In a world rife with the demands of instant gratification and despite the fact that many are jumping on the latest bandwagon to possess each and every technological fad, there is one underlying principle that is over overlooked:
Will that new piece of technology withstand the test of time?
For example, the covered bridge in this photo was built in the 1840's, and has survived at least two floods up to the roof level. It is still in daily use today, The photo was taken on Saturday, January 3 2009.
At the time it was constructed, the technology was state-of-the-art, and the engineers understood that the bridge needed to have the ability to withstand wind and rain and snow and high flood waters. It has successful passed this test for nearly 170 years, and the taxpayers of the area definitely got their money's worth!
When my computer crashed two weeks ago, I had to replace all of the software that was no longer registered at startup, and as I searched for the original disks, I found HUNDREDS of programs that I purchased at great expense that are no longer usable.
They are either for a different platform, or have been supplanted by the latest and greatest software. And that's not even counting the thousands of floppy disks, the discarded printers and monitors, and the dozen or so mobile phones that I uncovered.
When purchasing technology, you must include the projected lifespan in your cost of ownership calculations. Also, consider the learning curve down time, and the amount of time it takes to properly set up the device. You'll also want to consider how easy it is to extract data from the device should you elect to replace it with the latest fad that comes along.
As for me, I'll lag a year behind and purchase the device for about a quarter of the original cost, I may not be cutting-edge, but I consider myself fully equipped to do the job!
And that's all that matters in the end, isn't it?
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I have always been a lagger myself. I just don't need the latest, greatest thing the minute it hits store shelves. I believe in the wait and see if I really need it philosophy. The only piece of technology that I have ever wanted and do really love is my I-phone which I just got.
Richard,
I use a fraction of the software I own, but it seemed like a good purchase at the time. I usually do wait for the first generation bugs to be ironed out though before I make a new purchase.
Getting from point A to point B can take many paths.
Bellbottoms and Nehru jackets are making a comback :)
Rich
So much technology is being brought out by Google. Ie Google docs. Its cheaper than MS and its free. Why buy the cow when the milks free!
I just replaced my computer after it was too painfully slow. It was 10 years old! I think I got my money's worth out of it.
I'm like you, I don't have to have the latest anything. Prove the bugs are out and then I'll buy it at a much reduced price.
Richard, you are fully equipped for any job my friend. xxoo
First off that bridge must be constructed of "petrified wood" huh!
Secondly, the tech biz is full of thing we need that have "planned obsolescence"! We will forever be required to contemplate if that new fangled piece of goods is worth the price in the long run! The old look before you leap is a good motto for technology.
Stacey-Ann...
I hate to purchase any expensive item that I can drop or leave on a table somewhere. I'm just a little careless sometimes! I keep my PDA in my briefcase, but that wouldn't work with a phone! lol
Rich...
But the question is ...why? ;) Thanks, my friend.
Laura J...
I use a lot of free stuff everyday ... then there's this service called ActiveRain! lol
If Microsoft wouldn't change its OS as they did from Windows 2000 to Windows XP then to the dreaded VISTA, I wouldn't own so much stuff. Vista was NOT compatiable with anything. I think that is Microsofts way to keep us buying stuff. When you get a new computer, as I had to last spring and nothing was available except with Vista, I was forced to repurchase many programs. Later Microsoft did allow people to buy computers with the old XP on it... but I was caught in the trap months. (sorry, for venting here). :)
Mike M...
I look at it this way... if I upgrade every three years instead of two, I am saving about 75%. now, that makes economic sense, doesn't it? Thanks for jumping in!
Susan...
(Blush) and Gulp!
Caren...
Well, I'm sure that the bridge has been maintained over the centuries, but the wood for the pilings was immersed in creosote and apparently was done properly! Funny, this bridge is little known and rarely visited, yet it is a treasure THX my friend.
I'm with Susan, you have everything you need! Me, I NNNNNNEEEEEDDD my Blackberry. And, my jumpdrive. My computer crashed in November. Just stopped. Quit. Done. No notice. Now, I backup. I learn lessons. And, you can usually only get me once! Hence, the Blackberry.
Richard - I worry about dropping it or leaving it too because my husband would kill me.
Gail...
Microsoft drives me crazy. I was a big supporter of the FrontPage web authoring platform, and they pulled the plug on me. I hate stuff like that!
Suzanne...
I had a 750 GB external backup drive that I broke two weeks before my computer crashed ...what are the odds? I'm glad you're back.
Richard, technology is built today for our throw away society. It is often obsolete when we purchase it and in most cases designed to last for only a short period of time. Technology has come a long way, but I agree with you. Do we have to be on the "cutting edge"?
Very good message Richard. Another thing that I always have to ask my self, is will I use it! I started doing that about 18 months ago and you'd be surprised the money I've saved!
When I was in my twenties I went on a business trip to NY. On the local news they reported a huge water main break. It was a disaster for them but I remember thinking, "It was over 150 years old. The engineers who designed it were advanced for their time." Imagine what it would be like if everything we owned and used had that failure rate?
If you have the latest and greatest technology, all you have to do is wait for tomorrow. Then there will be something new to replace it.
Richard: We are now a consumer based economy...everything is designed for the dump. If you haven't seen the "Story of Stuff" I'll have to email it to you. Makes you think.
What can one say...Technology, isn't it great!
Richard, great analogy. Just purchased a Blackberry Storm, transitioning from a Treo...wow is THAT a different experience. Technology changes so fast, that - indeed - it is hard to keep up with and learn....I, too, have boxes of discs that will never again be used. Lots of dollars spent on my programs 'cause I buy my own....;-)
Oh, and thanks for the group feature...I appreciate the acknowledgment. ;-)
I do not like being the first to buy any product. There a certain products (Windows Vista) That I will resist buying if at all possible.
Hey Richard! It sounds like you're getting that computer whipped back into shape. It's amazing the amount of time it can take to get the techy stuff under control!
Point made! I need to think about this as I update in the coming weeks! Thanks!
Stacey-Ann...
Hmmm that sounds like reasonable motivation!
Michael...
Trouble is, I can't bear to throw anything away! lol
Laura G...
Such a simple question to ask ourselves, isn't it?
by the time I figure out the Technology, it has already changed. Great [picture!
Hi Richard, Like you, I am never the first to try something new. Love the old bridge picture!
Mel...
I know it ... we are happy to get three years use out of something, let alone three decades ... or longer! We live in a disposable society!
JL...
Remember that commercial when the guy going home with his brand new computer saw a billboard for the latest model? That's the way it is in real life!
Chris Ann...
I went past a landfill "mountain" yesterday! It boggles the mind.
I have chased technology and agree that lagging make a lot of sense for the money and to allow others to Beta test the latest and greatest
Rebecca...
It moves us forward!
Teri...
You're welcome, we hope you spend a lot more time in the "Whacked!!!" group!
Scott...
I have not had a compelling reason to look at vista ...yet! THX
Isn't it amazing... what we "need" to conduct business get through our daily lives? Couldn't survive without a cell phone. GPS. Laptop computer. And the list goes on. And that doesn't even take into account the software for the various toys we have. ~A:)
I agree with you on technology and even bridges. We have bridges here that have also been around 100 years, but the bridges built even 20 years ago are falling apart and who picks up that cost? Oh, yeah, us tax payers.
I never buy real new technology either, lets look at what happened to all the people that bought Vista right away and then couldn't use our MLS.