Once upon a time, my desktop computer was a monster gaming system. It could power through Stormwind without so much as a flutter of lag. But that was more than two children ago, and one of those children is now in kindergarten.
Electronics simply don’t have that long of a life-cycle. So, I knew it was time to upgrade the computer over a year ago when it was running slow while I was browsing for winter coats for my daughters.
I saved up and bought a really nice Alienware laptop. I figured this would last me another seven years or so.
When it arrived, it was huge. Much bigger than I expected. My husband teased me a little, asking me what I did expect when I bought the largest screen they had available. Well of course I bought the largest. I want to be able to see it, don’t I? Especially as I’m spoiled at work with not one but two massive monitors that take up most of my desk.
But along with the large monitor came a lot of weight.
Not the best thing in a laptop, but this computer was never leaving my house, so not a big deal.
The track screen was also inconveniently located and quite large. My hand kept accidentally swiping it, and I’d end up typing hallway across the screen typing where I didn’t want to be typing. I solved that by purchasing a wireless mouse and keyboard for when I write as that’s the only time it bothers me.
The big hang-up was any new laptop had to come with Windows 10 installed on the machine, and I struggled with the operating system. I just wanted to open the new computer, load my files, and go. But I couldn’t. It wasn’t that easy, especially on this new operating system.
So, I did what any writer with a full time day job would do. I stuck the new laptop in a corner, used it only when I had to, and kept using the old machine.
Not ideal, I know. But I was much more interested in writing and editing than I was in messing with a new operating system. And, I figured we’d eventually get it at work, and I’d have to learn it anyway.
Only, we didn’t.
Then, my desktop’s main fan stopped working.
We tinkered with it, but it was dead.
A few days later, it started making strange noises.
Yeah, it was time to put aside my writing, move the desktop computer to an out-of-the-way location, and give the laptop the spot on my desk. Then I had to transfer files. And try to remember all my passwords for all the websites I frequent. And reinstall basic software like iTunes.
So, yeah, that took a whole day, and the laptop and I are still figuring each other out.
Combine all of this with how hectic things are at my day job, and I’ve not been nearly as productive as I would like.
But things should get back to normal here soon, and I should still be on track to get Crown Prince released this year.
How about you? Ever do a computer switch-over that didn’t go well? Or at least didn’t go as planned? What happened? How did you handle it?
I got myself a new personal computer and work computer in the last few months, but you probably don’t want to hear about how easily Apple lets you transfer user information and apps to a new computer over your home network in one step.
But I will recommend a password manager like LastPass. Not only do you only need one password (and optional MFA on your phone) but it makes you more secure because you can use stronger passwords and a different password for every site. And you can also lock it down to certain browsers and then only lock it when you move to a new one.
And Dropbox for your writing. You get automatic backups and the ability to move between computers. I can work on projects at home or on the work computer with no worries.
You may be luring me into the Apple cult!
I will check out both LastPass and Dropbox. I also need to figure out this WIndows 10 stuff. My last machine I had everything is a single folder with sub-folders so it was easy to backup. Windows 10 doesn’t like that. It wants documents in the documents folder, pictures in the pictures folder etc.
I used Windows 10 for about a year at the day job and didn’t think it was that bad. But when getting a Mac was an option, I went with it. The MacBook Pro I used at home lasted 5 years before I upgraded to an Air. (The MacBook is still in service as a DVR.)
Microsoft has really boxed themselves into a corner. After failing badly at revolutionary change, they’ve gone with evolutionary change and bunch of bad decisions.
I don’t know if you are using Word or not, but when I am forced to use it it’s remarkably pigheaded about where I want to save and open documents, even on Mac. (It really wants to make OneDrive happen. OneDrive is not going to happen.)
I am using the same laptop I bought 5 years ago. It has been very reliable thankfully. My wife uses a 10 inch 2-in-1 for her bowling data. We are on the third of these tablet like devices in 2.5 years. Now her laptop fan is acting up. I gave her a new 15 inch for the day, all ends. On the side,I had her do a file save to external 2tb when the fan got noisy.
Prep for disaster! I use an external but may try dropbox for backups. I just haven’t become comfortable with the cloud for personal stuff yet.
Good luck with the laptop!
lol – I had to laugh when I read the bit about parking the Windows 10 laptop in the corner and going back to the old desktop. I have my main desktop running Windows 7 [still and until something catastrophic happens], Windows 10 on an old pc I use to demonstrate stuff [and don’t care if it dies] and 10 on the cute little laptop that gets used maybe once every 3 months. I teach computer literacy on Windows 10 pcs at work so I’m used to it, but I still think it’s a load of horse manure.
Re Dropbox. Just be careful if you decide to use it as it’s had some security issues in the past.
The majority of Dropbox security issues originated from people using the same password on more than one site, emails and password were stolen from other vendors who didn’t encrypt the passwords, and this made it possible to steal data from dropbox. Using a password manager, like I recommended, prevents this. Dropbox has also added 2-factor authentication, which is why I was willing to start using them.
Human error/laziness will always be a factor, but I’m glad to hear they’ve beefed up their security.
I know I’m the weakest link :/
I have too many passwords. I can’t remember them all. I know I’m supposed to have a different one for each site, but when I tried that years ago, I was constantly resetting passwords.
I can’t remember all my passwords either so I decided to memorize a very few of the biggies – internet banking, Amazon…lol. The rest I do recycle a bit on the basis that if I’m hacked, they won’t matter. I’ve been very lucky so far…knock on wood.
I am going to try this LockPass thing. We’ll see how that does. Worse yet are the sites that make you change you password every so many months.
Yeah, changing your password regularly makes sense from a programming perspective, but it ignores human nature. People who can’t remember the latest password write them down, often in the most obvious of places.
I don’t know how LockPass does what it does but maybe you should keep your internet banking password separate. I know I’m paranoid, but if LockPass itself gets hacked you’ll lose everything.
Here in Australia at least one of the banks uses a three tier security system for online banking – ID, Password and one-time security token. Basically we type in the ID and password as normal but then we activate this little random number generator token-thingie [not sure /how/ this works] and type in the one-time password.
My token is attached to my house keys and goes with me wherever I go. Thus, even if someone discovers my ID and password they can’t access my account without the token as well. Like I said, I’m paranoid.
I can relate! I bought my new windows 10 laptop a year and a half ago to replace my old laptop which I thought was on the way out. The new laptop gets used for gaming, but I still use the old one to write because I prefer the keyboard and it still works 🙂 I dread the day the old one gives up!
It’s a sad, sad day 🙁