How involved are you with technology?

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
For the longest time I just simply couldn't wrap my wits around the way technology was moving at such lightning speed. I was stuck in the days of VCR's and corded landline phones, a remote for each device rather than a universal (and it didn't really matter because I hardly knew how to work the thing anyway,) and a microwave that had little more than an on, off and power level button. Somehow, as I was so totally focused on raising my children, technology not only passed me by, but took leaps and bounds ahead of me and left me in the dust.

A few years back, when I still had two kids living at home and between the two of them they were doing everything technology-related FOR me, it occurred to me that I was going to be completely helpless once my own personal "geek squad" moved out. Who would program my remote? Who would hook up my printer to my computer? Who would figure out why my phone would freeze up? Who would get the DVD player to work? And on and on. At the same time, I was starting to look into various programs, applications, etc., that would help keep my brain engaged. Both parents had suffered from dementia and I wanted to do everything I could to avoid that for myself, and my doctor had suggested a variety of things to help with that..doing crosswords or sudoku, engaging in computer/phone apps like Luminosity, buying and working the various brain games type magazines.

I tried. I did. I just couldn't get into that stuff. It was work, and if it felt like work then I knew I wouldn't keep it up. So, after surveying everything out there that I could do to keep my brain engaged and busy, I decided to dive head first into technology!!! Scary, but hey...it was the future, and I was tired of having to WAIT for my kids to help me with the stuff any time there was a glitch in anything!

Thankfully I have very patient kids!! They helped me endlessly, answered what had to be really stupid and ignorant questions patiently, and told me the same things over and over again until it finally sunk in! I still remember the joy with which I announced to them (after a move) that not only had I figured out how to hook my computer up, AND hook the printer to it (before bluetooth printers were as common as they are now) but I had ALSO figure out how to get my DVD player to work with my TV, AND programmed the remote ALL BY MYSELF!!!! Doesn't sound like much right now, but MAN was I pleased with myself, given where I'd started out...I could barely figure out how to turn on the damn TV!!

I've worked really hard over the years to keep abreast of technology. I will never be as savvy as my kids, who just grew up with this stuff and somehow managed to absorb it effortlessly, but I've gone from being computer/technology illiterate to being the go-to person for all my friends and my clients about how to deal with this or that computer/phone/internet/etc problem. I've learned how to do some basic programming and have created my own spreadsheets to track my financial information because the templates that were available just weren't working for me. I've customized spreadsheets for clients to create everything from master contact lists to ways to keep track of their digital images. I created a website for the dance studio that I dance at and am the webmaster for it. I created a private forum for friends and am the Admin and Moderator for it. I use an iPhone for everything....my calendar, grocery list, to do lists, calorie counting, exercise, health, notes, images, keep track of Facebook, instagram, snap chat etc., to name a few...it's actually funny, I use my phone less to make calls and send texts that I do for everything else!!!

My technology is portable and collaborative. I can access whatever I need to access from either my laptop or my phone or my tablet, which are all synched so everything on every device stays current.

Learning this stuff, just getting to this point, has strained my brain lol! But it's been worth it. I feel more in control of my life as a result of learning, I am of more value to my clients and have increased the range of services I can offer as part of my job description, and best of all my brain is fully engaged and functioning at a level that is challenging and rewarding. Far better than Luminosity for sure!! :D
 

Ronnie....my story is almost identical to yours. I got started about 5 years ago,and it all started with an iPod my daughter gave me. From there, a iPad, then laptop, iPhone and now the 12.9 inch iPad. Love them all. We do just about everything that can be done on these.
 
My daughter recently got me involved in Words With Friends, a scrabble-type game you can play with one or more people on your smart phone. Very enjoyable time waster!
 

I've been using the internet at home for over 20 years, but I first started working with computers when I left school, and they were the size of a small room...

.... When I first started with a home computer my daughter..like yours Ronni.. was completely au fait with technology, so I asked her, and her then boyfriend to help me ( he was in IT)... neither of them helped much at all they simply didn't have the patience, so I taught myself all the basics.. and learned from people on forums.

Then along came my now husband a couple of years later and he is super Technologically minded.. so I learned everything I know from him..( except any internet stuff because he really wasn't into that, and I've taught him that) .. However , because he does everything for me with regard my computer, my iphone, ipad, and kindle updates and so much other stuff, I tend to just let him do it and haven't really paid much attention to what he's doing ..so I couldn't possibly call myself techi in any way really..
 
I'm not that far from where you started Ronni, got my first desktop computer in 2000 and just used it for basic things like I do now. Don't have a laptop, smartphone, etc....really won't buy one unless I find I need one. I'm kind of a technophobe, didn't have any kids or geeks around to help me with anything, so I just take baby steps and learn on my own what I need to. My husband's not a geek either, but he's good with electronics and understands much more than I do.
 
Good for you, Ronni. I admire your effort and success. My wife is like you were. She has learned to do e-mail, browse the web, and control the cable box. But, she sometimes gets confused has to ask for help, which I am happy to give. She expects the device to know what she wants, and they are not quite that smart yet.

I have always been involved with technology. It's how I made a living. The smart phones are amazing, but for me, I don't personally see a need for one. It seems they can be addicting. We do carry flip phones for emergencies though. There aren't many pay phones around now.

I feel very lucky to have come along at the right time to witness the advances in technology I've seen. From vacuum tubes, transistors, the first integrated circuits and microelectronics, home computers, and the internet, it's mind boggling. I sometimes imagine myself showing up at my first electronics class with a smart phone. They probably would have burned me as a witch. :D

Don
 
I'm not as 'tech savy' as others are,don't have any other 'toys'. I never owned a computer until 7 yrs ago,in beginning really didn't know how to 'surf the web' or how to use it. Thanks to our church graphic designer,Lenore,she has taught me so many computer skills.
When I was at work,I shared a computer with a co-worker,she used it for her personal business,which was a 'no,no'. I only use it to ck the dept emails,do a yearly online test required by the hospital Sue
 
I do okay, figure things out quick enough to do what I need to get accomplished and have helped others when they needed help. Not as savy as the kids, but, I don't need my phone to cook my dinner, so I'm good. :D If it could lift me out of bed in the morning, I wouldn't be mad at it.
 
Wow!
All of you have made great strides. I'm afraid I'm still old school. I can find my way around on the computer to some degree. I can fix and print out photos,recipes,and coupons.I don't have a smart phone but did get a Tracfone for emergencies. The hubby does pretty good with the TV remote. I did manage to get my new Kindle hooked up and got my library site on there.

I still depend on my kids to fix my problems and my daughter has my computer hooked up so she can take it over on hers when I have issues.

I still will not do any personal banking on the computer and try to stay clear of putting my personal info online. This is getting harder to do as time goes on. I do use Amazon and order from some stores now and then. Sooner or later I'm going to have to get with the program I guess. But I won't be happy about it.
 
Now that I'm retired, I love my iPad. I used to use a laptop for work but find that I can do just about anything I want on an iPad. Plus it is easy to take on trips. Now I just need to figure out social media to keep up with my kids.
 
got updated mobile had it a year still learning lol... laptop I got it sussed until a new thing pops up 'struggle 'but get there …………..
 
I started with computer with windows 3.1. Tried to keep up but it goes so fast. There is so much more than a home computer now. Smart phones, tablets, and TVs. I know enough to muddle through but Ronni you are way better! Kudos!��
 
Way back in the 60's we had a maths teacher who was very interested in the relatively new science of computing. Along with the normal curriculum, he taught us the rudiments of computer programming, logic and numerical analysis. Schools didn't have computers, so it was off to the college of Technology to load our programs (on paper tape) into a large Elliott computer with 32k of 'core'.

At Uni, I studied engineering which I discovered was more about maths and computing, and some years later I ended up working for 'Big Blue' as a large mainframe engineer. From this I progressed to software and systems design before early retirement in my mid 50's - so 30+ years in IT.

Now, I've largely turned my back on technology. Sure, I've got a laptop and if I took the notion I could probably knock up a program in C or Python, but I rarely do. I try to avoid Windows and Microsoft in general, using Linux instead. I don't need a 'smart' phone, or some voice activated box to save me the effort of getting off my backside to switch off a light. I distrust technology in cars - if I can't fix it or replace it myself with a wrench and a screwdriver, it's too complicated.

I'm not exactly a Luddite - I just don't feel the need for technology for technology's sake. If I can get away without it, I will. I prefer to spend my pension on the theatre or holidays (and nice things to eat and drink).
 
Great thread Ronni, well done and well done everybody
who has tried for ages and conquered computing.

Practice makes perfect.

Practice as much as you can, it is the only way without
going to a class somewhere to learn.

Computer games were designed to practice dexterity.

You cannot do harm, if you think that you have done
something wrong, just click on cancel and anything that
you have done will disappear, the backspace button is
another good one when learning as is the escape (esc)
button, all good friends.

Be wary of the enter button.

Good luck with learning.

Mike.
 
Of course everyone's experience is different, and we're each loyal to our own stuff or we wouldn't OWN the stuff ;) but after spending some years helping clients get a toe in the water regarding technology, I have to say that Mac products are far more intuitive, and far less virus-y, than their counterparts. The OS and iOS of Apple products are much easier to learn than their Android counterparts, from the experience I've had.

I've had 2 clients that I can immediately remember (and there may be at least one more) give up on technology because it was "too hard" to learn. Introducing them to MAC products (an iPhone or a MacBook for example) and they were so much more able to handle the learning curve.

At this point, though I know how to make my way around both platforms, I am much more comfortable and familiar with Mac, so as much as possible I try and steer those clients who are interested towards iPhones and MacBooks. In most cases, they aren't opinionated, they just want to learn, and the higher price point of Mac products doesn't faze them at all. They're used to throwing money around. ;) So, win/win!!!
 
I'll freely admit that I'm not very techie and it doesn't take much to throw me for a loop.

Way back in the early 90's when I first got a computer and before I went to the wheel type things started getting sluggish and jerky when using my mouse so I called AOL Tech Support and explained the problem and the guy answers back, "have you tried cleaning your mouse's ball ?"......and I'm like, "Say What ???, "I ain't got no mouse and even if I did I damn sure wouldn't be cleaning his balls".

I felt dumber than a banjo string when he explained what he meant. :)

Balls.jpg
 
Those mice balls did get dirty. :D

The optical mice can get sluggish too. The distance from the sensor to surface is critical. When mine acts up I clean the little pads it rides on and it's back to normal.

Don
 
I’m still committed to a rather compact PC (love the keyboard)
My lady uses a chrome book

We sprung for the iphone when we moved to the off grid cabin
That was 3 ½ years ago
I cannot, for the life of me, poke those wee tiny keys with these thumb like fingers, without hitting a couple more at the same time.

So

It’s…a phone

with speed dial
 
Gary O' said:
We sprung for the iphone when we moved to the off grid cabin
That was 3 ½ years ago
I cannot, for the life of me, poke those wee tiny keys with these thumb like fingers, without hitting a couple more at the same time.

So

It’s…a phone

with speed dial
Click to expand...

:lol: I had that same problem with the earlier iPhones. Didn't stop me from using them, but it was very frustrating. What model do you have? The iPhone 6 and 7 each have a plus model (it's what I use) with a considerably bigger screen. It's not just my rheumy fingers that have had trouble, it's also my eyesight, which is getting worse every year. RX keeps changing. So the bigger screen solves that for me too.

Also, whichever model you use, you can change the size of the typeface, so that everything is bigger.

There's also a zoom feature on iPhones which is like using a magnifying glass on anything that you're reading.

I won't go into detail unless you're interested, but just so you know, there are some work-arounds. ;)
 
Ronni said:
:lol: I had that same problem with the earlier iPhones. Didn't stop me from using them, but it was very frustrating. What model do you have? The iPhone 6 and 7 each have a plus model (it's what I use) with a considerably bigger screen. It's not just my rheumy fingers that have had trouble, it's also my eyesight, which is getting worse every year. RX keeps changing. So the bigger screen solves that for me too.

Also, whichever model you use, you can change the size of the typeface, so that everything is bigger.

There's also a zoom feature on iPhones which is like using a magnifying glass on anything that you're reading.

I won't go into detail unless you're interested, but just so you know, there are some work-arounds. ;)
Click to expand...

It's a 7 (pretty sure)
Great info
I'll tell my lady
She's the one taking dictation (heh heh)
 
Gary, here's a visual representation between the 6 and 7 and their plus counterparts. There's considerable difference.

2016-iphones-36.jpg
 
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