Re: My computer situation (update) - latex bed problem

[Guest guest]

I'll keep Google Chrome in mind - for some reason, I had the general impression

that it would be worse than Firefox as far as using resources or instigating

increased emf. My impressions are probably not based on that much substance,

though - it's not like I know much about that browser. I wonder if it offers

the options of easily controlling/deleting " cookies " that Firefox does - and I

wonder how " secure " it is. The main reason I transitioned from IE to Firefox is

that things had reached a point where I became majorly concerned about privacy

issues, and I had heard that Firefox offers more of a chance for greater

privacy/security. And it seems to be much more transparent and user-friendly as

far as cookie control. (Although that option is still a bit " hidden " - it took

me awhile to discover it.) When I started using Firefox, I happened to notice

how much " lighter " it seemed - and how I seemed more comfortable in front of the

computer than I did with IE. Needless to say, it was a welcome " side benefit " .

I wish I had made the jump earlier - but I was/am *such* a creature of habit, so

I was locked into IE. My inertia problems make me such a slave to Bill Gates.

This eMachines came loaded with Windows 7 - that's what I'm using. As far as

the static test - well, it depends on the angle from which you " aim " the AM

radio toward the computer, and the location of the computer that's closest to

the radio (i.e. whether you aim it from the left-front side, the right-front

side, the side, etc.). But the radio starts to pick up static approximately 16

to 21 inches from the computer (depending on location). I guess that's pretty

bad, huh?

All I know is that this computer feels *much* better to me than a 15 " Macbook

Pro (2010 version - and it feels significantly better than any of the 2010 13 "

Macbooks), and many other laptops.

As I explained earlier, I've been doing my radio tests differently - I hadn't

even been paying attention to the static. As far as that sharp, distinct noise

that I've been listening for - this computer doesn't instigate that sound unless

the screen is dimmed. (Then again, neither did my old Dell - or the 2010

Macbooks I tested.) The power supply picks up that noise though, from as far as

about 10 - 12 inches away.

The mattress that's been giving me trouble is a Talalay mattress - although it

isn't 100% natural. It's really odd and frustrating - I haven't shown *that*

much of a sensitivity to fumes before. For instance, a few years ago I bought a

foam pillow - and for several weeks it emitted unpleasant fumes - but I wasn't

bothered by it to the extent of having obvious, marked symptoms. With this

mattress - I've been bothered to the point of having insomnia, and I get this

odd symptom where the fumes feel as though they're penetrating my body. I can

especially feel it in my chest area sometimes. Sometimes (or most of the time -

when all three latex layers are on) - the symptoms are moderately reminiscent of

my e.s. symptoms.

When the mattress first arrived and I noticed the smell - I figured that once I

enclose the layers in the mattress cover, and then cover the mattress-cover with

the layers of my bedding - that the odor would be " contained " and I wouldn't

smell it anymore. But these fumes penetrate the mattress cover (which is pretty

plush), and all of the layers of my bedding - sometimes when I put my nose to my

bed the smell is rather strong.

I've gotten some measure of relief by removing the top layer - the softest layer

- which happens to be the smelliest layer. But that's just a short-term

solution that won't really cut it for the long-term, so I'm going to have to

make some decisions. Besides, it would be nice to have the 10 " bed that I

actually paid for, instead of 7 " .

I wonder if things will reach a point where this mattress will stop offgassing?

Or will this always be a problem? I'm inclined to think that the offgassing will

never stop.

I'm considering trying out a 100% natural version - but, based on the samples of

100% natural latex that I received yesterday, I'm not sure if it would be any

better. I've wondered if what is outgassing with this Talalay is the synthetic

chemicals that comprise the latex - the styrene-butadiene. If that's the case,

then perhaps a 100% natural *would* be better (although it has a smell, too).

I'm just not sure what to do right now.

~Svetaswan

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi guys,

> >

> > Long time no see. I just thought I'd post an email (with a few

> > omissions/modifications) that I just got finished sending someone in the

> > group. I'm sorry that it's so long-winded - but maybe, just maybe, there is

> > a morsel or two in my autistic narrative that might be helpful to someone.

> > As I say in the email, I really regret not telling you guys about a laptop

> > computer that I had known about for months that seemed relatively benign (at

> > least to me). What a big " D'OH " on my part. I guess my " reasoning " , if you

> > can call it that - for not mentioning it is that I had sort-of dismissed it

> > in my mind as an " el cheapo " brand computer that wasn't a viable long-term

> > option. But so far, this laptop is working for me - well, as much as a

> > computer can " work " for someone with esens. It might work for other

> > sufferers. The email follows:

> >

> > I just wanted to update you on my computer situation. In February/March, I

> > finally started making some moves on buying a new computer. At first I

> > bought an ASUS A52F-XA1 (15.6 " ) laptop, but I returned it to

amazon.comwithout even opening the box because when I later went to " test " the

> > computer at Best Buy, it seemed like it would be pretty bothersome (I felt

> > " forced " to make a quick purchase on amazon.com because it was showing one

> > of those " Only 2 Left in Stock " type of messages). Then, a few weeks later,

> > I took the plunge again; I was intrigued with ULV processors - so I bought

> > an ASUS UL50-XA1 - this computer:

> >

> >

> >

http://www.amazon.com/UL50AT-X1-Processor-Notebook-Windows-Premium/dp/B003DZCPL6\

/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8 & s=electronics & qid=1306059154 & sr=1-1

> >

> > Well, it was pretty bad! I started feeling quite " fried " about as soon as I

> > turned on the computer. In many ways, it was considerably worse than the

> > laptop that I was trying to get away from. The low-power, " battery " settings

> > made it somewhat better - but not " better " enough. Within hours, I pretty

> > much knew that it wasn't something I should keep - there just had to be

> > something better. The ultra-low-voltage 1.3 GHz SU7300 Core 2 Duo processor

> > just didn't " do the trick " as far as making that thing a tolerable machine.

> > Oh, I still have faith that ULV processors can contribute greatly to a

> > relatively pain-free computing experience - but in that particular computer,

> > it wasn't nearly enough to make it -friendly (at least based on my

> > experience). I guess this just reinforces the " theory " (or fact) that there

> > must be a lot more involved in computer emissions than just the

> > processor/graphics card.

> >

> > (I was focusing on ASUS computers because I had read that they have one of

> > the best track records as far as durability/reliability - Dell's poor

> > reputation for longevity steered me away from Dells. I need for my

> > investment to last a long time.)

> >

> > So after this experience, I just said " f - it " . I was tired of the

> > " buying-and-returning " merry-go-round. I was tired of the " research " and the

> > self-conscious store expeditions. Luckily for me, I knew of a computer that

> > was relatively benign on my -- the eMachines e725-4520. For several

> > months, I eschewed buying an eMachines in favor of searching for my notion

> > of a " better option " . (The eMachines brand just didn't have a positive image

> > in my mind for quality/durability – and I thought that I might find an even

> > more -friendly computer. Besides, I wasn't sure whether I wanted a

> > desktop or a laptop.) Sometime early last year, without doing any " research "

> > - my brother bought this computer at Walmart. (My brother does not have

> > electrosensitivity.) His decision-making " process " was basically, " My laptop

> > died - I need a new computer fast - oh, this eMachines is very inexpensive. "

> > During a couple of occasions last year, I spent hours " trying out " his

> > computer - and it seemed relatively gentle on my esens. I even felt

> > comfortable with using his computer on my lap – and it had been a long time

> > since I could do that with the Dell. I was worried about the

> > quality/durability - but when I checked the reviews of the laptop, it seemed

> > to get as good (or better) reviews than a lot of the more " reputed brands "

> > out there. And my brother's laptop was still going strong after a year, it

> > seemed. So I searched around and bought one. Here it is:

> >

> >

> >

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Emachines-E725-4520-250GBDVD%C2%B1RW-Wireless/dp/B003\

AG7N4C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8 & s=electronics & qid=1270241710 & sr=8-1

> >

> > I'm not saying things are " perfect " with this computer (there is rarely a

> > such thing as " perfect " ). But my symptoms are a LOT less " active " with this

> > eMachines than they were with the ASUS ULV monstrosity, and this computer

> > just seems considerably more " gentle " than a lot of laptops out there. There

> > are a lot of times when I hardly notice any symptoms at all. Funny - this

> > " journey " I went on to find a good computer - all of the so-called

> > " research " I did - leads me back to my brother's eMachines, a " Walmart "

> > computer that I had known about for many months. I wish I had " the good

> > sense " to buy this computer last year - when I could have bought it more

> > easily and for at least $100 cheaper.

> >

> > I also really regret that I didn't tell the group about this computer

> > as soon as I determined that it was a " tolerable " computer (at least for me)

> > - especially in light of the lack of recommended brands/models of computers

> > on . It might have provided some helpful " lead " to someone. Now - since

> > this computer is " last year's model " , it is harder to find - and people may

> > more likely have to go through less " mainstream " vendors .

> >

> > I'm just knocking on wood that this computer lasts.

> >

> > I'm not sure if there is a current-model eMachines being sold - I think

> > there may be. Hopefully - whatever eMachines did (or didn't do) to make this

> > computer relatively-benign - they have replicated in subsequent models. I'd

> > like to know what it is that makes this computer better than a lot of the

> > others - is it something about the screen-technology, or what? It could be

> > that some of the same factors that make this computer less expensive than

> > others (last year, it was selling for two-hundred-something dollars at

> > Walmart), makes it more tolerable. This experience leads me to conclude that

> > it may be fruitful for folks to search for cheap, " low-end " computers

> > being sold at Walmart or Target or somewhere.

> >

> > Also – it is worth mentioning that Acer bought eMachines a few years back -

> > so this computer was actually manufactured by Acer, I think. So maybe there

> > are some Acer models that share certain characteristics with this eMachines.

> > An " extreme " example of this is the possibility that this particular Acer

> > computer is the *exact same* computer as my eMachines - it just has an

> > " Acer " label instead of an " eMachines " label:

> >

> >

> >

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS5732Z-4867-15-6-Inch-Display-Laptop/dp/B00358XT5W/r\

ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8 & s=electronics & qid=1270242214 & sr=8-1

> >

> > I've also realized more than ever that software issues - at least for me -

> > play an important role in computer tolerability. If the " wrong " software,

> > spyware, or " bloatware " gets installed on this computer - it can become

> > bothersome. For ex., when I installed the version of Malwarebytes that has

> > real-time protection, I thought I noticed this computer immediately becoming

> > bothersome - thankfully, I could disable the real-time protection. I also

> > notice that using Mozilla Firefox is significantly less bothersome than

> > using Internet Explorer: I guess it's a less " bloated " , resource-hogging

> > browser. One reason seems to be that Mozilla gives you the option of

> > deleting individual cookies (I swear I sometimes notice an immediate

> > difference when I delete cookies). I was nervous about the latest version of

> > Firefox having " hardware acceleration " (the latest IE has this as well) - it

> > just sounds like something that would increase emf. So I avoided upgrading -

> > until circumstances sort-of " forced " me to upgrade. Fortunately, there is an

> > option in the new Firefox where you can turn hardware-acceleration off.

> >

> > Looking back, I wonder if the worsening/progression of my

> > electrosensitivity - when my symptoms really started " screaming " - was due

> > to an accumulation of cookies/malware/crapware dumped on my computer

> > harddrive. I really do believe this played a definite role. Maybe there was

> > some " poorly scripted " crapware that put a particular strain on my

> > resources/harddrive. More and more unwanted " stuff " kept getting dumped on

> > my harddrive. I admit that I was lazy/naiive about installing an

> > anti-virus/anti-spyware program - not that it would have made *too* much of

> > a difference in the long run . I'm very skeptical about these anti-malware

> > programs truly keeping rogue junk from eventually accumulating on people's

> > computers.

> >

> > Another thing I did with this eMachines (I also did it on the Dell) that

> > made a positive difference is change the monitor display settings from the

> > default 32-bit color to 16-bit color...it seems to either decrease emf,

> > and/or lead to eye-strain relief. There may be things I can do to further

> > " tweak " the graphics to decrease computer stress, but I currently don't feel

> > any urgent need to do them.

> >

> > Of course, the computer offers a variety of power-management settings - I

> > think most late-model, Windows 7 laptops do. One thing that's good is that

> > you can configure the computer to run on low, " battery " -type power settings

> > - even when the computer is plugged in. But so far, I choose not to do this.

> > I'm running the computer on the default " balanced " settings when it is

> > plugged in.

> >

> > I just think it helps to keep the harddrive as " clean " and as " empty " as

> > possible. In addition to trying to keep cookies/spyware/adware etc. off the

> > harddrive, I think I'm going to try to minimize the amount of files I put on

> > it.

> >

> > Another thing that I finally started doing was dialing down the power

> > output of our satanic AT & T WiFry router. I remember you telling me that I

> > could do this, but I was too lethargic/green-thumbed to pursue the matter.

> > In the back of my mind, I thought there would be a lot involved...that it

> > wasn't for the novice. But one day in desperation (after a confrontation

> > with my father in which he ordered me to stop turning off the WiFi router,

> > since it also turns off our landline phone service) - I stumbled upon the

> > way to do this. I logged into our router settings. The power output is

> > adjustable from Level 1 to Level 10 - of course, our WiFi was operating at

> > the maximum level of 10 (which is the default). Each time I adjusted the

> > power downward, I noticed relief - i.e., from 10 to 5, from 5 to 3, etc..

> > Eventually, I decided to keep it at 1 - our computers seem to be dealing

> > with the weaker signal fine. I also noticed a positive difference when I

> > changed the setting to stop the router from cranking out both " b " and " g "

> > signals. Now it only outputs " g " signals.

> >

> > Sorry for the loong novella. I just thought I'd update you on the status of

> > things - just in case you thought I had died or something, lol. No, the

> > radiation hasn't claimed me quite yet. Thanks to an improved computer and

> > WiFi situation, things are better than they were a year ago. Oh, make no

> > mistake - I'm still very much . I still fear that I've suffered

> > considerable mental and physical damage. I fear that this computer may

> > become more and more bothersome as the " surreptitious files " start to

> > accumulate. I can still " feel " the WiFi in the air sometimes - though not

> > nearly as much as I could. Even with the WiFi power at one, laying on my

> > innerspring mattress bed was still very bothersome. I recently replaced my

> > " wire-antenna " bed with a " wireless " latex one - although this situation is

> > still in flux because I may have to return the latex bed (the

> > offgassing/fumes have been a big problem for me).

> >

> > ~Svetaswan

> >

> >

> >

>

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