Twenty years ago Mike predicted I would eventually have a computer that would be the center of my life. I scoffed then because I was pretty sure I would never have a computer all to myself, but today my laptop is the center of my life. It’s my connection to family and friends; the center of my spirituality study; the keeper (and seeker) of information; a cookbook; a sewing pattern file; an embroidery enabler. I could go on and on – most everything I do comes back to my computer. Naturally when my spacebar began to function erratically, I was disturbed. I cleaned to no avail.
Mike took pity on me. “How can you put up with that?” he questioned. He sought info and was told the keyboard was worn out. Yes, in just under three years I had worn out the keyboard. Does that happen? Yes, it does. When I worked as a secretary, management would provide a new keyboard every couple of years. It stands to reason that a laptop keyboard would also wear out. But can a laptop keyboard be replaced? Yes, and Mike ordered the replacement but balked when Staples told him it would be an additional $40.00 to install.
“I’ll do it myself,” said Mike, who hates to pay labor. (We’re told that we should leave repairs to techs, but one money-saving tip is to learn to make your own repairs.)
“If you’re successful,” I told him, “I’ll think you’re wonderful, but if you mess up my computer, you’ll have to get me a new one.” He nodded understandingly.
The guy at Staples was not forthcoming with helpful instructions, and on his first attempt, Mike gave up and said he would take it back to Staples. “I’m just going to ask Milo,” I said. Our son Milo enjoys working on computers as a hobby. His advice was to find an online tutorial and try again. “It should be a 10-minute job,” he said.So yesterday I found the tutorial, and we reviewed it together. Mike gathered his screwdrivers and donned his headlamp. The whole process went pretty much as specified in the tutorial. Start to finish was 20 minutes, but I think we could do it in 10 now.
I opened the laptop and turned it on. I tapped in my password and the computer said "Welcome." I brought up a blank document and tapped in the old standard practice sentence: "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country."
“Good for another 1.5 million strokes,” predicted Mike. I prefer to think of it as about three years.
“Good for another 1.5 million strokes,” predicted Mike. I prefer to think of it as about three years.
It’s so much easier to keyboard now. I hadn’t realized how hard I had to thump on that old keyboard.
Oh – and yes – Mike is just pretty wonderful! KW
I'm sure Dad thoroughly enjoyed a project employing BOTH head lamp and multi-bit screw driver. Glad to hear that typing is restored!
ReplyDeleteMy how hobbies have changed. In today's world, all of our "stuff" is stored in our precious computers. Grandmothers kept recipe boxes, patterns in drawers, and went to the library for information. Just now, my keyboard stopped working. The batteries had to be replaced in my wireless keyboard (have a desktop computer). I buy batteries in bulk!
ReplyDeleteKathy, always copy "important stuff" to a separate hard drive for safety. If the unspeakable happens, you'll still have all of your files. There are some flash drives that hold 32 GB. The downside of a flash drive is that people take them outside the home and often lose them. To remedy that, put your name & phone # on the outside of the case (use a tiny label). Combining the old and the new worlds, Swiss Army knives now have a flash drive included.
Good for Mike. He's a keeper.
OK! A good beginning to the week. docM
ReplyDeleteYay for Mike! And yay for you for finding the information to make it happen!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder if I'm addicted my laptop, but then we go on vacation and I live quite happily without it, so I guess I'm not. :-) I am amazed at how much a part my life it has become. I like how it helps me keep in touch with people, but then I realize all the words are in the computer, not on paper as they were when we actually wrote letters. I do print out some emails and keep them in folders labeled family, friends, etc. But there's no handwriting...
Yes, and I still have stuff in boxes and drawers, which I have begun to inventory on my computer.
ReplyDeleteSome days I should definitely put my computer down and do something else, but I am proud of the fact that I don't play games or chat. It just seems like a useful tool.
I, too, value handwritten letters, recipe cards and such. It's a thoughtful, personal touch. Interesting that several of us are thinking about this. Dr. Molly was just saying the other day that she's going to try to send more "snail mail."
I found the description of Dorothy's button saving quite interesting and probably typical of those who coped with the great depression years. It was touching that she saved Chuck's button box all these years.
ReplyDeleteWow! You two made a good team in fixing the keyboard.