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Life Without Computers

By Lisa Hill

Real Estate Agent with Florida Property Experts

January 17, 2010 04:01 PM

I am admittedly addicted to my computers! (I have 3 in my office) I know exactly where my files are. I use Firefox "Foxmarks" which can be accessed from any computer with Firefox installed. And I can easily waste an frustration entire day just fiddling around on different sites. I even watch ALL my TV on the network web sites, or on hulu.com. (I REALLY love Hulu!) And considering how much blogging we do, as well as updating our web sites, placing listings on multiple sites, creating fliers online, etc., etc., etc... I pose the question... what would you do if you were required to go "Disconnected" for 3 weeks? (I hyperventilate at the thought!)

Well, right now I'm watching a movie on my laptop, which is sitting right beside the monitor of my desktop computer. (LOL. This is how I work!) The movie is on Hulu.com called "Disconnected". It's a one hour documentary that follows 3 college students who are going computer-less for 3 weeks.

Considering how hard it would be for me to "disconnect", and I can't imagine how much more difficult it is for these kids who are about half my age! They literally don't know any other way. I just got the biggest kick out of watching them try to figure out a typewriter (couldn't load the paper) and look for the "delete" button. ROFL! And never one time did they even think about good old "White-Out". Duh! We still have to use that at least every once in a while!

Anyway, I thought you all might get a kick out of this documentary called "Disconnected". Just follow the link to watch it yourself. And if you feel like it, I'd love for you to come back here and share your thoughts with me. I'm still watching it at the moment, and they've already purchased watch-sized walkie talkies because they can't text each other. It's quite amusing. So go watch! And share your thoughts =)

... OMG! The library no longer has a "card catalogue" on cards. It's all computerized. The librarian doesn't want to help them! So the kids gave up and decided to go to an old arcade to play games there. HAHAHA!

Lisa Hill

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Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Lisa,

I'm just an old fart who hasn't a clue about Hulu.com, but I'm game to learn! LOL Thanks for the education.

Mike in Tucson

Jan 18, 2010 08:15 PM

Catherine Chaudemanche - Edison & Central NJ

Metuchen Keller Williams Elite Realty / Middlesex County, NJ - Edison, NJ

Full Time, Informed and Involved- Results Driven

Hi Lisa, realistically I would not be able to contemplate 3 weeks but I am trying to see if I could take just one entire week-end away from my PCs and from my blackberry. Even a week-end seems to be almost impossible...

Jan 18, 2010 09:20 PM

Joseph Keech

Blue Atlantic Properties - Leland, NC

I can do 3-4 days, but I must have my phone. If I have someone to take care of business, I'm ok. We go to the Tennessee mountains to get away. At home, I'm an internet addict. We have done away with cable and satellite, but not the internet. My precious! (Lord of the Rings)

Jan 18, 2010 09:29 PM

Lisa Schlitz

Home Run Real Estate, Inc. - Wellington, FL

Realtor - Wellington, Florida Homes 561-214-3216

Food for thought, definitely. Is that why I get squeamish when I think about going on vacation to a remote island? I wuld love to see my kids try to get through life without a phone or computer...ahhh, the good ole' days!

Jan 18, 2010 09:49 PM

FN LN

Toronto, ON

Unfortunately Hulu.com blocks shows from being streamed outside the USA based on IP address. I'm not sure if all shows are blocked or all countries or blocked but the few I have tried are blocked to Canada.

Jan 18, 2010 10:39 PM

Marney Kirk

Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD

Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Lisa, I can't imagine being unplugged. I get all shaky and nervous at being away for just hours! ;-)
It is funny to realize how much things have changed, and how everything really is computerized. I am amazed that library doesn't at least have a paper backup, what if they had a computer crash? ACK!

I may have to watch "Disconnected" -- the sweat is already pouring off my palms at the thought!

Jan 18, 2010 11:10 PM

Barbara Calwhite

Keller Williams Realty of Southwest Missouri - Joplin, MO

417-438-7387 Specializing in Relocation

The computor is like the microwave. At first I didn't think I needed a microwave, but now we could not get through the day without it. Same way with the computor--except at home my husband is beginning to HOG spend more time on it. Are we about to become a 2 computor family?? Just like a 2 car family??

What is this world coming to???

Jan 18, 2010 11:45 PM

Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker

https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA

Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

Imagine if the Net went down for a week. What kind of work would get done?

Jan 19, 2010 12:06 AM

Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner

Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Lisa ~ Yes, we're all agreed, prying the mouse from cold dead fingers it is! I get antsy if Internet is down for 20 minutes, never mind a whole day... or horror of horrors a whole week!!

In fact, just envision it for a moment, I can't imagine how we would get anything done!

Denise

Jan 19, 2010 12:32 AM

Home Loan Search.Online

Home Loan Search Online - Newnan, GA

Lisa, have you checked out Zinc? It is an online browser downloadable for internet tv. You no longer have to go to hulu and each network site as it is all on one browser.

Jan 19, 2010 12:36 AM

Dianne Bartlett

Brightside Realty, LLC - Austin, TX

Interesting post, Lisa. My son just moved into a new apartment and is already complaining about how slow the "free" high speed internet is. If slow is a challenge for him, I can't imagine how he'd feel if he were disconnected.

Jan 19, 2010 01:00 AM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

OMG! This got featured?? LOL! Someone around here has a sense of humor!

I just read all your comments... can't respond to them all, but you guys cracked me up. I really recommend watching the movie, the end is very revealing! Each of the participants came away with a different perspective from the experience.

And yes, you're correct-whoever mentioned Hulu not being available out of the country. I find it very odd that I can't watch any Canadian TV???

And thanks for the tip about Zinc. I'll be checking that out right now! =D

Jan 19, 2010 02:05 AM

Clark Hitchcock

Re/Max Nyda Realty Inc - Chilliwack, BC

Realtor - Fraser Valley

I went computerless for a while but it sure was great when that afternoon was over.

Jan 19, 2010 02:28 AM

Joe Pryor

The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK

REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I remember buying the original Zerox fax machines in around 1980 for $5000 a piece and it took about 20 minutes of phone time to transmit. Later in the 1980's I bought a Wang computer for my retail business at $14,000. My iPhone has about 1000 times the computing power of that Wang and doesn't require a programmer to run it. This is truly a wonderful era in communications and technology.

Jan 19, 2010 02:41 AM

Ruthmarie Hicks

Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Once plugged in, its very difficult to get unplugged. Also - the dread of coming back to an email box full of stuff after a week! OMG - the pain - the pain.

Jan 19, 2010 03:15 AM

Sharon Parisi

United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Dallas Homes

I must check out "Disconnected." I cannot imagine not having computer access. Remember the days when Realtors had to use printed books and go pick up keys?

Jan 19, 2010 05:42 AM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

LOL on "a while" being an afternoon. I can relate!

And I remember the final days of the books, when most agents were switching to the online MLS, but the older folks were still holding onto their outdated books. As for picking up keys. We still have too many of those around here! Grrr!

Jan 19, 2010 06:09 AM

Mike Weber

Keller Williams Realty Northern Colorado - Fort Collins, CO

40+ years in Northern Colorado

We have not had TV service for almost 18 years, so I don't go looking for TV shows. However, I have a tough time being disconnected, as does my family. Between the four of us, we have 6 laptops and a desk top computer.

Most of my high school aged daughter's homework is required to be done on the computer, one of her textbooks is completely online, and many of her teachers have her e-mail PowerPoint presentations directly to them.

My middle school aged son is home-schooled, and all of the lessons and most of the teaching is online.

When I have successfully dealt with the guilt of not being available to my clients and customers every second, and log off for few hours, I do find my productivity goes way up.

Jan 19, 2010 06:13 AM

Donna Galinsky

Allen Tate Company - Cornelius, NC

Make Lake Norman Your Home!

Great post.

I was just away for a few days. I was out of the country and opted NOT to get International cell service - was quite an adjustment not having my phone on me at all times, no calls, no texts - but WOW - How freeing it really was.

I was not quite ready to give up email, so I did get wifi, but was able to check email on my schedule.

Can;t imagine being totally disconnected, especially in our line of work.

Jan 19, 2010 06:24 AM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

Mike- We don't pay for any TV services anymore, but I like to have a movie or something playing quite frequently, while I'm working. It's just enough distraction to keep me from feeling overwhelmed. And in the documentary, the college students discovered it to be impossible to live entirely without computers. It was interesting to see how they tried to find ways to work around the problems. Sometimes there was no work-around! As for my phone, THAT I'd like to do without!

Donna- I would have done the same thing!

Jan 19, 2010 11:19 AM