Problems with my laptop

I've written a couple of posts in the last couple of months about laptops for writers: a post comparing different mini netbooks, and a post yesterday comparing netbooks with the small laptops available right now.

I'm sure you've been wondering why I've been posting about such subjects, when I admittedly love my little 3-pound Averatec so much. Unfortunately, I've been having ongoing — and steadily worsening — computer problems. It used to be just that Outlook would freeze periodically, taking my entire computer with it more often than not. Lately, though, my virtual memory and/or processor have been getting bogged down as well.

I'm thinking that I might need to consider wiping my hard drive and reinstalling everything — starting over, basically. I'm going to have a computer-savvy friend help me with this, but if it doesn't work I will need to consider getting a new computer. My computer locking up has interfered with my work a couple of times now, and I just can't have that happening.

I have considered getting a netbook as a second computer, to try to milk the time I've got left on my Averatec, and financially that would probably be a good way to go. However, it would also mean the hassle of switching files back and forth, making sure that I always have the most recent ones on both computers (or at least on a flash drive). Since I'm not all that good at remembering to back up (one reason why I use Mozy online backup), that might not be the wisest situation to put myself in.

The only other alternative, of course, is getting a new laptop. I haven't completely resigned myself to this yet, mostly because I haven't seen anything out there yet that I like as much as my current laptop. But realistically, it just might come to this.

If you know of any exceptionally small (i.e., about 3 pounds or less) laptops (not netbooks) that are currently on the market, please let me know. I figure I should have an idea of what I'd like to get, just in case it comes to that!

Small laptops vs. netbooks

Michael (who took a second day off) and I spent some time at Microcenter yesterday afternoon. We went there to get a portable hard drive for picture storage, and while we were there I browsed their small laptops and mini netbooks. And this time I even got some pictures!

A while back I posted on the feasibility of mini netbooks for writers. I hadn't seen the Dell version yet, so that wasn't in my post last time. Here it is:

The first thing I noticed about the Dell Inspirion Mini 9 is that it is ridiculously small and light — comparable with the smallest Asus. Dell tried to compensate with larger keys (the similar to the smooth keyboard that I didn't like on the HP version in my other post), but it is still difficult to type on this netbook. I think Dell has a slightly larger netbook now, but I haven't seen that one yet.

Personally, if I were going to get a computer this small, I would go for one of the less expensive ones. The Dell costs about $450, and you can get the Asus and Acer models for at least $100 less.

I also took a look at several regular sized computers. This Lenovo IdeaPad really caught my eye, because it weighed only about 2 ½ pounds, because it was a widescreen, and because it was really pretty (the top isn't just red, but has a pretty pattern etched into it). The drawbacks are the price (ouch!), the smooth keyboard, Windows Vista, and the external CD/DVD drive.

Unfortunately, the smooth keyboard isn't just a drawback — it's a dealbreaker. Since I spend the majority of my time on the keyboard, it has to be one I am comfortable using. I personally like having the key definition (and the clicky feeling) of the traditional keyboard, so that I can tell better by touch where I'm at on the keyboard. However, while typing on the computers today I discovered another problem with the smooth keyboard: Since they have straight up-and-down edges, your fingers can trip up quite easily when going from a key you've just pressed to a neighboring key you plan to press next.

I also looked at another Lenovo, a ThinkPad. This one had some really great characteristics. First of all, it had a docking station, where the DVD drive was at. Since I rarely ever need that drive when I'm out and about, this seemed like a good tradeoff to me for a small, light computer.

But the best feature of the ThinkPad was that the battery lasted for upwards of 8 hours. I mean, good grief! Can you imagine how heavenly that would be for a writer — especially a writer who likes to work at coffee shops, bookstores, and the barn at every chance I get??!!

The ThinkPad also had Windows XP, which I really like, even though it fairly screams "old model!" I've heard of a lot of peripheral compatibility problems with Windows Vista, and I just don't feel like dealing with that. The laptop also has a traditional keyboard — no fancy styling. Yay!

Unfortunately, the ThinkPad does have some drawbacks too, the biggest one being that it doesn't have a widescreen. I just don't know if I could deal with that after using a widescreen computer for more than three years! It's such a shame because honestly, if the ThinkPad had a widescreen and was that small and had an 8-hour battery, I probably would have gone home with a new computer today.

After these computers, the next smallest was a discontinued Toshiba Portege with a 12-inch widescreen. There was no weight rating on this one, but with the battery I'd estimate it to end up being around 4 pounds, which is heavier than I am looking for. (My current computer weighs just over 3 pounds, and I am spoiled!) This laptop also comes with Vista, so I dismissed it as not being worth considering.

Well, if you have been following my netbooks reviews, here are some more things for you to think about. I'll blog in a future post about why I've been doing this research, and what I think I've decided to do.

John Updike dies

Now I can't say I've read any of John Updike's books (though I did like the movie The Witches of Eastwick when I was a kid), but I was still saddened to hear of his death:

Novelist John Updike Dies

I didn't realized he had won so many awards, so that was interesting to read about. Have any of you read his books, so that you could advise me on what to read?

Suspicious ads for freelance writing gigs

There are just some ads for freelance writing gigs that set off warning bells in my head. There's not always a definable quality that alerts my scam senses, but certain things — not enough information, get-rich-quick promises, the "perfect for stay-at-home moms" statement, and gigs that involve you making money by recruiting others — are super-sized red flags.

Here is an ad I saw on my local Craigslist that made me highly suspicious:

Writers Wanted

Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-01-24, 9:39AM MST

Interested in writing a short article (1-2 paragraphs with photo), one per month for a family safe classified ad website? There is a large range of topics to choose from, anything from recipes and golf tips to movie reviews and arts & crafts. You can make hundreds of dollars per month by helping this website grow in valuable content. For each additional person that you can find that would be willing to contribute once a month article or review you will earn $12/person/month with no out of pocket cost ever. Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX between the hours of 7am to 7pm MST.

* it's ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
* Compensation: Average income $50 to $250/month

Here's a rundown of why this ad makes me suspicious:

* "You can make hundreds of dollars per month"
* Make money by recruiting others
* "No out of pocket cost ever" — why is this necessary to state unless it's some kind of scheme?
* Not enough details about the gig or the website
* Phone number is NOT local
* No name, email address, or URL — meaning you can't research the company

If I didn't hate telephones so darn much, I would call the number myself and investigate. Any volunteers? If so email me and I'll send you the number.

I would love to compile a list of red flags or warning signs in freelance writing ads, to post for all of our reference. What are some reasons why you will pass over an ad without applying?

Ironic timing to talk about time management

After my post earlier about Michael being home today, I saw this post on Kathy Kehrli's Screw You! blog:

Take Back Your (Freelancing) Time Week

Time management is something I always struggle with, and probably always will. I have good days, where I am especially productive, but then I also have bad days (like today) where there are too many distractions to accomplish much.

Striving for better time management is good, but personally if I wanted a strictly regimented schedule I would have a full time job. For me one of the advantages of freelancing is to be able to set aside my work when I want or need to.

Still, though, I could do better — so I'll take up Kathy's challenge and see how I can improve this week.

After I comment on one more blog post, that is...

Working with Michael home

Michael is home today due to a freak back injury — he was leaning over this morning and felt a pop in his back. Ever since, he's had a burning sensation in his lower back and hips. Since he had surgery for a herniated disc three years ago, an injury like this from an everyday movement such as leaning over is pretty concerning.

So today I'll be working with Michael home, which reminds me of this quote. It is always difficult for me to concentrate on work when Michael is home, but especially when he is sick or needs some sort of care. When he had his back surgery in early 2006, the first winter of my freelancing career, he was home for a month and a half, so I am well acquainted with how distracting something like that can be!

Right now Michael is dosed up on ibuprofen, playing video games from his most ergonomic chair. Hopefully after a day or two of taking it easy, he will start feeling back to normal. I don't like seeing him unhappy or uncomfortable, of course, but I also can't afford to let my income suffer right now!

Writing contests update

The writing contest I participated in this weekend ended today. As I anticipated, I stayed up late last night finishing the story, and then got up about 10:30 this morning to check my inbox for the confirmation email. The contest's deadline was 11:00am my time.

It'll take about a month for WritersWeekly to post the winners, but in the meantime I should find out the results of another writing contest I entered. I'll post more on that next weekend (when the results are due).

Wish me luck!