Journal 6

What was the telecom product/service?
Fax Machine

o How were you directly or indirectly impacted by the product/service?
I was directly affected by the fax machine because I had to get my safety check, and I forgot to get my insurance card when I was home in Texas. So...I had USAA fax my insurance card to Firestone so I could pass my safety check.

There is also many instances in which I fax contracts to the vendors we work with at the Wedding Coordinating Company. We are able to use computer to fax documents and make changes.


o Did you/others/society benefit from the use? If so, how?
I think people are either directly affected or indirectly affected by fax machines depending on whether or not they use the machine. I had never been affected by fax machines until I got older, I learned how to use one and I had a reason to use one. I sometimes think they are an "old invention" because now we can send things digitally and we can reduce paper. It will be interesting to see if the fax machine will stay around in the next few years.

o Did problems arise because of the telecom product/service?
I have not had any problems with fax machines other than the time I tried to fax American paper in a Japanese fax machine, that was interesting. I am sure problems arise often, but I do not use the telecom product that often, so I have not run into any major issues.

o How was your communication/information exchange facilitated or hindered by the product/service?
I don't think my communication is hindered. I do think it is very helpful in the situation of needing a document in just a few mins. I was able to call USAA and they faxed the document within 4 mins. There would be no other way to get the document without having to wait for it in the mail or leaving Firestone to go to a library, get on the internet and access the USAA site and then print out the insurance. Overall, it is much easier to make a quick phone call, answer some questions and have it faxed over.

o Did your communication pattern/style change when the product/service was used? In what way?
I don't think my communication pattern/style changed because it is used as more of a document exchange. I guess there is some differences in the fact that we have to have a cover page and we have to make sure all the information is clearly noted.