Windows 8 – Keep or Return?

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida  (high 77, low 57) rain predicted

I bought my new Samsung laptop a few weeks ago. It came with the new Windows 8 operating system and I decided since our friend Rick used and liked it, I would probably be happy with it.  What I didn’t remember, is that Rick is a geek and I’m not.  Windows 8 is a challenge!

I knew there would be a learning curve to Windows 8, and that was expected, but the more I used it the more I disliked it. 

On top of that, my new laptop was running extremely slow. That’s a bad combination and I was ready to return my new laptop.  I had even gotten to the point where I “refreshed” the computer in preparation for returning it to the store.  It was so darn slow, that it wasn’t even usable.

 

But….

I decided to check and see if any of the programs I had installed were causing the speed problems.  It turns out I had accidently installed a lot of crap when I installed a few programs and apps.  Once I removed the recent installs, it started running normally again.

The next step was adjusting to Windows 8.  It was certainly easier to learn to use Windows 8 with a properly operating computer.

 

Then….

I adjusted to Windows 8, and I have pretty much figured out how get it to navigate through the confusing screens.  That darn missing start button is still a bit of a nuisance, but I’m adjusting!  I’m sure there is a lot about Windows 8 that I’m missing.  Rick mentioned he will probably post some tips eventually, so I’m sure I’ll learn a lot then. 

The first time I started to re-install my Streets and Trips program, on my new laptop, I kept getting an error message.  I thought it just wasn’t compatible with the new operating system.  In the meantime, my laptop went through some updates and I decided to give Streets and Trips another try…..halleluiah, it installed properly!

Now, if I can only get my VMSPC program to install.  It is the program I use to keep an eye on what’s happening in our diesel engine while we’re traveling.  I haven’t taken the time to attempt to install this program, but need to do so before we leave in 2 weeks.

 

So, as far as my new Samsung Laptop, it is one of the few around that has the non glare matte screen, and that’s why I chose it.  I could have done without Windows 8, but it’s getting increasingly more difficult to find computers with Windows 7.   I’m happy with my new $499 laptop and I’m happy with Windows 8.   It’s not going back to Sam’s club and I have a 4 year extended warranty  I’m buying the Carbonite program so that if/when I have another computer failure, I’ll have all my pictures backed up.  (don’t ask)

 

Today, we are going to tour the new gym we joined.  It’s part of the Wesley Chapel hospital and is a brand new 55,000 square foot facility.  We joined it sight unseen, with just some pictures and diagrams.  We’re excited to actually see it in person. 

Yesterday, Saturday, turned out to be a beautiful day.  It was warm and sunny all day and everyone in the park spent most of the day outside.  Baxter even got to go for a ride in his stroller.

It’s very foggy this morning, but hopefully it will burn off and we’ll see the sun before the predicted rain arrives.

 

Day Trip

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida (high 74, low 60)

It was fairly warm yesterday, but it was cloudy and dreary all day.  I’m  trying not to complain though because at least we didn’t have any severe weather or thunderstorms.  We’re in an extended pattern of cloudy, rainy weather for the foreseeable future.  Hey, this is supposed to be the sunshine state!  Years ago, the St. Pete Times Newspaper gave free papers anytime the sun didn’t shine at all during the day.  They didn’t have to do that very often because we normally have at least some sunshine during the day.

Yesterday, we went over to Mom’s and Al installed a new medicine cabinet for her. I helped her get her USAA auto insurance set up for automatic payments and checked a few other things for her.  I also vacuumed her bedroom and managed to get a load of stuff for the goodwill/dump. 

She’s been feeling pretty well, but her memory is really getting bad.  I’m wondering if she’s feeling better because she can’t remember all her ailments?   :)  We have a follow up appointment with the neurologist next week.  I’m anxious/nervous to see the results of the EEG test she had done last month.

 

A couple years ago we discovered, Beasley Manufacturing, in nearby Center Hill, Florida. We made a day trip there on Thursday.

A lot of our neighbors were buying rv sunshades and grass mats from them.

Our first trip there sent us home with fabric for grass patio rugs.   We like these much better than the thicker mats you buy at Camping World.  They lay down flat on the grass, concrete, or sand and rarely blow up.

This fabric is what we chose 2 years ago and it still looks as good as new.   Water runs through it, it doesn’t blow when it’s windy and it doesn’t kill the grass underneath.  It’s cheap enough that we could afford a large rug.  The only thing is it’s narrow enough that we needed two separate fabrics.  We just lay one over the top of the other.  You can see the “seam” if you look carefully.

You can see in the following picture what a big supply they have of this wonderful fabric.   It’s basically the same fabric as in the MCD daytime shades.  It comes in a wide variety of colors.

A lot of people also buy pre-made sunshade’s here.  The prices are very inexpensive for pre-made sunscreen’s, or you can buy your own fabric and make your own.  They have all the hardware for making sunscreens, tire covers, or whatever you want to make.

If you’re in the central Florida area, it might be worth the trip.

 

Last year, we went back and got some black fabric to make some tire covers.

Unfortunately, due to some strong winds over the past year, we lost a few pieces of our mounting system and needed to head back to Beasley for some extras.  We needed a few $.20 pieces to attach them to the suction cups.  We could have ordered them, but decided to get a couple of the heavy duty beach bags they sell for $3.95 and a piece of black fabric for a sunshade on the left side window. Al often gets sun/heat there when he’s driving and we figured we could suction cup a small piece there when we’re driving.  We have the automatic sunshades in the front, but nothing on the side.

See the blog post here, if you’re interested in seeing how to make some inexpensive tire covers.

The following picture is what they look like. All you do is use the suction cup to hold them on.  They are easy to set up and easy to remove.

 

Well it looks like the SUN  is out!  I see blue skies for the first time in a few days.  Boy that sure helps your mood to see the sun. 

We have some errands to run and may even be able to get in a hike.

I haven’t ordered the automatic fire extinguisher yet.  We weren’t sure which one to order.  There is one with a 90 degree angled head and a straight one.

I think we’ll go with this one.  It’s all about which will fit behind your refrigerator.

I emailed back and forth a few questions and got prompt and helpful responses from David Force at the Rv Cooling Unit Warehouse.   I think what we’ll probably do is buy the fire extinguisher for now and mount it behind the refrigerator.  When and if we have problems with the cooling unit of our new refrigerator, we’ll replace it either with the Amish cooling unit, or a residential refrigerator.  He feels we should be safe as long as we have the fire suppression system.  I know it will help make me feel safer.