A Comment in the form of Questions

Are we moving too quickly with technology as it relates to media and communications? For example, the latest and the greatest in computer media presentations is requiring higher and higher demands of computer systems, effectively shutting out new ideas from individuals that can not keep up (by not having a system that can run the software fast enough or even enough memory to load it up).

This includes both financial and administrative resources to keep our personal systems up to date. Affordable needs to be a quality decision rather than a race by the suppliers to earn a profit on the backs of consumer demand for a product that is outrageously advanced. Management time to keep systems of the 'latest / greatest' status operational can simply be overwhelming for the above average individual and just a andother waste or money grab for the specialist, depending on whether compensation is being made for the time spent.

When does the designed obsolescence spiral end? When do we say that business doesn't need to upgrade just to have a 'better' set of tools than the next? Will brutal competition continue to dictate this trend? When do we allow the minds to be masterful of the current software rather than in a constant state of initial learning curve?

I would never suggest that we should stifle invention or progress but only to let the masses catch on and actually use products so the learning curve doesn't have to start over. Single board computers for dedicated tasks are becoming more popular in reliable roles rather than a single machine to do everything.

I wonder when someone will invent a single board controller for gateway services on the internet? I know, we already have one - called a digital cable TV box with TiVo. Food for thought.

Consumer Quality

As an individual that enjoys a high standard of quality in consumer goods, I need to sound off about the lack of responsibility of manufacturers for 'less than minimum' standard of durability of consumer goods being sold today. I refuse to support the 'profit only' philosophy of manufacturers with no regard to sustainability and follow-up service.

Too much 'disposable junk' is continually being perpetrated upon us as a society to promote even 'average' prosperity or a level comfort that we should expect. So much time is wasted by the act researching, shopping and buying of replacement of goods.

This has been a great boom for the scavengers and inventors. There is a virtually an unlimited supply of items that can be repaired and resold for 100 percent profit or trade. Inventors and experimenters have an almost unlimited supply of raw materials once the time has been spent to disassemble and salvage 'parts'. This has led to advantages to prosper the 'underground economy' (a subject for further discussion at a later time).

Consumer Cautions:

• Verify the quality at the time of purchase.
• Look for extended or unconditional 'Satisfaction Guarantee'.
• Determine the policies or the supplier, including the terms for replacement, substitution or refund.
• Policies for defective merchandise may differ from the previous.
• Do your research in a thorough methodology before you buy.

In Conclusion, buyer beware is not always an analysis of the price - but rather the whole process understanding the package of which you are paying

Copyright (c) 2008 Electronic Commerce Quality Writers Group. All rights reserved. Mutual property rights are retained by the author. jpitm