6 Terrace Review — Wednesday, February1,1989 eo by Rainer Glannella Certified Data Processor Computalk |™ Sere Be | The basics of buying — . Almost every data processing text or computer magazine will state that the three main considerations in buying a computer system are HARDWARE, SOFTWARE,.and VENDOR (some- . times facetiously referred to as LIVEWARE). ‘This réally is no different than buying a stereo system where you have to decide on components (hardware), music (software), and who to buy it: from (vendor). And if you are buying a ‘*home’’ computer system the process is similar. You decide what machine you want, © what computer games, etc., you want to run on it, and then typically shop around for the lowest, rock-bottom price to get th pieces you need. nt ; - However, in buying a business computer, it is best to reverse © the traditional order of considerations. For the small business that is looking at no more than one to a few computers, the most important consideration in buying a computer is VENDOR SUP- PORT. Most people think vendor support begins and ends with honoring of warranties and fixing broken components. As any happy, experienced computer user will tell you, it can go far beyond that. The real measure of a good vendor also includes things such as how well he or she equips you with what you need, how timely the responses are to service requests, and how well — your vendor informs you of developments applicable to your business, and many other ‘‘extra’s’’ good vendors provide their customers. . The selection of vendor is far more important a consideration — _ina region such as the Northwest than in an urban center such as - Vancowver or Victoria, There, one has dozens of outlets from. which to choose, so usually one ends up buying on the basis of price alone. Here, regardless of whether it’s Terrace or Prince -.Officials from Rupert or a smaller ‘community such as Stewart, Houston or Kit- wanga, service is the main watchword, especially for'the business person that doesn’t want to.be concerned with becoming a com- puter expert. (If you are running a tire shop, every-extra minute - you spend keeping. your computer system running is a minute that you are not selling tires.) People always ask me, ‘‘Why should I buy locally when I can buy a mail order computer for less?’ My usual response is ‘“How long can you go without your machine’ if it breaks down?” In other words, for a home computer that is only used for games and such, one week to one or more months service delays are an inconvenience that can be annoying but usually not critical. Or, if you think you are knowledgeable or capable with computers, you could also get away with being self-supporting. When I decided to go into business, I chose to buy from a local vendor, although I could probably-have purchased mail order. I did this mainly because, though I may have the knowledge to deal with my com- puter, once I’m in business I don’t want the headache. And compared to.a few years back when choices were more limited, I feel there are now sufficient numbers of computer outlets within the region that, with the exception of those - businesses that have very particular single-industry needs, most Northwest business people should. be able to find a local or regional vendor with whom they can feel comfortable. Choosing a vendor for your computer is really not much dif- ferent from choosing one for any other equipment you need for your business. The ideal vendor (if he or she exists) would always - be primarily concerned about your business needs. He or she would make an extra effort to discuss your needs in plain English terms and only use computerese such as ‘‘Megaherz"’ and ‘Zero wait states’? when absolutely necessary, if at all. He or she should always be prepared to recommend lower cost ways of ac- complishing your goals. If one is out buying for the first time, it helps to ask around, especially those in a similar line of business. Many vendors develop special expertise particular to certain industries and businesses, and the way to find them is to ask your industry com- patriots, Of course you'll hear contradictory reports from dif- ferent people: one friend will tell you.a certain computer store is the greatest in the world, and the next friend will tell you that same store is the worst den of thieves they’ve ever seen. As in anything else, you'll finally have to shop around and develop your own opinion. However, the extra effort in doing so and get- ting to know your local vendors can pay dividends for a long time to come. ~ . Crash lands local . ~ man in hospital A one-vehicle accident seven kilometers east of Terrace sent a 42-year-old Terrace man to hos- pital with undetermined injuries Jan. 24. Terrace RCMP state that the driver lost control of his 1978 Plymouth about 4 p.m., sending the car over an embank- ment. No charges were laid and there was no damage to the. vehicle. ee, : weekend to meet with representat ahe B.C. branch of Canadian Parents for French — Lois Wade (left), the chapter relations officer, and president Huguette Tricker (center) were in Terrace last ives of the local chapter, including Cathy Albright (right). Parents for French come to terms with runaway “Success is it’s biggest prob- lem.” - ptt That’s the assessment of Hu- ‘guette Tricker, president .of the B.C. branch of Canadian Par- ‘ents for French, regarding the growing popularity of French ‘Immersion programs in public schools. Tricker, accompanied by the BCCPF chapter relations offi-- cer, Lois Wade, was in Terrace last weekend to meet with chap- ter representatives from around: the region. It was her first time in Terrace. ‘‘We decided it was time to come up hére-for once — they’re always having to travel to Vancouver to see us,”’ she remarked. ae The organization’s Terrace chapter recently succeeded, after a prodigious lobbying effort, in persuading School District 88 to Terrace | Legion report Contributed by Peter Crompton ~ Our Branch Curling Team will represent the Northwest Zone in New Westminster in the Provin- cial Championships this month. Congratulations to Comrades Burke, Oldham, Kelln and Cross! . We held our play-offs for: a darts on Jan. 24 and Comrades Bob Bennett, Derek Hales, Ray Taft and Pat Campbell will travel to Prince Rupert this month to represent Branch 13 in the Zone playdowns. Good luck - to alll — At our last general meeting on Jan. 10, we had 31 members at- - tend — not too good Comrades, we need more if we are to run a ‘successful branch, We had three “Tew members joinus.: establish a French Immersion program for secondary students. The Terrace program reflects ‘the growing demand.everywhere. by parents who want their chil- ‘drer’s education to be con- ducted entirely in French. — Tricker says the B.C. branch of CPF has the largest provin- cial membership in Canada at about 5,800. Growth in French Immersion enrolments in B.C. is an impressive 20 percent annual- ly, with 24,000 students in pro- grams around ‘the province this year. bo ae One of the problems Tricker referred to is a shortage of French Immersion teachers, call- ing it ‘horrendous’. - _ “No one anticipated ~ the growth,” she said. French Im- mersion started in B.C. in the 1977-78 school year with enrol- ments in the order of 1,300 stu- dents. Cathy Albright, president of the Terrace chapter of CPF, said one of the contributing factors _ in the program’s growth is its demonstrated success as an edu- SUCCESS | cation method: emerging classes create confidence in parents who- initially had a wait-and-see atti- tude. . _ Albright’s child was enrolled ‘in the’ first immersion class to begin in the Terrace system. ‘‘I thought to myself, ‘I could be ruining my child’s life!’ ’’ she Jaughed. Those days are over: there are,now 235 students en- rolled in in the School District -88 program, with 42 starting at entry: level this year in two classes. .Tricker emphasized that al-: though CPF is best known as a | lobbying organization for im-— mersion programs, they also ad- vocate French language educa- tion of all-kinds and act. as support group for people and their families who are learning French as a second language. The local chapter has avail- able the national registry of French Immersion programs in school districts across Canada, | and they also have a list of local _ registered tutors for both stu- dents and their parents. If you wish to announce Marc. By the time this reaches the | ae press, our 36th annual Bonspiel will be history. At the time of writing we had 42 teams entered. If any members have news that they feel should be shared } ©: with other members, please con- | tact me at the Branch or at | - 638-8627. es re FLOWERS the birth of YOUR baby, please fill out the form WxoAE available in the maternity ward at Milis Memorial %& agree Hospital. We will pick up Jour forms every week, ¥ BAUMEISTER — Thomas. and Brenda ‘(nee Hobbs), a daughter, Lane Brigitta Dominique Hobbs, on January 7, 1989, 8 Ibs. 1 oz. A much wanted sister for Mia and Momber of AES Wiro Sorvice ofl oA CARTES 4 a. re 24-hour Phone» (604)635-4080. Skeena Mall: en ois asnah- a arigligbet' 7 kang adlaina ein!