As a computer professional, I am called on by a number of people for all sorts of advice. By far the most requested piece of advice on my hit parade begins with "I'm looking to buy a new computer." The words that immediately follow are "what do you think is a good computer for me?" And this is a big problem for all involved. The problem stems from the high expectation / low outlay mindset of the people in question. Invariably, the person asking be has either purchased a cheap desktop in the past or has a hand-me-down computer from a family member. But everyday at work they use the computers that I purchase using the company's money. I try to buy computers that will last at least 3 years, so they are almost state-of-the-art because otherwise they will just be obsolete in a few months. So these advice seekers become frustrated at home because their systems are so slow, so underpowered, so limited, so whatever. I like to ask them all the regular questions like "what do you want to use the computer for?" and "will your kids be using it?". I take all the info they give me and then I ask the last question: "How much do you want to spend?"
And here everything falls apart. Because these people see ads and flyers about complete systems for $899. And they know what they paid for their last computer. What they don't realize is that $899 systems have a 15' monitor. Remember those, squinty? Those $899 systems have 64 MB of memory because that is the minimum for Windows to be installed. Yeah, to be installed, but if you want to actually do anything with the computer it isn't nearly enough. That $899 system has a 12 GB hard drive. So install Windows 2000 and Office 2000 and oops..., did you want to save your data files to the hard drive too? Well sorry, you've got to uninstall The Sims and delete those O-Town MP3s you've secretly been downloading.
Now I will admit, I am a computer snob. I hate waiting for systems to boot and reboot. I have having to wait 2 extra seconds because my system is sending to the printer. I would always pay more for power than save money and to have to wait. That is what I buy for the company's I work for, that is what I purchase for myself and that is what I recommend when I am asked. Because really, if you bought enough power last time, you wouldn't be asking me for advice now.
My operation is on again. For those who aren't up on the latest in my life, I'm having my tonsils burnt out, my septum undeviated and my uvula removed. No, not my vulva, my uvula. The insurance company finally came through - for next year. I'm scheduled for January 14th, 2002. So I figure I was right about their stalling. They just wanted to move it into the next year because this year is not that profitable. Claudine says that her practice is owed millions of dollars from big name insurance companies. They are just stalling payment until things get better for them. Part of me wants them to go under so that it could expose our country's healthcare mess. The more practical part of me wants them to succeed so that Claudine's practice will flourish. It is an interesting situation for me to find myself in, so I just don't think about it at all. The easy way out.
24 is coming on in a few minutes and I'm going to do my best to get hooked on it. I haven't really had a regular "show" since Seinfeld. Most people have "their shows" that they never miss. But I'm afraid of commitment. I just can't keep a regular schedule to sit and watch a T.V. show. 24 looked intriguing enough for me to give it a try. I am so-so about the the first show, so I am hoping that the 2nd show will have some good hook that will get me to come back every week. By the way, I always watch The Simpsons every week. That is just a given. Somehow I don't consider The Simpsons as simply a T.V. show. To me it is kinda like... breathing. Essential to my continuing well-being.
