tikichris

Definitely the most wonderful aspect of being a freelancer is that very often I can do my work from pretty much anywhere I want. All I need is an internet connection … and my Macbook. I’d be lost without the thing. It’s my jukebox, newspaper, datebook, rolodex, photo album, social media machine and provider of a bit of workout for my shoulders and back as I lug it about London and the world in my backpack – my great enabler of work and play and my chosen interface with society at large. If for whatever reason my Mac went kaput (touch wood it won’t), I’d go out and buy a new one asap.

Nothing I’m saying here should come as a surprise to you, dear readers. I’m sure plenty of you are probably just as addicted to your laptop and numerous other gadgets (I’m definitely a needy Crackberry user). A couple of recent bits from one of my favourite radio shows, WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show, shed relevant light on society’s increased use of the web, our so called e-personalities and how much of our lives are now spent in front of monitors and via web-based technology:

• Web-Crazy
• The Internet is Making Us (Blank)

I’d like to think I could be as happy living an offline life but I’m well aware of the benefits of my online lifestyle: most of the work I do wouldn’t exist without the internet, there are friends I’m in much better contact with than otherwise because of email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc. Honestly, I’m afraid I’d be a hapless, desperate little bunny adrift in a sea of jobless uncertainty (and how would I call my mom for cheap/free?) if I had to go without regular online consumption and communication.

Beyond the fears of a social disconnect meltdown, there’s the need to access my ever growing digital archive. I do a decent enough job backing up my stuff on an external drive, but I still sometimes wonder if I should buy an inexpensive backup if my Mac were to breakdown. Laptops, netbooks, tablets, accessories … I’m always hankering for new toys and tools to make my life more efficient (but of course there’s always the potential of added distraction).

I’d be keen to hear others’ thoughts on what’s required for a proper digital arsenal. What are effective strategies for making the most of new technologies without getting sucked in too deep and wasting time?