I’m angry.
Computers are machines, subject to glitches and breakdowns.
But mine just did something that has me screaming my disdain to the universe.
For months, my computer – or at least, the company of jerks behind its creation – has been annoying me with periodic interruptions with an offer to “upgrade” my system with a new version of itself.
Practically every time the window popped up with its offer, it was especially inconvenient, as though someone was watching and picking moments to cause me the most possible hassle.
They cost me keystrokes and confusion, but more importantly, they derailed my train of thought.
That train is often not all that steady on the rails, even without constant, annoying interruptions of an upgrade that I consistently declined because I DON’T… WANT… IT.
With a work in progress, my computer simply shut me out and started upgrading itself to the new system that I had refused time and again.
I contacted my tech guru, who noted that this has “happened to a few people – forced update.”
Nothing to do about it but wait until the twits on the other end of this transaction have finished jerking me around.
I was assaulted with about an hour of their jerking, after which my screen cheerfully concluded by announcing that the minions labouring behind the scenes are “excited” about some really “exciting” features.
Their excitement was not contagious. They had nothing that I wanted or cared to want.
But they explained anyway, with screen after screen of excitement. Each screenful of 10 to fifteen words sat for about a minute, apparently so I could read each word carefully.
The one feature that would truly have excited me: the ability to fast-forward through their garbage.
And then, finally, it was done...
Oh wait! Nope. Still more.
And then... yes, finally it asked me to sign in with my password.
Wry amusement here. Anticipating that I might have difficulty remembering my password at this juncture, it offered me a “hint” – which was my actual password written out in full on the screen.
Now I understand why they might think someone can’t read 15 words in less than a minute. They’re stupid.
And the work I was in the middle of when they derailed me? All lost, of course.