The Two Faces of Technology: Convenience vs. Communication

I was thinking about technology and how we use it in our life – and by “our life” I mean Derek and my life. I came to the conclusion that we each use the HECK out of technology … but in completely different ways.

Derek uses technology for convenience.
I use technology for communication.

Let’s start with the cell phone:

Derek has about 6.3 billion numbers programmed into his phone. Any person or company that he could possibly want to call – ever, is programmed into his phone. He is about to purchase the Blackberry Pearl so that, in addition to the 6.3 billion numbers that he currently has, his scheduler and email can be just a click away as well. Pure convenience.

I, on the other hand, have “just” a cell phone. Yes. I am PDA-less. However, I have one of the most baddass superior-coverage cell phones on the market today. I only have about 20 numbers in my phone, and besides the small handful of work-related numbers (that I only have programmed so I know when they are calling me), all of my programmed numbers are for people that I LIKE to talk to (or text) and that I ENJOY calling. (I may get a PDA in the future – but only for the instant blogging and email abilities.) My cell phone is used PURELY for communication.

Next, is our Top Producer account:

Derek loves our Top Producer account because all of his To-Do’s and appointments and time blocked activities are in one place. Again … convenience.

I don’t know what I would do without our TP account. It allows me to send out personalized mass emails, as well as effectively and consistently communicate and keep in touch with our clients through the personal marketing report websites (for our Sellers) and action plan activities (for our Buyers). I do not use the scheduler, as I am quite happy with the planner that the title company gave me last December. (Shush. Stop laughing.) Again … communication.

Our website is another one:

Derek loves the functionality of our new website. All the buttons and available options are easy to find and easy to use. … Convenience.

I love the blog application that allows me to share my knowledge and experiences with potential clients. … Communication.

Finally the internet … Ah! The internet:

Derek loves Google Reader so that all the hacking-blogs (yet another convenience factor) that he loves so much are all in one place. He also loves JOTT, which is an uber time saver and gets all his thoughts and master plans in one place. Anything he reads or watches involves making his life easier – new products, new services, etc. Convenience reigns king in Derek’s internet experience.

I also love Google Reader. My reader is packed full of all of my RE Blogging Buddies Blogs and How-to-Be-a-Better-Blogger Blogs. I like keeping abreast of what is going on in the blogosphere and in different parts of the country, as well as learn how to blog more effectively. I like interacting with the brilliant people on Agent Genius, commenting on Active Rain, poking people on Face Book and laughing at – er, I mean with people on MySpace (no, you’ll never find my MySpace profile HA HA HA!). Blogging and Social networking sites (communication) are the bulk of my non-work internet time.

It is amazing how integrated technology is in each of our lives, but how we use it in such starkly different ways.