August 13, 2009

I’m a trekkie not a techie. Really.  I have a thing for Vulcans since the new Star Trek came out. This is weird I know, but I’m at the age I can openly admit an attraction to make-believe people from outer space and not care if you’re laughing hysterically at me.  

Now, you’d think with my affection for sci-fi that I would naturally be drawn to computers, right?  Wrong.  Prior to starting my business, my computer was used for three things, email, shopping and gossip.   Frankly, computers intimidate me.  Knowing how to work them was always the domain of geeks and I just don’t fit in that group.

So you can imagine my shock when Erica asked me to test out Office 2007. Should I come clean and let her know I may not be the best person for this task?

“What do I have to do?" I ask.
“Try it out and give Microsoft your opinion.”
“Are they aware I barely know my way around a computer?”
“That’s ok.”
“Really?" I reply. "That’s amazing.”  

Truthfully, I’m impressed that Microsoft is asking me, a computer illiterate, to test drive Office 2007. I just want my computer to work when I turn it on. Simple. This was a little like asking the class dunce to tutor the geniuses, but what the heck, I’m game.

I receive the box in the mail and promptly install it on my computer.  No harps, no choir singing Hallelujah, nothing.  Humph, I decide to ignore it for a couple of days.  Maybe it’ll do something on its own.

Miraculously, it does!

My partner Laurie has been sending me emails with spreadsheets attached for ages. I could never open them though because she is way ahead of the game and was already onto Office 2007. Laurie had embraced her inner nerd and was desperately trying to suck me into her vortex. I was in the dark and too embarrassed by my lack of spreadsheet knowledge to ask for help.

This speaks volumes about our relationship by the way, but that’s another blog. 

So when she sent me a recent update after I had installed Office 2007, I gave it a click and suddenly it …opened.  A thing of beauty.  There, before my very eyes, what I’ve been missing all along.  Inventory, customer orders, and numbers -glorious, informative numbers!  Cue the choir. 

Inspired, I decided to spend a little time in Excel and click on Help.  To my surprise, there are video tutorials in here.  Just the thing for the intimidated computer dunce.  Could it be there are video tutorials in Word and Powerpoint as well? Why yes, yes there is.  Suddenly, the disinterest I always felt is gone and I am enjoying learning about the power I have at my fingertips.

Don’t look now, but I might be a techie after all.  You know what? I think this Bill Gates guy is on to something. 

Labels/Tags: Microsoft, Office 2007, spreadsheets

Posted by CandaceD at 17:27:18 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

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Nah-Nu Nah-nu. Oh shit, that's totally the wrong show isn't it? Whatev. I met you in the flesh and Candace, you are COOL baby through and through - even though you're a trekkie. Don't tell anyone but...I am in love with David Duchovny from the X-Files....shhhhh.
Lisa , Ontario, Canada

I am a spreadsheet geek too. I am dying to get my hands on the Office 2007 suite! More now after reading this! :)
Jill Power, Kitchener, Ontario
www.jillspowerhouse.blogspot.com