technology - a real pain

Yesterday, I decided to swap some hardware between two hp systems. I did not have enough information from manuals (even from on-line sources) to feel comfortable. I findally did get everything switched and the software had a hard time comming to eterms with the new hardware configuration so I rput everything back the way it was.

This, and other recent experiences I have observed with my neighbors, convinces me that the suppliers of technology do not really give any thought to what users of the technology will want to do with it outside of its main functionality. I think the emphses is on the initial sale and not the long term usefullness. THere is something wrong with the way we, as a society, construct, distribute, and propogate technologically oriented products. THe products' real potential to make life better is never reach; instead we end up with confusion, fear, and frustration. I part the problem is that the consumer does not demand more. I think the the social institutions, such as schools, do not teach the populus how to deal with technology at a strategic, life-long basis.