Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[pacerron]

I've no doubt this desktop computer with a 19" monitor is easier for me to use, but occasionally, I'd like something portable.

Then I'd say, if you want a laptop, get it, but don't throw away your desktop and keep it up to date, along with the laptop.
You can set your email, as I recall you are using windows live, so it will remain on the sender. That way you can get it on both machines. Just remember to clear it on your sender site periodically if they have a limit.

I would suggest you get a back lighted keyboard on any laptop and get a larger screen if you don't mind a little extra weight.
That will also give you a full keyboard, like your used too, in most cases, instead of having to push a bunch of keys in combination to do prime functions.
I have a Dell Studio Laptop with a 17" screen and don't mind the weight or size. I have carried it to the library and to a number of peoples homes to copy genealogy data with no problems.
In windows 7 you can set up your desktop and laptop in a "homegroup" so you can look at or copy information from one computer to the other over your wifi router.
Just be careful if you have any sensitive information on your laptop if you use a WIFI in a public place. You can lock it with passwords but there is always some guru out there that can get into your information.

I use the laptop a lot in the evenings, as I am now, sitting in a soft chair with the TV going.
That way I can be entertained by "TBN" and "O'Reilly" at the same time, while hopefully staying awake enough to not drop the dang laptop on the floor
Ron

 

[Bird]

Ron, wifi is one of those things I've never used and would kind of like to learn.:laughing:

 

[lostcreekranch]

Bird;

You will like Wi-Fi. Learn it, live it, love it.

Rick

 

[pacerron]

Ron, wifi is one of those things I've never used and would kind of like to learn.:laughing:

If your saying you don't have a wireless router now, you will need to get one for your laptop, unless you want to drag a wire around the house with you That kind of wipes out the portability idea:confused3:
Direct wire gives you the maximum speed but if you want to use the laptop in different locations around the house wireless is essential.
Since you have neighbors, you will also have to protect your wireless signal with a password or they or someone in a car down the street can get into your computer information and/or get free internet service courtesy of the Bird:laughing:
Ron

 

[WM75Guy]

Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Microsoft Windows Help

Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ

Win 7 extended support ends January 14, 2020. I have a desktop and laptop both at home and at work. I like having multiple monitors on the desktops and multiple USB ports since everything runs off USB. I use the laptops for traveling. I also have a Lenovo tablet which I like best for meetings and conferences. I use it for reading books and magazines at home. The complete Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assoc. magazines can be downloaded so I always have something to read on the road.

 

[bindian]

Someone here has been twisting my arm to buy Chloe a tractor outfit. Well, all I can find is green outfits. Yet, my daughter did manage to find a Cow outfit. So Chloe has both now.

But I'll keep looking for RED tractor outfits.
hugs, Brandi

 

[farmgirl19]

I think GREEN is a great outfit! She sure is a cutie-pie!

As far as technology; good to hear I have until 2020 before I have to learn a new computer system, as long as this one keeps working! Hey, I just got a Kindle, last year, and that was because someone else now reads on their PHONE, so didn't need/want the Kindle any more, and gave it to me. It is great for such as novels, but I still don't think I'd like to use it for any reference/technical books, such as tractor manuals, etc. And how does one read on those little phone screens?

 

[NativeSon]

Someone here has been twisting my arm to buy Chloe a tractor outfit. Well, all I can find is green outfits. Yet, my daughter did manage to find a Cow outfit. So Chloe has both now.
View attachment 337103View attachment 337104
But I'll keep looking for RED tractor outfits.
hugs, Brandi

Bindian- Yeah grandkids sure look good in their Tractor attire. My wife can't make a trip to TSC without a swing thru the clothing & toys for the kids. The grandboys love to get in the dirt with their new tractor toys.........no batteries and no password needed. The grandgirls love their pink camo from Nonna & Paw-Paw.

Charlie

 

[Bird]

If your saying you don't have a wireless router now, you will need to get one for your laptop, unless you want to drag a wire around the house with you That kind of wipes out the portability idea:confused3:
Direct wire gives you the maximum speed but if you want to use the laptop in different locations around the house wireless is essential.
Since you have neighbors, you will also have to protect your wireless signal with a password or they or someone in a car down the street can get into your computer information and/or get free internet service courtesy of the Bird:laughing:
Ron

Nope, no wireless router, no wireless keyboard, no wireless mouse. We do have wireless telephones and remote controls for the TV.:laughing:

 

[pacerron]

Nope, no wireless router, no wireless keyboard, no wireless mouse. We do have wireless telephones and remote controls for the TV.:laughing:

That's great. Think of all the money you have saved on batteries
That will pay for your laptop
But... if you have to replace your laptop battery

 

[Buppies]

I think GREEN is a great outfit! She sure is a cutie-pie!

As far as technology; good to hear I have until 2020 before I have to learn a new computer system, as long as this one keeps working! Hey, I just got a Kindle, last year, and that was because someone else now reads on their PHONE, so didn't need/want the Kindle any more, and gave it to me. It is great for such as novels, but I still don't think I'd like to use it for any reference/technical books, such as tractor manuals, etc. And how does one read on those little phone screens?

Reading glasses for me sure helps

 

[jinman]

Reading glasses for me sure helps

That's true of any computer screen or printed book, newspaper, or magazine. My wife's Kindle Fire HD 7" is pretty darn good for reading because it has print the size of a paperback, and the brightness/contrast is excellent in any lighting. You just can't say that for a book. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9" screen should be spectacular. What I hate about the Kindle is not having a keyboard. I can't deal with that pop-up keyboard onscreen for much more than a few sentences. Anything more is pretty painful without a plug-in keyboard. For books and movies it's terrific. There are lots of Amazon Prime free movies that are great and easily view-able on the 7" Kindle screen. Of course with a mini-HDMI adapter, you can watch those movies on a TV screen too if you are at home. I bought my wife her Kindle and she loves it; made a knitted case and carries it with her all the time.

 

[Bird]

Speaking of wireless stuff . . . here I go off topic again.:laughing: I don't know just when remote controlled TVs were invented, but I do remember the first one I ever saw; in 1965. Friends bought one of those new-fangled TVs with a remote control and had it in a room without carpet on the floor. If you dropped a key on the floor, it turned the TV off, and the doorbell or telephone ringing would also frequently turn the TV off. After about a week, they took it back and exchanged it for a TV without a remote control.:laughing:

 

[pacerron]

If it is a laptop the machine probably won't last that long without expensive repair as Lou noted.
HEAT is the biggest enemy of laptops.
That's the reason so many little USB driven fan bases are on the market to fit under laptops.
I agree with you about the small size of tablets and phones.
It's beyond me how the same person that wants a 6 foot wide TV wants to do their reading and computer work on a Smart Phone. Must be a generational thing, or young eyesight

 

[pacerron]

Speaking of wireless stuff . . . here I go off topic again.:laughing: I don't know just when remote controlled TVs were invented, but I do remember the first one I ever saw; in 1965. Friends bought one of those new-fangled TVs with a remote control and had it in a room without carpet on the floor. If you dropped a key on the floor, it turned the TV off, and the doorbell or telephone ringing would also frequently turn the TV off. After about a week, they took it back and exchanged it for a TV without a remote control.:laughing:

That's about the time we started becoming a fat society. Too lazy to put down the chips and get up to change the channel
Even though we only had 3 channels to choose from

 

[Lou66]

We got a black and white T.V. in the early 60’s and my parents had five remote controls.. they were voice activated..no next one,, wait a minute,, okay turn it one more.. wait.:laughing:. Lou

 

[pacerron]

Speaking of wireless stuff . . . here I go off topic again.:laughing:

I think that is what makes this thread uniquely defined as educational, entertaining, and enjoyable :thumbsup:
Some threads are strictly technical and should remain that way but they have a tendency to go on and on long after
the correct answers have been repeated over and over.
Other threads are quasi-social, with a defined topic, but soon become boring. Then some WA lurker comes on, who has never offered anything positive to any thread and starts a verbal fight. It then degrades to nothing.

I have learned a lot of valuable information from this thread as well as enjoyed the real life experiences and projects of all the contributors. Some how when a subject gets a little too long, someone pops in with a new one that has interest. If it doesn't, it soon dies without anyone making nasty remarks.
I subscribe to a number of threads but when I go to my home page and there are 5-6 new postings I always go to this one first and often don't open the others or unsubscribe from them in a few days.
I think it really comes down to you Texans having a great attitude on life, even when bad things happen.
I hope you don't mind this northern boy chiming in. I have never felt that you did.
I have spent a lot of time in Texas in the past doing business and left a lot of sweat/fat on the ground there for months during the 60's.
Ron

 

[bindian]

I think that is what makes this thread uniquely defined as educational, entertaining, and enjoyable :thumbsup:
Some threads are strictly technical and should remain that way but they have a tendency to go on and on long after
the correct answers have been repeated over and over.
Other threads are quasi-social, with a defined topic, but soon become boring. Then some WA lurker comes on, who has never offered anything positive to any thread and starts a verbal fight. It then degrades to nothing.

I have learned a lot of valuable information from this thread as well as enjoyed the real life experiences and projects of all the contributors. Some how when a subject gets a little too long, someone pops in with a new one that has interest. If it doesn't, it soon dies without anyone making nasty remarks.
I subscribe to a number of threads but when I go to my home page and there are 5-6 new postings I always go to this one first and often don't open the others or unsubscribe from them in a few days.
I think it really comes down to you Texans having a great attitude on life, even when bad things happen.
I hope you don't mind this northern boy chiming in. I have never felt that you did.
I have spent a lot of time in Texas in the past doing business and left a lot of sweat/fat on the ground there for months during the 60's.
Ron

Ron,
You are so right and are so welcome here. Your right about Texans. Us Texans feast at the banquet of Life.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I think GREEN is a great outfit! She sure is a cutie-pie!

As far as technology; good to hear I have until 2020 before I have to learn a new computer system, as long as this one keeps working! Hey, I just got a Kindle, last year, and that was because someone else now reads on their PHONE, so didn't need/want the Kindle any more, and gave it to me. It is great for such as novels, but I still don't think I'd like to use it for any reference/technical books, such as tractor manuals, etc. And how does one read on those little phone screens?

Thanks FG! She sure is a cutie pie! They just left to go home.

I tend to run behind the pack in technology. I still have a cell flip phone. It has a camera, but is first generation. I can get online with it, but have that dormant. To me, it is a phone. I only use texts when cell service is out, like during a hurricane. When my power goes out, it is my land line I use to call the electric company, as I don't get cell reception at home. Gotta get an external antenna someday, I guess.

I take Chloe's photos to work and show her off, as any proud Grandparent would. A co worker, from Columbia, asked why I don't have a "modern" phone with photos on it. I told him I take digital photos, unload them to my computer, than print at home on my printer. That is as modern as I have came.

A kindle sounds nice also. Maybe someday.

I have a Lenovo laptop and an older PC. I need my contacts in to see what's on my laptop screen, but can stay hours on the PC with no contacts in. This cooling fan thingie Ron mentioned sounds interesting.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Lou66]

I agree Ron this group is very knowledgeable, entertaining and friendly,, we have discussed everything from the nanotechnology of the nuclear cells :shocked:to the latest and correct rain dance steps.:cool2:. I have never heard a discouraging word and the sky are not cloudy all day.:confused3:. We can proof that by the lack of rain.:laughing:. Lou