Someone had the nerve to say to me the other day that computers and their relations were now man’s best friend. They claim that all the new electronic equipment allows you to do things that one would never have been able to do before. While that may be a “thought for the day”, it does not ring true. Now this is not going to be a column on how great dogs are. They certainly are. There is nothing better than having a golden retriever or another woofer all excited when you come home.
I also recognize that some dogs will bite you if you are not careful, but there is usually a reason for that – except perhaps with cocker spaniels. When I was in college I worked in reading gas meters in the summertime. The meanest dogs I ran into by a large percentage were cocker spaniels. On the other hand my aunt had two that were exceptionally nice so perhaps disliking gas meter readers is just part of their DNA.
To go back to computers they can get you in many ways. They can easily raise your frustration level without even exerting a mega-byte. If they can’t do it themselves, they can easily get help. As an example, a few months ago, I purchased what I was informed by the salesman was a splendid, wireless printer that would have an immediate understanding with my new computer. He noted that two new technical marvels of their benign nature would work together in gracious and peaceful harmony.
This may true in “Once Upon a Time” land, but this is the real world folks. I followed the complete printer installation directions spelled out in beautiful ancient Greek to no avail. The printer hummed away on its wireless installation road trip only to be ignored by the computer. It was obvious that the computer had no interest in whatever it was that the printer was trying to communicate.
In fact, it was obstinate to the point where I had to bring in a Trojan horse disguised as a USB cable. I did that and the evil computer was forced to print.
However, my plans went awry when The Blonde in the house determined that she would like a laptop. She wanted to be able to sit in a comfortable area, and write of many things. She then wanted to be able to print out her work. A laptop was purchased and while it may be a junior computer, it was no easier with which to deal. Since the printer was not wireless, it would naturally not recognize the laptop. So then I tried to turn the blankedy-blank printer into its true wireless DNA. It ignored my puny efforts so I called in the big guys – the Support Service of the computer manufacturer.
They excluded confidence and said that there would be no problem. Two days later there was indeed a problem. They just didn’t know what it was. So I took another step that probably should have been taken in the beginning – I sent out a distress notice to the neighbors. I got lots of good advice, but one in particular was most helpful. One neighbor had had the same trouble with his printer from the same manufacturer. Being much more advanced in computer technology, he had returned to where he purchased it and exchanged it for another printer. All is now working well in his home.
I now have a new printer that is lurking in a box behind me as I write this. I will try to and see if I can be successful like my knowledgeable neighbor tomorrow when I am fresh and wide-eyed. In the meantime I will use my old one to print out what I am now writing. I hope to wring the last bit of ink out of is dark and treacherous technical soul.
Then, I am going to go and pet somebody’s dog!
Barry Evans writes about Life in The Villages for Villages-News.com
