Modern Technology and IT

Moving on a bit. IT etc has improved communications etc also what I term,'Record Keeping'. For instance. Today I received my driving licence renewal form. Flippin postie didn't push the envelope right through the letterbox. It was peeing down with rain, so. Envelope and form got soaked. Wowee! DVLA has now introduced licence renewal...................on line. I was already registered with gov.org or whatever for car tax renewal. In the past, I have been a bit of a stickler for keeping my documents etc in order. You think I could find my login details. In the end I had to re-register. Finally I got an email saying my new three year licence would be with me within a couple of weeks.

Now this use of IT to me is a good thing. I consider it has been a long time coming to the UK. For yonks, when chatting about such matters. I have so often said that we needed a system whereby the authorities could instantly identify us. OK, Police State and all that. NO. Ask yourself. Why should I be afraid if I have done nothing wrong. I would like to see whatever government that is in power, to introduce a statutory ID card. This could with the aid of IT be divided say into three sections, each only being able to be read by the appropriate authority. Apart from giving your name and address. Medical refs etc. Then if need be, criminal records.

Albrit a long time ago, but when I was a traffic cop. The number of drivers I stopped had neither their driving licence or any identity with them. This might seem of little importance but think now!

Scenario. Cgarlie Brown is driving home when he is involved in an RTC-Road Traffic Collission. Emergengy services arrive on scene. This guy has no ID. So the police unit get in touch with vehicle registration, known as a PNC check. Now the guy has an identity. Paramedics say he's in a serious state. Question. Might he be allergic to any medication. The poor begger is sufferring excruciating pain, passing in and out. Perhaps a dose of morphine might help, then he might have an allergy. Such a bit of IT could save lives. The important thing is. The answer is needed here and now.

A visit to the GP surgery.....that is, if you can get one. For some reason or other. You phone for an appointment. I am spitting up blood. Sorry the next available appt is two weeks time. Ye GODS!!!

So modern technology and IT really does have a place in todays fast moving world. Is it realistic to imagins a system so often portrayed on the screen, like the US, as governmental form filling etc, one day becoming . Click here. ??????????

 

But I don't want to keep re-visiting stores like Wilkos and finding they still don't have the stuff I want in stock. Very often the only to get some items into store is to place a 'click and collect' order.

And there'll be no shops left to physically buy stuff at the rate they're closing, and the ones left could well be very expensive and hold a limited range of products in stock.

Here goes a local Homebase, and an extra £3.50 in fuel to drive to the next nearest one, and possibĺy a very frustrating waste of time and money for anybody who goes without checking stock online first.



P.S. Having a smartphone with you at a closing down Homebase is very useful for comparing their reduced prices against Screwfix, B&Q, Ebay, etc.

 

Unfortunately the closure of many stores throughout the country is the price we are paying for buying stuff on line instead of going to the stores themselves.Who in their right mind is going to spend money on transport (lot more than £3.50 @Scrungee if you live like I do in the countryside with few shops close by) and possibly parking fees plus taking up time to visit a store only to find the choice of the item wanted is less and price often more.
Can anybody ever see the traditional high streets having a revival? Our local town is decimated. Most of the shops which are not closed down are either hair dressers, fast food outlets, pubs, charity shops (they don't pay rates) and a couple of supermarkets.. I was never a "window shopper" who seemed to enjoy wandering round shopping centres so I'm not fussed but I'm sure many people will be missing what appeared as their pastime.

 

Most seeds germinate better if used fresh.

 

An ID card would be great for the identity thieves, once they have hacked into the government site that holds all the info it would save them messing around with the likes of facebook.

I think we have all seen those old war films where the Gestapo demand to see your papers, carry your documents at all times or take the consequences.

Not keen on putting too much info on the internet, its as leaky as hell.

 

I keep getting insurance companies etc. wanting me to do everything online, banks keep sending me Apps, they can poke them, send me a letter if you have something worth saying, if its just drivel, forget it, I dont want you machine sent e mails.

 

Mrs Scrungee has been helping somebody she knows to claim benefits (she used to do this as part of her job, including negotiating with creditors, representing clients in court, providing financial and housing advice, etc.).

And the local authority expects everybody to have a computer, scanner, internet access, and be IT literate in order to claim, regardless of their age and disabilities.

I can manage my house and car insurance policies online, but I always select receiving a hard copy via post, and I renew on the phone because you can't haggle if renewing online.

I don't trust online banking, nor do I entirely trust non-online banking and get bank statements in the post every month.

But I manage our energy bills online.

 

Yep, they don't make allowances for people who are not online.
I can remember when I first started, it took me ages to work out how to do things, some of it is still a total mystery to me.
And I do know people who are not on line, they will never learn.

Oh you can just go to your local library