As a business consultant, it's important to maintain a professional detachment that allows me to discover the needed facts to help me do my job. I try to avoid getting excited by the newest computer upgrade or latest gadget. Since I'm hopelessly a gadget freak, this is quite a challenge. For those of you who are just getting into computers, the hype and growing choices of hardware and software can be overwhelming. It's easy to understand why people are skittish about computers.

As more people purchase personal and business computers, the challenge grows. There is more information available then most people even want to know. One of my clients said, " I just want to turn it on and go to work." " I really don't want to go back to school."

Unfortunately, life is not fair and computers are not that simple. Here are some Firm Rules I suggest to help learn about buying a computer, software, and other extras, without going to back to school. Use the same tactics you would in buying a brand new car.

FIRM RULE #1 - RESEARCH!! Depend on yourself for the final decision! In addition, read as many books and articles, and product literature, as you can. With careful research, you discover many software programs that should fit your work needs. Also you'll discover a huge choice of computers with a wide variety of configurations. Review this information in a clinical business manner. Get all the facts first and try to ignore the hype.

FIRM RULE #2 - Decide on what type of work you want to do! Before you even choose a computer, it's important to know what you'll do with it. The type of work you do will dictate your choice of software programs. Word-processing, bookkeeping, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, PIM's, are the usual choices. There will usually be several competing programs that will require further research as to the similarities and the differences between each program. These differences can affect your work, so choose carefully. There are some programs that conflict with each other. Make sure you have alternative choices.

Your programs of choice will affect your computer configuration. For example, some programs may require a minimum of 60+ Mb of RAM (that's of Random Access Memory), a mouse, and may require 40 Mb of hard drive storage space. This means your computer should meet some minimum requirements.

FIRM RULE #3 - Choose your computer by power and ability, NOT PRICE!! If your research is going well, your finding out about Pentiums and the new AMD's that both offer 3+ Ghz chips. How about SL, DX and the difference between 100, 125, and 200 Mhz operating speeds? Let's not forget bussing and 32 bit processors or XVGA monitors. You're also learning about floppies, 100 and 250 Mb Zip Discs, and 160 and 200 Gig hard drives, modems, ink jet and color and b/w laser printers. Have you reached overload yet?

Try to look at it this way. An automobile has a body, interior, engine, transmission, and accessories. The car accessories are your programs and the engine is you computer. Together, they have a functional relationship. We know that a large horsepower engine works easier and makes the car go faster. A transmission has been matched to maximize performance. If you live in a hilly area, you need a big engine to handle the changing load. If your load is smaller, your engine can be smaller. Each program places a load on your computer. Your computer needs to be powerful enough to handle the load. If you don't have enough horsepower, ( i.e. RAM or hard drive memory or operating speed) your computer will really slow down. This can be frustrating!

FIRM RULE #4 - It is better to buy more power than you need than to be stuck with something you'll be frustrated with. Saving money on a sale is great, if you get the appropriate tool you need to do the job. Remember, your computer and the programs are your work tools.

It's important to research how each computer is put together. Is it a factory built computer or a local custom built system? What kind of warranty service is offered, by whom, and where? Are there expansion options that will allow you to grow, if you need to? Are these free market expansions or only expensive factory options?

Ask knowledgeable people and pick their brains. Make your choice based on facts and benefits, not hype and price. Price is a factor of how big a system you can buy. With prices being competitive, your choices are excellent. A great deal is where you get exactly what you need for a great price.

The world of computers is constantly changing, which makes it impossible to know everything. We'll always be on the learning curve. You can plan on there being a new and improved product every hour. Do you need it? If you know what it does, how and why it works, and how it will fit into your current system, you'll know if you need it. All it takes is research.

Michael D. Morgan - President of Executive Management Services, a business consulting company based in Colorado Springs. Michael specializes in startup and growing businesses in all aspects of business ,communication, marketing, sales and also does seminars.