Lesson for the New Year

For Christmas, my son's family gave me a digital photo frame, an electronic viewing device on which family members can remotely post photos. Anxious to begin receiving pictures of my children and grandchildren, I attempted to set up the device as soon as I returned home. The quick start guide was easy to follow.  Just five simple steps, simple for a technology professional like me!

1. Attach the support stand
2. Turn on the device
3. Connect to Wi-Fi
4. Enter your code to claim your Skylight email
5. Now, ask loved ones to send pictures

All was well until I attempted to follow the details of step 4: "your personal 6-digit code, which is on the paper insert in the box." Wait! Did I miss the paper containing the code when I removed all the packing materials? Back to the box.  No, nothing there but styrofoam sheets.  How frustrating when I was so looking forward to seeing the show! What to do now?

I emailed the Customer Service Department, fearing the worst. There was no serial number on the device and since it was the holiday week between Christmas and New Years probably no one was in the office. Woe to me!

The next day, I began sorting through the holiday mess.  I spied the photo frame packing materials, looked through the box once more, and tossed it into the trash but then had misgivings about my actions.  Maybe I should keep the box in case I had to return the frame. As I picked up the box to take to the basement, I closed it and just happened to turn it over. Voila! Glued to the top of the box was the insert with my code and personal email address! Typing in the code, I was blessed to see many photos had already been loaded, (and later I found a note from customer service in my email.)

One little letter in one small word, "in" vs "on" and my brain had become trapped...inside the box.

May we all learn to think outside the box during 2016.  Happy New Year to all!