New lamps for old?

As IT manager for the PGA, Geraint Lewis is qualified to make comparisons between the flashy world of new golf equipment and the thought of perhaps shopping for new IT hardware.

 

With the nights drawing in and the X Factor Live Finals on the TV, thoughts turn towards budget planning for 2010. I have always scoffed at those people who believe that the best equipment will make them the best at their chosen activity. I had an Uncle like that, whatever he did, golf, clay pigeon shooting, wood turning, he had to have the very best equipment right from the start. None of this, “Buy something inexpensive, [notice I avoided the word cheap, a good salesman’s trick!] see how you get on and then if you like it buy some more expensive equipment,” business. No it was straight in with the best money could buy. The result, expensive equipment gathering dust, unused as his thoughts and focus turned to his latest hobby.

So what do we do when it comes to putting figures down for the IT Budget for 2010? Do we shop around to find the best bargains? Do we go for the best we can afford, after all quality / reliability is what it is all about in terms of IT equipment.

Or do we mend and make do. Replace the parts that have broken, chuck a bit more RAM into those creaking old desktops and pray that the IT infrastructure will hold together for twelve more months, because by 2011, things will have go better won’t they?

Of course none of the above holds true when it comes to golf equipment. It has to be new, it has to be shiny and it has to be expensive. After all, that Cleveland Launcher DST driver is going to allow me to drive the ball in excess of 300 yards off the tee, just like the boys on the Tour, isn’t it?… New lamps for old!