The New Normal: Solving Technical Problems

Laptops Allow Work Outside

The New Normal: Solving Technical Problems

Technology has carried us along changing the way we move through our days. Some tech giving us mastery (easy photos and video on a smartphone) other tech is simply necessary to conduct our lives (direct deposits of income to financial accounts). On an individual basis, we can control how much or how little we automate our lives: mobile deposits to the bank or a physical visit to the bank, for example.



Access to email, social media, financial accounts, bill paying, and more has become necessary instead of optional. A certain amount of technical mastery is necessary to keep our world chugging along. New mobile phones are complicated, but we all rely on some level of phone service. Many people prefer communication by text which encourages others to increase their mobile phone competence.


Often technical problem-solving is as easy as finding a helpful video or instructions on the internet hence the term “google it.” Discussions with friends and coworkers can reveal tips and paths to solutions.

Social Media Interaction on a Smartphone

I think we can all agree that internet technology though frustrating at times, can provide entertainment and nurturing of interests as well as social connections. I enjoy sharing information and photos on birdwatching and gardening with people of similar interests on Twitter.



I recently spent a couple of weeks on a blog article about technical problem solving on a DVR. I know that I had saved the article multiple times. On my final proofreading the article COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED (!). We can all be humbled at times by technical snafus. Often there is nothing to be done about it, but to start over.

Mobile Phones Can Accomplish Multiple Tasks

Instead of rewriting the saga of successfully updating a stubborn DVR, I chose to write about the inevitability of technical problems. We are all dealing with technical challenges whether a senior in assisted living keeping up with family on Facebook, a baby boomer updating mobile phones, a millennial using a phone locator to find a misplaced phone, or a college student opening up a checking account online.



Put one foot in front of the other, keep on moving forward, and thank that person (if you have one) that always helps you untangle your technical difficulties.

Technology Can Require Problem-solving

What is the Internet of Things?

What is the Internet of Things, and how does it affect you? Devices that communicate and share data on the internet are the Internet of Things (IoT). Our smart phones access all types of data through apps. The amount and type of data we access will increase as more and more devices are connected to the internet.

We can access more traffic information as street cameras network and commuter systems come online.  Sensors can detect heart rate and track our movement. This translates into health data we can access through mobile devices like smart phones or smart watches. As sensors are developed to detect even more health information, other data will be available through our devices. This information could prompt a visit to the doctor or give us the reassurance that a visit isn't necessary. We may exchange this data with our healthcare provider, and let her decide a course of action.

If you have 17 minutes, the following 2012 Tedx video by Dr. John Barrett offers a good explanation of the Internet of Things. Since its taping, more devices have become internet-compatible, and, as he predicts, there are even more things we can do with our smart phones because of the additional data on the internet.

I've written Managing the Quality of Internet-linked Products for ASQ Influential Voices. It can be found by clicking here.

Advertising on this blog supports my writing. By clicking an ad, you are under no obligation to buy. If you see an advertisement of interest, please click.