New Computer Technology - When is enough, enough?

by Joshua Feinberg

New computer technology comes out continuously. As a computer consultant you probably want to keep up with all the new computer technology that comes along. Youre most likely in love with technology - always looking for a new intrusion protection product to play with or another border-gateway protocol. What you have to realize is that your small business clients arent experimenting with new computer technology and so you shouldnt be wasting your time investigating it.

New Computer Technology Distractions

New computer technology is a distraction you cant afford. Its easy to get caught-up with keeping-up, but, no one is paying you for your raw technical knowledge. They arent paying you for knowing the latest new computer technology, they are paying you for knowing the technology they are using.

If youve been in corporate IT for a long time youre way ahead of the average small business anyway. The average small business is going to be at least six to twelve sometimes even 18 months behind the new computer technology you see in the average enterprise IT shop.

In the early stages of your business, you have to put learning new computer technology on the back burner. Adjust your priorities and put 90 percent of your R&D on the back burner for the next three to six months. Concentrate on finding paying clients. If those paying clients start demanding skills with new computer technology, thats when you invest your time and energy.

The Bottom Line on New Computer Technology

Youre in the business youre in because you love new computer technology. Unfortunately, in the business building stage you cant afford to spend your time learning, you have to spend your time doing - and getting paid for doing it. New computer technology isnt being used in the majority of clients applications anyway. Put your passion for new computer technology on hold for a while and be passionate about finding steady, paying customers.

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Joshua Feinberg has helped thousands of computer consultants get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for Joshuas free Computer Consultants Secrets audio training at http://www.ComputerConsultantsSecrets.com/blog/

Media Addiction Quiz for Teens: Do TV, Video Games and Computers Run Your Life?

by Katherine Westphal

Welcome to "The Media Generation"

Teens are spending so much time watching TV and playing with their computer and video games that the Kaiser Family Foundation has dubbed this generation "The Media Generation."

The recent study found that children aged 8-18 were watching TV, playing video games, on their computers, and listening to music for a total of 6 hours and 23 minutes EVERY DAY! Many kids were doing two or more activities at once. Most of this time is still spent watching TV. Kids spent almost four hours every day watching TV. With so much time in front of TV and other media, perhaps Kaiser should have labeled it "The Media-Addicted Generation."

What excess TV, video game, and computer use may be doing to you

How much time you spend in front of a TV, video, and computer screen is important, because these activities have been linked to obesity, attention problems (like ADHD), and poor grades. Violent content may condition you to accept violence in your life. The sexual content of many popular shows and games may encourage you to experiment before you are ready. The TV can act as a depressant, stifle your creativity, encourage conformity, and simply waste your valuable time.

Find out if you are part of "The Media-Addicted Generation":

1. Does your family have more than one TV set? Yes [] No []

2. Are you in front of a screen for more than 2 hours per day?Yes [] No []

3. Do you sometimes have trouble getting TV or video game jingles "out of your head"? Yes [] No []

4. Is there a TV/video game/computer playing in your home much or all of the time? Yes [] No []

5. Do you have a TV, video game, and/or computer in your bedroom? Yes [] No []

6. Is it easy for you to turn off the TV/video game in the middle of a favorite show/game? Yes [] No []

7. Do you ever rush home, ditching friends and family, to catch a favorite TV show, play video games, or go on the computer? Yes [] No []

8. Do you frequently eat meals while in front of the TV, video games, or computer? Yes [] No []

9. Have you ever caught yourself unintentionally mimicking a TV or video game character? Yes [] No []

10. Do you talk to and play with your friends more than you watch TV, play games, and play with computers? Yes [] No []

11. Can you turn off the TV, computer, and video games OFF right now and leave them off for three days? Yes [] No []

12. Do you ever mindlessly surf through TV channels or the internet? Yes [] No []

13. Do you need TV, video game, or a computer to relax after a rough day? Yes [] No []

14. Do you feel edgy, anxious, or "not right" if there is no TV, video game, or a computer playing? Yes [] No []

15. Do you watch TV, play video games, and/or play on the computer more than spend time with your family? Yes [] No []

16. Do you ever watch the TV, play video games, or surf the internet longer than you intend to? Yes [] No []

17. Do you feel spend too much time with TV, video games, or computer? Yes [] No []

18. Have you missed a special event with friends or family because you were watching a TV program? Yes [] No []

19. Have you ever tried to quit watching TV, playing video games, or going on computer, but were unsuccessful? Yes [] No []

20. Do you have difficulty limiting the time you watch TV, play video games, or go on the computer? Yes [] No []

*Note: Time spent on the computer for homework purposes does not count:

To calculate your score: For all questions, except for #6, #10, and #11, give yourself 1 point for every "Yes" answer and 0 points for every "No". For questions #6, #10, and #11 give yourself 0 points for every "Yes", answer and 1 point for every "No". Add your total. Your total: ____________

Scoring:

0-6: Great! Your TV, computer, and video games are not in control of your life. You are. But keep an eye on how much time you spend with these activities to make sure an addiction does not sneak up on you.

7-14: You are moderately addicted to your TV, video games, or computer. Maybe all of them. The good news is that with a little effort, a list of fun non-screen activities, and a reasonable schedule you should be able to keep your addiction under control. "The TV-FREE System" also helps you create a schedule that keeps you busy with fun, goal-centered activities. Follow your dreams instead of staring at a screen..

15-20: Yikes. You probably have a serious addiction problem. You may need to take extreme steps, including getting rid of your TV or video games, to get in control of your time. Start with the device which squanders the most of your time. The good news is "The TV-FREE System" was designed to help even the most serious addict, and can be used for video game, or computer addiction as well.

Life is too short to "watch" it go by.

Katherine Westphal is the guru of TV control and the founder of TrashYourTV.com. Get in control of your TV, video games, and computer with The TV-Free System. Go to http://tvfree.trashyourtv.com to get in control of your addiction today.