Communication technology in this day and age has been necessary, important, and has made communicating easier and more efficient. On the flip side of this, these technologies have become a bit of a nuisance when they break or shutdown on you. This unfortunately something that can not be avoided. I read a study that discussed the frustration of broken technology http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Tech_Failure.pdf . According to research done by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, they stated that forty-eight percent of all of technology users need help from others with new devices and many tech users encounter problems with their internet connections, home computers or cell phones. Some specific stats that they provide are that 44 % of those with internet access in their homes say the connection has failed to work properly for them within the last 12 months, and 29% of cell phone users say their device failed to work properly at some time in the previous year.
I have experience so many problems with the internet and my cell phone. On multiple occasions I’ve needed to do a homework assignment, check my email and unable to because the internet was down. It honesty gets to be a little annoying because most of the work that I need to submit needs to be done on the computer. My computer seems to crash almost on a weekly basis, and I can’t ever seem to find the causes or solutions to these problems. When I don’t have the access to the internet, I realize how much I used it and what a necessary it is, and as the saying goes, “you never miss something until it’s gone”. My cell phone has given me problems such as not sending my text messages, receiving messages late or not at all, and constantly not having service. This all becomes frustrating and makes a person not want to invest in something that’s not going to work efficiently.
I believe that because of the prevalence of communication technology, people are going to buy these devices; however, it is the quality of that technology that is going to push consumers away. People need to be ensured that the technology necessary for everyday tasks will function properly to rid of frustration and confusion about the product. This research brings me back to the list of advantages and disadvantages of CMC that was created at the beginning of the semester in my electronic communications class. Yes, computers make research faster and easier. Yes, it connects you to the world within seconds, but no, none of this can be done with a computer doesn’t work.
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4 comments:
Candace I completely agree with you in this article! Technological items always seem to break on me and it is really obnoxious. And your right, I did not realize how much I depended on these electronics until they broke on me. The week before Thanksgiving, my phone died internally on my. I did not have a phone from like Tuesday to Friday and I was freaking out because I couldn't contact anybody, and nobody could get a hold of me. What if I had gotten into an unsafe situation, and couldn't call anybody for help? Your right, people are going to continue to buy electronics, because now it is a necessity that we all need in our lives. I also find it very irksome when my internet won't work on my computer, or it just decides to turn off, or freeze. Your right, we can't enjoy the advantages of CMC if the computers themselves don't work. Why can't all the technology be built to last!
I also get very frustrated when technology doesn't work. I think we have all become reliant on CMC whether it be cell phones or the internet. However, I have noticed especially at Westminster College the computer system appears to work improperly at the worst possible times. Hopefully within the near future companies will be able to develop products or services that are efficient and work properly.
My phone, the end. Wait, wait... my computer, now we're at the end.
I'd just like to say that it is always my luck that stuff breaks on me! I have learned to not rely on my computer and phone as much as I would like to because around this time last year, CRASH! I mean it's unfortunate that things like this happen but it's life. If it's not technology then it will be something else!
I feel that the more dependent we are on these types of technology, the more frustrated we become when they fail to work properly. Who should I blame when I have an assignment due at midnight and the Westminster internet cuts out at ten in the evening? Is it my fault for waiting till the last minute or is it the servers fault for constantly failing to work as it is designed. Electronics, much like people, fail to work to their fullest potential sometimes. CMC does make things quicker and easier, but their malfunctions may cause us to slow down and take a breather every now and then.
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