Shit. I think it may be a bigger problem (I'm typing on my laptop) because NOW, the screen glitz is having like every 10 minutes --> computer freezes --> and it's automatically rebooting every time this happens.

Not to scare you Vonnie, but that's why I have a new computer at work now. It wasn't the monitor. Whatever you do, don't wear headphones attached to the computer.

Oooh, that sounds ominous. I've turned it off and it'll stay turned off for now. I do use the headphones a lot when I listen to music & watch video in the evening (like the polite neighbor that I am.) What happened with you and the headphones? And if your computer was acting like mine and died, what was the diagnosis from your IT people?

What happened with you and the headphones?

When it fritzed it really blasted my ears.

what was the diagnosis from your IT people?

You need a new computer.

You need a new computer.

That's why you pay us the big bucks. For the expert diagnoses.

Although I'm not considered technical at this job. I'm such the pariah. The programmers look at me with faintly disguised pity when I try and talk their language.

You need a new computer.

Well, that was not too helpful of them, wasn't it?

This doesn't feel like a hard drive issue, so hopefully my data is still there. My last back up was about a week ago and I haven't added anything too vital on it since (other than some new music, but ah, well.) I may try taking out the video card and try to get it cleaned, etc. I've built this machine with separate components here and there (with some help), and if it's the video card, then I can just buy a new video card, I'd think. My concern is that problem might extend beyond the video card issue.

Well, that was not too helpful of them, wasn't it?

Well, these are the people that, when I got my second monitor, told me there was no way to adjust the monitor so that it looked like the first one. Everyone in my office just left it looking all squished until I sent an email around explaining how to adjust the screen resolution.

Vonnie, if nothing else, make sure your video card driver is current.

Chumby One, world's best connected alarm clock and a lot more

To call the Chumby One an alarm clock is the understatement of the year. This pint-sized internet-connected gem with its bright, sharp and responsive touchscreen goes way beyond that. It connects to your Wi-Fi network, hooking you up to hundreds of widgets that give you live weather updates, show you video, give you access to your Twitter and Facebook accounts, connects you to your e-mail, and does over a thousand other things. That's no exaggeration — there's an enormous list of 1,298 applications that have already been created for it. And if you're into clocks, there are 201 faces to choose from, with more on the way.

Chumby One is the second iteration of this astonishingly useful little gadget, and because of its lower price, it's a lot more appealing. At $100 (compared to the $200 of the original Chumby), it's within reach of a whole lot more users.

This pint-sized internet-connected gem with its bright, sharp and responsive touchscreen goes way beyond that. It connects to your Wi-Fi network, hooking you up to hundreds of widgets that give you live weather updates, show you video, give you access to your Twitter and Facebook accounts, connects you to your e-mail, and does over a thousand other things.

Why would you ever get out of bed?

I gave my brother a Chumby last year for Christmas, or possibly the year before, at his request.

I need an alarm clock. My laptop's screen won't reliably go dark and my stereo alarm is just annoying to turn off for the weekend. I'm assuming Chumby knows and cares what day it is, right?

you can program it to wake you up just on weekdays

Whoo! If only I could justify the cost.