Two Dads: One Computer-Maniac, The Other Computer-Phobic

I have two Dads. That sounds strange doesn't it? One is my genetic father, and the other is my geneticist father. The genetic Dad I've only ever lived with for one year when I was an infant, while the geneticist Dad is what you would call a step-father, but I've lived in close proximity with him for more than 20 years. I feel close to them both. I connect differently with each of them but on a pretty much equal level. The reason I'm sharing my personal information with you is because I've just had a realisation about my fathers in relation to the area that I work in: computers and the Internet. It's really quite interesting.

One father is a computer maniac. Whenever a new technology, software, gadget, or website emerges he is one of the first to grab it up and evaluate it. My other father has an old piece-of-crap box that looks something like a computer, with a tediously slow dial-up connection to the World Wide Web. Compared to the wireless, broadband Mac personal computer and mobile-connected Mac laptop of the enthusiast, they couldn't be from further parts of the galaxy.

Then there's me. I could be construed as being a walking paradox, an enigma, or just plainly twisted when it comes to my relationship with the computer and Internet sphere of life. Nature/nurture, genetic/environmental...For whatever strange reason, I have turned out to be a combination of the two papas. I work as a creative writer for an Internet web-hosting company. I love the ideas and valuable functions and tools that the Internet has brought to humanity (or was it humanity that brought it to the Internet?). However, I have issues and challenges when it comes to using these awe-inspiring machines.

Currently I am away from home in a different city visiting my girlfriend. At home (I am currently living with my parents-Mother and geneticist, as I'm going to live overseas soon) all I have to do to get on the Internet is open up my laptop and I'm on-line. If I'm at work, I go to my PC and all of my settings are stored and ready for me to use. While in a new place, things haven't been running as smoothly as I would've liked. The answers are probably simple and easy to do, but this is one of the kinds of challenges that cause me to stumble. Although I am deeply interested and have a true faith in this new technology, I am a real novice when it comes to getting things done on someone else's computer.

I brought my laptop with me. My girlfriend only has a dial-up connection which she uses with her laptop. I could use hers' but she's Chinese so a lot of what comes up on the screen is illegible to me. I don't know how to change her language configuration. I'm used to doing it quite easily on my Mac, but her computer is a PC and I'm not as practiced in this other format. That's one of my problems. I only have so much patience when it comes to working these technological issues out; it could be a trait passed on by my ice-age father (No judgement is being laid here. He just doesn't feel that he can work new technologies out. He's had a digital telephone answering machine for two years which he still hasn't set up. He feels bad about it but his manual one does the job, so he sticks with it.). I'm also a little afraid to hook my laptop up to her dial-up line as I know from experience that I'll have to change some settings of which I am not confident about doing.

So the next answer was to go to her university where she said people use their laptops wirelessly in the library. That sounded cool so I went in and tried it out. I even tried changing the settings to get it to work (It took courage.) but I couldn't get it to work. I was weary about asking for help because I wasn't really a student at that particular learning establishment. Instead, I've been using the library's computers. This is OK, but since I can't walk away with the files I create (I borrowed my girlfriend's thumb-drive but an experience from the past of not being able to transfer information from PC to Mac deters me from using it-again, an irrational fear. I know it, and I will give it a try this week. I've resorted to saving my files in my email account as attachments. It's not conventional, but it works.

Another issue I've had is getting onto my messenger service. The university computers don't have it on their desktop, and when I tried to download an on-line version I was told that I didn't have the authority to do so. I went to an Internet café, and I could do work there (I'm working on the road) but I feel kind of silly paying to get paid. It was cool there though as they had messenger with voice and video and I was able to have a conversation with my brother who is travelling around India. He could see my sister and me, but we couldn't see him as he said the Indian computer devices (webcams, headsets) in that town were looking a little bit crappy in design and also looked worse for wear. It was heaps of fun making funny faces knowing that he would be seeing us. I think he's getting lonely as he's only 19 years old and has been away from home for over 7 months.

As you can see I've inherited beliefs about computer from both of my Dads. I find things more difficult than most, I believe, but I'm not going to give up doing my best to get the things done that I feel are necessary. Over time I hope to get over these little obstacles and hurdles and become proficient in all of the cool aspects of this new realm of human endeavour. I also have faith that the technicians and engineers are probably working hard to make things simple for the rest of us.

Whatever happens, I'm going to stick with it, and when I go to see my genetic father next I'm going to do my best to inspire him to buy a new computer with a Broadband connection. Then all I have to do is show him a few of the amazing things that this human created Internet tool can do. One of the aspects of the Web that affects me most profoundly is the simple fact that if you think of anything at all in the known Universe, you can then look it up on your search engine like Google and in the time it takes to blink your eye, immediately start to learn. It sure beats catching the train to the library, looking up a book in the card catalogue, searching for it, then finding out that someone else has borrowed it and is late bringing it back.

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About Jesse S. Somer

Jesse S. Somer
http://www.m6.net

Jesse S. Somer is learning to persevere at overcoming his fears of technology. He is choosing to focus on what he can do, and on what the Internet can do for him.

Jesse S. Somer is a creative writer working at M6.Net: 'The web-hosting company for humans.' M6.Net is working hard to help humanity experience the power and freedom to develop their own part of the Internet, to share their information and connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime.


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Is There A Way Out Of Your Debt Problems?

Do you have multiple debts? Do you have just one large debt which you could afford, but your circumstances have since changed? Are you finding it harder each month to meet the payments on your debts?

You know debt is a problem, but maybe do not have any idea what the best way out is. Financial problems rarely just go away, so a solution of some beneficial sort is needed. Otherwise the problems just keep piling up and eventually overwhelm you.

While there may not be any instant debt solution, there are a number of things that can be done. Some of those things that can help you, apply across all methods of improving your debt situation, so let us have a look at those first:

1. Change Your Attitude Towards Debt And Spending

While debt is almost contagious these days, it is possible to be different from the crowd. Once you are determined not to follow social trends just because they are there, your mind can become a powerful ally in finding and achieving a solution to your debt problems.

This part of the debt solution is a long term aid, but one that will act like an immunisation does with disease. You will build up an immunity to the debt traps in the future, and for your existing debt you will be far more inclined to plan and budget your way to a debt free future.

2. Plan And Budget As Part Of Your Debt Solution

Another essential debt solution element is for you to budget and plan your financial future. First of all, list your outgoings and give them an order of priority in monthly payment. If you have an annual charge, then divide by 12 and use that monthly figure, remembering to set aside that amount each month in a savings account.

Include all your repayments, including credit cards, in those outgoings. Set a firm budget for yourself each month, and stick to it. If there is a surplus, use it to pay off extra each month on loans and credit cards, choosing the most expensive to clear first. Combined with 1 above, this is an important part of your debt solution, whatever other methods you may add.

3. Cut Out From Your Budget Non Essential Items Of Expenditure.

Now that you have gone through part 2 of your debt solution, take another look at the list of outgoings. First of all, ensure the list is complete. Then go through the list an item at a time, and see if there is anything that can be eliminated or at least cut. You may find it useful for the first month to take a detailed look at your supermarket and other household grocery spends, to see if there are possible savings.

By going through the above three processes you are well on the way to finding a debt solution that is achievable and without penalty. In the long term, it will improve your financial welfare no end.

If you want to go further though, and mix the above 3 suggestions with other solution possibilities, then you may consider the following:

1. Debt Consolidation Loan

If you have multiple debts a debt consolidation loan may well be a part of your debt solution possibilities. By taking out a debt consolidation loan, you could give yourself some breathing space by reducing your monthly payments. Combined with the three self help methods described above, you can give yourself an opportunity to plan and budget for debt elimination over the period of the loan.

By setting aside the savings from your monthly reduction in payments, you can accumulate enough for just about all your needs. Aim for no further borrowing. Save for your next car, next vacation, or anything else you may have used a loan for before. Become a saver and cash buyer from now on.

2. Debt Negotiation

If you have debts getting out of control and are struggling to make monthly payments, or have started to fall behind, then debt negotiation or settlement is an option as a part of your long term debt solution. With debt negotiation, it is usual for the debtor to use a consultant to negotiate settling the debts, at perhaps a 40%-50% lower level, and then agreeing a repayment rate for that lower level of debt.

Debt negotiation will have an impact on your credit rating, so if you can use a debt consolidation loan it will probably be better for you.

There are other ways to reach a debt solution, but those above are the most likely and practical. But whatever way you choose to go, you will find your long term wealth growth improved by using the first 3 self help methods: changing attitude or mindset