So, I've decided to invest* most of my tax refund in a laptop come February. I realized recently that the computer setup in the basement (another thing I was incredibly passive about) isn't working for me. 1) The desk isn't long enough to accommodate a friendly cat and the monitor and keyboard, not to mention any reference materials when I am writing or doing homework, 2) the basement is incredibly cold, even with Genevieve's heater and 3) I am so tired of trying to work in WordPerfect 8 and saving to rtf and emailing back and forth and 4) I want Excel at home so I can do my budget.
I came to the conclusion that I have to do this when I was trying to write my paper. So, aside from the wrist-slitting agony of that chore there was a distinct discomfort at trying to do it in the frigid basement with kitties wanting attention and I finally snapped and realized something--I'm sabotaging myself. No, I don't care to do my homework, but frankly I am making it just 1000% harder on myself trying to get stuff done without using the proper tools in a crappy environment. What am I trying to prove? Why do everything the hardest way possible? Do I enjoy millstones? Why is the idea of investing in myself so hard for me to wrap my head around? Well, I do know why--that's what I spent $200 on therapy co-pays for.
So I'm getting a laptop. Time to throw myself into that research project. I'll be turning to my sister Aces and dingusgirl for tech support. I am always so "analog" as Genevieve puts it--about 5 years behind the current standard with my technology needs. I need something for the internet, to upload my digital pictures to, Excel, Word, and to download music (not, that I do that now, but it sounds like fun. Maybe CD burning capabilities. I want a laptop so I can work upstairs in the dining room and take the setup over to Bela Dubby. That's it. Although the idea of a podcast series on Moby Dick sounds cool too. Who knows where this will lead, this fervent embrace of modern technology!
*To further illustrate my point, I originally used the word "blow" to describe my plan. How telling.
2 comments:
If, for whatever reason, you end up getting an iBook over a PC I will volunteer to be your tech support.
Basically - you pay a little more for what you get with an Apple, but you don't have to worry about getting all sorts of software to keep you from getting viruses and spyware. (At least - they haven't afflicted mac users yet.) But - unless you are a musician or a designer, you may find that some specialized software doesn't come for the mac. You can get all the stuff you mentioned, but I remember at some point, for example, offering to loan out my computer and you said some program or site you needed for school didn't work on a mac. So... anyways - your decision.
not to be completely contrary, but -- go with a dell. trust me. we have five or six dells in the house, thanks to DK-the-computer-whore, and there's always a coupon. not to mention the fact that i am absolutely in love with my new laptop.
but more than anything else? this is the best time for you to get it -- you can get all of the microsoft software at student prices! again, with the bargains. what can i say? :)
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