Well, good news everyone – I finally got my new cellphone updated and calibrated to suit my needs.
Plus, most of that new device learning curve has tapered off and I’m navigating through user interface system easier than I had expected.
That being said, I’m still not using the annoying AI features that each update tries to force onto me.
I’ve got enough issues managing not to curse at Google when its AI models generate the wrong answers for its search engine.
And, for the most part, I don’t need AI to do anything in my life that I can’t do for myself.
I want to use AI when it gets paired with useful robotics – like something to paint the house, mop the floors or clean the litter box.
I’m not using AI to make plans or brainstorm ideas unless it’s part of a workshop I’m taking so that I can explain the tools to our readers.
And I sure as heck don’t need AI to write anything for me either!
But, while my sister was visiting last weekend, we managed to stumble across a tangent of nostalgic conversation.
We were driving around town running a few errands and just discussing how much things have changed in the past few years.
Naturally, that discussion also pinged back and forth between other memories and past experiences shared or that differed for each of us.
But, we both agreed that we weren’t missing dial-up internet despite how temperamental satellite internet is at the house.
However, Sunday night I found myself looking up if dial-up internet service was event still available.
Cue my surprise to learn that over 160,000 households were still using dial-up according to 2023 US Census Bureau data.
What was even stranger for me was finding out that AOL finally ended its dial-up services and associated software Sept. 30.
It’s mind-boggling to consider that while I’m older than dial-up AOL service – my sister was younger than it!
Also, it really feels like the end of an era now because the gaps between those of us who experienced the absolute height of dial-up before fiber, satellite or even DSL and those who haven’t is becoming its own gulf.
I mean, even when I was talking to high school seniors in 2017 while I worked for the library and they told me that they had never heard of dial-up, I kind of felt my eyebrow twitch in annoyance.
Personally, I had used dial-up at home all my life and spent plenty of time waiting for the phone line to be free so that I could use the internet.
Or spent several hours downloading computer system or software program updates, music, video, and so forth.
Looking back from where our internet speeds are at currently, it’s almost painful to imagine what we’d do with such vintage technology now.
I suppose cellphones are in a similar spot, though I’m not a fan of being forced to move onto something new while the older technology works just fine for me.
Especially when it comes to AI!
