29
Nov
Nov
Using High Contrast on a Computer
Della describes what it's like to use high contrast settings on her computer
08
Nov
Nov
My Computer From Hell
I know I know: it’s been quite some time since I posted something here. Unfortunately, there’s a good reason. My *$&#^@)% computer!
Now, I use the computer a lot - like most of you. I have friends online and lots of interesting things to do. It’s my work, but it’s also my play. And, like most of you, I don’t know much about them. Give me something I can turn on and start using.
I guess computer companies don’t feel that way. When I called the computer company to order another one, I requested “in home” service. Little did I know that “in home service” meant they’d walk you though the setup on the phone. I couldn’t believe that. “We’ll help you at your home,” the man on the phone explained, after I waited a good half hour to hear this news.
I had more problems than I want to think about. The sound didn’t work. The video didn’t work. Hey, I can see a little bit and want that darn webcam! Maggie was out of town and tried to get me hooked up with some on-site technicians. I called and, finally, got someone to return my phone calls. Then I waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. You catch the drift here? Finally, someone showed up. $150 later it still didn’t work. Called again and spent another $150.00. Guess what? You guessed it! You probably heard me swearing from where you live.
I finally called the computer company back and said I was returning the ($&$&@! thing. When the UPS truck came I just kicked the computer box goodbye and then got myself another computer. This one cost even more money! Guess what? You guessed it! My new computer doesn’t work right, either! And if I hear one more time that “in home service” means they’ll walk you through the installation at home I am going to scream! I’m almost blind, for God’s sake! Why do they think I requested the in-home service?
The nephew of a friend of mine - a real computer whiz - came by to help set up my computer. He spent four hours. Guess what? It reverted to the factory settings the minute I turned my back. The screen fonts are too small, the contrast is terrible. The sound doesn’t work. And another thing: every time I call for customer support I get somebody in India. They don’t understand my questions and I have a hard time following them when they speak. Oh God, this is awful.
I’ve been talking to Maggie all along. She’s out of town on an assignment for a client. She’s been trying to help me configure the computer and figure out how to set things right. It’s just not working. Finally she said she was coming back specially to help me with the computer. I said “not in your life!” She said that she’d already purchased the tickets because…well, she knows me. Sigh…gonna kill that woman.
So, let’s see: a month and a half of stress, confusion and lost productivity. Everybody’s wondering what happened to me. Maggie set me up so I could post by voice, so I’ve been doing that a little bit. I’m trying to write this out, though. And, next week, Maggie’s coming back into town, after arranging a few days off. She’s threatening to hug me, give me a back rub and cook up a storm since she figures I’m a nervous wreck by now. Boy, she’s got that right. Maaaaaaaaaaagie!
08
Nov
Nov
Della Tries Live Journal
How easy or difficult is it for a blind person to set up a blog? In this case, she’ll test Live Journal.
08
Nov
Nov
Everyday Dealings
Like a lot of folks, Maggie often wonders what it’s like to live without sight - or without most sight, like me. I guess I never really thought about those things until I realized I could no longer do them. Simple things, picking out colors to match up my clothes. Not to mention my jewerly box. We live in a visual world. When that’s taken away things get challenging to say the least.I figured out early the best thing to do was to organize, organize and organize. Not to mention develop habits….good ones.
I started sorting my clothes by colors, never mind the season. All the greens were together, the whites, blues, and so forth. I stopped doing the summer or winter clothes rotation thing. Now everything is in one closet by color: red, green, white, blue, etc. The shoes are arranged the same way. I found the same was good for clothes.
I make sure that I wear the same color the entire week and then do the laundry and put them back in their slots. Next week is the same, but with a different color. Makes life easier. I started putting the jewelery in plastic bags and then hanging the bag on the hanger of the outfit. Everything is right there: no hunting for the other earring. It’s in the bag. I wear one shade of nylons, period. No more totally color matching. Just makes life easier.
I started to line things up in my bathroom closet and the pantry in alpha order. Baked beans, Bean soup, corn, cranberry sauce, etc. From A to Z. Then I knew what type of food I had in my hand. One of the hardest habits to get into is putting something back the second you are finished with it. I spent hours looking for scissors I put down somewhere. I finally would sit and cry for not being able to find them. Finally I learned. Put them back right then and there. Next time you know where they will be. Instead of hunting all over the place for the tape, I got a dowel rod and cup hooks and opened one of my cabinets in the kitchen. Then I hung them all up in a nice little row. Now I know where everything is.
You would laugh to open my cleaning closet too. All of the products are lined up in alpha order with the rags under the R’s. P is the paper towels lined up like little soldiers. It is also a good way to keep tabs on what you need. I can feel when I’m getting near the last one.
I put the chairs back right away and close each drawer, even if i need to get back into it again. It helps to prevent running into things. People think they are helping you by putting the dishes away but forget you don’t see the drawer open or the cabinet door and BAMMM! “ow!” sigh.
And please, don’t go moving something without telling me. Oh how I love it when a friend comes over and moves something they think is out of place. You spend hours looking for it only to knock it over and break it. Sometimes I want to ‘Crazy Glue’ things down.
Items in my refrigerator are lined up the same way. here’s nothing like putting jelly on a hot dog. Right, who moved it? All the containers are the same now - those squeezable things. Convenient for you? Think about it. Close your eyes and think about it. How do you think a peanut butter and hot mustard sandwich would taste? Didn’t think so….ohhh try it. YECK !!
I also use three-dimensional paint to mark items. You can find it in the ‘crafts’ section of most of those chain stores. My computer keyboard has a small dot on the ‘F’, ‘J’ and the ‘5′ key. I made mine just a bit bigger. I put a whole row of raised on the return/enter button. Put it on before you go to bed and let it dry. Next morning…type away. I also use the raised dots to find things on my washing machine. There’s a raised dot locating the beginning of the cycle. Finger matching the dots will get you to the right spot each time. I have the dryer set too. As I turn the dial with one hand I feel the dot with the other and line them up. Hit the button and I know the dryer will run for 1/2 hour or 45 minutes.
My microwave is also set up like this. I put a raised dot on each one of the numbers with two dots on the ‘5′ so I can orient myself to the touch-pad.
I have a hell of a time with contrasts, too. I have a white washer and dryer and they’re located in a white room. Damned if I can find it. I got a nice, long strip of bright red tape and it brought the appliances right out. The white handle of the white refrigerator has a nice, big strip of blue electrical tape running down it. Much easier.
