Totaled
January 14, 2005
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Just as a car can be “totaled” after an accident, I am running
into more and more computers that should be “totaled”, as
well. A piece of Spyware can have infected someone’s machine so
badly a complete rebuild is in order and the cost of my time to do that
is simply more than the computer is worth. While I can understand this
with older systems, running Windows 98 or 2000, I am starting to see this
effect even on computers that are only a few years old. Even in our current
“disposable society”, I still have major issues with telling
my clients to “throw it away and get a new one.” That said,
I understand that the clients would be better off spending their money
on a new computer, rather than paying for my time to fix their old one.
Good riddance
Some computers need to be totaled. Systems running Windows 98 are becoming
notoriously fragile. The increasing burden of viruses and spyware stresses
these systems to the breaking point. Where a newer system, running Windows
XP might be able to recover from a Spyware infection, Windows 98 machines
simply collapse.
Even when they are working, these older systems are already limiting the
productivity of their owners. Computers can’t make use of the full
capabilities of high-speed internet connections and, slowly, but surely,
software is being designed that will no longer run under Win 98.
Costs
In my experience, rebuilding such a system is about a 3 hour task. At
$100 per hour, my time quickly adds up to more than 3⁄4 of the price
of a new, inexpensive system. Sure, you can pay more for a higher-powered
computer, but even then, $300 is still a significant sum to put toward
the price. When you add in a few more hours of data backup/recovery and
re-installation of the machine, you can easily be talking about $500 or
more. Even with a relatively new computer, it is becoming hard to make
the case for repair over replacement.
There is a deeper problem for consultants like myself. When we get involved
in a situation such as this, it is often impossible for us to charge our
full rate. Recently, I rebuilt and re-installed a fairly new Windows XP
system. The total time involved was nearly 8 hours, but I found myself
feeling that I could charge for only around 5 of those hours. This is
bad business, surely, but I knew that attempting to charge more would
have led to recriminations and arguments. I should have probably refused
to rebuild the system, but my good nature often gets the better of me.
I know from talking with my fellow consultants that they have begun to
run into similar issues. We want to help, but sometimes we do things that
are not in our own best interest.
Throw it away
Even with the obvious benefits to the client, it still bothers me to simply
dispose of a computer. I am one of the few people I know who still tries
to repair televisions and other home appliances when they break. It is
getting increasingly difficult to find someone to repair them, though.
Most people simply tell you to replace it.
I don’t like the thought of adding to our, already horrible, landfill
mess here in Southern California. In some cases, computers can be donated
to non-profit programs where they can be refurbished and put back into
useful service. There the training process mitigates the cost to the new
owners so it is worth the trouble. Sometimes, I will refurbish them myself,
for a reduced fee, so they can be used by another relative or child. In
some ways I consider this a bit like volunteer work, giving something
back to the community.
There is no easy solution to a “totaled” computer. Certainly
it is beneficial to replace an older unit instead of rebuilding it, but
there are costs associated with this, beyond the price of a new computer.
I am sure I will have to continue modifying my approach with my clients
as computers become less and less expensive. If current trends continue,
computers will become as disposable as paperback books, something to be
dropped and forgotten, instead of repaired and re-used.
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