Causing mega-anxiety for me - but trivial to others!

[Moonstruck]

For many years I have had the use of a work computer here at home - for my personal needs as well as work. It is the only type, program etc that I am familiar with. Continuing to work for this particular boss is becoming more and more impossible and the cause of major stress, anxiety and even illness. (I have talked about this in detail on High Functioning Anxious People) the only thing standing in the way of my "freedom" is my having to get my own laptop as he will immediately remove the computer. I have many years of personal stuff on the hard drive. I have no idea how to retrieve it, if I should retrieve it, what to do with it, or let it go goodness knows where!

I haven't a clue what kind of new laptop to get. The only type I am familiar with costs 3 times as much as any other brand or program. I could go in tomorrow and buy a laptop. I have no idea what Step 1 is when I get it home. Nothing - the only ones I can afford all have Windows.

I don't know how to use Windows. I asked a few Computer Businesses who advertise that they come to the home and help "mature aged" people like me set up and get online. They also did retail sales and immediately went into a Sales Spiel telling me what ones they had for sale in their store and wanting to sell me one. I have not even decided which store to buy it from yet!!!

I am afraid if I quit the job (which I MUST for my health's sake) I will be cut off from friends, family, the Internet, you guys on Forum....everything! I am terrified and no one seems to understand what a Huge Undertaking this is for me. I know all of you have laptops or desk tops that you work easily......but I wouldn't have the faintest idea unless it was exactly the same program/type I have had for nearly 20 years!!

I went into a store, asked some questions and the guy could have been speaking Japanese...I couldn't understand one word he said!!

the stress and fear of being without this link to the world is overtaking my every thought, the worry and anxiety about it gets worse each day. My work situation gets worse each day and I cannot see a way out! I feel like a prisoner!

Not knowing what laptop to buy and how to work it is making me really ill - but others just say "Oh you'll be fine once you have a play around with it". A play-around??? What does this mean? How do I even get "on the air". they don't seem to realise I need to be instructed from STEP ONE!!.........who do I turn to next?

[Doolhof]

Hi Moonstruck,

Oh dear, apart from the work situation, I would be exactly like you if it came to me having to replace our computer. Thankfully my husband does all of that. He quite often has to fix up glitches that I somehow make on the computer.

Do you have technology minded family members or friends who can help you with this? Is there a person at work who could help and advice you?

Do you have friends with teenage children who could help? I had to call my niece once to help me shut down my husband's lap top I was using when he was away. I was about to throw the darn thing out the window!

Could you offer to buy the computer you have from the boss? Ask a technology person at work to remove all of the work stuff off it.

That is about as helpful as I can be on this subject! It is all Double Dutch to me as well!

Cheers from Mrs. D

[BballJ]

Hi Moonstruck,

I understand where you are coming from as my parents are always asking me to help with technology things and I understand how difficult it is at the best of times but add in your extra stresses, makes it 10x worse.

I like the idea you had about calling someone to come and help you, what computer are you using currently? I am guessing a Mac computer, if you are, from my memory Apple run classes for people like yourself in their stores to help you with new computer purchases. Alternativly I understand you are speaking to people who help mature aged people get started on their computers, it sounds as if you are calling a store however, maybe try looking for local people almost like a tutor who doesn't sell computers, just one job which would be to teach? Try, Trading Post or Gum Tree if you can.

My best,

Jay

[Traveller73]

You can always visit a local library and use their computers for free. You could even ask for their help on how to use Windows etc, build confidence to get a new computer. Once you get the hang of one computer it is actually easier then you think to jump to another-that is why I suggest you go and play on library computers. Library staff are generally helpful and they often run classes. I don't have a computer at home. I use works computer, library computers and post to forum using mobile phone! Photos and documents I upload to photo websites (Dropbox and Snapfish) and back up on USB. I will be buying an external hard drive in new year. That way always have computer with u.

[CMF]

Hi Moon,

i just found this, I'm so sorry you've been going through all this. It is always scary when we are faced with these situations so I u de stand how you feel. Some great suggestions here, the library is a good one. Are there any local community groups that run short courses etc in your area? We have 'neighbourhood houses' which run courses for things like this, they are community houses they even have craft courses etc.

hope this is of some help Moon.

cmf x