I had a productive day yeseterday fussing about over my computer. I was kindly given some new and exiting components for my machine for Christmas, which came with a a fancy tower and other upgrades. The downside has been being forced to upgrade to Windows 8, which is frankly baffling, and re-install all the rest of my software, which has taken forever. I’ve now got two hard drives, and have to remember not to clog my lovely new solid state drive, which boots up my computer very fast, with all kinds of rubbish like my massive folder of photos.

Yesterday I decided to work on the printer, which hasn’t been operational since about July last year when I ran out of both ink and the money to buy more ink. After fussing about getting it plugged in (which turned out to be the initial reason it wouldn’t turn on – in this monster desk with the little holes for cords at the back, that is no simple feat might I add) and then updating the drivers for Windows 8, it refuses to do anything apart from giving an error message. So I think its done its day, which is a bit sad. And inconvenient as heck considering that college starts this week. On the other hand I got it about 4 years ago for $20 second hand from cashies so that’s a pretty good run.

My adobe suite has been re-downloaded and installed, which is incredibly exciting as I can now start to work on learning to use the software and make progress on another goal for this year – my first publication! Hurrah!

My primary monitor has a dead port, and the new machine doesn’t recognise the VGA cable so off I went to buy a HDMI cable and I now have both screens operational! It’s like having the right side of my body working again. Phew!

Unfortunately Win 8 doesn’t recognise my USB Bluetooth dongle, Officeworks don’t sell them, and I’ve been told it’s unlikely I’ll be able to get a win 8 compatible one for awhile. Bah! So I can’t use my fancy Bluetooth keyboard which is annoying. Gawd I hate upgrading!

I’ve dusted and cleaned the whole desk space in readiness for new study and work to be done and it’s looking magic. Shame about the dining table which took the worst of the collateral damage:

Ah well, I’m still calling that progress.