The Wonders of the Digital Age

 I am 77 ½. The wonders of the digital age didn't hit me until I was in my 30's, when I bought a used Apple C computer, unlike my children who for all intents and purposes have never lived without a computer.

Two events in the past two days have made me feel ancient and, well, unnecessary.

The buttons on top are NOT easy
to see. Trust me.

For a wonderful price last Christmas COSTCO had two Sonos SL1 speakers for sale at essentially half price. I bought them because Geek friends go into rapture talking about their sound. At about the same time I got rid of my Spectrum Wi-Fi and went to T-Mobile's 5G Wi-Fi network. Oddly, even at my advanced age, it went smoothly except for  my Amazon Alexa that would never connect. Since I am a Mac man through and through, I got rid of Alexa.

Setting up the Sonos speakers was difficult as well. I did all the App on my phone said to do and they would not connect. Why they use Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth and connect as easily as my $39.00 Anker speakers do, I will never understand.

Then a day or so later I discovered a symbol on my phone that showed the Sonos speakers. So I could play music on my Homepods in the bedroom and the Sonos in the living room at the same time, or so I thought.

Reading in the living room a few weeks ago I realized that only one Sonos speaker was playing. With the light on, showing it was on, the second one didn't play a single note. A neighbor came over to use a printer on Father's Day and when he was done I asked if he was familiar with Sonos speakers. He was. So I asked if he could get the "dead" one to work. On my iPhone he pulled up the App and, just like me, was unable to make it connect.

He called another Geek friend and the friend told him what to do. Nothing. Then he was told to unplug the unit, hold down a button on the top, plug the power back in and let it go through a series of flashing lights.

Again nothing.

Then when my friend said there was an infinity button on the back on top the on/off switch, the friend who was researching Sonos online said, unplug the unit, hold the infinity button down and plug in the power. After a series of flashing yellow, green and white lights a new page showed up on the phone. It guided him to ask where is the speaker, do you want to pair "both" speakers, etc. Replying affirmative to all inquiries there were more flashing lights and suddenly Vivaldi was playing on BOTH speakers.

Now tell me, how is one to know? THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE SONOS INSTRUCTIONS THAT SAID THIS IS WHAT YOU DO!

When I was in my 20's, even into my 50"s I could set up a sound system. I had a Harmon Karden receiver, a fancy turntable, huge speakers and was able to add cassette players and even a multiple CD player to my receiver with no fuss. Now I can't even connect speakers that play music off my phone.

I just got off the phone with tech support at CVS.com. They are giving me a very hard time for me making sure I can get the meds I need. In the store,  or holding forever on the phone to talk to them they urge you do do everything online. I have never been able to connect and today, after 45 minutes talking to the CVS tech guy I still cannot get online. I was given a case number and told that someone will contact me IN 2 TO 5 DAYS to get this matter resolved. I almost forgot, I was locked out of my system, the same system that doesn't work because I tried to many times to get into it. Is this CATCH-22 or what?

So, I now can either wait on the phone forever, leave a call back number they never return or get in the car and do battle at the counter behind 10 -15 people waiting in line. The other day we waited 15 minutes in line as all their cashiers tore the place apart, resembling a scene from a Keystone Cops comedy, trying to find a customers prescription. They finally had to fill it again because what ever system they use doesn't work. Rather than serve others in line as they made a search we all waited.

There is even a line now for those ordering meds and refills online. I've noticed there is never anyone  in that line. I wonder if they are as shut out of the system as I am. The  only reason I go to CVS is because that is where my medical provider makes us go. No one here, doctors and patients, likes CVS.

Have we become too dependent on computers? I might venture a guess that Southwest Airlines passengers during Christmas thought so. When a system goes down, as it does more and more often, the world, literally, shuts down. We have nowhere to turn to and everyone has forgotten how to do things the old way, you know with pencil and paper!

I watched Apples latest WWDC conference and I already dread iOS 17, the new iPhone operating system. It can do all kinds of whiz bang things, things I do not want and will probably hide the things I now use on a daily basis. Who demands this stuff? What ever happened to user friendly? All I can say to any senior is befriend a late teen or 20+ year old. Let them set up your equipment for you! Otherwise you will be wandering the wilderness without a digital clue!!!

Thank you for reading my blog. I invite you to take the time to read earlier blogs where my emphasis is to explore the ways art and design affects our daily lives ... and always has. I share with you what inspires me with the hope that it will inspire you as well. Comments are always welcomed!

 Be sure to check my ETSY store ... KrugsStudio.etsy.com. I am adding many new and exciting, collectible birdhouses and craft items. Many of the items talked about here will be for sale there!

Thank you for reading my blog. I invite you to take the time to read earlier blogs where my emphasis is to explore the ways art and design affects our daily lives ... and always has. I share with you what inspires me with the hope that it will inspire you as well. Comments are always welcomed!