Tag Archives: laptops

New Laptop

Back in early 2011, I purchased a Sony Vio laptop (the machine on which most of my writing is done). I had, of course owned both laptops and desktop computers prior to buying the Sony. I do, however have no hesitation in stating that the Sony Vio is the most stable machine ever owned by me. This may stem in part at least from the fact that it is equipped with Windows 7 while previous machines worked utilising earlier versions of the notorious Microsoft operating System Vista. (Anyone who has had the misfortune to work with Vista will, I believe have their own tales of woe, made up of crashing operating systems due, in large measure to the amount of space taken up by Vista and the instability of the operating system).
During my visit to Liverpool, over the Christmas holiday in 2014, I knocked a cup of tea over my trusty Vio which lead to me having to replace the laptop’s keyboard (given it is a good old workhorse I was happy to pay the £60 entailed in doing so). Ironically, on returning from Liverpool (having attended the Christmas festivities in 2015), I found that the hard drive of my Vio had given up the ghost and required to be replaced. Again I paid for the machine’s repair.
All things do, however come to an end and this Christmas I received a Linova laptop as a present. Later this morning my friend Jeff is coming round to assist in setting up the new laptop. Being blind, I require assistance as Windows laptops/computers do not speak “out of the box”. My friend will ensure that the latest version of Windows 10 updates, then help in installing Job Access with Speech or JAWS (the software which converts text into speech and braille enabling visually impaired computer users to utilise Windows machines).
My Sony will, over time retire. It will, however remain as a spare machine.
I will be sorry to see this happen. It is, as I said at the start of this post, the laptop on which the lion’s share of my work has been produced. I am familiar with it’s workings an have become rather fond of it (well as much as one can become fond of a non-living object)! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the new Linova works as well as my good old Sony Vio laptop …

How Nice It Is To Drink Coffee

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How nice
To drink a coffee as I think
About what to write, but try as I might
There is no delight
For I find that coffee spilt
Wilt
My device break
And I have had to take
The darned thing almost thrice
To the store.
No more
Shall I drink
As I think
While sitting next to my machine
For I glean
That computers and drinks do not mix
And laptops can not always be fixed …!

One Of Those Weeks

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It has been one of those weeks when, as the bard of Avon says, troubles come not in single files but in batttalions! On Monday the “f” key which usually resides comfortably on my laptop suddenly developed a wander lust and in a bold bid for freedom detached itself from it’s fellow keys. The wanderer is now confined in an envelope in my desk drawer which should, I hope curtail any further yen it may develop to head for the open road! I’m typing this using an external USB keyboard which is working well. I will, however investigate the cost of affixing the key back where it belongs, on my laptop!

On the same night that the “f” key made a bold bid for freedom, I became aware of a strange sound in my flat. I couldn’t determine its source. However on entering the living room all became clear. My hungry hound had extracted a packet of sweets from my friend’s bag and was happily munching on them. I did rescue the remainder, however, for some unaccountable reason my friend didn’t seem to be struck by the idea of consuming the leftovers …

On Tuesday my trusty vacuum cleaner joined the heavenly choir and is now singing tunefully (or not) with other dearly departed and much lamented household appliances. The sad demise of my vacuum cleaner necessitated a trip to John Lewis yesterday evening and I am awaiting the arrival of a replacement on Thursday 30 April. I can hardly contain my excitement …! What, I wonder does next week have in store for me?

The Wanderer Returns

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On 30 December I wrote a post entitled “Do Not Tempt Fate For She Will Always Have The Last Laugh”, (http://newauthoronline.com/2014/12/30/do-not-tempt-fate-for-she-will-always-have-the-last-laugh/). In it I described how the spilling of tea on my laptop had caused said item to migrate to the great IT heaven in the sky leaving yours truly virtually unable to use his trusty steed (sorry, laptop)! I am pleased to report that I now have a spanking new laptop keyboard thanks to PC Repairs Croydon, (http://www.pcrepairscroydon.com/). I took the ailing machine in on Saturday afternoon and picked it up today. I am delighted with the results – my laptop now works well. I will, however be keeping liquids of any description well out of harms way!

The gentleman who runs the business went beyond the call of duty. Not only did he fix my machine, he also helped me and my guide dog Trigger find our way back to the nearby station. In short the company provided a truly personal service and I would certainly recommend them.

The upside to not being able to blog (other than you all not having to read my posts)! Was that it enabled me to catch up with my reading. I am now just under halfway through Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karenina-Translation-Carefully-Crafted-Classics%C2%AE-ebook/dp/B004JF4LCU) which I am greatly enjoying. While I wouldn’t recommend spilling te (or any other liquid for that matter on IT equipment) the unforeseen break did afford a welcome time for relaxation.

Over the next few days I will be catching up with all the posts I have missed so be warned I may well be dropping in on you with or without an invite!

Kevin

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