I knew the process of setting up a new
HP A1330N for my daughter would be long and ugly. And I wasn't disappointed. Funny, the same day I cracked open the box I listened to
a podtech News podcast from CES about the new Google Pack supposedly being inspired by Larry Page (I think it was Page) who was frustrated by the 3-hour process it took him to setup a new PC. So he came up with a Google Pack for users to have everything they want to use when they buy a new computer as a single downloaded app. I'm not a Google Pack user, but I believe the story.
All the crap they put on computers nowadays! Damn straight, Grandma.
And its not just the abundance of commercial trial application icons and links to ebay and Blockbuster and Quicken and AOL you have to ignore or remove, it's the sleazy yet subtle attempts to hit the credit card before someone even sees the desktop for the first time. The Windows XP-slash-HP setup process
had to be confusing for the non-geek, who must somehow click the correct buttons to dance around the "select your broadband provider from this [very short] list to continue" or "click here to connect to the internet at a later time."
When you do finally get to the icon-laced desktop, the first thing you have to do is configure Norton Security Center for its 2-month free trial to keep your computer safe, seemingly whether you want to or not. "Do you want Norton Security to override Windows XP Firewall settings (recommended)?" They don't tell you that it screws up HTTPS:// and all you get is "Page cannot be loaded" in your browser when you hit an encrypted page. Again, pity the non-geek who buys a new home computer.
And why is my brand new spankin' machine taking forever when I logoff??? Windows XP is saying some Java Installer is "not responding." Having a long history with Java, I knew what to do right away: I found the Java entry in the Control Panel add/remove programs list. DELETE!
Some of those cool desktop icons might be tempting to click on, but you just spent a thousand dollars for a new computer. And now you're going to be hustled by sixteen different vendors working the sweet spot to your credit card? That's not right. Your best friend on a new home computer purchase is the Add/REMOVE Programs Control Panel option, for sure.
Now that my weekend is done and the HP A1330N is configured the way I like it, I have to say its a sweet machine. I just don't like that stinky new PC smell.
Legal disclaimer: I am not responsible for any actions you may or may not take in configuring a new home computer as a result of reading this blog post. Of course.