Should the president use a computer?

The Wall Street Journal asks whether the president of the United States or even the top executive of a big company should use a computer and get bogged down reading email, deleting spam or closing pop-up windows.

Here's the dilemma: How can someone who never touches a computer truly be in touch with what is happening in the world? On the other hand, does anyone who spends hours in front of a computer have any time to think? Of course, there can be a happy medium. Presidents and company executives have trusted staff who can filter and summarize key information, check the inbox and provide the boss with time to ponder the great issues.

And when the urge arises, presidents could still check their favorite sites and get in touch, but only for limited amounts of time. In the current presidential campaign, Democrat Barack Obama regularly checks his BlackBerry and uses an iPod. He may be one of those who will have to exercise self-restraint. That's not the case for Republican John McCain. He is of another generation, and confesses to computer illiteracy.

For more:
- see this Wall Street Journal article