Get Real: Embracing change in the world of new technology

For the record, I am not a technophobe.

You can’t be in the on-line news business and be terrified of new technology because every day presents with a new and different way of doing things. Try to get comfortable on Facebook!

However, I am somewhat resistant to change.

Which was why when the prompt kept appearing on my desktop computer that Windows 7 would soon no longer be supported, I continued to delete it, considering it of no imminent importance.

The “technician in the house” had a completely different response, and said I should upgrade because the “no longer be supported” part meant that if something went wrong with the computer, nobody would be able to fix it.

So, with a sigh, I started looking for options – and there were a few.

I could simply upgrade my existing desktop to Windows 10 at a substantial cost; I could purchase a refurbished computer with Windows 10 already on it at about the same price; I could purchase a new computer at a much higher price; or I could go with the status quo and hope for the best.

Yeah, that last one wasn’t a real option because when you work in the field of information technology, the only constant is change.

Therefore, I contacted our local computer store and inquired about upgrading my computer or purchasing another one.

His recommendation was to replace the machine with a refurbished unit, and I quote: “They are Intel i5 CPUs with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSDs in them, and are running Windows 10 Pro.”

Okay, my degree is in journalism, not computer geek, so I had no idea what he was talking about. Hence, I forwarded the information to the “technician in the house” and, for some reason, he sent me a message back, outlining what I required in a computer – all the hardware and software – more computer geek.

So, I cheerfully washed my hands of the whole project, and suggested the “technician in the house” talk to the guy at the computer store and sort this out. All I wanted was a machine on which I could carry out my reporting, writing, photography, advertising, messaging, social media, etc., and maintain the Kincardine Record on-line news source.

I have a similar aversion to understanding vehicles. I don’t want to know anything about the internal combustion engine or carburetors or ignition switches, and so on. All I need to know is that when I turn the key, the car starts; when I put it in drive, it drives; and the radio works. Anything else is extraneous to my knowledge quotient.

Anyway, the “technician in the house” determined that we needed a refurbished computer with an extra built-in hard drive, along with Windows 10 and a new program for handling photos since mine was about 10 years old.

We brought it home and set it up. And everything was strange, different and weird - like “trying to drive a new car” weird. Nothing was where it was supposed to be, and my learning curve took a 90-degree turn.

Fortunately, the “technician in the house” is much better at dealing with new technology than I am. Through some wizardry, he was able to connect the new computer with the old computer and transfer all my files, including photos, documents, folders, standing heads, etc., onto the new machine. That part was pretty fascinating as I watched two screens, side-by-side, on the new computer, while the transfer took place.

Then it was up to me and my aged brain to figure out how all the new programs worked, how to access documents, work with photos, write stories, download, upload, off-load, re-load. The first few days were difficult and I thought my brain was going to explode.

However, just like driving a new car, there are some basics that don’t change – you still have windshield wipers, you just have to find where the switch is. On the new computer, your files are still there, you just have to learn to handle them differently.

It takes practice and more practice. Now, a couple of months later, I have discarded the comfortable slippers and am actually enjoying the upgraded machine and newer programs which make things a lot easier compared to the erstwhile technology.

We may as well embrace new technology because with every upgrade, there’s some computer nerd somewhere working on the next one.

Ah, life in the fast lane!