are you sure

 Technology. We hear about that all the time these days. The challenge being how to use that technology. I mean that in a literal sense, how to use it. Yesterday I found that I had purchased a Google Chromecast device. I must have forgotten about that as it was a bit of a surprise. Well, the truth of the matter is I had to take serial numbers off that device and ask the computer what it was. Then having discovered what that piece of technology was I also went online to obtain a users guide. I determined to hook that thing up. That's what I mean about using technology. The first step in using that is understanding the terminology. And that is the biggest obstacle for us "senior" people that didn't grow up with those terms. To me, a text is still a book. Being online probably meant the wash had already been hung out. Mom, were is my red shirt, it's on the line! But, I look up the terms and manage to grasp a bit of understanding. Still, it can be a real challenge to identify components. According to the instructions I read online I should have that thing up and running in just a few minutes. Suffice to say that didn't happen. Well, after several attempts and several hours I did manage to get it to work, I was now using that technology. A sense of accomplishment washed over me. I did it! LOl, I was using technology.

 Now what is different about using technology today, and using technology when I was a kid, is when I was young you just turned it on. In order to use it you didn't need to go through a complex series of steps to "set it up." Another thing was, with the exception of electronics, you could see the technology being employed such as chains, gears, or whatever. If it wasn't working you could figure it out. Todays' technology isn't like that, if it doesn't work there is no determining the cause for the average user. You are left with, wth? Go to the manual and you are faced with a stream of terms that does nothing but confuse you. Make sure this device is on the same wi-fi as the device you are attempting to set. I only have one router so don't I just have one wi-fi? Not necessarily as it turns out. Turns out I have dual band broadband secured and unsecured networks. Okay, what does all that mean? That is the technology I'm, talking about. Then you are met with the answer, just go to settings. And that is like being told, by your Mother, to explain why you did what you did. You know what I mean? You click on a setting and you will be asked, are you sure? I hate that. No, I'm not sure but what are the other choices? 

 Later in the day I had an issue with my satellite television. Yes, I get tv by using a satellite dish, isn't that amazing? Well, it is until something goes wrong. Then that technology kicks in. I do get a bit insulted when the first question is, are all the wires connected? Yes I know the wires have to be connected. But soon enough I am asked what type of coaxial cable am I using? Uh, the kind you buy at Walmart with the ends already on it. It is then I am informed the cable should be RG-56 or some such thing. Ok, I'll go check, it should be printed right on the cable. Anyway I wind up calling the service representative. Ha, I luck out this time and the person is speaking English. Well, it is English but their is an issue with, you guessed it, terminology. I have Dish. I also have two televisions which requires the use of the Joey. That means I also have the Hopper. And that is where the terminology was getting confusing. You see trying not to sound like an idiot I referred to the Hopper as the receiver. Problem was the technician didn't understand that and thought I was talking about the satellite dish itself. Then I was asked if I had a Joey. I replied I didn't think so but had another receiver in the kitchen. That confused the technician once again. But, we eventually got that figured out. The technician then asks for permission to control the Hopper remotely. Sure, go for it. After twenty minutes during which I watched as many different screens appear and disappear the technician asks, do you mind finishing the last steps yourself. I'm agreeable and give it a shot. It still doesn't work. The next thing the technician says is we have to send a technician out to repair the issue. Oh, okay whatever. Then I'm told do not turn anything off or touch anything for at least four hours! The technician will be there in two days! Ok, thanks and good night.

 But no problem I still have other technology available to me. I simply go on the computer and watch You Tube videos, browse Facebook, and do some shopping. This technology is working, for now anyway. After all of that I think I am beginning to understand. I really haven't much of a clue how all of that works. Now I know why people call for plumbers, mechanics, carpenters and such, they have little to no clue how that stuff works. That is technology that I understand. You see it is a matter of understanding the terms of usage. I never thought of those skills as technology, that was knowing how to do stuff, how to fix stuff or build it yourself. Technology wasn't in knowing how to use it but knowing how to do it. A change in the terms of usage. You know as it turns out you need a lot of wires to use wireless technology, isn't that something? Just go to settings, or advanced settings if you are an adventurer. Then answer that question, are you sure?