Case Study

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CASE STUDY

A LONG JOURNEY WITH HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Col. SC Sood (Retd), 02 June 2009, 27 May 2011

My Early Days with Hardware

1. During the summer of 1969, after my final examinations of Higher Secondary level, my close friend introduced me to an electronics Guru, running a repair shop, for learning radio/transistor repairs. I started learning assembly of transistor sets at that time. My guru used to pronounce “Audio” as “Ardio”. He used to do lot of testing without multimeter (Multimeter is an instrument used to measure Voltage, Current and Resistance in electric/electronic circuits). For testing a Cell or Battery (upto 9 Volts), the unconventional method was to touch the positive and negative terminals to the tongue and feel the small electric shock/tingling to judge the voltage level. Higher the shock better was the state of the battery. After assembling output stage of an audio amplifier, it had to be tested whether the assembled system would remain within proper temperature limits. The simple method was once again to touch the output transistors with the tongue to sense the temperature. Increasing temperature indicated that the circuit was drawing excessive current and the output transistors would eventually blow off from inside resulting into financial loss as well. This continued and I passed my B.Sc. examination in 1972. Computers were unknown during those days. Later when I was doing M.Sc. (Physics) in Kurukshetra University from 1976 to 78, computers were still unknown but we had lab experiments related to computer gates (AND Gate, OR Gate, NOT Gate etc). This was fascinating as I could assemble all those circuits and could do experiments with much ease. For me it was a fun. All this ultimately turned me into a hardware man well known to all my friends.

Turning to Computers

2. After I joined the Indian Army in 1979 as commissioned officer, we were generally assigned topics on latest trends/technologies for conducting classes for our technical growth. However, I had not seen computers till 1986 or so. During 1987, we had a “Graduate Engineer’s Equipment Orientation (GEEO)” course where microprocessors and computers were formally introduced and concepts of programming were taught. I was altogether disinterested in learning any aspects of computer programming. I was still interested in hardware only. My sole interest was to learn as to how to assemble and repair computers. When I returned from GEEO course, I was told by the Second in Command (2IC) in my Unit, that the Unit had the responsibility of conducting short Computer Course of two weeks duration for senior officers (Colonels and Brigadiers). I was only a Captain at that time. The 2IC told me to undertake duties of an Instructor for this cadre as the officer in charge detailed for the task had been posted out. I told him that I did not know anything as to how to use computers. I further told him that I knew only hardware and not the software. He said “Teach whatever you can, but don’t tell me that you do not know.” I had no choice. Since I was already B.Ed. qualified, teaching was no problem. I used to learn from Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and teach very senior commissioned officers of the Indian Army. Of course, my teaching and practical experience was an added advantage. Any one who knows something is the master and we can always learn!
3. Such cadres were also run for the children of Army personnel. Every cadre spread the message “Captain Sood is a genius and a Computer Guru”. I had no choice but to read more, learn more, practice more. Later, I got my rank of Major in 1988. At that time my glory was all around.

Craze for Computer Programming

4. The Indian Army conducts post graduate courses for its officers of the technical Arms. With all the experience of working as computer instructor for short cadres, I gradually got interested in writing computer programs for handling bigger tasks in the Army. When the letter of information for post graduation course on Computer Science was received in the Unit, I requested our Commanding Officer to permit me to go on this long course. Looking at my good work and interest in computers, he permitted me and I joined the course in March 1990. My aim of doing this course was to learn as to how to write programs for handling critical and worthwhile tasks.

We Learn by Helping Others

5. During the post graduation course, I was known to be a key person for solving all computer problems pertaining to both hardware as well as software. As and when someone told me that he had a problem with a program, I would leave my job, go to the person on his PC and share whatever knowledge I had. Officers used to explain me whatever they had studied in their books. I used to analyse the same, correlate it with my studies and practical experience and some solution was invariably found.
6. In addition to self study, I found this to be the most effective and satisfying.

Having Your Own PC

7. During the beginning of post graduation course, I did not have my own PC. All programs were to be written, tried and tested in the computer lab only. This was highly inconvenient as the ideas strike the mind at random times during the day. A long waiting period for trying these ideas reduces their effectiveness and hampers creativity. Ultimately, I decided to buy my own PC. A PC was costing about Rs. 30,000/- to 35,000/- at that time. Assembled PCs were, of course, cheaper. I did not have enough money at hand, so I consulted my younger brother. He knew nothing about computers but he consented to help me to the tune of about 50% of the cost. I started market survey. On weekends, I used to visit computer shops and discuss about configuration and the cost. It was very difficult to arrive at a suitable solution. After all, for an individual spending Rs. 30,000/- was no joke during 1990. More so, when the money was to be shared by my younger brother as well with no idea of computers. One of my colleagues suggested me that if I opted for assembled PC, I would get much better configuration at reduced cost. However, I was not convinced and my choice was a PC from a reputed brand.

Branded Vs Assembled PC

8. Even with all logic in favour of the assembled PC, I still believed that a branded PC was the only answer. After all, I was going to spend a huge amount. An assembled PC could lead to difficulties later. With lot of market survey for more than about six months, I decided and bought PC AT 80286, Zenith PC, with 20MB hard disk and a Floppy Drive. I used to work on my PC day and night. Many officers would come to me for help and they were always welcome.
9. After completion of post graduation course, I was posted to a unit in Delhi in 1991. I left the PC with my brother at Ambala City. In due course of time a printer was also required. I purchased a dot matrix printer and sent home. Next day, my brother intimated that the printer was not printing at all. I called the vender and told him to do the needful. He said that he would like to examine PC and printer both. The items were called from Ambala to Delhi within a day and were shown to the vender who had supplied the printer. After inspection, the vender told me that the printer card in the PC was faulty. He demonstrated with his test card and we found that the printer card known as CGP card at that time had to be replaced. I asked him the cost. He told that it would cost Rs 750/-. But I decided to replace the card with the original from Zenith Company. I visited the Zenith company office at New Delhi and asked them to supply me the CGP card. The company manager told me that the company did not supply spare parts/cards and that I had to go in for annual maintenance contract (AMC) with the company. He told me that the AMC would cost 10% per annum. This implied recurring expenditure of about Rs. 3000/- per year. I was shocked. The cost of CGP card from open market was only Rs. 750/-. I came back and called the printer vendor to supply the card and set the printer working.
10. I have been thinking for a very long time as to what should an individual opt for: A Branded or an Assembled desktop PC? What parameters should he consider before buying a desktop PC? What about laptops? How soon would the technology get outdated? What about the investment? What is the option before you as CEO of a company? What about servers?
11. Today, as a professor in IT Department at GJIMT, Mohali, where the organization has hundreds of PCs, many of which are getting obsolete every now and then, I still have the same challenge before me. What is the solution?