Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Consumer warning!

 OK, a consumer warning. I use Word and Excel. Microsoft365 Personal is what I have had all this time.  I've had an annual licence for years. I paid $79/year since 2020. They sent me a message saying that since they've had extra costs, in terms of developing AI, extra storage costs, and 'new innovations,' they are raising the price to $115/year. I don't need 1 TB of secure cloud storage! 

Apparently, it is not just me!

I've used Apple products at home since the 1990s. It took them years to develop Word for Macs. I always used Clarisworks, which was more user friendly. Here are the two of us on the laptop. 

Jo and I in 2009!

I went online to see if there was a less expensive plan, and couldn't find one. The webpage provides a live chat option, which I took. Someone named Queen, said there is a Microsoft365 Classic plan for the price I've been paying. She said I'd lose all this new stuff, and I had to explain that I am retired! 

Who knew? It's not up to them to let me know unless I ask. 

Lesson learned. 

Playing on his iPad,
while waiting to do a Zoom visit with his Ottawa specialist.


In March, 2002, during student-led
parent conferences in my portable.

There is no new normal in our relationship with the US. I am comforted by the fact that last time he was elected, a lot of his Executive orders were taken to court and rescinded. 

We are in a weird situation. Parliament is prorogued (sort of suspended) and they will come back March 24th, presumably for the opposition parties to call for an election.

Then, there is Musk. He is interfering in our upcoming election. Mark Carney is one of the people running for leadership of the Liberal Party. 


Out back this morning, there were 3 deer sleeping under the white pine tree. There is one sitting behind the one that just stood up. The one on the right had its head down, tucked in.


It was a bit of a shock looking at the temperature. It was -20℃ this morning. 

We'll see what we get up to today. I refilled bird feeders yesterday, but it was really cold. Joe fetched groceries for us, and gave the car a run. You can't let it sit in the garage. The cold is really bad for batteries! 

14 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

It was -20 earlier. It is now -21 here at 8:10.

Barbara Rogers said...

It was 6 F when I woke up, but sunny, which will get temps into 30s today...though not above freezing. So sorry Musk wants Canada too. Drat it all! Yes, I'm reading a news outlet called The Contrarian, which formed with the journalists who left the Washington Post...so I heard about the law suits against some of the unconstitutional executive orders.

RedPat said...

I did a grocery run yesterday but won't venture out today. Stay warm.

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad that you were able to get what you needed without a price hike.
And hope (fervently) that many of Trump's ideas do not eventuate.
Love your hardy deer.
Stay warm.

Leslie's Garden said...

I would love to know if deer are sleeping in my yard. They certainly visit a lot. Sometimes I see matted layer of leaves and wonder if one slept there. Have a great day.

Leslie's Garden said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tz_garden said...

I've never been anywhere nearly as cold as that! It must hurt your skin to have it exposed for even a second. I'm trying to stay away from the news, and be hopeful all of this will be undone.

Kathy G said...

I've always purchased my Windows platforms upfront rather than paying yearly. Eventually the programs get outdated, but like you I don't need the newest and shiniest features.

Red said...

Windows 10 is about to be not supported. I'm not sure what to do. Not sure what's best.

eileeninmd said...

It is so cold, only 3° this morning. I feel sorry for the wild critters.
I hope they are finding food, our snow is not melting. It would be nice if the computer license was a one time fee and not yearly. Take care, have a great day!

Jeanie said...

Those birds are eating like crazy and getting out to fill them is no fun. A good day to cozy in. Don't start me on what is happening here. All we can do right now is pitch fits and hope it all implodes. The release of the Jan. 6 people is causing all sorts of commentary. How long will it go before someone takes things into their own hands?

DeniseinVA said...

Glad that was all sorted out for you. As for everything else, I keep wondering if we're being played like a fiddle. My eyes are getting tired of being rolled up to the ceiling.

Far Side of Fifty said...

We have Mac's so whatever they come with works fine for our needs. Stay warm!

William Kendall said...

These days are discouraging.