1 year ago
Monday, December 17, 2018
YES,I'M AN ADDICT
I have posted before about my addiction to alcohol and cigarettes both of which I quit in 1976. So I pretty much felt addition free. Not so as of last week.
My trusty ancient lap top, still living in the land of Windows 7, died. Thinking a good doc could fix her, I dropped her off at computer ER, hoping for the best. Worst case she wasn't fixable and I would have to buy a new one and try to adjust to Windows 10. I had tried 10 when the upgrade was free but was so un-enchanted that I uninstalled it and have enjoyed 7 for years. If I had my druthers, I'd still be using XP. Why do they have to fix what isn't broke?
Seems one of my periodic updates from Microsoft was strangling my computer so he had to uninstall all of them and reinstall. A loooong process.
Day after day passed and the longing for my computer didn't lessen. I would think of something to look up and head for the bedroom and would realize it was a fruitless journey at the door. DANG.
I missed reading my follower's posts. I wondered if they would think I was ghosting them. I hoped they were all fine and doing well.
You would think I would get a lot done without the distraction but I ended up shopping just to get out of the house and away from THAT room.
Pretty sure if I had a smart phone, it wouldn't have been so bad. As it was, it was pretty darn rough.
I got her back from the hospital late this afternoon and she is running perfectly. Phew. Life is good again. I'll be back visiting you tomorrow.
Yes, my name is Patti and I am a computer addict. Have you ever been cut off from the Internet and was it bearable for you?
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I hear your pain. Many battles I've done. Finally sighed, and learned how to use 10.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteOh I hope I never have to but the likely hood is probably imminent. Sigh.
I'm not as bad as I used to be. I can go days just reading real books and cooking real food. Glad your computer was repaired. (My big computer is still using (knock on wood) Windows 95, whatever number that is!) xo
ReplyDeleteMarion,
DeleteWow, do you have a relic. That was before even XP. Treat if with kindness and care, I don't think you will like the newer ones.
I have been cut off and it was bearable as it was just a glitch, one of those things where you turn her off and try again later. Whenever I can't connect I have a zillion books waiting to be read, so that's okay too and I have quite a lot of DVDs that I can watch. I do miss the internet when I can't get it, but so far I haven't been without a computer more than a day. I loved XP too, it was the best. Windows98 was where I started and I used to love the 3D pipes screensaver, watching those pipes build themselves over and over was almost hypnotic.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI know, if they brought back XP today I'd sign right up. I was kind of worried about unanswered emails. At my age, people wonder if you might have fallen and can't get up when you go silent.
I Patti, so you are a friend of Bill...Gates. Me too.
ReplyDeleteJoeh,
DeleteHa ha, welcome to the club. Not too exclusive I fear. I'm a friend of both Bills.
I go stir crazy without my computer, more precisely the sense that I'm connecting with other human beings.
ReplyDeleteGlad your back! By the way, I didn't want to leave Windows 7 either but I adapted to 10 really quickly. The reason why they made the change is because 10 is more compatible for connecting with all our devices.
Jean R,
DeleteI know, it is the lack of contact that gets me too. One of the problems I had with 10 is that I could no longer connect my printer or scanner. Also it totally ate 12 chapters of a book I was working on.
Windows 10 ate 12 chapters? Yikes. I remember when I started with 10 I had to get used to the files being in slightly different places. Maybe your chapters are there somewhere, just hiding. Can you search "documents' with certain key phrases from your book?
DeleteI think for me it is like a lot of things. I think I can't do it, then I do and eventually I adjust. Like cutting the cable cord.
ReplyDeleteNawm,
DeleteOh I know I would eventually adjust, I just can't see a good reason to. I did XP to Vista to 7. Ten just made me mad.
I skipped Vista and 8 altogether when my daughter said she didn't like them. She's a computer whiz, so if she doesn't like any particular system then I'm not going anywhere near it either.
DeleteOh, man do I feel your pain. Hurry up and say "No thanks" to all updates from Windows.
ReplyDeleteA fellow "Windows 7 and would you please give me XP back"-user :)
Uglemor,
DeleteThank you for stopping by and commenting. You are the second person to advise "NO" to updates. I will check further into that. Thanks.
My name is Florence (Hello, Florence) and I also have a computer addiction -- but to the Apple variety. Except for the occasional power outage I'm happily connected to the world. My iPad is usually within an arm's length away.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteHello Florence:)) Wish I had thought of that.
Lucky you to have Apple. So fewer problems. I may have to invest in an iPad.
Glad you are back! I hate not having the internet. I have a computer, an ipad and an iphone. So if one fails I have the others, but if the internet fails and I'm without it for several days I find it really hard.
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteLucky you to have two plan B's. I need back up if I wish to keep my sanity. It is great being back but boy do I have catch up.
A while back I skated dangerously close to Windows 10, but then somehow was able to get back to 7. Phew
ReplyDeleteI should go a few days without checking my email - nowadays it's more ads than anything else.
Marty,
DeleteI know, those close calls are darn scary. Glad we both dodged the bullet. Funny thing, this morning my email server went down. Fortunately it was brief.
Marty, mark the ads as spam and send them to your spam folder, then open that and delete them. Your computer should start recognising those ads and send them straight to your spam folder instead of your inbox. Then just open the spam folder once a day and delete the contents.
DeletePatti I was forced to go from Windows XP to windows 10. Skipped 7 and 8. Used 7 on my husbands Surface and hated it. I fought this like nothing ever before. I swore while trying to learn this. But alas, it is so far superior to xp and 7 that I now shout from the rooftops how much I love this. I use it all day for work and for blogger etc. I know you don't believe it, because if you had told me I would like it, I'd have spewed obscenities at you. And I did to everyone who told me that I'd love it.But you will....trust me. My husband is fighting this fight right now. Slowly I have been showing him things and he's like, Hmmm, nice but still don't want to make the move. I think it's better to make it while you don't have to than be forced as I was. It was so friggin' painful!
ReplyDeletePeggy,
DeleteYou make a great point about doing it before I have to. That would take a bit of the bite out but I haven't healed from the withdrawal yet. Maybe a project for 2019?
Peggy makes the same point my daughter did. Make the move before you have to. I put off 10 for quite a while until some of the kinks were worked out then made the move once my daughter was used to it, so she could help out with any problems I had. The only problem I had was finding my files located a bit differently than what I was used to. Everything internet-wise was almost exactly the same. My "favourites" list of places I go to often was a bit different but I got used to that in no time.
DeleteI am addicted, too. There's no doubt about it. Once when the internet was down in my neighborhood, I got up early in the dark and headed down to the coffee shop for internet! Crazy, isn't it? :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteScary isn't it? Still at least you have a plan B if it is the Internet and not your computer, plus you have a smart phone in case the computer crashes. Back up plans are a great idea.
Now I am terrified. If anything goes wrong with my desktop or my laptop computer and I am forced into Window's 10 I will just die. I tried 10 for a while and had to delete it. Too crazy.
ReplyDeleteGrannie,
DeleteI so understand. I tried it also but it wouldn't recognize any of my devises. Hope I don't have to but it might be best to do it when I don't have to as Peggy suggested.
The main difference is windows 10 is 'apps' based like smart phones, but if you work off the 'start-up' menu it's easier to find what you need.
DeleteI'm pretty much an addict, unless I'm outside with the camera. Otherwise, I have this laptop open and I'm always reading something. We don't have a TV, so this device is our source for news and everything else. Glad you got your computer fixed! Yay!
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteMe too, Thank you. My computer is my instant source of knowledge and information. Wow, I guess I am one of those that just needs to know.
Yes, and it was awful. Then again, I am an alcoholic and addict. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteMe too so perhaps we have the addictive personality. Pretty sure I do.
I have to admit that our old dell desktop is still a Vista... and it still works although some things are no longer supported. We do have a laptop that does have windows 10... and it did take some getting used to. As for being addicted, I'd say yes to 3 things: coffee, chocolate, and communication (computer and iPhone). And my iPhone IS my back-up.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteWell the good thing is that your three C's of addictions are legal.
Yes, I have and it was awful. Like you, I think of something I want to look up and then I'm off on an hour long readfeast. I can get on the computer and jump from subject to subject just like a butterfly. These kids that are always on their phone have nothing on me.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteIsn't it amazing how much time passes when we sat down to look up one thing:))
Dear Patti, I was cut off for a few days when my computer was hacked and I just couldn't use it and feel safe. So I ended up going to Best Buy and getting a new computer--a Mac of course since I began using computers back in 1984 when I became a freelancer and a friend introduced me to the Apple computer that enabled me to get much more work done than I would have.
ReplyDeleteDuring the days between the hacking and the buying of a new computer, I, like you, found myself often walking toward the room I call my "office" and discovering an empty desk top! So, like you, I'm addicted!
But what I'm really addicted to is hot tea with milk in it. When I wake each morning, it's the thought of my first cup of tea that gets me out of bed! Happy holidays and peace.
Dee,
DeleteThe tea and milk sounds like a sensible addiction. Hope you keep a good stock on hand. I also panicked and bought a laptop this time but then found out it didn't have a phone jack and I had to take it back.
In the past month, my computer broke, my cell phone died, my printer died, and now my Kindle may be dying too. And that's the only one I would truly miss. I am so addicted to it. Of course, I have to have a phone, but I only use mine for the basic stuff. Glad you got your computer back in good shape. And BTW, you reminded me, on the 21st of December I have not smoked for 25 years! Happy for you kicking your addictions at such a young age.
ReplyDeleteKindles die??? I'd better get busy reading the 200+ books I have on mine.
DeleteInger,
DeleteCongrats on the 25 years. Smart move. As for the Kindle, their batteries can go bad but you can order new ones and the Internet has videos on how to replace them. Or--they are much cheaper now and you can transfer your old books to the new one. A bit labor intensive but doable.
Glad to hear all is well and your PC is back and running. I do okay without mine for a short period of time, it is when we have power outages that lasts for more than a couple of days that I get all out of sorts. I too like XP and think it was the best one ever. They should have kept it. I know other people who liked XP best too. I have finally gotten used to Windows 10 it took awhile. Hugs sweet Patti
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteI am glad you have all ready made the transition and know my day will come. Just glad I can put it off a bit and who knows, Microsoft may put a new one out that is better.
I am addicted too. I have an aging desk top, and a lap top, both still on Windows 7. and a newer smart phone. All get used on any given day.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteAt least you have plenty of back up. Must be comforting. I have no cell service here so a smart phone wouldn't help much. Darn.
So glad the "hospital" was able to cure your computer. I had Windows 10 for a while & hated it. I went back to 7!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteMe too on hating it and going back to 7. I was grateful that the tech could fix mine and not try to sell me a newer model.
As you know I don't fool around with addiction. One slip and there goes 29 years of sobriety … HOWEVER, Windows 10 came close to making it happen … enough said !
ReplyDeleteGinny,
DeleteSo glad that Windows 10 didn't succeed in dashing your looong sobriety. We work too hard for that to happen.
I am addicted to my IPad....even more than chocolate!
ReplyDeleteNo longer have a PC. I have a smart phone, it rarely use it but just for calls. For these old eyes...print is too small
Mary,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. The good thing about PC's and IPads is that we can make the font bigger. I do the same with my Kindle.
I still use Windows 7, but I follow a techie forum that tells me which updates to put in or not to out in, which alleviates the down time issue. I actually don't have a problem with not using the 'net from time to time. Because it has induced a phenomenal amount of stress in my life, I try to limit my 'net usage to roughly 3-4 non-work hours per day.
ReplyDeleteG.B. Miller,
ReplyDeleteOoh, didn't know about checking the forums. I will look into that. Thanks. I was a little leary of just ignoring them all.
It was really unbearable for us last week. We had TV but no Internet. We watched the market drop to rock bottom and had no way to move our Minimum Distribution from our IRAs. So much for the ease of Internet banking and financial services. By the time our Internet was back up the market was even lower. We did make the deadline, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
DeleteNow that was a nightmare. How frustrating. So glad you made the deadline.
A couple of years ago our house was struck by lightning and knocked out everything including our internet connection. For nine long days, I sat in a corner and sucked my thumb. Not really, but I felt like doing it!
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteHa ha. Me too on being close to that.
Welcome back to the land of the connected! Being totally disconnected is frustrating as we have become so dependent. I deliberated altered my usage a few years ago when I concluded the tech was running me too much and not the other way around.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteIsn't that the truth? It is a feeling of powerlessness that gets me.
I deliberately ... gremlin wrote deliberated.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteHa, I didn't catch it. Duh.
Glad to hear you are back up and running... :)
ReplyDeleteI'd miss my computer too, but my smartphone works in a pinch. So I totally feel your pain!
Eileen
Thank goodness for my son-in-law who is a techie and can cure my computer. Yes, I’m a computer addict too. I don’t know what I’d do if I was cut off. Arrrghhh... Just the thought sends shivers down my spine.
ReplyDelete