I often find myself intrigued by my own habits (prone to overanalysing my life and actions as I am). Sometimes it’s the very important and esoteric question of why I won’t let myself watch TV during the day… and other times it’s asking myself why I will only ‘write’ at my desktop computer while preferring to use mobile devices to access social media.
Bizarrely I rarely look at Twitter on my desktop computer other than to schedule tweets. Indeed when I worked I talked about my binge-tweeting habit – when commuting to and from work. Now I mostly tweet while lolling in bed or when in the bath – on my iPad or iPhone.
I’ve tried to write a blog post on my iPad but it just didn’t work. And interestingly I prefer to use Facebook on my Desktop to mobile device – which has far less functionality.
I recently bought my iPad (a very basic iPad 2) because I receive books (for advance reading and reviewing purposes) electronically. However I CANNOT read on my desktop. At all. If I have a long document to read or if I’m editing something I have to print it out. But (contrary to my earlier prejudices) I don’t actually mind reading on the iPad or even my iPhone.
I injured my back earlier this week and tried to do some work from home requiring me to access Google Docs, email programs and Chat applications. I was able to do bits and pieces at my desk but realised I found it easier with programs I’d downloaded onto my laptop than on my (usually more comfortable) desktop computer.
These foibles idiosyncracies ‘could’ be cause for concern, but thankfully I’ve discovered that I’m far from alone.
I’ve mentioned before that I have a regular contract gig for a local website design and development company (doing a mix of project management, client liaison, admin and content development). I also look after the organisation’s Facebook page so am always on the lookout for interesting tidbits to share and was excited to find this article via HelpScout which made a lot of sense.
The post itself is actually about working ‘remotely’ (in teams) or from home but had a lot of really useful information about productivity and HOW each of us work differently.
While I do realise I’m hardly an anomaly, I breathed a sigh of relief to see someone else talk about these very issues. (And in a way that made sense!)
I sometimes think I’m a bit extravagant, having so many electronic options. I’m sure I’d make do if I had to, but it’s nice I have a choice.
Do you find that you prefer different devices for different purposes (if you have the luxury of choice, that is!)?
January 15, 2014
Definitely. You are perfectly normal because I am very similar and have different devices for different things. When I say “normal” I mean similarly idiosyncratic and technologically high-maintenance… 😀
January 15, 2014
Hee hee. Love it!!!
January 15, 2014
Hi Deb,
I’m like you – I don’t like reading on my desktop…so I use my iPad. I’m not game to go in the bath with it though!
January 15, 2014
I bought a LifeProof cover so mine’s waterproof now! It’s great!
January 15, 2014
I absolutely have preferences! For one, I rarely use Pinterest on anything other than my iPad. I only blog from my laptop, and I write and edit my eBook on my desktop. Twitter is nearly always on my iPhone …and wow I have too many devices…
January 15, 2014
I feel the same – in terms of my devices!
January 15, 2014
Very timely post as I just purchased a new iMac! The original intent had been to upgrade my 6-year old laptop but the more I thought about the more I realised that I would really like a bigger screen again and also sit at a proper desk for my writing and even browsing, as opposed to doing everything on my laptop in the kitchen or on the sofa. A few years ago I sold my desktop because I used to sit and write/browse in cafes a lot, but I don’t do that so much anymore. For anything type-related I much prefer a proper keyboard and now that we have a proper office in our home, too, I am very happy to be back on an iMac. I’ll still keep the MacBook Pro for travel (maybe, as it’s quite heavy) and I am using the iPad mini (downgraded from the regular iPad as I prefer the smaller size and lighter weight) mostly for Facebook and reading blogs as well as streaming TV and movies. The iPhone: mostly Instagram, mobile banking, GPS and looking up things on the Internet while on the go. Mind you, it does seem excessive to have four computer devices! But now I know I am not alone in this obsession 🙂
January 15, 2014
It seems like a current theme – having too many devices! I couldn’t live without my desktop. Nothing beats it for WRITING for he, but I love the Carrie Bradshaw Sex and The City-ness of a laptop!
January 15, 2014
PS Kerstin – just clicked on your name and discovered you’re blogging again. From memory you moved from Germany to England. Am off to check it out. Hope you’re still sharing gorgeous photos. x
January 16, 2014
I pretty much only ever write from my computer (desktop) because it’d be just too slow to write from my phone. And I’m more in the zone at my desk.
January 16, 2014
That could possibly be it too Char. When I’m at my desk I’m ‘working / writing’. Perhaps I’d be AS productive / comfortable at my desk with my laptop. (I never HAVE to be though!)
January 16, 2014
Ever since I bought my laptop my desktop has sat collecting dust. I love my laptop and use it for everything. No one bothers to text me anymore cos they know it will be quicker to FB or Tweet me as I play away on my laptop 🙂
January 16, 2014
Oh that’s great. My laptop tends to stay in its case and I only use it when I travel or for work (take it with me).
You’ve reminded me though that a couple of friends also tend to tweet me rather than text me cos I do monitor my tweets closely. I tend to leave my mobile phone in another room and forget about it for a few hours!
January 17, 2014
Ugh. I cannot read long documents on a computer screen. Especially if I have to analyse or summarise information, in which case it needs to be printed so I can highlight and write notes as I go.
My Kindle is a whole other thing, I can read novels no problem at all, but hate reference books in electronic format. Travel guides are hopeless, as the maps are unreadable and the navigation to specific chapters is just unworkable.
January 18, 2014
I”m actually surprised that I’m enjoying reading on my iPad as I’d always assumed I wouldn’t. I haven’t tried magazines etc on there.
January 17, 2014
I also detest reading books or long documents on my desktop! I often print them out and read them that way. I also do my social media stuff on my desktop because my current lifestyle is not very mobile – when I can get out of the house I’m certainly NOT going to spend the time staring at my smart phone.
Many of my choices are dictated by ergonomics. When I spent time in my parents’ house during Christmas holidays I took my laptop AND my full-size keyboard with me so I can type comfortably. My niece even asked my why I don’t use the laptop keyboard like other people. 🙂
I’m planning on getting a cheap tablet so I can read my Kindle books and other documents with it. I would save on the costs of printing stuff too.. 🙂
Do you think you would do writing with your tablet if you had an external keyboard?
January 18, 2014
I’m not sure about writing on my tablet – I guess I’d use my laptop before that. At the moment I really only write on the laptop when I have to (when I’m away) but if I had no option I’m sure I’d get used to it.
January 19, 2014
I hate my iPad, I don’t even know why! I much prefer my laptop, pretty weird I know. I must be old school…
January 19, 2014
I can’t ‘work’ on my iPad, but use it in bed to look at social media and read on it etc. I can’t actually type properly on it though! 🙁
January 20, 2014
Deb I’ve only just read the article you linked to. I love it! Great tips for both people who work from home and also for people in an office environment.
January 20, 2014
Absolutely Neen. Today I worked from home (for work) and decided to use a different browser which really helped (using Chrome for work stuff). It means I don’t keep opening programs by accident and Google remembers who I am!