Computers: It seems impossible to imagine life without them. People can essentially live their lives in chat rooms, playing games or stalking people on Facebook (everyone does it) and never really have to have human interaction. Unfortunately, computers can malfunction. I suppose people can let you down too, but it's doubtful that they're storing your notes for the upcoming test in Psych Stats in their heads (this would reach a new level of stalkage).
I think I have had more trouble with computers than most, and my friends can attest to this. The summer before my freshman year, I got a new Dell laptop. I was ecstatic: Finally, my very own computer! But after a mostly stress−free first year, everything went downhill. In the span of a semester, my hard drive crashed, my screen lights died, I stopped being able to join wireless Internet networks, and shut−downs were a spontaneous and habitual event. Yes, I'm still bitter, and yes, I'm still waiting for the ultimate crash when I can (finally) get a new computer. But amid all my mishaps, I've learned the following: 1. Don't freak out. Undoubtedly, it's difficult to stay calm when you haven't started your research paper that's due at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, but screaming at the customer service representative — most likely based in another country — won't change that. Instead, borrow another computer for a night. After all, your situation is more urgent than the laptop owner's need to peruse his or her most recently tagged pictures for the fifth time. Calmly state your case, and you'll have use of a virus−free computer for the rest of the night. After that, put your computer troubles out of your head and focus on the paper you need to write so you can deal with failed technology later. 2. Use an external hard drive. If you don't have an Apple computer, you don't necessarily have an automatic backup service (psh, stupid efficiency of Time Machine). Unless I physically plug in my external hard drive and tell it to back up my files, nothing is safe. Don't wait for the first time your computer f−−−s up to save! Trust me — I waited. By some miracle, I was able to back up my music files, which I'd been accumulating since middle school, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a crash−drill. 3. Use the UIT Support Center. I have had to take my computer to these guys five times. They can almost always figure out your problem, big or small. This service is infinitely better than having to send your device via snail mail or trying to understand the breakdown yourself. Plus, you can trust your technician, since he or she is a fellow Jumbo. University Information Technology (UIT) is even better than getting a technician to come to you. Over winter break my sophomore year, I had some sketchy Dell guy come over to replace my screen. He asked me to sit and watch while he worked so I could see what he did, and then he asked if he could "have a drink" — in order to get my computer fixed, I apparently had to endure a blind date. UIT knows what they're doing. They're speedy, they're unobtrusive, and they know their boundaries.
Although your computer is as big a part of your college life as some of your close friends, it can be the root of catastrophe. If you stay calm, vigilantly back up files and take advantage of the tech−savvy peeps on campus, all will be right in no time. Your parents will be so impressed (and relieved) when you solve your computer problems without spending their money, and you can enjoy stalking your high school friends and wall−posting TFLN to your heart's content!
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Anna Christian is a junior majoring in psychology. She can be reached at Anna.Christian@tufts.edu.
