In an unprecedented — and totally warranted — act of aggression, I am about to use my current computer to purchase its replacement. We require little in a new system. In addition to the very basics, we’d settle for the following features, none of which our current beast has:
1) A monitor that does not make heavy breathing sounds.
2) Volume control that does not sweep up and down at the computer’s whim.
3) The ability to turn it on more than once a week.
Unfortunately, comparison shopping is tough because none of the above qualities are listed as options. I am hoping that means they are now standard, along with enormous hard drives, high-tech flat-screen monitors, and Vista, none of which we need but it seems we’re going to end up with anyway because all but the lowest-quality computers seem to have them now. (Note to self-appointed Mac missionaries: We are not getting one, so don’t bother suggesting it. Thank you.)
Alas, this means no new couch for us for a while, since that would make for a pretty scary credit card bill, but the Couch of Death affects me most when I’m also suffering from other allergies (way to kick me when I’m down), so things should get better here soon, and I’ll aim for finding a replacement by next spring instead.
And while we’re more or less still on the subject of computers (Ha! How’s that for a segue?), I have broken down and started another blog, because I quite CLEARLY do not have enough to do. See, much as I like to write, I have other hobbies, too. One of them is sleeping in. Another is eating cookies. And yet another is photography. Since the first two do not make for an interesting series of blog posts, I decided to create a photoblog. After all, as anyone who’s ever known a proud grandparent has learned, photos are more fun when you share them with strangers. Not having any grandkids, I’ve had to settle for taking photos of landscapes, flowers, and other elements of nature. As a nod to my inner grandparent, I’ve even indulged in a few cat photos, although I promise not to overwhelm.
I have eight or nine images on there right now, just to get started and give people an idea of what they’ll see, but I’ve scheduled many more; a new one will appear each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which is really a good deal compared to the biweekly updates on here.
If you’re curious, you can check out the blog, Playing with Pixels, at http://caryncaldwell.com/photos. To navigate, just click on the right-hand side of the picture to move through to the end of the album, or use the left and right arrows below. You can even subscribe to the RSS feed or receive email updates, just like for this blog, because I like to get fancy like that.
i must be in the minority, have had no problems with vista and actually have enjoyed it ::ducking::….
and i love your photoblog, sooooo glad you brought it back!!
I adore my Mac–great programs, no viruses, and such simplified ways of doing things. (And I’m not suggesting, so no blog-slapping me. I’m just sharing how happy I am with mine. 😉 )
And I would totally visit a blog all about cookies and the eating of them. Ooh–maybe you could take pictures of your cookies and post them on your new (fabulously creative and gorgeous) blog. It’s the best of both worlds!
Good luck on your computer shopping and with your new blog. It’s like you decided with spring everything would be new–couches, computers and blogs. Ah, the fresh breeze of brand new.
You have a heavy breathing monitor. That is deeply disturbing!
A note to the unwise, try to avoid Vista if you can – too many bugs and security leaks, try to stick with XP if possible and wait for the next version of Windows to appear.
Off to check out the photoblog.
Love your new photo blog! You really captured much more than just the subjects in the pictures. And good luck with getting a new computer!
LOL, Ilana! An excellent point. I just hope our cutlery isn’t next, or I could be in some serious trouble!
David, even if I hadn’t heard of a number of problems associated with Vista, I never like to buy a new operating system shortly after its release.
Emily, you’re lucky! Glad you haven’t had any problems. And please stop by the photoblog and visit often. It’s nice to know that at least one person might be looking at the pictures.
Pam, the thing is that everyone I know who has a Mac loves it, but many of my go-to programs are PC-only, so unless I want to replace almost everything, I’m kind of stuck. As for the cookies, that would be fun. It would give me an excuse to try a bunch of different types! My taste buds would love that, but my hips would not. And you’re right — maybe it’s a spring thing. Although a new computer means no new couch for us for a long time. It’s an either-or thing, unfortunately.
Absolute, Vista is a big reason why I’ve been putting off buying a new computer as long as I have. I just don’t want to have to use it.
Thanks, Robin! Please stop back there and visit often. Blogging’s more fun with an audience. 🙂 And here’s hoping that your good-luck wishes stick when it comes to the new computer.
Hmmm, what a coincidence, eating cookies is one of my hobbies too 😉
Anyway, I really like your photoblog. The tulip is my favorite and it’s such a cool angle, but I’m biased b/c it’s my favorite flower 🙂
Yea! We can listen to music again without wondering if it’s going to keep playing! 😀
Caryn,
Eldest daughter was disappointed when “the other dad” (my wife’s ex) bought her a laptop with Vista…she wanted XP. Although Vista has some cool features, she complains about the speed and the annoying messages.
I’m trying to hold out for the next generation operating system. I did it once before, skipped over Windows95 to Windows98. Sometimes they just don’t get it right.
Loved the photo blog! 😉
Caryn~I had to computer shop for a desktop this year after having spent 7 years (yes, you read correctly) with my darling laptop. I had, you might say, “attachment issues,” and found it really difficult to switch to Vista and Office ’07… Truth is, it took about a month, but I got used to both and I’m actually happy with this thing now (HP Pavilion a6345x :). So, I’d recommend it.
P.S. Great photoblog!
Always nice to find other people who share my hobbies, Katie R.! 😉 And thanks for your comment on the photoblog. I had a lot of fun putting it together, so I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Katie, it’ll be wonderful! Although ever since I wrote this post it hasn’t had that problem once, nor has it not started up. It also hasn’t made its typical wheezing sounds. I’m beginning to wonder if it understood what I was writing! So now I’m reluctant to spend the money to replace it after all…
J.L., the speed (or lack thereof) is one of the biggest complaints I’ve seen. That, and the difficulty with making other programs work with it. We have it at work, and some of our programs were suddenly rendered obsolete when we got Vista.
Marilyn, no one can accuse you of being disloyal! And it’s good to know that you’re happy with your Vista machine. I have the updated Office at work, and I have to say that after I got used to it (which only took a few days) I like almost everything about it better than the older Office.