This week, I got a new computer. This is both exciting and frustrating, of course, because nothing is the same. Except that I have amazing desk space. Wish I would have taken before and after pics, but my former computer had this HUMONGUOUS monitor that took up all the room on my desk. Today, I actually sat at my desk and filled out paperwork because of my sleek new flatscreen. Oooooh.
Lookie:
I opted to keep Windows as my operating system without upgrading to Vista because I didn’t want to have to learn anything new. My nephew, age 11, came over today with his laptop and I have to say I nearly regretted my decision after seeing how cool Vista worked. But I have to stick with my choice.
The coolest thing about my new computer?
My husband has his own login, so he can’t futz with my settings anymore. Wahoo!
The most frustrating thing about my computer?
Upgrading from Outlook Express to Outlook. Don’t need bells and whistles, guys, I need to send my email.
Having no idea what this big sub-woofer thing to the right of me does. No clue at all.
Losing a lot of my passwords. Clearly, those didn’t transfer over.
The way the screen reverts to the password stage after 10 seconds of me not writing. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. But it’s not hyperbole for me to say that I have to type in my password about 20 times a day or more. This will be fixed. Soon.
Corel Paintbox for picture editing. Ugh. Double-ugh. I hate it. I was told today that if I deleted it (it’s a trial version) the computer would revert to Microsoft’s program which is easy to use. I’m trying that tomorrow, that’s for sure.
The most long awaited thing I’ve done, thanks to my new computer?
Deleted the over 1800 unanswered/answered emails in my Inbox. To say they’d gotten the best of me is an understatement. So, I deleted. I now have 20 things in my Inbox and those are probably from six people. The illusion that I am caught up is wonderful.
I also bought an external backup system. Much needed (think the missing six pages!) Actually, this wouldn’t have helped in that situation, but it’s good to have anyway.
This was something I put off until I finished my book and now I’m taking notes and organizing my thoughts to start a new one. One of my in between book rituals is to upgrade office equipment or at the very least, clean my office. I’ve been working on that second one, but it’s not going well. I know I have to organize papers…it is, after all, hurricane season.
Since you all are on the blog, I have to assume you’re at least mildly enamored of your computer. But do upgrades or changes fill you with the same balance of excitement and dread they do me?
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Very cool, Julie. We have those thin monitors at work, and I love it. At home I use a laptop, which is also great. I use Windows, and have wavered about upgrading myself, so yeah, the excitement and dread is universal. I also wonder if I should stick with a pc or go Mac.
I love the feeling of getting something new, but the time it takes to figure it all out can be frustrating. I’m not too quick when it comes to that stuff. But hey, I’m thrilled you’re up and running and writing
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Thanks, Stacy! Having a new “toy” in the house is so time-consuming, but exciting, too. You have no idea how long it took me to get the picture in there…the new computer comes with some program call Corel Picture something and can I say…I HATE IT.
Luckily, my daughter has my old computer, so I can figure out what the old program I used was called. Liked that one MUCH better!
Anyone else have a good program for managing pictures? I don’t do much to them except resize and crop a bit. Nothing fancy!
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Julie, So glad you are enjoying your new “work machine”; good luck working out all the kinks. I guess I’m not like most, because, I am not interested in anything new & different from my PC–all I want is that it will not log off until I want it to do so, which it now is doing. I have thought for a long time that I need to leave AOL, but, I so hate new & different, I’ve not yet done it. For me, I just want to log on quickly, have the screens/posts remain as I’ve always had them & stay on. Sometimes wonder if this is too much to ask.
Patricia A.
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I love technology, but I don’t necessarily understand it. Love your new computer….tres sleek! I just want to do my email/go on the internet and any word processing and be done! My husband is the techno geek in the family (okay, so is my seven year old, which frightens me every day). He loves to look at toys on ebay and now has learned how to go onto ebay (he can’t buy anything because he doesn’t have a login or anything). He just types everything he wants in (he is SO smart!). They are teaching him how to use the computer because he can’t write…he was ‘toggling’ on the internet for about two years now. I am so doomed!
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Cool Julie! I haven’t bought a new desktop in a few years–my last two have been laptops. (The 2nd one was to replace the one I dropped the table on last year…sigh.)
Anyway, I am probably due for a new desktop sometime soon. Maybe having one and sitting at a desk to write would actually make me feel more professional and I’d stop blog-surfing and goofing off.
hahahahahahahahahbwwwwaaaahhhhh!
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Leslie, don’t bet on it…it’s certainly not having that effect on me. Well, yes, it is.
I needed the new desktop because I was tired of having to leave my office to write. It was too cluttered. Now, I have more room to spread out. Where I now have the screen, speakers, keyboard was all once monitor! That’s how monstrous the thing was! I did get work done yesterday…with the roofers working and everything, but mostly in long hand. Still, I was IN my office. That’s half the battle!
Patricia, I’m the same as you…I want to turn it on and have it work with very little fuss from me. I use email, internet and Word, of course, but I do have to have the ability to do some photo editing and stuff in Publisher and Excel for business. Otherwise, I have simple needs. Which is why I hate Corel Photo…much too complicated. It’s like Photoshop. I don’t need that. I just need something to size down my pictures and maybe crop them a little.
katie, it’s great that your son is learning now. I just bought my daughter a new keyboard for her “new” computer (my old one) and a fun typing-game program. I want her to work on it this summer so she isn’t hunting and pecking so much on her school projects (which causes me to take over because I have no patience and we do not have four hours for homework…and yes, they type projects in the 3rd #%$! grade.)
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I go through the same thing. Love something new, don’t love trying to figure it out. I had to get a new iPod and I’m still in that learning curve. I’m waiting for my oldest to come over this weekend and fix it so I can use it with my laptop because right now it won’t recognize it.
Our desktop has the seperate login screen for each user and I love that! I have Vista on my laptop and I don’t really see that much difference. In fact, the biggest thing I’ve found is that some of the software I have on my PC, like Dragon Speakeasy – where I can speak and it types – won’t work with Vista. So I wouldn’t fret too much over not going with it.
As for picture software, I use whatever came with the camera and scanner. I think its Photo Impression or something like that. I do have Corel on my laptop, and it’s one of the programs we used at the advertising agency, but I don’t know anything about it. So I’m like you, I’ll be going to the old standby when the subscription runs out.
Have fun playing around with it and figuring it out. I guess I’m mowing again today.
This is one of those times I have to remind myself how worth it it is and use it as a plotting session. Have a great day, everyone!
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Oh, one more thing. I think if you change the time setting for your screen saver you won’t have to log on as often. If I’m going back and forth to the computer a lot through out the day, I’ll set it for 30 minutes and that keeps me from doing the logon thing constantly.
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Julie: He is starting to use a computer because he can’t write (one of his goals is to use the computer). He LOVES computers….part of his autism, he is just so darn good at it. They are going to make him proficient in typing so he can type his papers, instead of writing them (because he just can’t write for some reason). It’s so good that they are starting kids out early these days.
My favorite stories are when he was 3 and at preschool, they had one of these big mouses and the other kids couldn’t manipulate it (not even the 4 year olds), so the paras would help the kids. He would pick up her hand and move it and use the regular mouse. Kinda freaked them out.
In kindergarten, his teacher let him go on a learning website (he had done his work) and started ‘toggling’ around on things like DEVRY UNIVERSITY and she asked me if he did it at home and I said “Yeah, you just HAVE to watch him, though!”. They watch him more carefully, now! He doesn’t go anywhere bad, but you never know! Now, he loves looking at toys on ebay!
Sorry, I got off topic! Have a great day, everyone! Hopefully, it is sunny where you are. We had a TON of heavy hail yesterday! It looked like Christmas!
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Julie, isn’t it amazing how much more room you have now!
My new PC is suppose to arrive on the 21st. I love to figure out new things so I’m excited! Although, I must admit I am a bit worried about transferring all of my files and settings. Working on photos that are usually over a century old I use very complicated photo programs, so I am of no help to you there.
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I have a flat screen at work and love it. At home it’s the laptop and also love that. We thought about upgrading to Vista but decided to wait a bit more just to make sure all the bugs are worked out.
Since I’m right here with you in the hurricane season I’ve decided I’ve got to get the back up. I currently back my work up in the form of email or flash drive but I’d like to have the protector for my computer as well.
Katie I love hearing about your son and I think it’s so cool that he enjoys using the computer.
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I just got a new desktop last year for home and love the flat screen. It seems like as Corel “upgrades” their programs they get worse. Kodak has a good picture site. I am saving to get a laptop right now. I want to be able to surf the web from my couch instead of always heading to my office/guest room. Still deciding between mac and dell right now. Have fun on the new work toy.
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Sorry I took over the postings today:hide: and that I was off topic:hide:!
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julie, right click on the desk top, go to properities, click on the tab that says screen saver, then change the minute option to reflect how long you want the screen to stay open and idle before switching to the screensaver.
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KATIE it is fun to chit chat as well as blog the topic.
:love: I enjoy hearing things people have to say.
JULIE Your desk top looks wonderful.
I have a new laptop but haven’t had a new desk top in a long time.
This works better for me with the aircard for internet
I can go anywhere.:dog:
I hope having a new computer inspires you.:lightbulb:
LESLIE: How’s the books coming? Page count?:coffee:
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I love my desktop it’s about 3 years old now and was giving me trouble but we upgraded memory and it’s good as new:cooldance:
We just bought a laptop for my daughter, which she loves…me not so much, I can’t get used to how sensitive it is and I hate the mouse, and she has Vista which honestly, I wasn’t impressed I just don’t see a big difference.
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That sub-woofer is for when you play music on your computer. My cats seem to think it’s their personal perch… at least until I turn on something that has a deep bass to it!
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Congratulations on the new computer, Julie!
I’m sure after a few days you will love it! I would love to get one of the flat screens & get rid of the moniter I have but for now everything is working well & that is the main thing!
Katie, it is great that your son can use the computer. These young people of today amaze me with their computer abilities! My two youngest grandchildren, now 11 & 8, started on the computer when they were about 1 1/2 yrs. or 2 yrs. old! My youngest grandson learned how to use a mouse before I did!!! :wink: That made me real determined to master it! I was in a job that didn’t require me to use a computer & I was way behind on using one.
On a more sober note! Plotmonkeys I hope you don’t mind me throwing this in here. This month is a tribute month to breast cancer survivors. Please go to: http://www.thebreastcancersite.com & click every day to fund mammograms for women that can’t afford them. They are trying for 6 million clicks this month. Thanks for your clicks! I do this everyday all year, it is free & takes such a small amount of time.
Everyone have a great day.
Donna M
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Jeannie: I was afraid to ask Leslie about the word count. Glad you did :) Hopefully, canollis and a door are motivation!
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Hardware upgrades are okay, usually good, unless they render all of my saved docs useless because that storage format is no longer widely used. (Think floppy disks. Hard to find a new computer with a floppy drive these days.)
It’s the new operating systems that I hate (and I work in IT!)
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CONGRATULIONS ON YOUR NEW COMPUTER. I HAVE A LAPTOP AND LOVE IT–NO ROOM FOR A REGULAR DESK TOP ON MY TABLE WHERE
I PUT IT TO EMAIL, CHECK PLOTMONKEYS, OUR LOCAL LIBRARY,
OUR CLASSY LADIES CLUB, ETC.
WHEN I HELPED AT THE LOCAL LIVE THEATRE IN THE BOX OFFICE
I COULDN’T GET THE HANG OF USING THE MOUSE. COURSE NOW I
CANT GET OUT TO GO ANYWHERE.
ALICE IN TEXAS
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I am going to try sharing 2 stories and hope you get something out of
them. (like 1 be smarter than me and 2 a great chuckle):happy2:
Last Saturday I was at work (stores at the top of the hill) and it was
starting to rain. I hurried out to shut my car windows:violin:
(wrong wrong wrong don’t do it):hide: You are guessing huh?
I had one knee on the car seat (probably saved my life)
when you hold a balloon after rubbing it on the rug.
No, not the walk toward the light,:lightbulb:.
More the run now:lightbulb:
The young employees were screaming at me to come in.
Yes I survived! five feet from where I stood
the pavement is now marked by the Lightening strike.:thankyou:
2) I have been making fudge lately as I have written.
Well Maple fudge is the hardest to make.:violin:
I have not been having much luck.:wallbash:
The first was like taffy and you never knew when someone
had a taste cause the space filled back in with
more of the tasty blob. Yesterday I promised the staff I would try
again (they usually love my choc & peanut butter)
:happy2:Hey Katie you thought you could blog. :happy2:
I got home at 10:30PM and proceeded to try a
Canadian old fashion cookbook recipe.
Going well and finally cooled to stirring temperature at about 1:00 AM,
My sweetie by my side. Within a few minutes we were in tears of laughter
and in need of a bathroom run . I said, “Gee honey these Canadian
women must be really strong” (Holy Cow) I couldn’t move the spoon
hardly at all. Honey took over and now we are rolling in laughter.
We managed to transfer most to a pan that we have decided was
really a recipe for maple sugar candy usually in leaf forms.
Hubby says it tastes delicious and if I would allow someone
other than him to see it they might agree.
Just thought I’d give you a smile. Hugs Katie…
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LOL…Jeannie……you are a Goddess and can blog more than me!
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Congrats on the ne computer Julie.
I don’t know if someone all ready said this but if ou right click on your desktop screen, click properties, then the screen saver tab it should give you the option to chang your settings.
My husband is a geek(I say this with love) and sets up all the computer needs in the house.
Hugs, Danette
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Thanks to everyone who told me how to change my screensaver! It worked perfectly! Yeah!
Jeannie!!! Oh…I’m so glad you were okay! I’m certain being in contact with the car (seat, not metal) saved your life. Holy cannoli…hey, I don’t think I can say that anymore around here. Dang it, Les.
I’m so glad you’re okay!
I tried to make fudge once…once.
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Julie,
And I was just thinking of trying to make my own canolli.
Could be an interesting evening in the kitchen.
Don’t you think?
I start a 7 day vacation tomorrow. WoooWho!:cheer:
Been on 12 hour days so long I am having trouble
remembering my own name.:violin:
I am going to read and make hubby more fudge and and ???:devil:
Katie it’s all about enjoying life!
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I’m a techie. I don’t know how or why or when it happened … well maybe I do. It started with the Apple iPod … and grew when my daughter bought an Apple laptop … and then I purchased my own and I was hooked. I LOVE new computers but I’m partial to laptops now. I have a Macbook pro as long time plotmonkey readers know, and I am going to be first online to beat up someone to get the Apple iPhone.
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I love technology, I just like the whole ‘get me from A to Z” in short easy steps. I got a new phone in February and being the ‘intuitive one’ (I am a Mac person with a pc computer) I ran up a $70 phone bill just pressing buttons to see all of the features! Hubby had to put a ‘lock’ on it, like you do little kids, so all I can do is call someone!
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That comp is just HOT. And I’m still wary of Vista, despite its cool new look. It still has so many bugs…
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Congrats on the new computer and spacious work space!
I haven’t tired vista yet – but I love my lap top and ipod – would be lost with out it. Though some days, I’m not always a big fan of the jump drive. Of couse, the issues involve user error :wallbash:
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Jeannie–YOWZA! I am so glad you’re okay–talk about a close call!!!
And oy, I feel your pain on the fudge. I was making it once and it turned out the consistency of a Tootsie Roll. I’m convinced that’s how those things were invented…somebody started out making fudge!!
PS: Did 17 pages today, but I had to do some trimming on an earlier story because I’m running out of room! I always do this to myself…
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:thumbsup2: Great job Leslie:cheer:
Holy Canolli Jeanie!! :doh:(Sorry I couldn’t help myself:lol:) I think I would have wet myself:oops: Have fun on your vacation you’ve earned it!!
Carly, I have thought about a MAC but honestly I’m afraid that it would be too overwhelming…I know what I know which is just enough to allow me to surf the internet, type reports, save pictures, and that’s about it.
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I just today received my new external hard drive to back up my files!!! :thumbsup2: Took a while to figure out how to convert from FAT32 to NTFS, but once I figured it out – soooo cool. It is amazing that I have 98% of 500GB left after backing up all my necessary files. Now I plan to migrate stuff I really don’t care about being on my main drive.
It’s amazing how much room all my music and photos took.
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Well, how the hell did I miss out on yesterday, even after I got home?? Blame the Playground girls, I guess.
We use Photoshop. It’s easy. But then I have been using it since who knows when.
As for the external HD- turn it off and unplug it when you are not using it. it saves the motor in it and also, if there is a computer crash, it won’t be affected. I think we have 4 of the things. The drive in our desktop just went- it was defective, not a virus- and we managed to save everything that was on it. I keep my iTunes and photos on a seperate one. Makes life easier.
We each have our own and plug them in. We also use flash drives so we can move from puter to puter (we have 4 and someone just gave daughter a mac of some kind. Now we have to find programming for it.)