Two situations from the past year stand out in my mind as far as how much computers and mobile devices have changed our lives.

The first occurred when I went to one of my favorite takeout places. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I asked about a special. I was told that their specials are only available online.

The second was when I had plans to go to a tourist attraction in the Twin Cities. They do not allow you to buy tickets at the gate. They have to be ordered electronically.

Both situations treated people who aren’t adept at using the Internet as second class citizens. Personalized service should be mandatory when people want it. It should be federally mandated if necessary.

It’s not something we should have to force businesses and organizations to do. The customer should be their highest priority, The should be willing to go out of their way when it involves meeting the needs of customers.

There are still many senior citizens who aren’t familiar with Internet applications. There are people with learning disabilities who can’t work with them. There are some people who limit their use of the Internet because of the cost of services.

We haven’t progressed to the point that the machines are easy enough and affordable enough for anyone to use.

They’re still money driven. They still take a certain amount of know-how. It helps if you grew up with them. There’s often a difference between people born before and after the Internet.

No one should be told that their only option is to go online. It should still be practical to shop in a store, order tickets by phone, and get meals just by walking up to the counter.

I’m not sure how far society will go toward being totally web-based. It’s definitely changed things. Companies encourage people to pay bills online and to save a stamp, mainly since they get their money sooner.

It’s fine for people who want to use electronic methods to do that, but there should still be consumer choice. It should still be up to the consumer to decide how he or she wants to be served.

For some it’s a basic need to have personalized service. To deny it to them and require that they go online adds up to discrimination. It shouldn’t be allowed.

Service is sometimes undervalued in our society. Many people will put up with average or below average service if they can have selection and favorable prices. Many things like self check out stations reflect that. For some it’s easier. Others value the service.

If people want service they should ask for it. They should patronize the places that provide it. If enough people feel that way, it will still occur.

I remember times when employees go out of their way to help a customer. Even if they’re helping someone else, it makes me glad to shop with them. I’m more likely to come back.

I don’t think machines will ever totally replace that. It takes people to run stores and organizations. It’s worth the money to invest in good employees.

I was able to adjust to the two online situations I described. I just didn’t get a special. A friend ordered my ticket to the tourist attraction and met me at the gate.

It’s just helpful to have options. What’s most convenient is at least to some extent in the eye of the beholder.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter in southwest Minnesota