How to Find the Courage to Buy a Computer
By Noel Rubinton, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
Aug. 25–Buying a first computer, like most firsts, comes with trepidation as well as excitement.
Even after using a computer at work for more than 20 years, my first home-computer purchase only came a few years ago when I helped my father get his first, in his 70s. I took a simple approach, helping him start with an iMac, but I still worried.
My first computer at home came even more recently. It actually came in the form of a birthday gift to my wife from her parents, and I felt anxiety just in helping advise on specifications. How much memory did we need? How fast would be fast enough? How big a screen …
Helping outfit that computer made it smoother a bit later when I helped my father expand his horizons with a second and more powerful computer.
I recount all this to suggest that I understand what many others in the Act Two generation have gone through with the personal computer revolution. We didn’t start with computers at age 3 or sometimes younger, as kids do today.
Having a computer, or at least access to one, is critical in today’s world. So much communication, commerce and creativity depends on computers. They have become needed tools for living.
Saul Friedman and Judith H. Bernstein team up today with stories aimed at giving information, and courage, to those still without computers. The costs have come down so far that they are not a barrier for most people (and for those unable to afford their own, there are now many places to access computers, such as libraries).
Friedman and Bernstein have packed in great tips about what to look for in computers and how to get started on them. While their advice is especially written for first-time buyers, much will be helpful to those looking for a new model. Computers have relatively short active lives. They don’t necessarily fall apart, but with the fantastic pace of software and other development, it’s often worth replacing them every three to five years.
For the cover, we’ve used a photo illustration and called on Richard Siegelman, a loyal friend and reader of Act Two, to be the model. We’re showing the anxiety of first-time computer buying in the picture, but I hope this week’s cover story helps inspire many more people to buy and then enjoy a computer.
On another subject, you only have until Monday to vote for your favorite entry in our second annual Act Two photo contest. There have been thousands of votes — go to newsday.com/act2 to cast yours. If you voted, enjoy reading the many comments posted.
LET US HEAR FROM YOU.
We welcome your comments, criticisms and suggestions. Send e-mail to retire@newsday.com or write to Act Two Editor, Business Desk, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250.
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