Wow a new social toy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8506148.stm
lost kids, mates, bargains wow.

But is this really why the stouch ? Perhaps

now watch this .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8478552.stm

still sure you want to be the techno social butterfly Hmmmm?

Dear Examinator,

I'd settle for a new upgraded computer
(mine's an antique), and a printer that
actually worked.

I was promised a new one as a Christmas
present - but other priorities came up.
Now it's fingers-crossed - perhaps my
Birthday in July ...

Techno Social butterfly?
Not me!

Many thanks Examinator; just made my 19yr old daughter aware [half the city will be aware by tomorrow morning and playing your links]

You make me laugh Foxy; I relate to so many of your contributions and the printer bizzo lol

Foxy: "I'd settle for a new upgraded computer (mine's an antique),"

If you truly are in the market for a new computer, try something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360233273698

These are ex lease "commercial grade" machines that usually retail for around $1,400 (well, $1000 without the bits and pieces you don't get). See:

http://www1.ap.dell.com/au/en/business/desktops/optiplex-380/pd.aspx?refid=optiplex-380

It is a working computer with a legal copy of Windows, delivered to your door. It doesn't come with external extras like screen, keyboard and speakers. You will be able to re-use your current screen and speakers, but will probably be up for around $40 for a new keyboard & mouse as this thing takes USB only.

If you want a shiny new 21 inch LCD screen, it will set you back another $170 if you buy it from the right place.

examinator,

Go to YouTube and search "Augmented Reality".

we are unique,

Glad to help.

Did she see the problem i.e. being able to find the 'children' via the phone.

No more "sorry boss I'm in bed with the flu" etc he'll be able to see she's at the beach, shopping or you'll be able to monitor when she's at *that* scummy boy's house instead of in Uni or a 'girlfriend's house'.

Foxy
I wonder if the full implications have dawned on the techno social butterflies yet. I have a mobile and a home business. I take the mobile only when shopping with my wife so I can find her. Otherwise it gathers cobwebs on my desk. To me it's technology for technology sake. all this other nonsense well....

My ex boss and I played a game "where's the phone". He sent to me the same one several times, with ever increasing firm notes to use it, as I was a state GM....I sent them back to head office to different people. The recipient put in the corner and forgot about it, it took him weeks to find it. :-) (he he He).

Being on tap 24/7 to him didn't fit my definition of my pay grade. I had a beeper but you can turn them off, mobiles, people expect you to answer straight away. Now they'll be able to find us.
Not to mention those #$@%*$ political messages grrr.

Google V China stouch, loss of potential market, bugger the principal.

USA V China stouch over Google an Opportunity for the US propaganda direct to the Chinese masses (Voice of America #2)?

Dear We Are Unique,

Thank You for your kind words, and I enjoy reading
your posts as well. You've always got something
positive to say - which is such a rare thing
these days.

Dear rstuart,

Thanks for the links regarding computer purchase.
Much appreciated.
I've passed them onto hubbie - as he wants to
do the buying. Now I can't wait to see what's
going to happen. Hopefully I'll end up with a
better computer - sooner.

Dear Examinator,

I find a mobile phone very convenient in emergencies.
Better then going into a panic, crying in frustration -
or asking to borrow a stranger's phone.

I remember reading a slogan ages ago:
"Technology is taking over the world.
Keep up with it or you're going to be left behind."

I guess many people see advanced technology as the
key to a brighter future, while others see it as
more of a curse than a blessing.

I guess modern technology has certainly offered
admirable achievements, but it's also created
dismaying problems as you point out.

In solving problems of one kind, technological
changes sometimes generate new and different
problems, including some that weren't foreseen.

For example, the birth-control pill was introduced
as a convenient technology for family planning.
It soon had the effect, however, of stimulating
a "sexual revolution," in which permissiveness
became more socially acceptable than before.
Many single women became sexually active without
using the pill, with the result that greater numbers
of unwanted children were conceived than ever before.

One result of this trend was a sharp increase in the
number of abortions and the numbers of single mothers.

Later came a new fix in the offing - an "abortion"
pill that was to induce an early miscarriage - and
which would be as easy to take after conception as the
birth-control pill was to take before the act.

So an old problem leads to new technology, which in turn
leads to a new problem, which in turn generates a
new technological fix, which still leaves other
complications unaddressed - and so it goes.

Well it's not surprising:
The internet IS THE FIRST medium in which anyone can share their thoughts and information worldwide, and anyone can read them worldwide (except of course countries that have an internet filter- cough): And the ability to share and receive diverse and unrestrained information and thoughts is the most powerful and revolutionary part of the internet:

Plus, hardly anyone watches TV or listens to opinion shows on TV or radio anymore- and getting a spot on either of these is troublesome and expensive- when putting propaganda on the net requires nothing more than a modem and a service provider.

Quite frankly, of all of the "pillars" of a free and open society mentioned in the past (independent media being the most particular one)- a free internet in comparison makes it look pathetically trivial in comparison.

I think what Examinator is concerned about
is the law of "there, there, don't you
worry your pretty little head about that,"
or "we never intended to use these powers."
Any legislation/technology providing invasion
of privacy, loss of civil liberties and an
increasing totalitarian system of government can
be explained away by the claim that "we would
only use these powers in the rarest and most
extreme cases ... decent, honest Australians
have nothing to fear from this legislation/technology."

StG,
Which one? there are squillions er well lots. I need focus.

Foxy
Re the law Absolutely.
I would argue " do we *need* them?"
it seems to me that the line between needed technology and blind 'sparkle, sparkle' new gizmos is fueling consumerism and the arguably wasteful use of resources i.e. I have the choice of 6 mobiles in working order, all cast offs from my daughter 24. Why? so she can have the latest toy.

Does she really need to get up each morning and text her friends to tell them she's up? and those video clips of her girl friends out that last 24 hours? does she need them in 8 mega pixels rather than 5?

My son the tech wizard almost every time he goes over seas he comes back with some electronic toy that lasts 3 weeks and goes in his garage where he tinkers with it but never follows up. his garage is full of bits all round to it experiments.

My daughter bought a wii fit so her and my wife could get fit. It hasn't been turned on except to weigh cases in 3 months.

My other son has an awesome collection of amine none of which he ever plays the second time.

You can imagine my frustration with such.....well waste of resources.
From what I can gather this is normal (yuk)

And we wonder about our foot print.
I tend to be a eclectic minimalist functional person. Virtually every thing I buy has a purpose and gets used.
I do have draws/cupboards of bits which the neighbours often treat as a source of last resort i.e. they want 1 odd specific screw that isn't readily available or they have to order in....ask examinator he'll have it.
You see the difference.

Dear Examinator,

I do see the difference and "Vive la difference!"

I must confess though that I have some weaknesses myself.
Not for gadgetry - but sunglasses, swimwear, and sandals.
Every summer - I go nuts! I simply have to have the
newest trends. In winter - it's boots and shoes.
I also lust after handbags - and I'm very selective.

And of course - there's more - but I won't bore you with
the details - only to say that I do understand your
children's compulsions - we all have them to a certain -
extent. I seem to recall Chardonnay was one of yours? ;-)

It has all occurred with my children too Examinator and your story made me laugh hard as experience and live it with my 19yr old too [in fairness though the treadmill for 2yrs she uses twice daily yet now side effects; lost far too much weight]. Son received a Weii from his Dad's close mate last year. Son played it half a dozen times, packed it up in the box and has not played since.

The playstation games rarely. Prefers table tennis, cricket [slogging me in the eye with the ball resulting in 'flashing for 3 months'] or pinging me on the backside with another ball every time I lean over to pick up the ball he's served and scored....grr..grins at me cheekily with protruding teeth as he requires braces, beautiful large hazel eyes with laughter reflected in them and well....who cld be upset until...the following monday trying to do computer work with a constant tear running out of the 'flashing twitching' eye.

Oops should add here that son slogging me in the eye last year was pure accident; he was trying a new bowling technique etc. He is not a bully and does not like seeing people or mates hurt.

Foxy,
If I ever get hold of Kathy van Zeeland, I'll ask her for my money back. And I'll give her most of her bags back all 20 of them. I'm sure I've paid for her latest Mercedes. Grrr

BTW chardonnay columbard (unwooded) is a necessity not discretionary.
Or I'll go postal with all this consumerism in the house aaaaaagggh!
I swear the only reason we have our current house is to store all this unused consumerist junk.

We are unique,
You lie, you are not unique! You are like most parents, up to their neck in consumerist junk.
It took a truck to move my eldest out. I've been to his 3 bedroom story unit. Sometimes he threatens to come home. My bedroom and half the house and the garage, shed would disappear under his fads. Not surprisingly I tell him if he does I take a fatwa out on his junk.

Dear Examinator,

You buy your girls handbags?

Wow, I am impressed!

If I'm lucky -
I may get perfume from time to time.
Not French - but Elizabeth Arden.
Or taken to a Gold Class cinema.

Still I get lots of cuddles - and that
definitely counts! :-)