Wendy Schollum: Pace of change growing faster every year

In much the same way we sympathetically look back (in almost awe) of the days before computers, the internet and even fax machines, when our children and grandchildren look back at our time, they too will undoubtedly shudder at the archaic and antiquated methods we used to entertain ourselves, do business and stay connected.
So, as I muse over the 256 columns that I have submitted to the Hawkes Bay Today over the past five years, and prepare to send in this final column, to appear in print for the last time, I can't help but consider: What does the next five years in cyber space hold for us?
With mobile data traffic increasing by over 3000 per cent since 2008, and predictions that we will see 40 times that growth over the next five years, it's not hard to see why futurists foresee our future no longer being an online and offline world - we will simply never be "offline".
By 2013, more people will surf the web on mobile devices than on computers - meaning that in just two short years the majority of consumers will be connected to the web 24/7 via their smartphones, tablets or e-readers.
Social change will be quick to follow with previously "offline" services now going entirely online.
Consider that in December 2009, Kindle e-readers outsold paper books in the US - a world with fewer paper books is already evolving, where avid readers download media (whether it's their favourite novels, magazines or newspapers) to electronic books, reading online content, anytime, anywhere. Voting in physical polling booths will soon be a thing of the past, as busy people login and vote online.
Even seemingly necessary offline tasks, such as going to the grocery store will become a primarily online service.
Designs are already evolving for kitchen counter tops that include built-in touch screens (safe to cut on and clean with any normal kitchen cleaning products) that allow people to access recipes online (based on ingredients already in their cupboards), and order missing items, for delivery to their door.
The way we communicate is already changing.
When once those who got engaged, had a child or lost a loved one had to call or text friends and family to spread the news, Facebook and Twitter can now distribute the same information, in a single post (with video and images to match, if so desired).
Generations Y and Z already consider email passé - prompting some universities to stop issuing email addresses altogether.
These generations opt instead to communicate through instant messaging and social media posts and this "interruption communication" generation will soon make up the majority of our work force, bringing this change in communication with them.
The days of the "computer room" also seem numbered, as Sony and other major TV manufacturers roll out television products with wireless connectivity to the web - paving the way for internet surfing, and cloud-based application use, from the comfort of your favorite living room armchair.
This will also lead to the end of "scheduled TV", allowing consumers instead to watch whatever programmes, documentaries or movies they want, from an online, "on-demand" collection.
The rate of technological change is growing faster with every passing year.
In order to keep up with these exciting and, sometimes bewildering times, we need to actively stay informed, open to new ideas and willing to change with the times.
This is the final time that this column will be making an appearance in print.
As of next Tuesday it will appear exclusively online, on the Hawkes Bay Today's website - appropriate, when you consider its content.
Thank you to all my print readers for your questions, comments and feedback over the past five years. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing for you and hope that you will join me in continuing to learn about (and embrace) new web technology at www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz.
Wendy Schollum is a web strategist and managing director of Xplore - your web agency (www.xplore.net).
If you have a web-related question you would like Wendy or the Xplore team to answer -
follow Xplore on Twitter (www.twitter.com/xploreNET)join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/xploreNET) or call 0800 100 900.