When I started, I knew nothing. I had set up a blogger account previously, so I could leave comments on others' blogs. I had no idea how to start one of my own. Finally, I had one of those "what the heck!" moments. I pressed the button to "create a blog". I wrote a few lines and hit "publish". It worked! Okay, then I had to figure out how to add photos. I did that, but could not control where the pictures went in relation to each other or the text. I tried cutting and pasting but must have been doing something wrong... instead of the photo showing up, there was a bunch of code in the middle of my text. I kept fiddling with it, and finally the photos came up. Yay!
Fairly recently, I have figured out how to move the photos around a little bit. I still can't make them show up side by side, just in a long row. I still have so much to learn, though. I can't put in a song, or a video, or any cute little animated thing that moves. So many bloggers do so many clever things, but I have no idea how it's done. I wonder if there is a place where you can take a class in such things? Believe it or not, there is not one other person in my area who has a blog, to my knowledge. People in my family are amazed that I have done such a thing!
And don't even get me started about Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. No clue! How does a person who grew up with dials on a television instead of buttons, used an IBM Selectric, rotary telephones and a Brownie Instamatic camera catch up?
I have lots of things I could share if I knew how. Boxes of photos from travels all over the world, for example. But, they aren't digital, so how do I post them? I have seen devices that convert photos to digital, but have heard that they won't work with my MacBook. There is another device that converts from negatives, but I don't think I saved many of my negatives over the years.... they just take up too much space in the shoe boxes!
They have classes at the Apple store, and I have taken a few of them. However, the people there are like a different species. They are knowledgeable and try to be helpful, but I don't think they can wrap their minds around how basic my questions are. A certain amount of understanding is required to even know what to ask! Maybe they could have special classes for seniors, taught by other seniors who have been specially trained for the task.
My nieces are the new generation. They were born with this knowledge. They can pick up my I-Phone and make it do things I would never have dreamed of. There must have been a gene mutation somewhere along the line that makes younger people able to understand digital stuff from birth.
Welcome to my world:
Sad, isn't it?
Judy, my late mother learned to use a computer at age 55. She had to to publish their Rotary Club newsletter. I was so proud of her. She had a gr. 10 education, had to go to work then because her father died. She didn't retire until age 66. YOU CAN DO IT!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am getting a bit bored with Facebook. I use it to keep track of my adult kids but waste a lot of time there!
I'm 33 and used an IBM Selectric and rotary phone when I was little :) I think that Brownie camera is really cute. I hope it comes back.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at this for some tips.
ReplyDeletehttp://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/
This post cracked me up, Judy. You and I must be close in age because all those (mechanical?) marvels are hallmarks of my past also. My proudest possession way, way back was my princess phone. (And there is that mutual love of the Eagles)
ReplyDeleteI was fairly late to discover the wonders of the net though I was shopping at ebay and amazon extremely early. (Always a forerunner in the area of shopping.) I did have luck getting a video clip over on my blog recently but the size of it was too big and it blocked part of my sidebar. Gotta work on that.
As for other Mac issues, back when FH and I traveled for a year in a motor home, I met a Mac guy at a Mac Clinic in Sedona AZ. I have had him as my "computer guy" ever since. I live 8 hours round trip from any Mac Clinic around here. He has my credit card and he puts me on the clock, sort of like a lawyer, and we trudge through my questions at a snail's pace, because what does he care? He's on the clock! It works well. If I buy a new computer, it's from him and I FEDX my old one, and when the new one arrives, voila! all my stuff is exactly where I left it. I love that guy. He's pretty nice...he answers little questions for free. Right now, I am needing to re-remember how to scan something on the printer then get it on my blog.
I think, considering, we're doing pretty good!
I think you are awesome. You've come this far in a short time, and I have no doubt that your blog will progress steadily along, but no worries... you have content, good writing, meaningful posts, honest insight and reflection... all of this is worth far more than bells and whistles.
ReplyDeleteBlog on!