Photostream and the Techno Geek

 Don't you just hate it when some working thing stops. So was the case of Photostream. January 24 was the last time it magically appeared on my PC. Dang! Around then, C-cleaner helped unload whatever turtle was living in this machine. Google Chrome was added. Photostream updates were installed. So who really knew how the link was broken. Spent too much time on the fix yesterday, to no avail.

Google, everyone's BFF, indicated that a lot of people have this problem. Many possible solutions and  tries later, Photostream remained PhotoStuck.  One guy provided the steps to make it work. They didn't for me but I did note that the file to be deleted was in the Roaming section of the software. In January, when my Quicken software failed to open after downloading a new release, the tech dude gave me a set of steps to follow. These files were also in the roaming section. So...

In this case, make connections to solutions not people. So...it included, deleting the old software and restarting the machine. Disconnecting from the internet, reloading the software and restarting the machine. Guess what, it's:

now. Persistence is a gift!

It is especially pleasing that I am probably considered to old to like this techno geek stuff.

Raise

A new and useful app showed up. It's called Raise.

This app allows you to buy and sell gift cards at discounted prices. So before you shop online or in stores, check out the Raise marketplace to find discounted gift cards for stores such as Starbucks, Target, The Home Depot, and Macy’s. You can search by brand, category or value, and easily add it to your shopping cart. No need to wait for the card to be shipped. Simply have it downloaded to your smart phone and you carry it with you. I'm told that you need to allow as much as 24 hours for the transaction to complete so plan ahead.

Uber New

You CAN teach an old dog HMMM! lady new tricks.
Last week it was Uber. Not uber new but uber Uber!

As in:

I might not have chosen this experience but the hotel gave us a pass to try it. Downloading the app was required. Setting up an account with credit card on file was also. After that, it was:

• very easy to use
• they are personal cars and were very clean
• the drivers were very polite
• the pick up was quicker
• and the ride was cheaper
• the ride is automatically billed to your credit card
• and a receipt is emailed on the spot
• they send you a picture of your driver so you won't get in any random car

Our first driver was on his lunch hour and earning some extra cash so he didn't mind a shorter drive. The drivers have an app on their smart phone that when they plug in their availability, maps their location. The closest car to the client is offered and if he accepts, comes to fetch you. If he declines, the next closest is pegged.The driver know where he needs to go and thus can respond based on the time he/she has available. 

There were three of us and I am not sure if I would go it alone.

But for this time, it was uber cool!