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Re: Anticipating the future
On Tue, 7 Mar 2000 FDanB@aol.com wrote:
> But all this digital stuff is in its infancy. Eventually (the sooner the
> better) the computers and software will become "mature products" like
> refrigerators (you don't get a new one of those every year because the
> door shelves are a tad deeper on the new model). Until then, your options
> are to bear with it or ignore all the excitement and possibilities.
Dan, don't count on it. Consider the possibility that THIS is the golden
age of computer equipment -- at least if you make the analogy to
refrigerators. I bought the first refrigerator with modern square shape,
flat top, designed by Raymond Lowy, 1957. It was a marvel... full
suspension metal shelves, full suspension pull out baskets in bottom
freezer, roomy on the inside, compact on the outside, etc. etc. etc. And
it was charcoal gray with chrome trim. Gorgeous.
We nursed and patched it as long as we could, until after nearly 40 years,
circa 1995, the door latch went & could NOT be replaced. I taped it shut
all summer while I went into mourning, but we did finally have to buy a
new one. Modern refrigerator-freezer combos were now a *mature*
appliance, ie, routine, not highly profitable, and the manufacturers had
lost interest.
We bought the best we could find of a bad lot -- cost less than twice what
the earlier one had cost, which, given the time lapse, made it much
cheaper, but it is the refrigerator from hell, so ugly I had to spend $500
for a "kit" to cover it up (it cost $900), and so clunky to use I curse it
every time I open the badly designed door, onto the non-slide out shelves,
and the stupid badly configured drawers and the freezer with one basket
that slides out 4 inches, then if you keep pulling lands on your toe. It's
also bigger on the outside smaller on the inside, sticks way into the
kitchen. But at least I didn't have to rip out the kitchen cabinets around
it as I would for the other models.
Which is to say, "mature" computers will, I promise, be junkier than now,
the softwear sloppier, the "manuals" dumber, and tech support will be 12
year-olds who know less than you do (well that's now, but even worse).
Also, they will be so full of useless features, ie., sales gimmicks, they
will be actually harder to use.
> Best advice: buy smart, learn new stuff only if it's really important,
> use a Mac. Ha!
Well, my advice is learn gum printing -- that's REALLY a mature process
and will love you back. For *negatives*? Guess we'll have to muddle
through with digital, but maybe lay in a supply of lith film. It keeps
WONDERFULLY, maybe 20 years or more -- because it tends to lose contrast
with age & since the whole deal making lith for contone is to tame the
contrast, out of date tends to be better, easier to use.
Judy
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| Judy Seigel, Editor >
| World Journal of Post-Factory Photography > "HOW-TO and WHY"
| info@post-factory.org >
| <http://rmp.opusis.com/postfactory/postfactory.html>
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