http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/12/26/the-evening-line Comments On: The evening line by Max Brantley en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Sun, 26 May 2013 00:30:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
Posted by MarcKyle1964]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:47:40 -0600 Arkansas Times
Entergy services our area. Actually, their powerlines run up the mountain on the edge of our property. We have had good service and response from them, with only only one exception (in the summer) when our power was out for nine days.

I am sorting through all of this and definitely plan to get a generator(s). It is just a question of deciding what the best solution will be for our multiple buildings and needs (wells and pumps in one location, house in another, cabin and pond aerator in another, etc.), and not everyone agrees on what that best solution will be.
Posted by mountaingirl]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:35:46 -0600 Arkansas Times
I can relate to that. I've been a "gadget nut" ever since I was a kid. So for specific reasons I won't go into, I was on the cutting edge with a personal computer for business purposes in the early 1980s. Have studied, taught, and worked on computers at a relatively simple level ever since.

My wife, on the other hand, doesn't even like to talk on a telephone, can only change channels and volume with her TV remote, doesn't operate the VCR, CD player, or DVD player. She needed a computer for work a few years ago, so finally learned just enough to get by--most of the time. Still likes one for email and to play Scrabble, and for pictures of the grands and great-grnds. But never a week goes by that I don't have to help her with some (simple) problem or glitch. She takes full advantage of having her own "computer guru." [I'm not REALLY a guru, you understand; that's just the way she looks upon me.]
Posted by SkyPilot]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:57:24 -0600 Arkansas Times
Your last paragraph summary was spot on for me. I'm not a technology person, and as mentioned previously, I would much rather devote my problem solving skills to other things. Plus, I have a husband and two nephews who are technology people, so they make it easy for me to pass the buck on to them.

I had a blackberry that I could operate in my sleep but my dear hubby wanted me to update and got me an Iphone. I didn't like that transition either, but now the Iphone and I have a BFF relationship. But it has made me wonder if I fit into the "old dog, new trick" category.

I just want to be able to read the news, research topics of interest, communitate with my friends around the country, have a place to store my photography, and write down a few thoughts when the spirit moves me......all without having to put very much thought into how to do it. Pretty simple needs......

Wow........just realized I sound like my dad when I offered to buy him a computer. But his answer was a little more direct.

ME: Dad, how would you like to have a computer? You could keep up with your old friends, read the news, and look up information.

DAD: What the hell are you talking about? I have a phone, I get the newspaper, and I know a hell of a lot about most things. I don't need a g#!damn computer!
Posted by mountaingirl]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:37:09 -0600 Arkansas Times My hubby and nephew made those adjustments for me and we all tried to adjust my attitude toward this. But since the hubby (who has three computers going at all times) and the nephew (who worked at Dell for years) both walked away from the Windows 8 mumbling something akin to "This #!&*$#@!*&^#@! program", I figured this wasn't for me.
I would rather just get something that is simple and familiar and devote my "problem-solving" energies to something more important.
I am sure the couple you are working with feel the same way. But you are a sweetie for helping them....VERY nice thing for you to do and these things always come full circle.
Posted by mountaingirl]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:05:58 -0600 Arkansas Times
You have several options related to your computer: 1. You don’t HAVE to accept a new computer with Windows 8; you can specify Windows 7—perhaps even Vista. COULD cost a touch extra, but maybe not. Check the manufacturer’s Web site and consider ordering direct instead of buying from local store.

2. If your present computer “crashes” intermittently, it’s not a true “crash.” It’s usually a software problem, although it could be a hardware glitch—but not likely the hard drive. You could save your valuable files to an external device (hard drive, flash drive, CD, etc.) and run a System Recovery program, either from the computer’s internal System Recovery Console (Partition) or from a recovery CD.

3. If you would feel better about it, you might even replace the hard drive. New ones are available for around $50-$75. Installation and refurbishing labor will be more expensive than the drive itself.

4. A LOT of repair shops and pawn shops have very serviceable used computers. You can get one relatively inexpensively. There are even companies that do this “for a living.” Here’s one I’ve dealt with: http://www.usanotebook.com/laptop_wholesal…. You can check the Web for others. If you shop for one locally, do a LOT of window shopping to get a good idea of what the market is like.

5. On the other hand, if your machine is five years old or more, your money is usually more wisely invested in a new machine with the latest technology, the fastest CPU, the largest capacity RAM and hard drive, and the latest ability (such as internal wireless, Blue tooth, Skype, etc.).

But here’s a piece of realty: Every new Windows operating system has been “hated.” Mainly because it was different, and most of us don’t like to have to learn new stuff. I’ve hated every operating system I’ve had to learn since my original CPM back in 1982! But within three years, I’ve gotten comfortable with them and wished Microsoft would leave them alone. But they never do. And never will. Those employees have to earn their living some way!

IMHO
Posted by SkyPilot]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:05:30 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by springdale_liberal]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:46:07 -0600 Arkansas Times
That said, I'd like to note that it's eLwood who gets his eLwoodie from trashing women on their looks. I just point out the pigdickery, by him and by others, involved in doing so.
Posted by John A Arkansawyer]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:20:26 -0600 Arkansas Times
I should have also put at the bottom of my little buck-up comment above....he types from a warmish room with an electric heater purring at my feet.
Posted by DeathbyInches]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:11:13 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Perplexed]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:44:09 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Paul Covert]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:41:56 -0600 Arkansas Times >but if only cable TV & computers, the microwave & the Internets could run on propane

They can DBI, it's called a propane generator. Look around your town or on internets.
Posted by eLwood]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:28:33 -0600 Arkansas Times
My grandfather died May 3, 1965 at the age of 73. My father had gone up and removed him from his isolated farm 7 or 8 months before the old man died of bladder cancer. Granddad was a hard old man so they said, turned funny by a hard life that never got easier. At some point he got electricity, but no other utilities. He heated the whole 4 room farm house with this old coal stove. I remember childhood visits when I'd go to sleep on his hard sofa with the chrome arms, the only light coming from the isinglass in the door of the old stove while the middle part glowed a dull red.

The rusty old stove reminds me that humans usually don't die when there's no electricity or running water in the winter time. Of course you have to find a way to keep warm. We've got 6 fireplace built to burn coal but have never tried to do it. I've lived thru a couple of fires and I'm scared to death of going that way, but a good propane heater will work when the power is off and we always have our cook stove which burns that good propane. In an emergency we can eat and keep warm. In 2000 I drug a mattress down from upstairs and the whole family snuggled in at night accompanied by our dogs and cats just as warm as toast......but forget about turning over in the night.

I likes the modern life a whole lot but it makes me forget I can live without electricity until I'm forced to do it, but if only cable TV & computers, the microwave & the Internets could run on propane.....
Posted by DeathbyInches]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:18:10 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Nanc]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:38:00 -0600 Arkansas Times
Right now, I'm cooking off a bunch of thawed out food and recharging all of the flashlight batteries. I know that wishing and praying didn't bring the storm, but I'd rather not hear people say they're dreaming about a white xmas anytime soon.
Posted by YossarianMinderbinder]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:36:35 -0600 Arkansas Times
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/…

We are well north of the snow line, which just seems wrong, but it happens. It's way cold though. Not sure we've been above freezing in a week, with lows in the teens and not much about 24 so far this week.

Spent the day with a visit from my sister in law and her family. Decided that it's almost as though the table have been reversed. She's never been preachy but always certain that out lack of church going would be our downfall. She and her husband are still having a hard time about their youngest coming out a couple years ago (he went to Ouachita Baptist in the same class as one of Huckster's kids) and I love being able to show her that we love him for who he is, just as we have all along. And with 3 hours notice I gotta say that the red lentil soup and grilled muenster on tomato basil bread took care of the meat eaters as well as the vegetarians. Pleanty of leftover pie, cake and biscotti didn't hurt either.

Here's hoping everyone gets their power back sooner rather than later.
Posted by Vanessa]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:20:50 -0600 Arkansas Times
My sweet hubby thought it was time to replace my 7-year old laptop that has a couple of missing keys and crashes on a pretty routine basis. He picked out a really fast, very attractive, all silver, large screen model with lots of memory and graphics to rival a plasma television. I didn’t want a touch screen or Ipad because my computer rarely leaves my desk and I have an Iphone to do whatever I need when I am away from home.

The problem is, the new laptop came with Windows 8……….which I HATE!!!

Windows 8 was designed for a touch screen and just doesn’t translate that well to a keypad. I have talked with several “computer people” who tell me they aren’t going to upgrade to it until they have to. Even the Geek Squad guy told me he didn’t have it on his computer and didn’t want it. He also says he spends a lot of time trying to show people how to use it….often without much success.

So, as soon as we can get off this mountain, that beautiful piece of machinery is going back to the store. This old Dell I am on may look a little worn, but at least I have a tool bar and can find the refresh button. I agreed to a new one only if it came with Windows 7.
Posted by mountaingirl]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:59:34 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by ozarkrazo]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:23:30 -0600 Arkansas Times
That's my pier that normally extends out over the water. But for now, the pond is about 10 feet low so the pier looks like a deck with no house.

I took lots of pictures today to send to friends around the country who think we fell off of the edge of the earth when we moved here.
Posted by mountaingirl]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:19:25 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by conform and be dull]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:17:18 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by plainjim]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:46:56 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by ozarkrazo]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:35:46 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by plainjim]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:31:46 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mountaingirl]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:29:43 -0600 Arkansas Times
http://tinyurl.com/crf3qpn
Posted by Cato]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:27:11 -0600 Arkansas Times