We are bombarded every day with new state-of-the-art products and services. These cutting edge technologies promise to propel the quality of our lives and our businesses to extreme levels of prosperity and success.
But the cusp of innovation is fleeting, and it today's world, the latest and greatest replacement may be less than a month away.
When I started in real estate in 1984, the very first portable terminals became available for accessing the MLS. Essentially, you dialed the phone manually, and then placed the phone handset in the acoustic modem.
There was a built-in typewriter style keyboard. There was no screen or CRT, all of the data was delivered via a built in line printer, including your commands.
There were no images or pictures, and to conserve paper and ink, everything was abbreviated. Once you got through the search process you could reference the "book" for a photo of the property.
But in 1984, this product had a "wow factor" of 100! And since the system was proprietary, only licensed real estate agents had access to the data. Clients were astounded, blown away by the possibility of instantly acquiring valuable information about which houses were available!
But, like a flash in the pan, the terminals gave way to personal computers, and were made completely obsolete in a few years. And although these devices cost thousands of dollars, they were now worthless.
Purchasing "state-of-the-art" is buying time, plain and simple. It is not a long term investment, but a short term solution. So choose your technology carefully!
You'll save money and keep more obsolete equipment out of the landfills!
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
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My technological knowledge is somewhat limited, but because I know how to use a computer, people ask me what to buy all of the time. When I buy a computer, I call Dell, tell them what I need it for and let them build it for me. No matter what you buy today, tomorrow there will be a better available anyway!
Indeed. "State of the Art" in so many cases today is just something someone is selling. One thing I know for a fact. State of the Art doesn't get one well indexed and synergized in Google SERP.
So True, So True! Here Today! and gone into posterity Tomorrow! It's like built in obsolesence.
Richard: One can be on the cutting edge or the bleeding edge. I've found out the hard way, it usually pays to wait at least for Version 2.0. Mission critical apps, maybe even longer. Clients no longer cut you any slack when "the computers are down."
Funny how at one point I had a phone that could do anything. Now I just have a phone, I really did not need all the other "stuff" that came along with it...
Jumping on every new band wagon can be very costly and not effective at all. by the time you learn one thing another has come along to replace it. Choose carefully and use what you have to provide topnotch service.
Good morning my FRIEND,
I am at the point that I wait a year before buying things just to see if they are worth the price and we all know what happens to the price & the product don't we?
While I am one of those people with the "latest and greatest", I do make sure to thoroughly research any purchase to make sure the item has the tools I need, not just desire.
So true Richard. Everything is planned obsolesence anyway. We all know that it's possible to give us a cell phone with all the features that we want including two telephone lines. But then we would never upgrade! Have a great day.
I brought a phone three years ago (the day it came out) because I wanted the hand free blue tooth headset. I still have the phone and threw the headset away (didn't work). Not looking to buy the latest and greatest again.
When I was younger it would stress me out and I would spend top dollar for stuff just to have it "outdated" in a month or two. Especially concerning computer components. I've learned to just be happy that whatever I'm using works and isn't ridiculously slow. We really could spend a fortune keeping up, and we certainly wouldn't learn how to fully utilize these items with all the bells and whistles. I'd rather be really good at something a little outdated. We can be far more productive that way.
Richard, we used the latest state-of-the-art Texas Instruments terminals to access the MLS and the Telecopier to send our faxes. Very high tech at the time. Now when you buy something, whether it's a cell phone, desktop or lap top unfortunately it is obsolete the minute you purchase it.
Your right & I'm afraid to say I remember that old setup with the 'heat sensitive' paper! How about a cell phone that was the size of a World War 2 walkie-talkie. I've taken a pass on the IPhone - what for?
Susan...
I always purchase Dell computers, and have had good success with them .. and you're right ... it's so much better to get exactly what you need and to not buy add-ons that you don't need! Thanks for the comment.
Lenn...
Although many a salesperson will tell you otherwise! THX
Martin...
And that's not even counting the learning curve ...wow! Thanks!
Richard, I always take a patient attitude with new technology for the very reason of saving myself extra money! I find that the must have doesn't always work any better! Let someone else be the "test dummy"!!
John...
And if something actually WORKS for you, where is the immediate need for change? Good point and thanks.
F & J...
As hi-tech as I am, I still just have a "phone," but I guess at some point I'll have to bite the bullet. Thanks for the comment.
Paddy...
And "learn" to use what you have ... most of us have features in our technology that we don't even know about! ;)
I let others spend their time & money to test the product and wait for the price to go down. That said I was just speaking to my computer guy the other day because my computers are like dinosaurs......more then 3 years old. And I haven't even broken down to purchase a blackberry yet either.
Richard,
I see you probably replaced your overheated keyboard from last night. Good job BTW.
Moore's Law certainly comes to mind with your subject here.
I have a "technology graveyard" in my basement. I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to let it go.
Rich
I try to get all the juice out of every bit of technology. Things are just so expensive these days!
My desktop computer, I built myself 6 years ago and it still gets the job done just fine. I purchased a laptop when my wife had back surgery a year ago so she would have something to do while trapped in bed and unable to stand. I have two TV's and both of them are the old, ugly box style televisions. My DVD player has no remote and you actually have to stand up to push the play button. My cell phone is whatever free phone they give you when it's time to renew my plan and I only do that when my current phone dies on me completely.
There is nothing at all fancy about the technology I possess, but amazingly it all does exactly what it is supposed to do. I have no desire to own the latest and greatest, as you said, you can only do that for about a month at the time anyway.
When new technology comes out, I wait about a year before even considering to buying "the newest and greatest".
I have never been one to be the first to buy something. I like to see the price come down first. In th elast few years, I have not seen anyhting in my opinion that I couldn't get along without. Nothing that would make my wallet overflow by getting it right away. I see mor emonetary value n waiting.
I remember my first cell phone in 1993. It looked and felt like a brick. But it was state of the art back then.
Kind of like buggy whips, except were are not talking obsolescence. I am constantly amazed at the level and the speed with which things change. Even intelligent people have a hard time with it. It has gotten to a point now that you must have the foundational bases of knowledge to keep up and for not so old guys like you and me that can be a little bit of a challenge. I like the post. I think things have already changed in the time it took me to write this :)
Thanks
Bo
I remember when I first started in Real Estate, having a computer background, people in the real estate office looked at me like I had two heads when I jumped onto the terminal and started hacking away!
I like that photo...Remember the ESSO signs too?
Richard, today's "cool" is tomorrow's junk with technology. Always has, always will be.
Richard...I just hauled a bunch of tech to the recycling center before the end of the year when it was still free. So, being ecologically sensitive, I am and always will be very careful about my tech purchases except for those that are continually mandated by the local association! They are just nuts. Sorry. Another mini-rant.
I remember my first on line search and how impressed I was to sort through 6,000 listings in just a few seconds. Finding the perfect home by asking the computer what a process. Boy how times change. Anyone want a 14.4 modem?
I can't keep up. While I'm pretty handy with tech stuff, it really takes time and effort to keep on top of it all. I think you hit the nail on the head here!
And with times being tight, we need to make every dollar count. Manage your expenses carefully!
Richard - I came to grips, long ago, with the realization that we (society) transitioned from entrepreneurial to disposable and called it progress. I believe in progress, but it's also sad to think that with this progression comes an increase in a general mindset that everything is disposable.
The first computer I ever worked with was in 1973 in an insurance agency. It was about 12 feet long, had no screen, everything came through on tapes or cards, and it made more noise than a jet airplane. I thought I had really hit the big time. Amazing how things change, eh?
Richard: Very true. State of the art is an ever changing thing. Technology gets better over time. But it seems to me that things are changing to bigger and better faster all the time. Advances are very quick these days. Seems as soon as something is out on the store shelves, it's outdated. I bought my phone last week and it's probably already beyond it's prime.