New Technology

Last year at this time, I was just setting up and learning to use my new laptop computer. It took a lot of work and patience on my part. There is still a lot of the computer that I have not used, including Skype.  I do not use the camera, nor the microphone.  I have discovered that if I want to play a DVD or CD, I prefer the old laptop, although with the old laptop, it helps to use headphones.  It helps to use headphones with the new computer, too, but is not as necessary.

I still have a lot of issues with the new computer: sometimes I have trouble downloading email.  Sometimes, I cannot find things in my library folders.

My Internet service provider has done some upgrades, and I have not yet upgraded to a new modem, so I am not sure if some of my connectivity problems, which occur regularly, are due to the old modem or the computer configuration itself.

On the other hand, I have used power point and excel successfully.  After struggling for a long time, I can do mail merge, although I cannot rely on all of the records to print the first time, and I have to modify and repeat the mail merges.  I think some of that is a function of the cheap printer I purchased.  I cannot print postcards, but I KNOW that is a function of the cheap printer I purchased.

I discovered that I really did know where to find the security code for my router, but the next time I get a router, I will use a security code that is easier to manage.

So, to add to my technology woes and wonders, I purchased a smartphone in May. I am still learning the ins and outs of using the smartphone, but love having the ready access to the Internet remotely.  I have GPS, which I have not needed to use. I have shot and sent a picture. I have learned how to do a self, but why would I want to?  I am becoming more and more comfortable with the phone.  I am reading the user guide, and after having the phone a few weeks, I went to a free tutorial at Sprint.

I have accessed the Cloud, but I am not sure why.

Having to learn the new phone has not made the new laptop feel that much more comfortable. I had become very, very comfortable with my old, outdated laptop, knew its quirks, and could work around them.  Not so with the new laptop and smartphone.

But things are looking up!