by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
I finally had to break down and buy a new computer. There was nothing really wrong with the old one, but “old” is the key word. I did not want to wake up one morning to find the dreaded “blue screen of death.” Everything I’ve written for years is stored in there, so I had to be proactive.
So, I visited a local spot with knowledgeable people who are experts in their field, and I bought a new computer. They transferred all my work onto it. I brought it home, set it up to the best of my ability and then the problems began. (By the way, this was six months ago.)
The problems are still there. First, there is the keyboard. The letters seem to be in the same place — most of them, anyway, but I cannot seem to type a complete word without having to go in and correct what I’ve just typed.
Just for fun, so you’ll see, this is a smaple klskentence.
See what I mean? A column that used to take me 20 minutes to write now takes about twice that amount of time. And I am constantly having to change words. So, even though the keyboard letters seem to be in the correct order, they really aren’t. I can’t figure it out!
Here is my computer history: I remember the old days. I had the first of the “portable” computers, a huge old Kaypro model that must have weighed 50 pounds and was made of bulletproof steel. It had a black screen, on which bright, bilious green letters appeared. When I finished writing a piece for a newspaper, I would print it. On white-and-green lined paper. With holes down each side.
Then, I would hop on my bicycle and pedal to the Millboro General Store, where Ernie would kindly let me use his fax machine. Does anyone use a fax machine these days? Does anyone even still own a fax machine? It was not so long ago that they were the forefront of technological fashion. Now, they have passed the way of the powder blue leisure suit.
Around the time the internet became widespread, I upgraded to a small Apple computer. Its screen was about 8 inches across. This was back when, if you wanted to email another computer, two hands would first have to “shake” on your screen. It seemed to take forever, but eventually, it was possible.
I called that computer “Old Sal.” She was a few steps ahead of the Kaypro, but still way behind the times. I used to say that entering the “information superhighway” (that’s what we called it back then) on my computer was like trying to merge onto Interstate 95 on an old mule named Sal.
Then, one morning, with no warning, a small black “bomb” appeared on the screen, which then blanked out. Forever. So long, Sal!
This morning, as I write this, it is I who should be named Old Sal. Another big problem is I can’t figure out how to transfer my photos from my camera card to the computer and then email them. A dear friend drove 20 miles to show me. There are at least 15 steps to do that. FIFTEEN! I haven’t succeeded yet, but I am hoping to soon.
Why don’t these darn things come with a simple instruction book — for Old Sals like me?
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