Technologically Challenged!

Hidden deep inside me is a techno-wizard: someone who can read tech manuals with the same enthusiasm as a 12-year-old who thumbs through the pages of Playboy magazine. Someone who has forsaken a knife and fork for a screw driver and voltage-meter. Someone who shares a kinship with MacGyver (and if you don't remember who MacGyver is, than I'm a lot older than I thought).

Like I said - somewhere deep inside me is that person! Problem is - I have yet to find him! I don't know if it's acceptable for men to admit it, but I guess you could say that I'm "technologically challenged." Don't confuse home maintenance with modern technology. Because there is a Grand Canyon-worth-of difference between the two! I'm not talking about changing light bulbs! Sure I'm fairly proficient with a computer, but I secretly yearn for my old typewriter. Yes I can send a text-message on my cell-phone but I often wonder how society managed to function for some many decades without them.

I marvel at my daughter who is far from technologically challenged -- she can juggle the mechanics of an iPod, cell-phone, laptop and who-knows- what-else all at the same time. I envy (not really, but it sounds good) my colleagues who tote around electronics-tech manuals and spout the Gospel of nuclear fission to anyone within earshot.

I recall hearing the phrase "technology has passed you by" and understand that now I can apply that to myself.

But rather than wallow in self-pity becasue I am technologically challenged. I realize that I can do something about it. In fact, one of New Years resolutions is to become more technologically aware and make technology more user-friendly -- at least to myself. And you know what? It's not that difficult if you narrow your scope to a few specific areas:

Televisions: with the conversion from analog to all-digital broadcasting coming our way in February 2009, we can expect a broader variety of televisions for sale. But which one is the right one? Is bigger and flatter the way to go? How about plasma or liquid display? According to an article in tomshardware.com, the technologically-correct answer has to do with LIGHT. Plasma screens work better in dark rooms while LCD images view better in bright light.

Cell Phones: discounting the fact that this whole test-messaging things drives me nuts and cell phones in general I can do without, I will concede that if you're gonna have one it might as well be a good one. No "good" in the sense of bells and whistles, but good in the sense of the cell phone being compatible with those of your family and friends. Essortment.com offers some great advice about wireless carrier services as does consumerreports.org. There's something to be said for paying a set price each month if it includes unlimited text-messaging or free person-to-person calls within the same carrier plan.

Laptops: aaak! Cheaper is not always better. Smaller, flatter, lighter - geez it sounds like I'm talking about televisions. These days, laptops and notebooks do pretty much everything except make hot tea (and I'm sure that'll happen eventually) but according to videojug.com, a good guarantee and customer service can take you pretty far if your mind blanks out after you press the power-on button.

Pixels: Hah! Another myth bites the dust! Cell phones, laptops and digital camera will do just fine with 6-8 megapixels remarks Jamison Cush in CNET.com. Anything more might impress a professional photographer shooting the head of pin, but for us mere mortals less is certainly more.

As far as I'm concerned these are the big tickets items and if I can get a handle on them - or at least a consumer's working knowledge of the technology involved than I'll be better for it. It's all about resources my friend -- and there are a lot of resources out there to help you feel less technologocally challenged and more technologcally aware.

Will my wife shamelessly throw herself at me if I impress her with my knowledge of band-with? Probably not, but I can always hope. Will I suddenly become the life-of-the-party? Doubtful, but maybe I'll save a few bucks next time I'm shopping for electronics.

Remember the old saying: "With knowledge comes power!"

I'm not sure if a basic grasp of modern technology will impact world peace - but it just might impact my wallet and my thirst for knowledge.