It’s almost the New Year so I think now would be a good time to check in.

The Technology Challenge

You remember this from late ‘07, right?

And, while you are making your new years resolutions this year, pick someone close to you and introduce them to something new to use the internet for. If they got a digital camera for Christmas, help them with a flickr account. Show them how RSS works and help them set up a Google account. Introduce them to Podcasting. Show them the wonders of Craiglist. Anything. Just pick one and try to make it happen. It’s time these people find out that the web is more than email and banking!

How’d you do?

Wait! Before you tell me how well you did, let’s see if you can beat me.

• Mom got a new digital camera (like mine) and flickr account. Ok, so there are only 2 photos, but it’s there and I will be getting her to use it more this coming year.
• Mom is an MMS sending fool. Sounds and photos from her camera to anyone in her contacts list on her phone. Oh, and she is even emailing them to herself on her phone.
• Grandad is now rockin’ a hot new computer with Office ‘07 and Vista. Sure this counts. Have you seen the changes from XP to Vista? From Office 2K to ‘07? From Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail? I totally get credit for this.
• I got Jeannie to turn her new laptop on!
• I got someone to switch from Windows to Mac. Verified.
• Fireball Tim started a blog.

So, I think I did pretty good.

I believe that 2009 is going to be the year for RSS for my users. I thought it might be the year of Twitter, but I think I’m going to continue to keep that to myself. Besides, Mom gets really frustrated when trying to send a text message.

Ok, your turn. Belly up. How did you get your users to use technology? Or did you fail? It’s ok, you can tell us, we are all friends here. Besides, someone might have a suggestion to get you started!