I bought a new computer today from the Dell Outlet. My main work computer finally gave up and exploded last night just as I was switching it off (I thought I could smell something burning for a while and it just went pop as I was shutting it down), and I’d been thinking about it for a while now, so it’s not really a great leap to buy a new one (a Dell Vostro 420 LMT since you ask).
The thing which surprised me was that in the checkout process I was asked the following: “Will the product(s) be used in connection with weapons of mass destruction, i.e. nuclear applications, missile technology, or chemical or biological weapons purposes?” Of course it won’t, and I clicked that box, but it did cross my mind to wonder what would have happened if I’d said yes. [read more]