I can’t remember how long I have had a computer, but since I have written this column for 30 years, I am sure I have had some type of computer for more than 20 years.
My first one was DOS, not sure what that exactly means, but I know it took me days of hair-raising and pulling frustration before I was comfortable in using the thing. I still have some DOS software and books; yeah, I guess that means I am somewhat of a pack rat.
I was going to throw them away, but then someone told me that they could be sold on eBay. So I still save them, although I have never been on eBay and would have no idea how to go about selling anything on there.
Then something called Windows was invented. Suddenly, the web was open to more and easier surfing. Eventually, I purchased a computer that had Windows. Perhaps it allowed me to do more, but all I really wanted to do was get in my word processing software and write a column or other assignment.
Again, my hair suffered, as well as my brain, and my back and neck, from being perched over the computer trying to figure out the new ways of getting around by using Windows. With all the good aspects of Windows, there are some bad things. One of these was that it kept improving, and what was once top of the line soon needed upgrades.
I have software and books from my early Windows days. Again, I am saving them to sell on eBay, someday, though I have never been on there, or bought or sold anything.
This column seems to be on two subjects: one is computers, and their joys and failures, and one is on the state of my house and the stuff that resides therein.
There is too much stuff, and I am trying to downsize. In my frustration over the old computer being sleepy in that the monitor does not always come on, I started cleaning my desk in the office. I was feeling pretty good about my progress, but in reality, it was a small part of a very large built-in desk, or built-in file cabinet, which I thought was perfect when I planned the house.
I moved in here 10 years ago and had planned a place for everything, and everything in its place. Somehow as I look around, I see that everything I have here does not have a place, or else I have neglected to put it where it belongs. Since I live here alone, I guess I can only point the finger at me.
So, tonight I planned to write my column for this week. This past week the computer was less and less dependable. However, I usually could coax it to come on at least one time a day, and was using the laptop the other times a day I wanted to go online.
However, today it did not work at all; never once did that monitor so much as wink at me. That means that this is the first column to be written on the laptop.
I am proud that I figured my way into Word, and can even save it. My problem is that I don’t know how to email it to the Leader. That means that in the morning I will be making phone calls and saying, “Help!”
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