Have you ever wondered what the “i” in iPhone, iMac, iPad or in the 20 other Apple products stands for?
May 6, 1998, when Steve Jobs launched the iMac, he talked about the story behind the name. "iMac comes from the marriage of the excitement of the internet with the simplicity of the Macintosh. We are targeting this for the number one use that consumers tell us they want a computer for, which is to get on the internet---simply and fast."
Apple Anyone?
Perhaps you can tell I’m an Apple guy. Don’t hold that against me. And I’m a fan of the “information superhighway.” The internet changed the way I write because it changed the way I read. How about you?
Thanks to specific software like Grammarly, I no longer need to be a good speller and know all the rules of punctuation. My computer, tablet, and smartphone hold me by the hand and autocorrect my mistakes. Most times that works out well. And then there is online style. In attempting to convey tone of voice have you used the online friendly ALL CAPS or worddd lengthennning?
There are two other outstanding benefits of the internet for me.
1. Writers are connecting with a real time audience.
Writing no longer happens in a void. Because of the internet, other people are reading, and often responding instantly. Readers comment, like, share, quote, re-post, and purchase content in real time.
Readers on this blog are good at responding with appreciative comments about a post within 18 hours of posting. That's what community is all about.
Making use of online word processors like Google Docs allows for editing and collaboration on a global scale.
2. Fingertip Knowledge
Curtis Bonk in his book, The World is Open, points out the benefits of “fingertip knowledge.” (The ability to access huge stores of digital information rapidly.) He points out that lifelong learning dreams discussed decade after decade in the twentieth century are being realized in the twenty-first century. It’s much easier to find appropriate examples or verify facts.
That’s how I sourced the Steve Jobs quote in this post. As a 1970’s University student looking for a similar quote, I would have been forced to take a bus to campus, walk to the library, search on microfiche, write down the quote and then ride the bus home. Hours then, minutes now.
The internet, like every other human innovation, comes with liabilities but the benefits of an iWorld outweigh the dangers.
How has the interest influenced your world and your writing?
The view of Inscribe from my iMac. Thank you for reading and commenting and being a part of this digital community.
Bob Jones
There are two other outstanding benefits of the internet for me.
1. Writers are connecting with a real time audience.
Writing no longer happens in a void. Because of the internet, other people are reading, and often responding instantly. Readers comment, like, share, quote, re-post, and purchase content in real time.
Readers on this blog are good at responding with appreciative comments about a post within 18 hours of posting. That's what community is all about.
Making use of online word processors like Google Docs allows for editing and collaboration on a global scale.
2. Fingertip Knowledge
Curtis Bonk in his book, The World is Open, points out the benefits of “fingertip knowledge.” (The ability to access huge stores of digital information rapidly.) He points out that lifelong learning dreams discussed decade after decade in the twentieth century are being realized in the twenty-first century. It’s much easier to find appropriate examples or verify facts.
That’s how I sourced the Steve Jobs quote in this post. As a 1970’s University student looking for a similar quote, I would have been forced to take a bus to campus, walk to the library, search on microfiche, write down the quote and then ride the bus home. Hours then, minutes now.
The internet, like every other human innovation, comes with liabilities but the benefits of an iWorld outweigh the dangers.
How has the interest influenced your world and your writing?
Bob Jones
