Growing Old For Dummies

I've read so much recently that my head was starting to spin. I thought I was starting to suffer from "Internet Download & Application Syndrome". What's that? Maybe only I suffer from it, but whenever my wife and I start to discuss these things.  Then, it's as if a large part of my brain goes numb. I get a huge mental block!

It's not as if I'm stupid or don't understand the concept or old (well, yes, I am old, but I've had this Internet Problem for many years!). No, it's just that the complexities seem too great to grasp. 

She is the one who really knows.  For instance,  I really like to listen to Old Time Radio Shows, mostly mysteries and sci-fi and I found so many sites on the internet that are offering free downloads  (like this one:  http://www.rusc.com/ ).

I thought why not just download to a floppy disc on one computer downstairs where it is more convenient to do so, then just bring it upstairs and play it back whenever I wanted which is usually just before bedtime.  For some reason listening to these old time radio shows at night makes me sleepy. 

"Well," she says, "you can't do that.  There is not enough room on a floppy disc for a half hour radio show. What you need is a "disc burner" or an MP3 recorder/player." I thought, why not. (Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I am before my time?  What could it take.  Free downloads!).

Oh yeah?  Well how about zipping the file on the disc?  "No!  That will not work either!"  (She's always right <I hate that.)

So here I am, computers coming out of you know where and they won't do what I want them to do!  Am I asking too much?  Come on!  I thought I had a great idea!  Why spend money when I can get free downloads of just what I want.

Internet here I come.  First stop, E-Bay; all kinds of MP3's but most going for over a hundred bucks.  Now I'm not cheap (I just don't have that kind of money to spend on another gadget.  I keep thinking about all of this hardware I have already; two laptops, two tabletops all upstairs and two tabletops and one laptop downstairs, now just why am I looking and even bidding on an MP3?)  Forget it.

Weeks go by, my tape collection is quite extensive, maybe over 200 tapes all purchased new, none downloaded.  I've listened to them all maybe two or three times and know them almost by heart.  I need a change.  I must think of a solution.

I know!  I could tape record them from my computer speakers!  So I set up the tape recorder and speakers and give it a try.  Nope, poor quality.

So how about a wireless network between downstairs and upstairs.  (more money!)  Forget it!  Besides we tried this once before and this technology just isn't perfected; it just kept crashing and we ended up returning it to the store for a refund.  Okay that was ten years ago, but is wireless any better now?

Hey, maybe you have an idea?  Give this old guy a break.  Share!  Thanks!