| COMPUTERS | |
| By Tim Dominick | 03-22-97 |
Today I bought a sound card. I had already had one in my computer. It was the same brand, but a newer version. It should have been no problem, I have "Windows 95" and the card was plug and play. What a bunch of bull. Two days later I was on the internet trying to find out why it didn't work.
I also had a video capture card and wanted to do some video conferencing on the internet. This should be no problem, go to the nearest software store and buy a program, this sounds easy, dead wrong. I find the software and it says on the box it will do what I want. I go home and install the software. Two days later, after not being able to get it to work, frustrated and feeling that it was all my fault, I give up the idea and take the software back to the store I bought it from. To my dismay I find out that the software was opened and I had accepted all responsibility that it worked.
These problems are all to common.. I own a computer store. I should be the last person to have these problems. I am finding out that the faster we go, the newer the technology, the more problems we have. Just when 486's had all the bugs out, then came the 586's, the 686's and the Pentiums. We finally learned Windows 3.11, now learn Windows 95. Today's technology is a never-endin learning process.
If you have recently bought something that doesn't work, or if you're having problems with software, drop me a letter and I will see if I can solve the problem. Upgrading computers and buying software can be tricky. Make sure that whatever you buy can be returned. Always find out it the manufacturer gives support.
When buying a computer, buy what you need. Remember you can always go up. I always stay two grades below the current systems. Buying a computer at today's technology, unless you know what you need can be a mistake. Computers are intimidating and if you don't know what you atr doing can be very frustrating.
Before buying a computer do some research. Find out what kind of service the company offers. Find out what the upgrade possibilities are, and most of all, make sure you can use the computer.
Internet services can be confusing also. Who's good, who's bad. What is good for one person, may be bad for another. Find out how long they have been in service, how easy is it to get online, and last what kind of support they give. Free service is not always free, buyer beware.
The used computer market is a select market. If you are a first time user, this can be a very helpful tool for learning. Buying a new computer and finding out it may not be what you really wanted or needed is hard to return after thirty days. Used computers can be bought very cheap if you shop around.
Try to find out why they are selling it. If it's because they are upgrading, chances are it would be a Great Deal. Newspaper adds, garage sales and flea markets are good places to buy. Cheap computers mean software is going to be hard to get. The best used computer for learning is a 386, not a lot of speed but very reliable.
What do they do with all the old computers ?. To me there are no old computers. I feel that any computer that is working and still functions is worth keeping.
When I started my first computer was given to me. I was so thrilled, but didn't know what to do with it or how to use it. There were no books that made any sense. I was so frightened I would break it if I turned it on. So after the first six months I attempted to turn it on. From then on it was simply a matter of following the instructions I read on the Screen.