Of Thailand Floods & Hard Drives

I have never, in my life, bought a hard drive before. In fact, up to a week ago, I have no idea what it is about and what is it for.

You see, I don’t even own a computer (I am serious!). The only computer I ever own was an old school laptop (one of those that weigh a ton and looks like a box) given to me by my dad back in 1997 when I first went to law school. During its shelf life, that laptop was used to type school essays only. There is no such thing as wireless back then and I don’t have a phone line or modem so I never go online on it. After it died, I never own another computer; I simply use the ones whichever companies I work for “lends” me. Currently, I have a work laptop which I use for everything. It is bad, I know. My company practically owns everything I put in this laptop, including my personal stuff. Furthermore, I don’t back up my work. And I don’t print stuff. So everything I do is stored in this laptop.

I had a dream last week that the laptop died and my world practically ended. I woke up screaming and immediately got on the phone with my company’s I.T support dude to ask him preventive measures I can take. His advice is, short of buying my own personal computer, I should get a “mass storage device” instead, such as an “external portable hard drive”, with a capacity large enough (“at least 500GB”) to store all my work. Watch as Frou’s eyes crosses…

And so I went in search of a hard drive and the “prettiest” one I saw is hot pink in color and cost S$119. I immediately got on Whatsapp group chat with The Sis and The Brother (both geeks).

Frou: It cost $119 for 500GB capacity. Is this price about right for hard drives?
Brother: Where are you?
Frou: Best Denki
Brother: Why do you go there to buy hard drives? You should go to Sim Lim
Sister: Because Frou is atas and cannot go places like Sim Lim
Frou: Yes, because I cannot do Sim Lim
Brother: I bought mine in Sim Lim for $65 for 1TB capacity.
Frou: Are you serious????
Brother: I ONLY do Sim Lim.
Frou: Can you go and get one for me?
Brother: So troublesome. Why don’t you go Challenger yourself? You can use my membership card.
Frou: What the heck is a Challenger? Is that in Sim Lim?
Brother: Challenger is everywhere
Sister: She cannot go places like Challenger also.
Frou: Yes, I cannot do Challanger also.
Brother: ARGH! OK FINE I GO.

The next day, the Brother reported back to me that I should just go get the hot pink one I saw in Best Denki.
Frou: Why?
Brother: Because there is a flood in Thailand
Frou: What has that got to do with hard drives?
Brother: Read this http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1165865/1/.html

ARE YOU FOR REAL??? The only time I ever needed a hard drive, the price doubled?!? Why are they low in stock anyway? It is not a commodity like rice which people consume every day so why is everyone stocking up hard drives? Doesn’t one last you at least a few years?

Is there really that many geeks in Singapore???