Tag: computers

Habits

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

I’ve always prided myself in being able to adapt and change as needed. With the new website there are certainly a lot of things I like better but in my head I’m lamenting some of the things I could do on the old blog or website.

Now in reality the new site is wonderful. There are definitely more good things than bad but at the same time, I’m missing some features. In my head I’m grumbling about it and then stop myself as I realize I sound like those people who grumble about making changes.

I’m flexible – I swear this is true. I like trying new things, exploring new options. But this change has been a little difficult. I’m pretty sure my blog I had for around eight to ten years but still when I was using it, I grumbled about things I couldn’t do – these things I can now do with my new blog / website.

I’m not sure if it’s the length of time I had the blog or how busy I’ve been or the fact that I’m getting older but part of me is being a bit grumpy. It might be because I’m also dealing with a new to me computer. I loved my old computer and the new one is taking a bit to get used to. Doesn’t matter really. All of this leads to me telling myself about the things I really love about the new web site – like that everything is in one place and it has become one stop shopping for me. If I have a new publication I come here where I can post it as being available and where as well as writing a blog post about it. It’s all in one spot.

Posting pictures is easier in a lot of ways. Not only do I have a easy access for posting them but I have a place where all the pictures I’ve used are stored. This means if I’ve already used in – I don’t have to go looking for it again, I can simply look in the catalog of already used pictures.

These and a whole lot more features are the reason I changed over to the new website. I am going to keep reminding myself that for the next month or so things may be annoying with me having to figure out how to do stuff but really there’s more good than annoying. I guess even I can be a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to change. However, the curmudgeon in me is going to get a smack because I like the new site and I like the convenience more than I dislike features I can no longer do. Basically the good far far outweighs the bad.

New Technology

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing
Jellyfish at the Atlanta Aquarium

This week has flown by. With classes not started yet at work, I was hoping for quiet but I was busy.

On the writing front, I’ve been so busy working on my new website. Yes the old one is going away soon. I’ve been learning a lot about the new features I have available and some I won’t have. Mostly I like more of the new than not. I do wish I could have slide shows. However, I know this site will combine my blog and my website so it’s all in one place. This will hopefully make me more efficient.

I’ve got book tours I host almost daily. These are authors who have books they are promoting but they are also doing a giveaway so please go look and maybe comment on them so you can get free stuff like Amazon gift cards and so on.

I’ve also got author and editor interviews. I invite authors and editors to answer ten questions so we can get to know them better. I’ve met some interesting authors and editors. I’ve added to my to read pile (which is threatening to topple over and crush me).

What I’m working on now is a lot of behind the scenes stuff. I’m going to update my short story covers as I hate the original ones. I’m also editing Wild Magic 2 and looking for a name. I’m pretty sure I can’t name it just Wild Magic 2. I’ve got a short story I’m editing in spits and spurts. I’ve also been writing a tiny bit here and there. The sad thing is I have two stories in my head which keep pushing at me but I don’t have time right now to work on them.

I’ll be at the Whitewater Public Library on January 19! I’ll have my books, some crocheting and my niece has made some jewelry and she will be with me. As normal, I’m a little nervous about the public appearance thing. I’d still love to see anyone who wants to stop and chat.

This weekend I’m working on mom’s photos I hope. I’ve got two more behind the scenes writing things to do and then I’ll try to tackle the million pictures my mom took. I’ve got a new scanner so first I’ll have to figure out my new tech. Oh and my nephew came out to help me set up a new to me computer. New tech there I’m working on learning. I do have to say it’s faster than my old computer which I think was about fifteen years old. It worked really well until recently and then I got the blue screen of death. I’m still getting used to the new computer so there may be cursing and grumbling going on. This doesn’t mean I don’t like the computer but it means I’m not used to it yet. Wish me luck – hopefully I can figure out both without my head exploding.

Cords

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Sitting in the recliner writing, I had my phone near me charging, a heating pad on my foot, and my netbook charging.  I was surrounded by cords.  I told my daughter that I had to be careful or I was going to get tangled in my cords and die.

Our technology runs us.  I wouldn’t give up my computer or some of the other technology I have for anything.  I enjoy being able to work on the computer and look up something in an instant instead of having to go to the library, find the information in the reference books, copy it down or read through it there. 

At the same time, technology has made us all instant people.  Everything is right at our fingertips and accessible so quickly that when we have to wait – like in the drive thru – we get impatient and it becomes a HUGE deal that we had to wait two minutes for fries…

Would you rather have it right and take longer or would you rather have it wrong and there in an instant?  I’d rather have it right. 

I sat in the recliner all day working on a story.  Periodically I had to plug in and unplug multiple devices.  It kept me occupied and busy.  I cannot imgaine having to write all of what I did out and then type it up (on the computer or on a typewriter).  Okay I can because that is what I used to do but it adds a step and time.  By having my technology, I was able to finish a story, research topics for that story, talk to my kids, and keep a heating pad on my foot.  It made the day stuck in the recliner more bearable. 

Return from Vacation

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

While I had guest bloggers covering two weeks ago, I was on vacation and getting a ton of homework and other things done.  I enjoyed my very productive week off work. 

I haven’t enjoyed my return from vacation.  It was the week from hell at work.  There were miscommunications, registration issues, problems and more problems.  I’m used to that, I try to just go with it but for some reason this last week I just wanted to throw something against the wall. 

Perhaps my wonderful vacation took me too far out of work mode and I just got out of the habit of dealing with all the issues.  Nope I just think it was a crummy week.  It wasn’t like there were big things – just a lot of little ones.  One of which was the fact that for three of the five days my computer had to be worked on.  They upgraded my system from XP to Windows 7.  I like the new system but for some reason they couldn’t get my second monitor to work.  Finally on Wednesday, I had two IT guys in my office attempting to get it to work.  Since it worked Thursday and Friday I’m hoping that it is fixed.  I’m not holding my breath though. 

This weekend I spent working on homework and managing life.  I paid bills, worked on gifts for people, homework – did I mention that already? – and a bunch of other things.  I feel like I’m glued to my computer and in my head.  That is probably the problem – I’m too much in my head thinking about things.

Oh and my crappy luck wasn’t any better at home.  I took Vicki to the grocery store and sat in the van reading homework waiting on her.  I had the radio on with the key turned to the battery position.  Thirty minutes into it my radio stops working and I think damn now what’s wrong?  I try to start the van – it gives the lovely clicking that I dreaded hearing.  Now I’m parked in on two sides and have the cart return on the other side.  I’m thinking how the hell is Ken going to jump my van if I’m parked in.  I call him and he is annoyed with me.  I say the van should be able to handle the radio for thirty minutes.  Fortunately right before he gets there the guy in front of me pulls out and Ken pulls in.  He hooks up the battery cables, turns on his engine, and tells me to try it.  The engine popped right off.  I left it running the rest of the time I was waiting.  I hope this isn’t a sign of how the coming week will be.

No Electronics

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I just read a news article about a woman who turned off her and her children’s electronic for six months.  She felt their lives were too dependent on all of the electronic devices in their lives.  So she took away ipods, cell phones, computers, video games, television, etc.  One daughter disliked it so much she moved in with her dad for part of the time.  The mom did allow the kids to use the items away from the house but her house was a no electronics zone. 
I could give up the tv and probably the cell phone (though I don’t have a house phone), video games without a problem.  I could not give up my computer without huge issues.  I know that when I get together with one of my daughters her cell phone is like an extension to her arm.  It is always on and within reach for easy access.  This is fine most of the time but there are times that I just want her undivided attention and don’t’ get it.
The ironic thing is my other daughters have done they – hey we are eating dinner here – when the cell phone rings for me or my husband.  They seem to have the same aversion to it as I do but don’t see it in themselves when they do it. 
How long could you go without your cell phone or other electronic devices?