Sunday Speculations on Technology and Phobias

Jamal (Beauty), 19 Jamál (Beauty), 173 BE - Sunday, May 15, 2016 about 8:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time 

If I were superstitious then Friday's incident with technical difficulties would make me make me afraid of Friday the  Thirteenth. Despite the problems I had Friday everything seems to be working well today. I am not superstitious about things like that. I do not know what caused the problem on Friday, but it appears cleared up  today. 

I have to admit that technology could make a person prone to phobias. I am not saying a person does not have something to fear from technology especially if you have liquid around a computer. A leak in the roof above a computer could cause problems as well. However, none of these warrant unreasonable fear and that is what a phobia is. 

I really do not need to acquire any more phobias. I finally managed to deal with arachnophobia and I can now kill a spider in my house without screaming. I can also deal with mice without jumping up on a chair and screaming, but I am not sure I can say the something about rats. Of course, we do not have any rats in the apartments I live in. We do have mice, but no rats. 

Midweek Reflections: Technology is Wonderful When it Works

'Idal (Justice), 12 Mashíyyat (Will), 171 BE - Wednesday, October 8, 2014 about 2:18 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Technology is wonderful when it works and sometimes the only thing keeping it from working is connecting it properly. I haven't been able to use my printer since I moved into my studio apartment. I didn't know the reason until I decided to move it from the desk with the old computer to the computer I use to get online.

What was the reason I couldn't use it? The printer was connected to the power, but not to the computer.  I disconnected the power cord from the printer, moved the printer, and then realized I was missing a connection. The cord that is supposed to connect the printer to the computer was laying on my old desk waiting to be plugged into the printer and the computer. I figured out the problem after I moved the printer and I wasn't going to move it back to the old desk. This explains why I had an extra cord laying around.

Since I don't use the other computer to get online and plan to download everything on it to a portable back-up drive (I know that isn't the name of the piece of equipment I'll use, but I can't think of the name right now), there isn't any use moving the printer back to the other desk. I am happy, at least for now, so I will post this and get on with my writing or housekeeping.

Moving into the twenty-first century

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Jamál (Beauty), 170 BE - Friday, May 10, 2013 about 2:25 PM Pacific Time

I finally did it, I finally deposited a check at the ATM outside my bank. I received a check through the mail yesterday, so this morning I went to the bank and ask one of the associates to assist me in the process. Depositing the check at the ATM is easy and I can receive a receipt with a picture of the check. The next time I will deposit the check myself without asking for assistance. I am moving into the twenty-first century.

After stopping at the bank, I went to the grocery story. I went through the self-checkout with assistance form on of the employees, but I think the next time I go to the grocery store I will do it by myself. If I do need help then there is an employee close by to ask assistance. Modern technology is wonder and I am moving into the twenty-first century.

Funny Friday: Things to do when your computer system begins running slowly

Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Asmá’ (Names), 169 BE – Friday, September 07, 2012 about 3:00 PM Pacific Time

Here is a list of ten activities to occupy your time when your computer system begins slowing down.

1. Read War and Peace
2. Ask a neighbor if you can take his or her dogs to the park
3. Prepare a seven course meal from scratch
4. Open Windows Task Manager go to Processes and try to figure out which processes are slowing your computer down (Good Luck with this one)
5. Watch a Star Trek marathon
6. Write a 5,000 word novel long hand (that is not using a computer or word processer)
7. Sail around the world in a hot air balloon
8. Bake a three layer cake from scratch and then make the frosting (from scratch)
9. Redecorate your entire house (including the attic and/or basement)
10. Visit every store in the nearest mall

Author’s Note: I began this list at 3:00:29 PM, it is now 3:25:05 PM, and I still do not know what is slowing my computer down. However, after writing this list it does not matter any more.

Weary Wednesday: Technology and Frustration

‘Idál (Justice), 6 Kalimát (Words), 169 BE – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 about Sunset Pacific Time

It is Wednesday, I am tired and I am frustrated. I am frustrated with technology. The virus scan took ten hours to scan my system today, which means I accomplished nothing online. I accomplished no writing; however, I can make up some of the writing this evening. At least, I could if my system ran at a decent speed. I am frustrated and I am repeating myself.

The one thing I did accomplish today had nothing to do with writing or working online. I cleaned the fabric softener dispenser in my washing machine. I took the dispenser out of the machine. I put in a bucket of hot water with some laundry detergent and I let it soak while I read my paper. After letting the dispenser soak, I then cleaned the fabric softener gunk out of it. The dispenser is not clean and ready for me to put fabric softener in it again.

I still have to wash out the tub of the washer because I noticed there were some stains, but I think those will come out with a bit of work. I may finish cleaning the washing machine tomorrow. It depends on when I start the virus scan on my computer. Since it took ten hours for the scan to run today, I expect it to take that long tomorrow. Therefore, I will do something else while it is scanning my system.

If I start the virus scan, running tonight at 11:36 PM (this is when it should begin rather then 4:45 AM like it did this morning) then it should be finished by about 9:36 AM. I am not going to count on this, of course, after all I am dealing with technology and outdated technology at that. I can only hope and pray that the scan finishes by 9:36 AM.

Thursday Morning Wasted ~ A Rant

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Núr (Light), 169 BE – Thursday, June 21, 2012 about 11:30 AM Pacific Time

I am tired. I spent the entire morning dealing with nonresponsive programs and a computer speed that would loose a race with a snail. I am sick of dealing with outdated technology. I rebooted my system twice and it did not help; in fact, rebooting did not have any effect except to prevent me from getting any work accomplished online.

I have a digital camera, but I cannot down load the drivers to my computer because the disk our too small for my outdated disk drives. I cannot find the drivers online and, even if I could, downloading them would probably cause more speed issues.

I am tired (and I am repeating myself). I am frustrated (obviously). I cannot get a new computer or any other technology this month because I have $105.00 worth of prescriptions waiting for me to pick up Friday. On the bright side, the prescriptions are 90 refills which means I do not have to worry about prescriptions for the next three months. However, I am not sure I have enough in the bank to pick up all my prescriptions.

I have been so busy dealing with technical issues that I have not checked the balance in my account today. I will post this document as soon as the computer finishes saving, but I am not sure when that will be since it takes the computer at least five minutes (I may be exaggerating because it could only seem like five minutes) to save anything.

A difficult and stressful technological morning in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Monday, March 5, 2012 about 2:55 PM Pacific Time

It’s been a difficult and stressful morning dealing with technology. This happens about one a week, sometimes less and sometimes more. My computer slows to a snails pace and I have to reboot a couple of times to get everything working a little faster.

I need to upgrade the technology and I’m not sure that is possible for a while. Perhaps later, this year if we can get a few large bills paid off. Right now, the only thing I can do is work with what I have and pray that the computer continues to work.

I get frustrated when it slows down, but I can’t figure out what’s slowing it down. Sometimes it seems that Real Player is the problem; however, it isn’t the only thing causing issues. Part of the issue is virtual memory, I get a message about once a week that the it’s increasing and the programs will be slower for a while.

I run the virus scan every day, sometimes it takes less then an hour and sometimes a two or three hours. I think next week I’ll have to call my internet provider and see if they have a virus scan and firewall, it’ll probably add to the monthly charge, but I don’t trust the virus scan and fire wall I have now, at least, not since the computer needs rebooting several times.

Upgrading my technology

Jamál (Beauty), 6 Mashíyyat (Will), 167 BE – Sunday, October 1-2, 2011 about 1:30 PM Pacific Time

I changed browser in September. I am now using Google Chrome. I like this Google Chrome browser because it is easier to use then the browser I used before. It is also faster. I do not know why I did not change browser earlier this year. I am enjoying working online again.

My next project is to upgrade my computer. Until I can get a new computer, I need to clean off my hard drive. I have too much stuff save to it so I have to decide what I need to keep on the hard drive and what I need to move to a back up desk. The problem is I do not know where to start, so I guess I will start with the photos I have saved and work from there.

Dealing with modern technology

‘Idál (Justice), 14 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Wednesday, July 7, 2010 about 12:34 PM Pacific Time

I am not sure what is causing the problem, I just know there is a problem. My computer is running slow, the CPU periodically runs at 100%, and today I encountered a stack overload. In addition, my printer still is not working. I have decided that a new printer will settle the printer issues. A new computer could take care of the computer problems.

Now that I stated one way to solve the problem, I have to find a more economical and feasible solution. Other issues in my life take priority over technology problems. Therefore, I may have to call a computer tech in to do maintenance. I have attempted to diagnose the problem, maybe I need to clean up the hard drive before I do anything else.

Forty years ago today man walked on the moon

Kamál (Perfection), 8 Kalimát (Words), 166 BE – Monday, July 20, 2009 about 6:25 AM Pacific Time

On July 20, 1969, an astronaut left size 91/2 footprints on the moon. I remember watching the moon land on T.V. I remember holding my breath as Astronaut Neil Armstrong descended the lunar module and stepped upon the moon. When Mr. Armstrong placed his foot on the lunar surface, I breathed again.

I remember hearing Neil Armstrong say "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." I remember crying because my world and the world of everyone had changed that day. The world changed because it became smaller, we (humanity) had gone to the moon. A human being had left is footprints on the moon.

I am now 62 it is forty years later. I am living on a planet in the middle of transformation. I am living in a world that sees the moon landing as an achievement for humanity and not simply as an achievement for the United States, the nation that provided the technology.

Astronauts made it to the moon safely and returned home safely. Humanity will make it through the present crisis, we just have to have faith.

I Love Online Banking

Kamál (Perfection), 8 ‘Izzat (Might), 165 B.E. – Monday, September 15, 2008 about 5:54 AM Pacific Time

I remember a time before online banking, when in order to check my account balance I had to go to the bank. I remember a time when I paid bills by check or cash. I went to the bank and withdrew the money to make a payment on the Power Bill.

I love online banking. I don't have to leave my house to see how much I have in my checking account. I can call the insurance company and use a debit card to pay the bill. Online banking is one of the best things about the Internet. I don't know what I did before online banking or how I kept track of my account.

I remember my grandfather writing check and sending them to the power company, the mortgage company, the Water Company, etc. He either used cash or wrote a check because there was no Internet or online banking when I was growing up. If online banking had been available, grandpa would have used it. He liked to have modern convinces and technology.

I love online banking because I can keep a close eye on my bank account. An added benefit of online banking is saving trees, if you don't have to write paper checks you kill less trees.

There are times in my life

‘Idál (Justice), 6 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, March 26, 2008 about 4:12 PM PDT

There are times in my life when I wish my grandparents were still around.

I miss them very much.

I miss my grandfather's advice and my grandmother's laughter.

I miss the security the presence always gave me.

I'm 61 years old, so my grandparents would be over 100 probably closer to 200, which means I'd probably be taking care of them. That doesn't stop me from wishing they were here sometimes. Grandpa would find the gas prices outrageous. He would wonder how people could afford to go any where.

There is one thing that I know my grandfather would like and would have. Grandpa would have a computer and internet access. How do I know? Because when he was alive he always made sure he had the latest technology. He didn't buy it when it immediately came out, but would wait a little while to get it; when my grandfather was a farmer he had the first Fordsen tractor in the the area.

I Finally Got a New Mouse

Jamal (Beauty), 16 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Sunday, February 3, 2008 about 10:26 PM PST

My new mouse arrived Thursday and I connected it today. There seems to be something special about beginning the week with something new. I didn't know how much fun it was to use a mouse until I connected it. Maybe I need to get out and get a life.

Today is cloudy and windy with a chance of scattered showers. I won't get out today because I have things to do around the house. I'm catching up on things I didn't get completed Thursday evening. I was ill that evening in pain and throwing up. I went to bed early but didn't get much sleep. So I'm catching up of stuff today. I'm doing fairly well at catching up too.

The only writing I have to catch up on are some Flash Fiction Stories. Because I was ill Thursday, I'm three days behind on those, but not for long. I left the Flash Fiction for last because they are short and I usually use prompts to get them going.

This week I'm going to post the themed entries on different days then I originally planned. I'll get them all in, but I don't think I'm going to do them on a specific day. After all variety is the spice of life, in addition I don't want to get in a rute with my entries.

A World Citizen and the Environment

19 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Monday, October 15, 2007 about 4:35 PM PDT

I consider myself a world citizen and as a citizen of Earth, I have a duty toward the planet of my birth. As a world citizen I ask myself "What can I do to help the environment?" The answer isn't an easy one especially since my financial resources are limited and there for limit my options in making my home environmentally friendly. There are some things that I can do immediately such as recycling. I'm not just talking about taking the recyclable containers out to the curb every other Saturday for the trash trucks to pick up. There are other things I can do to help the environment.

1. I can carry a trash bag in my car and put any trash I have in it, instead of throwing it into the street. This helps the environment by preventing the storm drains from becoming clogged and causing the street to flood when it rains.
2. I can pick up any aluminum cans I see on the street and put them in my trunk. This helps in two ways (1) by getting the trash off the street and (2) I can put the aluminum can with others and sell it for gas money or money to donate to charity.
3. I can join groups like FreeCycle and offer stuff I don't use, but is still good to others who can use it.
4. Instead of throwing worn cloths away immediately, I can use them as cleaning rags. This not only saves me money, but it gives more then one use to the item of clothing. I remember my grandmother taking worn out underwear, washing it and then using it to clean the toilet stool and shower before throwing it out (after she let it dry of course).
5. I can either ask for paper when I go to the grocery store or I can recycle the plastic grocery bags by giving them to churches and charities that collect and give food to seniors on fixed incomes or the homeless.
6. I can clean out my cupboards and donate any dishes that I don't use, but are still in good condition to charities that fix hot meals to the homeless.
7. I can make my landscape fit the ecosystem I live in. Las Vegas is a desert so I can use desert landscaping in my yard.
8. I can make sure that the technological equipment I buy is environmentally friendly because it uses less electricity.
9. I can dispose of any technological equipment that no longer works by taking it someplace that recycles or disposes of the parts safely. At this point the only piece of technological equipment I have that doesn't work is my mouse. My computer mouse finally died and now I have to find a way of disposing of it in a way that's safe for the environment.

Solved the Mouse Problem

I've solved the mouse problem, at least temperarly. I think I'm going to have to either get a new mouse or move the one I have to a coffee stand so that the cord doesn't get tangled. I think that's the problem with the mouse, the cord gets tangled and the signals don't go through. Of course, moving the mouse, so that the cord remains straight, is only a temporary fix. I think I'll eventually have to get a new mouse.

Right now though I can use the mousekeys to move the pointer, click and drop and drag (I haven't tried this yet). Moving the mouse pointer with the key on the key pad isn't too bad. It's slow and I can't use the keys for numbers without extra key strokes. I'll use the number on the top of the regular keyboard. I usually use those number anyway so it isn't a big change. I've printed out all the instructions for using the keypad so their in front of me (just in case my short term memory decides to take a vacation on this).

Using the numbered keypad may be a good exercise in patience. It's great to solve a problem without help. I feel like I could solve any problem that confronts me. This was an interesting test, even if it was caused by a technological component rather than a spiritual component. I still haven't decided whether to remove the pass word from my log in and just let the computer start up without it. I don't suppose that's a good idea. I'll have to see how things go in the next few day before I know for sure.

It's not like there is anyone in the house I can't trust. The only other person here is Mom. I'm was going to set her up with a password to this machine so that she could use it to check her bank account. Her compute has the software to connect to the Internet it just doesn't have a long enough telephone cord.

Having a Few Mouse Problems

17 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Friday, October 12, 2007 about 9:02 PM PDT

I'm having a few mouse problems, not with the four legged type but with the computer mouse. It beeps and quits working. Which is a problem because I have to reboot the entire system after I figure out what the problem. The thing is I don't know why the mouse freezes up and won't work.

I've set the mouse keys so that I can use them when the numlock is off. That may fix the problem or part of it anyway. I don't know. I do know this is getting to be a pain. I never know when the mouse is going to freeze and the only warning I get is the beep. I turn the system off, I straighten the mouse cord out, I unplug the mouse and plug it back into the computer and hope it works. If it doesn't then I can't get back into the computer until the mouse works. I have my log in set to a password. If this keeps up I may have to discontinue the password until I get the problem solved or a new mouse.

I suppose now I'm going to have to start pricing mice as well as keyboards. Some of the keys stick periodically. I never know which key is going to stick until I find a letter missing in a word. That isn't a problem most of the time, still it could get irritating and the mouse situation isn't going to help. Maybe I'll go for a wireless mouse, I think my system will handle that. I'll have to check and see.

Oh well, that life one little thing after another. If you let them bother you then you're stressed. I guess the next the next piece of technology I get is a new mouse. I'll see if the mouse key solve part of the problem. My only question with the mouse keys is when I'm using them how do I high light and click onto item? That escapes me for the moment. I suppose the answer will come eventually and with a little research. Tonight however I'm going to do something else and worry about solving this problem tomorrow.

I know this whole situation with the mouse is a test. Tests assist in transformation and building faith. I just can't see how I can apply anything I learn solving the my mouse problems.