Comments on: Interview: Effective Gadgets

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:11:18 +0000

@Toby – I agree that if you are actually getting tired, you need to pull over. However, there is also the issue of just getting bored and that is where listening to something can help. As I said I turn the stereo off when I’m going through a busy city or in traffic.

Also keep in mind that there may be a big difference in driving experience between the UK and the US. Wikipedia claims that in the UK, you are 40 to 50 times more likely to die driving a mile on a motorcycle. However, in the US you are only about 3 times more likely to die driving a mile on a motorcycle as another vehicle. I’m guessing that the driving conditions are significantly different for motorcycles to be that much more dangerous over there. Your entire driving experience may be worse than the traffic where I routinely turn the stereo off in the US.

I haven’t ever been to the UK, but I do know that you can travel across your entire country in about 1/3 the time it takes me to go on one of our average trips. Also it is not uncommon to be driving for periods without any other cars within 1/4 of a mile–sometimes there are no other cars in sight.

Everyone is different and I agree with your premise that you shouldn’t do things that are going to impede your driving abilities. However, the times I’m listening to books and lectures I don’t feel it hurts my driving ability in fact I think it helps it. I do not feel that way about talking on the phone while driving.

I hate driving anywhere near motorcycles because I’ve seen too many of them do crazy things on the road. I once watched someone on a motorcycle weaving through heavy Dallas traffic with their front wheel in the air. I don’t have a way of judging how likely a particular person on a motorcycle is to do something dangerous or erratic, so I try to avoid them as much as possible. Drivers of cars do crazy things too, but at least I don’t have to worry about them falling off their cars and directly under my tires.

By: Toby Doncaster

Toby Doncaster — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:48:01 +0000

@Mark – Sorry, I was referring to a motorcycle. In the UK at any rate, it is also legal for us bikers to filter through traffic, however car drivers are forever changing lanes because they’ve spotted a gap, without looking behind themselves.

I have been sideswipped too many times to be convinced that anyone out there is capable of learning while driving; motoring is definitely a single-task rather than a multi-task function.

If your concentration is starting to flag, this is usually due to fatigue, and motorists are advised to pull over in a suitable parking space, stretch their legs, have a nap or cup of coffee if necessary, before recommencing their journey.

Concentration while driving is a skill which has to be developed, though ultimately, if a motorist is physically incapable of maintaining their concentration then I would suggest they seek another form of transport.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:37:43 +0000

@Toby – I don’t usually listen to lectures while driving around town, but I do play lectures and books on tapes when I’m on a long trip. Most of the time these are on roads that bicycles aren’t allowed on anyway.

Keep in mind that on a long trip, listening to something engaging may keep your mind more alert than just driving hundreds of miles just looking at the road.

By: Toby Doncaster

Toby Doncaster — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:40:42 +0000

Interesting to note how so many people think it’s a good idea to learn while they drive. How about asking yourself this though; are you focussing on the actual task at hand? By which of course, I am referring to driving a motor vehicle which weighs over a ton and is capable of over 100 mph.
As a biker, I am forever facing dangerous drivers who are distracted from what is taking place in front of them by their phones, mp3 players and sat navs. i would strongly suggest that drivers need to re-prioritise their needs; it is to get home safely which paying due care to other road users, and not to catch up on their emails and e-learning while they drive. Any thoughts?

By: Ariane Benefit

Ariane Benefit — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:59:27 +0000

Mark, Thanks for publishing my response! Great article…it’s so interesting to see what other people are using….Am I the last person in the country that doesn’t have a PDA or Blackberry? LOL

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:23:44 +0000

@John – That is very interesting to hear. I was looking for a pager a while back and had trouble finding anyone who still had them. So how does it work? If someone calls the pager number, is there a live person who transcribes the message that gets sent to the pager?

@Damian – Good to know.

@Joel – I got a bit behind on publishing the interviews, so these are a bit dated, but the information is still pretty useful. Thanks for participating.

By: Damian

Damian — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:35:41 +0000

Thanks for including my response! I just have to update one small detail since my original answer: since Jott went to a pay-only model, I've started using Dial2Do, a similar, free service that allows you to dictate voice to SMS, email, Twitter, and several other services.

By: John Richardson

John Richardson — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:21:54 +0000

Thanks for the great article, Mark. It’s funny how technology changes. Where I work, we have gone from cell phones back to pagers for our technology staff, due to budget cutbacks. We actually get better response, since the pager can have a text message instead of just going to voice mail on the cell phone.
All of our techs are at sites with regular phones or e-mail, so they can respond in minutes. Simple change… but it saves quite a bit of money and actually works better.

By: Catherine Cantieri, Sorted

Catherine Cantieri, Sorted — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:07:35 +0000

Lots of cool suggestions! I’m glad to see the love for the iPod touch. At first, I couldn’t figure out a real use for mine, but since the App Store explosion, I’ve come to depend on it. E-mail, Amazon Kindle, basic functions like address book and calculator, audio for podcasts/audiobooks and plain’ ol music, and of course, GAMES.

My essential gadgets: the iPod touch, the Levenger Pocket Briefcase and, reluctantly, my cell phone (need to upgrade that sucker).

By: Joel Falconer

Joel Falconer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:36:55 +0000

Thanks for publishing my answer, Mark – for me this was a trip down memory lane. It’s proof of how fast-moving and fickle the gadget industry is! I no longer use an iPaq (I’ve had an iPhone since they came out in Australia) and I swapped the Mac mini and iBook out for an iMac and Macbook Pro. And unfortunately I stopped going to the studios and subsequently lost the old iPod nano somewhere in the house.