Computer Woes...

 Ever since I was 12 I have had a computer with access to the Internet, so this week when I found myself 'computerless' with 2 broken laptops I really felt quite 'disconnected'. A feeling I haven't experienced since I didn't pay my Internet bill in uni and lost my Internet connection for a week! However, in this crazy day of technology, my despair didn't last too long upon realising I had 2 'retired' desktops, 1 dinosauric laptop hidden in the back of the linen cupboard and of course my IPhone to fall back on! How insane does that seem? We had so much technology in the home, we just simply take it for granted and forget it is even there.. and because things are worth so little these days, it wasn't worth selling either the desktops or the retired laptop when we no longer needed them, so they just sat there (and did what unused computers do).  

So my laptop went off to the shop with what I presumed would be a virus, however, the issue turned out to be a broken hard drive.. Thankfully, even though my warranty expired 3 weeks ago, Acer have been lovely enough to honour the repairs.. So after a week in the shop, I am out of pocket $150 for the computer shops labour, diagnosis and backup and will now still be without my computer for another 7-10 working days whilst Acer receive and repair the problem.. on the bright side, I saved $160. 

I didn't realise computer illness's were contagious, but Hubby's computer is doing something very similar, and still being under warranty, it too is off for repairs through the rental scheme it was purchased through.. 

In the meantime I chose to use the dinosauric laptop of days gone by, it is 10 times larger than I remember, 100 times slower, makes noises that computers shouldn't make and the 'd' key is missing, but we are getting along just fine. 

I think after the laptops come back I'm going to take some time to clear out the 2 desktops and the clunker of a laptop and re home them to someone who needs 1 computer in their life.. :) 

Frustrated at Technology!

I enjoy having gadgets and use them at times through my day to achieve tasks, have some down time, communicate with people and overall enhance my daily life.  I am happy with the way in which I am able to use these tools to get the job done! But at the end of the day, I can walk away - have a life and leave my gadgets behind.. although my iPhone is never far out of reach.   So why is it, our kids can't seem to foster the same healthy respect for their technology!

I am really struggling these holidays not to have a mass burning of DS's, Ipods, Wii's and TV's!! I am sick of repeating the phrase 'Put your DS away and PLAY!' -- 'No don't play your DS, read a book!'  which to my eldest 2 stepchildren (who these phrases are always directed at) seems like a massive insult.  Yesterday after lunch I told my 3 step kids they could go and lay on their bed quietly and read a book, a book in their language = DS.. I had to remind them a book has pages, words and doesn't require charging!! They once again weren't impressed when they had to turn in their electrical devices in exchange for the real deal, but I am sick of them sneaking in to play these things, when they know they should be doing something else..

Granted it has been raining here for many weeks, so I am Ok with them playing them from time to time.. but not all the time! During the school term I say Wii and DS only on the weekends, that way it doesn't get in the way of getting ready/homework etc.  But now I find myself having to limit them on weekends and holidays also!  I have started today a 1/2 hour limit on the DS's in the house, unless they are able to exercise a measure of self control and use them sensibly.. I think that is the only thing I can do to save these kids from themselves and their lazy lifestyle. We have decided not to install a computer in my eldest stepsons room as we had initially planned, as being the worst offender, we don't want to fuel his addiction & instead of watching a movie after lunch as they became accustomed to, that is now a quiet read for 1/2 hour or straight back into play..

I will be thinking about more ways to implement this into our household in the upcoming weeks before school goes back.. But I have decided on the following;

1. 1/2 hour DS at any one time.. no more than 1 hour a day.

2. No Wii on school days.

3. No movies after lunch, only in the evenings..

4. TV off at 8am, weekdays or weekends. TV only on, after they are completely dressed

    and ready for school.

5. 20 minutes reading each night before bed (which they do anyway..)

I just want the older ones imaginations back! :)