Keeping Up
I admit that I have a quirky sense of what I appreciate, but that is the thing about this modern world. There are endless entertainment options, and we can quickly satisfy our specific desires. For example, do you enjoy unicorn rap stars who solve mysteries in the 1800s? I am sure many esoteric stories are available to fill your unicorn desires. Did I mention my three published books? Hey, check them out.
One of my quirks is enjoying learning about old technology, and I recently watched a YouTube video about camcorders. These are video cameras with built-in tape recorders. This particular one was about expensive professional models, and the YouTube video described a specific camera's history, features, benefits, and faults. I found it all very interesting and then let my mind drift. “Hey, it would be fun to get one of these older professional cameras and start making videos.”
As this warm thought rattled around in my bonkers head, I searched eBay and found that these older professional cameras were available but expensive. Why? Collectors like them and old technology is still used for its original function. Meaning people still use professional low-resolution cameras for business applications.
However, my four astute blog readers would ask, “Why?! There are so many better cameras available. Even my cell phone is 100 times better!” And my four readers are correct. But… some people are comfortable with older technology and do not want to learn new systems. So they would point out features no longer available and new confusing/unnecessary features.
There is certainly a lot of truth to this preference. For example, driving an old car is fun. Put in the key and go! Navigation systems, ABS brakes, airbags, theft protection, remote door locks, excellent sound system, and adjustable seats? Who needs that junk?!
To these people who cling to old technology for productivity, I would advise them to move on. For example, YouTube viewers demand high-quality (resolution) video. If a content provider releases an inferior video, there will be negative comments and limited views.
The same is true of writing. Authors must use modern tools or face harsh criticism along with low sales. For example, such tools prevent misspellings. Readers also use these tools and will not stand for misspelled words. But, a few writers cling to their outdated technology, and therefore misspelled words get published.
For this very blog, I used six computer-assisted spelling and grammar checks. (1) The latest version of Microsoft Word has an automated grammar and spell check function. So, as I am typing, mistakes are automatically corrected. (2) Microsoft Word also highlights words with a red line for spelling and a blue line for grammar. So, as I am typing, I can see mistakes and immeadiatly correct them. Look at that. It just identified a misspelled word, “immediately.”
When I have finished my blog, I use two programs, (3) Grammarly and (4) ProWritingAid, to check for spelling, grammar, and improved readability. Afterward, I publish the blog to (5) Goodreads, and their software highlights misspelled words. (6) Facebook does the same when I publish it there.
There are many modern tools to aid writers. For example, I use random name generators to improve my characters. Jane Smith? Boring! How about Cristina Mclaughlin, Ruby Newman, or Ida Beck? That only took 20 seconds to come up with unique names.
The idea of only needing a pen has gone the way of the telephone booth. But what if I wanted nostalgia? “Pen something extraordinary?” The only place for that activity is writing a nostalgia piece. “Hey blog readers, I wrote this entire blog using a text editor. How cool is that?”
I suppose such a poorly written example would be interesting for a future blog. But who wants to read a confusing mess?
You’re the best -Bill
December 07, 2022
One of my quirks is enjoying learning about old technology, and I recently watched a YouTube video about camcorders. These are video cameras with built-in tape recorders. This particular one was about expensive professional models, and the YouTube video described a specific camera's history, features, benefits, and faults. I found it all very interesting and then let my mind drift. “Hey, it would be fun to get one of these older professional cameras and start making videos.”
As this warm thought rattled around in my bonkers head, I searched eBay and found that these older professional cameras were available but expensive. Why? Collectors like them and old technology is still used for its original function. Meaning people still use professional low-resolution cameras for business applications.
However, my four astute blog readers would ask, “Why?! There are so many better cameras available. Even my cell phone is 100 times better!” And my four readers are correct. But… some people are comfortable with older technology and do not want to learn new systems. So they would point out features no longer available and new confusing/unnecessary features.
There is certainly a lot of truth to this preference. For example, driving an old car is fun. Put in the key and go! Navigation systems, ABS brakes, airbags, theft protection, remote door locks, excellent sound system, and adjustable seats? Who needs that junk?!
To these people who cling to old technology for productivity, I would advise them to move on. For example, YouTube viewers demand high-quality (resolution) video. If a content provider releases an inferior video, there will be negative comments and limited views.
The same is true of writing. Authors must use modern tools or face harsh criticism along with low sales. For example, such tools prevent misspellings. Readers also use these tools and will not stand for misspelled words. But, a few writers cling to their outdated technology, and therefore misspelled words get published.
For this very blog, I used six computer-assisted spelling and grammar checks. (1) The latest version of Microsoft Word has an automated grammar and spell check function. So, as I am typing, mistakes are automatically corrected. (2) Microsoft Word also highlights words with a red line for spelling and a blue line for grammar. So, as I am typing, I can see mistakes and immeadiatly correct them. Look at that. It just identified a misspelled word, “immediately.”
When I have finished my blog, I use two programs, (3) Grammarly and (4) ProWritingAid, to check for spelling, grammar, and improved readability. Afterward, I publish the blog to (5) Goodreads, and their software highlights misspelled words. (6) Facebook does the same when I publish it there.
There are many modern tools to aid writers. For example, I use random name generators to improve my characters. Jane Smith? Boring! How about Cristina Mclaughlin, Ruby Newman, or Ida Beck? That only took 20 seconds to come up with unique names.
The idea of only needing a pen has gone the way of the telephone booth. But what if I wanted nostalgia? “Pen something extraordinary?” The only place for that activity is writing a nostalgia piece. “Hey blog readers, I wrote this entire blog using a text editor. How cool is that?”
I suppose such a poorly written example would be interesting for a future blog. But who wants to read a confusing mess?
You’re the best -Bill
December 07, 2022
