LOST ON INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

We are living in a world of mind-boggling computer technologythat is constantly changing. But truthfully, it doesn't set wellwith me.

This was not always the case. When PCs were first beingintroduced and our office purchased its first machine, I wasexcited. Eagerly, I set to work learning word-processing,spreadsheet and data base programs.

Soon our office, a local state unit that provides numerousservices to a significant number of clients, was running moreefficiently. The system was more than adequate to suit our needs.

Ten years later, this same office has at least 10 computers.Nearly every member of our staff has one on his or her desk.Advertisers and salespeople have done their best to convince usthat we need all sorts of versions of networks, software, hardware,word processing, data base information, E-Mail, automated this andautomated that.

As a result, our personal computers, which are supposed to belinked onto a common network, have become totally disjointed. Eachand every one has different versions of different programs, andnothing is consistent. About the only thing we share is confusion.

The fledgling computer that once made my job easier is nowreferred to as a "dinosaur." It didn't have a mouse and a modem andaccess to the Internet and an Erector set and a rocket launcher and-- well, you get the picture. This is an insult to the prehistoricdinosaurs, because unlike computers, they had the good sense toremain extinct and not come back in more complicated forms.

I have a hard time adjusting to the notion that every time Ilearn and master a software program that suits my needs perfectly,the program becomes "obsolete."

Using my old word-processing program, I could type, edit andgenerate documents at the rate of 100 words a minute. When ouroffice recently switched to new software, my output slowedconsiderably. I suffered for days from what I call mouselexia.

Then there is the Internet. When I was learning to use thislabyrinth of data, I got so lost I ended up as InformationSuperhighway road kill.

Our office recently installed a computerized teleconferencingsystem. Using an elaborate combination of phone lines, software,hardware and cameras, we can communicate with similarly equippedusers anywhere in the nation by dialing the phone. Once theconnection is made, the two users see each other on theirrespective computer screens.

The first time I saw this system demonstrated, a connection wasmade with a receiver who was unsuspectingly eating lunch at hisdesk. He tried to respond as professionally as one is able withlettuce dangling from the corner of his mouth. I'm told suchsystems will be in everyone's home someday. If you think it'sannoying now when the phone rings while you're in the bathtub, justwait.

In our particular office situation, so much time is spent withcomputer problems -- from viruses to errors to downed systems tolost data to learning new systems -- that we have lost focus onwhat is important -- the needs of our clients.

In the past it was not a problem to give instant answers tocustomers as they approached my desk with questions or requests.The problems with our computer systems, however, have drasticallyreduced my ability to do that. When I voiced my concern about this,my superior's response was "We have to keep up with technology --it is the wave of the future." May this wave not drown us all.

We are all familiar with our larger society's enslavement tocomputers. More than once I have taken time off from work to run anerrand only to be told that the task cannot be performed becausethe organization's computer system is down.

At the dentist's office not too long ago, a woman came in ather scheduled appointment time. According to the notation on herchart and the appointment card in her hand, she had arrived at thethe correct time and day. However, she was informed by thereceptionist that because she was not on the appointment schedulein the computer for that time, the office could not accommodate herand she would have to reschedule.

Until the day comes when computers finally take over the world,I can only wish for the days of my old, reliable manual typewriter. MARY CLISTA DAHL works as a secretary/receptionist and lives inTonawanda. Send submissions for this column to My View, The Buffalo News, Box100, Buffalo N.Y. 14240.