July monthly poll

[Computer Hope Admin]

For the month of July we thought it would be interesting to see how long you've gone without getting on the computer since you've started using it. Feel free to talk about why you had to go so long without the computer, what type of effects it had on you, etc.

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

[Calum]

A few weeks I'd guess.
That'd be for holidays, or extended downtime waiting for repairs for my old laptop.
When I was on holiday it didn't bother me, when waiting for repairs I got really frustrated because it took so long.
Even when I was a kid on our old family computers I'd use it once every week or so.
Now though I use it every day unless something happens, like I go out or there's a power cut or something like that.

[michaewlewis]

Interesting question.
From the very first time I've used a computer (around 1990), I have probably gone without using a computer several months or over a year.
From the time I started being really interested in computers, I've probably only gone a week or two without using one.

[Jeronimo_Mc_Kinsley]

I had HD problems once and had to send it in for repairs...took over a month. AAAAAAAAAAA

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I'd say the most I can remember was two weeks. (Family Road Trip across USA)

[michaewlewis]

ha. Even when I went on a road trip with my family a few years ago, I still had my laptop with me.
That was before I got married, though. I don't think I could do that now.

[quaxo]

A few days, and that's only when I'm on vacation and haven't taken my laptop with me. I work with computers so I'm on one constantly except when I'm sleeping... so a few hours? hehe

[Broni]

Few days for vacations only, and I still can't wait to get back on....LOL

[computeruler]

probably 2 days at most cause i got grounded even when i went on vacation i still managed to use a pc

[BC_Programmer]

I had to go a few months without a PC to use when I fried the integrated graphics on my old Pentium 133. I wasn't knowledgable enough to know that was what happened (I know now because I recall removing the "metal green thing" from the motherboard (graphics chipset heatsink- smart). technically I was still using a PC since I had an old 486 with DOS 6 on it, but this was 2003, and nobody would have regarded that as a computer (regardless of the fact that it was).

[Emory]

Didn't touch computer for a couple of weeks. Vacation travel keeps me busy with other activities. Keyboard has again been inviting. 

[Jaxxboss]

Id like to say that I can go without for a longgg time, well more than a few weeks...... but since I sell on the "bay" I pretty much have to check my sales everyday.  Longest Ive gone this year is 2 days and I actually felt good about it.

[macdad-]

i can go without a comp for a few weeks but then after that i need to check my email.

[jerryheavyarms]

As for me, I could go on for several days, probably 3-5 days, without a computer... That is when Im in the province and on vacation.

[WaxingMoon]

I usually log on as soon as I get home.  Gotta check my spambox, etc.

P.S. Broni, is that a Polski Orzeł in your signature?

[macdad-]

...Gotta check my spambox...

Switch over to Gmail. 

[Broni]

Broni, is that a Polski Orzeł in your signature?

Surely it is
Any Polish blood in you, WaxingMoon?

[kizza1645]

Im going to chuck, my computer in my swimming pool because im getting fat from staying on it so long. But at the moment im normanl weight. But give it like 2weeks.

[macdad-]

...my computer in my swimming pool...

a computer in a swimmin pool     

[BC_Programmer]

...my computer in my swimming pool...

a computer in a swimmin pool     

something tells me the computer wouldn't work very swimmingly after being submerged....

[computeruler]

Broni, is that a Polski Orzeł in your signature?

Surely it is
Any Polish blood in you, WaxingMoon?

i do i do!!

[Broni]

Really?
Tell me about it...

[computeruler]

i dont no much... besides on my dads side they were polish i think polish last name

[Broni]

I see...

[tl]

Before I upgraded to a newer PC, it was so slow I dreaded getting on it.  Now, I can still go several days - probably more - if I wanted.  But if I couldn't get on it when I wanted - that would be at least as bad if not worse than .

[MusicLover19]

I have been without my computer for a couple weeks because of vacations. Though the vacations were fun, I still missed my computer some. Especially when I had  new games waiting to be played.

[street1]

I can go a few days but, it is one of my five personalities.

[macdad-]

programming on my computer is a hobby. i just use my computer for the normal stuff, Gamin, checking email, programming, etc.

[BC_Programmer]

programming on my computer is a hobby. i just use my computer for the normal stuff, Gamin, checking email, programming, etc.

Uhh- what wouldn't be normal stuff?

[macdad-]

making 3D Games with very detailed Graphics on a computer from 2001. this is quite ironic and unusual since im making these games on a slow computer.

[BC_Programmer]

making 3D Games with very detailed Graphics on a computer from 2001. this is quite ironic and unusual since im making these games on a slow computer.

hmmm- define "slow".

Honestly I think it is better to write and test code on a slower computer, because the end product almost always ends up much faster. For example, I wrote a expression parsing library on my 350Mhz K6-2 (1999), and it would parse & execute a large stack in less then a second for standard functions. When I ran it on my "new" 1.6Ghz P4(2001) computer, it would perform the same task in less then a quarter of a millisecond. The main reason being I was unhappy with earlier performance with it in the K6-2, and wrote many optimizations to the code that sped it up. Point being, would I have written the optimizating stuff if I had a fast computer to begin with?

[computeruler]

hey macdad wanna give me a couple games you made?

[BC_Programmer]

That reminds me, I'm gonna test my game on this newer comp! haven't played POING! for over a year now, even longer since I viewed the mass of code behind it....

[macdad-]

computerruler i have only been working on one 3D game so far with really good graphics. but if you want my 3D Mine demo that i made with Just BASIC, but its low end graphics, then i would be happy to lend it to you but please dont copyright. 

but i need your email address, the zip file is too large

[scotty doesnt know]

Generally the only time I am off a computer is when I am traveling.  I work daily on computers, and spend my nights playing computer games.  All my friends are geeks as well, and I have computers available anywhere  I tend to go.  I'm a geek to be sure...lol.

[Robinhood]

Since I started is a long time ago. I am on every day for . The last time iwas off for more than one day was a repair. maybe 2 days . then holiday with wifes family in Norway a couple of years ago. for 2 weeks. You can't live with em and you can't live without em. 

[JJ 3000]

Every spring I like to go out hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Some years I will stay gone for a month or more. When you hike long distances it is best to travel with as light a pack as you can get by with.I have been tempted to bring my laptop with me, but haven't done it (yet).

[macdad-]

Have you hiked as far as Clingmens Dome?

[Zylstra]

How did I not notice this post?

Anyways

One week.
Camping trips, what a fun thing.

Even when I was little, I had a computer that I used fairly often.

[macdad-]

camping is really fun. setting up the tent, making the fire, hiking around, etc. 

[Zylstra]

camping is really fun. setting up the tent, making the fire, hiking around, etc. 

Setting up a tent thats definitely older than me, probably older than my dad, even funner!

[macdad-]

im suprised that it still keeps water out. 

[Zylstra]

im suprised that it still keeps water out. 

It doesnt  :
Got to stick a tarp over it. I woke up soaked one day.

[computeruler]

thats why i stopped tent camping it rained everytime we went

[Zylstra]

thats why i stopped tent camping it rained everytime we went

Nothing a good tarp cant fix

[macdad-]

as long as there's no holes in it. 

[Zylstra]

203 votes... thats interesting.

[macdad-]

i know i talled the votes and i got 204. weird 

[computeruler]

but then the tent startes to sink into the ground and stuff lol

[macdad-]

but then the tent startes to sink into the ground and stuff lol

QUICKSAND!!!      LOL

[computeruler]

lol no just a lot of mud