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My pre-emptive strike on becoming a PDA addict

July 8, 2008

Ok - so this morning - the eve of my long anticipated holiday - I am eagerly awaiting the (late) delivery of my new mobile phone.

I use the word mobile phone loosley- because that’s only one of its functions.

I have recently "persuaded" myself to embrace technology - step up - and get a "smart phone" / PDA device.

I’ve been holding back for a while now. I see a lot of my friends in and out of business glued to these devices and SWEAR that I don’t want to go there. I don’t want to be addicted to a small, small screen or fixated on hearing the "beep" notification that some more spam has been delivered to my inbox.

So why did I get it?

Is it peer pressure, shame or envy that has prompted this new embrace of the technology age? It’s a bit of "all of the above" - as well as the need to be a bit more accessible as I’m out of the office a whole lot more.

I really only intend to use this new device as a phone with the capability of doing OTHER things…………occasionally. I do want to still be able to have a conversation - business or social - without being distracted by the potential of being contacted by someone else by email. I still want the people and the business that I do face to face to take priority.

So - here’s my tetative pre-emptive strike on the PDA - a contract to me to ensure I don’t become addicted and antisocial with over use. I’ll let you borrow some of these rules too if you like!

• Avoid pulling out the "device" at dinner with friends - unless that is we’re seaching for something on the internet that’s relevant to the conversation. Furvative glances every 5 seconds is a bit off- putting and not a good tactic for engaging in meaningful face to face interaction.

• No PDA at the movies - the worst use I’ve seen has been constant SMS and email checking at the movies. I mean - WHY BOTHER going to the movies if you can’t separate yourself from the small screen to enjoy the big screen?
• No games on the PDA - I don’t play games on screen - usually. In the 80’s I was addicted to the arcade game Galaga (showing my age again - but who WASN’T loving Galaga in the 80’s??) I have no Wii, Nintendo, Xbox or whatever (maybe I don’t know what I’m missing) And I do prefer good oldfashioned card games, scrabble, backgammon and playing Poker - around a table with friends on a Saturday night!!
• No checking email in the early AMs - chances are the only email I’ll be getting at the "witching hour" when I have insomnia - is SPAM.
• No sending email in the early AMs - when you have insomnia - and the evil monkey on your back is messing with your head - this is NOT the right time to send emails……….. for SO many reasons
• NO PDA while driving - it’s tempting - I know - to respond to texts and emails while driving - but hey - it’s REALLY not safe.

This is all academic -until I recieve the thing and work out a) how to use it and b) get data turned on and actually start using it. I’ll keep you posted on progress - or not!

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