Latency in technology adoption


A recent post (and the subsequent reader comments) by James Fee about how people use Excel for things the application was not designed for (e.g., database, mapping, grid-making) got me thinking about how this relates to my own experience. Not just with Excel (mis)use, but with computer technology in general.

I have plenty of stories illustrating the same phenomenon. People storing their data in Word documents. Building inventories in Cardfile (Windows 3.1 app). Typing a Word document, printing it out, scanning it to a PDF and emailing me the PDF to post the text on their website. And so on.

Why is it that so many people misuse technology? Or do not use it to its full potential?

If you are a geek (I am), your natural reaction is: “People are just stupid.” But if you are an older geek (I am), age having softened your arrogance, you may consider the possibility that people aren’t actually stupid, just disinterested. Or too busy with other, more important things than technowizardgadgetry.

For months now I have been talking to people about The Cloud. The verdict? “The Real World” couldn’t care less about the cloud. The field of nanomicroscopy is not yet sufficiently advanced to measure1 The Real World’s interest in the intricacies of cloud computing. That does not make cloud computing a bad idea, but its adoption will be neither fast nor certain.

For the same reason so many people still keep their data in Excel.

--
1 Phrase borrowed from David Foster Wallace, “Infinite Jest”, p. 1012

Posted by Atanas Entchev at 6/15/2010 12:41 PM
Categories: Data, Cloud, Opinion, blog, Microsoft, GIS, PDF, database, IT, Windows, Technology, data format
Tags: Data database PDF Opinion blog Microsoft GIS data format Cloud Windows Technology IT
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  • 6/15/2010 1:25 PM Trish wrote:
    This entry hits so many raw nerves for me. About a year ago, after repeatedly watching people use Word and Excel to create tables and lists which would have worked much better in Access, I sent out an email explaining when you should use Excel and when you should use Access. I then sent that email to all 20 or so people in my department.

    One person responded to my email with a thank you. I don't think anyone else even gave it more than a glance.

    I think a lot of people are convinced they don't "get" technology. So, they do not spend time learning how to use it efficiently.
    1. 6/15/2010 4:31 PM atanas entchev wrote:
      It could be. It could also be that most people are given more technology than they need or want. There is a disconnect somewhere, I just can't quite tease it out.

      It's like everyone has a Porsche in their garage, but most people only drive it once a week to church.

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