How many different forms of communication do we really need? I’m writing this after having a blind date cancel through Facebook Messenger. On my way home from the restaurant I started thinking of all the options we have to picking up the phone. There’s a lot.
Before cell phones and computers the only way we had to communicate was to pick up the phone and make a call. Yes, sometimes making calls was hard, but once we got over the initial hurdle it was nice to hear the other person’s voice. Today there’s a bunch of ways to avoid talking to someone and still maintain contact.
Way back before cell phone text messaging AOL created a little piece of software called AOL Instant Messenger (IM). Although kids today wouldn’t get caught using IM, in its day AOL IM was the standard means of communicating between two computers. I remember being at work and having the distinctive AOL chime go off in the background telling me I was popular for a minute.
Text messaging via cell phone became popular and moved AOL IM down a notch or two. Before smartphones, a simple line of text was pretty much all that could be typed by novice texters. Since smartphones, longer text messages could be sent with symbols and emoticons. Text messaging has become the demise of talking and allows couples to text rather than talk.
Some time ago Facebook decided to spice up their website and smartphone app with their own version of a messaging utility. I’m assuming people with thousands of friends don’t actually know all of them, so having a built-in messaging service makes communication between two strangers somewhat easier. Facebook made it even easier for two people who aren’t acquainted to chat without knowing the other’s phone number.
Not to be outdone by Facebook, Google came up with two services called Hangouts and Messenger. Rather than have one, Google has two ways to text without talking. I’m not sure what the differences are, but a quick online search uncovered a bunch of people who are equally confused.
A few weeks ago I was updating my LinkedIn profile and received a message through their site. Someone I didn’t know was trying to contact me for professional services. I somewhat understand why they were contacting me through the site, but I have a corporate email address and phone number listed in my LinedIn profile. I would think either of those would be easier.
Throughout my single life I’ve been on a fair share of dating sites. Truth be told, I’m currently on a couple of them. Each of them has their own texting service which creates a safe way for two strangers to communicate. This is one of the few valid reasons why any of us need another means to message someone else.
Communicating with others should be simple and too many choices overcomplicate matters. I have to admit, even with a vast technical background I have a hard time choosing which platform to use. Hours ago I caught myself trying to decide between Facebook, Google, or text messaging to tell my blind date how frustrated I truly was.
All of these different services create confusion in the marketplace. Rather than complain about my date being cancelled I did what any other guy would do on a Saturday. I texted one of my friends and asked her if she became confused by all the different notification sounds created by the texting apps.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can call him at (978) 919-8059 or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)