The instructor once said that logging on for the first time is one of
the most difficult things. I believe it. If I belonged to the religion
of "cyberspace," I would be under the impression that the great
"cyberdeity" did not want me to join the church. Why you may ask? Well,
if I were to list all the problems I had logging on and getting and
getting started in detail, it would fill the pages of a book the size of
the GTE yellow pages...that would just be the preface.
I will share just a mere overview of the trials I have
experienced, and let you imagine the rest for I am sure that you can
relate with each to some extent.
I was elated when I managed to join the class. "At last! The
computer would not only be used as a guilded wordprocessor!!" I thought
gleefully.
It seemed simple enough, and I followed the instructions from Dr.
James as if they were orders from the regal officer, to whom I was but a
plebe. His knowledge seemed unfathomable to me, and I wanted a piece of
that wisdom right away, so I quickly aquired a unix account and went home
with the three installation disks.
Alas, one of the three diskettes had too many bad sectors and
could not be loaded into my computer. Because I am also a student at
Hawaii Pacific University, I could not come to the University of Hawaii
to resolve the problem right away, I had to wait until the following
week to do so.
As luck would have it, I was again given bad diskettes. Can
lighting strike twice in the same place? Or do I have a lighting rod for
a spine?! I stormed back to Keller Hall with my computer in hand, and after
chewing the student workers out for using corrupted disks, installed the
program on the spot before leaving.
It seemed to be smooth sailing until I requested a css account.
That proved to be a very difficult task!
The person who was supposed to issue me an account was so elusive
that I began to wonder if he was a ficticious character who hid on the
albedoless side of the moon that never saw the light of the sun. Weeks
went by, and though I kept up with my readings, they began to have less
meaning, for I could not put them to practice.
A month went by, and still no css login account. My heart sank
with each passing day, as I only found an empty e-mail box. I then
contemplated hanging the goldbricking account issuer off the seventh floor balcony by his
ankles, until he agreed to create my account. Then wondered if I could plead
temporary insanity for the offense. If that did not acheive the desired
effect, would electric shocks in the right places help(on his body, not
mine!)?
Nearly seven weeks passed before I finally got enough intestinal
fortitude to walk over to them and demand the account. I got one that
afternoon. Unfortunately, the password would not work!! If I had gecko
feet, I would have run up and down the walls of my studio apartment until
the neighbors called the looney tunes van on me. Instead, I played Super
Street Fighter II until I got tired and fell into a fitful sleep right
under the television.
Yet another week passed, and all my e-mail went unanswered. I learned
of a classmate who was facing the same problems. We went together to the
office and stayed until our accounts were made. At last!!
It was a relief to finally get the account, yet at the same time
it gave me a sinking feeling to think of the precious time lost waiting.
Now I would have to work twice as hard to keep up with my peers. But I
believe it can be done, albeit late.
Most went well henceforth, but it was nevertheless difficult to get
online, for the lines at the University were always busy. To remedy the
situation, I subscribed to another online provider, sure it costs an
extra $15.51 every month, but it is worth it, believe me!! When you
think of all the time wasted waiting to log in, the extra money you pay
pays off.
I guess my message to the future generations is this never be
discouraged, no matter the tribulations. Though what you endeavor may
seem far away, never stop trying, win or lose, at least the best efforts
were made. And that feels good, even if you don't earn an 'A.'
Let me know what you think, and how you have fared.
E-mail me