What I don't really understand is why I can act as a technology bridge for programs on a desktop computer (even if its new to me), but when it comes to handhelds they frustrate me to no end. I've used desktop computers for twentyfive years since the district first got Apples for the classroom. I've always had no problems working with new programs and figuring out how to do things. This is my fourth year with a Palm handheld and I still can't figure out how to do things on the Palm. The operating systems don't seem that different, but I just can't get it to do the things I need to do.
I don't know if its because of my technophobia of cell phones, well not technophobia really, just a hatred of phones in general. I have always looked at the telephone as an evil invasive machine and cell phones just magnify the opportunities for people to contact you anywhere, anytime (one of the reasons I hate phones). I will not own a cell phone. My dislike and discomfort for cell phones could be transferring to handhelds, but none of the reasons I hate phones are used on my handheld. I just don't seem to be able to navigate around handhelds and I can't figure out why.
I wouldn't think the fact its a different operating system would be a problem. I've started with Apple DOS to Windows 3.0 and 3.1. Changed to MacIntosh OS 6-9 and Windows 95. Messed with Windows NT and now we use XP with a few new machines on Vista (no Macs in the building for the last three years) Always been able to figure out the system in a couple of hours. I have spent weeks of effort trying to figure out my Palms and get no where. I can use it like a Gameboy and that's about as far as it gets.
Frustration City.

Back in the Saddle / Troubles of Paradise

Its been a long time so let me catch up on what's been happening.
1. I changed rooms. I went from one side of the building to the other. The new room wasn't in the best of condition so I spent the month of June fixing it up. The new room is great three times the floor space and five times the cabinent space, but most cabinents don't have locks. :< But overall huge improvement.
2. New principal-- enough said. Anytime you have a change in bosses there is lots involved, even when they wait a year to see what works before they put in 'changes'.
3. New curriculum for my 8th grade classes (now there are two different ones) and I'm having to run to keep up on things.
4. Lots and lots of technical difficulties. Power problems in the new room, wiring challenges, hard drive crashes (including mine :O), ghostings that didn't copy drivers for essential equipment, new program bugs that I don't know the solution to,and new student scripts that don't map drives that have to be mapped.

Most of the problems have been worked out or around but it's been more than a challenge. As a result I haven't had much time or energy to keep up some things and this blog was one of them. But we should be back on a more regular basis.