WAITING GAME
Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018
Finding a solution to any problem is like a throwback to school days, to math class – or chemistry where calculations are required. Sometimes fudging the work, or working backward from the results to get the right formula …
Finding solutions to human-relations-problems is another matter. I’m probably better at math. More about that later. For now, I’m consumed with a technology replacement issue. Nothing catastrophic, but the symptoms exhibited by my 9 yr. old laptop have prompted some serious ‘nearly math’ calculations. This single problem: buy a new laptop … is not so simple. A new laptop means new software, which is mostly simple because you can get the machine pre-loaded with what you need. What I also need, what drives so much of my work/life is my database. I use a contact management software called ACT. I’ve been using it 25 yrs. so I’m ‘a bit attached’ and changing to something different isn’t in the cards. However, the last upgrade I did on ACT was in 2011. That version isn’t compatible with the specs on a new laptop … and all the software on the new laptop will be out of sync with my desktop terminal so I’ll be working on different versions of word, excel, adobe … depending whether I’m faced east or north. Get the picture. So, thoughts of moving that desktop to another room … just for writing (yes, I really do want to finish my novel!) seems like a good idea. While I’m at it, my land-line desk phone is hopelessly old and dusty too. Might replace it as well. And my iPhone 5 is nearly 5 yrs. old. I checked the Telus store for an upgrade – seemed my economics were about the same whether I got iPhone 6, 6s, 7 or 8. But I don’t want to be without ‘my trusty plug in headphones’, and so it goes with a world of so many choices. I got the 6s.
Before that inevitable call to Dell there were visits to Staples (don’t they realize you need staff on the floor to sell things), Microsoft and Apple stores – then the call to my trusty (he doesn’t mind if I call him a geek) friend, “Warren, help …”. A few conversations and few days later, learning that the latest best drives are solid state rather than whirring pieces of metal that can whine/scream (as my laptop is screaming still) or as when my previous desktop failed (that’s when I really learned the heartburn of not running back-up regularly).
Then the quotes from Dell. The conversation with Warren. Tweaking the spec, order placed, waiting. The first two boxes arrived – docking station for the new laptop and the new desktop, but the new laptop, that most important piece of my ‘replace it all strategy’ and most urgent need – well, I’m still waiting. Word is it is made. Well, I’m not certain of that. I’ve been told it is – its shipping label has been produced but without confirmation of when it would be shipped or actually arrive.
Yes, I ran back-up to my external drive the other day for both computers so I’m ‘sort of safe’ for now, fingers crossed.
An email arrived on Monday advising that ‘it’s on its way’ … tic toc
Reader feedback:
TIC TOC
Good for you. Busy and productive. Busy can just be time consumption. Being productive. That is key. Nice to see – a series of showings, offers, condition removals and closings, RT, Vancouver, BC
