't know, but I am certainly looking forward to it. Although I must confess that I struggled with long division and my fifth grade son still has to help me learn new computer programs, I am waiting with eager anticipation to take the next steps on the digital stairway to knowledge. It's also fun to be able to speak the language.
In the meantime I am busy encouraging my family and friends to join me in this exciting adventure.
Dan Robling©1995