Who's in control, you or your computer?
Friday, March 23, 2007 by Philly0381 | Discussion: Personal Computing
I haven't posted alot here but when I do I try to keep it somewhat light hearted.
Picture this. I wake up every morning with the sunrise, gather my thoughts and get ready to greet the day. I turn on my computer and once booted up it tells me that I have mail. If my automated updates are working I have to take care of them. Then I have to check other programs like antivirus, spyware, firewalls for updates (especially if I want to go online). All of this before I can even use the computer!
Once a week (unless I've lost some brain cells) I need to run scans with all the programs that I have to protect me from the bad people. Yes only one virus program, but several spyware programs, a couple of registry cleaners, a rootkit program and other programs to clear out cookies and links to where I've been. The you have to check your hard drive to see if it needs to be defraged, almost forgot, need to check for bad sectors on the hard drive. while I'm at it might as well check the memory (you get the picture).
Like the title says, Who's in control! Is technology making us the machines?
So once I'm done with all that I get to use my computer, for what, it already told me if I had mail!
Now back to real life, what are you having the computer do for you? Going to school online, using it to earn a living in the Information Techology world, a learning tool for the children. How about running home automation (taking care of the lights, heating and cooling, home security). Have you turn it to the Multiy Media Center for the Home Theater room? By the way, customizing your computer doesn't count. That's just your computer saying "FEED ME"!
I'm a sports guy, mainly baseball so I have a subsription service that provides me live streaming video of all games during the season. If there is more than one game on that I'm interest in at the same time it let's watch up to six games on one screen. If I still miss a game I can go to the archive file and watch it after its finished (only do that if I don't know the score).
In other words I don't use the computer for much right now. I do have some projects in mind though.
By the way folks, lets have fun out there today.
Picture this. I wake up every morning with the sunrise, gather my thoughts and get ready to greet the day. I turn on my computer and once booted up it tells me that I have mail. If my automated updates are working I have to take care of them. Then I have to check other programs like antivirus, spyware, firewalls for updates (especially if I want to go online). All of this before I can even use the computer!
Once a week (unless I've lost some brain cells) I need to run scans with all the programs that I have to protect me from the bad people. Yes only one virus program, but several spyware programs, a couple of registry cleaners, a rootkit program and other programs to clear out cookies and links to where I've been. The you have to check your hard drive to see if it needs to be defraged, almost forgot, need to check for bad sectors on the hard drive. while I'm at it might as well check the memory (you get the picture).
Like the title says, Who's in control! Is technology making us the machines?
So once I'm done with all that I get to use my computer, for what, it already told me if I had mail!
Now back to real life, what are you having the computer do for you? Going to school online, using it to earn a living in the Information Techology world, a learning tool for the children. How about running home automation (taking care of the lights, heating and cooling, home security). Have you turn it to the Multiy Media Center for the Home Theater room? By the way, customizing your computer doesn't count. That's just your computer saying "FEED ME"!
I'm a sports guy, mainly baseball so I have a subsription service that provides me live streaming video of all games during the season. If there is more than one game on that I'm interest in at the same time it let's watch up to six games on one screen. If I still miss a game I can go to the archive file and watch it after its finished (only do that if I don't know the score).
In other words I don't use the computer for much right now. I do have some projects in mind though.
By the way folks, lets have fun out there today.
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Philly0381
Reply #2 Friday, March 23, 2007 4:27 PM
Reply #2 Friday, March 23, 2007 4:27 PM
I knew it would happen, censored by your own computer! 
Uvah
Reply #3 Friday, March 23, 2007 5:13 PM
Reply #3 Friday, March 23, 2007 5:13 PM
I'm afraid of mine......It never talks to me......just sits there and lets me do all kinds of crazy stuff. One of these days I think It's gonna get up and split 
seldomseen
Reply #4 Friday, March 23, 2007 6:21 PM
Reply #4 Friday, March 23, 2007 6:21 PM
<<<<>>>> <<<<>> <<>> <<<>>
You do not have authorization for this request!
File not found
Error
C:\
C:\
C:\
You do not have authorization for this request!
File not found
Error
C:\
C:\
C:\
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #5 Friday, March 23, 2007 6:39 PM
That's funny...I don't get those errors in Linux.
Whoops...I've spoilt Bill Gates' little secret. I'll be dead shortly (LOL!)
Reply #5 Friday, March 23, 2007 6:39 PM
<<<<>>>> <<<<>> <<>> <<<>>
You do not have authorization for this request!
File not found
Error
C:\
C:\
C:\
You do not have authorization for this request!
File not found
Error
C:\
C:\
C:\
That's funny...I don't get those errors in Linux.
Whoops...I've spoilt Bill Gates' little secret. I'll be dead shortly (LOL!)
Corky_O
Reply #7 Friday, March 23, 2007 7:58 PM
Reply #7 Friday, March 23, 2007 7:58 PM
To begin, click your user name.
Type your password.
Great! It's in control now........
Man, I had control when I pushed the little power button, then it was all over!
Philly0381
Reply #8 Friday, March 23, 2007 8:29 PM
Reply #8 Friday, March 23, 2007 8:29 PM
So it looks like noboby wants to say that they use their computer for anything.
What mysterious force caused us to buy them, set them up, load software..........buy upgrades online.........customize the user interface?
Will this madness ever end!!!!!!
What mysterious force caused us to buy them, set them up, load software..........buy upgrades online.........customize the user interface?
Will this madness ever end!!!!!!
Corky_O
Reply #9 Friday, March 23, 2007 8:58 PM
Reply #9 Friday, March 23, 2007 8:58 PM
So it looks like noboby wants to say that they use their computer for anything
Sorry, I forgot that part.
I primarily use my computer to design and publish quality standards and assembly manuals for a local manufacturing company here in the Seattle, Washington area. This has spawned an interest in both photographic and digital illustration disciplines, as well as page layout design. I am hoping to learn to incorporate digital drawing/painting into the mix and begin to publish things like posters, cards, and brochures on the side - which may provide some income on the side.
I am (slowly) taking the time to learn 'Painter' by Corel using a Wacom tablet to improve my general drawing aptitude so I can legitimately use the drawing/paintings for published art. When comfortable with the results, I will probably create a few painted wallpapers and logons to give back to the online community. With my interest in exercise, outdoor hikes, and work, I find that extra time to study and practice is hard to find. This has made the learning process outside of my processes at work limited, so this plan may take a couple of years.
I also use the 'office' programs both at work and at home to e-mail, write letters, and create spreadsheets for everything from inventories to budgets. I burn a lot of CD's to play in my car or home stereo (especially live Grateful Dead shows) and play some games on my computer - although, I am really not a 'gamer' by any stretch.
Research on future purchases, information on topics of interest, and some reading of news articles round out my use of the web browser functions of the computer.
All in all, I find the computer is a great tool, but can be extremely time consuming. With this in mind, I really try to understand the programs and their tools which I have installed so that I can be as efficient as possible when on the computer and still have time to enjoy life.
Nimbin
Reply #10 Friday, March 23, 2007 9:15 PM
Reply #10 Friday, March 23, 2007 9:15 PM
i wanted to reply but my computer sabotaged my internet connection
and the men in the little white coats turned up, now i am in a strange room with usb keys being inserted into my ports and being uploaded with all sorts of strange software.
oh hang on, i forgot, i am taking a weekly visit to my favourite massage parlour
and the men in the little white coats turned up, now i am in a strange room with usb keys being inserted into my ports and being uploaded with all sorts of strange software.
oh hang on, i forgot, i am taking a weekly visit to my favourite massage parlour
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #11 Friday, March 23, 2007 9:50 PM
What mysterious force caused us to buy them, set them up, load software..........buy upgrades online.........customize the user interface?
PORN!
Or, uh...so I've heard!
Reply #11 Friday, March 23, 2007 9:50 PM
What mysterious force caused us to buy them, set them up, load software..........buy upgrades online.........customize the user interface?
PORN!
Or, uh...so I've heard!
Philly0381
Reply #12 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:45 PM
Reply #12 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:45 PM
Corky_O - With all that you have going on you still find time to visit these forums, and do some skinning, wow.
I'm sure you aren't the only one out with what could be called a full plate, I bow my head in your presence.
I'm sure you aren't the only one out with what could be called a full plate, I bow my head in your presence.
Sea Hourse
Reply #13 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:51 PM
Reply #13 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:51 PM
My computer is my doorway to an immense world. OK, maybe it's my ISP but the computer is the car I travel with. I can go most anywhere and see most anything. And that includes things I never even knew existed.
My computer is my sound system that I rock out on every night. The Time Machine DJ at your service with over 8,000 mp3s. Rock? Classical? New Age? Music videos? Something for everyone and great speakers to bath you in their sound.
My computer is my favorite toy. Last week it was replacing the fan/heatsink on the video card for something quieter. Today it was new case fans. And, of course, trying to decide what skins to install this weekend since the current ones are a week "old".
Computers are a tool, a drug, or whatever you want them to be. (my roommate says it's my girlfriend but she never has anything nice to say so I ignore her most of the time) I call the shots with my computer but I also recognize its siren call.
My computer is my sound system that I rock out on every night. The Time Machine DJ at your service with over 8,000 mp3s. Rock? Classical? New Age? Music videos? Something for everyone and great speakers to bath you in their sound.
My computer is my favorite toy. Last week it was replacing the fan/heatsink on the video card for something quieter. Today it was new case fans. And, of course, trying to decide what skins to install this weekend since the current ones are a week "old".
Computers are a tool, a drug, or whatever you want them to be. (my roommate says it's my girlfriend but she never has anything nice to say so I ignore her most of the time) I call the shots with my computer but I also recognize its siren call.
Philly0381
Reply #14 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:55 PM
Reply #14 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:55 PM
Gideon MacLeish - No offense intended, but with your name I do picture a rogue and a scoundrel, things a true male aspire to. I trust I do you justice.
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #15 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:58 PM
None taken
Not quite a rogue and a scoundrel, but certainly not above it given a ready supply of intoxicants...lol!
Reply #15 Friday, March 23, 2007 10:58 PM
Gideon MacLeish - No offense intended,
None taken
but with your name I do picture a rogue and a scoundrel, things a true male aspire to. I trust I do you justice.
Not quite a rogue and a scoundrel, but certainly not above it given a ready supply of intoxicants...lol!
Philly0381
Reply #16 Friday, March 23, 2007 11:11 PM
Reply #16 Friday, March 23, 2007 11:11 PM
It's great that you are replying to the post, but I sure would like to hear more about how people are useing that wonderful box of technology call a computer in their daily life. No I'm writing a novel with this being the next chapter, but not a bad idea. Note to self, get started writing. Ha!
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #17 Friday, March 23, 2007 11:33 PM
lol, yeah...
Actually, I use my computer largely for word processing/office functions. My long term goal is to have a sophisticated home network; I am working on building a PC that is strictly multimedia for the living room. The idea is to connect it to the network so that I can access it anywhere in the house, but to hook it to a nice HDTV in the living room so that we have a full selection of movies and music at all times. I am working on learning Linux distros for the basic home office functions; that computer will be my main computer once the envisioned network is built. What I want is a network with two different domains: one for myself with the fancy stuff and a domain dedicated for the kids so that they can begin learning networking; if they crash their server it won't bring MINE down.
My pet "project" right now, though, is a TRS-80 I will be modding to current specs. I have a "multipack interface" that connects to it that will house the HD and the DVD drive (I'm looking for a slot loaded), and I am looking seriously at a liquid cooling system that I can house externally in a 5 1/4" floppy drive. This is more for fun than anything, but I'm planning on this one being my primary computer once it is done. I'm not much of a gamer, but I have been known to enjoy them at the right moment. I am considering getting an emulator and making a bit of an arcade...for the kids! Yeah, that's it...for the kids!
Better?
Reply #17 Friday, March 23, 2007 11:33 PM
It's great that you are replying to the post, but I sure would like to hear more about how people are useing that wonderful box of technology call a computer in their daily life. No I'm writing a novel with this being the next chapter, but not a bad idea. Note to self, get started writing. Ha!
lol, yeah...
Actually, I use my computer largely for word processing/office functions. My long term goal is to have a sophisticated home network; I am working on building a PC that is strictly multimedia for the living room. The idea is to connect it to the network so that I can access it anywhere in the house, but to hook it to a nice HDTV in the living room so that we have a full selection of movies and music at all times. I am working on learning Linux distros for the basic home office functions; that computer will be my main computer once the envisioned network is built. What I want is a network with two different domains: one for myself with the fancy stuff and a domain dedicated for the kids so that they can begin learning networking; if they crash their server it won't bring MINE down.
My pet "project" right now, though, is a TRS-80 I will be modding to current specs. I have a "multipack interface" that connects to it that will house the HD and the DVD drive (I'm looking for a slot loaded), and I am looking seriously at a liquid cooling system that I can house externally in a 5 1/4" floppy drive. This is more for fun than anything, but I'm planning on this one being my primary computer once it is done. I'm not much of a gamer, but I have been known to enjoy them at the right moment. I am considering getting an emulator and making a bit of an arcade...for the kids! Yeah, that's it...for the kids!
Better?
Alternate Setting
Reply #18 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:21 AM
Reply #18 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:21 AM
The key to a successful relationship with technology, is to avoid anthropomorphism.
I know for a fact my computer really hates that.
I know for a fact my computer really hates that.
Philly0381
Reply #19 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:40 AM
Reply #19 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:40 AM
Gideon - It sounds like you're up there with Corky_O with a full plate. In reading other posts, it's easy to see that you have strong feeling about OS's. Does Linux play well with PC's or is that even an issue?
Boy, do I remember TRS-80's or Trash-80's as we used to called them. Talk about a closed end machine. I remember helping a friend at that time upgrade DOS and we had to get inside and reset jumpers. I remember your thread about modding the TRS-80. It sounds like when you get done with it needs to find it's way into a publication about modding. I know you've seen them, people mod the strangest things into working PC's.
Boy, do I remember TRS-80's or Trash-80's as we used to called them. Talk about a closed end machine. I remember helping a friend at that time upgrade DOS and we had to get inside and reset jumpers. I remember your thread about modding the TRS-80. It sounds like when you get done with it needs to find it's way into a publication about modding. I know you've seen them, people mod the strangest things into working PC's.
Philly0381
Reply #20 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:43 AM
Reply #20 Saturday, March 24, 2007 12:43 AM
Alternate Setting - You got me, I got to look that word up. Can adults use that word when there are children in the room?
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Reply #1 Friday, March 23, 2007 1:24 PM
Let me tell you what I think about computers taking control of our lives. I think..
[Unauthorized disparaging comments deleted by Jack_Spade's computer.]