Call me Technonana

 

Technologically challenged, you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn from Spectrum that my current modem needed to be replaced and that, in fact, they were going to send me a new modem and router and that I would get to install it all by myself.  Me – install a modem and router. Me. What are they thinking? I then had to Google "modem" and "router" to see what they were. And so it began.  I was in techno-hell.

Now ... Spectrum said that all of the changeover could be accomplished in five easy steps starting with unplugging the old and unpacking the new.  I waited with bated breath for the new equipment to arrive. They provided diagrams of each step. I could handle the unplugging part, but after that ... not so easy for me.  So… have to tell you that – this simple five-step process took me one entire day plus the morning of a second. I overthink.  Also -- what they do not tell you is that once everything is "installed", each device you have that "needs" WiFi must be switched to the new system and given your new Username and WiFi password, assigned and chosen by Spectrum. For me that was my PC, cell phone, iPad, ROKU, garage door opener, Ring doorbell and a wireless printer. I could switch my password, by the way. I just am sort of "over" the whole process right now.

Once that was all accomplished (I will spare you the gory details of that series of frustrations) -- I then had to finish by calling Spectrum and telling them that I was now going to return the old modem/router and to receive instructions as they directed. Now I ask you… have you ever called Spectrum?  The shortest on-hold time that day was 27 minutes.  I tried three times and finally – just waited – listening to the repetitive music.  I am not even going to tell you about that as I am certain that you have been there with the music thing.  I managed to clean my entire kitchen, unload the dishwasher, throw in a load of wash and steam clean the floors of two bathrooms before Walt came on the phone.  Walt was a very nice man and when I told him that I would rather not drive 35 or 40 miles to return old equipment, he said no problem and he mailed me an empty box and a prepaid FedEx Ground label. It arrived the next day.  Efficient, right? Once I figured out where one could drop off a FedEx Ground box for pickup in town, I was all set.  Thank you again, Google. (I practically begged the USPS to help me out -- they were pleasant and helpful with Google -- but no.) 

By the time I was done with this process, I have to tell you that my mind was numb – but … there is a certain sense of pride in figuring it all out.  I find myself mentioning that I accomplished this – you know – texting friends and family,  working it into various conversations, and now writing about it.   I feel, at least temporarily, that I am a Technonana.  Well… that may be a stretch, but you know what I mean.  By the way – don’t ask me to help setting up your new modem and router.  I took notes on the process but had a ceremonial burning once everything was up and running.  The mere thought of attempting such a thing again makes me cringe and as my Mom would say -- perspire profusely. Needless to say I won’t be working for Spectrum … ever. I think it would have been sort of nice if they had just sent someone to install their new equipment. It seems to me that I pay them enough each month that they might offer this service. Nothing is easy these days. 

Do you think it matters that I have a whole bunch of parts (cables and connecting gizmos) left over? I have decided that it does not.