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Take a picture, it will last longer

I love to use technology in creative ways. Take for instance earlier today when I was helping my aunt set up her new computer. We were on the phone and she was asking me which port she needed to plug the monitor cable into.

After a few seconds of trying to unsuccessfully describe the port, an idea hit me. So I asked, "Can you take a picture of the back of your computer and send it to me?"

I knew this would be easy because I had just recently helped my aunt upgrade her iPad 2 to iOS 5 which gave her the new iMessage app. If you've never heard of iMessage, it allows any iPod, iPhone or iPad user to send a message or picture directly to any other iPod, iPhone or iPad user. Kind of like texting without needing a cellular carrier.

And just like that, I had the picture I wanted.

iMessage picture of back of computer

I immediately recognized the HDMI and DVI video ports in the picture and proceeded to walk my aunt through switching her monitor cable to a digital cable from the existing analog one and connecting it to her computer. For those of you techies who are wondering, her monitor did not support HDMI.

And just like that, my aunt was in business.

Have you used technology in any creative ways? Drop a comment below and tell me about it.

3 comments for this blog post so far...

  • #1
    January 03, 2012 at 8:08 am

    asudduth

    I’ve done that same thing before… a picture truely is worth 1000 words… I’ve also taken pictures to make my own life easier—I needed to see something behind something - like the model number on the back of the TV or something like that that was hard to get to… if you can get a camera there and not your head, you may be able to do jus that.

  • #2
    January 03, 2012 at 8:18 am

    Doug

    Patric,

    Many times I have been working on my motorcycle or a vehicle (drum brakes....yuck), and have taken a picture to ensure I can get something back together. I have also taken pictures to my local parts store to ensure I get the correct part before removing the bad part. Works like a charm.

  • #3
    January 03, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Suz

    I took a picture of my printer because I couldn’t seem to remember the model# to buy the right stupid cartridge. Voila, no more return trips to exchange the wrong model cartridge AGAIN!

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