I’ve probably said this before – I’m not a gadget person, particularly not an electrical gadget person. I was probably the last person in the western world to purchase an automatic washing machine, I was quite happy with my old twin tub machine which lasted for years with no problems, only took four minutes to get the dirtiest clothes clean and spun the water out really well. Now the quickest setting on my washing machine takes 1 hour 20 minutes and doesn’t get the stuff clean enough for my liking – and I’m not that fussy.
Anyway it’s computer gadgets which are annoying me now, particularly my Netbook which I always think of as being new, it’s still beautifully shiny because I have taken good care of it, first nestling it in an old 1930s lapbag which originally housed my great-aunt Jenny’s sewing, or maybe it was a nightdress case – I’ve never been quite sure. Anyhow, just about as soon as I got around to buying it a snazzy new purple mock croc bag designed specifically for Netbooks – THEY stopped supporting the security system and my techy guys both told me that I had to replace my shiny ‘new’ Netbook with something which is secure and safe! Surely I can just buy some sort of package and upload it to my Netbook thought I. No – said my sons, that would cost as much as a new gadget. I’ve hirpled along with my unsafe Netbook for too long now, I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get something new.
So here I am – deeply disgruntled at the thought of parting with my cash for another gadget, because to be honest I’m more of a Victorian writing slope person than a computer person. Also I always live in fear of electrical things going belly up on me as they so often just stop working for no good reason. I’m sure they all have inbuilt chips which say to themselves – right she has had enough fun, I’m giving up now. It happens so often to me. I’m one of those folks who can’t wear a ‘real’ wind up watch because they go crazily fast and then die within a few hours of me putting it on my wrist. I’m all right with battery operated watches though.
I’ve had a look at Chromebooks and such in the electrical stores and they are so flimsy and dull compared with my old Netbook. Everyone tells me to push the boat out and get an iPad, as they do just about anything that you could want them to do but as I don’t even use or own a mobile phone (really and truly!) I don’t think I need something like an iPad. I’ll only really be impressed with a computer when it can make my dinner for me and do the housework.
My Netbook is now only any good for writing on, not internet use and I’ve been told that I’ll have to learn how to use a Chromebook as they are different from Netbooks. Deep joy is what I say to that!
Hi Katrina, this is TracyK (I just have a new name because I was having trouble commenting at various blogs).
I will be interested in what new gadget you get. We have several tablets and a Chromebook. I do have some problems with the Chromebook, but my husband uses it a lots.
tracybham,
I thought it was you TracyK. I’m wondering what problems you’ve had with your Chromebook?! I just hate change and having to learn new techniques for no good reason.
Katrina, my problem with the chromebook was the keyboard and use of the touch pad instead of a mouse. I just don’t handle touch pads well. The brand of Chromebook we got was an Acer and other brands or models could differ. We got a really good deal and my husband uses it all the time. We also have laptops that we use as our main computers.
I sympathize with you, trying to figure out what the best replacement is.
tracybham,
Thanks for the info, I hadn’t realised that you couldn’t use a mouse with them. I’m also not good with touch pads. It was an Acer which I was looking at, and a Toshiba I think, I’m going to go to the store tomorrow to try them both out. Decisions, decisions!
For all I know, you can use a mouse with them, but we use it without a desk and thus no place for the mouse. Trying out the various options is the best idea.
tracybham,
Wow, that was a quick reply. I will try out all options, mind you I used my Netbook with a mouse, just using it on the arm of the sofa as I don’t sit at a desk with it. I should persevere with touch pad though but when I get used to that they’ll come up with another new way of doing things – can’t think what that would be though!
Oh, technology! I love it and hate it. I think my five year old laptop is starting its downward spiral and I am not looking forward to shelling out more money for a new computer.
I have an iPad and really, really like it. I use it constantly but it is no good for blogging or commenting on blogs. And really??? You don’t have a mobile phone?
Anbolyn,
No I don’t have a mobile phone, in fact I hardly ever use the landline! I only ever think that one would be useful for tweeting – if I were on Twitter, which of course I’m not. Jack has a mobile which is really just for emergencies, like if the car broke down. Otherwise I don’t feel the need to have people on the end of a phone and what is more – I don’t think anyone wants constant contact with me!
I’m glad you mentioned that an iPad isn’t good for blogging or commenting because I was wondering about that. Technology is just so expensive and I expect expensive things to last a lifetime – changed days!
Oh, those appliances and gadgets will be the death of us. And once they’ve betrayed me, I never truly trust them. Our high tech furnace shut itself down twice (just before we went to Boston for a week, of course). It’s supposed to be repaired, but I hold my breath when I wake up in the morning, waiting to hear the pipes tapping.
And the security system started beeping (also just before our Boston trip) and telling us to check a particular area. According to the information sheet, we don’t have an area with that number. ADT gave us a repair appointment three weeks out, we waited all afternoon on Friday, until they called to say they couldn’t make it and would be out in another three weeks! I’m thinking of adopting another Irish Wolfhound and telling ADT to take a flying leap!
Joan,
Things are just too sensitive nowdays. I really liked my old boiler which was so simple to work compared with the new ones, mind you it ate gas like nothing on earth. It seems ridiculous that it takes so long for ADT to get out to you. I’ve always been glad not to have a security system, especially as the alarms are prone to going off in a high wind!
Too bad about your Netbook. Good luck finding something you like. Don’t let yourself be swayed into getting something you aren’t completely satisfied with as a replacement! And if you want to do any writing, don’t go with an iPad. They are good for surfing and emails and games and magazines, etc, but not writing.
Stefanie,
Thanks for the advice. I’m so used to my Netbook that I really just want another one like that but that isn’t possible. I had more or less ruled an iPad out on price alone – so expensive, and then I would worry even more about it going wonky!
Well, you can tell how computer savvy I am – not! I had no idea what a Netbook is/was and had to check it out before I understood your post – it looks like a laptop. I’ve had very little success with a laptop so I understand your dilemma. I wish you luck!
Margaret,
Thanks! The Netbook is just a smaller version of a laptop. They are handy for doodling around on the internet whilst half watching TV but I always use the main computer for putting on photos and such.