I had a really, really nice morning. Just lovely. Then I came back here and I was going to download some pictures I took yesterday hoping a few of them would be worth sharing.

Before going out for breakfast, I got a prompt on my laptop to download Windows 8.1, a prompt I’ve been dismissing and ignoring for about a year now. So, I thought, this might be a good time to finally do it. I backed up all the stuff on my hard drive a couple of days ago and haven’t really used the computer since. I tried doing this about a year ago and it all fucked up and it wound up reverting to Windows 8. So, I downloaded Windows 8.1 before setting out for breakfast.

Came back, tried to click to install it.

Well, that didn’t seem to go well. I tried doing a custom install because I don’t want to share all my information with Microsoft. I don’t want to be a part of a corporate eco-system. I don’t like this new concept of renting rather than owning. I don’t like any of it.

The custom install was taking so long, and now I can’t remember what the fucking trigger was, the thing that set off my anger. I tried to click the “do it later” button regarding the networking because I’m traveling and I’m not using my own home network or even a work network. Anyway, this was a lot more involved than I expected. If you get a prompt saying that you need to download an update and “you can finish working” while it downloads, don’t be fooled by the implication that this is going to be an easy, quick and seamless experience. I started getting frustrated, started crying, literally, banged on my computer thinking, “I’m on fucking vacation. I want to do something else today.” Anyway, I was having visions of a computer that doesn’t work, of having to spend money that I’d like to spend on my vacation buying an Apple computer, which is no better because then I’ll be part of the Apple corporate eco-system. Really, is it that crazy to feel like one doesn’t want to become part of the Borg.

Then I get other crazy thoughts. It’s really been getting more and more difficult for me to avoid Twitter, and Facebook, but I feel like if my life is going to be an open book, then everyone else’s will be, too. Because, it’s either stop writing my memories or stop using pseudonyms.

Anyway, when I banged on my computer, the screen said something to the effect of “Windows has encountered a problem and is going to shut down.” Which it did.

Then, I started it up again, hoping that it would have reverted to the old Windows 8 like it did last time, not that I loved Windows 8, but I had made all the adjustments so I could use that dysfunctional piece of crap they think is an operating system interface.

Blech, so where the fuck am I, now. Honestly, I understand why non-tech people get frustrated with technology. The people who make technology see it as an end in and of itself. Non-tech people see it as a means to an end. The interface should not draw attention to itself. That doesn’t mean that it has to be slick and pretty the way Apple thinks it should be. It can be boring, like the old school gui menu bars. I like playing with technology when I want to play with technology. This morning, I wanted to download some pictures and put up a post – a happy post saying what a good time I’m having in Paris, which I am, and then get outside and do something.

Instead, I wouldn’t up playing with my fucking computer. I don’t know why I thought it would be a few minutes, that I could putz around and make myself a cup of coffee while hitting “next”, “next.”

Yes, I know. These are spoiled brat problems. I’m even thinking to myself, “Ooh, you poor baby. You might lose a morning in Paris because you’re updating the laptop you only use when you travel. It’s hard to be so spoiled” Still, it’s not like the damn thing was free, and no one likes not getting their money’s worth. Right now, the Windows operating system is garbage, mainly due to the interface. It hasn’t been crashing or anything. If you’re still using Windows 7 or XP, keep on going. I don’t know what to tell you about what to do when you have no choice but to upgrade it. If you need to install a new operating system on a desktop and you can get your hands on Windows 7, use that. I still use it on my desktop and it works great.

I’ve always preferred Windows to Apple, but now that Windows has changed, I’m not sure what the fuck to do.

Anyway, I turned the computer back on, and just hit the button to use the default settings. I can’t decide whether or not to download the photos from my camera right now, because I’m toying with the idea of just replacing the operating system with an easy to use flavor of Linux like Ubuntu. I’m not sure.

Or maybe I should see if I can make the adjustments like I did on Windows 8 so that it’s usable.

Then again, the weather’s beautiful, maybe I should just get out and enjoy Paris. Ah, the Ativan must be kicking in. I hadn’t taken one for a couple of months. Thanks, Microsoft.

(Oh, yeah. If anyone has tried using any Linux distros on a laptop with a capacitive screen and you have an opinion about them, let me know.)