A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH DELL: The computer crashed. I called their customer service guys Monday. They shipped the parts that day, and this morning the tech came in — showing up precisely when promised — fixed the computer (new hard drive and motherboard required) and departed with me up and running. I guess the extended-service was worth it.

Anyway, I’d surely be complaining if this hadn’t worked out right, so it’s only fair to give them credit when things have gone so well.