the new computer
Sep. 12th, 2012 11:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bedlamsbardSo I got a new computer! It is another Dell Inspiron, because I guess I'm kind of brand loyal after all, and also it came with Microsoft Office...not actually pre-installed, but free with purchase, at least. I always name my electronics after stars or constellations: this one is Aquila, because I was really tired while I was flipping through my dad's guide to the night sky. If I'd thought about it for a couple more hours I probably would have named it Bellatrix. (I already have a Sirius, a Regulus, an Arcturus, and some other stuff.) OTOH, I have been reading an awful lot of Rosemary Sutcliff this summer.
I bought Aquila through Costco, because I thought my old laptop was going to expire any day now, and I couldn't afford to wait to order one from Dell the way I did the other two times. Which means giving up options like color -- Aquila is a very sleek black -- but Microsoft Office! Also cheaper than my last computer.
Weirdly, Microsoft Office and its programs got installed in a folder that is IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, as in, it did show up in Programs, what the fuck. For reference, it was in: Computer > OS (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Microsoft Office > Office14 > EXCEL/ONENOTE/OUTLOOK/POWERPNT/WINWORD/whatever. I cannot figure out how to get them into Programs, so I just pinned them all to the Start Menu, which works. Mostly I just use Word to write in and Excel to keep track of my reading, but I don't want to have to tear my hair out looking for Powerpoint when I actually do need it.
Programs I have downloaded:
Google Chrome
AVG
iTunes
CCleaner
Kindle for PC
KeyNote
OverDrive Media
I think I also downloaded VLC, but hell if I know where the hell it is on the computer, which is unfortunately kind of a recurring theme. *pokes around* Oh -- it looks like it's hidden in Downloads, I have no idea how to get it to Programs. If anyone knows how I can get something from Obscure Folder X to Programs, please, please let me know, because this is ridiculous.
I think there are a couple other programs I want, but I need to check my other computer to remember what they are. Something that joins multiple MP3 files into one big one, I think. And some other stuff.
Currently I am fucking around with my new external hard drive trying to get all my iTunes data from one computer to the other. It is not going well. THE GODDAMN ITUNES WEBSITE SAYS I CAN DO THIS, WHY WON'T YOU LET ME. My frustration is really great right now. At this point I'm pretty sure I don't actually care if I get my playlists or not. *cry* Okay, from a bit later: I think I'm getting my music now. I'm too tired to muck around with metadata tonight to try and remake my playlists, but I can always manually reconstruct them if I have to. More on that tomorrow, I guess. Today I've spent twelve hours messing with it.
One thing that really bothers me about the new Inspiron is the placement of the USB ports. There are three of them, one on the left side of the computer and two on the right. On my old Inspiron 1525 they're at the back of the sides of the computer, stacked, next to the screen (and there are four! Why are there fewer USB ports nowadays?), but on the new one they're near the front of the computer, with the CD drive further back and closer to the screen. If that makes sense? They're more likely to get in my way. Other minor things: only one headphone port instead of two, and they're on the side of the computer rather than dead center at the front. It's not a huge thing, but mildly annoying, since I keep trying to plug my headphones into a spot where there's no jack! Overall it seems like there's more wasted space on this new Inspiron, which is a little annoying.
One thing I really like is that it seems like the fan on the new one is better than my old one, which overheats easily. I mean, it could just be that the computer's new! But still. Which is good, because the placement of the USB ports makes it a little harder to plug in my external fan.
The new computer is a little bulkier than the old one, so I'm leaning towards getting a netbook as well at this point. If I can find one I like. I pondered an eReader, but I think the netbook will be more useful: after all, I can type on it.
I bought Aquila through Costco, because I thought my old laptop was going to expire any day now, and I couldn't afford to wait to order one from Dell the way I did the other two times. Which means giving up options like color -- Aquila is a very sleek black -- but Microsoft Office! Also cheaper than my last computer.
Weirdly, Microsoft Office and its programs got installed in a folder that is IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, as in, it did show up in Programs, what the fuck. For reference, it was in: Computer > OS (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Microsoft Office > Office14 > EXCEL/ONENOTE/OUTLOOK/POWERPNT/WINWORD/whatever. I cannot figure out how to get them into Programs, so I just pinned them all to the Start Menu, which works. Mostly I just use Word to write in and Excel to keep track of my reading, but I don't want to have to tear my hair out looking for Powerpoint when I actually do need it.
Programs I have downloaded:
Google Chrome
AVG
iTunes
CCleaner
Kindle for PC
KeyNote
OverDrive Media
I think I also downloaded VLC, but hell if I know where the hell it is on the computer, which is unfortunately kind of a recurring theme. *pokes around* Oh -- it looks like it's hidden in Downloads, I have no idea how to get it to Programs. If anyone knows how I can get something from Obscure Folder X to Programs, please, please let me know, because this is ridiculous.
I think there are a couple other programs I want, but I need to check my other computer to remember what they are. Something that joins multiple MP3 files into one big one, I think. And some other stuff.
Currently I am fucking around with my new external hard drive trying to get all my iTunes data from one computer to the other. It is not going well. THE GODDAMN ITUNES WEBSITE SAYS I CAN DO THIS, WHY WON'T YOU LET ME. My frustration is really great right now. At this point I'm pretty sure I don't actually care if I get my playlists or not. *cry* Okay, from a bit later: I think I'm getting my music now. I'm too tired to muck around with metadata tonight to try and remake my playlists, but I can always manually reconstruct them if I have to. More on that tomorrow, I guess. Today I've spent twelve hours messing with it.
One thing that really bothers me about the new Inspiron is the placement of the USB ports. There are three of them, one on the left side of the computer and two on the right. On my old Inspiron 1525 they're at the back of the sides of the computer, stacked, next to the screen (and there are four! Why are there fewer USB ports nowadays?), but on the new one they're near the front of the computer, with the CD drive further back and closer to the screen. If that makes sense? They're more likely to get in my way. Other minor things: only one headphone port instead of two, and they're on the side of the computer rather than dead center at the front. It's not a huge thing, but mildly annoying, since I keep trying to plug my headphones into a spot where there's no jack! Overall it seems like there's more wasted space on this new Inspiron, which is a little annoying.
One thing I really like is that it seems like the fan on the new one is better than my old one, which overheats easily. I mean, it could just be that the computer's new! But still. Which is good, because the placement of the USB ports makes it a little harder to plug in my external fan.
The new computer is a little bulkier than the old one, so I'm leaning towards getting a netbook as well at this point. If I can find one I like. I pondered an eReader, but I think the netbook will be more useful: after all, I can type on it.
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