I'm a Luddite

and proud of it.

Luddite: 

1. A member of any of the bands of English workers who destroyed machinery, esp. in cotton and woolen mills, that they believed was threatening their jobs (1811–16)
   
   
2. A person opposed to increased industrialization or new technology

definition here

Neo - Luddite:
Someone who believes that the use of technology has serious ethical, moral, and social ramifications. Operating under this belief, Neo-Luddites are critical of technology and cautious to promote its early adoption. While they are not necessarily opposed to technology, they would prefer to see a more serious discussion of the role of technology in society. Some Neo-Luddites actually dislike technology, opting for a life of "voluntary simplicity," but this is not always the case.
definition here

I guess I do fit in to both definitions, in a way, as I'm (in so many words) "against" modern technology. Or, all these fandangled contraptions that are being spit out now for kids to grasp, as opposed to machinery of yonder. Example: I'm perfectly content writing on a typewriter. I love the looks of the old Corona, Remington and Royal models. I've used them previously, and if I could find another one, I would. Although some people may just tell me to get into the later 20th century by purchasing an IBM, Brother or the electric Smith Corona, but honestly, I'd take them all. 

I've had so many problems with my current laptop, I tell you, I am |this| close to actually hunting down a typewriter and using that for my writing needs. I just got my third hard drive installed on this two year old Dell, and it's the second hard drive in 9 months. That means I am on my second "fresh" install of Windows 7. I am not looking forward to when this personal computer completely kicks the bucket and I need to upgrade to Windows 8. 

I've heard (and seen) too many reviews on how the new operating system is great on tablets, but fails immensely on computers, yet, the makers are pushing on, and want people to upgrade once the OS becomes available. Computer stores are offering a $15 upgrade right now, if you buy a new computer. That's right, for an additional 15 dollars, once W8 comes out, you will have the software delivered to your inbox. 

Great, just what I need. 

I guess the whole reason I'm writing this, is the simple fact that Windows 8 is coming. Microsoft is pushing for this system, and slowly letting the reigns go on 7. It's like when they left XP to eat dust- 7 is starting to clean up so it too can vanish in the wind.

Case in point: as the aforementioned "I've a fresh install", I had gadgets on my desktop. I went to download one right before I made this post. I happen to like the digital clock one, where I can set it to various countries, so I know when I'm able to talk to my friends overseas. 

So... I go to the gadget site and receive this message:

Link here

"Because we want to focus on the exciting possibilities of the newest version of Windows, the  Windows  website no longer hosts the gadget gallery."


What the hell?! At least still offer something! I mean, seriously, it's bad enough the program for my integrated webcam is no longer available on the Dell support site (long story short: a partial driver is found, but not the whole driver or the webcam central. I've got to use video conferencing programs to use my cam),  now I can't download a gadget?   

Are we, as a general populous, getting that addicted or that in need of wham bam, thank you ma'am technology, that you can't sneeze without having to upgrade your system? Come on... the OS isn't even out yet, and we're being detoured to something else! This world ain't right. 

Seriously, where is the typewriter when you need it?

Cheers,