"Coffee and Computers"

I saw a billboard a few days ago that said: "Find a Mercedes-Benz on your coffee break." I must confess that it would take more than a coffee break to fit the price of such a wonderful car into my shrinking budget. Nevertheless, the billboard does remind us of how our computers can assist us in the daily decisions that we make.

One of the standard features for many local coffee shops is the capability for high speed online access. It's not enough to visit the local Starbucks cafe and enjoy a Cappuccino or the coffee of the day, but we want more from the time we spend at the coffee shop. Those in the business community can chat together over coffee while getting some work accomplished. Others enjoy a coffee and a bagel while checking their e-mail. It is amazing to think of the many uses we find everyday for our computers.

While I use my computer for many things, I especially enjoy the opportunity to send and receive e-mail from special friends and family members. If it were not for e-mail, the communication with these friends would be greatly reduced. It is good for each of us to think about ways that our computers can enhance our relationship with other people. I've heard many people express their reluctance to purchase a computer in the fear that it will reduce their personal contact with others. My experience has been a very different one and the computer has enhanced my relationship with other people.

There are some wonderful tools at our fingertips. How will we use them this week? It is something to think about!