Diminishing Return

Not too long ago I purchased a Seagate 320 Gb drive.  I procured it for comprehensive backups of my business laptop, the very device I’m typing on now.

I like it – it is very, very fast – and the associated software is quite navigable and straightforward.  I don’t Sync or do anything particularly special, opting for a simple capture of my entire main drive.

Last evening I had a question regarding the operation of the drive.  The agent running on my laptop had a support link, so I jumped out to the web.  I was rather surprised to see that I only had 30-days of free support upon registration.  Fortunately, I had not registered the drive (I guess), being that I’ve had it for about 6 months.  Online support required registration, so I began…

I had to fill two simple fields:  serial number (S/N) and part number (PN).  I looked on the back of the drive, and there – in a little white sticker – was the information… in about 2 pt. font.  (ß in about 2 point font).

My eyes are quite good, but I had to get a lighted magnifier to read the information – and even then, I mistook a “6” for an “8” – it just wasn’t clear.  I had to try a couple times to get registered.

The little white sticker with the information I needed (crowded with other extraneous info) was about ½” x 1” in size.  The drive itself is about ¼” x 2  ½  ” x 5” – there’s plenty of room for a larger, legible, readable sticker.

I collect vintage audio gear.  Generally, Model Numbers, Serial Numbers, Part Numbers, etc. are anywhere from 1/8  ” to ¼” high – quite legible and readable.  Maybe we could think of that for future computers and components.  I know I would appreciate it.

And as long as I’m talking about my fast, efficient, and much-liked Seagate backup drive… what’s with that limited 30-day support?

NP:  Jimi Hendrix, Red House, the 13+ minute live version from the San Diego Sports Arena, often referred to as the “San Diego ‘69” version.  A tour-de-force, with incredible soloing, and a real nice downshift into a jazz motif before wrapping things…  Reprise LP, “Hendrix In The West.”