FINGER WALKING

FINGER WALKING

 Or finger pounding

 **

 Not too many years ago, the phone companies issued yearly phone books. The very thick, heavy books contained names, phone numbers and yes, addresses of the residents within a certain range of miles. Where I lived in Brooklyn, our phone book would list those, not just in my section of Brooklyn, but those in the surrounding areas.

 Then of course, they’d issue another one, but the second book was printed on yellow paper, thus it was called, TA DA! The Yellow Pages and this contained only businesses. Depending on the business, and certain names were placed in larger print explaining what the business was for. For instance: one might be listed this was: “Madison Cabinet, 90 Eagle Street, Brooklyn NY. EV3-9210: While another might be listed like this: “Carters Baby, 812 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, where you’ll find all your baby needs: clothes, bottles, shoes, carriages. Whatever you’re looking for, we have it. EV3-8420.” I’m sure those listings cost more to include.

 However, should we need the phone number of a business (or even a private residence) not local, we would have to dial 411 for the operator. “Can I help you please?” They were always polite and helpful but a few never failed to bring a smile to our lips since they sounded like the comedienne, Lilly Tomlin, “One ringy dingy!”

 Ah! The good old days!

 But here we are in the 21st century and things have changed quite a bit.

 No more calling the operator for a phone number or to check the time. Remember that one? Dial 1212 and a recorded voice would come on: “The correct time is now (whatever)!”

 As I said, “here we are.”

 And, my grandchildren have no idea what a phone book is. They never had to use one; in fact, I doubt they ever saw one. And for personal addresses? All that information is stored in their cell phones.

 Okay, so what if you need a number of a local business and you don’t have a cell phone? (Yeah, I know. You’re thinking, “who in this day and age doesn’t have a cell phone?”) I actually know a number of seniors who refuse to use them. So, as I was saying, you need a number? Just log onto your computer and ask Google. Be sure to list the town where the business is located. The information you’re looking for will pop right up. Not sure how far away that address is? Just type that address in Google and not only will it tell you how far away it is from your own home, but it will give you the directions on how to get there. No need for a map that’s big enough to cover your bed when unfolded.

 How many of us remember that old slogan of the phone companies when they would advertise their ‘Yellow Pages”?  “Let your fingers do the walking”. Remember that?”

 Well, it would seem now, that instead of our fingers “walking” through the Yellow Pages to turn each page, we’re having our fingers pound out letters on our keyboards.

 Oh, I know we all have that cute little (and often cordless) little thing we call “the mouse” but unless you want to sit there, turn on your “dictate” program, you’ll spend your time typing in the prompts that you want information on.

 Oh, and don’t forget that even with your “dictate” program, you need to spell check your data. All too often, the computer’s recording system misinterprets the words you’re saying and will type what it heard.

 For instance, take the work interpret. I’ve used that word and my computer has typed, “interrupt.” How on earth did it misunderstand that?

 And let’s not forget that you need to speak slowly and extremely clearly. Anyone would think my computer needed hearing aids!

 Using the “dictate” programs, I have found, doesn’t save me any time at all. What it does is frustrate me and waste the time I’ve set aside to find out answers to the information I’m seeking or just writing a story.

 Reminds me of that old song by the Statler Brothers: “Flowers on the Wall.”

 Countin’ flowers on the wall,

That don’t bother me at all,

Playin’ solitaire till dawn

With a deck of fifty-one.

Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ captain Kangaroo

Now don’t tell me, I’ve got nothing to do.

 That’s how I feel when I think I’ve finished writing something and I have to read, edit, then reread and edit again after using the computer’s dictating program. And heaven forbid you leave the microphone on, then turn and have a conversation with someone nearby! Yikes! It types everything, well, everything the way the computer hears it.

 Considering how dependent we have become using our computers, and how frequently each day our fingers pound on the keyboards, it surprises me that we haven’t grown callouses on our fingertips. Or have we?

 While computer companies will say that you don’t need to hit the keyboard forcefully, I have found that a slight touch doesn’t quite register your intention. You still need at least a bit of force to have your words appear on the screen.

 So, here I am typing on my computer -the one that I just had repaired and while it’s a smart laptop, I hope it’s not smart enough to understand what I’ve written about it and decide to rebel and shut off again.

 I’ll give my fingers a rest and make some tea.

 Have a great day and thank you for reading.