tracyschruderblogspot

Tag: dailyprompt

  • My First Computer

    By Tracy Schruder

    Write about your first computer.

    I was fortunate enough to be taught how to use a computer in grade and high school. However, I did not own my first computer until I was twenty eight years old. It was a MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). I had an extensive collection of games and personal writing pieces downloaded to floppy disks.

    Picture of floppy disk from google

    My computer was Dell Dimension. It had several different components including

    • Motherboard –
      the main circuit board of a computer, connecting all hardware components together.
    • Central Processing Unit (CPU)-
      The CPU, also known as the processor, executes instructions and performs calculations.
    • Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) –
      The GPU handles graphics rendering and computing tasks.
    • Random Access Memory (RAM)-
      RAM is a volatile memory technology that stores data temporarily while the CPU processes it.
    • Storage device-
      A storage device holds data, programs, and the operating system, even when the power is off.
    • Monitor-
      Dell Trinitron CRT, 17 inch.

    It had a 17 inch monitor that produced a visual of white on black background writing space. The monitor and keyboard were separate pieces which I purchased separately. The main computer contained all of the high technology and was stored in a large metal box that I set on my desk beside the monitor and keyboard. There were two slots in the front of the box where you could put floppy disks in and save your work for backup. I eventually added speakers, headphones and a microphone to the system.

    Picture from google because I don’t have any from my own.

    Because I had been educated on how to use computers, I fell in love with this system. I used it for everything from composing literary works to budgeting my finances and bill payments.

    From time to time the computer would crash and I would have to press control, alt and delete to reload my operating system. This was frustrating at times but I always saved my information to my floppy disks, so it was just a matter of putting in the time, until it was up and running again.

    I used that computer until 2001 that’s when my warranty and support ran out. I was able to upgrade and transfer valuable information to my next computer and have continued to do so as technology advances.

  • Five Things I do for Fun

    List five things you do for fun.

    Five things I do for fun

    By Tracy Schruder

    I enjoy taking pictures.

    My trusty companion

    I enjoy making jewelry

    Semi precious gemstone jewelry

    I enjoy crocheting

    Mixed colour wool blanket

    I enjoy painting

    Oil painting ‘The Den’

    I enjoy journaling

    Various journals

  • The meaning of Tracy

    Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

    The Meaning of My Name

    By Tracy Schruder

    The meaning of my name :

    Tracy is of French and English origin. It’s derived from the Old French word, traciar, meaning, to trace or to track. In medieval times, the name Tracy referred to a person who was a tracker or a hunter.This word is derived from the Latin tractus,  which means a drawing out or a tracing.

    In modern times, the name Tracy has become unisex, although it was originally more commonly given to males. It’s associated with qualities like; resourcefulness, determination, courage and Loyalty. 

    Some notable people with the name Tracy include Tracy Chapman (American singer-songwriter), Tracy Morgan (American comedian and actor), and Tracy K. Smith (American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner)

    In medieval times, the name Tracy referred to a person who was a tracker, hunter, or pursuer. It’s believed to have originated in Normandy, France, and was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

    Over time, the name Tracy evolved into various spellings, including Tracey, Traci, Tracie, and others. Today, the name Tracy is found in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

    Interestingly, the bearers of the name Tracy were pathfinders or trailblazers, figuratively or literally.

    Personally, as far as my father tells me, the choice to use the name Tracy, for his first born child, was well thought out long before I was born. According to him, my paternal great grandmother, who was of British origin, absolutely loved the name Tracey because of a dear male friend named Tracey she had, when she was a child. 

    She would tell him stories of the shenanigans and misadventures that they had growing up. She expressed how much she loved him and dearly, missed him.  

    As my father grew up in close ties with Emma (great grandmother), he was privileged to learn all about her adventurous, strong and brave young friend. 

    She would talk for hours about her young friend. She often shared one special story, that she favoured most, (Dad remembered it by heart) She would reminisce , ‘one day, when she was six years old , they were playing down at the creek, it was winter time and they would slide on the ice in their boots, on this one,  particular day, she had fallen on the ice and bumped her head really bad. She claimed she ‘couldn’t get up and ‘was ‘seeing double’. 

    Her little buddy Tracey who was also six years old, swung into action, he picked her up and carried her all the way up, the long country road, to the homestead farm. According to her it was more than a mile, which is a long walk especially while carrying someone, especially for a six year old.’ 

    It turns out that she had a bad concussion and may have died if Tracey hadn’t got her home and warm as quickly as he did. She thought of Tracey as her little hero. 

    She explained to my father that she always wanted a grandchild named after him because my father’s mom wouldn’t have it. So, ultimately my father promised her, if he ever had kids he would name his firstborn,  Tracy. He shared this story with my mother and she agreed it was a good idea. She would name their first born Tracy because it would be suitable no matter what gender I came out as when I was born. 

  • What makes a good leader?

    The type of person that makes a good leader is a confident, conscious and compassionate person. They must possess a desire to do the best for all people involved.