If only I were electronically literate!
A long time ago, in the mix-up of several resident
grandchildren with missing earplugs, power cords, and even I-pods and Walkmans,
I lent pieces parts of my Walkman, that I had mastered for the sole purpose of taking
audio books to the gym. When I reassembled all the parts returned to me, I
discovered I was a power cord short, and no one had it, or had one that fit.
Such is life with children. I quit the gym anyway, and life
went on without it. I put the remaining pieces in the Goodwill bag and forgot
about it, for at least a year. Then I had a burning desire to own a new Walkman
and listen to books through the magic connector that goes between my car radio
and a Walkman—you know what I’m talking about. I don’t.
I ordered a new device. It arrived with the packaging open,
but no obvious problems, so I forged ahead. Except my computer could not
recognize the device, and after a couple of days of trying to find a driver out
in the ether I realized my power cord had been substituted for one that did not
fit the device. I returned that whole problem, and forgot about recorded books
again.
Except in passing, I did learn I did not need to scotch the
Walkman separated from its power cord by a grandchild; I could buy missing
parts at Radio Shack. Day late, dollar short, but somehow that piece of
information stuck.
When I began weaving again, and wanted recorded books I
scoured the house for my MP3 CD player last lent to Hamilton. No one knew where
it was, but my sister located an old CD player, sans power cord and ear phones.
Off to Radio Shack, where I purchased those items for a nearly obsolete CD
player for just short of the cost of a new Walkman. Since summer I've been
weaving and listening to my personal collection.
It came to me this week I can recite whole passages of JRR
Tolkien by heart. I finally opened the new Walkman I bought a month ago but
hadn't screwed up the courage to investigate. I have a granddaughter in the
next bedroom, for crying out loud.
For the record, I proceeded bravely on my own all the way to
downloading a book of choice from the library. In my defense, the entire site
has changed in my two year absence and I once again forgot the difference
between e-books and audio books, but Emily, of course, knows. I have two books
downloading as we speak.
In good conscience I can leave Frodo and Samwise with
Faramir and start anew tomorrow!
Could you explain that again...slowly! Please!
ReplyDeleteGood luck. It is all making my brain hurt.
ReplyDeleteYou are WAY more techie than I am.
ReplyDeleteMy phone or walkman doesn't access the internet at all. The option is probably there, but I chose not to find out. I have the computer for internet and that's enough for me. My walkman and the ipod too, both play songs of my selection for listening when I wish and for reading I have my kindle and my real books.
ReplyDeleteYou know that is what I use when listening to book. I can download from my local library at no cost. I love it and am once again using it instead of the television while weaving. I keep downloading books and think it must be full but my daughter just laughs and tells me I will never download enough to "fill it us". Nice to go back and "re-read" a favorite. Also listen to a book while on a long journey by myself over the road.
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent to think about listening to books on tape (however you listen) while you are weaving. Kills 2 birds with 1 stone, I think! I just mastered books on a table, not sure I'm sophisticated enough to figure out audio books.
ReplyDeletebetty
I have an old Sony Walkman for listening to music. My husband said it was out of date even when I bought it. But it suits me fine. I have never thought of downloading books to it. I didn't even know it was possible until I read your post. I just asked Hubby and he thinks it would be possible. Something else for me to investigate!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for children of technology; I wouldn't have been able to use my new phone without the kidling's help.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteUgh.... my good pal in Sydney, when I left for India, decided I 'had to have a Walkman'. Why? was my response. I took it. Turned out I now have the entire two+ years of lectures and activities on record. It's a great recorder. Beyond that? Nada.... YAM xx
We've only just bought a clock radio for the kitchen..I'm a Luddite.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I used to listen to "books on tape" from the local library when I spent much of my time knitting garments commissioned by a local yarn shop (never did like TV)... I remember once when knitting a really complicated pattern I taped the instructions... very slowly... row by row ... and followed along. But those were easy to use even for technically challenged person. I've never had a walkman... my Kindle is techie enough ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy I-phone is my challenge. Most everything I learned was from my children. And I have to ask for help when I don't remember. I have finally mastered the TV remote and managed to show Mama how to delete her recordings. I am set as long as Dish doesn't change anything.
ReplyDeleteWell, good for you. I am proud of you.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think I understand my electrical devices they change them. We've always been dependent on our daughter for technical assistance and now that she lives in Japan we sue Skype to get help.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have grandkids in the techie stage. they can save us all kinds of time and frustration.
ReplyDeleteThe moral is 'if you want to know anything techno then you need to ask someone still at school.
ReplyDeleteWhen you don't remember or just plain don't know something in the tech field -- ask a kid -- they are wizards within the tech field. Looks like your commentators above have learned this simple rule -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThe only way I know how to listen to books on tape is to go to the library and get a CD. Luckily I'm driving a car that has a CD player. That is a first for me.
ReplyDeleteHuh?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I didn't know there were update walkman mp3 type devices. Can it hold many books? The audio book thing is great for long car drives but it appears that CD players are starting to be drop from cars. Similar to when cassette players disappeared from the option list.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't know the information you just need know who does and ask.
Apparently you can have up to 64 gig (?), which much be a lotta books. They do pictures and video, too, But the screen is minute. Tiny little buggers, about two inches by three, half screen.
DeleteI'm impressed that you got as far as you did, without any extra help. Between the weaving and the wiring you are more tech savvy than you realize!
ReplyDeleteJulie