The corporate world is all about making money - particularly when it comes to software.  The companies may set out to “make your life easier” with one application or another, but once they reel you in then they charge you for every conceivable notion or else just make life more difficult.

It wasn’t a security issue that got me - although I’m sure as I advance in my computer literacy that will be come an issue.  I’m stuck on dial up and most software companies don’t conceive of this possibility.  I took my time, researched the software, and brought the best choice home.  Imagine my shock and dismay when the CD that was in the box only gave me a connection to an online download of the actual program - not going to happen with dial up. 

The inconsiderate software company got me.  Most places won’t let you return software once it is opened.  Fortunately, I had spent over an hour discussing my situation with the folks at the store and they accepted the return.  Others may not have been as lucky.

Companies have to be concerned with the bottom line, but they also have to consider their customers.  If they make life more difficult and costly while attempting to make life easier, we won’t be back.

It is time to start shopping for a new computer.  There seems to be no end to the design, color, and look that I can get these days.  What I really need is a machine that will do all I need it to do (run the kids’ educational programs and maybe a word processing program along with games) without costing as much as the new (used) car.  If a company like Quanta can make a laptop that costs less than my electric bill, why aren’t there more inexpensive options on the market?

In my opinion, the make and model isn’t as important as the function.  I’m not as interested in who makes the computer (except when it comes to customer service or having the machine worked on) as I am getting a system that works for our family.  I want a machine with extra usb ports and easy access to expand if necessary.

I’m not a computer whiz by any stretch of the imagination.  It is important that the company or sales rep break down the technological terms to as simple as possible.  Telling me about RAM and REM (get it ;) ) only confuses me.  Even when I compare like to like (and write down the specifics to be sure) I still don’t know what I’m comparing. 

Make it easy and make it cheap.  Sale me a computer that will run 20 games and 20 educational programs along with 2 word processing programs all for under $300.  Will it ever happen?