Catastrophe!
Image downloaded just to prove that it can (still) be done!
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
In the grand scheme of things, it should not really be classed as catastrophic, but it cannot be denied that one’s personal computer breaking down is more than a slight irritation.
It is astonishing that something can progress from working perfectly, though occasionally a little clunkily, to throwing a major tantrum, toys flying out of the pram in every direction. It went into a complete sulk, refusing to cooperate, sitting in the corner, drumming its feet, and pouting in a most unattractive manner.
After several hours it was told that enough was enough, or, actually, too much, and its time was up. Parts of it could be regenerated in a sort of organ donation way, but its LED lights would shine no more, or, at least, not in the same environment.
Meantime, its job was taken over by a fairly elderly but reliable laptop. A considerable period elapsed as passwords were sought in order to introduce favourite websites to the new system. The tried and tested method of saving passwords is to record them immediately. Yes, yes, I know the advice is to never write them down anywhere at all on pain of death, or of being cast into the outer ether.
Unless you have one password for every site ever visited, which is risky, different passwords must be used. Some require a minimum number of letters, while others insist on numbers, punctuation, capital letters, characters, your mother’s maiden name, and how long you’ve lived at your current address.
Therefore, in common with most of technologically challenged mankind, users write passwords in a dedicated notebook. There are many on the market, prosaically labelled, ‘Passwords’ or ‘Internet Password Logbook’ or more to the point and reflecting the aggravation that passwords can cause, ‘WTF is my Password?’ (For the tender-minded, WTF can stand for ‘What the Flip’ – not quite so punchy, but inoffensive!)
This concludes my excuse reason for unexplained
absence. There should be a default setting for unexpected nonappearance. ‘There
has been an unscheduled break in transmission. Normal service will be resumed
as soon as possible.’
I have my passwords in a password protected spreadsheet. 😁
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI use an address book to keep all my passwords written down.
ReplyDeleteSo do I!
DeleteI too write most of my passwords in a book, only way to keep on top of them, except my bank and a couple others which I have memorised.
ReplyDeleteI can remember some, until I really need them, then my mind goes blank.
DeleteI have all mine printed off on a sheet that sits beside my laptop for easy access. A data security nightmare I imagine.
ReplyDeleteGood idea.
DeleteGood luck. My passwords are written down in my hen peck writing and tucked in a messy drawer of crayons, color pencils and book marks. Good luck burglar!
ReplyDeleteSomeone I once knew used to write them in a book, which she would then put in the attic!
DeleteFor almost two decades I have used an on-line password manager (one I paid for) that is accessible--and continually syncs when changes are made--with three of my electronic devices--mobile, laptop and tablet--one of which is always with me. I can also copy and paste directly from it when accessing websites which is a bonus since I never have to retype the various long, convoluted passwords, expiration dates or access codes. It also contains the ability to store everything from passport, banking and driver license info to account numbers on everything from credit cards, to insurance policies, utility companies and beyond. You name it, I can store it and access it as needed (almost 300 various entries in mine). A printed version is kept in a safe. I handle all the finances in our family so it is critical tool for me. Only my adult daughter has the password to it (and the various code to my three devices). If anything happens to me, she can step in and handle things for my OH (who is completely useless at admin). Just saying...it is amazingly helpful.
ReplyDeleteI use and online password manager, but other than passwords haven't investigated all it can do.
DeleteIt sounds very efficient and helpful.
ReplyDeleteI have a password book too. There’s something about an honest to goodness old-fashioned book to write in, and is still the tops for me.
ReplyDeleteThere's something satisfying about writing things down, I find.😃
DeleteLike many others here, mine too are written down!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It seems that none of us are paying heed to the advice 'not to.' 😂🤣
DeleteYes, I have a book. Alphabetical pages. Oh, I have a new laptop, too, as the old one did much of what you so beautifully describe above. Laughing. Poor, but laughing. Now, where did I put the book?
ReplyDeleteMine is an address book, too, but it's looking rather sad now!
DeleteHa, yes, I know these (spicey) dedicated notebooks. Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThey raise a (tired) laugh!
DeleteI really don't know how the world survived without passwords and pins. Nothing quite as humiliating as standing in line after having had $200+ worth of groceries and standing dumbfounded at the payment terminal trying to remember what your stupid pin is. (Don't ask me how I know.)
ReplyDeleteI would have that problem since I rarely shop in person, so I can sympathise.
DeleteOne day's absence and I did not miss you.
ReplyDeleteI print them out, I have five A4 sheets of passwords. They do need culling and I could perhaps get that down to three, but you can be sure one I will delete, I will need in the future.
Print them in a smaller font - that will reduce the number of pages!
DeleteI am shocked at Andrew's five A4 sheets of passwords! I have four main passwords, two are relatively new, two I have been using for years and when I need a new one I just add numbers or characters to one of the favourites. I recently typed them all out along with account numbers etc and pasted them in a hidden diary which I will give to a family member in case I kick the bucket suddenly or if I need surgery for my liver issues and things go wrong.
ReplyDeleteGood forward planning. I need to do something similar.
DeleteOh I can so relate to this all Janice. I have had this experience - it was rather me sitting in the corner sulking & throwing my toys & not so much the computer, which refused to work at all. I can also relate to the password dilema. I wondered why I hadn't seen a post from you & worried that you were not showing up on my reading list, as I have had many issues myself. But here you are - good as new. xx
ReplyDeleteYou are sweet, Julie, thank you x x Some posts are not appearing in my reading list until much later. Some of my comments are not being published, either - all those words of wisdom never to be given the oxygen of publicity!
DeleteI, also, have a little book, kept next to my desk computer which has all my passwords written down. If I forget something while I'm working on a laptop or iPad, I have to make the long, arduous walk (kidding!) to my office to retrieve it. Life is so difficult and complicated in our modern age!
ReplyDeleteIt seems unnecessarily complicated sometimes. Wretched scammers making life difficult!
ReplyDeleteAnd to think that for much of my life I didn’t need even one password. How on earth did that work?
ReplyDeleteAh, 'those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end' and so forth.🎶
DeleteWith my chaotic organization this is a big problem. I have a list but it's a mess.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how many truly organised people there are in the world. Not many in mine, that's certain.
DeletePasswords are a pain. I make sure my son has mine, just in case. But I only change them when the site demands it. Sometimes they retire passwords you haven't used in a while, then shock, you can't get in. Then it's the many steps of proving you are you, before you get to create a password of multiple characters..
ReplyDeleteReturning to a site one hasn't used for a very long time usually means a time-consuming reset . . . 😯
DeleteTechnology can be a wonderful thing when it works but so annoying when it doesn't. Glad to see IT communications have been restored but again it is a pain with the passwords. I keep mine mostly in a book like many others. Hubby uses 'KeyPass' but then you need to remember the password to gain access to that!!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha - Key Pass sounds the answer, IF the password doesn't elude you.
ReplyDelete