The Computer Next Door

Notes on Notes

An example of a laminated note I made for my digital camera

We all forget how to do things. The less you do something, the sooner you forget how to use it ("use it or lose it" after all).  And when it comes to high-tech, there are so many things to remember, it's easy for almost everything to go down the old memory drain unless you're doing that certain tech-related thing on a regular basis, whether it's related to a piece of software, your computer hardware, your mobile phone, your remote access to your office or home phone, your digital camera, or your home entertainment system.

I have always been attuned to the fact that I must keep notes on technology.  Way back in college I was making notes on the use of still and movie cameras (I still have these little notes, and they still come in handy).

Recently I wrote about forgetting how to use a digital SLR (my much beloved Canon Digital Rebel). What I didn't mention was the fact that I had kept a little note (and even laminated it) right in the camera case, to jog my own memory.  This was useful when I was using the camera a lot.  It's even more useful when I came back to it, without a sharp clear idea of which buttons to push, or why.

I also keep notes in a folder on my computer Desktop on how to use various pieces of software for things i want to do most often.  I call this my "Notes on Apple" file.  I have categories of how-to notes on everything from Animation to Chat to Printing to Web development.  Whenever I need to delve into something I don't do frequently (such as audio recording), my field notes from the last few years experience with different recording software are there to help me get back up to speed.

I makes notes on such things as:

• Steps in a process (like how to do certain things with a certain piece of equipment or software). Here's an example of the notes I made on using one of my cameras: Download canon_rebel_notes.rtf
• Check lists (equipment, batteries, or other items to bring with me when I'm shooting digital pictures or video)
• Commonly used settings or formats (such as your TV settings when I switch between watching a DVD, a VHS cassette, and watching television)

What's most important about keeping notes on technology?  It saves me from reinventing the wheel every time about the best way to do "X."  It's really a great time saver.

My notes on taking notes are...

1. Keep it simple. If you only have a few things you need to do, try to fit them on 3x5 cards if you prefer having them in hard copy, or as simple text files if you prefer electronic notes.
2. Name each electronic note in a logical manner (like, "Burning a CD").  A single folder is good until you have 15 or more notes - then it's time to start setting up sub-folders (Audio, Video, Photography, Office Software, etc.).
3. Keep current. If you find yourself changing the way you do things, modify your note IMMEDIATELY.  I can't recommend this highly enough - the whole point of the notes process is it has to reflect your most current preferred methodology.
4. Laminate the best of the best.  I have laminated camera notes (to protect against rain) and home entertainment notes (to protect from over-use by, say, house guests).  This may be over-indulgence on my part, but then I don't have to keep printing them out.

That's basically it.  If more people kept their own notes on how to use their technical doo-dads,  I am convinced the world would be a better and happier place...

Leave Technology Behind (But Save Your Health)

On the Road to Better Health?

A study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine indicates that the Amish are in better health than the majority of Americans because of their high levels of physical activity (they get 3-5 hours a day of being on the go).  (see also: CNN summary)

Now, you can go out and get a lot more exercise (run or walk 8-10 miles every day), or you can go Amish all the way.  After all, if you give up technology, you'll have to get more exercise by default, yes?

My family has run a winery in Amish country for 30 years.  The small community of Smicksburg, PA is home to several hundred Amish families, who live a simple, no frills existence, primarily devoted to farming and other rural occupations (logging, wood working, cheese making, etc.). This has given me a glimpse into the reality of living Amish.

Here's a sampling of what you would need to give up to Go Amish:

• Cars
• Electricity
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• Washers/Dryers
• Television
• Radio
• MP3 players
• Digital watches
• Digital anything
• Computers
• Internet
• Oh, yeah, and Blogs

That's just for starters.  I'm not kidding about electricity - they don't even use it to light their homes.  They use oil lamps.  Have you every tried to read by an oil lamp?  When we first moved to Columbia County 10 years ago, we had frequent power outages.  We kept a few oil lamps around, just to keep things moving when the power went out.  Believe me when I say oil lamp lighting is for the birds.

As are horse and buggies, but that's what you're left with when you live an Amish life style.

But the bottom line is, it's good for your health to work your butt off (and it's probably good for the environment, as well). Less gas used, less emissions, you get the picture.

What'll it be folks?  Sign up is in Smicksburg, PA this weekend....German required.

Use it or Lose It (Digital Photography Skills, that is)

Since buying my Canon PowerShot A460 some time ago (see my blog entry from a year ago on digital photography) I have found myself reaching for my diminutive camera almost every time I want to take a picture, for whatever reason (travel, family, art, business).

The Canon Digital Rebel - a much more sophisticated camera (or which I paid roughly 8 times more) has lain neglected in its black case in a corner of my office, losing battery power.  Tsk, tsk. 

I picked up the Rebel recently to do some simple flash photography, and felt that nasty "uh oh" feeling - the feeling I get when I am unfamiliar with a piece of equipment.  You know what I mean.  Nothing seems to ring any bells. Panic.  Don't know what button to press.

Back to the manual, I guess.

We had been good pals right before I got the PowerShot.  I had a little system for taking pictures outdoors, which was to take 3 shots of everything, bracketing 1/2 stop in either direction.  What got me using the smaller camera so frequently was that I found the PowerShot was so dead-on in its exposure, it was a huge time saver.  Why fiddle with controls when your little automatic camera can do it for me? (I know the answer - because the Rebel gives me more flexibility - but the lazy part of me just wants to take the shot).

And thus the automatic camera conquers...