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US's Slow Embrace of Information Technology
mattnyc99 writes "To motivate his new column, Popular Mechanics' Glenn Derene takes research data from a discussion here of his last column. He analyzes a new study released this week — revealing that fully 49 percent of Americans 'only occasionally use modern gadgetry' — to compare the rise of the PC with that of the TV and ask a big question: What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?"
Are we really comparing the rate of TV adoption to computer adoption? When is the last time you had to do more than press the ON button to operate your television? There's no learning curve, and no risk. People are afraid of computers, and as usual are unwilling to overcome even the most modest of barriers to learn a new skill.
Making you think you're crazy is a billion dollar industry.
Maybe it's because, at the end of the day, both computer hardware and software are generally troublesome pieces of shit.
Cuz it can be difficult, frustrating, and a pain in the ass? Whereas TV consisted once of only three channels and a power button? One of my great-uncles didn't even use the power button, he's just unplug the set.
Plus, TV is completely passive. You just have to turn it on, and it entertains you. Even when it's online, a PC is not that passive and easy to use.
Watch the Teaser Trailer for "The Lightning Thief" Her
Terrorism.
Work smarter, not harder.
It takes ages and it's a PITA.
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
Who are 10 years behind the rest of the world in bandwidth and services and cost. Blame the cable monopolies who are only a little less horrible than record companies in the rape and pillage the consumers department. Blame Microsoft who, let's face facts, sees you as a wallet. They don't really care how well their crap works and their prices go up not down in contradiction to everything we've ever been promised about the 'digital age.'
I would have thought the neo-Libertarians here would be cheering for state controlled corporatism. Isn't that what you've been working for?
Comparing a product that takes an IQ of 12 to understand and use to a product that honestly take above average IQ to use and wondering why the Computer and Internet is not beign adopted as fast as the item everyone calls the "idiot box"?
Tv is passive, I can sit there and drool at it watching the guy getting kicked in the crotch show all day long. The computer takes not only knowledge and mental ability, but the worst part it takes EFFORT to use.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
is that the television JustWorks (tm). You just turn the damn thing on, switch channels as required, and that's it. No worries about stealing your banking details, no BSOD, and the closest it gets to viruses are some of those horrible ads (come to think of it, I'd rather have the virus :-P ).
Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
1. For the most part, they all work the same way.
2. They are an appliance, if you break one all you need is to do is replace it.
3. The user interface is very simple: punch in three to ten numbers and then talk to the person you called.
4. Why do most people need a new way of communicating when they are perfectly happy with the phone?
My guess is that the big reason is there is no great pressure to adopt digital communication, you can do everything you need without a computer.
I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain
Television is easy. You turn it on, maybe select a channel, and you can sit there for hours. You can change the channel if you really care about what you're watching, but it's also ok to select one channel and leave it on forever. Television doesn't care if you walk away or lay down. It will dutifully drone on in case you happen to be there. Broadcasters are even nice enough to increase the volume on the commercials to make sure that you get exposed to advertising, even if you're in the kitchen cooking dinner.
It's much harder to use a computer the same way. It's a much more interactive experience. Not only do you have to have some basic knowledge of how they work, you have to click on stuff or something. Take poor people in third world countries as an example - how long would it take to teach them to use a computer well enough to keep themselves entertained? Compare that with the level of training needed to use a television.
In both cases, the vast majority of users utilize the technology for entertainment. There are a lot of educational uses available for both technologies, but most users have no interest in that. Mindless entertainment is TV. Interactive entertainment is games/web browsing.
Not everyone wants interactive entertainment. There are a lot of people who get up, go to work, perform some dull, repetetive task, come home and want to continue their zombie lifestyle with a few beers and some background noise/visual stimulation. There's no way for interactive media like computers to compete with television in the zombie market segment.
Comparing the PC with the TV is not really valid.
The TV is a single use, passive, entertainment medium whereas the PC is a multi use, active, tool. In other terms the TV is 'lean back' technology whereas the PC is 'lean forward' technology. Whichever way you put it they are not the same.
init 11 - for when you need that edge.
BenCurry.net
Complexity. We'll have to wait a generation or two before the US gets kicked into technological overdrive - We have an aging population of boomers, most of whom are unwilling, unable, or generally uninterested. Someone who's lived an entire lifetime without a computer generally won't see the true value in such a device. Couple that with the fact that there's no idealogical analog upon which computers are built (contrast: cell phones), and you have the double whammy. Cell phones are so popular because you use them (almost) just like a regular phone, except you don't have to be at home. This is why the industry exploded so quickly - there was already a ridiculously ubiquitous technology in place, and they expanded that idea. Once those of us who have grown up around computers are the old-timers, I think we'll start seeing real growth.
BenCurry.net
And most of the good bits of our brains have gone down the toilet (or wherever it is that the brainwash solution drains). How are we supposed to use computers when we're half-tarded, scro? Actually it's not hard to use computers - just click on that blue E and all the porn you need is at yer fingertips. If the computer gets really slow, it's time to buy a new one!
It's not embraced with open arms because (/when) it's not necessary after all. There's so much more in life.
It's not some deficiency or shortage. No panic. Sheesh.
(Posting AC for obvious...)
What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?
Simple. Human stupidity and laziness, especially the reluctance to take the time to learn key concepts such as computer security and e-mail attachment limits.
I don't blame the ones who are truly unable to adapt and learn to work with the new technology, but the ones who are clearly capable, but ignorant enough to not care, are the ones who contribute to a nation-wide, condescending attitude towards the technologically-trained. Some could say that technology has pampered the public enough to the point that they expect computers to do everything for them and denounce it if they cannot open a bootleg copy of Spiderman 3 because of a lack of video codecs.
A computer is just a tool like a chain saw or a sewing machine. If I need the tool I will get it and use it. If I don't need it, and for day to day living it is really not required, I will not get it. Unless I am a normal guy then I will buy one a put it on the shelf next to the combo-wrench-screwdriver-hammer I bought last week.
Undetectable Steganography? Yep, there's an app fo
Well first people have a Mental Block, If they are not good with computers then why bother embracing the technology because it will only reconferm their faults. So "I am not a computer wiz, so I will avoid this."
Bad Software Computer OS's and Software are designed in the most part to try to do everything. Which creates a horible interface (Apples Included). For many people the Apple II were so much easier then modern systems. You put the disk in for the program you want to run and your turn the computer On just iike Gaming counsoles. People will be happier with more focused systems and software but they are afraid to buy them because they feel like they will be missing out. So causing Bad Software to be more popular then good software.
Bad Direction, The computers are becoming more and more complex, to use them you need more and more time to keep them clean and in good order. Anti-Virus, Spam Blocking, Firewalls, Spyware, Intrusion Detections, Checking for Zombie Processes... It is too much.
Americans have lost their origional Ideal of Hardwork breads success and toward the quick and easiest way to make it rich, or to keep up with the Jones. They have learned that Being good in Science and Technology doesn't directly help them succeed so they drop it and focus more on politics, and impressing others so they could make it rich.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Everyone else pointed to the relative complexity, but I think it's more than that.
There are not many televisions in the workplace-- it's a toy for your leisure.
There are often more computers than desired at the workplace-- it's a tool of commerce. Many people just don't want that sort of thing to be prominent in their home lives too.
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Look, outside of work, if I really wanted to, I could live without my computer. Hell I can live without a cell phone too. It just takes discipline. I lived through the 70s and 80s without the access I have these days as did my parents and their parents before them.
Rural America has more pressing issues than the net, let alone the people with manual labor type jobs. Don't classify them as ignorant either. Many of them do a far better job at raising their families than the so called "educated elite". They don't need the net as a subsitute for life and friends. They don't need TV shows for entertainment, let alone care to see the violence in big cities portrayed in fiction and fact.
Its America stupid, we are not one giant homogenized horde. We are little tight knit groups spread out across a large area all enjoying the freedom this country affords, and that freedom can and does mean not doing what everyone thinks you should be doing. Hell there are times I wish I could live back on the farm, work 12 to 14 hour days, and never see a computer. Somethings the simpler life is actually better.
* Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
T.V. embraces us with a mind-numbing warm glow. Comptuers enrage us and make us want to break things.
Except for ending slavery, the Nazis, communism, & securing American independence, war has never solved anything.
There are plenty of posters here with below average IQ's! :P
The internet requires lots of reading. Broadband and Youtube cut down on it a little, but there's still lots and lots of reading. People don't like to read.
Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
Who cares... when the the old generation(s) die off, problem solved. A significant portion of generation is included here.
Not a whippersnapper,
-M
IT gadgets are ultimately not that important in the overall pursuit of happiness. What's the point of keeping up with all of the IT gadgets if all it ever does is give you a constant chore of learning the next new (questionably useless) thing? The general public is not interested in being under a constant challenge to keep up with gadgets that have little affect on their personal lives. Most people don't need a PDA, or a GPS, or a video iPod. The happiest people I know have limited to no access to IT gadgets outside of cell phones. The most stressed and unhappy (add broke and unhealthy) people I know are the ones that are constantly trying to keep up with the latest in technology. A TV is easy...if you're not making a living in IT you just don't need all of the gadgets.
...without a single mention of porn. I call shenanigans.
"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde
The amish of course!
without RTFA, and judging the book by its cover, this Glenn Derene is on crack! Slow emrace of IT? is he not taking into account corporate giants and how they are dominating the world over?
Just about everyone now has a cell phone and a pc, or multiple pcs? I wonder what the definition of a modern gadget is?
People don't use computers willingly because they require that you not be stupid in order to use them proficiently. The American culture coddles and protects the stupid while marginalizing and sabotaging the intelligent. Deception and exploitation of those who have an IQ above room temperature drives the economy, while those whose only talents are passing the buck, blaming others, and using influence gotten through subterfuge and blackmail can ascend to the Presidency, if their fathers are the right people.
The short version: People are Wicked Fucking Stupid (tm).
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
...and you get just a tiny bit closer in relative complexity. But really, whoever publishes something that thinks comparing a TV to a computer has any validity whatsoever, should really just stick to watching the TV.
All pass beyond reach of medicine. None pass beyond the reach of love.
i do not trust computers & the internet & the websites that offer goods & services for sale, almost every day you hear about some server getting cracked open & vital personal data getting ripped off identity theft, some lame brained government official getting his laptop full of SSN#s and other vital personal info on hundreds of thousands of people ripped off, banks and other financial institutions requiring MS-Windows & Internet Exploiter only which has the worst track record when it comes to being a secure platform, when a hardened Linux or BSD would be better...
and you expect me to trust this? with banking/finance and making purchases? or doing anything with my vital personal information? NOT A CHANCE!!!
Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
I've been writing software since 1970 and still paid very well for it - vertical applications in video game graphics. I have a MIT degree and had a email address since 1974 and computer newsgroups sicne 1984. I have not bought my own computer yet, bought my first TV and car age 35. Didnt buy a cell phone until last year when when payphones went nearly extinct, and only use it for travel. I sweat from confusion of choices when going into a circuit city.
There is more to life and computers and the latest uber-gizmo. Regular people simply have no need for it. There are far more people in this country that are born, live, and die in the same town and never travel outside their home state than do not. By and large, Americans are fairly practical people.
If I work in a trailer factory in Idaho and everything I need is within a 10 minute drive, what need do I have for the internet and wi-fi and bluetooth and iPhones?
Edward Burr
Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.
What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?
Answer: an aging population.
My father was an engineer at Zenith, back in 60's and 70's... We had one of the first color televisions in the neighborhood. It also just happened to be a engineering prototype. But don't worry! My father had the schematics!
So in my family, we had what we called the yearly "Fix the Television" event. This would be somewhat akin to reinstalling the OS in your computer. It involved taking the back off the television and with a combination of compressed air and a vacuum, removing most of the dust. Sometimes it involved replacing weak solder joints. But it always involved replacing worn out vacuum tubes.
Each vacuum tube, of which there were perhaps 20 total, was removed one at a time and carefully wrapped in kleenex and placed in a box. This box then was taken down to Radio Shack where each tube was placed into the tube tester to verify it's performance characteristics.
After buying the new tubes to replace the old ones, back home we came to reassemble the television.
People today lament about how there is no longer a need for television repair men. Instead people keep their televisions for 10-15 years and when they die they throw them away. Some day people will be complaining about how you don't need a help desk, and desktop support teams.
That day can't come soon enough for me.
http://www.edweek.org/media/2006/06/16/dcfinal_1s
Don't credit the midwest too much - the majority of the population in the US is along the east and west coast. Having said that, also keep in mind that the US grade school education system SUCKS.
http://www.ratemyteachers.com/
I live in Georgia:
http://www.edweek.org/media/2006/06/19/41s-pipeli
The fact that I'm having a child in this state scares the hell out of me.
My point is, using a computer, earning enough to have discretionary spending money and finding any value in a java enabled mobile phone versus a new car requires some degree of intelligence. This is an uphill battle for most people in the US, who are regarded as "resources" by anyone with an MBA and as the unwashed masses by anyone doing very well.
You are checking your backups, aren't you?
I appreciate the fact that most posters and the article writer seem to blame the difference on the fact that TVs are so much easier to use than computers.
Those people obviously aren't looking far enough into the future.
I see a world with a mess of cords behind each and every TV; one where HDMI gets half-adapted as the "one true solution" for each component, before 3 new incompatible versions of the cord come out.
I see a world of MS Media Center. A world where it takes a day or two to set up your TV. A world which requires firmware updates to DVRs, firmware updates to DVD players, firmware updates to BluRay / HD-DVD players, HDCP updates to TVs -- without which none of the above components will work. Dare I even say that the first non-computer electronics virus will come within the next 2 years?
I see a world of TV remotes with full-sized keyboards so you can buy Pay-Per-View movies directly from the internet, and view them the next day when they download. I see a world where the bootup time for your setup is measured in minutes, not seconds.
Perhaps, some day in the future, after work we will go home to watch some TV to relax. Then we will all go outside in order to relax from watching TV.
I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone. Bjarne Stroustrup
....who can understand it that has been dumbed down?
And that is the answer. Industry dumbing down of the users!
Consumers do not like how much a computer costs when they can get simple-to-use equipment for what they think is less money.
Good Computer: $1000 If you don't look on Ebay
Phone: $150 max at staples.com
Typewriter (yes, you can still buy those): $110 (and it still doesn't compare with a computer-based word processor)
17" LCD TV w/DVD player that computer probably has standard: $340 at amazon.com
PS3: $600 (without getting more games)
The ability to keep it all safe from those without a password: Priceless
Total: $1200
Come on... like Manuel Labor needs to use a PC all day. There's tons of people working all sorts of jobs that require no interaction with a computer what--so--ever!
Consuela doesn't need to get on the internet to turn the bedsheets at the Holiday Inn.
TV is everywhere. Everyone has one. Well, almost. You know what I mean.
Because, as it's been said numerous times now, it's easy. Push a button, there's Jerry. Push another one, here's Jonny. And if you wait long enough, there's your porn. It's easy, it's comfortable and it doesn't take an IQ above room temperature to operate one. Not even in Minnesota with a broken heating.
VOD requires a bit more "work". You have to select the program, you have to figure out what buttons to press in what order to get your movie and most of all, you have to watch out not to push the wrong ones or you pay for a movie you didn't want to see. Still doesn't take the brain power of a genius, but you would actually at least have to read the manual once.
Now look at how popular VOD is. I can't talk about most countries, but VOD is dead here.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
I have heard many middle aged and older people simply say "I don't know the first thing about computers, what do I really need it for anyway." My aunt and uncle are a good example. My uncle purchased a Compaq several years ago for his kids. It sits almost untouched even by my cousins. They simply have no interest.
Another example, I recently ran into my old boss from years back when I was in high school. I asked if he had an email address. His response: "No, computers piss me off. It takes too much time and money." He continued by explaining that his system got a virus, and rather than pay to have it fixed ( or attempt a DYI repair ) he returned the system to the store.
I suppose another factor is the preceived "challenge" in using new technology. Many people don't take personal risks, even trivial ones, if they believe they will fail. Back to my aunt. She is always out-and-about and it was almost impossible to reach here on her landline. Just last year I decided to get her a Virgin Mobile PrePay for her birthday, because she simply was never motivated to get a mobile on her own. However, now I think she appreciates having the "toy".
DK
Reduce, reuse, cycle
What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?
1. Cost is a red herring. Telephones and televisions cost a lot too until the technology became ubiquitous... And today's $500 PCs aren't especially more expensive than the $300 TVs.
2. Complexity is a red herring. With early TVs you danced with the antenna and tweaked the tuner to get a decent signal. Computers are a little more diffcult, but only a little.
3. Intrusion. The rise of telemarketing happened long after telephones were ubiquitous and early TV advertising was usually a quick pitch by the same live show host who was entertaining you. If you're not already online, Viagra spam is an excellent reason to stay away. Not that you understand you'll get Viagra spam... But you do understand that "porn" will be pushed at you whether you like it or not.
4. Insecurity. If you don't get the whole updates thing before you go online, your Winblows machine is quickly annexed in to a botnet. You may not expect that in particular, but you get that you'll be pwned.
Moderating "-1, Disagree" is simple censorship. Have the guts to post your opinion.
Or to say it more concisely: Microsoft
Gates and co have worked their darndest to make bad engineering acceptable. Because their shoddy workmanship is so visible, this effect has spilled over into areas outside of MS specific domain.
Like it or not, MS has bludgeoned the masses into perceiving MS == computers. Like it or not, MS is known for shoddy products. Combine the two and you get computer viruses and not MS Windows ® viruses, e-mail viruses and not MS Outlook ® viruses, database worms and not MS SQL Server ® worms, security holes and not MS Internet Explorer security holes, and so on. Then there are all the intentional screw ups with forced technological obsolescence through undocumented, ever-changing data formats, digital restrictions, compatibility problems stemming from the Embrace-Extend-Extinguish strategy, and lastly fatigue from constant media bombardment as part of the Saturate-Diffuse-Confuse strategy.
Shoot. Even spam is now caused by Microsoft nowadays. Now that open relays are only a memory from decades past, spam is the result of compromised MS machines. It's to the point where these bot nets are bought, traded and fought over. Get rid of MS, you get rid of spam. However, going back to MS == computers, most people wrongly perceive that spam is an inherent part of computing.
from there ...
The Microsoft Effect is sort of a variation of sour grapes. People got burned and don't want to admit they got ripped off or bought a lemon. Rather than check out quality options, it's simply easier and more comfortable to throw good money after bad and convince themselves that all other products suck as badly.
Thus you get the public perception that all electronic devices are crap. The problem is compounded by manufacturers cutting back on quality and service.
Beta is broken and the link to classic doesn't work. Stop wasting our time or there won't be anybody left here.
When a sizeable portion of people believe the earth is 6000 years old (if not flat),
when a sizeable portion of people go to church every sunday,
when a sizeable portion of people think that condoms are evil,
when a sizeable portion of people think that atheists are the tool of satan,
when a sizeable portion of people think that guns reduce crime,
it means that the general level of stupidity is too high to have everyone to be able to use a computer, because computers are logic.
Quick, someone call the US embassy and let them know there's a world out here! Mystery
"we've got trenchcoats and bad attitudes" - John Constantine, HellBlazer
Cable TV. Even the poorest of people will shell out close to $100 a month for cable or dish tv. You're right, no point at all to this post.
Never argue with a man carrying a water buffalo
Many of the boomers (and I'm near age) have lived their life without such things. I think it speaks to a larger fact of life; technology isn't necessary (yet) to sustain civilization, just nice to have.
Many successful people today have had little anything to do with information systems or a computer, at least in the sense of interactivity attributes. I am not a luddite, but in fact, there is no *need* for most of these technologies, just nice to have available. Just consider how others got work done in the past 30-40 years; the grand projects.
That said, the future is a different animal and baudilis is spot on; only when there is a sea-change will things move forward, and very fast.
As a last note; once it does speed up, what will it look like? There is a limit to how much we want to communicate. I think. I already live in rural america and have too much communication, now, and no cell phone. I ordered my motorcycle parts online, they'll show up in a few days, I sent an email and my kids IM. I can't and won't tolerate much more than that. Maybe that revolution will have to wait until the just-post boomers like me push through as well?
There the TVs were hanging from ceiling brackets and turned on 24/7
MSBPodcast.com The opinions expressed here are my own. If you don't like 'em... Think up your own stuff.
I would reply to this retarded USA bashing crap if I had a computer or some other form of technology like a pen and paper but since I live in the US where we are back in the stone ages I cant reply. Maybe I will move to Africa where there is more technology.
Civilization should have stopped once we invented Laz-y-Boys, cigars, beer, football, and TV.
Serving your airship needs since 1995.
Seriously, even as a software developer, (and an old fart) I am getting tired of looking at that monitor. Maybe we should figure out a way to get rid of the Monitor!
A television requires the user to understand (3) THREE controls. 1. off/on. 2. Volume. 3. Channel.
The average pc appears to be a much more complex device and possibly requires the user to A) Learn something, and B) Apply that learning.
So, on that note, what is the simplest, most user friendly, easiest to use OS out there that could garner general public acceptance? Something very BOB-like?
WebTV dude. Or for something better, media PCs. Right now I'm waiting for "the hub" that links everything including PDAs and cellphones.
The simple solution is to provide an slightly more functional version of the internet appliance that Just Works (tm). Something like a Wii with a keyboard and AbiWord would be perfect-- an interface that is idiot-proof, comes out secure by default, uses a remote for navigation, and all you have to do is plug it into your TV and its Ethernet port. Most people already have a television set and free RCA jacks-- there's no need to buy a whole separate set of peripherals to watch YouTube and type emails to Aunt Mary.
You make excellent points. I especially like your first one in that people don't like things that confirm their faults. It's the reason why, to this day, I can't stand physics. I was never great at it, so I'd get bad grades. That gave me an excuse to say, "I'm not good at physics, I'll just accept C's, but I don't like physics so once I'm done with the forced class requirements, I'm never taking it again."
;-)
I did find your spelling mistake funny, though.
> Ideal of Hardwork breads success
Rye or Whole Wheat?
Several things come to mind while reading this. First, the retiree-age of the U.S. baby boomer population might skew the proliferation of technology usage a bit. That being said, my boomer folks have IPODs and use the Internet at home (and work) regularly. Secondly, the U.S. porn industry has historically been the innovators. People past autoerotic-gratification age may be less likely to engage... personal handheld technologies. See the first point. Third, private/corporate U.S. business has embraced and optimized technology to explicit levels. However, it is mostly geared towards short-term quarterly earnings -focus rather than sustainable cultural changes. The size of the country makes it more difficult, than say Norway or Finland. However, the integration of public and private technology--- and the usability of these systems- surpasses the American personal technology posture. I agree with the slashdotter who stated that the quality of life is not dependent on the proliferation of time spent using gadgets. I believe the converse could be true. Information-overload contributes to shuttered attention span which ultimately degrades a consistent, long-term focus on real quality of life measures. I define these as diverse personal experience (physical/emotional/mental), quality interaction with family/friends/society and an extropian self-progression. Having stated this, I offend my own beliefs hourly. Constant usage of electronics, computers, the Internet (at work and at home--- and working at home, often). This gives me pause for thought and a vision of improvements needed.
Rye. It taists better with mustard.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
[What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?] Windows.
Ever since computers came my family has had one, sure it hasn't been the cream of the crop, we aren't made out of money. However recently almost every person in my family has a computer and two of them laptops. If you wanna contact someone from school or a family member, other than the telephone everyone in school or home uses the computer. Electronic filing etc. I could go on.
Yes, bludgeoned. Bludgeoned from two directions. One from the constant flow of press releases dressed up as reviews, the shills and sock puppets hitting the web, and astroturfing that goes on. I can't think of the last year I saw a decent software review of any kind in a commercial publication. Two from the exclusive arrangements with OEMs. These were done originally with illegal conditions in the contracts with OEMs, later replaced by legally different but functionally equivalent "advertising partnership"
Linux? Don't start with the trolling. There is no mention of linux, solaris, bsd, netware, os/2, os x, plan 9, unix, dr-dos, pc-dos or cpm/m anywhere in my post. However, since you did bring up Apple's 30+ year history, it might be interesting to note that the Microsoft Effect is being overcome to a certain extent as evidenced by a doubling of surfers using Mac OS X in the last eight months.
Beta is broken and the link to classic doesn't work. Stop wasting our time or there won't be anybody left here.
Computer usage patterns correlate with people's ability to type. If you can't type then computers are as useful as a telephone if you can't speak. You can get something out of it but it's REALLY HARD TO USE.
Patch Tuesday.
Have gnu, will travel.
"What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?" Because *Important and *Powerful and *Tool are in pen of the writer. Most Americans have little use for any communication tool when they still enjoy talking face to face with the people next door or go to church a couple of times each week to share time with their friends and family. Who needs to be on call 24/7 or have instant access to news when the most important issue of the week is deciding whose house we're going to be at for Mother's Day? We can figure that out with a couple of telephone calls over a few days time.
It takes ages and it's a PITA.
br Benjcurry was going to say Windows, but you beat him to it.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
This is the ticket.
I remember a previous slashdot article (my search skills seem to be lacking) where ANOTHER study was done for adoption of ALL consumer technologies (electricity, telephone, automobile, television, computer, etc..) that showed that REGARDLESS of the specific technology, it took about 20 years to be adopted by the majority of the US public.
That's about one generation worth of consumers.
The cellular phone may have been slighty anomolous, as in my mind that's simply an extension of a POTS line that can now go where you go. No vastly different functionality.
"What keeps the most important and powerful communication tool since the telephone from being universally embraced?"
Simple.
Your TV works.
Your computer doesn't.
Why?
There's no software in your TV. That's why.
Fix the software industry or fergeddaboutit.
Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
I, for one, welcome our future Windows CE-running, Zombie Botnet-ed, Future Toaster overlords.
"Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
I don't know what qualifies as "better" for you.
At least, you could find the list of escape sequence in the manual that came with your printer.
Today, getting Windows to work *and stay stable* almost requires voodoo magic. And sacrificing virgins... (hmmm, original site seems down. here's a way-back machine)
"Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
...speaking as a middle class white male, I can only hope that in the name of all that's good and decent, and for the benefit of the entire world, that you'll go impale yourself on a spike immediately.
IMHO, the number one thing that keeps technologies from being widely adopted is copyright and patent. They outright punish people who make things that are compatable and play nice with every one elses products. They also make it so that only the patent holder can dictate how a panteted product in question is used, meaning that anyone else who wants to come up with a similar product must get permission or engineer around it.
We also have segments of the population that have no reason at all to have a computer. Just because we /.ers are so entwined with our machines, doesn't mean that everyone else wants to be or should be. Anyone over the age of 60 has only a few uses for a computer. The main use being keeping in touch with their grandkids who won't call them anymore. As people age their brains learn more slowly, new things require learning. We tried to get grandma to use email and she was terrified of the machine. Then there are people who live in the sticks. Dial up is painful to use, and getting worse since web developers are largely incompetent and are making sites more complex and larger. Our culture revere athletes above teachers and scientists and artist (not to be confused with performers). It shouldn't be a surprise. i think that the next generation of kids will see to it that everyone has a computer and broadband.
We also have a populous that hates to pay taxes. We hate being told what to do or how things should be done. In cultures like Japan, the leaders can say, "Right, we're going to IP6", and it's done. If that means raising taxes or making citizens/companies change their ways, so be it. We however comma are all cowboys alone on the range. i'm not saying either is right or wrong, just describing what i see. There are good and bad things each model. Our future might depend on adoption of technology. We face obsolescence if we don't adapt.
i think we are slow to adopt IT because the US has a strong anti-intellectual streak. We hate anyone smarter/more educated than us. Computers are for smart people, smart people think they are soooo superior to us. Again, the next generation might not think that way. My lil brother, ten years younger than i, had a PC in the house since he was 7. i had one in the home since i was (does the math) 17. Now kids are coming back from the hospital never knowing a life without a computer in the home.
Build a console that does email and chat, like WebTV. Build machines that can do only ONE thing at a time. Want to do word processing? Slap in the Word cartridge. Let's play WoW, slap in the WoW cartridge. That's what most Americans want from a computer. Anything more complex than that should be for geeks only. Whoever builds this machine will be a brazillianaire.
What is luxury today, is necessity tomorrow
- Faith and the Muse
Utilizing the synergization of benchmark e-solutions to pre-workaround action items!
I think one part is the complete unfriendliness of the machine is not like a TV set you have to deal with Anti virus, Spy ware, Registry cleaners, complicated file system, Spam just to name a few things. Then on the other hand the complete failure of the education system producing functional illiterates, I still have coworker that save theirs documents all over the desktop because they do not know how to create a folder and organize theirs documents