Technological Mysteries

I'm really disappointed that having purchased a new laptop computer I don't have a manual of any sort such as came with my digital camera so I can independently figure out and understand some basic technological symbols. I need a blueprint that shows all the slots and pictures on each side of this computer, then explains what they are, what they mean and how they can be used -- labels them.

Facing my laptop on the right hand side is a small rectangular solid silver square that may or may not push in and do something, but I'm not going to push it to find out.

Next are what I'm pretty certain are USB ports into which:
- the first port has the cord that controls the keyboard which works for either my laptop or the desktop -- or maybe it's not for the keyboard.
-the second port connects to my printer, I think.

There's a little round solid chrome circle, but I don't know if it is anything or does anything.

Next is a square open hole that's irregular and jagged across the bottom, so something interesting must go in there, but it's empty now.

Then there is a small open elongated horizontal circle for who knows what.

Next comes the light that's showing my computer is on and next to it is the cord connection to my electric power source, I believe.

Tonight I wanted to perform some downloading/uploading functions for a blog piece I thought I’d post here. Instead this is what I’m posting.

I encountered some problems trying to get to a usable USB portal. I risked making some disconnections and moving of cords and still was unable to accomplish my goal. After trying a number of actions, I discovered a function was lost despite my having putting everything back like it was. So, I decided to just write my own little personal guide for my computer, then send it to my tech guru and get all these laptop computer holes labeled for my permanent future reference. Continuing the exploration of the external features on my new laptop…..

Facing the left side of my computer the first thing I see is a really long open elongated horizontal circle for who knows what.

Then there's one of those small solid chrome squares that may or may not be something.

Next there is a USB port into which a "Logitech" thing with a real cute little hieroglyphic on it is inserted. I recall having explained to me what that was and to remove it when I want to use the laptop as a portable unit (it’s hooked up to power, now.) I just don’t remember what it does though I thought sure at the time that I would. Guess there just were too many other operational things to think about and lots of other technological experiences have gone on in the meantime, too. I think I know what it is, but I'm not sure, so I'm not about to remove it since I want to stay connected to electrical power, much less move it into the portal next to it to see if I can get the card reader in the portal it currently occupies.

So, situated beside that Logitech thing is the USB port (I think) I mentioned above. I can't get my card reader in there because it doesn't seem to fit. I think I need to turn the card reader over, but that means the memory card protrudes and there isn't room with the Logitech thing beside it.

Next comes an opening about the same size of the USB portal I described above, but this hole is rather irregularly shaped for who knows what to be inserted.

Beside that empty hole is another empty hole that is square and accommodates some other unknown connection for something I guess I don’t have.

Next comes a longgg rectangular opening filled with a solid indentation in the center of which is a somewhat shorter but long horizontal solid chrome piece that protrudes to line up with the outer edge of that external longgg rectangular opening. Now that center piece looks like it could be something that has been inserted, or it may just be a permanent fixture that may or may not be something that can be pushed to do something or other.

Finally, we have an odd-shaped rectangle with rounded sides that is longer horizontally across the top than at the bottom. That hole is filled solid with a slightly smaller chrome button-like piece which has three horizontal rows of 5 or 6 teeny tiny holes as though it's designed to have some sort of plug inserted for what must be something really special.

I have observed that a lot of these holes on both sides of the computer have hieroglyphics, picture codes or symbols created so the simple-minded who can't read and understand written technological materials can, perhaps, decipher these pictures. Unfortunately, I don't have the code to know what the pictures mean. There are even some alphabet letters, but all of these and the pictures are so small, that even if I knew what they meant, I can barely see them with my reading glasses, a magnifying glass and a high powered flashlight.

Yes, I am frustrated, but I've grown accustomed to being in this state with computers. That said, I'm sure my operating skills will all soon become more refined and I'll move on to the next technological aggravation. Actually I experience my "computering" as quite challenging, but when I'm tired, it's late and I haven't been able to accomplish what I wanted, despite starting early to allow for the unexpected, I feel like jettisoning everything. I won't, of course.

I had occasion this past weekend to examine a notebook computer. I didn’t like the keyboard on that older unit, but I surely did like the little gem's light weight and size. Hmmm! Maybe some of the newer units are improved. On the other hand, I hadn’t encountered this laptop problem yet, so I didn’t think to see just how many different size holes and connections there were to deal with on the notebook. Surely there won’t be as many to master as on the larger laptop. I'm sure I'll eventually learn some of the pictograph's meanings. Hmmm! Maybe, sometime in the future I should put a notebook computer on my wish list – after I figure out how to operate this laptop better.

I'm going to bed now before I lose my cool, pull all the plugs on this tech equipment and dump it in a box in the garage for the next hazardous waste disposal collection.