Randy Travis - Forever And Ever, Amen (Video)

New Acer up and running ....:)

The new Acer came in from Amazon yesterday via Fed X right on time and I've been busy setting her up.  I'd forgotten how much of a pain it can be, especially getting programs transported over that were purchased (in some cases) years ago.  An interesting note is that when you purchase software on-line, many times they use your e-mail address as the User ID....so if you've lost or misplaced the password for that account to re-download, they'll reset it but send the information to the Email on record.  If you've changed email address's and NOT kept the old one active where you have access to it I can see where they'd be major problems. Another issue is programs that were OEM on the replaced PC.  In my case, Microsoft Works had come OEM on the Toshiba.  There's no way to transfer that program over to the new Acer :(.  Luckily M.S. Office will open the spreadsheets and data base's I'd set up on Works...just a matter of getting used to it.
I can feel the technology improvement from the new machine over the old....everything is faster, with better loading.  Personally I didn't have too many issues with Vista but, that having been said, Windows 7 is much slicker for sure.

DOA was the new laptop......:(

It's always an exciting time waiting for the new PC to arrive.  I chose the ship to store method and it (the new Acer) finally arrived this morning and we picked her up. The software is laid out, the migration plan has been formulated....the unit is unboxed, the plastic protections removed....the battery is installed and she's plugged into a power outlet...the on button is pushed and............yup, she's DOA.  So, the power connection  is checked, the battery is removed and re-installed....when plugged in there is a Power On indicator lit, but otherwise the unit is...silent, and totally non-responsive.  Find a phone number to tech support, call and get put on hold, finally talk to a live person who has us repeat everything we've already tried. She then pronounces it DOA.  She can send me a returning shipping package with authorization and I can send it in for repair?  I demur that suggestion and re-pack up the unit and return it to the store where a refund is applied to the account she was purchased on.  Going back on-line to check I find this model is now "out of stock", so we do the bricks and mortar drive by - Wal-Mart's, Staple's, BJ's....all underwhelming selections.  Back home, on line and finally re-order the Acer from Amazon with expedited delivery (should be here on Saturday).  DOA....who would have thought?  I'm thinking back to all the PC's we've purchased and it's never happened to me....guess I've been living a charmed life?

Preston CT, Oct 21st, 21010

Frustration in changing computers over.....the cat's the cause of the replacement, but not the problem itself....

Click Title Link to view a Computerworld article on Apple's upcoming Mac App Store....

So, the old Tom-cat Timothy finally did it we suspect….I came into the office the other day and two of the chick-let key covers on the Toshiba notebook were on the floor in front of the computer.   Timothy has recently taken the odd nap on the keyboard despite our words not to, and I suspect he got startled and dug in, ripping them out.  The hardware computer man said it’s not repairable, but the keyboard is replaceable.  Since this notebook was purchased almost four years ago, and was designed for Windows XP (upgraded to Vista two months after purchase) I decided to bite the bullet and get a new PC set up now.  I don’t use the FN key much but the Ctrl key is a different matter when trying to select or deselect items.

The Acer notebook is on the truck (according to the tracking report) and will be in a few days or so….which brings me to the reason for this particular post. Being a user of the i-phone and the i-pad I find myself very spoiled with the ease of use and practicality of the App Store. 1 click keeps everything updated with no muss or fuss or key registration numbers etc, etc….I’ve been gathering up data to populate the new notebook…finding original install CD’s, or even worse digital proofs of purchase on things purchased on-line.  I’m a pretty organized person but, when you have a lot of programs, it’s a pain in the ass.  When I re-install Office I’m going to be years behind on updates and that also applies to other programs such as Ipswich’s WS-FTP Pro, Quicken and several others. It’s going to be a long haul to get things where they should be.  It was gratifying to hear yesterday that Apple is bringing an App store to the Mac…That fact alone might push me into the Mac camp next time out, as this stuff is pretty ridiculous with today’s technology.  IMHO. 

Country Aire Campground, with Seaport Sams, Columbus Day weekend, 2010

Click the title link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHoiNkq2ajA to view a video clip from our just completed Country Aire Campout with the Seaport Sams Camping Club.

Oak Embers Camp-out with Seaport Sams Camping Club, October 2010

Click the title link to view our Oak Embers camp-out clip.