When consumer computers became
available in the 1980’s, I was quick to pick one up; I didn’t want to be left
behind in the world of technology.
I read comic books depicting
humans traveling throughout the universe, watched movies and television shows
about exploring outer space, and daydreamed of communicating with others, all
with the benefit of computers. I
couldn’t be left behind!
I was thirteen-years old and in
high school where an elective class, “Programming FORTRAN,” was offered, and I
took it. This 1960’s decision would be
my vehicle to the future.
That was the most arduous class
with which I have ever been involved.
Nothing in the FORTRAN language
would work if the code was not correctly written and you didn’t know if it was
incorrect unless and until you ran your code.
The absolute worst part was there was no indication where the error was
inside hundreds of lines of code.
It didn’t take long to realize
this field of study was not for me. I
proudly and confidently declared, “No one will ever use computers in the
future. EVER!”
As you can see, my
prognostication skills were as keen then as they are now.
Still, I bought a Timex Sinclair
T-1000 computer as my first machine. I
happily moved on to a Coleco Adam, then a Texas Instrument model, until I
acquired a Dell and a Toshiba.
And yes, I am now using a
computer for typing this brilliant essay in the glass-enclosed nerve center of
EasterShoreFishAndGame.com.
Sure, computers have changed,
making them more user-friendly and robust over the decades. Even my octogenarian Mother used a computer
to navigate the internet, and I was proud of her.
When I first began
EasterShoreFishAndGame.com, ten-years ago, I was encouraged to link up to
Twitter and Facebook, as vehicles to expand our outreach.
On paper it sounded so good. In theory it was brilliant; in practice it
was a train wreck.
Twitter often changed their
“rules” to improve their site. They
didn’t improve, if you ask me.
Facebook, on the other hand, promised
to change, and didn’t. Facebook is
unlike most other websites such as PayPal, EBay, Google, Outlook, and Apple,
have means by which a person is able to telephonically contact them for
irresolvable issues.
And while I have been involved
with computers since 1968, I often find myself adrift at sea, needing the
assistance of helpline personnel – in other words, a human being.
 |
| Arrogant clown who is not a Congressman |
In 2012, I discovered my Facebook
account had been compromised, at which time I turned to Mark Zuckerberg’s crew
for help.
It was at that point I realized
no one at Facebook could be bothered to help me resolve this potentially
damaging situation.
There was no direct contact with
a human being to change or modify my account.
I wrote an email to them, only to have a return message saying I needed
to send a photocopy of my driver’s license and other identification before
Facebook would take any action.
That may seem reasonable to some,
but remember that someone was monitoring and using my account without my
knowledge. To whom would I be sending my
driver’s license and other identification?
Facebook arrogantly refused to
answer this logical question, so I ceased using their service in 2012.
So it was curious that just this
morning that I received an email from Facebook about possible sites that might
be of interest to me. Perhaps I could go
to those sites to enjoy the pleasure of the internet.
I quickly unsubscribed from
Facebook, again. I hope they go out of
business today.
I’m just saying.
