As I was reading the interview with Marianne I was struck by her comment that sending a document to members “by fax that took me at least 2 days if I was lucky!” and I paused to reflect on the momentous technological changes we’ve seen … then I logged on to the internet to research the facts!

Since ICEFAT began in 1976 technological development has been staggering – especially to those of us who are not “net natives”. The fax machine, a breakthrough in the 1970’s & early 1980’s, is now considered old and mostly redundant equipment. The fanciful “shoe phone” of Maxwell Smart in the late 1960’s became the ubiquitous cell of the 1990’s – although those first ones were more like a brick than a shoe!

Despite the rise of devices such as smartphones and PDAs, the PC will continue to be the most popular computing device for businesses. Take-up is expected to continue between now and the end of 2010 when there should be relatively mature markets in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Developing economies are expected to add 500-600 million PCs in the next decade.

Mobile and remote working means that the number of employees with always-on mobile email is forecast to rise from the current millions to at least tens of millions by 2010.
I’m not taking a position on the use of these technologies and devices. They are tools and that means that there is a proper way to use them and an improper way to use them. We can’t blame the hammer if we hit ourselves on the thumb! I’m simply amazed at our ability to adapt.

Over the years people have treated technology like a family member: coddling it, caring for it, protecting it. Technology was put on this earth to improve our lives. It can be frustrating, but when you look at the big picture, technology is an innovation that will continue to benefit everyone.

Kim Powell
kim@ganderandwhiteinc.com