Which Technology Would You Miss The Most?

I just returned from an amazing mini-vacation where I was literally disconnected from technology and media. Disconnected from the web. Disconnected from my phone. Disconnected from television. Disconnected from radio. I stayed at a charming guest house that had free Wifi but since the cell service was non-existent, I decided to take my vacation concept one step further. I had a technology-free vacation. No use pulling out the laptop when you're having fun skiing a mountain, relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying a home-cooked gourmet meal or drinking some top notch wine, right? It was nice to focus on people instead of being tempted by the digital screen. I think it made my time in the mountains that much more meaningful.

Here's what I noticed about the technology... I missed my mobile device connectivity the most. It was easy to stay away from the television when there were so many interesting people to chat with. It was even easier to refrain from dragging out the laptop and logging on because it seemed like such a chore after a great yoga class. What wasn't so easy was NOT picking up the HTC MyTouch to text, call or connect with friends who weren't there. I specifically missed...

• Facebook status updates and being able to upload photos to my page
• Texting or calling friends while on the mountain to coordinate a meet up (because someone, usually me, always gets separated from the group)
• FourSquare check-ins (who doesn't want to check-in on a mountain?!)
• Yelp access to check restaurant ideas for the NYC leg of my trip

So I wonder, 10 Golden Rules reader, given the same circumstances, is there a particular technology or software you think you would miss most? Share in the comments.

John Mayer Calls for a Digital Cleanse to Bring in the New Year

When was the last time you corresponded via a personalized letter? Remember when you actually had to pick up the phone and call someone? With texting, Twitter, Facebook and e-mail replacing everyday communication, the New Year may be a time to take a step back from all of today's technology and remember that you can't always express yourself in 140 characters.

Yesterday, John Mayer urged his Twitter followers to take part in a New Year's Digital Cleanse in an effort to "defrag" our technologically overloaded minds. Mayer suggests a one-week cleanse, beginning January 1st and ending on January 8th, which doesn't require you to completely remove technology from your life, only take a step back. Here's the recipe:

• email only from laptop or desktop computers.

• cell phones can only be used to make calls, and no text messages or e-mails are allowed – if you receive a text, you must reply in voice over the phone.
  

• no use of Twitter or any other social networking site – including reading as well as posting.

• no visiting of any entertainment or gossip sites.

Following these guidelines should be manageable for even the most connected individuals. Work commitments may prevent you from participating in the cleanse, but it is still refreshing to think about how far communication has come, even just over the last year.