From the editor.I'm not quite there yet, but I see where it's going. By "it" I mean the mobile technology revolution that's powered by those little devices that sit in your pocket and make it possible to communicate with anyone via the Internet or phone at any time. With so many people carrying these devices these days, a prompt response (10 minutes or so?) to an e-mail or voice message is almost expected, any time, day or night. I've noticed that these "connected" individuals are practically married to their cell phones and BlackBerry blackberry, name for several species of thorny plants of the genus Rubus of the family Rosaceae (rose family). See bramble. blackberry devices, so obsessed ob·sess v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es v.tr. To preoccupy the mind of excessively. v.intr. are they with checking messages. Nothing is more important--not a conversation, not a candlelit can·dle·lit adj. Illuminated by candles: a candlelit ceremony. dinner, not even a movie. It doesn't matter whether a message is expected or not. Someone may be trying to make contact, and it might be important. I believe there is an invasion going on. And where work and business are concerned, it's directly related to information overload A symptom of the high-tech age, which is too much information for one human being to absorb in an expanding world of people and technology. It comes from all sources including TV, newspapers, magazines as well as wanted and unwanted regular mail, e-mail and faxes. . How can a person live with anything that requires constant attention, especially if it's your office following you around wherever you go? When and where does one find the downtime The time during which a computer is not functioning due to hardware, operating system or application program failure. to be able to function properly? As with all that is new, there will be a time of obsession and a time of reflection. For now, I will join the obsession by attempting to learn more about mobile technology and bringing what I discover back to you. Let's start in this issue with an excellent article by the very astute Dan Steinbock Stein´bock` n. 1. (Zool.) The European ibex. , author of The Mobile Revolution. Right alongside Dan's is an article by longtime IABC IABC International Association of Business Communicators IABC Indo-Americans for Better Community member Gary Grates, who offers an education about managing information for employees. So, let's give in to the mobile technology revolution and gain a better understanding of its effects on individuals and organizations. Perhaps in time what we learn will lead us beyond obsession and closer to that ideal point of reflection. As we closed this issue, I received some sad news. After more than 35 remarkable years of service as a CW columnist, Alden Wood has decided to retire. Look for a retrospective piece on Mr. Wood's work and career in the January-February 2006 issue. Natasha Spring Executive Editor |
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