Is This Thing ON? Part 1

 Book Review by Bayle Emlein

Is This Thing On?
By Abby Stokes, 2011 edition

A guide for the novice and those who help them, by Abby Stokes. This is a book, an actual paper and ink book, written by someone who guides novices through everything from considering which technology to buy through the steps of setting it up, using it effectively and safely, to considering the “netiquette” of being a good digital citizen no matter how recently you immigrated to this weird territory. The 2011 edition addresses Twitter, Facebook, Smartphones, cameras, iPads, e-readers, Skype and more.

The subtitle of the book, “A computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes, and the Kicking and Screaming,” tells us who might benefit from finding it in their Christmas stocking. And the last group, the Kicking and Screaming, could apply to anyone who supports the rest of us. With gentle humor, Abby presents an organized strategy for addressing each technological issue. She helps us stand back and see that we’re all newbie somewhere and that we’re all on the same bandwidth as the late bloomers who come after us.

Ms Stokes started her career as an organizer–someone who comes into your home and helps you sort out your cupboards and closets and desktops. Through a fortunate coincidence of timing, she found that people were having as much trouble with their digital desktops as with their actual ones. Out of this came classes and individual support as well as the 2000 edition of Is This Thing On?

At the Southwest Technology & Computer Conference, Ms Stokes summarized guidelines for making computer use more organized:
1.   Only touch once. Handle it and move on.     
2.   Organize according to Who, What, When--depending on which works best for you.  
3.   Have a folder system. Use it.

End of part 1