Guidelines for Gadget Wannabe-Owners
_{Or rather, for me.}

A single gadget costs a few hundred dollars, and anyone who can buy one without doing enough homework must be - (a) bloody rich, (b) buying it because it is "teh cool", (c) patient of the excessive shopping syndrome.

What should one do when one wants to buy a particular gadget?

00. Consider the ratio of cost to how much you want/need it (Let's not fool ourselves. It is a gadget we are talking about here.). Unless you are financially independent, you need to consider this factor very seriously.
01. Do research on product online - user reviews, gadget site reviews, professional reviews, reseller site reviews and product's official site.
02. Visit product's official discussion support forum.
03. Read the FAQs at the product's official site and familiarise yourself with problems which might occur with the product. This is to prevent panic and yourelf from doing stupid things to the gadget when something goes wrong.
04. Read up on maintenance of product - e.g. Do I need to buy a casing for it? Or perhaps a piece of microfibre cloth to clean it?
05. Read up on how to use the product.
06. Read up on the warranty of the product.
07. Visit stores to look at product, especially those which allow you to touch and feel the product.
08. Check product's prices at different locations (unless it is a nation-wide fixed price like the Apple iPod).
09. Discuss with people who already own the product.
10. It is a responsibility, even though it is only a gadget. Are you up to the responsibility of taking care of the product?

Getting The Most Out Of Gadgets
_{Well, it worked for me.}

Now that you bought that expensive little thing, what can you do to make the most out of it?

00. Maintenance. Get a case if it scratches easily. Get a cover for it to prevent dust from accumulating on it.
01. Care. Do not leave it at places where it might drop or harmed easily - e.g. putting your mobile phone on the floor whereby people might step on it by accident).
02. Caution. Do not leave it lying around like as if you are at home. Always carry it with you.
03. Learn. Trouble-shooting is always part of a gadget owner's responsibility. Learning how to deal with problems properly is important.
04. Ask. Can't figure what went wrong with your little gadget? Keep that hammer and go online to ask for help.

I take gadgets very seriously, and I view them as more than just things that entertain you when you are bored.

It is extremely important to know how to take care of them so that they can last, and like I said it is a responsibility. Well, I certainly hope you agree with me. xD