Getting frustrated trying to learn new things!

I'm learning from a young friend who lives quite a distance away how to set up a website because we want to combine our efforts in the content. It took me two days to find out how to Log in correctly! My son luckily just happened to call in and hey presto! I can log in and out with aplomb. I can also upload documents but I don't know where they are...........Still you could say it keeps my brain active; but it does nothing for my blood pressure!

I don't have any problems with techy stuff. At the moment, though, I am doing a course in Church Music and am really struggling with remembering all the rules for writing counterpoint in the style of Palestrina. I certainly notice that it's not as easy to assimilate lots of new information as it was 40 years ago.

Tech things are getting more complicated, though. Our telephone system at work used to be quite simple to set up - you could program it to show the name of the caller, to divert your calls to another phone if you weren't at your desk for a while could be condensed into a command operated by a single key.

And what about photocopiers - you used to just put in the original and press a button. Now there are so many options, you have to press at least half a dozen buttons just to get a copy.

The main problem is concentration. That really is deteriorating with age! If someone is telling me something important, I often notice that my thoughts have drifted off and I've missed the most important part!

Do you admit to this or just pretend you've been listening?

@durhamjen - re Printer cartridges.

^What are you doing going to shops?* Google for them! Or just Google for on-line suppliers - I always buy their re-manufactured cartridges, as they are cheaper, and usually hold more ink, and they work perfectly well - although sometimes they don't report when the ink is running out. But as soon as I install a cartridge, I buy its next replacement so that if it runs out I'm prepared for that.

Printer cartridges are not always cheaper on line. I buy compatible inks for my Epson printer ,which is very old ,from a local shop but I also buy the original Epson ink in black as it has cleaner in it . The Epson is £16 to £22 on line and £12.99 from my local pooter shop. They are also much cheaper than on line for Bulldog security.

I have problems with new payroll package, new printer, anything to do with HMRC and I find I am reading it over and over, the words, just dont seem to make sense.........I have told my 17 year old daughter that she is not to go away to Uni, she is to go locally in order that she can stay here and help me over all my technology hurdles. My blackberry is overdue for being replaced, and I dread having to switch phones........

Well according to the news today we're going to HAVE to do everything on line. An unsettling thought. I don't mind trying things but I don't like the idea of being forced to do them

Two printers both the same age, about three years, but one's a scanner/copier as well. I have bought online before, but the last time we bought more than one for a previous printer it gave up the ghost when we had half a dozen cartridges for it. The non-copier printer was a present which is why we have two.
I am expecting one of them to stop working soon, so will then buy a wireless printer/scanner/copier to replace it. So at the moment I am just buying one cartridge at a time when the previous one runs out. Six year old granddaughter uses colour ink more than I do, but is getting annoyed at the unusual colours coming out of the printer now.

Need to clarify Purpledaffodil did you really mean son OUT law - tonight am 3 sheets to the wind on Pinot Grigio watching tennis - busy morning - eldest child deigned to visit then Tescos then I hit the Pinot Grigio. Am I a lost cause - maybe - but I don`t care

I did indeed mean son OUT law sparkygran . In these freewheeling days none of my children are actually married to their significant others. We tend to describe them as out laws cos they're not in laws if you see what I mean. All three out laws find this very amusing. Well they seem to... I hope they do.
Hope the Pinot slipped down well. I am contemplating something similar.

We used to call our three SILs outlaws, but now they are in!

Glad to hear that you used 'outlaw' as well Mishap. It always seems friendlier than 'daughter's boyfriend/partner' or whatever. Not keen on partner anyway, always sounds more like part of a law firm