Saturday, November 13, 2010

Dony's three laws of purchasing

Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics enabled otherwise sentient robots from harming humans, following commands of their masters and self preservation; each law being unequivocal where it didn't contravene the previous rule. This was of course an umbrella logic on top of an already complex reasoning ability, logic and burgeoning sentient cognizance. Its use was only in circumstances of great perplexity, a sort of short-circuit to action.

These rules are reminiscent of those robotic laws, where, in a bid to protect myself from myself, and profit hungry corporations, I've come upon a set which should provide a failsafe when I would hit a certain inevitable dilemma - value of a technology versus cost, more importantly, affordability given my limited financial means and ever quickening obsolescence of technology. Even though it would go against my wants, it should present favour to one side more than the other thus breaking dead-lock in choices or incessant vacillation in the most extreme cases.

Ergo, Dony's rules of acquiring technology are thus:
  1. Never buy first generation.
    (There are almost always technical shortcomings and limited to no user based adaptations. In other words no real world testing.)
  2. Never buy the most expensive item in any category. Opt for middle to second most.
    (Given Moore's law, technology usually obsolesces at a set rate. It's not worth paying that high a price anyway. Middle rates are more economical and yields comparatively, if not significantly, lesser buyers' remorse if the decision isn't up to par.)
  3. Forgo the previous two rules if exceptionally wealthy or cost of the device is 1/6th, or less, of monthly income and/or of vital importance.
    (This is of course notwithstanding rent, other expenses or obligations)
signed - I, Dony.

These rules should hasten decision making and yield less expense, and guilt, in acquisition which should free up revenue for acquiring future purchases. One shortcoming is that this is most salient to offerings from the same company. Of course, with a little modification it should aid in selecting the right purchase from various companies' offerings. Happy hunting.
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