My computer

On Wednesday Tony was cheery enough to be able to come into my tiny study and help me to reorganize the Document files on my computer.  I now have the contents of the three PC that I have owned all on one page, instead of at three different levels.  There's still a lot of sorting and deleting for me to tackle, but it should make it easier for me to upload photos from my My Pictures folder on to this blog.  It grieves me that I am so inconsistent at posting my news, but the biggest problem I have is keeping up with the modifications that the Internet throws at me.  For example: I'd love to be able to take advantage of the greater choice of displays offered by Type Pad, but I just get so frustrated when I cannot use the facilities in the ways that are familiar to me.  Likewise, I have to install the old black and white Excel before I can update my bed and breakfast booking lists, just because I cannot find where to add formulas on the newer, blue-coloured screen.  Sadly, I fear that I am no longer able to keep up with the fancy-looking progress.  I used to be proud that I started to learn how to use a BBC computer as soon as they were marketed.  At the time I worked as a teacher for Surrey County Council and they ran some training courses that Tony and I were able to join.  I later moved on to a short residential course at a college in Lincolnshire and a local weekly evening session on Excel.  I guess I've got stuck in a rut - a situation I do not like, so I'm really looking forward to some personal training that I've recently applied for.  I hope to learn more about mail merging, so that I can keep in touch more often with our lovely guests, and I'm also going to find out how to produce and update a printed brochure, that will be of interest to the public who don't yet use computers, though I'm sure that our Website, and personal recommendation, will direct people to our doorstep.  We now have 14 reviews on the Trip Advisor site, kindly placed there by our satisfied visitors, and I keep on hearing that new guests have chosen to stay with us because of these comments.  It's so important to realize that cannot be all things to all men, so we are really pleased that this type of service helps to make sure that we welcome guests who, like us, treasure the very special tranquility of Kirkstead. 

I need to get off to Woodhall Spa in order to visit the Country Market before it closes, so that I can collect our fortnightly order of butter shortbread biscuits, and I hope to see the young roe deer again that watched me drive down the track on Wednesday.

Comments

[Peter Gatford]

Ode to Barbara

Oh dear, poor Barbara what is going on,

Your computers confused, your confidence gone.

This is not the lady I know quite well,

Pick up the phone and give me a bell.

I can’t promise to help with matters all technical

But its sounds to me, but it could be theoretical.

That us folk of a certain generation,

Have grasped so well, but not without frustration,

This beautiful monster that is called a pc

But it gets then to point which is way beyond me.

My black, white and blue have merged into brown,

My Excel, my Type Pad, damn my computers gone down.

Never mind, a time to reflect before Mr. Gates

Time to spare, have a drink with your mates.

Then typewriters, carbon paper, Typex then DOS.

I’ve got the answer, give it a kick and show it who’s the boss.

Pete

[Barbara Hodgkinson]

Thanks, Pete, I'm in for another go tomorrow, Love from Barbara