New Year's Resolutions

Hello! I'm back!

I know I've not posted in a while, but that is just evidence of the state of the need for computers and its related services and support. Every year, just after Christmas, there are many people who become introduced to computers and technology products, sometimes for the very first time in their life. New computers, upgrades, trade-ups, xBox 360, cell phones, PDAs, home networking and wireless routers, etc. Are a common reality that comes with each New Year.

Even Microsoft and its MSN homepage, along with MSN search, and hotmail, experience a huge increase in traffic, users, and activity, as many new consumers power-up their new computers for the first time, which most come installed with Windows and Explorer with its homepage set by default to MSN.

In this same way, and for the same reasons, many of these same consumers (and in some cases small businesses) create an increase in the need for technical support. This comes in many form, from a complete set-up to connecting and configuring their network of computers, sometimes through their wireless routers.

This busy period usually begins before Christmas as many shoppers looking to buy the latest computers and equipment come to me to purchase their gifts. Then after Christmas (usually in the first and second week of January) is when the support, service and set-up calls come in. Then as February begins to unravel, many consumers begin to plan for and purchase new computer systems, laptops, and other devices as they consider how to spend their income tax refund.

So, recently I've been busy quoting, building, delivering and setting up new products. This will go on for a few more weeks and should overlap with more need for support and service calls. This should come to a slow down near the end of March.

It is a good thing. Winter tends to see many people "cocooning" at home, and this is a great period of time to discover new technologies, learn how they work, and put them to work for many uses. Once the summer rolls around, many people spend more and more time away from their computers as they spend more and more time out of doors, enjoying the summer weather and travel vacations.

Of course this only creates a shift in the emphasis of the need for support as many people who begin to plan their summer vacations and outings, will come to me to learn about and purchase such portable items as laptops, MP3 and iPod music players, and digital cameras. Then there is a whole new learning curve when they return from these trips and find they have a need to learn how to take those songs and pictures off their devices and return them to their computers, often to then want to send them out to friends and family using e-mail.

Then comes back to school, fall specials and then back to the Christmas shopping season again.

Wow! Thinking ahead, I don't believe I'll ever not be busy. What a wonderful period of time we live in, this Technology Age. It is non-stop, ever changing, and in many ways very beneficial to our way of life, providing memories, conveniences, instant communications ... A whole new way of living.

Science Fiction becomes Science Fact each and every day! Live it, Live!