Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Ever the dummy

There's a problem with being jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none.  Yes, there is.

Take horseback-riding, for instance.  I've never had lessons.  All I've ever done is saddle the horse, get on, and ride.  I really don't care if there's a "right" way or "wrong" way.  I wouldn't know whether a horse has good conformation, or bad.  I figure if it appears that both the horse and I are enjoying ourselves, that's sufficient.

Sometimes I do have horse questions, but for those of us who have never learned the fine points of horsemanship or horse care, this can be tricky.

On horse message boards, I've stopped giving my two cents worth on any subject, because the horse "experts" will step right up and tell everyone how stupid I am.

It's the same with computer-help websites.  I know of a good one, too.  Trouble is, if I ask a question, I end up feeling like such an idiot after they're done with me that I'd just as soon buy a new computer as to ask their advice.

Oh, I read and learn.  For instance, I've seen that computer techies won't use AOL; they say it's a "virus".  They also don't use instant message programs of any kind.  I believe it, and the next computer I get won't have these things installed.

I just won't ask questions of anybody.

I have a wireless thingie I bought so someone could use my laptop at the same time I'm on this computer.  It's never worked.  I don't know why, and I'm not about to try and find out.

This desktop crashed Saturday, displaying the famous "blue screen of death".  It's only six months old.  I didn't want to tell anybody, because as I told Cliff, people will tell me it's my fault.  I'm an idiot.

Well, turns out my only problem was dust in the fan.  Did you know that would cause the blue screen?  At least it didn't cost much to fix it.  I'd love to know where the fan is, so I could vacuum it out from time to time... but I feel stupid asking.

What I'm saying is, if you are knowledgeable about a subject, please be kind to those of us who aren't, when we ask for help.


If I ever happen to get knowledgeable about anything, I'll do the same.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Donna....the fans are inside the cover. Those covers can be pesky to get off sometimes. Mine is an easy one, thank you Jesus ! Only 4 srews hold it on the case. But once you get the case open....the fans are easy to spot. I usually just 'blow' them off with a can of compressed air. Be careful not to blow too hard. The force of the air might loosen some connections. That's all there is to it. If you ever need help, you know you can always email me and I'll try and help you. Usually I can figure simple things out. And my son in law is only a free phone call away. He's a computer wiz, that boy !!  

Anonymous said...

Yep I know the feeling. Once I actually heard a tech. from AOL snickering because I was a dumb old lady I guess. at least we're trying, aren't we? Paula

Anonymous said...

First, let me say that the word 'dummy' would never occur to me in connection to you!! Now that we have that out of the way <g>, most people don't learn everything, we just learn what we need to get a particular job done!

I've seen those message boards you talk about where the 'trainers' gather. I steer waaay clear of them. If you don't agree with them you are an 'idiot' phhhht!

I think that a little common sense, sensitivity toward your horse, and an ability to look at what you are doing and adjust it so it works better are the only requirements of a 'trainer' And you have all of that in spades, along with a load of patience and a good heart. Most of the -good- trainers I have worked with follow the saying of 'Be as kind as you can be and as firm as you have to be' And, another favorite is 'There are many roads to any destination!'  

As for the fans... you don't even have to open up your case if you don't want... Get some canned air and just 'shoot it' thru any of the vents. Not as good as opening the case, but will work. Just be careful with the canned air and hold the can upright so you get air out and not the liquid.

I personally don't use the AOL software, I come in thru AOL.com and use Firefox, but that is a preference because I think the AOL client is a little bloated <shrug> I don't know much about IM software because I never use it.... I've always preferred e-mail, but the 'techies' are usually using cutting edge stuff and that's always asking for trouble <LOL>

Anonymous said...

Donna, you are not he only one who is not a computer geek...I am dumb as dirt when it comes to them...lol and horses too as far as that goes! lol ALl I know about horses is that I think they are pretty and some even seem to have their own personalities! I only rode bareback as a child and would be scared to death to get on one now...but you ride and truly care for yours with a loving heart....I think you are the "bee's knees"!!!
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

I have an unused Linskys adaptor too. It would be nice to have it up and running. My son in law spent 2 days figuring it out and had it working and then I unplugged it and ruined the darn thing! Sometime when I have the extra money I will get a geek over here and have him re install it!

Anonymous said...

I think you are doing fine with the horses.
As far as the computer fan, look on the back and you may see a thingy that looks like the cover of an old oscalating fan. That will be one of the fans. Dont vacuum! Blow dont suck and it helps if you just get the dust OFF of all the holes everywhere.

Anonymous said...

Please don't downgrade yourself.  I think that asking questions is a great way to find out what you need.  I think that you are asking the snobby people.  It never occurred to me to think that you didn't know as much or more than someone who trains horses.  It takes a lot just to get out there and do what you do and not get hurt!  
We tried to uninstall aol from a different computer once because it wouldn't allow us to install a different service provider.  So in a sense they are a virus.  We ended up frying the computer in the process.  
Traci

Anonymous said...

AMEN sister, I know how you feel. I hate getting that look from people who find out I am on AOL.  Look the man who invented it wanted his mother to be able to use it with ease. If it was good enough for her, it's good enough for me.  As for your horseback-riding, I am in awe......I've always wanted to learn.   Anne

Anonymous said...

Sheesh Mo, you are the one I figure knows so much about these puters.  Guess there's always someone to make you feel inferior (jerks).  So ignore them and keep plugging.  You have a pioneer spirit when it comes to cutting a path through a problem, whether it's computers or around your place.  So snub those that snub you and keep plugging.  I try to learn from you everytime you post something of knowledge.  Oh...and CSand is right about where the fan is.  Don had to find mine last year (with the help of a Gateway tech).  They even sell cans of air to "delicately" blow the dust away.  Tech said it should be done often if your house is dust magnet.  Don had to take cover off my unit and blow it out from inside-out.

Anonymous said...

I have had the blue screen happen to me before. I just used system restore...It probably was a virus but i didnt come up with the virus scans I have....I hope it isnt costly to fix whatever it is that your computer is doing..~Raven

Anonymous said...

Don't feel bad Mosie.  This new (2 years old) Dell started making awful grinding noises and I just knew my hard drive was going South.  At Christmas when my friends were here for dinner, I asked JC whatever could the noise be.  Same as you - dirt in the fan.  He took a damp tissue and cleaned out some awfully black dust and it's fine now.  

How was I supposed to know the fan would get dirty and like your question, where is the doggone fan?

You're not a dummy - just under informed.  :o)

XXOO

La Banana

Anonymous said...

No, I haven't heard of dust making the blue screen. You can buy those cans of air especially for computers to blow the dust out of the whole thing. I have done mine once but I really need to do it again. I just hate taking the cover off my computer to do it. The wireless thingy works fine on my laptop. Maybe you could ask where you bought it(the router) if they will tell you how to set it up. Ken set ours up. I think he asked how to do that when he bought the laptop. I hope you did buy the ethernet card for the laptop that you use to make it use the router. I am not trying to make you sound stupid just wondering if you bought all the things you need to do that with.  Wish I were a computer technican then we wouldn't have to pay someone to work on ours when they mess up LOL. Helen

Anonymous said...

Like you Donna....don't like to be made a fool of...specially since I just want to learn more....so like you I hesitate to ask questions of anyone....(just those I am sure won't put me down when I ask)...and I am going to ask Mixon about the fan business...thanks for bringing it up....and like Boo...I think of YOU as my answer to all...LOL...gonna check out those "ranch beans" today LOLOL....hugs and love ya...Ora

Anonymous said...

Mosie I'm in the same boat you are.  Luckily, my friend Joey is a computer wizard.  If you want to ever ask him a question he'd be happy to help you.  He would NEVER act rude to you.
Let me know.  He cleans the inside fan all the time and he could help you with those things.
Let me know.
Pam

Anonymous said...

This one had me rolling on the floor laughing!  YOU ARE NOT an idiot or stupid.  You are one of the smartest women I know.  Was it Einstein that said it's not the knowledge in your head that makes you smart but rather the knowing where to find the answers?  Now that's where I fall down.  I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWERS.  You're right though...some of those techies do walk around with their heads in clouds and with upturned noses. It is hard to swallow my pride and ask "dumb" questions, but I do it.....YES I DO.
 

Anonymous said...

Well, hell, Donna, if you're stupid than so is the rest of the world!  Especially me!  I ask questions all the time, and I could care less how 'stupid' I might sound! lol  Look at all the silly questions I've asked you about animals and farming things?  I sure hope you didn't think I was stupid, but I could see how you might have! :p

I know the fan for my computer is located in the back part of motem.  And, it does get dusty!  I have to vacuum the back out quite frequently.  On a laptop.. well.. I don't have a clue!

From one stupid question asker to anothe! :)

Hugs
Jackie

Anonymous said...

well mosie this is the first time i have ever made a comment even tho i keep track of the journal and the other bvlog would love to have one myself the fame is somewhere in the tower and all u have to do is take off the back and vaccuum that is what bro in law did for me and he is a whiz