Relevant Beliefs of the Mind Bus Computers are commodities, they do not require careful selection, special training, and annual service contracts. We've learned over the last decade that the latest innovations are always found in open-architecture, dominant standards supplied by many competing suppliers. Closed systems dominated computers until 1982. But, since then Wang, Apple, and IBM simply couldn't keep up with the rate of innovation and cost reductions provided by a host of suppliers vigorously competing to supply the IBM PC's open standards. I expect plug and play capabilities.
Users routinely buy and successfully install third party modems, printers, and scanners.
They no longer need to buy all products from a single supplier, or have suppliers install products or configure systems to specific applications. The customer thereby assigns little or no value to system configuration and system installation. Since customers can also update operating systems and applications software, they assign little value to these traditional, supplier furnished services. I can successfully use complex electronics without studying user manuals or paying for special training by the manufacturer. User friendly software, built-in tutorials, third party books, or third party courses and workshops educate customers instead of User Manuals and manufacturer training.