Software to "Help" You

NPR ran a story today about software to help manage your life. One program makes it easier to keep all of your social media sites organized. Another allows you to keep all you notes on the computer instead of the sticky notes left all over. Google Docs got a mention because of the ease of sharing information. I was impressed with the amount of software available to help us keep our lives organized. Along with this, the smart phones, the calendars on the mobile devices and the other products sold to help us make our lives more productive are amazing. Ipods have access to the internet and phones can double as mp3 players. My question is simply, "Are we more productive?"

Many have heard about how my Palm Pilot took a trip out my office window one day then was run over by my car, intentionally. I went back to a paper calendar that I carry in my purse and it has never crashed my computer. But I admit that action was a little extreme. My daughters keep their calendars on their phone and don't feel the need for paper. One day I waited patiently while one of them found the phone, found the proper application, then entered the data, with one finger, to mark something in their calendar. Granted, a smart phone would have made it easier to enter the data, but they don't have them. All I know is that I had entered the data on my paper calendar by the time they found their phone. Needless to say, the rest of the waiting period was unproductive for me.

Also, I can't tell you how many times I have waited because a text conversation was occurring. Dishes have sat in the sink because of texting. I have waited in stores because of texting. But I digress, we're focusing on productive software, like keeping our social networks synced. I think if Facebook, Twitter, an email account or 4 and Linked In is too much to organize, get rid of some. Honestly, how can anyone get work done if they are concerned about all their social networking? If getting rid of them is not an option, set aside a certain time to respond. Do you really need another website to visit to keep everything organized?

As for sticky notes, I would be hard-pressed to put my computer on the door to remind me to take the casserole dish back to Mom's. I'm sure I could check the website dedicated to organizing all my sticky notes before I walk out of the house, but then I would see that I had a response to my post on Facebook and I would be forced to respond. Sticky notes are placed in advantageous spots so I can keep moving forward throughout my day. I don't want to sit at my computer to check a note. Once I have sat, it is more difficult to get up. What if I have an email?

My "software options" might be a little behind the times but they work. Paper calendars, sticky notes and a healthy dose of restraint when it comes to social networks have never caused me to call technical support, or forced me to sit. I can continue through my day with little disruption due to user error.