learn to use all the gadgets we own

But I’m calling it done. I got Tivo figured out, turns out it really is that simple.

Got the kids video games set up. The phone figured out as much as I’m going to.

Seems like there’s more that I wanted to do with this goal, but I guess if I can’t think of what it was, it can’t be that important.

Today I figured out how to assign a “VIP melody” to S’s cell phone number, so when he calls our home, we’ll hear a different ring.

Also, I learned how to name a phone extension. So now the display on the living room phone extension says “LIVINGROOM”

_{Yeah, I couldn’t figure out how to make a space. So sue me. At least we won’t mix up the extensions anymore. (This matters because you have to program numbers into memory on each separate extension, in case you want access to different numbers in different rooms.)}

Anyway, I am very pleased with myself. Especially because I now know how to do something S doesn’t know how to do! :D

OK, so I didn’t read any manuals. And I’ve been pushing a lot of buttons in error, trying to get to what I want to do. But S was away for 4 days, and I needed things. So through trial and error, I:

• recharged the camera battery, then put it back in the camera and successfully reset the date
• managed to use the Tuneview to play ipod music throughout the house, changing playlists and volume as desired, pausing when necessary, etc.
• figured out how to use my gadget that makes the ipod play through the radio in the car. No way was I going to NH without good driving music!

None of it too impressive, but the first and third are things S would have automatically just done. The middle one I’d already been messing around with a bit. Anyway, it’s a start.

• Tivo. We just got it. Prior to that we’ve been using MythTV, which I’m now finding was much more elegant even if it did take more work to maintain. I have a lot of questions in my head because I’m expecting Tivo to do some of the things that MythTV could do. Also want to figure out how to burn dvd’s from Tivo, manage it from my computer, and download shows onto my computer.

• Itunes: ok, technically not a gadget but it goes with my Ipod. I need to get more finesse with it. I’m not sure what I need to learn, but it can’t possible be this clumsy.

• Playstation. I don’t know which cord goes with what or how the games or controls work, so I’m not keen on setting it up so the kids can play.

• Vtech something or other with kids games on it. Same, I need to figure out where all the cords connect.

• My knitting machine. Maybe this should be a goal all by itself!

• read the driver’s manual of my new car, because there are some subtle things we don’t quite get
• read the owner’s manual for my fancy new toaster oven/convection oven, which has every bell and whistle imaginable, so I really know how to use it
• read the owner’s manual for my microwave, which isn’t new, but has bells and whistles I don’t use because they are beyond my understanding
• have S teach me how to use our new videocamera
• really master my cell phone. the trick with this is finding a time when I’m not home that I can play around with the darn thing, since we get no signal here.
• learn to upload pictures myself
• fool around with the one-lapto-per-child computer until I’m comfortable with it
• have S teach me how to use our remote that lets us run the ipod through the stereo and control it from anywhere in the house. This includes turning it on, selecting playlists, and switching away from it back to TV, since they’re somehow interconnected
• learn how to switch between the game console systems connected to our TV, so I can set E up with them (I don’t play)
• learn how to switch between TV, DVD, and VCR. (This sounds pathetic, but over time I’ve gotten less and less able to do this, as more and more things are connected to our TV & stereo.)
• learn how to create playlists and find and get podcasts that interest me

Do I seem dumb enough to everyone now?

It isn’t that I am incapable of learning these things. It’s just that I have a technology professional living with me, and it’s easier to have him do everything. I have my own strengths; there are whole realms of things he doesn’t bother with because I do them. So when I’m busy, and he’ll do all these techie things, why bother? Well, because I am not happy feeling less and less able to do stuff. It doesn’t sit well with me to feel incompetent.

Gulp. I’ve got a lot to learn!