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Technology decisions can get confusing if you’re talking to non-techy people.

The following story involves a man who tried to help his aunt with her home business.

She asked him about getting a file server, but she clearly didn’t understand what she really needs or what a file server is for.

He told her she didn’t need a whole server for her storage and syncing needs, but she kept insisting she did.

Even after suggesting simpler solutions, she remained determined to go the expensive route.

Read the full story below for all the details.

I’m telling you, you don’t need a file server

My aunt runs a home business.

She really wants a file server. She has no idea what she will use it for.

I asked her the most simple questions.

She cannot even give me a straight answer for most of them.

This man asked his aunt for more details about what she wanted.

I asked if it was supposed to be a file server or a backup server.

She said, “I dunno, can it be both.”

I asked if she wanted her files to be always available on her iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

She said yes.

She seems clueless.

This already makes a file server pointless.

I asked if she was using it purely to store files or if she intended to work on her files on the server.

She asked, “What’s the difference?”

He told her she didn’t need a file server.

I told her that she absolutely does not need a file server. Her current M365 subscription for MS Office is plenty.

If it is automated two-way syncing she wants, I can set up OneDrive on her iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Any changes would be immediately saved and reflected across all her devices.

But she insisted she needed an enterprise-class workstation for her “file server.”

But no, she insists she needs a file server.

She asks me to recommend an enterprise-class workstation. She wants to use it as the “file server.”

Honestly, I wonder who gave her that idea.

Some people really have too much money to spend.

Whoa! Indeed, some people don’t know what to do with their money. It’s sad and funny at the same time.

OP was trying to help his aunt figure out what she really needs. He even gave her solid, practical advice.

But it sounds like she’s already decided what she wanted regardless of the need.

At that point, I think all he can do is step back and let the expensive lesson play out.

Don’t you think so, too? Let’s find out what others have to say about this on Reddit.

Here’s a quick solution.

This person gives another suggestion.

This user shares their personal thoughts.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a restaurant employee who decided to put the staff over customers despite the official policy.

Short and simple.

Finally, this person suggests Synology.

Sometimes, the biggest tech problem is having too much budget and not enough reason.