Technology Challenged

It should be simple...We ARE in the age of technology!! It IS a time when we can purchase a computer, laptop, printer, etc. over-the-counter. Don't you think we should be able to just "plug and play"?? Well, that is what I assumed yesterday when I suggested to Mary that I hook up her wireless printer for her. Who knows how long ago she bought it and it was still in the box. It was just begging to be united with her laptop!!! How could I say no??!!!
So, the unpacking began...instructions, disc, cables and cords. After all, I've hooked up my own computer and wireless router...this should be a piece of cake! Things were going very smoothly ... UNTIL the install program asked for some information that neither Mary nor I had any clue what it was. I tried to cop out at this time by suggesting that Mary wait for her son-in-law to do it, since he was the one who set up her wireless router. Mary had a different plan...hey, girl, you started this and we ARE going to finish it!! :-)))) So, it was suggested we make a call to Linksys. I am NOT a phone person, so this was not high on my priority list. Mary IS a phone person and so we found the phone number and the fun began!! First a call to Linksys to see if they could provide us with the missing information needed to connect to the wireless printer. The young man tried desperately to help us, exerting so much patience up to a point....then he suggested we pay $9.99 so he could take control of the laptop and do it himself. Of course, we declined. Then we were transferred to a young lady from Philippines...who also tried to help us. She was at the end of her shift, so with compassion for the sleep-less, we decided to pay the $9.99 and let her do it!!! Okay, so we got to the point where we had the information needed, the computer was hooked to the printer with the USB cord, and we finally got the printer to print. Yay!!!! She was done with her task and wanted to go home to sleep! Now, she says, unplug the USB and print wirelessly. Should be easy enough....but it did not work. Exasperated, she declared it was now HP's fault and we needed to call them. Mary dialed the number, and we again gave control of the laptop to a young lady from India. Ohhhh, steps 3 & 4 were not completed with the printer set up....easy enough....and VOILA!!!! we were able to print WIRELESSLY. What should have been sooooo easy, took up approximately 4 + hours to complete!!! What happened to easy, do-it-yourself technology? Maybe that comes with the next purchase!!! Enjoy your Monday!