Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

It has been over 114 years since eight year old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper asking a simple question that has over the years become quite possibly the most famous letter to the editor in history:

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.  
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. 
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' 
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

One of the Sun’s editorialists, Francis Pharcellus Church, began his response by stating:   “VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.”  This response was written in 1897 and one has to wonder how Church would respond in this day and age.  The everyday scandals of trust combined with the culture of information overload created by the technological darlings of this day and age, the internet and smart phones, can make even the most trusting of souls a skeptic.

Thankfully, the same technology that can lead one down the path of skepticism can also be used to reinforce the magic of the season and all the good tidings that Santa Claus embodies.

First let’s give Santa a call.  Google has wired up the North Pole and provided Santa with his very own Google Voice number.  You can call  855-34-SANTA and get daily updates as Mr. Claus finalizes the preparations for his yearly delivery of goodies.  Even though this is his busy time of the year, Santa can also make time to call anybody, young or old, but he does need a little help!  Visit the website  http://www.sendacallfromsanta.com and let Ol’ St. Nick know a little information and he will give you a call!

Of course crunch time for Santa is on Christmas Eve but you can still keep tabs on the jolly elf by visiting the NORAD Santa tracker website.  ( http://www.noradsanta.org)  Using sophisticated GPS and military grade satellite tracking technology, North American Aerospace Defense Command helps Santa plot a safe and efficient trip through the dark winter night while allowing the believers of the world to know exactly where Santa is and at what time he will arrive at your house.

Every good boy and girl knows that Santa will not stop at your house if you are awake.  But if your children are asleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, how exactly can they make sure it was Santa that delivered their presents and not one of the big guy’s infamous helpers?  With the Instant Santa iPhone app, parents can snap a photo of Santa for their children while he is delivering presents or munching down on those cookies they left out.

Figure 1 - Santa visiting the Indy Style office!

Many things have changed in the 114 years since Virginia wrote that letter to the editor; yet Church’s response still rings true:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus."

We live in a fast paced and technologically advanced world that seemingly grows more negative by the day but Santa still lives on in the hearts and minds of every generation, symbolizing peace, love, and goodwill towards man.  We still believe, and there most definitely is an app for that!

Next week we kick into holiday recovery mode!  Did Santa bring you a gadget that isn’t working correctly or that you don’t know how to operate?  On Monday we’ll show you what to do and on Tuesday we’ll answer your questions on air!  Ask away on our  Facebook page,  on our home page, or email  techtamer@indystyle.tv

C Robert Dillon    is  the digital developer at   WISH-TV   in Indianapolis and serves as a technology consultant and on-air contributor to WISH as well as the technology expert and host of the Taming Technology segment on Indy Style. Opinions presented are those of the author and not necessarily of LIN Media, WISH-TV, or Indy Style.   You can keep up with Rob on   Twitter   ,    Facebook   , or    Google+     .