TECHNOLOGY BUG

This is it - 'Mission Control' - the nerve centre of my IT activities.

To the 'techies' I know it will look a bit dated - no super-slim flat screen or the smooth good looks of an 'Apple' .

But it does for me - and as they say "if it ain't broke............!

Before this I had a very old Toshiba portable with a dial-up Internet connection courtesy of Freeserve. Everything was painfully slow but I loved the challenge. The family took pity and gave me my current set-up one Christmas about seven years ago. Then I got broadband and .... absolute bliss !!

Freeserve morphed into Wanadoo who then became Orange who I'm afraid have not performed too well.

I think that computers and technology generally hold a fascination for "silver surfers" like myself. In the course of my liftime there has been a blizzard of invention and development the pace of which has been staggering. I remember Slide Rules, Sumlock Comtometers, Hollerith Punch Card Machines and this little baby - which was the forerunner to the Electronic Calculator :

It is an Odhner mechanical calculator and was heavy, cumbersome and noisy. I used it extensively to prepare company budgets - it managed the calculations, but documents still had to be handwritten. You also had to have a 'feel' for where the decimal point should be !! At one point a Chinese civil engineer I shared a flat with taught me how to use an abacus.

The speed of change has meant, I suppose, that we never quite catch up with the market. There is always something faster and better.

But my old PC gives me everything I need - I'm happy - but I'll keep an eye on the market.

Comments

[TomLR]

Another good post Harry - it becomes more apparent where Paul gets his tone from.

I am still on the Toshiba portable. Thus it's 'broken' status over last few weeks.

It's fixed now however - I fixed it last night. Consequently I am back on the blogging vibe again and will be dropping the blogging kids off over the next few days. And you've given me a few ideas...

[Harry C]

Well done Tom - it is much more exciting and challenging away from the 'cutting edge' stuff (and,let's face it,a lot cheaper too !)

Are you still using a dial-up connection Tom ?

[TomLR]

I have no idea. I just go round to my neighbours and borrow their connection - I'm not sure what they have. Perhaps it's a WIND up connection.

[Paul H. Colman]

Tom, I think you'll find that he gets his 'tone' from me.

[TomLR]

Wash your mouth out, Colman (not you Harry).

Paul - will you be playing rubbish cricket on Sunday ?

[Paul H. Colman]

Blimey is that this Sunday? Yes, I suppose.

[TomLR]

There you will see some skills.

[Daughter in Law]

Nice post Harry, it's a very tidy Mission Control. Will the garage ever receive the Mission Control treatment?

How is George settling in?

[Harry C]

Thank you for those kind words Charley. The garage is scheduled for similar treatment but it is just a matter of finding a window in the time-frame.!!!
Georgie is doing well and is very clean. I think she's beginning to realise she's fallen on her feet.
Apparently she should be confined to barracks for three weeks, so the vet says.

[TomLR]

I would recommend suppositories, glucose supplements, and plenty of toast.

[Tricia]

I just realised how old I am Harry, I trained as a comptometer operator, Sumlock Training School in Norwich. The Beatles played In Norwich during that time, the ticket cost 10 bob. Oh my.

[TomLR]

Blimey - was that even before 1982 ?

[Harry C]

Tom, I assume that the range of treatments you're suggesting is for the cat and not for me.

1982, to me, is quite recent - it's the year we moved to our present abode. I remember before decimalisation and VAT !!

Hello Tricia, you were prized members of staff - usually paid more and more numerate than the rest.

[TomLR]

Harry - you are becoming quite popular now - look at you - having to address various people in one resonse. Whoooo whooo whooo.

And as for 1982 being quite recent - well, I suppose it depends on your perspective. In 1982 I was but a twinkle in my mother's eye.

[青春痘]

Be sure to disclose all of your past and present medications.