by Thelma Vance

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: January 07, 2012

Why on earth would I wish to do that? Well, for one, you NEED the thing! The world has moved beyond writing things on physical media and now it becomes important to be able to access the World-AS-We-Know-it via electronic means.

Still not convinced? How about the NO-Help-Desk that comes to you from some location where they do not even speak your language? How about finding out what REALLY is going on in ? How about filling your work? Can you really dig through mountains of books that are out of date and incomplete at best? Magazines and books are fine, but, how about reading them on line?

Many in the Computer Business use the computers to fill in the blanks of our own knowledge by "surfing" the internet. We can go to Google, which one would assume that you have at least heard of" and then there is Ask.com and many more. Even you had print stuff is downloaded from some database and built into what is called a RSS Feed.

The question of "owning" a computer is rather difficult in that some people "rent" or even borrow computer time at the Library. Many contractors use a laptop. This is now a "must have" tool to conduct Business. We even use the computer to find our next job from Monster.com or Dice.com

But you cry and say "I don't want to be a Secretary"? Well, news flash, there haven't been Secretaries for a VERY long time. Typist are not even around any longer. Publishers use the computer to search for documents all the time. Don't even try to tell me that these people are typists!

Remember back into the Jurassic era there were devices called Dictaphones, we have computer software that accepts the human voice. Even our scientist use numerous different types of computers to perform their work. Computers control just about everything; even your car is computerized and many refrigerators.

If you are still in school you will have to get use to idea that you have to have a computer. Even the hard cases at the Bank that provide Student Loans understand that fact.

Get over the angst that you will have to pitch the old pen and paper and get with the program. Computers cannot be ignored nor can your involvement in their use. Just ask Dell.

So just what are our advantages in owning a computer:

1. We gain access to the internet.
2. We start to think in a very different way.
3. The ability to network, in real time, with anyone in the World CHEAP.
4. We have access to the information in many different databases all over the World
5. It is tax deductible because we can even file our tax forms online.

Our biggest downside:

1. We have to learn to at least type.
2. We have to understand the language of databases.
3. There is a cost; they are not free, yet.

So, if you wish to keep earning in the 21st century, you just have to have one. Its speed or various pieces are non-issues. Just so long as you start someplace. You will add what YOU want to the system and YOU control its use and purpose.

Please, consider obtaining a computer system as soon as you can afford it. Others have done it with no real ill effects that can be linked solely to the computer.

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