I am a 54 yr old female and have avoided the internet as long as possible. Other than work, I have an abhorrent relationship with computers. Actually, I have a problem with any electronic technology. I have a hard time figuring out simple things like how to take a picture, download music onto an ipod and turning the DVD player on. In some cases I can’t even get the TV on. My niece’s family has at least 7 remotes! One for the TV, one for this game on this system and another for a game on that system and then there is the DVD player and don’t forget the surround sound. OMG!! Whatever happened to just turning on the blasted TV or stereo with one button?
And with computers…well, at work, I turn it on and do what I need to do. At home I tried to avoid using one for many, many years. It didn’t help my interest when I had a husband that would constantly tell me things like “Don’t mess with anything or you will crash it!” He has built the computers we have had in the home since computers were condensed enough to be in the home. So, he has always been a bit protective. However, we did buy a new computer 2 yrs ago for me! Yelp, just for me. Brand new out of the box with intel and all that other jolly rot. I still don’t know how to properly use it’s or my full potential. But somehow I did manage to get into something and change my ability to email pictures from what it should be to “pop” something. I don’t know how I did it and I cannot find how to change it back. I get the error message but I cannot find how to change it back. Right now I have about 50 plus emails waiting to be sent but won’t because of that setting. And they have been setting for 2 yrs now.
I mean I would get on the internet and surf. However I became discouraged with the bombardment of pop ups constantly being shoved in my face. I also did not and do not appreciate the amount of junk mail generated by my explorations. Half the time I do not even fill out any of those form or answer any questionnaires and I have learned I will not get that computer promised and I have yet to receive any of the gift cards promised. I also get extremely discouraged because on TV it is all so simple but not in real life. The alluring call of “Free trial period” has gotten me into trouble on more than one occasion. I just do not enjoy internet surfing.
So, I have enjoyed emailing to keep in touch with friends and family out of state. Then I keep getting asked, “You on myspace?” which I wasn’t. But with prodding and encouragement from said family and friends, I open a myspace account. I quickly found out how Tom could offer such services for free. I told someone that I remembered seeing the Beatles live on the Ed Sullivan show. The next day I opened my email and I had TONS of junk mail advertising for Beatle and Ed Sullivan memorabilia. And my space was plastered with ads and such as well. So, with my amazing skills and talent at figuring out such sites I finally get to where I can maneuver around the site only to find no one is there! Where did everyone go? Now everyone spends all their time on Facebook! What?! Reluctantly I set up a Facebook account. And immediately get all sorts of invites (did on myspace as well) for this group or come play this game. I tell everyone all the time “I use for communication purposes only Please do not ask me to play games or join groups as what I do is all I do. In fact I tried to delete myspace and facebook accounts. I remember going through multiple pop ups answering “Yes! I know what I am doing!” and “Yes! I am sure!” I can’t remember what site but one did say they would keep my account active for so many days just to make sure. Imagine my surprise after almost a year, I found out that both accounts were still active!
Now I have decided that I will learn how to navigate Facebook. But honestly, I am still not interested in games and/or groups. I will learn to post current pictures and tell about my day possibly changing my status every couple minutes like some people do. I also try to stay completely off Facebook while at work. I find it amazing how many of my friends will be on line during their working hours as well. And, supposedly it is prohibited at work just like myspace. However, it has never been blocked like myspace so therefore, everyone plays. I also am very careful and leery not to post anything or much at all about my work. I have seen way to many people called on the carpet because of something they said on their wall. Private settings or not…….these sites are not. I haven’t logged onto myspace for months and I do not intend to.
I am also determined to learn to use and navigate this internet. Like my first blog?
Peace, Love and True Faith.
