The Vagaries of Technology; Confessions of a Cutting Edge Luddite
Posted on January 30, 2008
Filed Under Technology, General |
I started my morning with an email - sent late last night - from a client: “Jeff, we have been trying to call you all evening. Your phone is not working.” Nothing serious - they just want to write a $750k offer - but I was concerned nonetheless.
Here’s what happened: In my clever attempt to be available to all people at all times, I forward my RE/MAX office phone to my cell phone. When I’m in my home office, where I do most of my business, I then forward my cell phone to my home phone, not just for ease but because cell service in West Linn is execrable. Works wonders, even though I’ve had calls as late as 11:00pm and as early as 5:30am.
Unfortunately, my less-than-stellar Blackjack doesn’t save call-forward numbers, so I have to type it in each time. At my age I have neither the eyes nor the dexterity of the six year olds who TM all day, and last night instead of area code ‘503′ I typed in ‘502′. We’re too early in the technology revolution for devices to understand and correct stupidity, so anyone who tried to call got a big fat ‘ERROR!’ message. My apologies.
While I’m on the subject: Greg Swann was kind enough to write me PHP code for a contact form. Until a few days ago I thought we were talking about a gas additive, but, because the code didn’t work as it should - through no fault of the code itself - I’ve been in constant contact with MidPhase support. They, of course, tell me that, no, everything is working juuuuust fine, and at various times it’s been the fault of A) My computer; B) Comcast; C) The next door neighbor’s dog; D) Me. If you see the form to your right, it’s wor
UPDATE, two hours later: At that point, WordPress crashed. Couldn’t even get back to the site. The good news is the car started, and I was able to meet my clients.
Where was I: … king. If not, it’s not. To my friends at MidPhase: The Customer Service Survey arrived just in time.
One more quick thing: Digital cameras have changed the business. The RMLS now accepts up to sixteen hi-res pictures. But, like everything else, just the ability to post the pictures isn’t enough. It’s often a good idea they be the right pictures.
This from a current listing, over $500k:
The private remarks: Needs TLC.
The great takeaway in all this:
Technology, in and of only itself, solves nothing.
Now I have to see if the car will start again…
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