June 23, 2017
Dear Everyone:
I bought my first home
computer
in 1994. That was (gulp!) 23
years ago. It was a
top-of-the-line 386.
Five years later, it was a “boat anchor”, meaning it had about as
much use as a nice, big rock.
Today, I have more computing power, and far more storage capacity,
sitting in the palm of my hand.
I don’t even think of it as a
telephone anymore.
Now it’s a “Personal Entertainment Device” (PED).
After all, people use it for a lot more than just making phone
calls. In fact, making phone
calls is probably one of the least uses they have for it.
But they wouldn’t dream of letting it get too far away from them.
Some people even sleep with theirs.
I was watching a TV show a while ago that had two teenagers busily
texting back and forth to each other, while sitting in adjoining chairs.
The adult in the story pointed out to them that they were
together in the same room.
They just rolled their eyes at him.
After all, they were using their own “secret language” and he
couldn’t hear what they were saying and that’s what it was all about.
I’ve honestly lost count of how many computers I’ve had since that first
one. I’ve spent a lot of
time this week “transferring” from my “old”
laptop,
Oberon, to the new
one, Hermione. This is
another reason for getting a new computer before the old one dies.
It gives you time to move from one to the other.
And there’s still a lot more to do.
Download the
antivirus software, as soon as I figure out how to
tell the antivirus company which one of three existing computers is the
one I want to uninstall it from, as that is the one that almost can’t
get to the Internet now.
And install my website software.
On the Plus Side:
Microsoft now gives is away.
On the Delta Side: That’s
because Microsoft no longer supports it.
And I need to get the
photo editor software, or find another one.
And Quicken for my
checking account.
Which brings up another question:
Do I really need to track my account going back five years?
Or should I just start over with say, July 1st, and
keep the older records on the older laptop which isn’t actually going
anywhere, other than the back bedroom (also known as the Really Big
Storage Closet)?
Since I now have the new laptop, I decided to try the “remote” software
for the printer which, technically, is wireless and can communicate
without a cable. At first it
seemed to work OK. But then
it started getting print jobs “stuck in the queue”.
I did some online research, which suggested moving the printer
closer to the
wireless modem/router.
Which is also in the Really Big Storage Closet.
Or I could just download the actual software from the manufacturer and
go back to connecting it physically and that appears to be working just
fine. For now.
And I have time, since Oberon is right there next to me, in case
I need him for anything.
Seriously, 23 years ago having a Personal Computer was considered a
luxury. Now I can’t seem to
live without at least two of them in the room.
How did I survive all those years without them?
Love, as always,
Pete
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