Wednesday, April 6, 2011

SIMPLE IS BETTER

She held up her new Iphone and Ipad. "You've got to join this generation" she smiled at me.
I used to call one of my friends "Amish" because she didn't have a cell phone or email. But now, I'm thinking I may be in her ranks.
My friend called the other day. She is always positive and upbeat, but from the minute I recognized her voice I heard the frustration.
"What's up?"
"I am so frustrated."
Her children bought a new computer for her birthday. A very nice and thoughtful gesture, except that now she has to learn new technology. She was a missionary for over forty years, and still has many followers. She types newsletters, and emails some of them but the rest of them she has to mail. The computer kept locking up, and she had to re-boot it. She finally said, "I just want my old computer back." This precious lady is in her eighties. Change isn't always better.
I fought email, for a while, next it was texting. Now, I answer email from my phone, or I send someone a quick text.
My printer is wireless, so I can access it from anywhere in the house, when it's working.
Yesterday, I was preparing for a meeting. I needed to print several copies. I sent it to the printer and waited. In fact, I went to the kitchen for another glass of iced tea. When I came back and read the error message on the screen, document failed to print, I wanted to call my eighty year old friend and see if she could help me!
The two of us decided yesterday that sometimes, simple is better--especially at our age.

6 comments:

Carol J. Garvin said...

Your post reminded me of my neighbour, also eighty years old, who had me find her a computer several years ago, so she wouldn't be considered "a technology dinosaur"! She's learned the operation basics but every small error or glitch sends her to the phone to call me. I try to get her to realize that the computer is just a machine and, like her car or any other frequently used appliance, is going to have occasional problems and require repairs, but she has personalized it and is convinced it gains pleasure by frustrating her!

She still hand writes her first draft of any e-mail message or document before transferring it to the computer to send or print, because she's never understood the concept of saving or deleting, and feels her way is easier... and I've given up arguing about it. In her mind, her way is simpler, and since it saves her stress, I guess it is.

Carol J. Garvin said...

P.S. I meant to say I had missed your previous post and just saw it today. I pray for your friend Diana, that her surgery is successful and she makes a full recovery. Cancer is such a frightening thing, but I know God will be with her. I hope that assurance brings her peace.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol,
I think the amazing thing is my friend even uses a computer at 80 plus years old. I know it also brings lots of joy to her by sending a receiving email. But oh the frustration when it's not working.
Thank you also for your prayers for my precious friend Diana. We are all rejoicing in the Lord for all He did during her surgery and how He continues to heal her.
Hugs and blessings to you my sweet friend.
Katt

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Trying to keep up with technology at 80 is absolutely marvelous. Good for her for trying. I'm often overwhelmed and still fight so many new things. I don't text. I can't figure out how to use twitter, and I feel like crying every time Netflix won't work.

Great post, Katt. Hope your weekend is wonderful.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy,
You forgot to add, "but you're not 80 Katt and you have trouble all the time! That's why I'm here to help you!"
Ha ha
Love you

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

haha!