I love technology!

Today, I had to go to class instead of watching the USA vs Algeria game. Last week, my professor had the game on the screen of a little bit and we kept getting updates periodically through class. Isn't that cool??

But, today that didn't happen. I did see a few laptops with the game going and I squinted ever so hard to see the score, but I couldn't see it.

Then, just before class was ending, I hear: "Yeah-!" Then it muffled very quickly. The guy behind me had his laptop going and was also watching the game. USA scored! So he cheered as our professor was lecturing about the Gulf oil spill.

Was I the only one who noticed? Seemed like it. We had a quick conversation about it and then I returned my attention to the oil spill for the remaining 5 minutes of class.

Had it not been for technology, this guy wouldn't have been able to watch the game and then he wouldn't have cheered, and then I wouldn't have turned around to ask why, and then I wouldn't have known the score of the game. Whew...

Isn't technology great?? Next time, I'm bringing my own laptop on game day. Then I can skip the middle man. Too bad the next oil spill lecture will just have to wait.

Hello Tech Support? It's me again.

My laptop and I have not been together a year yet and I've already had to call the Tech Support guys 5 or 6 times. My optical drive (DVD/CD player) keeps failing. My laptop is a PC. Now, before we get into a PC vs Mac war, I will defend both. I have always loved Macs. I would love to own one. However, I also love PCs because I am familiar with them and they are generally cheaper. Its like Walmart vs. Target. Walmart is always there, its always cheap, and everyone uses it. Target is just a step above, a bit more expensive, and a bit nicer. Anyway, today I wanted to watch a movie. Seems harmless right? Well, at 2pm I realized I needed some tech support again and after another long conversation with HP, I was able to watch that movie at 3:30pm.

I'm not trying to complain about how much I've had to call HP about this problem. I was thinking today about how funny it is that I know so much about my optical drive. Each time there is a different cure. I know all about Upper & Lower Drive. I know all about the FixIT tools. I learned about BIOS. I've learned how to manage my Device Manager. I can locate my Registry Editor and find the proper folders. Each time the tech guys (from India & the Philippines) try to fix my computer through a remote control. It worked once and it was SO cool to watch my computer fix itself without me touching it! Today what worked was taking my battery out, holding the power button for 15 seconds, and turning it back on. Turns out my optical drive wasn't even broken. I just had my laptop on too long with too much power. Weird.

Anyway, each time I call, the tech guys get flustered and confused because I know so much about this problem. Kinda throws them off. I try not to be rude or get upset with these guys when it takes so long. Today, at the end of the conversation, my tech guy said thanks. He said he appreciated my patience and hoped to work with more people like me. Wasn't that nice?? It made me feel so good. Although I had to fix my computer again it made my day that I made the tech guy's day. Hopefully from this day forward, I will be a little more patient with any other tech person I may have to talk to.

Oh Mac, someday we'll be together. When I'm finally rich.