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I just finished reading a Wall Street Journal piece Workaholics Use Fibs, Subterfuge to Stay Connected on Vacation that got me thinking about Tech and Pocket PC "addiction". Yes, as the title of our site indicates, we have a tendency really really like our little digital friends. But the question is whether this reference to "addict" is really a harmful addiction or a playful indication of something we really really like. One way to get an indication of the addictive nature of our tech toys is whether we use the devices on vacation and if so for what?
Some questions to ponder on this subject is whether we seek out "connected" hotel rooms in hopes of carrying on Instant messenger sessions, answering work related emails, surfing our websites, etc. It brings to mind a vision of a far away paradise such as the Cayman Islands and one spending the better part of every day in a hotel room mindlessly surfing the Internet, while his family is out on the beach enjoying the sun and fun. Do their family members not wonder if he or she has a problem if "paradise" isn't enough to tear them away?
I breathed a sigh of relief personally, in that yes I do carry my Pocket PC with me on vacation. But it is largely left unused with the exception of reading ebooks, watching movies(on airplanes) and listening to music. True, I have been known to check email in the mornings to make sure nothing has burned down. But I limit those sessions to 10 minutes tops. For some reason - it's great to get away from the LCD screen during vacations as my curiosity moves towards local sights, sounds and experiences. It would be my guess that this would be representative of someone who isn't "hooked" on the stuff. Am I in denial?
The term workaholic has been around for decades and it typically refers to someone who cannot relax and must constantly be working to feel ok. It brings to mind the movie "Wall Street" where Gordon Gecko says "Money never sleeps". The problem with that philosophy is that many of today's "workaholics" are experiencing too much stress, obesity and other health problems. You can't sit at a desk surfing all day without experiencing some health issues.
In a way it's tragic that some would sacrifice the gifts of a family and friends for the lure of a 'virtual' world. However, it does happen. We read about marriages ruined by online affairs and gambling. The term "computer widow" wouldn't have come about if it wasn't for too many people spending too much "family time" on the computer.
So what are YOU doing on vacation? Are you enjoying the local food and fare, or the free WiFi? Are you body surfing in the hotel pool or surfing on the hotel lounge PC? Personally, I hope you are getting away from it all, including work on your Pocket PC. Vacations are times to regenerate and recharge...to step away and find something new, relax and enjoy your family and friends. It's not the time to indulge in "virtual" work. And that's coming from the guy known as the Pocket PC Addict!
Funny how I'm on vacation right now. I'm sitting inthe hotel room working on my Thinkpad . Actually, I'm trying out a new plan for vacation this year. Decided to take a longer time on vacatoin yet work 1/2 days in the mornings so I use less vacation time, have more time away from home and still have all afternoon and evening to enjoy the area. Plus the added avantange of not having to spend 2 days catching up on old emails
__________________ James Kendrick Microsoft MVP - Tablet PCwww.jkontherun.com Lockergnome contributor- Mobile Lifestyle...using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.
Very interesting article....and I'm sure every person's situation is different....but I have a scenario where I went on vacation with my two children two weeks ago...(My wife was unable to make it because of last minute committments)
But since I work from home and do most of my my work on the telephone, in documents and emails....I was able to take the kids to the beach for a few days and still work.... My days consisted of spending the day at the beach where I built sand castles, went in the ocean and every hour or so I would check my emails through a bluetooth connection with my cell phone....then we would go to dinner and spend the nights at the boardwalk and return home by 10:00pm....the kids would go to bed by 10:30 and I would spend the next 3 - 4 hours writing my documents and researching...
To tell you the truth, the kids never knew I worked....I never felt like I was working because I was having so much fun during the day and I was able to meet all of my deadlines....
Like I said...everyone's situation is different...but I do have a great deal of flexability and working on vacation was almost the same as working from my home....except I was able to get alot of beach time in...
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I just came back from a vacation a few days ago and I was not alone in bringing my PocketPC and laptop. In addition to that, out of a total of 5 Adults, there were 2 more laptops and another PocketPC. (3 laptops, 2 PocketPCs, and wifi setup).
And they all used them. But we didn't really take them with us when we left the condo. Whenever we were back inside eating, cooling off, or relaxing, we'd sign on to check work-related emails, forums, and websites.
I think we had a nice balance. Nobody delayed eating out due to the internet, or engaged in any heavy duty hours+ digital activities.
But it's a good feeling to still feel connected when yer away...knowing you are not missing anything or that nothing is "burning down".
JJB
I feel really bad reading this.
When I go on vacation, I not only take my PPC, I take my LAPTOP. I take my USB SprintPCS cable, and I spend too much time online.
I never check work e-mail on vacation, but I am constantly checking my own e-mail, surfing forums, IM'ing my friends, and all types of stuff that I shouldn't be doing on vacation. I also read e-books.
I need some kind of program. I really do spend too much time online in my free time.
I am preparing for a vacation to Vegas later this month and I am definitely taking the old PPC.
I will copy a few movies onto a memory card for the plane ride. I will be searching out any internet cafes and, oh yeah, I'll be getting married while I'm there.
But I will be taking my pal. How could I leave him at home with those little puppy dog eyes?
__________________ A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. \"Hear that?\" you say. \"That\'s dynamite, baby.\"
When we go on vacation, we take stacks of books with us... except for me. I take my PPC. I have several dozen books on an SD card. I also use MS MapPoint to map out the vacation area and transfer to my PPC. I also look up local restaurants and put their phone numbers in my contacts list.
Basically I become the local reference guide using my PPC!
The main reason I bought my iPAQ 2215 was to take it on vacation, though it certainly has uses in normal daily life, too. I wanted something larger than the LCD on the back of my digicam but smaller and lighter (and cheaper) than most of the LCD-toting portable storage devices such as the Archos. The iPAQ was perfect - great screen, takes CF cards (I really use xD, but xD-to-CF adapter works fine), also has an SD card for more storage, etc. Love Spb Imageer, though even the built-in viewers aren't TOO bad.
Doug
Hey JongJungBu
No offense. I consider veing nerdy a compliment (does that make me more nerdy?).
I forgot another reason.
After taking pics with my HP digital camera, I take the SD card out and stuff it in my 2215 and we can look at the pics.
__________________ A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. \"Hear that?\" you say. \"That\'s dynamite, baby.\"
Jeez that's a really good article.j
I'm due to go on holiday next week to Tenerife (Canary Islands).
I too generally stock my ppc up with flight movies, books, games, local details e.g. Tom tom maps, restaurants, interesting sites to visit, emergency contact info etc.
I will also check my e-mails via a bt connection with my mobile.
But I was also planning to take my PPc so that I could work on some new databases I'm throwing together, having read the article I don't think I will now, instead I will leave my work at the workplace.
A long running joke between my girlfriend and me is the last time we went away I would walk about 1/2 a mile every morning to the local internet cafe to check my e-mails etc. I have no wish to further fan the flames of this little story.
I personally find that E-bay bidding tends to screw with my personal time, as I feel I have to be watching when the auctions end, just so I can ensure I win the bid, I can get a tad over competitive, which previously has resulted in a heavy round of expensive bidding only to win an early Incredible Hulk comic that was written in German, when I can't even read German (or english so it would seem.)
I think I'll make this a chillout holiday rather than a week long ppc/internet based session in a foreign country.
__________________ Afterism (n) - A concise, clever statement you don\'t think of until too late.
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
Leave the house without my iPAQ? I never considered it! Frankly, I think that my family and co-workers would be freaked out if they ever learned that I didn't have it with me. I use it for entertainment as much as I do for work.
I use if for playing MP3's in my house or while doing lawn work. I use it to navigate when traveling for work and play. (Mapopolis) I use it to keep my sanity by playing games when at tradeshows. (I am at a tradeshow right now.) I read and write email messages from it. I use it to create presentations for work. I use it to view pictures from my digital camera. I'd keep going but the tradeshow day is coming to an end.
I would rather loose my wallet than my iPAQ. If that makes me a nerd, then I am a nerd.
Heheh. I wasn't trying to start a flamewar or anything or insult anyone. I was just making jokes.
I mean, after all, my Axim is how I knew when to leave from my florida beach vacation before Hurricane Frances came. And I will tell you the timing was perfect. I was in the car less than 30 seconds before the first rain from it hit me and then I was outta there headin north.
I checked weather.com regularly via PPC.
8-)
JJB
And for some, it's not even an interracial marriage.
JJB
Fear me, for I am cyborg. Interesting thread here...I can't not take my pocket pc anywhere, currently I've got the cut down remins of one in my thigh, and I can project whatever I want directly through my optic nerve into my brain.
I wish. (Seriously)
. Actually, I'm trying out a new plan for vacation this year. Decided to take a longer time on vacatoin yet work 1/2 days in the mornings so I use less vacation time, have more time away from home and still have all afternoon and evening to enjoy the area. Plus the added avantange of not having to spend 2 days catching up on old emails 
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