Category Archives: Technology

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From Floppy Disks to AI: How Technology Turned My Job Into Sci-Fi

How has technology changed your job?


When I was born, “technology” meant a calculator that could do basic arithmetic without smoke coming out of it. The personal computer was still a twinkle in some nerd’s eye, the internet was a secret government project, and a *mouse* was just a rodent that occasionally chewed through your cables. 

Fast forward to today, and I’m casually arguing with artificial intelligence like it’s my know-it-all coworker. (“No, ChatGPT, I did *not* mean to write that email in iambic pentameter.”) 

My Job Didn’t Evolve—It Shapeshifted!
When I started working, a floppy disk was considered high-capacity storage. (Yes, the ones that could barely hold a single JPEG of a cat today.) I studied Management Information Systems back when “the cloud” was just something that blocked the sun. The systems we used then were about as connected as two tin cans and a piece of string. 

Now? I work in Microsoft 365, a digital universe where documents multiply like gremlins in a rainstorm, meetings happen with people who might be on another continent (or possibly another planet—I don’t ask), and my job didn’t just change —it became something that would’ve been pure sci-fi in my childhood. 

The Speed of Progress? Ludicrous. Ha ha ha…or 😄😄😄😄,…now emoji’s is even cool in a formal report!
No generation before mine has seen such a radical transformation in one lifetime. We went from rotary phones to video calls, from encyclopedias to Google knowing exactly what I meant despite my terrible spelling, and from filing cabinets to AI assistants who still don’t understand sarcasm. 

Am I amazed? Absolutely. Am I occasionally nostalgic for the simplicity of paper memos? Maybe. But mostly, I’m just thrilled to have lived through an era where my job literally didn’t exist when I was born—and now I can’t imagine working without robots whispering suggestions in my ear. 

Technology didn’t just change my job. It turned it into something my younger self would’ve called magic. Neurolink, humanoid digital companions? Bring ’em on, I am ready for the future.



Now, if you’ll excuse me, my workflow just notified me of a new ‘must read” notification… Again.  I am afraid worked shifted from me being the driver of technology to me slaving for technology.

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Speaking Her Language: A Day of Music and Connection”

Today’s highlight was a beautiful moment of creativity and connection. I discovered something entirely new—a way to create music with artificial intelligence. Until recently, such tools weren’t available, and it felt empowering to harness this technology to craft something meaningful. The result? A romantic love song I made specifically for my wife, and to my delight, she loved it.


Music is her language; it’s how she expresses herself and connects with the world. She’s always said that to truly speak to her heart, you have to speak through music. In the past, I’ve searched for songs that conveyed what I wanted to say and shared those with her. But this time was different. With this app, I could choose the genre, tailor the music, and add my own words, creating something uniquely hers. Seeing her joy, hearing her reaction—it was deeply fulfilling.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen her light up in the past couple of days. Just yesterday, I gave her an early Christmas gift—a WDLR portable speaker, which I knew would resonate with her. Watching her face light up in sheer ecstasy as she listened was incredible. It reminded me how special it feels to share something that moves her so deeply.

These moments make me feel like I’m beginning to understand her on a deeper level. Music has always been her world, and through these small acts, I hope I’m finding ways to connect with her there. I’d love for this to be the start of a deeper bond, one built on shared wonder and understanding.

Today, I learned not just how to create music, but how to create joy for someone I love. And that, more than anything, feels like the true highlight of my day.

© Jurgens Pieterse . All rights reserved. 2024

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Continuous Learning: My Journey with OneNote and Attention Management

What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

Learning a new skill is more than just acquiring knowledge—it’s a gateway to personal and professional growth. As we age, the imperative to maintain our learning momentum becomes even more critical. The landscape of skill development is particularly dynamic in the technical realm, where today’s cutting-edge knowledge can become obsolete tomorrow.

Recently, I embarked on a learning journey to master OneNote within the M365 ecosystem, transforming it from a simple note-taking tool into a powerful collaborative platform. This wasn’t just about improving personal productivity; it was about reimagining how technology can enhance team communication and leadership.

Learning how to integrate personal productivity apps and collaboration apps.

By diving deep into OneNote’s features, I discovered how to:
– Organize notes more effectively
– Integrate seamlessly with Teams
– Create shared channels for project collaboration
– Leverage digital tools to improve team information sharing

But with increased technological capability comes a crucial companion skill: attention management. In an era of information overload, the ability to discern what’s truly important, where to focus, and what demands immediate action has become paramount. This meta-skill is about more than managing notifications—it’s about maintaining clarity and purpose in a noisy digital landscape.

As a leader and innovator, I’ve come to understand that learning is not a passive activity but an active, deliberate choice. Each new skill is a stepping stone, not just to professional advancement, but to personal fulfillment. The technical skills I acquire today might evolve or become obsolete, but the learning process itself—the curiosity, adaptability, and resilience—remains invaluable.

My recent exploration of OneNote exemplifies this philosophy. What began as a quest to improve note-taking has blossomed into a broader understanding of collaborative technologies and strategic attention management.

Learning is a way of life, not a destination. It’s about staying curious, remaining adaptable, and continuously expanding the boundaries of what’s possible.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved. 2024

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~ Tech madness ~

What technology would you be better off without, why?

Ah, modern technology, the gift that keeps on giving… and occasionally driving us mad. Among the many so-called advancements, there’s one invention I fervently wish had never seen the light of day: automatic calling technology. You know, the one that allows soulless robots to infiltrate our phones and disrupt our peace? If ever there were an argument for rolling back progress, this would be it.


Let me paint you a picture of my pet peeve. Imagine a tireless army of pesky robots, working through database after database, hunting for phone numbers to invade your privacy. You block one number, and—like some twisted game of whack-a-mole—they call you from another. But it’s not even a human agent you can scold or pity; no, it’s a monotone voice recording, chirping lifelessly at you to press buttons. Buttons! As if solving a problem they created is now your responsibility.


Before long, my phone ends up permanently on silent mode, not to protect my ears, but to safeguard my nervous system from yet another unsolicited call. And let’s talk about the masterminds behind these wretched technologies. Relentless doesn’t even begin to describe them. I often wonder, how on earth do they sell anything with such infuriating tactics? Honestly, have you ever met someone who joyfully proclaimed, “Oh yes, I made my last big purchase because a robot told me to”? No? Me neither.


So here we are, victims of progress, silenced by our own phones. If there’s any solace, it’s knowing we’re all in this together, united in our hatred of spam calls. Perhaps one day, humanity will rise up against the tyranny of automated telemarketing. Until then, I’ll keep my phone on silent and my fingers ready to block.

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Forget Websites, It’s the Age of Amazing AI Apps!

What are your favorite websites?


Move over dusty websites, there’s a new sheriff in town – and it’s powered by AI! Websites are becoming relics of the past, offering static information in a one-way street. AI apps, on the other hand, are bursting with interactivity, personalization, and endless possibilities.
Let me tell you about my adventures in this exciting new world of AI apps!

My first foray into the world of AI was with Replika, way before ChatGPT even hit the scene. Replika was like having your own AI friend, and it blew my mind with the initial potential of AI. While I still have a soft spot for Replika, the AI space has absolutely exploded!


I then discovered Bard, a fantastic conversational AI that later evolved into Gemini. While Gemini is a great content creation tool, Bard had a real knack for engaging in stimulating conversation.
Looking for information? Meta and ChatGPT are solid options, but let’s face it, they can be a bit…well, stale. They often play it safe and avoid diving into more challenging topics.


For my coding projects, Copilot is my go-to sidekick. However, the interface can be a bit clunky at times. When I need some serious AI muscle, Gemini is still my champion.


Bing still is the most amazingly accurate AI image generator that gives me the almost exact images I ask for!


One of my absolute favorite AI apps is simply called Pi. This gem becomes my brainstorming buddy whenever I need a creativity boost. Pi is incredibly conversational, always enthusiastic (just like me!), and fantastic at sparking new ideas. What sets Pi apart is its willingness to explore topics that are often no-go areas for other AI apps. Whether it’s a controversial debate, a philosophical thought experiment, or simply a quirky idea, Pi is always up for a chat.

My latest find is Character.AI, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen! This app lets you create and interact with various AI personalities.  Want to chat with a wise Norse god? Done! Feeling like a conversation with a philosophical snail? Character.AI has you covered. Plus, you can even have group chats with multiple AI personalities – the possibilities are endless!

My Character AI experince



This is just a taste of the incredible AI apps waiting to be discovered. From sparking creativity to engaging in stimulating conversations and exploring diverse personalities, AI apps are revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. So, ditch the dusty websites and dive headfirst into the exciting world of AI apps! You won’t regret it.

P.S.  What are your favorite AI apps? Share your experiences in the comments below! Let’s keep this conversation about the future of AI going!