Computers and all thier add-ons

If you think about all the people in the world, I'm not as computer illiterate as many.  In fact, I've been known to do some pretty good stuff using a computer.  However, I have to tell you, when it comes to changing programs or adding new software I'm a dunce. 

People tell me that everyone has to give themselves time to learn the new nuances of whatever it is that's changed.  That may be so but honest to God, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been able to easily transition from one program or something to a new whatever. 

Almost every time I've had the opportunity to update something to my computer it's like I've decided to pound my head with a hammer.  Everything I try gives me a headache. 

I have a Garmin GPS.  I usually update the maps annually. This is not a big deal.  I've done it before, several times in fact.  No problem, right? Yeah...right.

I have a new operating system in my computer.  It's a hotsy totsy new and improved system.  No more do I have to put up with Vista. I have Windows 7 (not 8 because I don't want that one yet, I can't figure it out). It seemed similar to my Vista so I figured I'd plug the Garmin into the computer using the USB  port with the connecting cable I ALWAYS use...Didn't work... I grabbed the manual (thinking maybe I forgot something) read the instructions (written in Chino/English sort of....).  According to them I did everything correct.  So, I try again....Hooray....success....but....not really.

I downloaded the information from the Garmin site to my computer, then it was supposed to AUTOMATICALLY go to the little Garmin device.  It looked like it was doing what it was supposed to do but it only got halfway; it downloaded to the computer but stayed there. 

Now I'm wondering if I screwed up the little Garmin device somehow....

Two days go by, I've checked the device in the car, it seems to be doing what it's supposed to do but the maps are not the updated ones I need.  I decide to try again with the downloading..

I bring the device into the house, hook up the USB cable again and it starts to make funny noises....sort of like a cat purring, but I don't think this device is too happy... I have a bunch of these USB cables so I figure I'll try another one....I plug the device in again...The purring has stopped and the unit looks like it's doing what it's supposed to do...I was wrong.  A new screen comes on and says, "Please check your Internet connection and try again".  I do, it's connected....

I go to the Garmin site on the web.   AFTER 2 HOURS I'M ON THE GARMIN WEBSITE WHICH IS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS ON THEIR END. Now I ask you, how many people do you know that have problems like this? I swear this is the way my life with computers goes. 

Is it any wonder I have no faith in these God forsaken devices?  And I still don't have the damned new maps in the damned device.

I'm too old for this world I fear..

OK I've know for a while that I'm older than dirt but never more than now... I muddle along like most of my compatriots, and we do seem to go in a forward motion, most of the time to, but honestly sometimes it doesn't seem worth it.

Everybody knows we have to have change, and we all accept it. I mean, what else can we do? We sure can't say, "Stop the world, I want to get off".  (I think that was a play, wasn't it?) Sounds to me like lots of folks before me had the same thoughts. 

We live in an age where we can't do much without the use of computers.  You can fight it all you want YOU will go away, the computers, they're here to stay. So now we all have that straight. 

When the blasted things go bad, they go really bad.  There's no such thing as tearing the page out and starting over.  Well, you can start over,  but it's not as easy as it was when you were using paper and pencil.  You resign yourself to the fact that your life will be a  living Hell until you get the computer back to the way it was when it went bad.  My experience with bad computers is when they go bad, they take no prisoners. Nope, they are the killers...the psychopaths of the electronic world.  They don't give a flying fig about the person who keeps them powered up.  They don't care about the person who makes sure the other person in the house doesn't spill any coffee on/in them.  No, they're bad asses, totally bad asses.


My little bit of warning for the rest of society...Don't say I didn't warn you.  That's all.