Sometimes I think things may not be so bad with out so much technology around me at all times. Not owning many computers, the super cell phone, the wireless network, xbox, servers, etc etc.
I sometimes think about giving most of it up for maybe just a single computer, with a single monitor. Preferably an elegant looking computer able to do all that I need it to do with little to no hassle.
I've sort of tried to fool my self into thinking things are simpler than they are. Moving the servers into the closet so they are more out of sight out of mind. But as things are I am aware of them as I use one for a mail server, the other is a proxy for all my web traffic as well as a file and dhcp server. Everytime I play a video on my modded xbox it comes from the fileserver. Everytime I play a MP3 on the xbox it comes from the same file server, all mine and my responsiblity. I know what can go wrong and I know I'm the one that has to fix it if it does go wrong, I am my own and pretty much only customer. I can only blame others for a few things going wrong.
On the flip side of this if I didn't have the technology around me I'd think I'd have much less to do. I enjoy configuring servers and sometimes doing a little bit of scripting or programming. Making things work. Also setting these things up and my passions for such things pays the bills for me as well. These things don't really distract from my life infact they sometimes and somewhat enchance it at times. Being able to check and send email anyplace I have cellphone service is quite handy from time to time.
I think part of my problem is I know what is going on around me as far as my technology goes. Less magic. I wrote the scripts, configured the settings, setup the rules, and control the traffic. I think up new ways to make something simpler or diffrent to my advantage with technology available to me but it always involves more work and configuration and more room for something to go wrong. At the same time such things are often cool or fun to accomplish in my own mind and often seen by others as cool or fancy or something else geeky but good...
While really enjoy some of the resouces I have created for my self, proxy servers, email servers, vmware, etc. Many people I know get along just fine with their 450mhz G3 imac. Why can't I?
Posted by Ben at December 27, 2006 01:58 PMI think this is just what you're interested in. Some people spend their money and time on kayaking, or trips to Europe, or drugs, or gardening, or fixing up old cars. You spend your time on technology.
Posted by: bonnie on December 27, 2006 04:19 PMExactly, it is just who you are Ben. ;)
Posted by: Tiffany on December 27, 2006 11:56 PM