I was having dinner with my sister the other night which made me stop and reflect over ten years of technological advancement.
Ten years ago my sister called telling me her mouse didn’t work.
When I said, “Make sure it’s plugged all the way in the back of the computer.”
She said, “Does it have to be plugged in?”
Today that’s bordering on a valid question.
When my sister learned of the internet, she thought there were only five websites Walmart, a grocery store, an auction place, AOL, and some kind of family tree thing.
Last week she said, “I don’t know what twitter and blog (yes, she said just blog) are, but they’re getting on your Facebook somehow.”
I wanted to tell her it was the Facebook Fairy, but I already plucked his wings off. (See previous post)
My sister finally dumped her ten year old computer and left dial up behind. What’s next? Cable?
Hi,
I’m sure your Sister is going to enjoy the wonders of a faster internet connection, she of course will most likely be able to watch videos now, and most likely learn what it is like to “surf the net”.
I have a friend that is still on dial up, she lives a long way from nowhere really and is very lucky to have that. She is only able to see blogs that don’t have any photos, and she can’t watch videos because there is no speed. But at least she has e-mail and we do have a lot of conversations through that.
That’s nice. Technology can really help us stay connected. I don’t think we have to worry about movies, videos or pretty much anything else. Though she has found “The Facebook” and is quite happy with that.
Ha Ha! My favourite IT story was phone support for my mother. She was having problems and when I asked her what she was trying to do, she said the ‘pig’ wasn’t working… turned out she was trying to use the ‘mouse’ upside down…
That’s a good one. My pig has it’s moments too. LOL
that is soo funny!
well at least shes managed to plug the facebook fairy in……………….
I feel a kinship with her
Oh this is so funny!!!
Too funny!
LOL! You never fail me for a great laugh! Animalcouriers…. the pig!! haha
Thank you both for starting my day off with big grins!
Tami
You are very welcome. Thanks.
Hey Deidra,
When your sis finally gets Cable, make sure she plugs it all the way in at the back!
She has her VCR tapes which she is perfectly happy with and can get cheaply at yard sales.
AAh…those were the days! lol
Your sister and my Farmer should get together! Lucky for me, I have 3 children who keep me current (and tease me when I just don’t get it).
I love the last line! Cable?
One of my earlier post referenced an incident in which she cancelled cable. The company called her to offer some super great deal to turn it back on, but they made the mistake of asking her why she turned it off. She replied, “To get the devil out of my life.” They just hung up. What’re are you going to say to that?
My sister is a lot like yours! I patiently help her along into this cyber world but I know when to back off. She could so easily live in the 1800s and get by just fine.
If only they had soccor moms then.
Really funny! Your sister must love you very much;)
How is your sister with cell phones? That is my downfall. Thanks for the stories.
She has always been super advanced with talking both in speed and stamina, however, until recently texting confused the living tar out of her.
I’ll have to look into “blog.” It sounds like it could take off someday.
You should look it up and get back to me. Also, look out for my Twitter as it tends to leak.
I’m just a guy with a limerick reply…
My sister who’s life I do share,
Is technologically impaired;
She can’t tell a mouse,
From a monopoly house,
When computing she tears out her hair.
Compliments of Humorous Interludes
Love it!
Thank you.
Almost there lol!
Hello Deidra,
Great post,hahaha Keep up the great posts.
One of my sons lives in China and he said in that some towns/villages are leapfrogging tech levels. The first telephone systems some cities are getting is wireless.. Just thought that made for interesting chatter…
Please visit my other blog http://igotastorylikethat.wordpress.com/ I am having a blast writing stories for artists. Maybe you’ll find it fun as well.
-Peace
Yes, that’s happening in Latin America as well. These countries don’t have the wired infrastructure so it makes more sense just to go wireless.
I’ve never had any problems with my mouse, but recently my computer overheated when the hamster who runs the wheel that powers my blower motor went on strike. I guess I’ll have to give him a raise after all!
I use hamsters, more reliable.
I can picture some other super advanced civilization laughing at us savages-humans right now, LOL.
I’m laughing at us right now, but I’m not super advanced just easily amused.
Don’t have a sister but I surely missed her.
Always enjoy your view of life…Worry not. It’s all wireless in the future. Thanks…Keep it up!
That will really confuse her!
Good grief! My 85 year old aunt knows what those things are?
But then again, my mother thinks “they’re” watching her through her computer and my MIL doesn’t know how to turn the computer on, so at least your sister’s ahead of a few folks.
She even has teens to teach her the finer points.
please do not mention the word “iPad” to her…..
LOL
But her life is so much more relaxed
Oh Lord… LOL!
A cell phone is in her not too distant future…I can tell..lol
I sent her a text message which totally freaked her out.
Ha, now that’s funny..Did you use all the btw’s and wtf’s and bff’s and the like?
I’m not so great with the lingo.
Me either, but she doesn’t know that…make up some stuff, she’ll never know the difference..at least for a decade or so..
Oh, that could be really good. I like how you think.
I have a sister like that. She calls me from California to ask how to do things with her computer. The funny part is I’m not much better than her. The blind leading the blind.
Two years ago I would have been laughing if I had told myself I was going to be using this for any thing more than e-mails.
I always thought my anger of technological speed and lack of in person conversation would lead to the lack of intimacy with natural life and people. I was right. If any disagree….check the number of friends on facebook with the amount of people that were at your last birthday party. Atleast the computer will remind them that it’s your B-day.
These days, it is a necessary evil that we all carry and your sister will grunt and groan into this next age with the rest of us.
I guess dialup has kept her kids usage to a minimum.
What did we do before the Internet? I don’t know how I found out anything. Guess I must have gone to the library
I think I just went stupid.
Ha ha
I have a sister like that too. She had an e-mail account and that’s about all she could do: e-mail at the library. I then gave her a second-hand laptop I bought so she wouldn’t cancel her account and not have to GO to the library. I’ve heard from her once since Thanksgiving. That worked out well, wouldn’t you say.
Have you determined the cost of that email? It have been more cost effective to send her prestamped post cards.
I shudder to think of all the internet support calls I have taken in my life. Whether the issue be a caps lock key that SOMEHOW got pressed, or a defetivecoffee cup holder that kept breaking off, or roast squirrel on the line… They are all priceless.
Oh dang it, I was so found of the cup holder.
your posts are great to read lol
Your posts are forever funny!
I bet your sister does not know you write about the family bloopers a lot.
I’ve tagged you btw,
http://polkadotribbeaux.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/11-11/
Thank you
I feel your sister’s pain, believe me. I have my own site, blog, etc. I use the net daily. Yet there are times when the whole thing seems to be a mysterious black whole that escapes my grasp of understanding. *sigh* ‘Tis life.
Very funny.
Shades of teaching my mom. Sometime in her mid 80′s she got a computer. I spent several days working with her on how to use it. One day she called I had to come over. Her computer wasn’t working. When I got there it didn’t take long to figure out why. She couldn’t find the power button. It went downhill from there. 
Hey, I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. You can check it out here: http://roshrulez.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/spread-some-sunshine/
Too funny! My mom has quite a few problems with her computer!
lol! I think this describes at least half of my family.
Yeah, they all think I must know every application ever written.
atleast 8 years back desktop computer arrived at my home. My dad operated it too for a while.
One fine day, he used it for some time and then switched if off. Fearing the worst, I asked him to show how he achieved this.. What he showed made me laugh and nervous at the same time. Apartenly he switched off the monitor and then turned off the mains in which pc was connected.
Yikes!!
Hey, your sister sounds like my kind of girl. Sometimes things just move too fast before we’ve had a chance to get used to the last thing that was new!
Oh My! Those twitter and blog must be some kind of viruses!
I loved reading this. Although not a complete technophobe, I must admit I didn’t know what a blog was until about two days before I started mine! I really don’t expect you to do it (it’s strange when you feel forced into writing something on someone else’s subject!) but just thought I’d let you know I’ve tagged you in this: http://mummybigbum.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/tag-time/
Hope I get to read your answers, but you’re under no obligation to take part!
Thanks for the invite. We’ve been working 12 hours days for 14 straight days at my non-writing job, so I’m going to have to pass due to exhaustion.
My mum was like this!
Sweet sister
She not always sweet, but technologically challenged.
I can relate. If she’s ever in Las Vegas she should stop by so that we can console each other.
She is map challenged too. Not a great idea.
This was really funny lol
Thanks. I’m always thankful that my sister is a neverending supply of stories.
I have a friend who isn’t even that advanced! It’s true. She thinks it’s some kind of special magic that only certian people can make happen.
Some people do. When I can’t get my computer to work I ask one of the IT guys to come to my desk and then it’s fine.
Hilarious!
OMG … I read your posts and I think … were we hatched from the same egg? My sister – same exact thing. I remember for Christmas we wanted to get their kids Kindles. We don’t usually spend that much money, but since both she AND her husband are still in like 1970 something, their kids … well, they are technologically left behind. (I had to have this long talk with her to allow her 17 year old son to have a Facebook, but that’s another story). Anyway, I called and asked if it would be OK. She didn’t even know what it was. She was like, isn’t that one of those things you put songs on? I was like, “No, that’s an iPod.” She’s like, “O yeah, I think I’ve heard of that.” Scary stuff.
I was suprised she didn’t ask if Kindle wasn’t someone she went to high school with?
Hahaha … That’s actually very funny!!
Yeah, my sister’s good for hundreds of stories.
Bahahaha! Your blogs make me laugh! Made me feel better today…thanks!
Thank you. Love laughter.