Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I've Been AWOL

I haven't been around for a while. Several weeks back my laptop died. Well, it didn't actually die but it did become very ill. Something went wacky with the LCD screen. When I booted the computer the screen came on but the image of my desktop was divided into quarters and there were four tiny desktops where there should've only been one. Everything else worked fine but since I already need to wear reading glasses when I'm on the computer seeing the image at one fourth the size just wasn't going to happen. I researched the problem and and as near as I can tell it needs to have the LCD screen replaced. The good news is that it's something I can do myself, the bad news is that I need to pick up a new LCD screen.

I explained this to my wife and her reaction was...why don't we just get you a new computer? How do I love her? Let me count the ways. So about a week ago the computer stork dropped a box off at my house with a shiny new Dell Inspiron 1525.

 

dellinspiron1525i It even has racing stripes. Cool huh? Maybe it'll help me type faster.

 

I'll eventually fix the old one, clean off the disk and pass it on to my daughter who is a senior in high school. It'll at least get her started with college. As you might expect I've been spending time trying to transfer my old files and programs over to my new computer. This unfortunately involves connecting my old laptop to an external monitor so I can see what the hell I'm copying and moving. The process is further complicated by the fact that the new computer has Windows Vista. Contrary to what I'd heard it doesn't seem to be terrible. It's similar enough to XP that I can find my way around but different enough that I have to be careful where I step. So far I actually think I like it but I'll reserve the right to bitch about it the moment something major happens.

This is actually a test post on my blog. I downloaded Windows Live Mail to use as my email program and in the Windows Live family of free downloads they also have this nifty blogging program called Windows Live Writer. I thought I'd give it a try. It seems to give me a bit more flexibility than Blogger but the true test will be when I publish and actually see how the two talk to each other. I guess you'll find out how it works when I do.

There certainly has been a lot of crazy shit going on with the election and the economy, etc and it's not that I haven't had anything to say but more like I haven't known where to start. Or where to stop. I'll be back with more substantial posts but for now I'm playing with my new toy.

8 comments:

Kitty said...

Good to see you again Bruce! I have the Dell 1521 - the older brother of the 1525. I love it. I too heard horror stories of Vista, but - touch wood - haven't had a single problem with it. I think most software companies have updated their drivers now.

Looking forward to reading all the shiny new posts on your shiny new toy.

x

Hungry Mother said...

Windows Vista truly sucks, but you might have a magic combination of hardware and software that won't suck too badly.

Malach the Merciless said...

New stuff rocks, and DAME YOU MICROSOFT

mslizalou said...

I got a new laptop earlier this year when you could still get XP standard. My brother loves Vista, but I had heard way too many bad things about it at the time to switch. Now I wish I had gone on and upgraded.

Vicki said...

Welcome back, you've been missed. Sorry about the laptop, but cool to get a new one. I haven't made the leap to Vista yet. Still hearing good and bad about it.

Malicious Intent said...

Well there you are. Have a party for me then run out of town...that is not what a good host does. You could have at least left me with a 5th of Jack before you took off.
I have been down...like really down. Had a great birthday then all hell broke lose, again. You have some major reading and catching up to do young man! Hope they are still not shipping your ass out west still.

Namaste.

Malicious Intent said...

For all the Palin lovers out there....
http://www.palinaspresident.us/

Pass it on!

Malicious Intent said...

So you blog about being AWOL, and then you go AWOL again!

Bad boy! Bad!