[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Anticipating the future
Judy said:
>Consider the possibility that THIS is the golden
>age of computer equipment.
>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.
Hi Judy,
I couldn't disagree more. In just 15 years I've seen my own desktop grow
from the original 128 Mac (with no hard drive) to machines that
communicate with the world, print my postage, edit my photographs, manage
my finances (not a big job unfortunately), let me publish books, make my
negatives, etc. Part of the "problem" with today's computers is that
we're assigning to them so many more tasks than we could have even
IMAGINED just a few years ago.
It's easy to understand the fear that "the industry" will try to maintain
the current momentum of change, upgrades and obsolescence that plagues
our digital lives. But there is nothing "golden" about this age of
computers...except the income figures of some of the giants behind the
mess. But time and progress will take care of that; history is too rich
with examples to believe the status quo will prevail. Maybe a better
product comparison (better than refrigerators anyway, since you seem to
have a way with them, though it's hard to imagine you really MISS
defrosting with pans of hot water and an ice pick) would be the
automobile. (Now please don't launch into some stereotypical New Yorker
rant about not needing or liking cars. Ha!) Ever notice how few cars you
see broken down along the road compared to 20 years ago? It's because
this is another product that's near maturity. On the down side, the
romanticism of the auto has diminished. As a youth, I'd wait anxiously
for the new models each fall, eager to first spy the taller fin or new
retractable hard-top. Kids today don't share that same anticipation for
the wind-tunnel designed clones that all ride and perform superbly, but
similarly. You just watch: computers will take the same path.
While writing this, my wife, Jill, is making Bromoils that she contact
printed from desktop digital negatives (using Epson Glossy Film)! She's
thrilled to find a way to use "flawed" (but wonderful) negatives to make
prints that finally capture the mood and tones she always envisioned for
her images. This certainly isn't to say that if the Mac hiccoughs and
says it can't see the printer that there isn't an element of frustration.
But heck, going into the darkroom to find your Dektol looking like
day-old coffee isn't a thrill either!
To suggest that computers will be more hassle in the future is something
I wouldn't have anticipated coming from you Judy, You're usually so on
target with your observations. :-)
Dan
www.danburkholder.com