I didn’t used to be such a gizmo guy. And compared to some people I know, I’m still not.

     Nevertheless, I think I’ve come a long way from the days of no cell phone, a landline telephone and one email address. Today, I’m cell phone-only with no landline at the house and multiple email addresses.

     Of course, much of that is due to the need for communications related to work.

     When I talk about gizmos and gadgets, it’s more related to leisure time and recreation.

     I’ve tended to be a little slow in getting the “latest and greatest” whatever in the world of technological advances.

     That characteristic goes back a ways. I think I was in the eighth grade before I got my first Atari, even as some of the “better off” kids were moving on to Nintendo.

     Caution and frugality play a big role in my decision-making.

     With new technology, I’ve learned there are almost always a few “kinks” that have to be worked out. Having paid top dollar, I want something to work perfectly when I buy it and I have no desire to send something back for a “patch” or some fix during a factory recall.

     Regarding top dollar, electronics and similar items always come down in price as development of the newest version starts up.

     Waiting allows me to save a little money for a product that is probably in better working order. The only thing I lose is a few months of utilizing something I didn’t know I was missing.

     Lately, though, I’ve noticed I’m becoming a little more eager to get the “next big thing.”

     When the iPad debuted a few years ago, I resisted the urge. It seemed like an overgrown iPod Touch, which I also had avoided.

     But a little while after the iPad 2 came out, I was ready to take the plunge.

     The fact that it had a built-in camera was not the selling point. But by then I had seen a co-worker’s iPad and went ahead with the purchase of the newest model, which I still was able to get at a little bit of a discount.

     I’m glad I did. At times, I feel like Capt. Jean-Luc Picard walking around the starship Enterprise when I peruse information on my tablet computer.

     My walking has suffered a bit thanks to the iPad and my home wireless network.

     Now, instead of having to get up and go into another room to check baseball scores or eBay auctions on the “big” computer, I can stay in my recliner. And that also leaves me more time to launch a few more “Angry Birds” or further develop my own “Snoopy’s Street Fair.”

     I guess I realized I had taken the full technological plunge when I thought I had to have the new PS Vita portable video game system. I pre-ordered the thing and went by the store to pick it up the day it was released for sale.

      At the time, my Playstation Portable (PSP) was collecting dust and I was able to get pretty good trade-in credit on it and the old games toward the PS Vita. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

     I don’t regret the purchase, but looking back I think was a case of my having, what I call, more money than sense. I don’t remember how, but I had a few extra bucks in the wallet and that must have clouded my judgment.

     Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good system with some fun games to play. And it is like to being able to walk around with a portable version of the console system attached to big televisions.

     That’s why one of the Vita’s promotion lines is, “Never stop playing.” Well, I have.

     But there will always be another “next big thing.” And I’m sure I’ll have to have it – at least at some point.

     Write to Managing Editor Matthew Coleman at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602, or send e-mail to mcoleman@dailyleader.com.