Thursday 7 January 2010

Resolution #2



My name is Bee, and I am a Luddite.

Yes, it's true.  I have been using a mobile phone that I dislike for nearly four years, merely because I cannot bear to learn how to use a new one.  My husband had to cajole me into using an Ipod.  I still don't know how to program the timing system on our boiler.  Frankly, I'm amazed that I ever figured out how to set up a blog.

If I cannot intuitively sort out how to use a piece of machinery/technology, I just give up.  Yes, I know that I could read the manual . . . but when confronted with a manual I become impatient, frustrated and semi-illiterate.  It drives my tech-savvy husband crazy.

At the moment, my comfort level (pre-Industrial Revolution) is being severely threatened.  My generous, generous husband surprised me with a BIG camera -- just as I had begun to master my little point-and-shoot Lumix.  Elizabeth told me that her husband refers to these hulky pieces of machinery as toasters.  (If only they were as easy to use as toasters.)

Along with the camera, I got a thick manual.  And an even thicker Nikon D-90 for Dummies book.
My second resolution for 2010 will be to break a lifetime's (bad) habit and actually read these manuals. 
I'm going to learn how to use this big camera; and not just on the P mode (that's programmed auto for the lay-people out there).



I just figured out how to download my first set of Nikon pictures.  Well, it's a start.

46 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Good for you! I'm with you on the cell phone thing. People have been known to actually laugh out loud when seeing mine. I adore my iPod however.

Bee said...

Oh, I adore my Ipod NOW. I just didn't want to learn how to use one. (I'm still avoiding Blackberries.)

Catalyst said...

I got SWMBO a lap top computer for Christmas and a Dummies book for Windows 7. She's reading and studying and doing pretty well. I'm trying to stay out of the room.

The Bug said...

My friends laugh at me when I tell them it took me two hours to text a message ("thinking of u"). So sad - & I'm actually more of a tech savvy person than that!

Your camera looks like it will be a log of fun - & that picture is FABULOUS!

Kelly H-Y said...

Have fun with it!!! You're going to love it! I'm warning you, though ... I'm still learning on my Canon 30D, and it's been two years ... of course, I've never read all the way through the manual either! :-)

Sueann said...

I am still learning my camera too and I have had it for three years. LOL!!!! And let's not talk about the iPod that I don't know how to arrange yet!?? Beautiful photo by the way!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Meri said...

Congratulations! Now, can you tell me how to work the iPod that I got before my trip to Egypt? My cousin duplicated her repertoire onto my iPod and I don't have a clue what's on there. I don't even know how to turn it on.

steven said...

well done bee - lucky lucky you!!! i have never had a cellphone - i want space sometimes and it seems like that's the last chisel into what's left of my hermit's cell. but i love my mac laptop, my big camera, my gadgets and toys and my kids love their techno stuff even more. that's a sweet photo!!!! have a lovely evening. steven

Delwyn said...

Hi Bee

It is nice to catch up with what has been happening in your chill and white washed neck of the woods.

My son organised a new iphone for me before xmas and it has been a Godsend as with no computer installed yet in the new house I have been able to read blogs, albeit on a minute screen, in the quiet of the evenings and even respond if I am very careful with the fingers!

If this photo is a beginner's attempt with your new BIG camera then we are in for future treats...
My new camera stays on auto much of the time when I am walking, for ease of snapping away, unless there is a special condition I am shooting in...you just need to experiment and try out the settings.

Happy reading through the wintry days

twebsterarmstrong said...

I bought myself an iPod this week. One of those "2010 to-do" things: learning how to use one.

I am still attached to my archaic cell phone (Nokia-not-made-anymore), and I hate the thought of "upgrading".

Ugh. I also hate the thought that I sound...old?

Anne said...

Wow, lucky you! Well done, Sigmund.

I sympathize with your feelings of intimidation when it comes to cameras. After nine months of using a dSLR, I only recently graduated to manual mode, and I still feel like an enormous poseur.

Like Delwyn, I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of your experimentation. I love the winter walk you've shot here.

Kristen In London said...

I simply CANNOT bear to have anything stuck in my ears, so you can imagine what MY tech-savvy husband thinks. I wonder how to explain the pairing of the Luddite and the Savvy. It can't be accidental. Not with all of us to whom it happens.

I can't text. At all. And the word "predictive" makes me want to scream! So I'm with you! But cameras, email, blogging and Facebook, those I love. I consider them friend-makers.

jane said...

beautiful pic! i know exactly what you mean. i make my husband read all manuals and then teach me the important things. i stay focused up until i learn where the on/off button is- then i usually get distracted by some shiny object...

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Nice camera, Bee! I am not a cell phone person--my phone stays misplaced or off most of the time.

I look forward to seeing more and more pictures from your new camera. The Dummies books are wonderful--Good Luck!

Best
Tracy :)

rachel said...

Oh, I would read a manual too if I were to be given a BIG camera! I wouldn't remember a word of it, but who cares....

If you are a wife/mother of two males who wouldn't read instructions, you do learn how to programme boilers, washing machines etc - and (my brief moment of glory, many years ago) become the only person in the neighbourhood who could set the time on a new-fangled digital watch! But those were my glory days; my ipod sometimes defeats me, and as for iPhoto....well....

Good luck with your lovely new toy.

kristina said...

What a fabulous camera! But I know how you feel about manuals. And I still don't have a television or mobile phone...a bit sad really! K x

Lucy said...

What fun! I don't believe anyone knows everything about what any camera does. Perhaps start to play, then dip into the book from time to time to build up your knowledge. And a 'dummies' book is a great idea. Having a book at all is a bonus, I hate instruction manuals which can only be read on the computer. In fact I don't really feel I can get to grips with anything until I've got it on hard copy, preferably book form.

Actually I came over partly to tell you that, if you're still snowed in or even if you aren't, 'Robin and Marian', one of Audrey Hepburn's last films, where she's older but terribly beautiful, is on Channel 4 this afternoon. But I don't know if you'll pick this up in time, and you probably know anyway!

Evening Light Writer said...

It ook me close to a month to figure out the whole dvd concept when dvd players came out. I have never been capable of programming a VCR anyways.

By the way, I think there are many hilarious elements to "Vile Bodies." The first is the obviously tongue in cheek names that Waugh gave everyone. That whole chapter where Adam goes to have lunch with Nina's father is laugh out loud funny.I get a kick out of lines like "oh do be a dear" and "how positively boring." I have a strange sense of humour though, I count that as a character flaw.

Polly said...

I'm totally with you on technology but I reckon just this one time take a deep breath and give D90 for Dummies a go, looks like it'll be worth it, your photo is gorgeous!

Dumdad said...

I'm a bit of a Luddite but only because I can't be bothered to learn how to operate ANOTHER gadget (now even that word seems outdated). I love computers, I run a blog, I have a digital camera, an Ipod and a mobile phone. But, like you, I can't be fagged to read the manuals so, for example, I can make and receive calls on my mobile but I've never sorted out how to read messages. Or text, let alone twitter. I've resisted Facebook although I have my wife's login so can access it.

Bah humbug!

Marcheline said...

I am SO happy for you! I wanted a Canon Rebel for Christmas, but apparently Santa has been hit hard by the economy, too. Enjoy your new toy!!! Looking forward to seeing the goodies you capture!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Your "toaster" takes fabulous photos, judging by that sample you shared with us. It is magical!

Stella Jones said...

Well you've certainly got the hang of that camera pretty quick. Take lots of pictures for us while this gorgeous weather lasts, please.
Blessings, Star

Sarah Laurence said...

What a terrific present! I have a Nikon D80 but I also have a point and shoot to carry around in my bag. I don't think you'll find the DSLR too difficult. The harder part will be mastering Lightroom or Photoshop to edit photos to get the full potential out of your camera. You are off to a good start - great shot!

ceecee said...

I wish my husband was tech savvy. He wants nothing to do with it. I teach myself, but not without alot of anxiety. I was thinking that I would keep my out-of-fashion cell phone until it looked like I was carrying around an 8-track...but now I'm rethinking it. I send you courage - I know exactly how you feel.
Catherine

Nancy said...

Ohhh a D-90 - Lucky girl! I'm with you on reading manuals - they read like a foreign language - all gibberishy.

spudballoo said...

Oh you got a D90? What a surprise ;-) giggle.

Love that photo, gorgeous. Can't wait to see you!! x

Frances said...

Hello Bee, and thank you for visiting!

Luddite. No, not you. The corporate world loves trying to convince us that we would just love to throw over all that we are currently happy to own and use. If we continue with this happiness, what chance to those new products have?

Note that I write this from a laptop that I do like, and as someone who has only very recently set aside the rotary phone that had served me well since the 1970's. The phone still works. I have given it shelter in the depths of my deepest closet. It's nouveau replacement just seems so skimpy. It's design is current but not very good.

Did you never see any of the Sherlock Holmes tv adaptations that Granada did. Mr. Brett was so good that I allowed him to overtake my childhood loyalty to Mr. Rathbone.

Not too sure about Mr. Downey, though he is a fine actor. Doyle's Holmes is mental, not physical.

Gosh, this comment is going on way too long. Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

my phone is falling to pieces but i am refusing to get a new one because i just dont want to have to learn a whole new phone. my husband made me trial a new phone he received at work, but it just didnt feel right, and the keys were all wrong, so after two days, i am back to using my trusty (though falling apart) little phone.

L'Adelaide said...

this was hysterical to read and so like myself, i must be one too!

thank you for your kind words on my blog the other day...they are much appreciated, as always...now go take some pictures...i have one of these types of things too and that's what i do, don't read the damned book, just go out and do it...eventually i figure enough out that i want to know a little more and then,there you are..simple! :P

Cait O'Connor said...

I am just like you Bee.
I don't even own a mobile phone and am happy with my compact camera but my husband keeps saying I should have a bigger one.

Beeswax said...

I know that since I have a techie husband and children about the house, I have the option and leisure to be a luddite. I didn't used to be so handicapped, but now am unwilling to spend 5 minutes making anything work. I know someone else will eventually do it, or I can whine, if necessary. Is easier than reading manuals.

I got one of those cameras last year for Christmas, and I still use it mainly in the auto mode, but it takes much better pictures than our previous camera. Good luck!

TBM said...

Yay! What a good husband you have :-) I know you'll have loads of fun with your new friend, Bee!

I got a new DSLR too--an upgrade from my trusty oldie-but-goody Canon. Like Sarah, I carry a point-and-shoot in my purse because, well, those big honkers can get a wee bit heavy.

Love your winter scene. Has it stopped snowing there yet?

Bee said...

I am fascinated by the variety of responses here. I realize that I do all sorts of techy things, but instead of embracing new things I always have to be coaxed (dragged) into them. I don't think I could EVER give up my computer now, though. (Although I don't have a clue how to fix it when it plays up; thank you, techie husband.)

mouse (aka kimy) said...

happy birthday!!

ah, there are lots of us luddites out there!

i still don't have an ipod, nor do I have photoshop on my computer. my cell is a dumb one although it can take pics

i have yet to get over my aversion to reading manuals, although I do like manual diagrams and can fix all sorts of things not to mention program electronics.

when my husband gave my my first digital camera (point and shoot) back in 2002 I was aghast - leave film! well it didn't take me any time to adopt digital photography as a medium and in 2005 was given a digital slr as a birthday present from a group of friends - i have yet to read the manual, but who knows maybe one day I will, for now it's good to be fearless when it comes to playing around!

Willow said...

Lovely photo of the filtered snow! I too am a Luddite by nature. My current mantras are 'What's a manual?' and 'Please don't make me read the instructions! Just show me how it works!' I do not own an ipod (yet) and my new laptop is giving me fits.

myonlyphoto said...

Bee there is nothing wrong using camera in P mode. I use it all the time, let camera do the job for you and you chase the beautiful objects, subjects and scenery, lol. Happy New Year 2010. Nice gift btw. Anna :)

Fantastic Forrest said...

I LOVE that shot with the snow coming down. Wonderful.

Now get a laptop so you can come visit here and blog.

Merisi said...

Will write a comment as soon as I figure out how to .... ;-)

Angie Muresan said...

I am married to a man who ADORES technology. Like all such men, we must have the latest and the best. And he does not allow any of my excuses.

Elizabeth said...

Well done, Bee.
You are wonderful.......
I'm sure you will take fantabulous pictures with your toaster sized camera. I'm proud of you.
I got an iphone for Christmas and can now text people
woo hooo

sorry to be so long in responding to your post but was out on LI
for 2 days this week

Tess Kincaid said...

I am totally green with envy. You are the proud owner of my dream camera, you lucky girl, you!

Cherie/ Butterfly Dreamer said...

I'm a first time commentor here.I just got myself the same camera and it takes amazing pictures. I am in classes provided free by the camera store I bought the camera at. Wolf camera.

christina said...

is that what it's called? yes, me too! lol
xoxo

mountainear said...

I have an equally generous husband and exactly the same camera - and the same unread manual. All I really wanted was a little point'n'shoot for immediacy - but eek! I had to have the best and now I feel like an ungrateful sod because it's like a literal millstone round my neck. Feel even worse because I bought myself a Powershot.....

SE'LAH... said...

CONGRATULATIONS! Way cool. I am a little technologically challenged myself.

one love.