Dependent upon technology

I had a very interesting experience over the last few days.  I had a computer problem I couldn’t fix.  Since I started working in the computer world back in college, I haven’t encountered a problem I couldn’t fix.  Part of this is because I learned enough to get myself out of trouble.  Mostly I was just really careful.  I am not a computer guru, but I can work on desktops pretty well, a little on laptops and I can fix software issues.  This has kept me from having to rely on assistance until now.

On Thanksgiving I was merrily typing away.  I got up to go do something, and came back about a half an hour later to an inoperable computer.  I’ll spare the details, let’s just say it wouldn’t stay on.  Rather odd.  May have been a bad power adaptor, maybe it was overheating, I don’t know.  Friday I braved the crowds and picked up a new power supply.  This worked for one day, then Saturday my laptop was back to being inoperable.  I pretty much had a heart attack.  I’m a writer, that’s what I do with my time.  Without a computer I am mostly screwed.  Now, I have a 1930’s or 40’s typewriter that works, but it is hard to write without a spell checker when your spelling is as awesome (heavy sarcasm) as mine is.  Still, that’s sort of an option.  Some people say, well, write by hand for a while.  Sigh… I wish I could.  Wrist injury keeps me from writing much by hand, also prevents long hours at a real typewriter.  Doom I say.

So, In a panic I found a cheap netbook, yay for black Friday sales.  Unfortunately I had to order it.  So, I’m still without a computer until at least Wednesday.  Good thing is, I can temporarily share with my boyfriend.  Bad thing is, that can’t be a permanent solution based on how much time we both have to spend at our computers.  I was stuck, I had to buy a computer of some sort.  I also have a friend who is a computer guru who is going to try and fix my sister’s laptop for me.  I think that problem is going to be easier to fix than my poor deceased laptop’s problem.  Then I’ll have a laptop and a netbook.  Yay for backups.  Boo for time crunches.

That started me thinking on how dependent on technology I am.  I am addicted to writing.  I admit it.  I’ll go a day or two without working on a novel or story but not usually more than that.  My dependence on a keyboard is frustrating.  I don’t like being dependent on things.  Of course I’m totally addicted to my smart phone and having the internet and email always with me.  I could do without the phone part of my smart phone though.  I like talking to people, but I’ve been without phone before and it’s kinda nice.  High speed internet at home is a must.  Those are my tech addictions.  What sorts of technology are you addicted too?