I researched online and in the stores. I made my mind up and got an HP 6700f desktop PC for what I think was a very good value. I love it. It is very fast, and even makes my internet seem faster. I researched Windows Vista and discovered, as you know, that it has two choices -- 64 bit and 32 bit. Whatever did that mean? Well, it actually means very little to one that just uses the computer for regular stuff. It means very much to a professional gamer who needs lots of memory and hard drive space. My computer has 4 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, the Vista 64 bit, and it has a quad-core processor. Sounds intimidating, doesn't it? Well, it isn't. It just means that I can do more stuff simultaneously than I did before. Simple, really. I was so worried about it for nothing. I just don't like to change from something I know to something unknown.
I like all the bells and whistles that comes with Windows Vista. That said, I was very hesitant to get a new computer because I was afraid of Widows Vista. It is just different. It is totally great. Now, I have only had it for 3 days, so I have much to learn, but what I needed to have is there (it just looks a little different), what I wanted to have is there, and my printer and scanner went in flawlessly and work great with the new machine. What was I afraid of?
I wasn't really afraid afraid. You know what I mean. I like things to be the same. I like predictability, and I like what I know. There is satisfaction in knowing how something works and being good at working it. It is like that in life, also. I am afraid to rock the boat, to do something different for fear of failure. Windows Vista has a bad rep, but, honestly, I found it to be very entertaining and very pretty. I think, sometimes, we need to be forced to do something totally different every once in awhile to show ourselves that change can be good. Just because it has "always been this way," doesn't mean it would be bad to change it up a little.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Computer Disaster
Yes, another one. This one is truly catastrophic. My computer has ended its life. Something about the motherboard, processor, or whatever horrible thing could make the computer completely unusable. How terribly inconvenient. I have had the computer for almost 5 years, and it served me well. It had been having issues for awhile - I guess I should have better heeded its warnings a little closer. I thought it was the hard drive, but I am assured that the hard drive is fine and all will be able to be saved from it.
You know, you hear about "backing up" all the time. It is most mindful when the computer stops working and you are faced with losing all of your data. I am good at backing up most of the time. I have a system. Unfortunately, my system sometimes fails because I am human, and I do procrastinate. I checked my backups just this week after I thought my hard drive was fried and discovered that I didn't back up as often as I thought I did or know that I should have. It isn't hard, really, you just have to do it. I just didn't. Thankfully, my hard drive is salvageable, so it won't be a big problem. I will implement my new back up procedure with all diligence once I get my new computer. At least, that is what I tell myself. Whatever helps me sleep at night.
I didn't realize how much I used my home computer until it was gone. I randomly used it for:
Downloading pictures from my camera
Picture editing (cropping, red eye removal, etc.)
downloading pictures to the internet
using the screen saver for a "digital photo album"
facebook
myspace
I played games
the grandchildren used it for playing games
email
recipe printing
googling stuff
web surfing
my husband used it for his work
occasionally for my job
Whew. I did know that I used it, I just didn't realize how dependent I am on it. I don't like not having it. Now, I have to shop around for a new one. I am so confused by all the options. I used to be pretty computer savvy, but alas, time has not been good to my memory. I don't know the difference between 64-bit and 32-bit Windows Vista. I have heard bad things about Vista. My peripherals might not work with Vista. How can I guard against that? This would certainly be a pain in the butt if my printer and my scanner won't work with my new computer. I can't really afford a new computer right now, but I enjoy having a computer in my house. I'm working out a deal with my husband. So many decisions. I'll let you know what I come up with.
You know, you hear about "backing up" all the time. It is most mindful when the computer stops working and you are faced with losing all of your data. I am good at backing up most of the time. I have a system. Unfortunately, my system sometimes fails because I am human, and I do procrastinate. I checked my backups just this week after I thought my hard drive was fried and discovered that I didn't back up as often as I thought I did or know that I should have. It isn't hard, really, you just have to do it. I just didn't. Thankfully, my hard drive is salvageable, so it won't be a big problem. I will implement my new back up procedure with all diligence once I get my new computer. At least, that is what I tell myself. Whatever helps me sleep at night.
I didn't realize how much I used my home computer until it was gone. I randomly used it for:
Downloading pictures from my camera
Picture editing (cropping, red eye removal, etc.)
downloading pictures to the internet
using the screen saver for a "digital photo album"
myspace
I played games
the grandchildren used it for playing games
recipe printing
googling stuff
web surfing
my husband used it for his work
occasionally for my job
Whew. I did know that I used it, I just didn't realize how dependent I am on it. I don't like not having it. Now, I have to shop around for a new one. I am so confused by all the options. I used to be pretty computer savvy, but alas, time has not been good to my memory. I don't know the difference between 64-bit and 32-bit Windows Vista. I have heard bad things about Vista. My peripherals might not work with Vista. How can I guard against that? This would certainly be a pain in the butt if my printer and my scanner won't work with my new computer. I can't really afford a new computer right now, but I enjoy having a computer in my house. I'm working out a deal with my husband. So many decisions. I'll let you know what I come up with.
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