Ahh, Technology

There was a time when the word technology was used to describe any idea, invention or solution that helped streamline man’s work – anything that made the old daily grind a bit easier. Things like printing presses, steel plows, combustion engines, and so on. Heck, there was a time, when even this magazine you’re holding in your hand would fit the bill.

But now, it seems the world or maybe really, Wall Street, has defined technology as anything to do with computers. Think about it. When you read about the technology sector in the paper, they’re almost always talking about computer companies (IBM, Macintosh, Dell, Cisco, Microsoft, SalesForce.com, etc.). When people talk about technological breakthroughs, whether it’s the mainstream media or in everyday conversation, rarely are they talking about something truly exciting like breathable textiles. More likely, they’re referencing digital cameras, or wide-screen TV’s, or cell phones.

There’s been a subtle, but consistent, re-defining of the word. Well, I’m here to plant a stake in the ground and reclaim the word for all us here in the parks and recreation world.

I am continually amazed and impressed with the day-to-day, week-to-week progress that is made in providing first rate parks, recreation facilities and community programs all across the U.S. and Canada.

In this issue alone, you’ll find technological advancements in pool safety (ways to avoid swimmer entrapment), pool maintenance, youth sports (weight limits for youth football programs), and much more.

Heck, the ideas are enough to fill an entire crossword puzzle, which, by the way, we’ve done. But, better yet, these ideas are shared, almost immediately, across the entire industry by all of you via e-mail, listservs, trade shows (see our calendar section) and of course through the pages of PRB (Parks & Rec Business) magazine.

It’s this incredible energy combined with an equally incredible desire to share and spread all new technology that makes our job here so fun and so rewarding.

So, as always, if you have anything you’d like to share with the rest of our subscribers – any technology that makes your colleagues lives a bit easier, provides a better experience for his or her patrons or is just plain fun, drop us a line and let us know. We’ll be more than happy to pass it along.

Till next month,

Rodney J. Auth

Publisher