User12879_1_t Debbie DiFonzo - Lebanon, Marshfield, Buffalo Missouri Real Estate
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I'm sitting at my laptop, on-line via my cell phone. Satellite TV on in the background, coming from the living room. Sounds of the Wii float through the air from the kids playing down the hall.

Last Thursday a storm took out our router box, used for our high speed Internet connection. The box exploded into pieces - thanks to a summer storm, complete with show stopping lightening. We used a box from our Marshfield office over the weekend, but that box had to go back this morning, so business could resume after the holiday. UPS has yet to bring us our new box for our home. (Read: so our four computers can be connected to the world via the WORLD WIDE WEB)World Wide Web

Sitting here, I have to wonder - what did we do with our time before the Internet? before satellite TV? before the Wii, PS2 and Nintendo DS games of the world?

My kids have no idea what a pay phone is - I have trouble even remembering the last time I saw one.

My kids have no idea what a "calling card" would be for - a game of Pokemon perhaps?

A typewriter? You've got to be kidding! A word processor? What was that used for?

A Polaroid camera? How cool!

I've heard the stories, from the "old timers" of selling real estate without fax machines - writing listing information using graphite paper (which my kids I am certain have never seen!), hand delivering the pages and calling each other on the rotary phone to set an appointment. Maybe even mailing a contract through the US Post Office. {collective gasp!}

My husband and I bought our first desk top computer in the early 1990's - AOL was our first forlay into the wide world of the web. I remember using a book, similiar to the yellow pages to find web sites.

And, yet I still wonder, how did I survive before becoming addicted being introduced to the Internet? And will I live yet another day if the UPS man doesn't bring me my box! Darn these postal holidays!

 

 
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22 Comments on So... what did we do before the Internet?

Yeah, Debbie!  I've been around so long, I can remember no cell phones, lock boxes, no fax machines, no email, scanners ZipForms - how did we ever manage?  Well, no other agents had this stuff either!

09/02/2008 08:38 PM by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)


It is amazing the changes we have seen in communication, my BIC still misses Comp. Books and we all still keep a card file of contacts, just incase.

09/02/2008 08:39 PM by Jane Page Thompson (The Carolina Real Estate Company)


Debbie, There was certainly much more family time (which I miss!).  I got my first computer in the early '90s too, stumbled around on Prodigy and had so much fun!! 

09/02/2008 09:11 PM by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City)


Debbie, There is STILL little towns that have no MLS. They get a listing and run from office to office to let everyone know about it.  Mostly older agents, and they don't use computers. They Fax however if necessary, but usually just run paperwork over to the other office. They have no title company. Just a lawyer who takes cares of the closings. Earnest money is held onto by the BUYERS agent until closing. I was so amazed!!

09/02/2008 09:23 PM by Sherry Scales,GRI,ABR,SRES,CLHMS,REALTOR (RE/MAX Austin Skyline)


Debbie,

I purchased my first cell phone ( it was huge and in a small suitcase/Bag - Bag Phone) in early 1984 for $2500.  My first computer system in 1983, DOS, $26,000.  I felt they would give me an edge in my business, plus I was in my mid 20's and they were just too hard to resist!  It is amazing how much technology and PRICE has changed in only 25 years! 

When we moved to Coeur d'Alene / Hayden Lake, Idaho, back in 1990 I was shocked to find that most agents did not have cell phones, computers or Fax machines!  The MLS wasn't even on computer.... When I moved into my new Real Estate Office with all of my tecnology... the other agents laughed at me.... well, the joke was on them because within a few years they were all toteing cell phones, computers and sending faxes.  Especially after they saw agents like me moving into town and shooting to the top of the charts in Sales.

Oh, you mentioned OLDER agents .... Exactly how old is OLDER?  Just checking...since I obvously gave my age away in my comment!

Aso, Debbie, Thanks for commenting on my Post!

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - City by the LakePam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPS
Your North Idaho Real Estate Pro
Web:  Coeur d'Alene Idaho Homes for Sale
email to:pamjank@hotmail.com
Phone:  208-661-2282
Fax:  208-772-628 Toll Free:  800-829-2555 EXT.1275
COLDWELL BANKER SCHNEIDMILLER REALTY
435 W. Hanley Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID  838315

09/03/2008 01:17 AM by Pam Jank (Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty)


Yes Debbie, I remember some of the firsts. My first PC was an XT machine with an incredibly huge 20 meg hard drive. Wow thy have come a long way Baby...

09/03/2008 04:24 AM by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)


I guess we all like this technology, but it sure has taken away some of our down time.  Now we have no excuse for not returning calls, or responding in 30 seconds.

09/03/2008 05:41 AM by Home Realty Group


You know the next generation is going to be posting about when we use to take 30 seconds to respond- like that is a slow thing.  be good  cheryl

09/03/2008 08:05 AM by Cheryl Willis, MO BROKER GRI,SRS Buying & Selling Real Estate (Mt Vernon) (RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI)


That's progress, not so long ago it used to be high tech was only a telephone and a postage stamp in Real Estate. 

09/03/2008 08:21 AM by Mary Strang, Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country)


I'm just old enough not to have grown up with computers, so I remember the whole transition.  I took a brand-new typewriter to college...by the time I graduated, that was considered embarassingly old-fashioned. 

I sometimes wish for the old days, when business couldn't find me at 10 PM.  Instant access technology makes me conscious of having to set my own limits and abide by them.

Enjoyed your post!

09/03/2008 12:09 PM by Judith Reppert (United Country Countryside Realty)


Hi Debbie, Yep, I remember all these things - barely.. It is amazing how quickly things have and are still changing. God bless,

09/03/2008 03:18 PM by Cheryl Gilliam Home Staging-Hickory NC (Just Heavenly Decor & Design)


I remember the computer classes in high school involved HUGE machines and punch cards....back in the day of the commodore 64!

www.donnasgotmoney.com

09/04/2008 04:16 AM by Donna Mitchell- Middle Tennessee's Best Banker (Countrywide Home Loans)


I don't know what I'd do without the internet.  I'm totally sold on how valuable it is in our business.  I think prior to our current technology, Realtors were using the ol' "paint on rock by the light of a fire" method to get their prospects.  Without a fire it was "cold drawing" instead of "cold calling"  oh ho ho lol.

09/04/2008 11:09 AM by Angela Elliott, Gainesville, FL REALTORĀ® C21 Classic Properties (Century 21 Classic Properties)


I was actually just discussing this with a co-worker as I was e-mailing pdf files to be signed and emailed back to me ha ha ha...what would I do without the internet!!

09/04/2008 12:23 PM by Team Honeycutt (Allen Tate)


UPDATE:Thank you to all for the comments. We are now back up and running! It's a little after 9 pm on Friday night - over one week without high speed Internet at my home!  Whew - I was really becoming crabby, a symptom of Internet withdrawal!

I have some catching up to do now...!

09/05/2008 08:22 PM by Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty


Debbie - Isn't it amazing?  I don't know how we did it... well, we were less efficient I suppose.  I can't even imagine going back to the pre-computer era.

09/05/2008 10:30 PM by Fairbanks Ak Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS 907-699-6024)


From a business perspective, yes, I remember the times before fax machines and cell phones, and I think the progress is wonderful.

From a personal perspective - we played games with the whole family, and read books, and talked over dinner. I'm not so sure progress is so wonderful.

09/06/2008 06:51 PM by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)


Ouch Jesse- the pre-computer era? I shudder at the thought!

Sharon, I agree - lots of family activities have been pushed to the side. We still make a point of eating dinner together, but as my kids get older, even that will be more difficult I'm afraid!

09/06/2008 09:05 PM by Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty


Hi Debbie - Thanks for the trip down memory lane.  About 17 years ago or so, my now 25 year old nephew saw a record (you know - phonogragh) for the first time.  He was totally psyched.  "Wow.  Waay cool  Like a giant CD!!!"

09/21/2008 09:44 AM by Margaret Mitchell, York Maine Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty)


I spent more time playing the piano and collecting stamps, Debbie. Not anymore... :-) Nice post and good thoughts about the way things have evolved. Have a fine week ahead.

09/21/2008 09:53 AM by David Saks - Real Estate Broker (The Real Estate Mart of Tennessee, Inc.)


How funny Margaret! I can picture my own children saying something like that. Out of the mouths of babes!

David - wow, you brought back a memory! For a very, very short time I did collect stamps and collected paper money from countries around the world...mmm.... wonder what ever happened to those things? My Mom will appreciate you when I ask her, "Do you know what happened to...." Do you still have your stamp collection?

09/21/2008 05:38 PM by Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty


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Real Estate Brokerage: Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty
Debbie DiFonzo - Lebanon, Marshfield, Buffalo Missouri Real Estate
Lebanon, MO
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Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty

Office Phone: (417) 532-2031
Cell Phone: (417) 533-4015
Email Me
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Licensed to practice real estate in the State of Missouri

Our office in Marshfield, MO can be reached at: 417-468-5900


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