I noticed that the cost comparison is to the present system, not the system we'll have next year.
And as a Medicare recipient, I must take exception to the statement, "Medicare recipients will no longer need to wade through an inch-thick book to choose supplemental plans and sort out other complex options in their Medicare enrollment." I never had any trouble figuring out which supplement plan I wanted -- online, not in any inch-thick book. And the only complexity in my Medicare enrollment was the guy trying to persuade me I should start drawing Social Security early.
Howard Dean is first, but Microsoft isn't. After a long struggle, which involved downloading a free trial of Office 365 so I could access my saved e-mail, I finally got Office 2010 re-installed. Only to find that Outlook 2010 wouldn't reopen.
And I definitely need access to my Outlook files. Years of saved e-mails -- including the confirmation letter than gave me the product key for Office 2010 -- plus contacts and calendars. So the question is whether to keep Office 365 at $10/month or spend $100+ one time for stand-alone Outlook 2013. A monthly rental doesn't sit right with someone used to buying software, but 365 does have a few features I might find a use for.
Bill, can you check with a local tech support place? They may know how to unscramble the mess. My son has done some work for a local group of geeks, from time to time, and there is little that those guys can't figure out for a small fee.
I am very dissatisfied with the company I had look at my computer when it died a couple of months ago. And earlier experience with Best Buy's Geek Squad wasn't particularly encouraging (they told me my computer had a virus when it didn't -- I think they got it mixed up with another computer). Nor is my experience with Microsoft's paid support encouraging. I told them my computer was running slowly and I couldn't access my external hard drive. After everything they had tried, up to and including re-installing Windows, had failed, I discovered that the I/O on my external hard drive had failed. The computer was continually trying and failing to access the drive. Remove the hard drive and everything except a few minor things tech support had messed up was back to normal.
And then a couple of months ago I had a software problem and the manufacturer's tech support kept making silly suggestions that didn't address what I was telling them. A couple of times I asked whether I should re-install and was ignored. So eventually I just went ahead and re-installed. Problem solved!
But when you have a software problem and it's not solved by re-installation or repair, you have to assume that the problem is somewhere deep in the operating code. And while I don't want to say that couldn't be fixed, it would be more trouble that it was worth. Especially when you can get all-new software for probably less than you'd pay a tech guy.
Actually, if tech support seemed relevant, my client has an (associate? friend?) in Michigan who will offer telephone consultation for free. But it doesn't look like there is any point.
Dentist went well today. Both fillings did need to be replaced, but I figure twenty-some years is probably not a bad run for the originals. Doc also spotted a place on the bottom she wants to take care of. I can't for the life of me remember if Head Doc even mentioned that place when he was studying the X-Rays. But, like I said to Dad when he groused just a bit about dentists making work, I'd rather a problem be caught early than wait till it became major. Don't have the receipt readily to hand, but as I recall the bill came to around $480.
Cat! So good to hear you came through it nicely!! I remember that bit of soreness…and a big bill. Mine have held up well. My silver amalgam filings were replaced with white composite fillings. I was skeptical, but now think they're good.
D E A N !!
ReplyDeleteY E A H
DeleteVermont has become the first state in the nation to pass single-payer health care, proving once and for all that it can be done.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2013/11/health-insurance-problems-keep-arising-vermont-offers-ray-hope
I noticed that the cost comparison is to the present system, not the system we'll have next year.
DeleteAnd as a Medicare recipient, I must take exception to the statement, "Medicare recipients will no longer need to wade through an inch-thick book to choose supplemental plans and sort out other complex options in their Medicare enrollment." I never had any trouble figuring out which supplement plan I wanted -- online, not in any inch-thick book. And the only complexity in my Medicare enrollment was the guy trying to persuade me I should start drawing Social Security early.
Bill, you may be the exception.
DeleteT'will be interesting to see *how* it's done.
DeleteBill, you are unusually intelligent, astute and observant. Many people have difficulty with tasks and concepts that you find, well, cinchy.
DeleteHoward Dean is first, but Microsoft isn't. After a long struggle, which involved downloading a free trial of Office 365 so I could access my saved e-mail, I finally got Office 2010 re-installed. Only to find that Outlook 2010 wouldn't reopen.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely need access to my Outlook files. Years of saved e-mails -- including the confirmation letter than gave me the product key for Office 2010 -- plus contacts and calendars. So the question is whether to keep Office 365 at $10/month or spend $100+ one time for stand-alone Outlook 2013. A monthly rental doesn't sit right with someone used to buying software, but 365 does have a few features I might find a use for.
Bill, can you check with a local tech support place? They may know how to unscramble the mess. My son has done some work for a local group of geeks, from time to time, and there is little that those guys can't figure out for a small fee.
DeleteI am very dissatisfied with the company I had look at my computer when it died a couple of months ago. And earlier experience with Best Buy's Geek Squad wasn't particularly encouraging (they told me my computer had a virus when it didn't -- I think they got it mixed up with another computer). Nor is my experience with Microsoft's paid support encouraging. I told them my computer was running slowly and I couldn't access my external hard drive. After everything they had tried, up to and including re-installing Windows, had failed, I discovered that the I/O on my external hard drive had failed. The computer was continually trying and failing to access the drive. Remove the hard drive and everything except a few minor things tech support had messed up was back to normal.
DeleteAnd then a couple of months ago I had a software problem and the manufacturer's tech support kept making silly suggestions that didn't address what I was telling them. A couple of times I asked whether I should re-install and was ignored. So eventually I just went ahead and re-installed. Problem solved!
But when you have a software problem and it's not solved by re-installation or repair, you have to assume that the problem is somewhere deep in the operating code. And while I don't want to say that couldn't be fixed, it would be more trouble that it was worth. Especially when you can get all-new software for probably less than you'd pay a tech guy.
"Especially when you can get all-new software for probably less than you'd pay a tech guy."
ReplyDeleteSo true. The rub is that you have to know which thing isn't working properly and what you need.
I know that Outlook 2010 isn't working properly and Outlook 2013 is.
DeleteActually, if tech support seemed relevant, my client has an (associate? friend?) in Michigan who will offer telephone consultation for free. But it doesn't look like there is any point.
DeleteDentist went well today. Both fillings did need to be replaced, but I figure twenty-some years is probably not a bad run for the originals. Doc also spotted a place on the bottom she wants to take care of. I can't for the life of me remember if Head Doc even mentioned that place when he was studying the X-Rays. But, like I said to Dad when he groused just a bit about dentists making work, I'd rather a problem be caught early than wait till it became major. Don't have the receipt readily to hand, but as I recall the bill came to around $480.
ReplyDeleteHad oatmeal for supper, as being a soft food. My mouth was just a trifle sore right after the Novocain wore off fully, but no problems now.
DeleteInstead of raisins, we had dried cranberries in the oatmeal. Quite nice!
Cat! So good to hear you came through it nicely!! I remember that bit of soreness…and a big bill. Mine have held up well. My silver amalgam filings were replaced with white composite fillings. I was skeptical, but now think they're good.
DeleteI've had craisins. They are good.
Delete