The hi-tech slip-ups that are so me (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The hi-tech slip-ups that are so me

8:41am Tuesday 9th December 2008 in Columnists By Debbie Lindley

Technology never fails to baffle me, which is not great in a variety of circumstances, especially when it comes to buying a computer.

Don't get me wrong, I use computers daily as part of my job but, in the case of YTV, it's taken me 13 years to get to where I am now and it's not all been plain sailing.

This is the girl who, when she was booked on a Microsoft Word for Windows Edition 6 course, announced to the 30 people in the room that she wasn't eligible to attend because I'd not done the five prior!

I know it was an easy mistake to make, but that doesn't mean I've not paid for it, not least every time I walk into the weather office to a rousing chorus of: "Oh, here she comes. . . Bill Gates in a Pac-a-Mac. Quick, save your work before she gets sat down!"

That's why, when I need to visit a computer shop, I always take someone with me. Just recently, I took hubby Graham with me on a mission to buy a laptop. Looking back, it wasn't a great idea since he was fighting a bad hangover and could barely stand up unaided. Nevertheless, it felt good to have him by my side, even if I had to keep reaching down to the floor to pull him back up.

I have to say this visit wasn't quite as bad as others. For a start, I'd done a fair amount of research before we set off so I had a basic idea of what I wanted and how much I was prepared to pay for it.

One thing I hadn't prepared for, though, was the variety - not the screen size nor the memory, but the colour. Since when could you buy a pink computer? I simply couldn't believe my eyes; everything from the processor through to the keyboard was of the same bubblegum pink that could give you nightmares.

Casting a bloodshot eye around the showroom, I could see my husband wincing as his vision was assaulted by not just pink but purple, yellow and green. Who would have thought it?

You could buy a computer the same colour as your hangover!

Growing up, I can clearly remember the first time I used a computer. It was black and grey and took up most of the desk; obviously nothing like the ones we had in front of us.

Leaving the shop an hour later, I applauded myself for knowing exactly what I wanted, for being decisive and unwavering in my choice of computer.

Hubby wasn't quite so enthusiastic.

During the drive home we barely exchanged five words, although I guess too much beer the night before may have been to blame. Maybe, though, it was the disco-pink laptop which he was going to be forced to look at every evening!

Oh, some people. . .