How Information Technology has Impacted My Daily Life Essay

In the twenty-first century, information technology (IT) is at the core of most business activities (Laube xiii). IT is also at the core of many personal activities. Like many U.S. Americans, my personal and professional activities relay heavily on the use of technology. From the alarm clock in the morning to the computer at work, technology plays a vital part of my everyday life. Technology enhances the ease and simplicity of activities and adds convenience to life. Although, when these technologies fail to operate correctly, they disrupt daily activities and hinder productivity. It is six in the morning and my cell phone rings. It is my alarm clock. Due to technological advances, I no longer have a need for a traditional alarm clock. I do not have to worry about waking up late because of a power outage at night. Although, if I forget to charge my cell phone battery or the volume is off, then this great convenience disrupts my daily routine. The cell phone has also eliminated my need for a land-line house phone. The cell phone is an immense expediency and allows me mobile contact with anyone, no matter where I am. In addition, the camera in my cell phone is extremely handy. This feature allows me capture a cute moment in time of my daughter at times when I would not normally have my regular camera with me. I can print, download, or send these pictures to friends and family. My cell phone also acts as a notepad and calculator. For example, if I am driving and think of something I need to write down, I can simply record myself a message and write it down later. This is not only a convenience, but also serves as a safety method. In addition, if I am in the store and need to calculate a sale price or total, I only need to go as far as my purse for assistance. The cell phone reduces my need for many other modern day conveniences and also reduces the number of items I have to carry in my purse. If my cell phone was lost or not operating correctly, it would terribly impede my daily activities because I depend on it for so many different matters. Besides the computer, the cell phone is one of the most utilized and revered technological devices in my life. The computer aids me both in my personal and professional life, as it is used for a vast variety of activities. I utilize the computer for work, fun,  relaxation, and money. I would be lost without a working computer and internet connection. At work, everything I do depends on using the computer. I use the computer to look up client information, log client contacts, run proposals and ledgers, keep up to date on industry and company happenings, and to stay in contact via email with clients and co-workers. At home, I use the computer for a number of different tasks. Tracking and logging my finances depends on computer usage, as I do my banking and pay bills online. This eliminates the need for paper statements and bills. Word processing programs and the internet enable me to complete homework assignments without even leaving the comfort of my own home. Email allows me to stay in contact with my group members for school as well. Computer technology also permits me to supplement my regular income by selling items online. Websites, such as ebay.com and half.com, make it quick and easy to earn money by selling stuff I no longer need or use. The computer is not all work and no play though. I use email to stay in contact with friends and family. The internet is used to play online games, watch television shows, or download music, all of which are a source of relaxation for me. Without a properly operating computer and internet connection, my life would be extremely difficult. Many peoples personal and professional lives revolve around technology, including mine. From cell phones to computers, the world depends on technology to survive. Technology serves as a means of communicating, gathering and obtaining information, and convenience. When these technologies fail though, daily life can be extremely difficult, or even disastrous, due to the immense dependence on technological devices. Work Cited: Laube, David R. and Raymond F. Zammuto, eds. Business Driven InformationTechnology: Answers to 100 Critical Questions for Every Manger. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 2003.