Why Upgrade?
from the no-one-seems-to-know dept
It's well known that there's something of a technology slump right now. Consumers and companies aren't spending that much on technology, and it's making tech companies wonder what they need to do. Part of the problem, it seems, is that there's simply no compelling reason to upgrade systems right now. Most new purchases are to replace older, broken down items - and not because of some compelling new application or need. Have we reached the point where everything is good enough? Or will there be some real reason for people to upgrade in the near future? The best guess the article has is that Microsoft's Palladium might cause a few upgrades, but no one seems to really believe that. If anything, I think some may stay away from it, because they're afraid of what's really hidden inside of it.
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I think it's more a matter of our expectations sinking low enough than technology (especially software) being good enough.
Although there clearly is something to the idea that most technology right now has reached as sort of maturity--at least feature-wise. We simply don't need our word processor or spreadsheet to do anything more. And actually MS word hasn't added anything I find particularly useful since version 5.1 (or certainly 6). Though Excel could use a damn clipboard that remembers my copy commands.
I think in many ways at least from a corporate perspective, we're still seeing the results of Y2K. There was a lot of hardware and software spending to deal with Y2K (whether it was actually necessary or not), and the extra spending has meant companies are still coasting along just fine. Also, I think the megahertz myth has taken somewhat of a hit--the resurgence of AMD and price/Gigahertz wars with Intel made clock speeds really move ahead--and it became more and more obvious to a lot more people that double the clock speed didn't double their real world performance. Throw in AMD's move away from purely clockspeed selling and Intel's latest admissions that AMD was right (tough pill to swallow but their next gen chip looks to start out with a lower clockspeed than P4 offerings).
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Perhaps it's the industries fault?
Software is written and pushed out the door with known bugs. The idea is that they'll get to it later. Software manufacturers are not responsible for software that is faulty. Software may cause you to lose data or allow someone to break into the computer. This is acceptable. Imagine if these foolish laws were applied to construction or manufacturing.
Software is not yours. It is the authors. You may only do with it what the author says. You may not share. Imagine this applied to books or food.
Win2k SP3 give Redmond the right to do what it sees fit when it comes to updating or removing software. You will no longer maintain your own system. You will install what is authorized by Microsoft, BSA and RIAA. Win XP does this and also reports back to MS what you are watching/listening to as well as forcing you to get Microsoft's permission to install XP. Be careful when you change hardware. Microsoft doesn't like that. You will have to ask Microsoft for permission to install the $200+ OS that you don't own once again. Hopefully Remond will continue to bless us with the ability to install XP once it's obsoleted by the next version of Windows. Otherwise you will use the newest OS. The option will not be yours.
Hardware manufacturers are now lining up to strip you of your fair use rights. The House and Senate have been paid to look the other way. Remember this the next time you hear a Democrat or a Republic tell you that they support us little people and not those corporations that made their campains and their kids college education possible.
Look at the economy. With everything pointing down and the direction the industry is heading I'm supposed to buy computers? These "people" are beyond stupid. I think I can live without leasing the priviledge of running the latest video game with the best video card. I think I'll stick with my PS2 and save incase I lose my job. My 400MHz PC does wonders with email, web browsing and word processing. Keep you new PC Mr. Dell. I have no interest in helping an industry that has made a business model out of screwing me.
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Re: Perhaps it's the industries fault?
AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNN
I won't be upgrading for quite a while...and my next upgrade will be just before Palladium becomes mainstream (if it does...I hope it doesn't)...and I'll get the best PC I can get without that crap and then just use it as long as I can.
When will these people realize that 1) I don't want THEM to choose how *I* use the hardware and software that *I* buy and work very hard to fork over tons of money for and 2) that I don't want THEM to monitor me in ANY WAY, I don't want them to "gather information to help technical support and customer service", I don't want them to "only keep/distribute aggregate statistics based on your information which is not identifiable in anyway", I want them to keep their goddamn hands OUT of my wallet and OUT of my damn PC!
When will we be angry enough about all this to MAKE them listen to ALL of us, not just the rich ones?
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Re: Perhaps it's the industries fault?
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Re: Perhaps it's the industries fault?
While your at it, instead of upgrading, downgrade. Linux runs perfectly fine on 486s and low-end pentiums. For the most part, nobody is watching what you are doing, and you can still listen to MP3 files using XMMS.
Or use OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD or any other open source or free software product. I hear a lot of people bickering about how Linux and the other Open Source products aren't ready for prime-time, and Microsoft is the only thing they can run...bogus...they haven't even tried. Slowly but surely I hear more people trying, and liking non-Microsoft systems.
You absolutely need Internet Explorer? Why? Mozilla is faster, better, and open source. You absolutely need Word, Excel, Powerpoint? Why? Open Office is far faster, better, and open source, and no cutsy paper-clips which annoy most of us. Have to have the latest Microsoft Flight Sim? Why? Flight Gear, which is in my humble opinion, far better than Microsoft Flight Simulator, is open source and runs on a number of platforms including Windows.
Maybe it is time to start putting your money where your mouth is and start running open source os's and apps...and participate in the largest technology revolution out there.
Of course, Microsoft doesn't like this, and will find just about any reason to prevent you from leaving their Heroin marketing scheme, but you do have the power, they cannot shrink wrap your hardware and force you to use their crap...stand up for your rights as a consumer and join the Open Source/Free Software revolution...
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