6 May
2002
6 May
'02
2:38 p.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
No it isn't, or at least it shouldn't be.
A TV set is designed to receive, demodulate, and display various RF
signals transmitted in accordance with a well-known specification. And
most people use it to do just that. In other words the manufacturer knows
exactly what it's going to be used for and can design it so it can do
that limited task in a simple-to-use way [1].
But a computer is one of the most versatile machines you'll ever come
across. The mnnufacturer can't know every possible way it can be used.
OK, maybe the manufactuer thought it might be used for word processing,
or as a terminal emulator, or... But I'll bet they didn't think of using
it to cross-develop code for an obsolete minicomputer, or to print
barcodes for a 20-year-old HP calculator or to run a cable tester, or...
(to name a few things my PCs often get used for).
But don't you hate it when they pirate TV shows on the computer via the
internet. But when I buy a TV I expect ( not true any more ) to get a
schematic and users manual. If the picture still stays fuzzy after the
first kick I know I can get it repaired for the price of the tube and
a reasonable service charge. You got all the knowledge needed to
maintain
the TV for a resonable amount of time. You might of upgraded to a bigger
screen or got a color set but you did not have do much else to keep
watching tv.
With Computers and TV's today you are at the mercy of the venders to buy
a new product all the time because you have no knowlage to maintain the
item you bought.
--
Ben Franchuk - Dawn * 12/24 bit cpu *
www.jetnet.ab.ca/users/bfranchuk/index.html