What is Technology?

Technology is a term that is often used by society today and is most commonly associated purely with machines and various electronic trinkets. However this is just one area, the “high tech” area, that this broad term covers.

The concept of technology actually refers to anything that has been crafted by something or someone to achieve some particular purpose. The earliest man made technological inventions include things like tools made from wood and rocks to assist with simple tasks crucial to survival, such as hunting and keeping warm. Over time the range of technology used by mankind has increased however the fundamental aims remain almost unchanged, (to survive and to make our lives easier). We now live in houses rather than caves and use guns rather than sharp sticks to hunt and fight amongst ourselves.

With the development of modern technology have we forgotten how to use some of the earliest forms of human technology? How many of us could actually use a spear to catch a fish or kill a wild boar? In truth probably not many of us. Do you think this is purely due to lack of practice rather than a disregard for older technologies or in truth have we completely lost these basic instincts?

Maybe it’s in our nature to drop and forget about one form of technology when we devise a newer seemingly better one, but is this always wise? In the current age of capitalism where someone is always trying to sell you something new, it makes sense to be technologically savvy and gain an understanding of what new technology can do for you. You can then decide if you need to buy into a certain new technologies and be aware that there may be alternative, already existent products or methods that are just as suitable, maybe even more so depending on the desired purpose.

Do you always buy the latest most lavish feature packed gadgets, or do you stick to more modest products?

Make Money Online: There is no easy path

The internet is full of people claiming to make you rich with six figure incomes from working 2 hours a day. It is something that is certainly possible. It is true that you do not need great technical abilities. It is true a number of people do only work 2 hours a day and make six figure income. Once it reaches that stage, it is easy. What they rarely mention, is that it takes a great deal of work to get to that stage. No one ever mentions the months and years of unrewarded work that went in to get to that stage. An internet business is like any other business, it needs constant attention and vast amounts of promotion. This doesn’t necessarily mean paid advertising for your website, but you need to drive traffic somehow.

A popular way of making money online is through affiliate sales. This involves performing internet marketing in order to achieve sales for someone else’s products in return for a commission. It can be very lucrative, but requires some knowledge and often a high spend on paid advertising. Scott Weaver has written an interesting article about Why People Fail At Affiliate Marketing. His article outlines some of the realities of this kind of business.

Most of the big online money makers have very established brand names. Although you may not have heard of many of them, within their niche they are well known and their peers will constantly refer to them. Building a brand is a long process. It requires you to have a name and image that is recognisable and easy to associate to your niche. Promotion and constant reinforcement is required to cement the association of your name to your industry. True success occurs when your name is synonymous with your product for example people saying “hoover” for a vacuum cleaner (Can you think of any more?). This level of success is rare. However I can list a number of global brands and everyone will know what they are or do; Google, Coca Cola, Amazon, Nike, Microsoft, etc. Companies spend millions on their brand and its strength is very closely linked to its abilities to generate revenue.

You should not be disheartened though. The internet has barely been around for ten years. There is a lot of innovation and opportunity yet to be taken advantage of. UK blogger Shawn Collins reported affiliate sales in the UK this last year grew 45% in 2007 accounting to over £3bn worth of sales. Read the rest of Shawn’s post for more information. With its low barriers to entry there is opportunity, you just have to spot it! There is plenty of information to be found on the internet if you take the time to search for it.

What are your views on Making Money Online? Are you living off your online income? Is this something your looking into?

Are you suffering from Infomania?

Are you constantly interrupted by email? phone calls? instant messaging? If so you may be an infomaniac! Can you go an hour without checking your email or phone or feed reader? If not then you are suffering from Infomania!

Infomania is a growing problem in business and those who work at home are exceptionally vulnerable to it. Infomania is characterised by a distraction from duties by an urge to remain informed and up to date at all times resulting in information overload. The improvements in technology and the access to constant up to date information have made this a rising concern in the last twenty years but only in recent times since mobile technology has become more mainstream has Infomania really become a common problem.

Businesses are finding their productivity is taking a hit as technologies widely considered to be business aids are now causing as much harm as good. In 2007 – the year of Facebook, there was near constant mainstream media attention on people spending hours at work on social networking websites.

How can you protect yourself from Infomania?

1. Write a to do list and detail tasks which need to be achieved today.
2. Close all email clients, feed readers, instant messengers and web browsers for a pre defined time period which will be your productive time. In this time you must complete all tasks designated for this time period.
3. Take regular short breaks in which you check your emails etc.
4. Once your break is over, close all your distractions and have another productive hour.

Are you suffering from Infomania? How do you make sure your productivity is not suffering?

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