Combating Computer Rage: Easing Cyber Stress
Date : 11 Jul 2008 Category : Technology
NewsFactor NetworkNearly 2,000 complaints against Dell have been made to New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, recently prompting a state judge to order the computer retailer to more clearly disclose, among other revelations, that most consumers don't qualify for "next day" repair service. Even more complaints about the Xbox 360 video game system have been reported to the Better Business Bureau.
If you're one of the [many] struggling with the Xbox 360, a relatively new Windows Vista operating system and laptops from the firm that rhymes with "hell" -- meet Robert S. Swiatek, a tall computer software consultant from Amherst who has worked for decades at major corporations locally and throughout the country.
Swiatek has debugged computer problems at companies like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, helped with programming puzzles at places like Citibank, Keycorp and Welch's Foods, and did consulting work with firms ranging from Nestle Foods to Sea World to Xerox Corp.
Now he is calling for a revamping of technology.
Swiatek has analyzed systems, designed them and written computer programs in various languages. He's also worked on mainframe computers as well as microcomputers and minicomputers. And yet, even with his expertise, Swiatek says he personally continues "to suffer the defects of personal computers and the Internet."
"Technology needs a huge revamping," declares Swiatek, who holds a master's degree in computer science from Binghamton State University's School of Advance Technology, another math master's from the University at Buffalo, with an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Canisius College.
"First of all," says the former high school math teacher, "technology has to be user-friendly."
He feels we're living a version of "the-technocrat-has-no-clothes" that few people discuss.
"I cannot understand how any programmer would accept a paycheck with all the defects in what he produces. Some people call these things challenges, but I...