Computers - feeling bullied by the culture

[pcooley]

I found myself online this morning wondering if I should replace our MacBook Pro, which is only 5 years old, or order a cheaper Windows laptop. I was originally going to write a post asking people's opinion on the matter, but I'm really just peeved that I'm in this situation.

My daughter made the first cut for the Davis Scholarship to United World College. The next step is a group Skype interview this morning.

The MacBook has some sort of trouble with group video chats. I'm not sure what the trouble is because I never use Skype. Googling it turns up other people that have trouble, but no real solutions except to upgrade to the latest version of Skype, which the MacBook won't run because it is too old to run the newer versions of the Mac OS.

The kids both have Chromebooks, and I think they can now Skype over the web with them, but they cannot do group video either.

I've managed, with a lot of fiddling, to get my son's HP laptop to work with Skype, but it is, in general, an unreliable machine. I hope it works.

I tend to spend money most flagrantly when I get frustrated like this. "Well, maybe it's just time for a new MacBook!" But buying one would wipe out a good portion of our non-retirement savings. I don't like Windows, in general, because I have found it to be riddled with odd problems.

I am the person who loves his typewriter and his rotary phone. I never really wanted to get all that involved with the digital computer and cell phone world in the first place. If I was going to spend $1200 or so, I'd prefer to spend it on backpacking gear or travel, but really, I'd just prefer to save it.

If colleges and so on are going to be relying on the latest technology to conduct interviews with my children as they move into that period of their lives, then I feel I should spend the money, but I don't like culture pushing us in that direction. The ever-expanding technology "needs" is really the only time I feel that money is really tight around here.

[rodeosweetheart]

I would definitely push back on THAT expectation from colleges.

When my oldest son was in college, I had a financial aid officer sarcastically asking me why I had not taken out a home equity loan on my house to pay his tuition.

Now THAT would have been great advice. I told him no way was I going to do that.

Don't let college admissions bullies bully you into spending your money on anything.

[herbgeek]

Do either of your kids have a smartphone and can skype from there? Seems silly to replace your Mac if the only reason is for your daughter's interview. Even if you were to purchase a smartphone outright (ie without a plan which subsidizes the cost), its going to be way way less than $1200.

Other cheaper alternative: ask a friend with a more updated computer if you can go to their house and do the interview there.

[pcooley]

This particular round on Skype went well. My son's computer worked, and I think the MacBook may be working again too. (My kids do have smart phones, but you can't do a group video chat on a smart phone, and she was being interviewed by two people).

The first cut was from 350 applicants to 135. If she makes it past this round of the selection process, she will be one of 75 people to go to the U.S. campus of the United World College - which is luckily only about an hour and a half from our house. Out of those 75, they will select 50 for the scholarship. And out of the 50 selected, 25 will be placed on the U.S. campus and 25 will be placed at international campuses. My daughter is hoping for Italy, Germany, or India. It's a real nailbiter. Of course, as her father, I would be happy to have her home for her junior and senior year of high school, but it's the kind of opportunity tailor made to her interests.

[creaker]

New requirements often require new tools - and there's often not a good way to get around it. But it looks like you found one :-)

[JaneV2.0]

I'm hoping she prevails--it sounds like a wonderful program!

[SteveinMN]

Paul, I know you didn't post this seeking a fix, but I would offer a couple of alternatives:

- One thing you might want to do is back up all your files (ideally in more than one place), make sure you have your software installers/CDs, wipe the hard disk clean and reinstall from scratch. Over time, most personal computers build up this cruft that's most easily fixed with a clean reinstall. This likely is something you could have one of your kids do or even hire it out to a third-party store that fixes Macs.
- Another option, if this Skype-ing gets to be regular, would be buying a recent iPad. The first generation does not have cameras, but the later ones do. A brand-new iPad can be purchased for as little as $300; a slightly older one, of course, for less than that. Some of them even still have some AppleCare warranty left on them. Much cheaper than another MBP and, depending on what you do with your computer, maybe not a bad substitute for a lot of work.

ETA:
I don't really have a fix for the feeling of being bullied by computer culture. Of course, as a Mac user since the mid-80s, I've become used to fighting for accommodation for my preferred operating system because, for many tasks, the OS you use just should not matter. The Internet and more open standards have helped. You've already kept your MacBook far longer than most people keep computers. I would push back on requirements that lock you into buying expensive anything, aiming more in the realm of "gee, I'd like to have this working, but, if it doesn't, what else can we do?".

[Zoe Girl]

There are issues like that all over. I am trying to work with a retreat committee for the non-profit that supports our nun and can't always get things to work. I have a new work laptop that did finally do Fuze! Yeah, my old work laptop and my personal mac were both not able to do that. We work at this all the time actually so I am not sure that there is a perfect answer, however I did spend student loan money on a new laptop when I went to do my grad work. It was part of the necessary tools, and I saved a lot on books because I downloaded all of them onto the laptop. So I understand, I struggle with these expenses. It is sooo great that your daughter is getting considered for this program!

I also bought my mac book used from a certified dealer, It can't do what I need anymore so I would have to upgrade at this point even if it wasn't falling apart. At least at work they got us all i-phones to keep up at work. I can't imagine doing my job without it anymore.

[lhamo]

This particular round on Skype went well. My son's computer worked, and I think the MacBook may be working again too. (My kids do have smart phones, but you can't do a group video chat on a smart phone, and she was being interviewed by two people).

The first cut was from 350 applicants to 135. If she makes it past this round of the selection process, she will be one of 75 people to go to the U.S. campus of the United World College - which is luckily only about an hour and a half from our house. Out of those 75, they will select 50 for the scholarship. And out of the 50 selected, 25 will be placed on the U.S. campus and 25 will be placed at international campuses. My daughter is hoping for Italy, Germany, or India. It's a real nailbiter. Of course, as her father, I would be happy to have her home for her junior and senior year of high school, but it's the kind of opportunity tailor made to her interests.

Congratulations on her success so far! I hope she gets to keep going. The Duino campus is BEAUTIFUL, but I've gotta put in a plug for Atlantic College -- it's the next best thing to Hogwarts!

[ToomuchStuff]

Can she "group" physically your Macbook and her Chromebook and see them one on each at the same time? They may be clueless as to what is or isn't capable, or who knows, they may be looking for those that can't for some kind of scholarship program.
I know it isn't available under Linux, and I am not buying either computer for it (supporting closed standards is problematic). Don't have a clue if the phones even do it with Skype, as I really only know one person who has needed it.
I am also somewhat backwards and along with some older friends, still like the joke about the rotary cell phone. But this could be a good learning experience for her, that if she wants this, it is time to save up and buy her own. (and then learn about the tech curve and costs with it)
Wish her luck and realize her principles are still in flux.

[Gardenarian]

First, congratulations to your daughter! (And you; behind every great student is a great parent.)

Second, I can really relate to your computer frustrations. I bought a refurbished laptop from Dell about a year ago ($150 on sale) and it's doing the job for me - but that's luck. Apple products are far more reliable.

My 4 year old smartphone is no longer supported. It texts, makes calls, and the email works, so I'll hold onto it as long as I can.

Maybe we should budget a certain amount each year for tech stuff? How much would be reasonable for the average user?

[Zoe Girl]

Maybe we should budget a certain amount each year for tech stuff? How much would be reasonable for the average user?

I think that is a good idea, and discussion for here. I know that rather than thinking of my lap top purchase as a one time big expense that will cover me for many years that I am looking at less expensive tech knowing that even if it works the surrounding tech may change so much that it is not useful.

[Williamsmith]

Technology is outpacing personal economics. I view technology as growing exponentially which means each advancement is not linear but built upon the most recent technology and so by virtue of its essence, our ability to financially keep pace is limited.....especially if you have simplified your life to ever decreasing incomes. Notwithstanding the fact that as technology changes, old tech becomes cheaper. New tech is constantly demanding to be possessed.

This has always caused me to view technology.....like this iPad that I am typing on as very ephemeral because as I strive for simplicity I try to reduce my exposure to upgrading technology.

There is a time when I will want to abandon all this technology for increased self sufficiency and simplicity. I view the technology treadmill as counterproductive. After all, some of my most admired people lived a simple life without staring into a glowing screen all day long. Technology is going in the opposite direction I want to go.

I would prefer to pay my bills by check either hand delivered or by mail. I would prefer to get my information from a library. I would prefer to get a hand delivered news paper brought to my door by a young entrepreneur. I would prefer to work crossword puzzles, draw wildlife scenes, listen to the radio, go for walks, be mesmerized by a big screen movie once a month and reclaim my cooking skills.

But technology seductively sings to me and draws me away.

[jp1]

Williamsmith is totally correct about the speed of technology. And the fact that it all builds on itself. I have, starting about 12 years ago, owned 4 i-products. First an ipod that just played music that I had uploaded to it. Second was an early i-pod touch. It plays music, but also does podcasts, basic web browsing via wifi and email. No camera and no speaker. Then I got an iphone 4s. Wow! What an improvement. In addition to everything the ipod touch did it's a phone and also has cellular data. Plus more ram and more storage and a GPS and a camera and a speaker. Most recently an iphone 6. It does everything a little faster than the 4s, has a bigger screen that I can actually read easily, better battery life, higher definition camera. Thumbprint recognition to unlock it. All of these devices cost roughly $300 new but obviously I got far more 'value' with each new device, so SO kept buying them for me every few years. I'm at the point now where I'm very satisfied and don't see myself getting an iphone 7 unless they come up with some truly remarkable improvements. I suppose if I keep it long enough the iphone 6 will be as outdated as my old nokia flipphone was by the time I got the iphone 4s, but the iphone 6 is awesome enough that I may be fine with being that 'out of date technology guy'.

And at some point I too want to simplify away from the tech treadmill. Not now though. I actually like my job and am not really in a hurry to retire. (I'm also only 48 and hope to have a lot more life left...) And as long as I live in San Francisco with my tech adjacent career and hang out with the friends we have, all of whom use mobile technology like this as their way of remaining in touch and managing their social lives, I need to remain at least somewhat current with technology. The roughly $100/year that has been spent on these devices is just a part of my current life's expenses (or more accurately SO's christmas budget...).

And he's also right about the ephimeralness of technology. The first ipod is no longer functional although a new battery would revive it. The ipod touch is now used as a Pandora device when I'm cooking dinner. The iphone 4S is a pandora device at my office. THose last two still have the ability to do more but since I have the current iphone 6 with me at all times there's no point in using the older devices for anything beyond the very basic function of streaming music over wifi.

Lastly, in case anyone was curious, I took the photo with the work supplied ipad that I am expected to use regularly during presentations that I give as part of my job.

http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s363/jpatter492/phones_zpsankcftsl.jpg (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/jpatter492/media/phones_zpsankcftsl.jpg.html)

[SteveinMN]

Tech and simplicity are not necessarily incompatible. Any current smartphone with a data plan can be one's telephone, address book, camera, photo album, music player and storage unit, atlas, notepad, calendar, ... Granted, that's a lot of functionality in one device. But competent smartphones are getting less expensive all the time.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from whichever technical direction they wish. Just pointing out that tech and living more minimally do not have to be at odds.

[Tammy]

Considering that my iPhone has replaced an entire home office of supplies and machines, I'd say it's a quite affordable alternative to the way things used to be.