Putting the web to work.
With the introduction of the web our computers starting serving us in a totally
different manner than before. Perhaps because something new was continually arriving
on our screens the need for new, or improved, editions of our programs decreased.
But the need to do something with all that information flooding our computers
became more and more acute, and much of what I've sought in the way of programs
has been tools to help organize, save, and use the various sources that I encounter.
And strangely, though I continue the quest, I seem
to have long ago reached the conclusion that the tool I want doesn't, and won't,
exist - not because nobody is going to build it, but because the experience of
"using" the web is basically a spectator sport, rather than something
we might define as "work".
During this past month I received mail from someone who found my
column on bookmarking and wanted to comment (actually, compliment me) on it.
That in itself was quite pleasing, but I admit that I was suprised - for two reasons.
Over the years these columns have generated very little response from people I
don't know, so any reaction can be quite a surprise. (Most of the responses I've
received have been from people who have found the page on which I offered to give
away some flashbulbs. Somebody received these a few years ago already, though
- due to a mistake on my part - a new request arrived
only a couple of months ago). Though I've discovered that a Google search for
the particular sort of flashbulb that I was offering brought up one or more of
my pages rather close to the top, my column on bookmarking doesn't seem to come
up anywhere near the top of a list of Google results on a search for "bookmarks".
My request that my correspondent tell me what he had been looking for brought
about a pleasant volley of conversation, but not much of an answer to my particular
query.
The second reason for my surprise is, however, more to the point. The person who
wrote me had been looking for information on bookmarking and in that column I
basically explained why I hardly bookmark anymore.
Go to: Saving a digital copy, or
Go to: Designing a work-oriented environment, or
Go to: Tools I've known and loved ... and often abandoned.