Computer and Technology Headline news page 02 by NBI Computers

Sometimes, A Squad Of Geeks Isn't Enough

My PC stays busy 24 hours a day, with various chores like backup happening during the middle of the night. That makes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) a must-have accessory. When I recently experienced three short power outages in a single windy day, my old UPS didn't carry the load despite a recent battery change. Facing the prospect of more unexpected afternoon de-lights, I ran out to Best Buy during lunch to get a replacement.

When I glanced around the Best Buy computer section I didn't see any UPS units, but I figured the Geek behind the counter would know. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Where are the UPS units?
Geek: ...?
Me: You know, the uninterruptible power supplies?
Geek: Oh, I was thinking the delivery guys. OK, we carry two, a Big one and a Little one. Here's the Big one, it's ... (he looks at the box) ...
Me: What kind of batteries does this model use?
Geek: Uh ... (reading the box) ... it says it uses sealed batteries ... I don't think you can change them.
Me: I think what they mean is that it uses sealed lead-acid batteries.
Geek: ...?
Me: Never mind, where did you say the other UPS is?

He motioned me over to a shelf that had some of the Little ones on display. The shelf tag for this model actually told me most of what I wanted to know. This 875VA model used two 12-volt sealed-lead-acid batteries, and the batteries can be replaced without powering down the equipment. That's a pretty convenient feature.

While I was pondering Big or Little, another blue-shirt walked by and volunteered help. I asked if she knew about UPSes; she pointed to the Counter-Ensconced Geek of the Big UPS. Since I'd already tried him, she left to find someone else. After a couple more minutes, a third blue-shirt came by and volunteered assistance, but he didn't know about UPS units, either, and he didn't know where his comrade had gone.

This Best Buy had entered an Infinite Loop of Customer Service; all of the employees in the store were now in a futile search for employees more knowledgeable than themselves.

Buying this UPS was a pain,

NBI Computer Services Computer & Technology News Story 2

NBI Computer Services
Computer & Technology News Story 2