Hello,

I need some help, please! My Mom is a DL-DL F/A and her computer just bought the farm. She needs one for training, bidding, Deltanet etc. I'm trying to buy her a new one ASAP but she keeps telling me that either her bidding or her training software will only run on Windows 98. This seems incredulous to me, and because she is not knowledgeable what-so-ever about computers I'm not getting any more info. She's off to training at MSP for the first time in a couple of weeks, is all nervous and is the usual basket case. I love her to death, and I want to get her a new computer so she can chill out. She's got enough on her plate with upcoming training, new airplanes, and caring for my house-bound aging father.

I'm just getting her something basic, but is there any truth to the Windows 98 thing, any other system minimums I need to know about? If you have a DL F/A wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/whatever who might know, shoot me a PM or reply here!

Thanks a million!


MODS: If you want to delete this just give me a day, or lock it so people can send me PM, thanks.

 

Get the acer laptop at best buy, its $350 and will do everything she needs.

 

Hey, BigAir, you are correct in your assumption that the Win 98 is bogus. Yes, she can use a computer with XP, Vista or Win 7. She will probably like the netbooks since all she wants is internet connectivity for the web and email. I don't know the software she is referring to but Delta's bidding is done on the internet through an online app. It may not like Firefox but that shouldn't be a big issue.

 

As far as Delta software, I think all the Delta computers that employees access run Windows XP - and most of what we do is online, via a web browser.

There may be some third-party bidding software that requires something else - but I doubt it, since you cannot buy a computer with Windows 98 now (and I think when Windows ME came out in 2000 they stopped selling Win98). So, anyone buying a new computer in the last TEN years hasn't been able to buy a computer with Windows 98.

I'd ask her what the name of the bidding software is, and look it up online and see what it requires.

I see a lot of FAs with Netbooks, which are not running Win98.

 

MrBigAir,

In general, Delta's Information Technology Dept is about 10 years behind the rest of the world (I understand the former NWA passengers are disgusted with Delta.com....but that's a thread for another day). Having said that, I've had windows XP for a long time and am curently running Windows 7. I've never had a problem using these systems for any distributed training CDs or training straight off of Deltanet. I've never had any problems with Travelnet or the PBS bid site. Furthermore, I also use Flightline which is an add on site that many crewmembers use for bidding assistance and home DBMS access. About the only complaints that I've ever heard on various Forums was with Mac compatability. I'd say you can comfortably retire the windows 98 device

 

As many know, if a program needs something like Windows 98, XP, Vista or 7 will run the program just fine. That is a min operating requirement. To read, MIN requirement.

I bought that little HP mini for the road, and it is an awesome little computer. Only problem is that it has no internal cd-rom. Probably want to make sure it has that, wireless( crew lounges have Wi-Fi) and a good battery.

 

It's so obvious to me, I didn't even register it... That's why my Mom is all worked up about the Windows 98, she's looking at the Min and thinking it has to be only that system! Oh snap, thanks for translating momspeak.

Thank you everybody, I really appreciate your help!

 

I figured that is what it was. All of DAL's stuff has that stated as a min requirement.

Easy fix. I love Mom's. Mine always has me fix her computer issues, but yells at me when it take one or two attempts.

 

Does Delta have any relationships with any mobile phone providers? Such as T Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T? I know some vendors such as Verizon, have inexpensive small laptops the you can buy along with an internet subscription.

 

They do.

Also FWIW, before you buy the laptop, compare the discounts on Sparkfly sans the weekly circular. Sometimes the deals are better at places like Best Buy than our discounts. It pays to shop the market.