http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/ Productivity for Entrepreneurs, GTD Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-2146 THE CAPRANICA - » Are You Being Very Productive Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:25:21 +0000 http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/#comment-2146 [...] The Cranking Widgets Blog [...] [...] The Cranking Widgets Blog [...]

]]> http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-2130 Futzy Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:11:33 +0000 http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/#comment-2130 I'm retired now, couldn't stand the ratrace anymore. But worked with/on/for computers for 38 years. Started out repairing machines that had tubes in 'em. I've seen everything get faster, smaller, hotter, fancier and "more productive" over and over again. I'm also a social scientist and a believer in the Dystopian school of thought (e.g. Jeremy Rifkin). We're still actually doing the same tasks, we're just doing them in a way that provides an income for the hoards of system support (i.e., I/T, I/S, etc.) departments that have become necessary evils. From ledgers to punch cards (remember 5080s?) to source files to databases, and from pencils to mice - every business that's expanded to server a growing population has had to add overhead in personnel (with their attendant hardware and software and cellphones and beepers ... ). I don't think it's all bad just overly complicated. How long did it used to take to learn the TOOLS of the task? A pencil - about 5 seconds - and if it broke it was easy to repair - worked the same around the world - no translation required. Today anyone using a computer-based tool needs much more education and, typically, ongoing updates as it evolves. Not to mention that they become instantly non-productive the instant it stops working - for a varying amount of time, sometimes days. I hate the fact that users now spend way too much time learning the tools rather than doing the job. Sigh. I’m retired now, couldn’t stand the ratrace anymore. But worked with/on/for computers for 38 years. Started out repairing machines that had tubes in ‘em. I’ve seen everything get faster, smaller, hotter, fancier and “more productive” over and over again. I’m also a social scientist and a believer in the Dystopian school of thought (e.g. Jeremy Rifkin).
We’re still actually doing the same tasks, we’re just doing them in a way that provides an income for the hoards of system support (i.e., I/T, I/S, etc.) departments that have become necessary evils. From ledgers to punch cards (remember 5080s?) to source files to databases, and from pencils to mice – every business that’s expanded to server a growing population has had to add overhead in personnel (with their attendant hardware and software and cellphones and beepers … ).
I don’t think it’s all bad just overly complicated. How long did it used to take to learn the TOOLS of the task? A pencil – about 5 seconds – and if it broke it was easy to repair – worked the same around the world – no translation required. Today anyone using a computer-based tool needs much more education and, typically, ongoing updates as it evolves. Not to mention that they become instantly non-productive the instant it stops working – for a varying amount of time, sometimes days. I hate the fact that users now spend way too much time learning the tools rather than doing the job.
Sigh.

]]> http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-2093 Jon Aston Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:09:24 +0000 http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/#comment-2093 You need to check out a lovely little app called "Temptation Blocker". 2005-Aug-02 "Download of the day over at lifehacker... http://lifehacker.com/software/downloads/download-of-the-day-temptation-blocker-115429.php You need to check out a lovely little app called “Temptation Blocker”. 2005-Aug-02 “Download of the day over at lifehacker…
http://lifehacker.com/software/downloads/download-of-the-day-temptation-blocker-115429.php

]]> http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-2092 mike Tue, 17 Apr 2007 11:40:40 +0000 http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2007/04/17/enemy-of-workplace-productivity/#comment-2092 I'll be one of those who agrees 100% with you. This is my single biggest problem (exhibited, naturally, by my reading this post and responding to it, rather than doing the work I came in early this morning to do). Now, sure, I found ways to goof off before computers and the Internet became so prevalent, but it sure is a lot easier to indulge my inner distraction seeker, thanks to this high technology. I’ll be one of those who agrees 100% with you. This is my single biggest problem (exhibited, naturally, by my reading this post and responding to it, rather than doing the work I came in early this morning to do). Now, sure, I found ways to goof off before computers and the Internet became so prevalent, but it sure is a lot easier to indulge my inner distraction seeker, thanks to this high technology.

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