More Than You Know: Justifying That New Computer

Abstract

Do personal computers make sense? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? That's something you need to determine before you buy a computer (or add to your existing supply). A few years ago, many organizations underestimated the costs of computers and overestimated their benefits. Now, the prevailing wisdom may be going too far in the other direction. Our trailing‐edge skeptic notes some of the absurd projections of earlier years, showing the simple math that undermined the business plans. Going on to discuss some reasons why earlier cost‐benefit equations were seriously off in one direction, he proceeds to the current situation. Finally, notes from the literature cover four months (December 1988 through March 1989) with few startling developments but many worthwhile articles and reviews.

Citation

Crawford, W. (1989), "More Than You Know: Justifying That New Computer", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 93-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047769