I never expected to learn more about computers living in the country! There’s no tech team here, no latte enticed tech knowledgeable friend to come help me out. There is Number 4 son, (who is not really our son, but the Bride’s brother) who lives in town, but I can only ask him so many times to bail me out and as my biggest frustrations with the darn computer usually come at about 10:00pm when I’m sitting in bed in my cozy pj’s with My Loving Spouse snoring softly beside me, it would not actually be all that appropriate. Besides, Number 4 usually asks me complicated questions that I never know the answers to like, “What did you do to get here?”
The computer is a bit like our chickens, fascinating and unpredictable. It links me to the world we left behind and the world we’ve entered. Writing this Blog has been rewarding, enticing and such a gift to me! I have learned more about how to manage the mysteries, codes and language of the computer than I ever thought imaginable. Then when I want to make a change to the site, it (just like the chickens in our ‘clean’ barn) poops all over.
And who do I ask about the current set up? For example, I LOVE getting your comments. I don’t know how to make the type larger, display them differently, then do I answer each one, (which I do in my head) or is that off-putting to the other readers and would the writer of the comment come back and read the response anyway????
I have found some ‘forums’ (fancy computer word for people who know a LOT about computers and share their knowledge) to be helpful. However, finding people who speak middle-aged-mom language and not computer language is part of the challenge. I’m currently learning two new languages. Computer blog, where a ‘plug-in’ is not an electrical appliance and Washington where a ‘pop’ is not a person it is a soda.
This is our neighborhood and it shows the technical/country combination of my life now. I love the view of both the wind farm and the cows. The cows are pretty great neighbors, they moo and they eat. The wind mills are large, quiet and blink a red dot in the night, but they do not always turn. The cows, well, yes, they do always poop.
I love your blog or whatever it is. I would like to answer you with your e-mail, but need to get it from Glenda.
Ellen, I feel your pain re: computers. I can’t pick up the language either, making true the old saw that it’s easier to learn a new language when you are young. Since I am not young anymore, there’s my excuse! When I have asked for help from tech type people, I always preface my question with, “I am very new at this and won’t understand alot of the terms you are about to use. Please assume I know nothing and let’s just start from there.” By and large, they are very patient and accommodating. Although many of them sigh when after walking me thru the steps on my computer, I ask them to repeat the steps so I can write them down (how old school!) and refer to them later.
El, I have a great computer guy who can probably help you remotely. His name is TJ, and he’s wonderful. He definitely speaks “mom.” 818-585-8056. Tell him I told you to call him, and I’m sure he can solve your problems easily and cheaply. Xoxo