Tag Archives: technology

461. Computer update…

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Computer update: I received an automated call alerting me that my new replacement computer was shipped yesterday; in about an hour Fed-Ex was at the door, good thing I didn’t go out, never expected it to arrive so fast. Gorgeous upgraded machine, albeit some parts refurbished. High gloss red, leather trim, top of the line, backlit keyboard, face recognition, upgraded battery, Studio XPS 1645. Much better speakers, higher res screen, bigger screen–now 16″. So high res that I can’t adjust it so that I can see. Everything looks minute. Ctrl+scroll mouse wheel helps on some pages. It’s funny because when … Continue reading →

459. A Letter to Michael Dell, Dell Computers

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Dell Headquarters 1 Dell way Round Rock Texas 78682 Att: Mr. Michael Dell March 15, 2010 Dear Mr. Dell: I have just called the telephone number associated with your corporate office in hopes of speaking to a customer service representative in America, but my call was routed as all my calls have been over the last year, to India. This reinforces my feeling that Dell prefers to be disconnected from its customer base. That’s too bad. I started purchasing Dell computers in 2002 when I chose an Inspiron 8200. In 2004, when my son went off to Brown University, I … Continue reading →

458. Is It Too Much to Ask For Things to Work? Blame It On The Computer.

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My on-going rant continues, and will be twittered and fed through Facebook. My hope is that eventually one of Dell’s people will read my blast. I’ll call this one: Who’s Minding the Store? Excuse me while I open my briefcase filled with righteous indignation and let it fly. I wonder what people who lived during the incredible time of the Industrial Revolution would think of this blog. Their lives were changed by the advent of processing and manufacturing, machines, and mass production. Long hours. Moving away from farms and into cities. The world has been spinning out of control. From … Continue reading →

457. Tuesday Tech Tips 101: When your computer needs an exorcist: No tips, another rant!

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For those of you who have been following along my technology state of affairs, you will recall that I was having the strangest of situations with my less than a year old Dell computer. I am going to Twitter this blog AGAIN in hopes that someone in the upper Dell stratosphere hears my call–which I understand might happen as corporations seem to have planted Twitter ears. So hear you have it: The computer is less than a year old; At some point in its life it became a remote test computer because Trend Micro couldn’t get its act together for … Continue reading →

456. Another Rant: Coming Up For Air

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I suppose the connotation of coming up for air is that one must have been under water first. I have been drowning in stuff, but want you to know I am still here but not functioning on all cylinders. 1. I am still editing the book. My son is almost done doing a read-through. 1a. I serendipitously met my friend’s cousin who is an author and editor. He did a quick read through and loves it, especially the graphics, illustrations and photography. he calls my project a labor of love. He is going to go over everything before I submit, … Continue reading →

428. Car Tawk: from nostalgia to shake, rattle, and roll. My life with cars.

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I just sat down to the computer after finishing what seemed like a million chores and errands. I have a lot of work to do, a real lot— hours of manuscript review. So, while I procrastinate, because I really, I mean really can’t face sitting here for hours with this pile on my desk, my car came to mind. This is just about the first anniversary of my car, which was a well researched and happily received milestone birthday present. Even if I know what I want, I belabor the issue and beat it until it is horse paté. It … Continue reading →

83. Well, That Stinks!

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I was ready to sit down and start my blog; I knew what I was going to write about and I was preparing my accoutrements—music and visuals, when I clicked on Photoshop; it started to load, and then—nothing. I repeated the steps. Nothing. I got error messages indicating that Microsoft would inform me as soon as a solution to the problem was found.Not good enough.The program worked yesterday, and it was hiccupping as it was loading fonts. I tried to install the program again and was unable to. Well, that stinks! The computer is 5 months old and Vista, the … Continue reading →

38. Technology: Don’t Read This Blog; You’ll Be Bored

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I am no technophobe. As a matter of fact, I love technology; I love learning about it, applying it, using it and conquering it. I am a techno-warrior.Over the years I learned my way around the techno mazes.I’ve explored the ins and outs, up and downs.I’ve been troubleshooting and upgrading and even getting friends’ computers up to snuff.But this has been a notable techno-wacky year. In early February I was the first kid on my block to unpack a shiny new Dell computer.Running Vista.  My new computer turned out to be a gleaming elephant of a paperweight for weeks.Every technician … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: Ding Dong Dell, I’m hanging…

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Thank you for following my story and for your comments. Can you believe that my situation is still not resolved at the time of writing this blog, and, as Alice said, it gets “curiouser and curiouser?” At this point is is almost expected for any Dell computer not to work though I have to say that my desktop computer which is five years old is still chugging along, my husband’s desktop is working after two years, and thankfully, my son’s laptop is a winner. It is said that the universe will give you the challenges that it thinks you can … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: Part8: The Dell computer odyssey: it’s just like dating

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Dear Friends, Thank you for following my story. If you have been you are definitely as confused as I am. The cast of characters gets longer and longer and the series of events is unfathomable. When I >>last posted<< on March 5, 2012, I was in a state of suspension. I am still hanging. Still trying to get clarity. Still waiting another computer exchange. The XPS15 remains pretty stable except for an occasional refusal to recognize my Bluetooth mouse.  I had some video and audio drivers I had to install when there were some bugouts. I emailed my now “friend” … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: ooooops they got me…twice…more computer stuff…

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Well, friends, I think I continue to get the prize for computer wackiness; if Mercury is the god of communication in them thar Greek parts, can he still be in retrograde? If you recall, I was drowning in Dell computer issues and if you were following my tales of woe through the years, (yes, years) you would now know that: •I had an original laptop that I purchased in 2009 and within a year it had to be replaced due to puter poltergeist; •that in a little over a year the replacement computer had to be replaced due to freezing … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: the computer has amnesia and it is only 2 months old

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Tuesday Tech Tips 101: the computer has amnesia Dear tech friends and children of all ages, When I last wrote about my ongoing (years’ worth) of issues with Dell laptops, I was waiting for a replacement computer; one of many replacements. I was getting help from Dell corporate technicians and the final replacement 14” laptop was personally set-up by said tech. Both the 15” and 14” had the same issue: non-recognition of my new Toshiba external hard drive. After emails going back and forth, and links to drivers, the 15” is now working consistently. For some reason the 14” has … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: How to fix the war between Firefox and Adobe Flash Player

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Technology can drive you NUTS. OK, primal scream finished. One morning you wake up and everything that was working perfectly the night before is suddenly not. What gives? Chances are there was an update. And we all know that updates often cause other programs to malfunction. In this case Adobe Flash Player disappeared and needed a “fix” after Firefox upgraded to version 13.0.1. Flash player is needed for music players to work. My main blog page players became white boxes. In the meantime, you sit there baffled. This is what happened to me: When Firefox updated to version 13.0.1 and … Continue reading →

Tuesday Tech Tips 101: Part5: Ding Dong Dell, Computer’s still in the well

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Dear Friends, It is Sunday night, the 19th of February, 2012 I am continuing to write about my ding-dong-Dell journey; I thought that by now my computer life would be in order, but alas, it seems to be stuck in a technology wasteland. Let me fill you in on what happened on Friday, the 17th. I received a call in the afternoon from a Dell technician. He had received the hard drive that was to replace the one in the 14″ computer. This is the first of two that I received to replace the previous duds and it was unclear … Continue reading →