I’ve seen it happen a hundred times. I’ll be having a great conversation with a customer about computer needs, what the computer is currently used for, and what it might be used for in the future – but as soon as I ask something like “What type of wireless network compatibility do you need this laptop to support?”, everything screeches to a halt. I might as well be speaking Greek.
Technology in the School
While taking an accounting course in college, I often wondered why the professor demanded we manually tally columns of numbers instead of using a calculator or computer. During her office hours, I finally decided to express my frustration. My professor calmly agreed that using a calculator or computer would be a much more efficient solution.
Listening Beyond the Words
Are your customers telling you you’re doing fine? Can you trust that feedback?
Can you submerge a hard drive in mineral oil?
Ever since we started developing oil-submersion aquarium kits in 2007, we’ve been repeatedly asked if you can submerge the hard drive in the oil along with the rest of the components. Our answer has always been a yes for SSDs and a no for traditional platter hard drives. While we are very confident in our answer, we have never actually tested to see exactly what happens. So, to finally set the record straight we decided to take the plunge and dunk a hard drive into mineral oil.
Ownership is Dead
During my teens, when music was at an apex of importance in my life, I stumbled across two large boxes full of albums in the back of my closet. Of course I was curious and began shuffling through them. Most album covers were in good shape, while others had seen better days. Their design and colors drew me in to the point I had to inspect each one.
Summer, Iced Tea and…Upgrading?!?
Forgive me if this seems like a random post but it’s the last few hours of work on a Friday night during summer in Seattle, so, you know, it’s random.
I am sitting here, in the Puget Systems bunker, thinking about all the stuff I have to do around the house. As my list grows I start to think about the fact we get like 15.3 sunny days in Seattle every year, they are gold. Who wants to be doing chores in the yard when you could is barbecuing in the yard?
Webcams and Privacy
You are staring at the screen, right now, reading this ultra interesting blog post.
Did you know that someone could be staring back?
There is no doubt that more and more of our customers are turning to laptops for their computing needs. Many people take issue with the integrated webcam and microphone that is on nearly every commercially produced laptop. We get several requests a month to physically remove the cameras and microphones from our laptop orders.
Working Remotely
A few months ago, I packed up my family and left the lush, green, and often damp area of Seattle for the warmth and sun of southern Utah. I still work for Puget Systems, but have moved into a different role where I spend my days gathering insight from customers on how we can continue to improve our products and service.
Small Form Factor Gaming
Several months ago I set a challenge for myself, build a small form factor system with a low wattage power supply to play modern titles at decent video settings. The goal was to use a low profile video card, modern components, and keep things as quiet as possible.
A Small Business at Heart
There are many types of small business out there. Some are working to grow their brand with the goal of being acquired. Others are on a conquest to grow to be one of the next Fortune 500 companies. Puget Systems is neither of these types.