Think twice about printing

 

I was saving and saving an idea for a column for Earth Day. Then Earth Day came and went and I forgot that I was going to write a column about an environmental pet peeve.

So I’m writing a somewhat belated Earth Day Unorganized Territory this week, because if I don’t write it now, I won’t remember my complaint next April. Although I just might, because this source of irritation occurs nearly every day.

I know that people have the best of intentions when they create little e-mail footnotes—often with little tree symbols—reminding others to “Think twice about printing” or “Save paper and only print this document if you need it.” These are reminders that the electronic age is supposed to save paper. We are supposed to read messages and magazines on a computer screen so we don’t clutter our landfills with excess paper.

I do think twice about printing. I read my e-mails on the computer screen as often as possible. I cut and paste text from web pages to print so I don’t end up with dozens of extra pages. If I do accidentally print extra pages I recycle them. If it’s not official correspondence, I put used pages back in the printer and use the backside for something else. When finished for the second time, I recycle pages yet again by taking my office papers to the recycle center.

So I do take the “think before printing” message seriously. And that is why it drives me crazy when I do have to print an e-mail and two pages slide out instead of just one because of a little message to save paper at the bottom!

It seems like an electronic solution to this silly waste of paper could be found. Computers are getting smarter and smarter every day. In fact, just this week, my computer did something that surprised and delighted me. In one of its recent updates, Hotmail actually added a feature I can use.

I attempted to send a draft document to a friend for her perusal. I wrote a note saying something like, “Check out the attached letter and get back to me” and hit send. Up popped a little dialog box stating, “You mentioned an attachment but there is nothing attached. Are you sure you want to send?”

Brilliant! My computer has finally figured out a way to be helpful! It asked if I wanted to “send” or “go back.” I happily hit “go back,” attached my document and sent my e-mail off, saving myself the embarrassment of having to send another message a few minutes later saying, “Oops, forgot the attachment!”

I know it’s a small thing, but it’s miraculous for forgetful folks like me.

And it gives me hope that the printer attached to my computer will eventually be smart enough to read the reminder “Don’t print this if you don’t need it” and heed the message.

Man is a slow, sloppy and brilliant
thinker; the machine is fast, accurate
and stupid.

William M. Kelly