Friday, March 15, 2019

Me and Young Guy

I recently bought a new iPad, which is what I am using to write this post.  I’ve only had it about a month or so.
I’ve used Apple products for about 10 years now.  Laptops, Desktops, iPods, and iPhones.  In fact this is my third iPad.  So, I can safely say I am familiar with lay of the Apple land.

I loved my old MacBook Air laptop.  For the past eight years I used it to write my blog. After eight years, though, the battery wouldn’t keep a charge.  I have to keep it plugged in while using it.

I like my iPhone 7 enough so that I have decided to keep it for awhile.  For the past two years I used my iPhone to record my podcast (Joey’s Scarf).   Then I would use my beloved laptop to edit and upload the video.
The laptop, though, has become very slow in converting the video and uploading to YouTube.

It was time to replace my laptop.  Hence the new iPad.

I’ve written about why I chose an iPad instead of a new laptop  in my blog post called Thank you Pink!

A few days ago I decided to record an episode of my podcast using my new iPad.
As I started to get ready to record, I discovered that the microphone I normally would use with my iPhone did not have the same connector as the new iPad.
Next, I found the remote clicker I use to start and stop recording was also not compatible with the new iPad.

I went to Best Buy to purchase compatible cables to work with my older devices.

The young man at the door greeted me and pleasantly asked me, “What can I help you with today?”

I explained.  He didn’t understand.

“Why would need you a cable?” he asked.

By the look of his furrowed brow, I could tell he was genuinely puzzled.  He started throwing words around like “bluetooth” “WIFI” and the dreaded “cloud”.

I became exasperated, but kept my composure  and I politely tried  once   again to explain what I was looking for.

After a couple of back and forths, we seemed to be on the same page and he led me over the the cable rack.  He pulled one off the hanger and handed it to me.
“This should do it,” he said.
I immediately knew it wasn’t the right one.
“No, I said,” “That won’t work.”
He again mentioned how I probably didn’t need a cable “because of the Bluetooth/WiFi/cloud availability,  you know,” he said. 

At that point I don’t know who was more frustrated.  But I bet it was me.

After several more exchanges, we came to an agreement.  I wanted cables and he needed to find them for me.  Which he did.  

Lesson learned for both of us, me and “Young Guy”. 

Even though most of us in my generation didn’t grow up with computers, we have had no choice, but to learn to live with and in some cases even learn to love them.  

Perhaps Young Guy realized that sometimes we older folk know what we are talking about.   I know for sure he learned that at least this old gal knew what she wanted. 

As for me, Young Guy encouraged me to learn more about BlueTooth/WiFi/ and the now not so dreaded iCloud. 

A final note:  While I like my new iPad, especially when I am using it with the “Knit Companion” app, I have found that my laptop has more functionality with programs such as Blogger and iMovie.  

As I was writing this post, I eventually had to revert to my laptop to finish it.
And since there is only 18 percent battery left, I better hurry up and end it. 

If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have purchased a MacBook Pro along with a smaller less expensive iPad.(to use my knitting app on) 😊 


8 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    my, my... this is sounding very familiar! Am in a big learning curve along these lines myself - but it boils down to, blogging is so much better from a fully functionaly laptop! I don't mind the 'unplugged' approach, but it is not always the answer either. Sigh. I admire your determination! YAM xx

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    1. Thanks! I agree with you about needing full functionality. It's easier to type on a laptop also. Stay tuned to this space to see what I have decided to do.

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  2. Knit Companion? I need to know more about this knit companion.

    Bluetooth and WiFi aren't so bad, really. But I would probably have wanted a cable, too. I leave my Bluetooth off on my iPhone generally. I'd rather not connect it to anything, especially inadvertently.

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    1. Oh definitely check out knit companion. I like it a lot. It has many features. There is a free version and one you can pay for.

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  3. I'm totally confused reading this :) I caught some of the jargon, but not all of it. I might have to get my 3 year old grandson to interpret for me. I think you found or are finding what you need to do what you want to do online?

    betty

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    1. I totally get what you are saying. This will be a continuing saga, I'm afraid. :)

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  4. I find that the stupider i act in these places (and that can be pretty stupid) the better the service...I love playing the "old Guy card" to the "Young Dudes."

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    1. Oh, You know I didn't think about that approach. I'll keep "playing dumb" in mind for the next time. Thanks for the tip! :)

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