WHO CAN UNDERSTAND ELECTRONICS?

As part of simplifying my life, I’m removing files and pictures from an old computer. The process is difficult because electronics don’t always respond the same way every time. I have this experience often and someone, (I won’t say who) blames it on human error. But why should electronics be any different from a human or an animal? They don’t respond in the same way either.

This mutt I met on my walk yesterday, was on the opposite side of the street. He stopped, looked at me warily and then crossed over in front of me and headed for the woods. Very untrusting and unfriendly.

This stray cat, on the other hand,  is thin. Her fur is  full of burrs and pitch. She has let me pet her. She is  quite trusting and friendly.
Jim’s free call from his computer had electronic overtones  yesterday. And, my camera has again decided not to flash.   I can only say who can understand electronics…or strays.
The picture project is difficult. Some burns produce a sensible album from picture   jpeg#147 to 260. Others divide, with 1 picture in one file, 26 in another, 39 in another and so on. They come up  jumbled and out-of-order. The computer technology is ancient,  from 2003.

I’m leaving to visit my daughter for a couple of days, so I may as well enjoy the flowers I see on my morning walk. They, my friends, are constantly changing, but I understand them.  They never do anything that I don’t expect.

TECHNOLOGY WILL SAVE US

I listened to industry giants on PBS debate the current, hazardous economy. They described Greenspan as a Chairman on marijuana and Bernanke as a Chairman on crack, as a way to describe their fiddling with the economy. Hmmm. The question is, what happens to the man on the street? 

Also on was the young Greenland Hedgefund manager who wrote the book You Can Fool All Of The People All Of The Time. He concludes the market should be left alone, but it only works if everybody and every institution, does their job correctly, like the FCC, the Banks, the Government, the Federal Reserve, and only if the government enforces the laws already on the books. We all know THAT isn't going to happen. They all seemed puzzled as we sink into the depths. They decried the bailout as the right thing to do, but that it was handled wrongly.
Technology will save us. Maybe. But which technology?

 

Truth to tell, I'm a little worried about how much technology we need. Phone communication is often  an ordeal. I ask myself,  do I  have a half or full hour to make the phone call and face the barrage of impersonal robots? Do I feel up to dealing with frustration right now?

I went for a mammogram yesterday, with the new, ultra sleek, exciting, digital machine. I don't believe the old (new) one our hospital bought  was even paid for yet.  But, the little gadget above seemed like an extravagant toy. I went to register for my appointment at central registration. They took my paperwork and gave me a pager and told me to sit down. I'm only 15 to 20 feet from this person, who basically handed off the paper work to another worker next to her. Then when the pager vibrated and flashed I approached the second woman and she registered me for my appointment and put an armband on my arm. I mean, whatever happened to calling my name? Then I moved a few seats away and waited for them to call my name for the procedure. I actually do know my own name, which they checked on my armband. The armbands are a good idea, I can see how it could prevent mistakes, like operating on the wrong arm, that kind of thing. If you are under anesthetic and fuzzy brained, it helps to know who you are. But, are we turning into zombies?

Well, one consolation, the weather was a beautiful, balmy, shirtsleeves day. The color is developing on the hillsides on the way. Hopefully, no technology will try to control the weather. 

There is that cartoon of futuristic people excavating ground layers from the early 2000nds, that explains, "...this is when the zombies let the computers take over..."   When you are becoming a fossil you get to be a bit cynical.

WHEN COMPUTERS GO WRONG

Working on a complicated project, converting old video tapes to DVD, for me, is frustrating. It is even worse when the DVD burner on your two year old computer decides not to work. Of course, its no longer under warranty.

Once the problem was identified, Jim researched the net and found we could purchase a new DVD drive for $107. Then, its a matter of getting it installed.

Now, I'm here to tell you that is not what happened at all. Jim got the HP technical staff on-line. He downloaded the extensive HP Manual. Then, they chatted him through the repair. It took several hours from start to finish, but we didn't have to wait for a the part to arrive nor spend the money. Now, that's what I call a success story.

HP was so helpful. And, I'm glad to know there is an alternative when things go wrong. Its not always necessary to shell out for that new part when you really can "do it yourself!"

Men seem to be more savvy about fixing things than women. At least in my generation. I never would have thought to do what he did. So, ladies, its time we learn.
Thanks, Jim.

Learning From Grandchildren

Mason Matzek is my grandson, age 14, handsome and intelligent. When he and his brother were little, they could do things on my computer that I couldn't do. Now that I have a blog, it shouldn't have surprised me that Mason adeptly located my "boy friend's" blog. We see those emails that make the rounds reminding us of how our current generation has never lived in a world without computers, cell phones, DVD's and a technical array of things that didn't exist when our generation was well into middle age. In fact, I am currently at Brownie's Cafe in Yuma, where they provide internet service to communicate. Another unheard of service just a few short years ago. I once stayed with the boys in Washington and couldn't watch the television set without getting them up from their beds to show me how to turn it on and use the remote. Am I dating myself? I am! And you, and you, and you, too!
Ah, but it is so much fun to have grandsons. Thank you Mason for the opportunity to say hello on my blog. And, P.S. Send me a picture by email so I can post it. Lvgram