Step Away From The Computer Before You Have A Mental Meltdown

Original URL (The Web version of the article)
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www.defendingthenet.com/NewsLetters/StepAwayFromTheComputerBef oreYouHaveAMentalMeltdown.htm

Title ----- Step Away From The Computer Before You Have A Mental Meltdown!

Do I Read A Technical Manual Tonight, or The Lord Of The Rings?
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Just out of courtesy, I think I should tell you that the following article is about as far from my typical writings as I can get. Quite frankly, it is nothing more than a very tired technology guy ranting and raving. Maybe a little wining too.

My entire world is about technology; computers, data communication, wireless and wired Ethernet, PDA's, mobile devices, firewalls, security assessments, and on and on and on. I'm so addicted to technology and business that I have trouble deciding whether to read a technical manual or a good sci-fi / fantasy novel.

I love what I do and have no plans on making any changes in the foreseeable future but something as simple as checking the time of day nearly resulted in a mental nuclear meltdown this morning. This week has been considerably stressing. I have written at least eight significant proposals, performed continuous work on a report for a external security assessment, made and received way to many phone calls, and have been staying up to all hours of the night, or morning depending on how you look at it (It's 2am on Saturday right now).

My Kingdom For The Right Time On All My Clocks!
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This morning, I literally became overwhelmed when I looked at the time on my desktop computer. Between all the laptops, digital and analog clocks, stereos, televisions, cable box, DVD players, and other electronic devices in my home, there are 28 devices that display the time of day. And guess what, there was about a 5 minute delta in the current time between this vast amount of time pieces. It sounds quite ridiculous but I nearly freaked out. With all the technology at our disposal, you would think it would be easy to synchronize all the time pieces in my home. And keep them synchronized!

Ok, this article is not really about clocks but it was "time" that set me off this morning. The fact is, like many others, time is something that I just don't have much of. I believe Mr. Einstein would take a relatively strong position on this issue of mine. On top of the time issue, how much technology, or should I say , how much continuous exposure to technology can the human brain take before it just explodes. My family, friends, and associates routinely ask me "How in the world can you remember all these things about computers?" Sometimes I wonder this myself.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I wish I could just completely isolate myself from everything electronic; spinning fans, clicking hard drives, bussing monitors (even these darn flat panels), the clicking of the keys when I type, and lets not forget the inevitable beeping of my UPS's several times a day because Florida Power and Light can't seem to regulate the flow of electricity in a stable fashion.

It's Vacation Time: Technology Prohibited At All Times
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I've been in the technology business all of my life. Do you know it took about 5 years of my wife complaining about me bringing laptops and other technology gadgets with me on vacations before I finally wised up. And guess what, the first time I left technology behind on one of our summer vacations, it was like someone had lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders. It was so unbelievable that when my wife asked me where the laptop was it took her the entire day to believe me when I said I left it at home.

I know I'm not the only person that has these little "moments". My New Years resolution this year was to simplify my life. I'm not embarrassed to say that I've not made much progress yet but I am not going to give up. I am going to bring harmony to my life if it kills me in the process.

Conclusion
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I won't blame anyone who reads this article and feels compelled to send me a bill. After reviewing what I've written here it reads like notes taken during a psychotherapy session:. I've decided that I'm taking the day off from technology, right after I'm done posting this article. And now, I'm tired and going to get some sleep.

About The Author
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Darren Miller is an Information Security Consultant with over seventeen years experience. He has written many technology & security articles, some of which have been published in nationally circulated magazines & periodicals. If you would like to contact Darren you can e-mail him at Darren.Miller @ defendingthenet.com. If you would like to know more about computer security please visit us at www.defendingthenet.com