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Technology entertains us and enables us to do things we could not do before or could not do as easily. But there is a price. Each new gadget and each new program takes time to acquire, learn to use and manage.
Technology is one of the greatest distractions and time consumers today. We are confronted by so many different kinds of technology: television, radio, the internet, smart phones, computers, video games, etc. Each of these takes time to acquire, learn to use, and maintain.
Consider just this one factor: how much time do you spend each day, week, month managing your technology. This includes shopping for and buying new technology and software, configuring software, learning how to use new technology, downloading upgrades, fixing malfunctions, maintenance, and exploring the many options and capacities of the gadgets and software you have. If you kept track of that for just one month you may be shocked.
Follow these three practices to manage your technology and prevent it from taking too much of your time:
1. Weigh the Benefits vs. the Cost of Technology: Next time you are tempted to buy that new gadget or download that new program consider this time expense. Often you can get by just fine with older technology and software. As long as it works well and newer versions do not contain something that will really benefit you be cautious about updating to the newest versions. It costs you in time as well as money.
2. Use the 24 Hour Rule: The next time you are tempted to download a new app or other piece of software or acquire a new device stop. Take at least 24 hours to mull over this decision. Give serious thought to the time cost of acquiring, learning to use and maintain this new technology before buying it. This will reduce the tendency to impulse buy and help you effectively manage your technology related use of time.
3. Weed Out What is Not Time Justified: Technology become obsolete or at least less useful over time. It is easy to accumulate technologies that are redundant. Be ruthless in your management of devices and software. Eliminate old technology that is redundant or ineffective.
Technology can make our lives easier and more productive. It can entertain us. It can also consume precious time to acquire, master and maintain. We must be intentional and prudent about what technology we acquire and keep in light of the time it will consume.
Spend just 30 minutes carefully evaluating your current technology to determine if it is worth the time costs discussed here. If it is not get rid of it. You can save hours of time over a year by being more careful about what technology you acquire and keep.
Daniel R. Murphy writes on personal development, leadership skills, time management and how you can build wealth and financial independence.
When most people hear about “smart windows,” they invariably think of computers. Yet glass has witnessed some remarkable changes thanks to improved technology, which allow windows to enhance the home like never before. By significantly impacting the home’s energy efficiency, smart window technology is transforming the way people think about windows. The following technologies and materials are just a few of the advances in window manufacturing today.
Photochromic Technology
Photochromic materials have been employed in eyeglasses, but they can also be used as window glass where they can respond to light intensity. This type of system can block sunlight effectively during the day so that the home’s cooling system is not over-taxed. While some light is allowed, the photochromic materials effectively block out the intensity so that homes literally remain cooler, and consumers pay less in energy costs.
Electrochromic Technology
This type of incredible technology employs electrical ions that seamlessly shift between clear and blue-gray tints. No visibility is lost in the transfer. Electrochromic smart windows rely on electricity to chemically trigger the color change. This material contains conducting oxide that is sandwiched between two pieces of glass. The oxide layers are wired to a power source that provides the required electricity. Of course, people simply notice the great effect of the tinting as well as reduced energy bills.
Gaschromic Technology
Gaschromic material provides a tinting effect that is similar to electrochromic technology. Instead of relying on electricity, however, it employs a gas reaction to achieve its effect. The result is a window that may be transparent or tinted as required. On sunny days, the tinting helps block the light’s energy from heating up the building or home. Consequently, less energy must be consumed to keep the space cool. Moreover, the HVAC system is spared from having to work overtime. (Source: “Window Technologies: Emerging Technologies- Dynamic Windows”, Efficient Windows Collaborative)
Suspended Particle Technology
With this type of technology, a film is sandwiched between two layers of glass. The film is liquid-like and contains millions of particles held in suspension. Like electrochromic material, the film is wired to a power source so it may be activated or deactivated as needed. The particles, when ‘turned on,’ so to speak, are magnetically aligned to allow for more sunlight transmittance. When they are randomly diffused, less sunlight is allowed through the window.
Thermochromic Technology
This type of smart technology responds to the changing dynamics of sunlight intensity. For use in variable tinted windows, this material constantly shifts the light it allows to penetrate through the window. This allows for better temperature control. By blocking the sunlight from the building, this technology prevents the sun from heating up the building’s interior so temperatures remain comfortable. This technology reduces solar exposure and also minimizes glare and even noise.