What’s on the iPod: Timshel by Mumford & Sons
Yesterday was a frustrating day of trying to get something to work. The new printer came. I’d love to tell you how much nicer it is than the old, reliable Canon. I’d love to go on about its wireless capabilities and I’d love to give it a glowing recommendation. And maybe if I ever get it to actually print, I’ll do that.
I’m not a complete techno-putz. Close, but I know enough to be considered dangerous. I set the printer up easily, following the idiot-proof picture instruction sheet. I got it to fax almost immediately, and found how to set my number of rings. Then it was time to set up the wireless connection. It found my router easily. A little trouble on my end remembering the passkey, but viola! It was set up. I hit “Print Test Page” and waited.
I’m still waiting.
That started the cycle of uninstall/reinstall – everything from software to print drivers, which are all there. I repeated – twice – the wireless connection process. And still it sits there, not printing.
I filled out HP’s survey, letting them know their instructions are a waste of paper. I know I’m not the only person having installation issues. The Internet is rife with complaints. But I figured I was smart enough to figure it out, and I was sure that three-year-old complaints surely would have reached the ears of the HP execs, who surely would have fixed the problem by now.
Right. That’s what you get for dreaming.
Workwise, I didn’t get much done. Thankfully, there wasn’t much to get done. I revised a client project and I think I have the project in a place where we’re both satisfied.
I did order my new Writer’s Market. I had driven to Borders to pick it up, but why would I pay $50 in the store when I can get it online for $31? I’m eager to browse it and find some new opportunities.
Today, it’s writing letters of intent and figuring out how to get the wireless to work on this ridiculous machine. There’s a way. I’m missing something. But what?
How is your day shaping up?
16 responses to “Details, Details”
Let me know what you think about the new Writer's Market. I was planning to order one, but then I saw a lot of awful reviews about serious typos, formatting inconsistencies, and very outdated info in the new version. So do let me know if you think it's worth picking up. I don't query publications, but I do try to keep a copy around. I'm just wondering if it would be smarter to stick to the online subscription rather than the book this time around.
Ditto Jenn's request. I have the 2009 and have the online subscription and wondered if I should get the 2011 book.
So, I am about a 30 minute drive from my dentist office. I go there yesterday for a 4:00 appt to get my temporary partial to replace the tooth I broke off. They come out to the waiting area at 4:00 to tell me the lab called & their equipment blew up. Can I come back tomorrow? I would have screamed, but then the gaping hole where my front tooth used to be would be visible for all the world to see. With me leaving Sat. for SD (and client meetings), I am sweating that the partial won't fit or some other problem.
Meanwhile, while I am supposed to be hammering things out in anticipation of my trip, I am running back & forth to my dentist's office.
I will stop whining. I noticed I am not a nice person when I am missing a tooth. Maybe it took my happy gene with it. It definitely took my smile. 🙂
Jenn, I'd seen the same reviews. Basically, I want the online service for the actual listings AND the hard copy for browsing. This will give me both. And if it's as bad as they say, I'll offer my proofing services. 🙂
Cathy, if it weren't so frustrating, that would be hilarious! Their lab blew up? Wow. I see a story in this, woman. Sell that to the consumer pubs!
I hope you get your new tooth soon….
Lori-I plan to LMAO as soon as I get my new tooth. 🙂
Grrrr! Just wrote a comment and didn't get a word verification, so it went poof!
Anyway, I commiserated with Cathy and wished her well.
I also mentioned that I installed a new Canon three-in-one printer about six months ago. It recognizes my router and then asks for me to connect the laptop to the printer with a USB port. So much for wireless printing.
Also, I mentioned that I have a several-years-old version of the Writers Market and haven't found it very helpful. It's either me or the fact that too many people are chasing the leads in the book. I'd rather stick to my personal contacts.
Gabriella, I've found the same frustration with comments here – they go poof the minute you get an error on the word verification. Like right now – it's not displaying. If I don't copy what I'm writing, it's going bye-bye.
That's exactly what I'm finding with the HP. I'm printing, but through a USB cable. That doesn't help me print from one of the other three computers in the house, does it?
I think we (I'm including you) need to add our printers to the router's list of verified devices. How the hell you do that is beyond me. My son set it up and he's living five hours away. This should be interesting. 🙂
Oh, on the Writer's Market – in the past I've not found it hugely useful for anything more than pressing flowers, but I have turned to the online version much more often. Easier to search. Still, there are times I needed the paper version to check out what the online version's search terms missed.
The subject index is gone. That's criminal – it was one of the most useful features for me. I guess they're trying to push us all online.
My day has been great so far — it's my birthday 🙂
I got the Writer's Market from the library and was considering buying the newest edition. But I'll definitely get it online if I do; thanks for the review.
That stinks about your printer. I think you need to watch that cat vs. printer video again to cheer up!
Happy birthday, Ashley! I hope your day continues to be great. Loved that video. 🙂
I will attack the printer problem later. Right now, the universe has given me some free time – off to NaNo!
Happy Birthday, Ashley!
What is it with printers and broken toes this week? My sister called this morning complaining about her printer and her broken toe. Our brother also has a broken toe right now. I swear they're vying to oust me from my life-long position of Foot Pain Princess. (They have bad backs, I have bad feet…and a bad back. This week they have bad feet, too!)
And like Lori, my sister has been trying to get her printer to, you know…print. At least hers is old, She was about to buy a new one before her car needed $800 of repairs. Keeping with her week-of-no-luck, last night she twisted one of her ankles while walking in the one pair of shoes that fit over her broken toe.
Me? My week is going fairly well. No broken toes or malfunctioning printers.
@Gabriella-thank you for the commiseration – I am happy to report, I have my tooth-the whole tooth & nothing but the tooth-I know, I know, major Groan. And I didn't even take the prescribed drugs!
Happy birthday, Ashley!
@Paula-glad you are printer & toe painless 🙂
Yeah, the subject index was the other big thing I forgot about. I just don't know if I have the patience to page through it without that available. I think I'll hold off for the 2012 version and see if they get things back in order. If I decide I want fresher market listings at some point I'll just the online version in the interim.
Lori, am contacting the fairies at HP for you. Tweet to @HPSupport and see if they can assist you. Am asking around for best place to send you. (Have a couple of friends who work there.)
Becky, you're a life saver! I'll give them a tweet or two. 🙂
Yay, whole-toothed Cathy! Glad for you!
Lori, thanks for the tip on the router. The problem for me is that I just don't care much about technology. I use it, but I don't want to know how to set it up. Just doesn't interest me.
So adding the printer to the router's devices? I may just mention it to my neighbor, who has got me out of many tech jams!
I learned the hard way that I'd rather overpay on ink for the Canon than use any of the other printers. I've tried 'em all — Lexmark, HP, Epson. Not one of them can deliver the workhorse and the quality I need. So, I bite it and use Canon and only Canon and Canon and only Canon ink.
I did the math, and it actually saves me money in the bigger picture.