The Adventures of a Website Muse

…more artistic musings

FINALLY being able to bring CLASSICAL Decorative Arts BLOG twelve year project to completion and thought it would be interesting to share my computer development adventures I’ve had over the years.

MUSE’S NEW COMPUTER SETUP with EXTERNAL MEMORY

IN THE PAST whenever I was asked about this ongoing project I would try to condense it into a 3 minute conversation, anything more would risks boring the listener. Have to admit that I almost threw in the towel on this project at times because I just didn’t “get it”and felt totally lost as to what to do next to fix the problem(s). I soon realized that two notebooks were required to keep track of my progress. One to list content and the other to write down technical analysis of the next steps.

AS MY MOTHER would often say “everything comes to an end” and so did this huge undertaking of creating a functioning informative BLOG.

IT ALL BEGAN in 2002 with a starter site and that began my interests in technology and website building. Below are excerpts from an article I wrote for a trade magazine that can be totally relatable today.

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June 2005

…In the past I dismissed anything remotely technical. Hey, I felt accomplished running my external answering machine. I refused to upgrade the cell phone because I finally figured out how to use it properly. If it works, why fix it? I didn’t care if it was the size of a small shoe box. A close friend tried to embarrass me because my microwave could hold a small 50 pound turkey and brought the power down at the condo complex. Given these several examples of me of me not having the desire to keep “current”, it was quite a surprise to most friends and family of my decision to invest in a sleek new, compact, state of the art computer. Not to mention that I crossed over to join the Mac team of enthusiasts had most shaking their heads and offering unwelcome advice on money management. But, I must say that before purchasing this puppy I really did my homework.

…Knowing absolutely nothing about these curiosities a salesperson could tell me anything and I would have been impressed. Wow, I get extra floppies with that one? No mention of memory, USB, Firewire, speed, support or warranty. I definitely was shooting from the hip, but I had to start somewhere. My final decision came after having a chance conversation with a client. This seemingly insignificant conversation opened up my eyes and my world to the Macintosh.

…Once I made up my mind to purchase the computer of choice, I had a hard time convincing the exhausted and often exasperated sales staff. Lady, hadn’t you been in our store ENDLESS times before and wasted (our) time? I asked my questions with the enthusiasm of an obvious novice while gathering the necessary important (to me) data with the style only a drill sergeant or the mother of five could appreciate. When the day arrived to finalize my decision, sign the check and declare my formulated password (the new hire gave me HIS), no sales associate could or would believe it. For, all who had tried to assist me in the past remained huddled behind the counter as if planning which way to out-play the opponent.

BEGINNER MUSE TOOLS ~ MY FIRST START-UP MAC 2004

…However, once business was taken care of, it took both hands and all of my balancing skills to carry the numerous bags that contained the additional necessary accessories and the smart square handled box containing the actual MAGIC machine (called THE COMPUTER) out of the store. Once home and still marveling at my savvy business sense (didn’t I get the sales guy to throw in that slick black computer case), I soon realized I was clueless on how to turn it on or off.

…Realizing that I had to crawl before I could run, I allowed myself time to become to become acquainted with my new mystery machine, Apple’s excellent online support was only several clicks away, but I was unable to understand the jargon that was used for explanation purposes. Sure, a manual had been included, but even its large print and one-syllable words could not be clear enough for this writer to understand. I had a complete lack of knowledge and made translation painfully difficult. the dumber than DUMB books seemed advanced at this stage in the game, But not before my share of crashes, backup failures, files that became mysteriously lost, along with hard drive complications. Could the last mishap occurred because I had not tuned the computer off in a year? Gee, nobody told me I needed to do that.

…I found out the hard way after loosing ten thousand priceless photographs and the necessity of scheduling routine backups. And, lest I forget to mention endless service 911 calls to Apple helpline because of printer complications? Oops…does that cord really have to be connected to something electric? Guess my mind was set on being wireless just a little too early. Frequently calling had its rewards though. just saying my last name required no further identification or product information.

…Gosh, did I need to have a Masters Degree in Computer Science just to register my new purchase? Is that the letter “o” or a zero that is required for license verification? I was so proud when I told a friend that I finally hooked up my airport wireless connection successfully without assistance. “How hard could that have been?” he asked…”its wireless”.