A rambling meditation on technology and the writer.
My beloved writing laptop has hit a wall. No, I didn’t throw it against anything. But it cannot accept any software updates. Vellum, MSWord, other things have gotten too far ahead for either the processor or OS to handle. Even my browsers don’t work with some sites because they can’t deal with the new security software. Waaaaaahhhhhhhh!
First world problem? Yes. Writer world problem? Very yes. The “good” news is that I have a newer laptop that is up to date. But I will have to buy a new license for Vellum, and a second subscription for MS Word (because my open source word processor et al doesn’t quite click with Word in some ways leading to Interesting formatting glitches.) And the newer computer is a real [rude words] when it comes to using my full-sized writing keyboard and track-ball, because it lacks real USB ports. Which also makes backing up the hard drive a pain in the tuckus. The adapter/converter gets very warm after half an hour or so, and won’t let me do multi-hour writing slogs. Yes, there is a new, full-sized keyboard now out with a lower power draw, but I own this one already.
I’m not giving up Old Faithful until the hard drive dies. It does what I want and nothing more or less. It is as sturdy as a Sherman Tank, and almost as heavy. It also plays DVDs and burns CDs, both functions I need for Day Job. The new laptop’s micro USB ports don’t generate enough power to run a DVD drive. Old Faithful is ancient in computer years, or at least mature. But this is the key: it does what I want and need without needing adapters, work-arounds, and other things. New Laptop does not, and even the new desk-top computers are lacking in full-sized USB ports, DVD-drives, and other things I need/want.
Times change, technology changes. I remember reading a decade and more ago about how Wendell Berry writes his books and essays by hand, then his wife types them onto a computer, and sends the manuscripts to his editor. Who sends back a hard copy for proof-reading and what have you. Berry is not a fan of modern technology, even as he acknowledges that the computer is important and has a place. That place is just not between him and words. The late historian Shelby Foote wrote out his magisterial three volume history of the US Civil War longhand, and it was one of the cleanest documents his editor and publisher ever got. This is after typewriters had become common as crabgrass.
I write some things on paper with a pen. Then I transfer them to computer. There’s a difference in prose I write by hand compared to that on screen. And I know very well that I have to move with technology, even tech that makes my life briefly more difficult until I find ways to work around “helpful” new features or adapt to not having old favorites. Computer programs that compose images are changing how cover art is made and designed. Text generators are trendy, at least until the bloom wears off the rose and people figure out how to use them where they useful and block them where they do more harm than good.
Sib and MomRed live at the bleeding edge of the tech curve. I’m on the long tail, content to be a late adapter who selects what works and dumps or ignores the rest. It shows in my books, I know. Does that make them less realistic? [waits for giggles to fade] It can. Readers take for granted that people always know where they are and “how to get there, “and that characters can always be found” if someone wants them. You have to explain why someone is an exception, if you write in “our” world.
Sooner than later I’ll have to adapt to the newer OS, updated programs, and find other ways to watch DVDs. I learned Vellum, I learned how to work with the newer MS Word and so on.
Image Credit: Operator, I need Pennsylvania 6-5000, please. Author photo, Bandalier National Monument, July, 2023.
Mad Genius Club 
29 responses to “Hardware, Software, Saying When”
I assume if I know something technical that everyone else knew it long ago… San Disk makes adapters that have different kinds of USB ports on either end. They are not very expensive and one of them might solve the keyboard problem… unless there’s also the power problem you mentioned.
I have one, but it gets hot after an hour or so. Apparently running a full-sized back-up drive or keyboard+track ball pulls more power than you’d think.
The one I recommended below doesn’t have that issue that I’ve seen. It does come with its’ own AC cord, so that may help.
Thank you . I can’t follow the link at the moment, so I made a general observation without having been able to follow up on the hardware specifications. I apologize.
Depending on your budget, you might look at Framework laptops. They’re on the expensive side and have some issues, but they are fully modular, upgradeable, and most importantly, repairable.
If I end up needing to replace my current laptop, I’m almost certainly going to be getting one of those to replace it. Still would have to use and external dvd drive, though you can have enough USB-A ports to power it.
Alma, I got one of these from Amazon. I’m using it through the single USB-C port on my work supplied laptop (almost 6 months) to run an external hard drive and a wireless keyboard / mouse from Logitech.
Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station Dual Monitor for Windows and Mac, USB 3.0 or USB-C, (Dual Video: HDMI and HDMI/DVI/VGA, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio, 6 USB Ports) Black
Last year I was working remotely on a contract where they provided me with a Dell notebook. Since I already have a pair of nice 4K monitors, a good microphone and okay webcam for video calls, I went ahead and bought a Dell docking station for my use. It really made things much easier, plus it was powered by 180w power brick. Also, it has a power button, so I didn’t need to open up my laptop to turn it on.
Interesting lifehack I learned from my parents is putting a cheap kitchen cooling rack (like for bread or cookies) underneath laptop/overheating peripherals. The rack I bought to use with the work from home laptop dayjob issued to me was like $2 at Walmart in 2020.
If Annoying New Laptop has a blue tooth port, a wireless, battery-powered keyboard/mouse combo can be a good solution. This is a fairly close cousin in brand, price and configuration to the one I use with Work From Home Laptop: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-MK270-Wireless-Keyboard-Mouse/dp/B079JLY5M5
The mouse to mine has survived being dropped on laminate flooring on a more than monthly basis for three years, and any latency issues seem to have more to do with my decision to link the dayjob laptop to the main tv and setup the workstation with keyboard and mouse some distance from the laptop.
Thanks. I really like my big Das Keyboard setup, because I can type at speed. Most keyboards don’t allow that – I overload them. I know Das Keyboard now makes one that will work with the newer MacBooks, but I have trouble justifying two full-size keyboards and two mice/trackballs.
Ah, okay, sorry. I’m a 16wpm person on a good day, so I’ve never had to deal with keyboard overload. 🙂
I used to give MS Word brain freezes. That seems to have improved on their end. I can type at 100 wpm, gusting 110, on a really good day. Most days are … not so good. 🙂
Most impressive /vader voice 🙂
Great, now I am having flashes of an episode of Stargate SG-1. The episode also included the use of industrial cling film and the line “What? I like the taste”.
You can also use one of those triangular architecture scale rules to prop up the back of the laptop for the same thing. And they’re small enough you can usually fit them in the bag along with the laptop.
I’ve also discovered origami laptop stands work really well too. I’ve got one on the keyboard cover for my Boox Tab Ultra, and it puts the keyboard at the perfect angle for me.
My main writing computer is a desktop that dates back to 1998. I say dates back to because it is like George Washington’s hatchet. (We’ve replaced the head three times and the handle seven times, but otherwise it’s the same hatchet George Washington used to chop down the cherry tree.) Everything on it – hardware and software – including the exterior case, had been replaced at least once. Other than that it is the same computer I have used for writing since 1998.
I have gone through three or four laptops in that period, but they are used during travel or when I give presentations. The big advantage of the desktop outfit are all the peripherals, including a hi-res flatbed scanner, a wide-carriage printer and two very large monitors. The monitors allow me to do image processing easily. I can scan publication-ready images from old books. Finally, I can print up to tabloid-sized images with the printer. All of this is necessary for the type of writing I do.
Because I keep upgrading (rather than replacing everything at once) it isn’t a big budget hit. It helps to have in-house tech support, which was my late wife until she died and my adult sons (especially the oldest and youngest) today.
Regarding the pay phone: last year the Morven House Museum in Princeton included a small exhibit from Bell Labs on their upper floor, and put a phone booth in good condition out on their porch to go with it. Not good enough condition to work …
I’m conservative in a lot more than my politics. If I had my way, I’d still be writing on WordPerfect for DOS. I hit a letter on the keyboard, and that letter appeared on the screen. It never tried to “helpfully” tell me what I “really” meant or put it in the formatting that I “really” wanted. It was everything I wanted in a word processor.
My undergraduate advisor used to tell me that, while I might not be the most technophobic student to graduate with a computer science degree, I was certainly the most technophobic to ever do an honor’s thesis with him.
^^^THIS. I’d be doing the same.
So far, I’ve been able to keep my MS Office 2003 running (with every “helpful” feature turned off). Don’t know what I’ll do if that becomes impossible – as I DO NOT do subscriptions on vital pieces of software (except anti-virus). Far too easy to be “unpersoned.”
A powered USB hub might solve a few of your problems quite inexpensively. I’ve been using the same one for about a decade now to handle the keyboard/mouse/whatever else needs plugged in.
I’ve had a series of laptops literally named “typewriter.” Now up to being willing to pay $300, with the “hit by a truck” insurance on them, and use them until they die.
My “gaming rig” is a refurbished workstation, with husband and I passing ours down to the kids as an affordable replacement comes up, and upgrading in affordable bits and bobs.
…husband and I are both trained technicians and have NOWHERE NEAR the bleeding edge addiction our “lightswitches are magic” relatives adore. 😀
“Trained technicians” – who are the people that coined the descriptive “bleeding edge.”
Or at least connect it to actually bleeding. 😉
Doesn’t the MS Word/Office subscription allow installation on more than one computer? I know my MS 365 Home subscription allows multiple installations, and I know Visual Studio licensing is per named user, not computer (which is very good, since I need to have it installed on multiple computers. And, even though you have to look hard to find the hidden button, MS still allows permanent licenses :))
Oh, and where on the new WP theme can we check up on the latest comments? I don’t like using “E-mail me new comments”
As of the last time I logged into MS, the software was licensed only on one computer. I suspect the age of the software plays a role.
I have no idea about the magic button on the WP theme. I can’t find it from my end, either. I have to click the article title to get to the comment section.
There might be a difference between subscription and permanent license (e.g. I think my Office 2019 permanent license is per computer). For subscriptions, the rules may vary between 365 Home (which IIRC allows 5 installs per user), 365 Business, etc.
This.
But a license to run the program on one machine, means you can uninstall it from one, and install it on another. My version is on its fourth? box. (And as it frequently reminds me, is no longer supported.)
https://wordpress.com/read/conversations
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Dell Refurbished is a great source for cheap Windows/Linux (not Mac) laptops. They sell stuff that came back from business leases, two or three years old but working fine. At least once a month they have a sale for roughly 40% off their already great prices. If you time it right, you can get a rig that a gamer would have drooled over a few years ago, for $300 or so. You can get cubicle-drone laptops for under $200, which should be adequate for most writing purposes. Also cheap monitors, docking stations, and such. I’ve been buying their stuff for my business for more than a decade and never had a problem with it. Don’t bother with the “insurance”, just buy a spare.
Pardon me while I geek out for a moment. If you buy a used notebook, I suggest that you make sure it has an SSD (SATA is good enough, but M.2 is better) and max out the RAM on it, with an absolute minimum of 16GB. I also recommend getting a larger SSD than you think you will need, stuff accumulates plus inflationary programming is a very real thing.
If you already know all of this, I hope someone else will get some use out of this.