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Why did I take a break from blogging? I had to "tame" my new computer.

By Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Real Estate Broker/Owner CA#01772851 HI#RB21268

March 27, 2014 12:05 PM

It's been such a wild ride for the past few months in my business that, when my computer crashed, I took that as an omen to calm down a bit and not to be so hard on the poor thing. I loved all the "old" programs on it. We were a comfortable team. But it stayed crashed, became a "doorstop". RIP.

So off I went and bought a new HP, a regular PC, because I like the feeling of being in control, type on a regular keyboard, etc.

BUT THE DARN THING WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING FOR ME.

Not only that, but it wanted me to sign up for a hundred new things before I could even get to you all here on Activerain. Didn't matter what I did, several windows would open with all kinds of new goodies.

NO, NO, NO...

So I actually hired someone to take all that stuff OUT, make the computer into something that will do for me what I want. Not what it thinks I can't live without. Plus my "old" programs that we loaded were in conflict with those already installed in the computer, and it CRAWLED. There was a definite fight for supremacy in there.

So much for the Windows 8 operating system. I understand you either love it or hate it. Guess which side I'm on. My suggestion? Design an operating system for the real estate professionals.

My "new" HP is now ready for me, and here is my first blog!!

Re-Blog

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Deborah Laemmerhirt - REALTOR® Brookfield,Newtown,Roxbury,Bridgewater,Washington,Sherman

Keller Williams Luxury Homes International - Brookfield, CT

Luxury Homes,WaterFront,Equestrian,NewConstruction

Hi Hella, computers quite just when we cannot tolorate or have the time for change. Good luck with your transition...I hate to even think of when I might have to do that again...

Mar 27, 2014 12:29 PM

Sondra Meyer:

EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX

See It. Experience It. Live It.

Yeah!!!! I'm glad you won the battle against the computer. That was a great idea to have the stuff you didn't want removed. Glad you are back to blogging.

Mar 27, 2014 01:06 PM

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Carmel by the Sea, CA

Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Deborah: So frustrating, especially when Windows 8 tries to ram all sorts of things down your throat many of which start out free for 30 days and then start costing you.

Sondra: And it was a battle. Yep, I'm back.

Mar 27, 2014 02:02 PM

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366

Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA

General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Glad you got through it Hella. I'm not a big fan of Windows 8 myself. :)

Mar 27, 2014 05:24 PM

Cheryl Ritchie

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD

Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I have veered and steered away from Windows 8 but realize I am going to have to learn it soon.

Mar 27, 2014 06:00 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Hella.... sounds like you went through what I did recently..... I bought 2 new laptops....one for home and one for the office.... I learned to use windows 8... not a difficult thing to do.... but an annoyance when time has to be devoted to that...

Mar 27, 2014 07:34 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Hella, Windows 8 is not on my like list. I have lerned to get around but it still bugs me when I have to hunt to figure out where something is hiding. Glad you are back.

Mar 27, 2014 10:55 PM

John Holmes

Keller Williams Realty Flagship of Maryland - Severna Park, MD

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

As a former IT project manager and well skilled with repair/upgrade to PC's. Never buy from a "big box" store. You will pay too much for a PC/laptop and they will load all kinds of trial software, spybots, etc. on it. Always get them from a wholesaler or local shop that will do a clean install with just the programs you need.

Stay away from windows 8 it was made for a touch screen enviroment to rival the tablets and Ipads. If you don't have that on your HP it will be hard to use. Stay with windows 7 at the present time.

Mar 28, 2014 12:08 AM

Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner

Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL

email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

As with you and others, I'm going to TRY to stay with Windows 7 as long as I can (even have a few older ones laying around with XP on them). I use iPhone & iPad, so don't "think" that W-8 would be a problem for me, but STILL seeing a lotta compatibility issues with MANY programs.

Mar 28, 2014 04:27 AM

John Meussner

Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA

#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Hella I'm glad to see that you've got things tamed for now. I haven't actually liked a windows system since XP. I'm dreading getting a new PC, which I likely will by years end.

Mar 28, 2014 09:00 AM

John G. Johnston

John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO

An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Hella Windows 7 Home Premium ~ 64-bit operating system...and living in fear of the day my computers crash. It will take me 3 days to configure...or reconfigure. Tiger Direct is my go-to supplier. Glad your back!

Mar 28, 2014 11:57 AM

Jaclyn Erwin

Jackson Erwin Realty, Inc. - Charlotte, NC

ABR,SFR, REALTOR®/BROKER, Charlotte NC.

Hella,

Congrats on getting back in the swing of things. Windows can be quite challenging--especially when adapting from one version to the next. Windows now has the 8.1 version upgrade for free, which allows you to have the same non-tile (regular Start Menu) if you desire.

Mar 28, 2014 11:14 PM

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Carmel by the Sea, CA

Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Tom: So far so good.

Cheryl: It's good to know what you are up against, so it was not a wasted effort. I kept what I wanted, but kicked the rest out. Mostly OUT.

Barbara: I will definitely get another computer for the office shortly, so what some of the other programs have to offer. But the one I use all the time, I want it to be limited to what I want on it.

Debbie: Thanks. I've slowed down a bit here on AR, but plan to be back up at speed again. This part was just so aggravating and blogging always has been fun before, but not when you are fighting with your computer.

John: My next computer will be as you suggested.

Travis: I will do a lot more research for my next computer. But for this one, I was under the gun, so to speak. Didn't realize what I was getting into.

John M: Mine was an XP, and loved it. Simple, easy. Too bad.

John J: Unfortunately they build new programs for new operating systems or they are not compatible. But I slipped a bunch in.

Jaclyn: It's the 8.1 that is in here now, actually. Thanks for the support in my hour of frustration that seems to be past. We'll see. I still don't trust this computer, but overall I like it.

Mar 29, 2014 11:52 PM

ReadySetLoan Team

ReadySetLoan Condo Team LLC - South Windsor, CT

Residential, Commercial & Condo Financing Experts

Great to have you back Hella! I need a new computer also but dread the work involved to get it set up just like I have this one. I'll wait for the inevitable crash to force me to get a new one.

Mar 30, 2014 01:07 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Hello Hella, I finally broke down and got a new Mac last year...been dealing with the learning curve they said wasn't too bad ever since...still keep the HP laptop on my desk...kind of like a security blanket.

Mar 30, 2014 12:55 PM

Sarah Lynn Jaskowski

Williamsville, NY

House. Home. Today.

I'm a PC girl myself working mainly from Windows 7 and occasionally Vista. I never had an issue with Vista, fyi. Looking to upgrade to a Surface so I can have the power of a computer in tablet convenience. Wary of Windows 8 but I've been watching my boyfriend fly through it. I think 8 is at its best with a touch screen.

Mar 30, 2014 11:33 PM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

My old computer was nearing death as well, but i found a new one that came with windows 7 professional installed and a license for windows 8 if I ever decide to switch. I think I'll stick with 7 as long as possible.

Mar 31, 2014 05:00 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Welcome back Hella. Technology is one of those love/hate relationships, isn't it?

Apr 23, 2014 01:51 PM

American Brokers Realty Group

American Brokers Realty Group, Inc - Cape Coral, FL

We have a lot of new construction here so I generally discuss buying new product and a lot of the challenges, positive or negative during the initial interview process.

Apr 23, 2014 08:45 PM