Going High-Tech

Eighteen years ago I was working in the educational-software industry. There were a lot of computers in that office, but only a few of the tech people had computers with Windows. The rest of us were running DOS. If the computer froze up, it would take about 5 minutes to get through the rebooting process. I worked in quality control, which meant that I had to try to "break" the software and then describe to the programmer how I'd managed to do that. Then the programmer would fix the vulnerability in the software. Sometimes I had to reboot my machine twenty times a day because certain software errors would hang up the whole computer.

That job helped me to develop a valuable skill. I'm not afraid to jump in and try out new software. I know that there will always be a learning curve when I try out a new program or an updated version of a favorite program. And I admit that when a new operating system comes out, I fight it tooth and nail, because I do appreciate the comfort of the familiar. But sooner or later I give in and try out the new version, and generally I find that I like it much better.

I'm amazed at how much computers have changed since I had that job. Not only has the technology gotten way better, it's also gotten way cheaper. The first computer my husband and I purchased--not top-of-the-line by any means--cost about the same as three computers today. And it's gotten smaller as well. Those DOS computers I used at work had a 20-megabyte hard drive. We thought that was huge. It certainly took up enough physical space! I have a pocket-PC/cell phone that has twice that storage space, runs Word and Excel, and fits in my pocket or purse.

The improvements in technology over the past eighteen years mean that I am doing some things I never dreamed of: getting in touch with old friends from high school and college through social-networking sites, keeping my family recipes and menu plans in a "paperless" manner, using a powerful database (on my cell phone) for my grocery shopping, and text-messaging with my teenager. I'd be toast without the QWERTY keyboard on my phone, let me tell you. I don't know how those teenagers manage it.

Since I volunteer in my younger children's school, I'm going to have to learn how to use what L calls "iApples." I haven't touched an Apple computer since I finished my education, and they've certainly changed a lot since then. The kindergarteners have a better clue than I do about how to use them--but I'm not going to let that stop me. Maybe I can get one of them to give me a little one-on-one tutorial.

Last night my husband took apart his computer, cleaned it, and figured out what upgrades he'd need in order to prolong that computer's life. There's going to be some technology-shopping going on. We'll definitely be checking out the tech deals below.

COUPON TIME

Computers have gotten a lot cheaper over the years but they're still a big investment. These deals can help you get the most bang for your technology buck:
25% off Inspiron Desktops priced over $1099 at Dell Home
Use coupon code 9ZLMZJB7KRBM45.
Valid through: November 20, 2008 5:55 AM CT or after 4,000 redemptions

20% off Inspiron Laptops priced over $999 at Dell Home
Use coupon code J3G4?Z4LC6D799.
Valid through: December 1, 2008 11:59pm CT or after 5,000 redemptions (whichever occurs first)

Free shipping on all Computers at Alienware.com
Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Valid through: December 31, 2008

Save up to $100 on the new iMac at Mac Mall
New models start at $1144 + Free Parallels Desktop 3.0 + Free Epson Stylus Printer + Free Intego Antivirus
Valid through: Unknown