Dried grasses and wildflowers in the winter vineyard.
For the past year, I've noticed my computer slowing down, especially with internet surfing. I know that my hard disks are old enough for me to be worried about them crapping out at any moment. I've been diligently backing up data and photos just in case. But I know that my soon-to-be ten-year old technology is not going to be practical much longer.
So Ken and I did some research and last week I ordered a new machine: a Dell Inspiron Slim desktop. I like the look of the smaller box; it won't be so bulky in the den. The new machine has a new generation processor and a terabyte of disk space, more than my current two drives together.
The computer arrived yesterday and I'm getting it all set up and ready to use now. I'm learning the new Windows 8 system in French (my previous Windows 7 system is in English). So, this may be the last blog post from the old computer. You won't notice any difference when I switch, but I sure will.
Not bad... ten years from one machine... 50€ per year! Comment typed on a ten year old Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop!!... that had a new power supply fitted last year!!!!!?
ReplyDeleteMy Dell which is still hanging in there tho' is very slow, was bought in 2005 and only had/has XP. Two years ago we bought an Acer with Windows 7 which has been a disaster, have had so much trouble with it. (Not 7, the laptop I mean!)
ReplyDeleteTwo experts have told me Windows 8 takes some getting used to but I guess it is good exercise for the brain! Have just bought a new camera so the computer will have to wait!
Keep well.
we had a gateway 2000 (!) with windows 95 from 1998-2008; we now have an asus with windows xp. spouse uses that 5 year old desktop computer.
ReplyDeleteI have an acer laptop with windows 7 purchased in 2011; no troubles with mine.
current temperature here at 3:30a is 9F. I envy your 37F.
I've got an old laptop, 2006 (XP) and it's horrendously slow. I use my little ASUS eeePC notebook, which is getting a bit old, itself. It's on Windows 7, though, not Vista. My husband bought a laptop a few years ago and it came with Vista. Last year, as her birthday gift to her dad, one of our daughters, took his computer home with her, got rid of Vista and installed Windows 7, and then cleaned it all up so that it only has the software he uses. It's a miracle. Maybe I'll ask for a similar gift for my upcoming birthday.
ReplyDeleteThe AARO office just installed a new desk computer with Windows 8 and it looks like it's going to take some getting used to. The printer won't work, so for the time being, our office manager is transferring files for printing to the old computer via a USB key. We were planning on getting a new printer anyway, which has now led me to do some reading about Windows 8 and hardware compatibility problems -- and there are many. David Pogue (IHT and NYT) has been writing quite a bit about the dual identity of Windows 8.
Congrats on your new Dell laptop, I'm sure you two will become best friends forever (BFF's) once you get accustomed to the new programs.
ReplyDeleteI'm still using Windows 7 on my desktop and Windows XP on my Toshiba laptop.
I will consider updating my desktop to Windows 8 in another month or two.
Have fun, and remember to be patient with your new friend.
On a completely different note... Walt, can you or Ken tell me the name of the hotel in Paris that you often use when you have a stayover in Paris? I thought that I had bookmarked it somewhere, but I can't find it (if anyone else has a suggestion, I'll take it!) A former student of mine is working in Alençon this year, and her parents (never been to Europe, I'm sure) are visiting. Of course, inexpensive -ish would be great (I realize that term has to be taken with a grain of salt when applied to Paris hotels). I guess 2-star, unless someone knows of a good 3-star in not-too-bad price range. I'm thinking 7th or 6th or 5th or maybe 14th.
ReplyDeleteJudy, we stay not far from Alencon. We have visited the city few times and want to go back. If your former student tells you anything about the city, I'd love to hear about it. Ken and Walt have my email address if anything comes up that you think is worth sharing (and if you have time!). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, she is writing a blog about her adventures: amysalenconadventures.blogspot.com
DeleteI have Windows 8 on my backup machine and, except for the aesthetics of desktop mode, I like it. It boots fast and has run everything I've loaded so far.
ReplyDelete-----
Judith, I think these are the recommended hotels in Paris:
http://hoteldescarmesparis.com/English/hotel_carmes_paris.htm
in Latin Quarter near St. Michel.
Near Pantheon and Sorbonne
http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/en/#!/en/10-rates
Thanks, Tom!
DeleteTom's right about the hotels (and about Windows 8 too I'm sure). We don't go to Paris much but the Carmes and the Collège de France are our hôtels of choice. They're in the same neighborhood, the 5th, and within easy walking distance of Notre Dame, the Sorbonne, the Louvre, St-Germain-des-Prés, the Marais, and on and on. Both are comfortable and modern but not lavish. The rooms are small, but you know, it's Paris.
DeleteThanks, Ken. I put together some info for my friend, about the different neighborhoods, and suggested these two hotels, and a few others. I told her to just mentally prepare herself that the rooms are just tiny, and that no matter how much she thinks she has prepared herself, she'll still be surprised at how small the room may feel :) But-- as everyone says-- who spends time in the hotel room in Paris?
DeleteYou seem to be hooked on Dell (is that a song?). I used to buy eMachines and found them to be very reliable. Then I bought, and still have, an HP SmartTouch21 (meaning it has a touch screen which I almost never use and a 21-inch screen which i love but wish it was bigger). It's also everything in one piece which means I now can use a lot of my desk that I couldn't use before. I've been eyeing a 27-inch all-in-one, but they're rather pricey. I'll probably talk myself into it before much longer.
ReplyDeleteI ordered a custom machine from PowerC.com in the UK. For the same price as a Dell, I got a _much_ more powerful machine, and had it delivered to France within 2 days of playing the order!
DeleteWindows 8, such "fun"!!!
ReplyDeleteMy laptop died a couple of months ago and I got a replacement with W8...lucky for me I spent 2 days at Microsoft whilst it was being shipped and got some idea of how to fathom the unfathomable....all I can say is stick to desktop mode and I hope you got a touchscreen!
Good luck
NickL
How do you say in French, "Dude, he got another Dell"? Lovely picture today, such color subtleties.
ReplyDelete