Tongue in Cheek Thursday-Who said Computers make Life Easier?

I'm sorry for not blogging for so long-my 10 year old home computer finally bit the dust but it was a slow and agonizing death as we worked over a week to try and save what we had forgotten to back up. A lot of it was more precious than we realized, especially some of my latest writing and a number of photos.
So stop right now and ask yourself: when did I last back up my computer? Do it now, Go right now and do it now!!! You can finish my blog any old time.

So almost a week and a half was spent with our aged computer and our computer nerd--I say that with only the greatest affection, T****! It took more time than I thought to get what we needed and then it was decision making time. Buying a computer is worse than buying a car. First it was scanning the weekly flyer's for sales, then it was going on line to some of the bigger stores to see what they offered. We consulted with our local friends and workmates and it was amazing how many individuals came out of the woodwork to give us "advice", all of which was conflicting. Finally, dear hubby called our Computer Jedi Master friend and he had very simple, clear advice--of course we should have called him first, but why do something the easy way when you can cause yourself grief, suffering and anguish?

We finally opted for BestBuy--hubby's favorite store because as each sales person reminds you they don't get commission so there is no pressure to Buy, Buy, BUY! It took us about 5 minutes to make our selection and then another 30 minutes to get the thing out of the store. Our ever ready and helpful salesclerk asked:
"Do you want the extended warranty"?
"Do you want the extended, extended warranty"?
"What about setting up a regular Computer Nerd schedule--someone will come to your home every 3 months to make sure everything is running well"?
"Or how about a regularly scheduled diagnostic plan"?
And, finally after we had said no to everything he said with an incredulous look on his face, "Are you absolutely sure you don't want our monthly back-up package?"

That's when I had the "ah ha" moment and realized this process was like dealing with an life insurance agent. A warranty or insurance in case our computer gets sick, scheduled diagnostic plans sounded dreadfully like regular check-ups with the doctor and monthly back up sessions rang surprisingly similar to will & estate planning. Those store clerks may not get commission on the sale of an item but something tells me there's a reason why they work so hard to make you think you need the "extras".

Now it's true, I could have used my work computer to blog, on my own time of course, but I'm always terrified that our hospital has "computer usage" police. I can see it now; I'll be immersed in Blogger, pouring my heart out as I type and a siren will shriek; white disposable masked security swat team members in blue scrubs will swarm into my office. "Hands off the computer, Ms. Wilde. Hands off the computer. In accordance, with section 555 of the hospital computer policy, Blogging is not allowed!" Hopefully, they would let me off with a warning and wouldn't post my face on a Computer Usage Offenders site wide alert.

Some of my friends have wondered why I didn't use our laptop to blog. Then again, let me qualify that. The "our" laptop is the one that my daughter uses ALL of the time. May I provide some hard learned advice to other parents. Never, ever, buy a laptop, an ipod or any other kind of electronic device and agree to pay half because you are going to SHARE it. Don't believe a word of the wide-eyed, sweet and innocent looking, pouting progeny standing before you! The word "share" in teenage slang really means, "you can use it IF I don't have to do homework, chat with my friends on MSN, update my Facebook page, finish writing my blog, feel like watching zany YouTube videos, check my email for the 30th time today or browse the Internet for cool, funky, and trendy clothes or jewelry.

In desperation last week I had to pull the parent card & demand computer time to re-set up our family email account. Although I thought I did it quite quickly, I kept getting this chill up my spine because there seemed to be a vulture creature circling behind my back, just waiting to swoop down & start pecking at the keyboard. (Ok, Ok...so it wasn't quite that bad dahling daughter, but remember I've decided this is Mommy's Tongue in Cheek, Get it off your Chest Thursday blog and as I always say..."it's every parent's job to embarrass their child at least once a day" :)

So in conclusion I ask the question, who was the person who said that Computers would make our life easier? When I think of all of the time and energy we've expended to keep ourselves connected to the world electronically and our life organized through email, word documents, and other programs I'd really like to throttle that visionary. It is true, my old computer lasted ten years so there is hope it will be another ten before I have to go through this again. Unfortunately, I keep getting this nagging feeling that I probably should have purchased that extended, extended warranty after all!

Salynne 2009