Thursday 17 April 2008

Why me?

I. HATE. COMPUTERS.

Why is it that whenever I get something new for my computer I get all exited? I know that whatever it is I am trying to do won't work. Why do I always think, surely this time the computer gods will be watching over me. Right?

Yeah, they're watching alright. Laughing their collective beards off!

I'll fill you in.

So my CS3 Design pack arrived in the mail a few days ago. Yippee! I did a little dances because this means that not only do I now have the latest version of Photoshop, but I also have InDesign, Illustrator and a few other bits and pieces that I'm not overly worried about atm. Because I got the student version I needed to apply to get my Serial number so that I could run the programme. No problems. I got that today. Me-2, Computer Gods-0. Things are going well.

So I open up the pack. There are 3 disks (gone are the days of downloading 30 disks, YAY!!). One says Application, one says Content and the last says Video Workshop. There are NO instructions anywhere, what-so-ever. So I pop in the Application disk, purely because it was the one on top.

Now just because I've purchased a computer programme doesn't mean that I instantly know how to install it. I assumed from previous installations that I just put in the disk and a install wizard would pop up ... ha ha ha, she laughs sarcastically.

Nothing. I try the Content disk. Nothing. (me-2, computer gods 1) Damn, the bastards are catching me.

Of course, why am I not in the least bit surprised.

I decide to visit the Adobe web site. Surely there are some basic instructions on how to install my disks? It may be there somewhere but obviously it is buried in amongst the 'techy' language that my eyes automatically skim over. So of course I'm getting more frustrated by the minute. All I want to do is load my programmes and play. (me-2, computer gods-2) Agh! We're even now.

I then spend the next hour or more reading every word on the disk box, the dismal flyer inside that tells me what I'll be able to do with the programmes (providing I can get the damn things to work!) but still no installation instructions.

Do I need to activate something? Register? Silly me thought that the disks would prompt me to do these things. (me-2, computer gods-3) Typical!

So here I am a good 2 hours later and I still haven't worked out where I'm going wrong. I've left a message with my computer guy, I've left a support message with Adobe AND I've joined the CS3 forum to try to work out what the problem is.

I am so deflated and frustrated that I just want to cry. Why can't something just go to plan for once. Why does anything relating to my computer always take endless hours for me and a few minutes for everyone else? I swear to god (obviously the wrong one) that this happens every time I do something to my computer, whether it's internet installations, upgrades, new programmes or new bits of hardware. I mean, something as simple as my wireless mouse/keyboard. I have to change the batteries in my mouse EVERY DAY! Yes they're rechargeable but WTF? My brother-in-law's last for a good six months!

I just don't get it.

Computers suck!

4 comments:

barbara huffert said...

I feel for you. I'm just as bad with computer stuff. Find yourself a computer savvy friend to have on hand whenever you decide to install something. I tell mine what I think I might want to do and before I know it a detailed set of step by step instructions that even I can't screw up appears in my inbox.

Unknown said...

I find swearing a lot helps...try that

LynTaylor said...

LOL! One day I might learn, Barbara. Does your friend want an Aussie pen pal??

Hmm .. AJ, obviously I'm not swearing enough. You'll have to email me some of your words, obviously yours work LOL.

barbara huffert said...

He's such a sweetheart and has such patience with me that I'm sure he'd help you too if he could. He works in graphics so he's probably even familiar with what you're doing.