Chasing the Carrot of Technology

During my years in the Information Technology sector, I have seen the development of the technology from it’s infancy through to its current state. What never ceases to amaze me is that we are continually chasing the tail of technology – tantalized by its promise, seduced by its gleam and potential.

More often than not, as we purchase new computers and peripherals, it delivers and satisfies during the “honeymoon period”, but invariably within years or even months, we become accustomed to what is on our desktop. This leads to dissatisfaction and the increased drool factor when the newest wave of technology (that we don’t have) is introduced.

Case in point, during my very early years of software development, I worked remotely. I wrote software at home and used a 300 baud modem to transmit the software to my colleague at a rate of approximately 80 characters per second. This innovation in technology seemed wondrous compared to having to pack up the software on a disk and physically meet to handover each version.

However, the novelty of transmitting applications at this speed quickly transmogrified into tedium with each release – sometimes as many as 2 or 3 times a day as we went through a development/transmit/test/fix/retransmit cycle. I do remember clearly when my colleague bit the bullet on a “new” 2400 baud modem. Having a throughput of 2400 baud effectively reduced by 4 times the amount of time it took to transmit.

There are circumstances such as this where the improvement in the technology has had measurable benefits. What would take an hour to transmit now would only take 15 minutes and when confronted with perhaps 10 or 12 development cycles, there was direct benefit.

As time went on, modem speeds increased, from 2400 baud to 4800, to 9600 to 14,400. Today, the bare minimum access speed would be perhaps 2mbps (the equivalent of 2,000,000 baud). Realistically though, this speed would only be acceptable for general surfing and many would find it too slow when listening to streaming music, downloading or watching video clips online.

I was amused recently when watching TV and seeing a commercial for software that claims to “fix the speed of your computer” – even for new computers. When watching this commercial, it caused me to wonder what it is about this technology that drives us to need faster and faster – that feeds into this never-ending instant gratification cycle.

The same principle applies to hard disk space. When I purchased the computer that I am writing this article on, I was convinced that I would never come close to filling it up. However, I was dismayed when I received notification that I am down to my last 10% of hard disk space.
I humbly submit what I will refer to “McCallion’s Rule of Technology” and it is…

Technology will fulfill your need up until one day before it is delivered to your desktop at which point in time it will become obsolete.

I will be the first to admit that I’m just as prone to these technological excesses. Evidence this by the multitude of computers that I have that is sitting around collecting dust due to the fact that can no longer keep up with my needs.

I think that part of the problem with computer technology is that an increase in technology breeds innovation in the software as it is made more sophisticated based on the increased capacity. This in turn uses more of the computer’s resources which affect performance and the whole cycle starts again.

I doubt if there is actual collusion between the hardware folks who give us this added capacity and the software people that seemingly chew it all right up, but it does make one wonder. How often are we going to be on this merry-go-round of technology – reaching for that horse in front of us, but never making any progress?

I look at my Mom who is the perfect antithesis to this phenomenon. I purchased a computer for her perhaps ten years ago and for the most part, she is happy to use the Internet (when it works!) and do a little word processing. I would find it hard to justify her replacing her computer unless it broke. Although the Internet is probably a bit slow from time to time – it generally seems to meet her needs.

I sometimes feel like the donkey and the technology is the carrot being dangled in front of me. Although I get no closed to it, it doesn’t stop me from trying. At what point do I say enough is enough and just be happy with the tools that I do have!

Quick tip for this issue: There are a number of keyboard shortcuts that can be used in Microsoft Windows. This page on the Microsoft support website lists them: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

Term for this issue: USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus. It has been developed as a standard interface to connect peripherals to your computer.

Website for this issue: For those of us that have Hotmail/MSN accounts, Microsoft now has an online repository, or briefcase, where we can store our files online. http://workspace.office.live.com. Keep in mind that for security/viral issues they do limit the file types that can be stored online. Not only can these files be stored online but if you have Microsoft Office, they can also be edited online as well – saving the need to download, edit and upload.