| Untagged | 31 May 2009 12:00 AM |
| My Comptuer is Toast! Part 4... by Arthur Kaljian | |
Compatibility
Are you trying to install a DVD burner on your older computer? Are you trying to run the new Microsoft Office 2007 on your windows 98 computer? Do you want to use video conferencing but can't quite seem to get it to work? Compatible hardware and software is what makes a computer seem like it is operating smoothly. Hardware and software both have specifications for recommended settings and requirements which can dictate what computers can use what technology.
I have been to many customer sites to repair a problem only to find that there is no repair necessary. Instead I find the client has purchased an incompatible component for their setup. Sometimes, explaining to a customer that they have purchased the wrong part for their computer can be just as harrowing as trying to diagnose a windows error. Knowing what your computer can accept is an important part of a purchase and also of continued maintenance.
A good example can be found in internet videos. Because of the increase in high speed internet access, watching online videos is becoming more popular. Not all computers have the video hardware or the operating system requirements needed. In purchasing an upgrade or trying to fix a perceived problem, compatibility is generally overlooked as the first step in diagnosis because it is assumed that all computers can do everything that all software requires. A review of the computer system can explain the level of compatibility that exists.
When your computer needs change, compatibility for new technology usually becomes the first question. During regular maintenance visits, we usually review and inform the customer of their options whenever the question of adding more technology to their existing system arises.
Next time we discuss SCALABILITY...
