Win a Windows 7 PC! It helped the contestants on The Block and now it could help you

This competition is now closed.  Well done Lady Sarah!

A true child of the eighties, it took me a long time to let my Filofax go. (For those born post 1990, the Filofax was THE diary of a decade. As surely as video killed the radio star, the smartphone killed the Filofax). Mine was bright red with an impressive selection of inserts. It saw me through uni, some forgettable relationships and a memorable wedding. I resisted all digital organizing devices. But then, one day, I don’t know what happened. Maybe the schedules of five people collided and I was forced to embrace the ‘sync’. Now every second and song of my life is synced. If you’d told me that would happen in 1988 I would have called you, a nerd. See? Child of the eighties. No one says nerd any more. Didn’t see that coming.

Technology and the way we use it is a constant surprise. Who could have imagined downloading Jamie Oliver at the supermarket? Getting your best friend’s opinion on a pair of potential new jeans (while she’s in the Grand Canyon). Or using a laptop as a home renovation tool. Like they did on The Block.

As a supporter of The Block, Microsoft flew me to Melbourne last month for a top-secret tour of the houses. I’ve seen them all, completely finished. I’d tell you all about them but I would be sent to Guantanamo Bay or similar. The security was that tight. BUT, I can tell you about meeting Katrina, Wagga mum and blogger who’s renovated with her sister Amie.

I can tell you that they did the most amazing job, in front of TV cameras. Can you imagine? You know how horrible it is to have a photo taken when you’re not ready – this was constant. And they had to take their house from ruin to showpiece in EIGHT WEEKS. It would take some of us eight weeks just to choose bathroom tiles.

But on the upside for the residents of The Block in 2011, they were supplied with some of the latest technology thanks to Microsoft.  Armed with fast, portable Windows 7 PC’s, Windows Phones and various Microsoft software programs, the teams were equipped for every occasion in and out of the home.  To top it off, Katrina and Amie won the Best Living Room Challenge where Windows 7 rewarded the winning team with the Ultimate Connected Entertainment package that they could then incorporate into their design.

Funny, you’d never imagine from a renovating point of view that a PC would be more valuable than a power-saw. But there was no doubt in Katrina’s mind which was more important. You can always borrow a power-saw, she said, but having her own PC with Windows 7, linked to her Windows phone, meant she and Amie could find anything  – from the perfect paint colour, to a handy bottleshop.  Having this technology close at hand meant they could divide and conquer their endless list of jobs, and that prevented ugly scenes that could have seen The Block move to a later time-slot. Being able to do that didn’t just surprise Katrina and Amie, it made them wonder how people ever renovated without it. How did the residents of The Block 2003 manage without wireless internet, PC’s with Windows 7 , smartphones and a HDTV that could blare Marky Mark tunes while they painted at 3am. That never would have happened with a Filofax.

You can see my chat with Katrina here. It was heaps of fun, but I don’t think Tracy Grimshaw should feel threatened.

Now it’s your turn. How do you use your PC to multi-task in your life? What piece of technology can’t you live without and why?

The comment that receives the most thumbs up will win one of the latest PC’s with Windows 7, the Samsung Series 9 notebook and a copy of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2010!  A fantastic prize that will have you multi-tasking on-the-go like never before. Votes count so get your friends and family to like your comment. But remember that you have to be a Mamamia member to take part in the competition so if you aren’t already a member you will need to sign up here

Competition closes 9 August 2011 at 5pm AEST. Full terms and conditions can be found here

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Check out these awesome pics from The Block