Is spending on Technology Upgrades part of the problem with both Public and Personal Debts?

Question

Really, it's not the end of the world if a company sticks to Windows XP instead of getting the 'newest, latest Windows' each and every year.

Most technology adds very very little value to a company.

I have a Blackberry Pearl, and even then, I'm thinking of downgrading it.
It galls me how everyone I know has text messaging and "Smartphones", like iPhones.

Really, it's just a phone.
If I can receive and send calls, it's good.
Otherwise, is there REALLY a benefit in added expenditures?

Answer 1

Making cell phones a public right is a problem with debt----otherwise, each of the other things are personal choices of the business or person who does it. Usually software licenses in businesses aren't that expensive in packages, and if necessary, can increase productivity and networking capability. I have worked for companies who do upgrade it and some who do not. Again, it's an expense choice each company makes. As for the phones.....it depends on your needs. If you depend on receiving your e-mail for business (and my husband does---receives leads by e-mail and must act immediately to capture and convert) then it's worth it.



*and he fought the upgrade for a solid two years until he saw he was losing his leads.

Answer 2

Not for me. I kept my last cell phone for 6 years. Got a letter from the cell provider telling me it was no longer supported. Told them to send me a new phone. When they told me I would have to sign a 2 year contract, I told them to stick it. Over the previous 6 years, they had made plenty extra by me not upgrading. Got a new phone (HTC) and no contract.



My PC is a 10 year old Dell. It works and that's all I require.



My television is a 6 year old Sharp 26 inch LCD that requires a separate receiver. I'll replace it when it breaks.



After almost 40 years in the IT business, I have no desire to waste my money on technology. And your example of Windows XP is a bad one. Once operating systems go out of support, the security risk of maintaining them far exceeds the cost of upgrading. And extended support is something that only really large companies can afford.

Answer 3

No



Progress is not always made in leaps and bounds, but in small steps.

And the funding for the progress comes from the sales of the current tech and

investors who see whether or not the consumer will be interested in the items



If someone is being financially irresponsible, that is their problem.

Same goes for the government and the people need to the government know.

Unfortunately it seems that nothing is done and the same people get re-elected

instead of being tossed to the street.



As for the extras beyond receiving and sending calls,

GPS is a nice feature

Answer 4

If it works for you then use it. On a corporate level, upgrades can be a massive expense or may significantly increase profitability. Don't worry about what everyone else does, unless it directly impacts things you NEED to have in your life. There are benefits and drawbacks to any emerging technology, it will continue to improve and get more cost effective. Determining when, if and how often to switch should be based on your needs, not the needs of the product developers. Its going to be yesterday's news soon enough anyhow.



Simplify if you need to simplify, upgrade if its essential or actually makes financial sense to do it.

Answer 5

You may be on to something.



Unnecessary spending in America has been labeled 'needs'.

The public should be educated on better buying choices and how not to waste personal funds.



BTW - I once made 6 figures and lived with 'things' then 8 years ago I gave it all up and now live on less than 15k per year. I made a conscious decision to live lean and mean. For example: IPhones and such are no-nos.

Answer 6

It's hard keeping up with the continues tech explosion.



I think soon enough, people will realize it's time to slow down and learn how to efficiently use what technology they have, until something new is absolutely needed.



The phone companies especially seem to keep a tight noose wrapped around people's necks when it comes to having the latest and greatest.

Answer 7

If all you do with a cell phone is make calls, then anything else just wears out the battery faster.

Answer 8

windows xp > windows vista :)



Some "newer" advances can actually be cluttered and less efficient. Newer doesn't always mean better, but most often forget this.

Answer 9

I love my iphone4 it costs me 25 pound a month on a unlimited call, text, 1900#'s and 10gig download. Its a valuable tool for my everyday life.

Answer 10

I'm the exact same way when it comes to phones, but you have to realize that some people's whole internet experience is on their phone... so there's that.

Answer 11

No. Consumer spending help stimulate the economy. Also newer processor's,computer monitors, and televisions are more efficient then older models.