I had a blog comment from Rob Lang today that reminded me that I may appear to be promoting technology for its own sake, which is not really my intent.
I'm a writer. That's my first love. That's my calling. I have a professional background in marketing and a personal love of technology. That, over a period of years, resulted in the development of my writing business as one that specifically serves clients in need of web content and online marketing services. It was a natural progression... albeit probably an odd one.
Rob's comment gave me pause for thought...and recognition that I needed to clarify. (Thanks, Rob!)
Rob's Food For Thought:
Hi Angela,
I'm all for easier. I'm all for portability. But I guess I got raised to be a bit more practical. This is not to say that having a tablet PC is wrong.
Even being a Techie, I was one of the last ones to go to a laptop, to a cell phone, etc.
Sure, it would be fantastic to hand the tablet pc to my buyers making an offer for them to sign it and instantly email them and the listing agent a copy. Sure, it would be great to hand the tablet pc to my sellers after a listing presentation for them to sign it and instantly email them a copy.
I see the value but back to the practical side, I think about a combo tv and vcr unit. If something goes wrong with the tv part you've lost the vcr too and vice versa.
I can literally, now, buy 3 laptops for the price of a tablet pc. I could buy two laptops and a portable printer and still have enough money left over for a weekend getaway.
I congratulate you on your purchase and I know your clients will be impressed with your technological capabilities with the tablet pc. I will probably come around some day to your thinking and get one for me but it well be well tested by the time I get to it just like the laptop and and cell phone were by the time I made it to them.
Thanks Angela for sharing. Best of luck to you in wowing the Realtors you work for!!
Slow to Adopt Technology & Still Don't Like "All In Ones"
Like Rob, I was a bit slow to take on a cell phone. (I didn't want to be on a leash!) Everyone I knew had one before I gave in. And, I finally got one so I could actually leave my office occasionally! I was actually embarrassed that I knew so little about phones and plans and such -- when I was the "techie" in my social circles. But, I learned... eventually.
I still don't use the "all in one" copiers, scanners, fax machines -- for the same reason Rob mentions -- if one part gets broken, you are out of luck!
I've always thought that the combo VCR/DVD/TV products were overpriced and a bad gamble. I keep my TV and my DVD player separate because I wear out three DVD players for every one TV. (DVD players are cheap and good TVs are not.) It has to do with the way the machines work, and how the moving parts wear out -- and the fact that I have children who are more capable of abusing a DVD player than a TV... go figure.
What I Carry Now and How I Protect My Information
At this point, I use a basic cell phone -- after a long love affair with the Treo. And I carry an iPod (because I've become addicted to having music, audio books and movies in my pocket -- which is the Treo's fault... because I never wanted an MP3 player before I had the Treo).
But the Tablet is a different thing. It's not an 'all in one' in the same vein. I'm a sticker for backups, so even if I dropped it, broke it, lost it... or it befell some horrid incident... I'd be able to plug in my external HD into any computer and continue work. At most, I'd lose a few days work -- usually not more than a few hours.
Why a Tablet PC? Convenience, Freedom and Service
I know it costs two times the price of a similarly featured laptop.. and the laptop prices continue to drop. The deal I got on my Tablet put it at about the same price I allot for a laptop (Long Live eBay!). But the ability to carry under four pounds of "stuff" around rather than the 20-30 that I used to lug is worth alot to me.
For me, technology is cool in its own right... but my fascination is really about the portability, the freedom and the function.
I don't work "face-to-face" with my real estate clients, so the quality of my technology isn't what I hope will "wow" them... it's the fact that I can deliver what they need, no matter where I am or what else is happening. If I do, indeed, wow my clients (and I hope I do!)... I want it to be the result of excellent service, not cool toys. :)
But, if I were "face-to-face" like my real estate folks are with their own clients, I think that having the ability to answer questions, keep eye contact, reference websites (MLS sites, etc) and other online resources, and share a user-friendly computer model... one that didn't rely on the client's ability to type, one that didn't put a physical barrier (the screen) between us like a laptop does, one that kept the focus on them rather than the computer screen... would impress them.
Service Above All Else
Yes, I love technology... but I know that it is merely a tool -- one that should always be used to improve the service to the client and the experience enjoyed by the client. If it distracts from either of those, it's not an asset... it's a mistake.
With that said, tools should be selected based on the needs and the work style of the user. If a laptop or a desktop or a pen and paper serves your needs, and the needs of your clients, and you have no complaints... then that IS the right tool for you!
As my father always reminded me, "Don't fix what isn't broken." (Not that I always listened...)
Dancing With My Inner Geek -- and Yours!
My tech hobby... it continues to grow merely because the field of business and consumer technologies are in a boom that tops anything we have ever seen in history. It fascinates me... granted. But it fascinates me because it permits new, more convenient ways to relate to each other -- to communicate and to serve our clients, our families and our peers.
Think about it... without the current technology "stretching" the way we connect with each other... how would you be reading this post (where every you may be at the moment) about the excellent points made by Rob in Kansas, while I'm sitting at my desk in Kentucky? Now you see why someone who is fascinated by communication and writing -- would also be enchanted by today's technology? :)
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