Troubleshooting Computers

In one of my courses I was introduced to a new computer program. The Professor really talked it up, and said he wanted us to use it for our next assignment. His demo showed how cool and powerful it was, and it made me excited to learn it and to build a creative document using it. I did not expect the stress it would cause.

The new program required a lot of memory on the computer, which unfortunately mine does not have. About every five minutes it would all freeze on me, and I would have to reboot the computer. Sometimes I lost the work I'd actually managed to get done in my five-minute windows of opportunity.

I was making very little progress, so I had to find a solution. I started using the computers on campus but they weren't a whole lot better. Before I knew it the deadline was approaching and there were not enough computer lab hours left.

I headed to school really early the morning the project was due to try and finish it. Faced with more complications, I knew I was not going to complete my assignment. I just lost it. I went to my professor’s office crying. I was very embarrassed, but I had no choice but to choke back my tears and explain to him that I had not been able to finish my task. Luckily he was very understanding; he said that other people had also been having difficulties and that he was going to extend the due date for us. He just asked that I show him what I had done to date. A few days later, he received a new version of the program, and gave it to us to finish the assignment on. The new version wasn't perfect, but at least it didn't crash or freeze the computer.

Lessons: (1) You're stuck with the computer, but don't trust it. (2) Begin this kind of project early, so even if the thing betrays you, there's still time to do something. (3) Don't be afraid to talk to the Prof about something like this. (4) Kick the thing sometimes. It deserves it.