Yesterday I had another frustrating encounter with technology. The video trial period had run out on my Ring Doorbell. I received notice that I should enroll in a Protect Plan. There was an inexpensive one available. I quite like Ring because I can hear the doorbell in my basement.
When I went on-line I was informed that I didn't have an account. I certainly did. My iPhone said so. The device worked perfectly. So I got in touch with a very savvy tech person. She patiently walked me through a number of steps.
Nothing worked. According to the computer I simply didn't have an account.
That was so not true. I protested vigorously to the techy. We went back and forth for a while. I kept getting notices that I was taking too much time between responses and the chat would soon close if I didn't reply at a faster pace. My problem was the length of time it took to alternate between the chat, the website, and the info on my phone.
Finally she suggested that I had set up the account using a different email. She cut me off.
I never use a different email. Like never. But I had. Then I remembered why.
The Geek Squad person who came to install the first doorbell discovered my wiring wasn't sufficient and I needed a battery-charged device. He had set up an account using my usual email. So I was forced to use alternate identification when I switched to another device.
The whole tech exchange took a lot of time. I mean a lot.
Barbara's post on working through the dynamics of setting up virtual launches contained wonderful information. I really appreciated it. In fact, I would love to get more information about blog tours.
We have to bite the bullet. Tech skills are part of the game now. I am fairly tech savvy, but learning process upon process takes a great deal of time.
I'm cleaning out some of stuff during this forced Covid exile. There is a cache of fan letters over the years. Real actual letters. I was--and still am--very grateful for them. They remind me that my main job is producing books. Not conquering technology.
2 comments:
Charlotte, I always say that technology is wonderful when it works. Computers have gotten so complicated that mere mortals cannot understand them. Couple with that all the things a computer user has to remember and it's a recipe for frustration if not outright disaster.
Yours is just one of those stories in the Naked (Computer) City.
You have my sympathy!
Rick, if everything goes well--meaning if I ever finish my current mystery--I'll be picking everyone's brains regarding blog tours and virtual launches.
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