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Pointless IT Innovations Considered Harmful

Posted by chrisd on from the upgrade-now dept.

Makarand writes "According to a comment column in the guardian innovations in IT are most often simply more trouble than they are worth. Most innovations in IT today are platform specific and are easy to come up with in the computing fields. Innovating gets easier if the platform sticks around for a long time. These innovations accrue incompatibilities making it difficult for users to switch platforms and absorb the costs of switching to a new platform. Users will not switch to a competitor's product if they believe that their platform will be later updated to deliver the same benefits."

5 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. He's right! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    We never should have moved away from the 8" floppy disc! MFM hard drives were the best! Networking only leads to trouble!

  2. To paraphrase dijkstra: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny


    Innovation considered harmful articles considered harmful.

  3. Re:Deviation From Standards by bsartist · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's like: rather than replacing the entire baby, you only change the diaper. However, after 20 years, it's time to rethink that stategy.

    Yes, I'd say it is. If you're still changing diapers after twenty years, it may very well be time to think about replacing the baby.

    --
    Lost: Sig, white with black letters. No collar. Reward if found!
  4. Re:Deviation From Standards by Snork+Asaurus · · Score: 2, Funny
    one company often discussed on /.

    I'm sorry, could you be more specific? ;-)

    --
    Sigs are bad for your health.
  5. Acknowledgement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Darth Guardian: "Hmm, the Market Forces are strong in this one!"