Volume 1, Number 8

(New Technology?)

I can remember my excitement the first time my 2400 Baud modem was plugged in and I was able to connect to my on-line service. I was ready for the latest on line exploring. The speed at which I was able to receive and send information had me in awe. The first time I downloaded a game was similar to experiencing stereo for the first time. I can remember becoming aware of the two channels of sound coming at me. This was some new world that was opening up to me. As with much of the new technology I experience, I could hardly wait to show it to my kids and others who would also be amazed.

Over the years I have been one of the many computer users who have caught the technology bug I call 'catch up'. It refers to trying to keep up with the latest and greatest advances in the field. It reminds me of the days when I was caught in a similar way in the automobile industry. I couldn't wait to get to my local dealer to see the latest model car, minutes after it had arrived at the showroom. What changes were made to the body design, interior and the engine, were about as important as who won the latest world series. "Did you see the new (fill in the model) yet?" was the most common question heard in my neighborhood. You also gained a certain amount of respect if you could answer yes and talk about the experience. A similar scene is now being repeated in the computer field.

Being aware of and experiencing the latest and greatest computer 'stuff' has replaced the automotive field for me and my gang. We are still waiting to talk to the first person who has used the Pentium Pro or installed Windows NT. I have recently moved up to a 28.8 baud modem. This enables me to 'surf the net' at speeds that are supposed to keep those Web pages flying onto my computer screen. I do hold the title of the first with that speed modem. We are all waiting to see who will be the lucky one to install an ISDN line in their home. I can't wait for that opening night party. I'm sure it will rival any Super Bowl party I have been to.

All of the advantages of the new technology doesn't come with out it's problems. We are all aware of the bugs that come with the installation of any new software or hardware. It's the same thing as the old list I would make of the problems with my new car when I brought it back to the dealer for it's first check-up. The list was the proverbial 'mile long'. I started my on-line experiences with a 2800 modem and a connection to Prodigy. Most recently I canceled my membership because I couldn't deal with the wait times and busy signals I received while attempting to connect to the Internet. I was just unwilling to accept a message that said there were too many users attempting to sign on to the Web and I should try again at a time of less traffic. Enough of that!

I recently signed on with a service provider who promised me a connection at 28.8 and the latest in switching equipment so that my travels on the superhighway would be unimpeded. After the short honeymoon, with my new speed and access to the Internet being broadcast to all my friends, the reality hit. I started receiving almost daily messages from my provider as to the problems they were having with this server and that modem. All of the information was to make me more of an informed subscriber. Informed of the reasons why my service was not going to be what they had promised it would be. The old adage of 'never buy a car in the first year of a new model' has become 'never buy a piece of computer hardware or software in it's first version'. No one warned me that the new technology came with this price. How Come?