Technology @ Work: Impact on Productivity

There’s no denying that technology has become an integral part of our lives. We use technology for both business and pleasure.  Sometimes the lines between those blur.   On one hand, cellphones and the Internet have revolutionized the way companies across the globe do business, and employees are more accessible than ever before and therefore more productive-- at least in theory.

The reality is that the majority of companies are experiencing as many of its drawbacks as its benefits. One major drawback is the impact of employees’ social networking, private phone use, and personal emailing at work.   But are these technologies really the productivity drain that many in management positions believe them to be, or is that just outdated thinking?

The question of employee productivity, and the challenges of these distractions is a familiar problem.  There have always been distractions in the work place:

•  The telephone…
• The water cooler…(not really technology, I know, but just making a point)
• Desktop PCs and eventually personal notebooks...
• Email… (work email, and personal web email)
• Minesweeper and Solitaire…
• Instant Messenger ... (AIM, yahoo etc)
• Cell phones…
• Telecommuting…

As management has in the past they will continue to try to minimize these distractions by setting up policies, and looking for new ways to monitor usage.  So, is technology the problem or is it the people?   How do you spend your time at work???  Time to fess up to your technology usage -- email, phone, text, facebook, games etc...

How much time do you spend using technology for personal use during work hours?
	never
	less than 15 minutes
	more than 1 hour
	more than 3 hours
	more than 6 hours
pollcode.com free polls

Some random thoughts about hockey and technology...

During the playoffs the amount of hockey watching always increases in our home.  This season it is nearly 24/7.   The Los Angeles Kings are in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 19 years and my husband is enjoying every minute of it-- some of those minutes more than once.    I've never seen so many classics,  replays, documentaries, interviews, commentary, analysis, pregame, game game, post game you name it....I've seen it.

A few weeks ago my husband and I were watching the 1993 Western Conference Finals and I was amazed at how many differences I could easily, and quickly identify.    The players were sporting their mullets, and handlebar mustaches.  They were not protecting their heads or faces with helmets and shields.     The boards were shorter, and there were no protective netting to protect the fans.   The goalies were not limited to the trapezoid, and had very little padding. It was fun to look back but it really got me thinking about how hockey had changed in the last 20 years, and how technology may have helped shape those changes.

For the players their equipment, and safety has been impacted by technology.  Equipment today is meant to make the players move quicker with more precision. It also provides more protection for the players. Sports medicine has improved greatly.  The trainers are able to "patch up" players much quicker and get them back out on the ice.  They know more about head injuries and  how to treat them, they have even changed some of the rules on hits to help reduce these types of injuries.   They are able to perform microscopic surgery to repair injuries that were once career ending and have the players back on the ice within months.    

The players, and coaches have both benefited from advances with film, and video.    They are able to slow down the video to study every moment.   They even created a study on the "science of a slap shot".     These videos of the games, practices, and players have been crucial to studying and training to take their play to the next level.

A lot has changed for the fans as well.    Tickets to games can be purchased online (no more waiting at the box office)   The stadium has been enhanced for a better fan experience.  There are giant HD jumbo trans , surround sound and animated score boards.   There are advertisements and promos during the TV breaks and intermissions to keep the fans excitement up.      There are ways for the fans to stay engaged with the sport after the game or season has ended through fantasy sports teams, video games that  have real life players and statistics of those players.    Fans are even able to stay engaged with their team through various media outlets.

For the media they are able to take advantage of of Internet and wireless devices to be the first to report, respond or comment.   Their coverage takes form in radio, TV, podcasts, blogs, and social media.   There are apps such as NHL Game Center, ESPN Scorecenter, and The Hockey news.  These apps send real time alerts, even show shot marks if you have to watch from your phone.   Media, and fans are able to interact with players through Facebook, and Twitter.  A few days ago I even noticed that NHL has a Pinterest  page and has been partnering with Draw Something for hockey related terms.   I've read that the drawings may even be used in NHL advertising.  It is amazing how technology lets fans connect to the game,  their teams and favorite players.

As technology innovations continue to evolve so will the game of hockey, and the fans experience.

Game no 2 is today!  Go Kings!!!!

Tips you should know but may not...

Most of us use computers at least 8 hours a day at work, and/or spend hours surfing the Internet, blogging, facebooking, twittering etc...   So I am always surprised to learn that so many users do not know some of the very basic, almost essential computer shortcuts.  Knowing these tips and tricks will help increase  productivity and make computer experience much more enjoyable. 

I’ve decided to share a few of these tips and tricks here in my blog: 

1. Mouse shortcuts

• Shift key and mouse click-many programs allow you to highlight all or portions of text using the Shift key and the mouse. For example, place the cursor at the beginning of a paragraph, hold down the Shift key and click at the end of the paragraph to highlight the full paragraph.
• Click the Mouse wheel-The mouse wheel can also be used as a button. Just press down on the wheel.
• Ctrl + mouse wheel -  Allows user to quickly Zoom in and Out on a web page, word document, excel spreadsheet, etc. by holding down the Ctrl key and scrolling up to zoom in and down to zoom out.
• Ctrl key and mouse click - allows user to highlight while holding down the Ctrl key you can left-click to select multiple objects or highlight multiple sections of text. For example, in Microsoft Windows you could hold down the Ctrl key and click to select multiple files at once. If you wanted to highlight different parts of a paragraph or web page, you could also hold down the Ctrl key and select each section you wanted to copy.
• Reposition or re size window- Double-click the top title bar of any window to maximize a window or if it is already maximized re size it to a window. You can also double-click the icon for the window in the top-left corner of the window to close that window.
   

2. Keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + E Edit options in current program
• Alt + F File menu options in current program.
• Alt + Printscreen screen capture of active window only
• Ctrl + A Select all text.
• Ctrl + C Copy selected item.
• Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
• Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
• Ctrl + Insert Copy selected item
• Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
• Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.
• Ctrl + V Paste
• Ctrl + X Cut selected item.
• Ctrl+Z  undo (my favorite!)
• Ctrl+F Find (in document or web browsers) Note: in Email this shortcut will forward the emails.
• End Goes to end of current line.
• F1 Universal Help in 90% of Windows programs.
• F5 Refresh in Internet browsers, and windows folders
• Home Goes to beginning of current line.
• Print Screen Captures screen(s)
• Shift + Delete Cut selected item.
• Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.
• Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
• Shift + Insert Paste
• Shift+ Tab Moves back on fill-in stead of forward
• Windows Key +D  Minimize all active windows and show desktop

3.  Internet

• Web addresses- You don't need the http:// portion of a web page
• Quickly move between the fields of a web page if you're filling out an online form you can quickly move between each of the fields by pressing the Tab key or Shift + Tab to move back a field.
• Quickly select data from large dropdown lists If you have a drop-down box that lists every country or every state you can click that box and then press the letter of the state or country you're looking for. For example, is a drop-down box of States in the United States you could press C on the keyboard to scroll quickly to California,  type C again and move quickly to Conneticut
• Clicking the sites Logo- this ususally takes you to the home page
• Narrow down Internet Searches-If you're not finding what you want when searching the internet try surrounding the text in quotes.
• Try altnernative browers- there are other internet browers out there.
• Google Chrome
• FireFox
• Opera

4. Facebook

• Sort news feeds- by default Facebook will display feeds in news format which means those posts considered most relevent.  These results are based on your interactions with friends.   If you want to see all posts made by friends click 'most recent'
• Hide users, games, poll etc.- tired of seeing users annoying posts, game invites, polls etc... hover your mouse to the right of hte post and click the 'hide' button.   Facebook will prompt you to confirm to hide that user, or particular applicaiton.  To unhide osmeone or unblock an applicaiton click edit options in the bottom right corner of the news feeds.
• Update Privacy settings-  this is particular important if you are facebook friends with your mom, grandma, co workers or boss.  You may have content that they do not need to see... click 'Account' in the top right corner of the fb window and click privacy settings to adjust profile permissions.

What are your favorite basics-that-you-thought-everyone-knew?


P.s The best way to learn these tips is to use them.... so get on it!

SoMoLo

A new term that I stumbled upon recently is SoMoLo. The term is a marketing strategry meaning Social + Mobile + Local. 

The idea is that people everywhere are attached to their iPhones, androids, iPads, and tablets.   These devices enable us to connect to social networks on the go, and identify our locations to direct us or connect to those around us. Social media websites allow us to connect and communicate in interactive dialogs with business, communities, or individuals.  

People use these social media sites to connect with friends socially.  Business use these media sites to connect with consumers.  This allows business to take social aspect of social media, and put a business/marketing spin on it .  Business are able to get other businesses (B2B) or Businesses are able to get consumers (B2C) to use their social media forums (apps, sites etc).

The social aspect is getting them to discuss, compare, get group deals, or play social games.   The mobile aspect is to get them to read reviews or product infomation anywhere they are instantly and generate shopping lists, or wish lists.   The local aspect enables a consumer to identify inventor, prices, find nearby stores, and locate offers.  
These SoMoLo shoppers are everywhere using blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram,  Yelp, FourSquare,,,, I am definatley part of this SoMoLo generation I love "checking-in" for deals.  

She did WHAT now?

Facebook is the source of all evil.


Screw money, money buys people houses and safety, Facebook does NO good for society.


We have discovered this today.


Some girl (Who, I have to admit, I feel sympathy for) has sent her (now ex) Boyfriend naked photos of herself...

Who, he showed his friends...


And his friends showed... Well, the whole of Torry Academy.

You said it Flint.

So Idiot of the year award goes to the girl for sending the pictures in the first place...  to a boy that, by the sounds of it, she hasn't been going out with for long.

Previous Idiot of the year.

Biggest douche of the year award goes to the boys that allowed the WHOLE of Torry Academy to see those pictures.

Wear this hat with honour. You deserve it.

I only hope that something bad doesn't result from this...

So have you learnt your lesson?

DON'T TAKE NAKED PICTURES OF YOURSELF.

Full stop.

End of.

Lauren xxx

No way is that real... *stares at computer screen in fascinated disgust*

Before I say anything about... anything, I have an announcement.

Nothing big. No Marriage/Pregnancy/Death/Drugs/Rock and Roll.

Nope. Just wanted to say that my friends are the most gorgeous, talented and crazy people that I have ever met and I wouldn't change them for the world.

And my family are, again, a bunch of nutters and hilarious and I love them a lot.

Don't you guys go changing!

Finally found my inspiration again... I think it was "Attack of the Herbals" trailer added with the "Those that I fight I do not hate..." quote last night.

Got a piece of advice for you, never, ever do a "Like this status and I will compliment you" status on facebook.

Seriously. Took me 3 hours.

Ahh... sorry... 3 and a half. 

17 people ended up liking it. Hahaaaa, why all at midnight though guys and gals?!

So, how is everyone today anyways?

It's getting colder now! Feel it?

Nothing much happened in the morning.

Redgy was replaced with Assembly, boring.

BUT did you know that if you fill in an online application form, a software will be used to pick the first twenty applicants and scan them to see if they are worthy of an interview... if they are, the other eighty gets chucked in the bin.

Sorry. Recycling bin.

That sucks.

Ahhh well, fingers crossed for Paperchase eh?

STUDY (or lack of)

Hehe, an hour to chat to friends or finished off homework you forgot about. Bliss.

Part from I had to kind of do work because I thought I had a NAB for Psychology.

I didn't. Awww well. Knowledge is knowledge right?

MATHS

Not much done again... only a single period though, so only about... 2 questions done?

I almost fell asleep. Been so tired recently.

So I said that I wish that there was a starbucks.

Queue huge Tea/Coffee fight. 

SOPHIE: I think that it tastes like watered down piss, not that I've ever drunk my... *trails off after realising what she said*

Heh, that kid is hilarious.

DOUBLE PSYCHOLOGY

;l

This is without a doubt my favourite subject.

Dod is such a good teacher.

And i love getting the bus to Torry, makes me chill out!

Sara always seems to hand out polos on the bus, so she took out her Cherry flavoured antiseptic spray (She has a sore throat you see) and sprays three in her mouth, chokes a little and then Lewis leans through the crack in the seats and says:

LEWIS: Polos!?

Haha, he loves scrounging off of Sara!


Katie (B.B.F.F ((Baby Best Friends Forever)) ) had missed the bus, so she made a sad face, but then another one came and she went "Woo hoo!" and started to sing to "Send me on my way" from the Ice Age soundtrack...


Or... that was Katie told me happened.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0&ob=av3e



Definite tune though.


Was just copying down lots of notes in Psychology, interesting stuff though, so it's all good.


Then Sara got the hiccups.

Cutest noise you've ever heard in your life.


Let Sara listen to a song too, it's epic, I said that I sometimes feel like saying this to people, don't know if you feel the same?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BxfpbyV-uc


38 seconds in, the chorus is epic!


Ashleigh let me skip the queue at lunch, love that kiddie ;)


Pasta King was rank though, so dislike the Cook's... then again, It is Kincorth, it's hardly a Michelin starred restaurant!


And the cook's are so sweet! So they are forgiven for the rank pasta.


Then Patty told me about Sophie's magazine...


It was like, more or OK, something along that lines...

And it had Barbie sex positions.

Yes. You heard right.


Sophie brought over the book and all you see in Barbie's head resting on Ken's crotch...


Yup... Just resting.... *shifty eyes*


Cause we all know Ken hasn't got anything down below.


Poor Barbie.

FREE PERIOD/ART

This is the definition of fail.

Me and (CHING!) Lauren were waiting for everybody outside the library, our usual meeting place.

2 minutes later... no-one else had arrived.

5 minutes later... still no-one...

5 and a half minutes... STILL no-body. 

We got bored. So we went on a Bev hunt (Bev is the one who we were wanting to find most).

We went to the hotbar.

Nothing.

We went to the coldbar.

We saw Halle on the stairway, haha whatta cutie, but no-one else.

We started to go up the teachers staircase...

then we saw that was their hang out placey and we got scared and ran off.

We were locked out after that. We had to head to the front door.

A crow squawked. I told Lauren that it was laughing at her. She said that we had lost our minds.

I agreed.

Mrs Murray was all up in Lauren's face after that. She had no uniform on and she kind of whacked her over the head for that. She scares me sometimes.

You know where they were?

In art. An hour before they needed to be.

Booooo.

Looked up perfume bottles, was particularly freaked out by this one...

At least it has a bow on it.

Loved this one though...

Not suitable for Hayfever sufferers.

And then I looked onto www.bluebanana.com 

It's an emo website. Lauren showed me it.

In all honesty I'm about... ummm... 50% emo?

No shame about that, It's a lifestyle, not an illness.

I went through to the other room for about two minutes before being sent to the Techi room with Kelly, was hilarious though, looking up perfume bottles and making fun of eachothers typing skills.

Looking through Megan's artwork too, it's amazing;

Still hasn't completely finished

This is just WOAH. Click on it to enlarge.

Oh! And Kelly looked up her toilet paper necklace and strange people... Including the one on the computer screen seen here...

*SCREAAAAAAAAAAAAM*

If that didn't give you nightmares, nothing will.

And I see a mac computer, so I'm like "Woah that's a sexy mac!"

And Kelly replies "Who's a sexy man?!"

JEEEZ!

Then just went home after that.

Missed the bus though cause I had to give Megan her book back, just waited for one with Ashleigh, love that kid! Feels like we've been buds for absolutely ages, but we've only really hung out for about a year.

OH! And before I forget, please please PLEASE take the time to visit my Friend Kyle's website, http://www.galaxyxero.co.cc/

He's away to properly build the website once he gets enough money to start building his own computer (Yeah, that kid is one SMART cookie!) so he has enough memory for all the awesome features of his site!

So please, keep your eyes peeled guys and gals!!

Righto, Lauren out

Have an awesome day tomorrow, cause it's only one more day till the weekend!

xxx