Thursday, June 10, 2010

New Computer

A follow-up to my post about loving the Internet: My old computer had some issues that were making it more and more difficult to use. For one thing, the hard drive was sectored (I had no idea what that was before) and I had run out of room on the C-drive for downloading not only new programs, but also updates to existing ones--a necessity. I therefore bit the bullet and bought a new computer.

Now, I’m having the fun(?) of learning to use the new one. First, the keyboard is different enough that I’m making a lot more typoz, at least for now. (See?!) Second, I have a really wide screen, and that has both plusses and minuses. I can modify the size of a document but haven’t yet figured out how to center everything, so if I reduce it I have to read it on the left of the screen. Sometimes I leave the document full-size, as if I were reading a large-print book. Just something else to get used to! I’m hoping, though, that I’ll be able to figure out how to do a split screen the next time I have to do copy edits on-line.

I was also old-fashioned enough before to back up all of my writing on both floppy disks and a thumb drive. Now, I don’t have the ability to use floppies without buying a new-old disk drive, so I’m relying on my thumb drives.

Also, I’m learning where documents, photos and other items are stored on the new computer. Mostly, I’m able to locate things when I need them.

My ability to use the new computer to its best advantage is still a work in progress, but I’m sure that, someday (with luck, many years in the future) I’ll be lauding it as having been so easy to use while I’m attempting to figure out the next new computer in my life.

When was the last time you got a new computer? Are you savvy enough to have figured it out right away?

6 comments:

Dru said...

I got a new laptop a month ago and I'm leaving all the new features of Windows 7 and was happy when I "snapped" two programs side by side.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Sounds as if you've got it figured out, Dru. Congrats!

Camille Minichino said...

I'm lucky enough to have a live-in IT man! My husband is a whiz and like most geeks he actually enjoys making problems go away.

This means I know much less than I should but for now it works!

Linda O. Johnston said...

I'm jealous, Camille! My husband's a lot more skilled than I, but we both rely on our younger son--when he's in the mood to visit and help out!

Betty Hechtman said...

I have a desk top an laptop and one of them is always newer than the other. What always cracks me up is that what seems so new and exciting now, will look outdated and old in a few years.

Linda O. Johnston said...

How do you keep track of the features on each, Betty? I do have a laptop but only use it when I travel. It always feels different switching from one to another. And I still haven't gotten used to my husband's mini-computer!