Electronics

Modern technology is terrific. Unlimited reach of communications. Research at fingertips. Exploratory thinking explored freely with facts to back it up or check it out. Speed of transactions fast as lightening. File space inconceivably big.

Costly yes, and with many options, all with a price. Choices choke the decision-making process. But choice there is.

The problem: age and shifting needs.

I do not need all the capabilities of younger persons, people still engaged deeply in their careers. But I do need access to many features to remain invested in our social order, intellectual challenges and community. This participation in life keeps me alert and healthy.

Age, however, clouds understanding a lot of technology. I work with over a hundred SCORE mentors and many of us experience tech blockages in the normal week. Sometimes it is a failure with a Zoom meeting connection, or two. Sometimes it is a lost file with weird print fonts appearing randomly in a document. Slow search engines, too, along with format changes I know I didn’t ask for. These and so many other issues make dealing with technology difficult.

Most of my problems in this department of life is solved by shutting down the computer and rebooting. Amazing how often that works!

Lately I have been stumped with poor TV cable signals, interrupted wi-fi service and high monthly cable bills. So I am in the process of installing a 5G wi-fi system to drive our computers, TV and phones. I have already installed the Google HUB gadget. I think it is fully operational. Today I tackle installing the T-Mobile wi-fi modem. Then that needs to be paired with the HUB thingy. When all is operating, I will call Comcast and shut down our service with them. I will unplug their equipment and get it ready to return to them.

My most recent conversation with Comcast concluded with me hanging up with a representative who insisted on selling me more services and equipment rather than listening to and solving my problems. At the end of the conversation there were simply too many things to think about and keep straight. So I hung up and decided to simplify.

I have no idea if this will work. If it doesn’t, at least we won’t have TV news filling our lives with dread. That may be the perfect outcome from all of this, not to mention lowering my technology costs by $100 per month. That’s just enough to fill my gas tank for another month of driving our errands.

Rocky is not a willing partner in this project. However, I have put this action off for at least 5 years and the time is now or never. I choose now.

April 18, 2022

 

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