Friday, April 11, 2014

Eaglets and Other Stuff

I have granddaughter duty today while her parents are at work. She's always a pleasure to have around and, while she's here, I tend to get involved in activities that are not usually on my schedule.  I'd like to think that keeps me young but, alas, it just tends to wear me out.  I've heard it said that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  I wish!

She and I have spent an enjoyable few minutes this morning watching the Decorah, Iowa eagle-nesting site on streaming live video.  I was first made aware of this wonderful site three years ago, and followed the hatching of that year's batch of eaglets. 

I missed that wonderful event this year. The three eaglets were hatched on April 2, 3 and 7, and are already peeking their down-covered heads out from under Mom (or Dad -- both parents tend the eggs and young).

Technology is wonderful.  Pay a visit to that site, if you have time. Just wait out (30 seconds or so) the inevitable commercial that precedes the live feed.  It's worth the wait.

*

Microsoft XP -- My desktop computer, which I've had for more than a few years, operates on XP, a system which as of April 8, Microsoft is no longer supporting.  Reading all the hoopla and security warnings about continuing to use XP made me uncomfortable about continuing an Internet connection to my desktop. To upgrade to Windows 7 is not a,  simple task and is more than I care to do.  Although I'm backed up through Carbonite, I'd still hate to have any of my files hacked, or to import some horrible virus that would corrupt my hard drive (that's happened -- not a pretty thing!) So, I disconnected it from the Internet on April 7.

Laptop to the rescue!  Two years ago, I purchased a laptop computer which operates on Windows 7, a system which will continue to be supported by Microsoft for several years -- probably until after I'm dead and gone, if the truth be told. I will continue to work on my desktop sans Internet connection, transferring information to my laptop via Flash Drive as needed, and use the laptop for my Internet activities.

That's all, for the nonce.  Tomorrow is also a day.

6 comments:

rhymeswithplague said...

What a wonderful site is the Decorah, Iowa, eagle cam! I have bookmarked it.

I too have XP and I too use Carbonite but unfortunately I do not have a laptop nor can I afford Windows 7 (or, God forbid, Windows 8.1 or whatever it's called), so I am keeping my fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong in the near future. It did occur to me yesterday that I probably should copy my most precious files to an external hard drive, at least. I did see a commercial on TV yesterday that PCmatic can keep XP running, but I haven't investigated yet.

I may be your devilishly clever friend but apparently I am either not devilish enough or not clever enough.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love that website! My husband and I watch it often. :) blessings, marlene

Snap said...

Great site. I follow several "cams" following eagles and owls. Wow!

Arkansas Patti said...

Me too Pat. I am now working on my Windows 7 laptop. The learning curve wasn't too bad. However I have found my music won't transfer from XP. Working on that. I am keeping XP as a storage system and will transfer what I can. Have fun.
I'll bookmark that link and check it later. Thanks.

Hilary said...

I don't dare start watching.. I'll never look away!

Reader Wil said...

Fortunately I have a Windows 7, which is said to be safe.
Thanks for your comment. Yea it is still a mess in Cooktown, but my granddaughter just told me on the phone that the damage was not too extensive. I could ring them so they have electricity. And they have always water in two big tanks. after such heavy rainfall.
I wish you a great week.