Editor’s note: This commentary is by Sean Sheehan of Montpelier . Sheehan is a Community Director with the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project.
My boss at summer camp wanted nothing to do with computers or online tools. While the rest of his staff used new programs and digital media, Doug stuck to pen, paper, ledger book, and typewriter. In his mind, computers were daunting, problematic, expensive and a huge waste of time. At 60, Doug imagined himself too old of a dog to learn new tricks. He swore to never touch an “on” button. He would ride out his career with the tools that had served him so well for so long.
Five years later, my email in-box had more messages from Doug than from any of my tech-savvy friends.
The most remarkable thing about Doug’s drastic about-face is that it really isn’t that remarkable. You probably know one or two people who said and did a very similar thing. Traveling all over the state as a Community Director for the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project, I’ve met dozens of Dougs. In town after town, free trainings to teach basic Internet skills brought out seniors who had never turned on a computer and farmers who never would have pictured themselves in front of a monitor.
The questions in my mind are 1) what triggers the shift from an “on” button allergy to Internet enthusiasm, and 2) do these online experiences match up to a user’s greatest hopes or worst fears?
Let’s start with Doug – what happened there? It turns out that my friend Paul was tired of seeing Doug spend every winter weekend hand-addressing letters to prospective campers and packing envelopes of materials for new and returning kids. So he bought Paul a computer, set it up for him, taught Doug how to use time-saving software, and got him started with an email account.
On the second question, Doug’s initial fears were absolutely valid. Going online can turn into an incredible distraction and waste of time. BUT being connected also offers you a powerful tool to achieve your goals much more effectively and efficiently. In Doug’s case, not only did digital recruiting and follow-up put him in the enviable positions of big waiting lists and more free weekends, but Facebook and Google Groups helped several decades of camp alumni reconnect and launch a vibrant and supportive alumni association.
How do YOU get the good without the bad? I see two key steps. First and foremost is identifying a clear goal. Second is finding the right e-tool for the job — or finding someone who can help you cut through the technical jargon and show you a proper tool and how it works.
Yes, these generic steps would serve you well in cooking or in carpentry, but with Google reporting more than a trillion web pages, your focus is especially important on the Internet. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an individual, a business, or a community group. This is the difference between reaching your target and wandering down a digital side road that brings you to Ashton Kutcher’s breakfast menu.
In Doug’s case, he had clear goals and was lucky that Paul had the knowledge to set him up with the proper hardware and applications, and the bullheadedness to force Doug to try it.
What do you if you don’t have a Paul? First you should mark May 21 on your calendar and come to Randolph for e-Vermont’s Citizen Leadership in a Connected Age Conference – learn more and register at www.e4vt.org. Second, you should visit your local library. Libraries are the frontline of the effort to close the digital divide and librarians – along with the Vermont Online Library – are a wealth of terrific resources.
Throw in a little goal-clarification on your part and these guides might well help you find that easier-to-use-than-you-think web resource to get you there – and leave you with time to enjoy the summer weather.
