Se-lu 19, me-not-lu edition
Switching to a new computer has given me a severe attack of assuma. I've done this switchover routine often enough to develop a set of firm assumptions about the best way to do it, the problems to expect, etc. Most of those assumptions are wrong as usual.

The biggest assumption of all is the good old 'sunk cost' or 'amortization' rule. After I've invested a couple of days in the tiresome process, I don't want to switch back, because switching back will "waste the time investment."

This is just DUMB.

I need to use Poser to revise an animation for courseware. Poser isn't properly installed yet on the new, and I'm waiting on Smith Micro to respond to the error ticket.

The sunk cost rule says Keep Waiting.

SE-LU, DAMMIT.

SOLUTION = SE-LU = LOOSEN YOUR FUCKING SELF. UNTIE THE ROPES.

It may take two or three days to get a response from Smith Micro. It will take about 30 minutes to move the various plugs and peripherals between the two computers so I can use Poser on the old one.

There are situations where amortization is a valid concern. This ain't it.

= = = = =

Later: Did the round trip with the plugs and such, modified and rendered the animation, copied some other stuff that I'd forgotten the first time. Total task EXACTLY 30 minutes.

And later again: Still suffering from assuma. I ass-u-me-d that the installer for Poser wasn't on this computer, because I hadn't intentionally copied it. Turns out that it was already here in an obscure location, because last year's transfer of 'system-level' stuff included it. Running the installer made Poser run properly. I didn't need to check with Smith Micro after all.

= = = = =

12/26: Enough! I made Poser function, but now it turns out the "new" computer won't run Amapi and UVmapper. I need both for REAL WORK. I can't afford to spend half of my work time fucking around with wires and plugs and USB transfers.

It also turns out that the "new" computer is slower and noisier overall than the "old" one, and I can't find a way to damp the noise with foam as I did with the "old" one. Ordered a NEW computer from Dell, not a refurbished one, similar to the "old" Inspiron. Why did I order this refurbished unit last year? Because I wanted to stick with Windows 7, and the last legit Win 7 computers were about to disappear.

SE-LU AGAIN, DAMMIT. SUNK COST AGAIN. There's no strong reason to stick with Win 7. The consensus is that 10 will still run anything that ran on 7, so it's not likely to be a real obstacle. Struggling with a used and defective computer is a real obstacle.

Labels: se-lu

  ¶ 5:14 PM