SELECTING YOUR FIRST COMPUTER

There are still a lot of mail order dealers and regular everyday people performing their daily office and accounting duties by hand. This is unfortunate because a computer system will cut your workload up to 80% — thereby leaving you more time to market and develop new products. Plus — it’s fun.

There has not been one single person that I have trained or knew, that after learning what a computer could do for them, thought it was a bad idea. In fact, everyone couldn’t understand “how” they did without one and will never go back to the old method again.

People are funny that way. They will resist change. I remember when microwave ovens first came out. My brother and I went together and bought my mother one for Christmas. As soon as she unwrapped it she jumped back and screamed: “Get that thing out of here. It emits ultraviolet rays that will give us all cancer.”

Although this sounds hysterical now, this was the immediate reaction to anything different from conventional ovens. And I bet your great-grandmother would have balked at the idea of replacing her scrubbing board with a Maytag automatic washer. Can you imagine where we would be at today if the automatic washer had not been invented? Women and men both hold full-time jobs. They barely have time to work all day, fix dinner and push a button just to do the laundry — let alone spend hours washing on a scrubbing board. Do you begin to see my meaning?

Of course, most people are either “afraid” or don’t feel they have the time to learn a computer system. They like the old way of doing things because it works for them. But — if you want your business to boom — you must invest in some type of computer system.

For the beginner to the world of computers, you really don’t need a system with a lot of “frills” to complicate your learning process. There are lots of older computers and word processors on the market in the $250-$400 range. That’s about the same amount you would pay for a typewriter and it’s much more efficient.

A basic system will handle mundane tasks without error, keep your mailing lists updated, labels printed and basic accounting functions. The best place to begin looking for a computer system for YOUR particular needs is a national, monthly publication entitled “Computer Shopper.” Their address is PO Box 51020, Boulder CO 80321 and a 1-year subscription is currently $21.97. This gigantic book/magazine It’s packed with over 700 pages per issue of the lowest prices and highest quality computer services around. In addition, if you study the contents you will gain a terrific computer education. Don’t be afraid to call manufacturers and ask specific questions on a system they are selling. Explain our needs (and possible future needs if you know them) and ask the sales person for advice.

Don’t take everything the salesperson says as “gospel” and call around. Don’t be worried about not understanding computer language. If you study the ads in your “Computer Shopper” things will begin to make sense. (I know, because this is where I first obtained my computer education.)

Check with other manufacturers to find out what they have to say. Compare prices. The only thing you need to keep in mind is determining exactly what you are planning to use your computer system for. Not everyone needs desktop publishing, engineering functions and costly word processing software. You may be able to obtain your software programs through Shareware and Freeware (low-cost or free programs). Take your time and ease into your new computerized office very slowly. You’ll love the change!