So many of my contemporaries eschew modern technology, and it maddens me. I can no longer sit and write letters or sign cards, so I rely on typing a lot. I find fonts that resemble handwriting, and I use stationary that looks right for letter writing. Sometimes, I cut out my typing and paste it onto a ready-made card, in an effort to appear ‘normal.’ I do, however, prefer to communicate via email or Facebook nowadays, and instead of carrying on phone conversations, I text. Two of my cousins refuse to join FB, and they just do minimal email, and I’m trying to change that. If it weren’t for this lousy, non-working hand, though, I’d still be a strong proponent of good, old-fashioned communications. So, now that I use technology so much, have I become a tech guru?
I laugh at that because I’m a total loser when it comes to knowing the digital world. As computer use came into vogue, I tried to keep myself knowledgeable of the various facets of this new world. I bought a computer for us, and the kids already knew enough to dive right in. When we began using them regularly in school, I helped other teachers to learn the ropes. I was the “go-to gal” for all things computery. (Of course, it’s not a word – I just like coining new ones!) I was the first teacher to do all my plans and reports digitally, and I began doing my grades that way, too. Once the internet came into play, I was hooked. As principal, I insisted on things being done on the computer.
The problem arose when things began to move ahead too quickly. I couldn’t keep up, and I lost my techie badge. At that point, I had to rely on the youth to get me out of jams. I still think I was ahead of the curve, though, with others my age. They moaned and groaned about wanting things to go back to the olden days, but I wanted to forge ahead. So what if I had to rely on kids to help me; I still enjoyed my computer knowledge.
Now, it’s pretty much leaving me in the dust. Sometimes I can figure things out, but at other times, I’m hopelessly inept. With my big computer here (not size wise, just capability wise,) I try to work things out, but I usually just ask my son. Last week, the little guys did something to my printer, and I couldn’t get anything to print. Now, I rely heavily on my computer-generated lists, and without them, I’m all mixed up. I tried to analyze the problem, but I wasn’t getting anywhere. I could make copies, scan, and fax, but I couldn’t print anything. I turned the printer off and on several times, I went to the problem-solving site, and I rechecked the ink cartridges, and I still got nothing. Then, by accident, I had to restart my computer after loading a program, and lo and behold, the printer worked. I was relieved but kicking myself. I should have turned the computer off and on, not the printer.
Now, my stumbling block is the cell phone. If it freezes, I’m asking my son how to fix it. If I lose something, my daughter has to help me to retrieve it. If any of the settings are changed, I’m lost. So as much as I used to pat myself on the back for being so tech savvy, now I just wallow in shame in the corner with my cell beeping and blinking.
Peace,
Muff
Update: My husband really is walking much better, and I think I turned the corner with this ‘thing’ I had. Yay!!
YaH....for better health!! i do ok with tech stuff or i pay my kids with food to help me when i do need help. but i think they are on to me ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm always feeding my kids, so I don't try and bribe them! LOL I do insist, though, that they explain to me what they are doing -- I learn quickly!
DeleteHI UFF - I could have written this post as my own. Your experiences are exactly like mine when it comes to technology. I too have to type letters and find myself explaining why I can't write any more or why Skipp is writing for me. And the cell phone? I get stuck all the time. My goodness....
ReplyDeleteLove Gail
peace....
I don't feel I need to apologize for not being able to write, but I always do: "I'm sorry I can't write anymore..."
DeleteI'm getting a little more knowledge every day with the phone, but I still need work.
As I can no longer call, "Mike!" at every minor glitch I encounter, I have become better at technology. I was not ahead of the curve at any time, but I think I hold my own now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how it is that my grandchildren seemingly were born with knowing how to work cell phones and computers.
I could never call my husband -- he's soooo behind the times! My grandies, too, seem to know innately how to operate all devices.
DeleteI'm fairly tech savvy too, but sometimes I fear keeping up is increasingly difficult. I tell myself that this ever so hip and tech-savvy generation will too some day be wondering how the technical world passed it by. And, if that happens to them in my lifetime, I'll truly feel like a relic from the Stone Age.
ReplyDeleteI know -- I said the other day at dinner, "Remember when we didn't have cell phones?" They just stared at me! I guess our ancestors went through the same thing as new inventions came along.
DeleteThat is why I don't have a cell phone! My husband has a new one and it is so much better than the last one he had, I can even make a call on this one IF I had to.
ReplyDeleteThe tech "stuff" is changing so fast it is hard to keep up:)
Well my cell has not become an additional limb as it is with the young 'uns, but I do like having it near. In a few weeks, we'll be hearing more about the Apple Watch -- like a smartphone on your wrist!
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