I really used to love computers, but the last year or so it's really getting to me. You're happily working and suddenly windows decided it's enough..... crash, start over again. Even with regularly saving and backing up, it's still lost time and work.

Then yesterday I switch off my computer as usual. Switch it on later that evening and it wouldn't start.... blue screen with some windows logon error message. Had to do a clean install of windows.... another day gone putting back all of the backups. Not the first time.

Then there's the constant nagging of this application needs to update, this is outdated, flash is ready to install a new update. One application even told me that my not even one year old graphics card is obsolete....

On top of it all the windows messages..... do you really want to install this and so on. It seems like with every update, windows is getting more annoying and tries to control more and more.

There's also the software issues. with every new version that's being released of a lot of applications, they seem to get buggier and buggier every time. Seems like before update 3 or so none really works as they should. Lot's of time wasted due to bugs and crashes.

Twitter.... facebook, participating in forums, emails, pm's, blogging, updating websites, it all consumes so much time.

I've been wondering, why in the world am I even doing all of this? It's getting more and more demanding and for me it's no fun anymore.

I've decided to finish my last renders, release my last product, drop all unfinished computer related projects and find myself something more relaxing to do, that doesn't demand keeping up to date.

I'm done with the constant need of buying and following technology I don't even want. I've had enough of dealing with crashes I didn't ask for. I don't want to tweet (and so on) anymore.

I'm going to find myself a different hobby that doesn't involve computers, I'm sure they will still be out there ;-)

Of course..... I will still give customer support when needed when it comes to my products, I'm not going to pull them either, people do enjoy them. I'm just going to minimize my computer usage.  Once it's all done, I'm going to uninstall a lot of stuff (I've already started doing that) and use a computer for the bare bare necessities like email, looking up some info and writing some letters. No more poser, modeling, drawing, photshopping and so on, no more computer hobby for me.

I did this 5 years ago at my job. Had enough of sitting behind the computer and quit my job and looked for a new one that involved minimal computer usage. Now I only spent 1 hour per week at the most on a computer at work and they still pay me :-) I'm ready to take the next step and drop computers in regular life as well..... as much as possible.

Forgive my rambling, I'm just returning to the pre-computer era..... now where did I put those blueprints of the time machine?

yes, it's true.  less time on computer = more time with live humans who are much
for fulfilling than forum users, no matter how nice and sympathetic most of them are.

 But what will happen to all those children who have only computer to live for?
 Can the old one's not still teach the young one's lessons of life ?

They are not interested in books , and most of the media is filled with violence, can we not show that through this new medium  human values can be taught.

Love Peace Truth Right Conduct and None Violence.

What a fanastic meduim to use.

Your suffering is not in vain.

We cannot see the whole picture, just work on our part of the puzzle.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Perhaps it's a good thing for the direction you've decided your life should take that you don't use Linux. My Ubuntu box doesn't crash. Ever. I expect my WinXP box to crash eventually, and it doesn't disappoint me.

But, you have made a good decision for yourself. Real life IS better.

 Take up running.... enter a race or two. Changed my life and eliminated a lot of stress in the process. Lots of time to be with your thoughts and it's healthy.

Technology can really bite some times. Sorry to hear that the frustration level has you pulling the plug.

 Willber
Swimming is safe, my Docs told me that he had a lot of young patients that took up running and ,well. Lets be kind they are not  running now!

Good point about running... walking, on the other hand, is one of the best things you can do, especially if you don't have access to a largish body of water. Anyone can go for a walk.

Which reminds me... :biggrin:

I just dont update anything , if the computer runs why would I update, it just causes trouble. 

I gave up computer games when every new game wanted a lot more graphics card than I had.  I didnt see anything wrong with the old games, why would I want high resolution and fancy effects to blow up some mutants and run over the occasional bystander ?

My desktop runs windows xp, I dont allow automatic updates. My laptop is Vista and it wants to load and install 20-30 updates every few days. Was the operating system really that buggy that its still getting fixes ?   

anyone starting exersize or even just a much more active lifestyle should get a checkup first, then work into it over time. 

Get an assistant.

Quote - Real life IS better.

OK, I'm convinced. Can someone post the download for "Real Life" please?

Quote - Swimming is safe

Obviously there is still one person in the world who never watched Jaws!

 I agree, swimming is one of the best all around aerobic activity one can do.
Power walking is also amazing.

The thoughts of getting in a chlorine swimming pool every week in the winter months here in Canada.... takes the fun out of it for me.
Running can be very safe if you train properly and use the correct equipment. I do 1/2 Marathons and Duathlons with no problems at all and I'm 59.
I did run earlier in life and did do my back some harm but I have since learned how to run properly and I use only the best equipment I can afford and train smart.

Amen. Boot up, Task Manager, start shutting things down that you set to not run on start up. Tell Java 'no', tell Flash 'no', tell the AV 'later'.... Platforms crashing with no warning. Things not re-installed from the last restore... ffft!

Now, what sort of hobby can I find the reverse the ill effects of this one? You know, squinting, irritable, bruised forehead, and a bum that barely fits in the chair anymore? No swimming. I'd end up on one of those badly-dressed people sites. ;)  

 agree here.... turn off all those extra little applications that hog the computer.
Ever noticed how that new machine gradually starts to slow down over time.
Also scrub out all the adware and spyware that surfing the net always seems to attract.
Defrag the drive, add more memory...

Certainly if something has lost "it's fun", then it's time to move on. Such a shame though that this wonderful technology can take the shine off a hobby.
I would take a break from Poser (I do on a regular basis, usually during the summer) and find that other hobby, learn to play a musical instrument or something. I bet after a few months you will be back, refreshed and raring to give it another go.

Good luck

I've heard too many horror stories to say that Windows=Unstable is a myth but it really is down to luck to some degree I suppose. I don't think I've ever had to do a reinstall that wasn't due to hardware failure. I've had maybe three malware incidents in the past 20 years that required a fair amount of work to fix but again, no data loss.  I never use auto updates and only install a few security patches if they sound really critical. People swear by video drivers but I can't think of a single application related issue that has required new drivers to fix. I use a good firewall (Comodo) and a good AV (Avast) and that's pretty much it - and that's with going to very bad neighborhoods at midnite on teh internets.

I do sympathize, I just finnished going round with a machine someone gave me with a no video/couldn't even resinstall windows weirdness. Turned out to be a bad stick of RAM - so like cats, they  can be frustrating a hell :-). Take a break, watch some old movies, bake a cake and unwind.

Once you start taking anything too seriously, all the joy drains out of it.  Good on you for recognizing what's wrong and doing something about it. 

Thanks for the comments everyone, not going to reply to all, just a few.

I do walk, every day for the last 12 years. Each day I take the dog for a walk.... 3 short ones, about 10 minutes and a one long one, about 20-30 minutes. I've got friends over 2 twice a week, go to my kids school activities, do stuff with my wife and kids, go to work (only part-time). I'm not 24/7 on a pc at all, but still quite some time, since I love creating things.

But as stated, using the computer has lost it's charm. You're working and suddenly a flash notice appears.... another update is ready to install..... excuse me? I'm 100% sure I switched such notices off and yet the creep in.... unasked, unwanted. All of them are switched off, yet they seem to find there way in again. It's just getting too much, so time to quit.

I'm now considering rolling back to XP SP2 (not 3, that one is really annoying), perhaps it will give me more control back. I've already started uninstalling apps I don't want to use anymore, Bryce, TrueSpace, Carrara and DS and some other stuff are gone now. Once I've finished my Poser projects, I'm going to remove Poser as well.

The real problem sits always before the computer.

Attached Link: (Flash Player) Disable updating via Windows system

I avoid stuff like Acrobat,  Quicktime etc. if there alternatives. Some of them can get really intrusive and hard to get rid of. Flash can be pretty unavoidable though. Do a clean install and then religiously avoid anything you don't absolutely need. Comodo is really good at warning you about modifications and registry updated apps are attempting behind your back. 

XP SP2 is easier to control, but some dratted programs just don't listen! And then you get the "Reboot Now?" message out of the blue, right freakin' in the middle of a render or upload! Even Opera is doing that now!

I'm going to disagree about the problem sitting in front of the computer. Microsoft has even turned something as ubiquitous as a search engine into a complete kludge. Bing now asks for Captcha entries, because some people 'search too much'. I got it, and I haven't used it at all. And every other OS release from MS is a hack job: Win 95, WinME, Vista.

I'm thinking about that ancient acoustic guitar in the next room. Some new strings, dig out the old music... I may have never played well, but I was loud. g 

We used Windows at work, and it wasn't till we upgraded to Windows 2000NT that the computers stopped crashing. Since retiring I've heard many negative comments about Vista and good ones about Windows 7 - maybe upgrading to the latest version will get rid of your problems. From what I've seen of Windows 7 on a friend's laptop it looks pretty stable.

I've always had a Mac by the way.
The office gave me the old Windows server (new in 1997) when I retired in 2004 ; that ran 2000NT and my nephew's still using it.)

Once again, thanks for all the comments. I've finished my last project, now it's time to hit some of the uninstall buttons...... Poser Pro, Pro 2010, Poser 5 & 6 are gone by now. Only Poser 8 remains for now, until I'm 100% sure it's not needed anymore. It's a shame I didn't buy boxed versions, at least I could sell those to someone else, so it still will be used.

All that is left for me to say is.... see you around.

Good luck, buddy.  Hope to see you here from time to time. 

Attached Link: http://www.contentparadise.com/productDetails.aspx?id=15639

By the way.... follow the link for a little (free) goodbye present!

Thank you very much!  That's extremely generous of you. 

 I've used windows PCs and macs -  I have to say, if you had a mac you would still be happily computing now (just complaining because poser isn't fully 64 bit yet for mac, and no clothroom for DS mac version).
Anyway good luck with your new uncomplicated life.  It will be different without rendering.
Love esther