iPad: Workaholic’s best friend?
Hi. I’m Robbie, and I’m a (self-diagnosed) workaholic. Sometimes it’s incredibly handy, sometimes it’s a total burden. It can put a strain on relationships, particularly the one with my far-too-patient girlfriend. Whilst I rarely stop thinking entirely about design and other related nonsense, I do try to cap the amount of time I spend actually engaging with computers in design related tasks outside of my working day at FreeAgent. When I’m on my laptop at home, the temptation to tinker with an ongoing personal project or realise an idea I’ve had knocking about in my head is constant. “Go on”, my conscience says. “Five—nae ten—minutes”. Ten minutes inevitably turns into an hour. Or two. Lost in another little world, slipping slowly into The Zone.
Finding the right degree of separation, that balance between work and home, is one of the hardest things to achieve for anyone passionate about their work. I’ve realised that physical separation from the medium through which I work is the most effective way for me to strike that balance. If I’ve made a pact with myself (or understanding spouse) not to do any work, I don’t want to fire the computer up. The problem is, the computer is not only a tool I use to realise ideas, but also serves as a lifestyle device. We reply to emails from friends and family, watch TV programmes and films, listen to music, keep up to date with news and accept friend requests from people we don’t even know or like. In our house, the computer is as much of a social enabler as it is a creative tool. Possibly more so. The problem for me is the crossover; the temptation. I’m just too bloody weak-willed.
Like any other Apple drone, I bought an iPad on it’s launch day in the UK. It’s a wonderful device, for all the reasons I expected: it’s responsive, fluid, efficient, beautiful, clever, intuitive yet simple — hallmarks of any successful Apple product. But the reason I’ve fallen in love with it so quickly is precisely the reason most people I speak to don’t ‘get it’: it’s position and relevance between the mobile and computer, otherwise phrased as “What’s the fucking point?”. I don’t want to use my computer as a consumption device because it’s too closely associated with work. I don’t really want to use my iPhone as a consumption or lifestyle device because it’s a pain in the arse to type long emails on and, frankly, is just too damn small to adequately consume any reasonable amount of information on. The iPad makes it a pleasure to surf, read, watch, listen, play, plan and reference. I can turn it off and put it down as quickly as I picked it up. For someone as obsessive and work-hungry as me, it’s beauty lies in the very fact that it can’t fully replace my computer. The degree of separation it’s creating between leisure and work is something I’m already feeling the benefits of.
Sent from my iPad (Only joking)
I would tend to agree with this. Usually I would hop onto the PC if I wanted to check (that’s read, not reply) my email – which then turns into browsing Facebook or Twitter for 15 mins – which I then click on links to blog posts through, and piss away another half hour! All the time I’m losing precious brownie points by sitting in front of the monitor rather than watching crap on TV on the sofa with my loved one.
I can’t justify buying an iPad, but I do have an iPod touch which means I can earn brownie points and peruse email, twitter, facebook etc. at the same time. Kerching, great investment! :P
Nice post Robbie. I totally agree with you.
I’m finding I’m leaving my laptop in the office, as my iPhone is good enough for what i need in the evenings.
Like you said – its a trade off and needs some discipline to find the balance for how much time to spend on it / in it.
I’m looking forward to trying one out soon…
Colin
Spot on. My logic around most of the ‘but I _can’t!’ arguments I’ve had with myself over the iPad have ended with me either not wanting to or not needing to do that particular thing on a non-production device. As I work at client sites I invariably have a machine there to work on, but can use the iPad for various bits and bobs. At home if I want to muck about with projects etc I’ve got an iMac for that. When I do work on the iMac it rreminds me that laptops can be quite a significant compromise too!
Nice to hear a well considered argument on the benefits of the iPad.
I’m somewhat swayed towards thinking they’re not all that useless, however it’s worrying to think that people feel the need to have the gap between sitting on the couch with their girlfriend, and sitting at their laptop/desktop with their work to be bridged with a device. I don’t think technology is the answer really.
I’m also of the opinion that a lot of the people who own an iPad might be desperately trying to justify their purchase to others, and more importantly to themselves.
I’m totally with you on how much time gets “pissed away” on sidetracked browsing. I check my twitter in the mornings and one link often leads to a post that i enjoyed and the next minute I’ve decided to just “quickly flick through their older posts” and i find myself reading their entire blog dating back to 2008. All so that i can get a better idea of the author… Reading is an addiction.
On the topic of personal projects, yep, i’d rather be working on my projects instead of watching crap on TV with the partner just like you, but loved ones need to know that they are loved ones!
@Alex: Don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming that having an iPad is somehow a replacement for actually spending quality time with those you care about. I’m simply commenting on my own realisation that the way this new device is perceived together together with it’s actual capabilities are providing unexpected benefits.
I’m sure there will be a great many people trying to justify the purchase, to others and themselves. Problem is, as much as you can show it off in a five-minute demo, you’ve really got to live with it to understand the impact it’ll have. Regarding my own purchase: I’ve worked some damn hard evenings and weekends to afford it, and I’m delighted with how I’ve spent my money.
Think your spot on, I don’t have an iPad (yet) but I agree that they do have their place as a entertainment device, like your TV or your Play Station. It is perfect for people who find it hard to disconnect from work when they come home.
Switching on the computer after work and seeing those ickle CS icon staring up at you from the dock is all too tempting, before I know it I’ve spent the evening doing work.
Not only good for your relationship but also for your own sanity – everyone need to leave work at work from time to time.