Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, or yourLaptop!
For many of us, it's time to leave the grey, and wet, atmosphere and search further afield for our two weeks in the Costa del cheap. However, according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive, many holiday makers are now packing notebook computers in their vacation suitcases. Will workaholics ever escape the office?
The rainfalls relentlessly from the sky, the shops are full of winterclothes and umbrellas, the mood of the country is sombre andchilly. The UK summer holiday season must be here!
It's time to leave the grey, and wet, atmosphere and searchfurther afield for our two weeks in the Costa del cheap, and itseems - like most things these days - we will be emulating ourAmerican cousins.
Yes Joe Bloggs holiday goer will soon bepacking a bit of technical kit, along with his polyester hawaianshirt, and open toed sandals before jetting off.
According to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive, and commissioned by Intel, 2,022 US citizens were asked about taking alaptop on holiday with them.
A staggering third could not beparted from their little silicone buddies for even the shortestof breaks. So what do people use their wireless Centrino or Turion notebooks for on the beach?
We all know that the modernlaptop is a master of many trades but it seems that theubiquitous E-mail takes centre stage, with 72% of the respondentssaying that was why they jumped into cyberspace rather than theinviting azure splendour of the ocean. 43% of notebook addicted pollsters, also admitted that theywanted to check their work email while on holiday, and that wasthe primary driving factor in packing the PC.
After that 56% wanted to watch movies and listen to music.
Is this what we have come to in the 21st Century?
In another Harris poll, it was reported that the number of U.S.adults who have ventured online to look for health or medicalinformation (Harris refers to them as "cyberchondriacs") hasincreased to approximately 117 million up from around 111 millionlast year.
No wonder so many folks are feeling ill, with cell phones andlaptops along for the ride we never get a chance to escape fromthe office.
Take some healthy advice, leave the laptop at home, smell theroses and just try and switch off.
Cyberspace will seem all the richer when you step back in.
