Being a Software Developer on the Microsoft Platform of Technologies I have built a multitude of systems across different industries. My knowledge of Technology has compounded over the years based on the work I have done and the experience I have gained. Among my family and friends I am known as the "IT Guy". More often then not I get asked, "I need a new computer, what should I buy? Should I buy a laptop over a desktop? I need a piece of software that will make my job really easy? Can I do the following in MS Word? How do I copy my music CD's onto my Computer?". Being the good fellow that I am I always try to help out where I can. As they say, you never know when you might need someone's help one day.
The intention and purpose of this series of posts is to help you with the following:
 | Understanding the definition and looking at a brief history of Technology |
| | Identifying the different categories of Technology |
| | The power of Leverage: How to use technology to your advantage, identifying opportunities and capitalising on today's technology & innovation tomorrow |
| | Defining what you know, what you don't know and what you need to know! |
| | Looking at technology and the effects on us and the environment around us |
| | And So On... (I will add excerpts based on feedback and my own discretion) |
So What? And why do I need to know this?
Good questions, and if you not asking it, you should be!! Simply put, You doing yourself a major disservice and in-justice by choosing not to understand technology and technology related items. You'll end up missing great opportunities that complement your skills or profession. And here's why? Lets take the example of the IT Guy above with regards to my family and friends. They ask me those computer questions because I have the knowledge, the skill and the experience. If you were building a house you wouldn't go to an Accountant rite? You'd go to an Architect and a Building Contractor. Point is, we live in a society based on professional skills. Ranging from Lawyers to Accountants to Nuclear Physicists. Each profession is a Technology in itself. Its a culmination of techniques, methodologies, teachings, years of research and scientific experiments that make it what it is today.
Remember Technology is not just about computers. The Computer is a technology.
We often make the mistake of thinking that Technology is always computer related. Remember that we live in the year 2007. We live in this ultra fast pace lifestyle and the global village. We can travel 10 000 Km's in a week. Send a message to 1 Billion people with the click of a button. Our lives are so consumed with gizmo's, gadgets, computers, Internet and all this Computer Related Technology that we often forget where it has all come from.
Food for thought:
Just like every human has 5 senses: Eyes to see with, Ears to hear with, A Mouth to speak with, Tongue to taste with and nerve endings to feel with, would you have ever thought that Technology has practically given us a 6th sense. The sense of digital communication. By that I mean the Cellphone.
Practically every human being who is financially able has a cellphone. It has practically become a digital appendage to our anatomy, and I bet you didn't even realize it ? Its with you 24/7! The only differences between a cellphone and your hand for example is that one is biological and the other "technological". One was created by God the other by Man. One to type the SMS with and the other to send it with.
Now Lets have a look at the Definition of Technology
Fist, lets look at what the experts and academics have to say about it.
Dictionary.com
1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
2. the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.
3. a technological process, invention, method, or the like.
4. the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.
Wikipedia.org
Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering, although several technological advances predate the two concepts. Technology is a term with origins in the Greek "technologia", "τεχνολογία" — "techne", "τέχνη" ("craft") and "logia", "λογία" ("saying"). However, a strict definition is elusive; "technology" can refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as machines, hardware or utensils, but can also encompass broader themes, including systems, methods of organization, and techniques. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include "construction technology", "medical technology", or "state-of-the-art technology".
The human race's use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. The pre-historical discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food and the invention of the wheel helped humans in traveling in and controlling their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.
Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, known as pollution, and deplete natural resources, to the detriment of the Earth and its environment. Various implementations of technology influence the values of a society and new technology often raises new ethical questions. Examples include the rise of the notion of efficiency in terms of human productivity, a term originally applied only to machines, and the challenge of traditional norms.
In short, the world would not be where it is today and you would not be sitting in front of your computer reading this post. Technology is practically an "Evolution" of sorts.
Please note that for the purpose of this series of posts, I will purely be focusing on the positive and optimistic aspects of Technology. I.E. not weapons of mass destruction and Technologies effect on global warming.
Bringing it all together
As the title of this post states "Technology - Part 1 - What is it? And why you need to understand it!". That my dear friend is 120% dependent on you. There are all kinds of people in this world. Some are content with what they know, others are like sponges taking in whatever they can get.
If you've ever read Robert T. Kiyosaki's series of books called "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" you'll notice that he constantly makes reference to the term Financial Literacy. That would be the culmination of Accounting, Legal, Investment and People skills. His biggest argument is that, globally education systems around the world teach people "Professional Skills" i.e. how to be an Accountant, Software Developers and Lawyers, but does not teach them "Money Skills". I have seen University / College Graduates who go into the corporate field only to find themselves in a mountain of debt. Accountants who have in-depth knowledge of interest rates, credit card debt, etc.. They know of it, but do they understand it? Do they understand the uses, the consequences, the knock on effects and most importantly do they realize that by giving into temptation now, they risk financial crisis in the future. Part of the authors recommendations has to do with broadening your skill set. Putting yourself in a constant learning mode. As they say, "The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know!". So the question is? Are you willing to go that extra mile to learn more? This series of posts will be an attempt by me to simplify and help YOU! understand the different technologies out there. What it means to you? And what possible consequences and potential it holds for the future.
All of us are practically broken down into the following categories. Employed, Self-Employed and Studying. We all fall somewhere in-between these categories. Point is we're after the money. To survive, for our kids, for entertainment or whatever reason it is you wake up in the morning and go to work for! Technology is part of our lives. It plays a pivotal role in everything we do. Question is... Do you take notice of it? Do you understand the difference between choosing an Apple Mac Platform compared to a Microsoft Windows or even a Linux Platform for all your computing needs? Hopefully going forward, we'll help each other to gain a better "Technological Literacy" so that we can better make decisions in our businesses, lives and homes to either save money or make money. To be able to look at new Technology coming out and say "Hey! That's quite cool. I can see how I can take advantage of this new Technology in the next 12 months, or help improve my companies bottom line, or even create a better home entertainment system for me and my family."
Technology and the Internet has changed the world as we know it. Practically on a daily bases people are going against the norm of traditional corporations and making millions. Kids half your age know more about computers then me and you will ever know! Niche's and markets are emerging from places you never thought existed. Governments tighten the leases and people begin revolutions. Even with all this great and wonderful technology you'd need more then 24 Hours in a day to read all the news and keep up to date in this Global Village! By opening your mind, broadening your horizons, looking at everything from a birds eye view perspective and taking everything into account you stand a better chance at making the right decisions at the right times as you journey through life.
In the up coming series of posts we'll be looking at the following Technologies to help you better understand what it is and how it could possibly help you. Whether you're a seasoned Technology guru or someone who knows nothing about computers, there will be something for everyone. We'll be going through things like:
-> Basics in Computers and what you need to know
-> Networks and digital communications
-> Broadband & the Internet (PS: This is a hugely vast topic and will probably take time to cover it all)
-> Existing Technologies and case studies. Looking at the grass root levels of e.g. Googles Success. Looking at how we got from HTML to AJAX and RSS
-> Most importantly how to look at Technology from a liberal and a level playing field perspective and take advantage of it.
If you have read up to this point, Thanks! I know its quite a mouthful of words. I appreciate your time and patience and hopefully we'll have fun and uncover some interesting facts as we go forward.
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