Technology moves on, but are things better?
Why, as technology gets more sophisticated, do the things we are prepared to accept get poorer in quality? We buy bigger TVs with HD and cameras that produce photos of 16 mega pixels, but what do we do? We watch stuff on tiny mobile phone screens, and photo files are so large they take forever to download.
I wish everything had stopped about 10 years ago when cameras produced pictures of 3 mega pixels max and I wasn't expected to view stuff on a 2 inch screen. I used to get emails with photos I could work with, moving heads from one picture to another, creating the perfect group, even inserting people who weren't there at all. Now I receive screen shows with photos 13KB in size that are no use to me. I have to ask the sender to send me the original size file and they can never find it.
Come on people! Use the technology you have to it's best potential! Learn how to do something simple like sending a photo of reasonable size over tinternet. I email photos to family and they say, "I never look at them. I can't see them well enough on my mobile and I can't be bothered to look on my computer."
People these days only read "sound bytes" on Twitter. What's the point in that!? And they watch YouTube on their mobiles. Who wants to squint to watch TV on a phone?
Another techno-gripe is sound quality. Huge TV, loads of channels, but I have to use subtitles. I've even had my hearing tested at the hospital. They tell me it's perfect. Well not for watching US TV it ain't!
Today's "music collections" are only transitory. There's going to be no nostalgic music to listen to in future. Downloading an MP3 is nowhere near as satisfying as having a CD to keep forever.
It may be handy having an Ebook in your suitcase or pocket but they can't replace the smell or feel of a favourite book, or the bar code art that a bookcase or CD collection adds to a wall.
Why are we going backwards with our technology? It doesn't mean that because we can, we blindly should.
By: JuneyHod
Comments from visitors
Good comment. Considering how the media (and BBC I'm looking at you here) constantly harp on about this abomination, it's surprising to see that someone wouldn't be aware of what it was!
I'm willing to bet that a lot of firms have to limit access to the internet to stop these morons from endlessly posting dull boring minutia about their dull boring lives all day long and doing some bloody work which they get paid for...
I'm willing to bet that a lot of firms have to limit access to the internet to stop these morons from endlessly posting dull boring minutia about their dull boring lives all day long and doing some bloody work which they get paid for...
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Is there any reason why somebody 'who works in an office and uses a PC all day long' would know what Facebook is?
There clue is in the words 'works' and 'all day long'. Facebook is a pathetic game for mindless cretins who have nothing better to do than engage in the type of voyeurism that it promotes. People who work don't have time for such frippery.
There clue is in the words 'works' and 'all day long'. Facebook is a pathetic game for mindless cretins who have nothing better to do than engage in the type of voyeurism that it promotes. People who work don't have time for such frippery.
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Someone at work today (who works in an office and uses a PC all day long), "What's Facebook?"
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'Aving a laugh - 10-Jan-12 13:29
artuk, I don't know if the speed of a laptop can be improved, but it's memory certainly can! On the suggestion of our "computer man" (aka the US Cavalry, always arrives when you're in dire need) I bought & installed new memory cards which increased the memory capacity of mine by 5 times. The installation was very easy.
I now have 5 complete tv series on it and can easily take it into the living room to plug into the telly; as well as loads of other stuff!
I now have 5 complete tv series on it and can easily take it into the living room to plug into the telly; as well as loads of other stuff!
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grumpyoldwoman - 22-Dec-11 08:36
Even though I am a pensioner (almost). I embrace technology and spend many hours online, listen to radio stations and watch video from all over the World, buy the sort of stuff that I don't need to see before I buy, save many, many hours compared to years ago, ie banking, Car Tax, TV licence, no more queing for those for those things. HOWEVER, all this I do at home on a decent high speed powerful computer, laptops are poor value for money compared with a desktop pc, unless you NEED to be mobile what's the point. I download movies and books while burning two dvds watching video or listening to a radio station and processing various other files, even the best laptop would run at half the speed of my desktop and probably burn out with such a load. I have a Kindle but why are people fixated only on reading books on them. I get my books for free, keep recipes on there, download and listen to podcasts etc. However, the Kindle is rubbish at handling PDF docs and having no external memory is very limited for refence purposes, BUT it is cheap, if you want a real 'book reader' you need a Sony but that is twice the price. When I am out and about I carry a mobile phone (for phone calls !!) Mobile computing and 'smart' phones are boys toys, serious computing needs a proper pc not a miniature toy which in most cases is simply bought to impress your friends that you have a later toy than they have. I don't know anyone with a laptop that does much more than carry it around and send a few emails, which could easily wait till they got home.
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The answer is "No". People are not better. Technology has not improved them at all.
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"I love it how some Men brag about not washing up, cleaning, ironing etc..
All it does is make those people sound stupid, useless and ignorant."
Some of us have more important things to do and we employ others to carry out these mundane tasks. You are free to live your life as you wish, but don't impose it on others.
All it does is make those people sound stupid, useless and ignorant."
Some of us have more important things to do and we employ others to carry out these mundane tasks. You are free to live your life as you wish, but don't impose it on others.
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I love it how some Men brag about not washing up, cleaning, ironing etc..
All it does is make those people sound stupid, useless and ignorant.
"This is another comment which is not at all based on the original gripe"
Ta ra
All it does is make those people sound stupid, useless and ignorant.
"This is another comment which is not at all based on the original gripe"
Ta ra
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"I bet you bully your Mrs into doing that for you then...That is if any women are actually that sad and desperate."
If you say so. You would no doubt have some knowledge of these matters.
If you say so. You would no doubt have some knowledge of these matters.
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"The only problem is that it only works if you bribe him."
I have never touched an iron or a washing machine in my life. On the other hand, I don't need to be bribed to cook, it's the only way I get a decent meal! I find washing up by hand quite therapeutic in its mindless repetitivenes, and far preferable to the gurgling and swishing of the infernal dishwashing machine which never gets things really clean anyway.
I have never touched an iron or a washing machine in my life. On the other hand, I don't need to be bribed to cook, it's the only way I get a decent meal! I find washing up by hand quite therapeutic in its mindless repetitivenes, and far preferable to the gurgling and swishing of the infernal dishwashing machine which never gets things really clean anyway.
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"If they could invent a washing machine that did the ironing too, that would be something!"
It's been done, it's called Husband.
The only problem is that it only works if you bribe him.
It's been done, it's called Husband.
The only problem is that it only works if you bribe him.
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Stalag 14 His Missus - 12-Dec-11 18:01
The waterproof case is a good idea Fred E, and I can see the advantages of kindles, but I still like the feel of a proper book!
They probably are much more useful than some of the stuff currently available; all the "apps" you can get for phones for example. I mean, how do I live without constant updates on the latest football scores?
If they could invent a washing machine that did the ironing too, that would be something!
I have also had a think about "People are to blame"'s comment. While I agree that companies should train their staff to use computers where necessary I also think that many things could be simplified for home users; especially as the govermnent is always banging on about older people using the net.
The instruction books start off with "this is the keyboard, this is the mouse", then get onto "download the AWD whatsit to the thingy file, input the faffle code, and dingle the dongle into the xyz port" without anything between. Private users shouldn't really have to go on a course to learn how to use them; a computer should be able to tell it's new owner how to use it.
Then there is the constant whinging "I can't open this file". The only answer to that is "you are a computer, that is a computer file, SO OPEN IT. I can open a book or a letter without having to have special instructions; so who is the clever one around here?"
I always used to say I wouldn't have one of the infernal machines until they did exactly as they're told like the ones on Star Trek!
They probably are much more useful than some of the stuff currently available; all the "apps" you can get for phones for example. I mean, how do I live without constant updates on the latest football scores?
If they could invent a washing machine that did the ironing too, that would be something!
I have also had a think about "People are to blame"'s comment. While I agree that companies should train their staff to use computers where necessary I also think that many things could be simplified for home users; especially as the govermnent is always banging on about older people using the net.
The instruction books start off with "this is the keyboard, this is the mouse", then get onto "download the AWD whatsit to the thingy file, input the faffle code, and dingle the dongle into the xyz port" without anything between. Private users shouldn't really have to go on a course to learn how to use them; a computer should be able to tell it's new owner how to use it.
Then there is the constant whinging "I can't open this file". The only answer to that is "you are a computer, that is a computer file, SO OPEN IT. I can open a book or a letter without having to have special instructions; so who is the clever one around here?"
I always used to say I wouldn't have one of the infernal machines until they did exactly as they're told like the ones on Star Trek!
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grumpyoldwoman - 12-Dec-11 17:53
I do not work for amazon! Fred E -
That's a relief. I do a lot of business with them.
That's a relief. I do a lot of business with them.
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You can buy waterproof cases for kindles. You can carry lots of books on them. Good for flights on budget airlines.
In the digital era books are actually very small files so once one person has typed them in (or scanned them) they should be available for ever.
Just download them to your kindle and read whenever you want to. No chopping down of tropical rainforests required.
The display uses e-ink which does not consume power to display. It only uses power to change the text so battery life is excellent. Now available for under £90.
I do not work for amazon!
In the digital era books are actually very small files so once one person has typed them in (or scanned them) they should be available for ever.
Just download them to your kindle and read whenever you want to. No chopping down of tropical rainforests required.
The display uses e-ink which does not consume power to display. It only uses power to change the text so battery life is excellent. Now available for under £90.
I do not work for amazon!
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Well, I have to eat some of my words!
Just went onto Amazon to buy some Christmas pressies and looked up Clark Ashton Smith in the kindle store, out of curiosity, and it came up with quite a lot. I must admit to being pleasantly surprised; but I still won't be buying one of the infernal devices!
Just went onto Amazon to buy some Christmas pressies and looked up Clark Ashton Smith in the kindle store, out of curiosity, and it came up with quite a lot. I must admit to being pleasantly surprised; but I still won't be buying one of the infernal devices!
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grumpyoldwoman - 11-Dec-11 11:30
I think there are too many people who invent new gadgets and uses for them for the sake of it, and too many people who use them without considering whether they really improve their lives.
Fred E, I like reading in the bath. If I drop a book in the bath it may be ruined, but it's only one book. What happens if you drop a kindle in the bath?
The other thing that worries me about them is that I seriously doubt if everything ever written will be made available for them; so a whole load of literature will be lost to those who only use them and not books. I admit I read some quite obscure stuff at times (anyone out there heard of Clark Ashton Smith? If you like Dr.Who you'd like Clark!), it's sad to think that kindle readers will probably never have access to it.
I do have a lovely digital camera but still prefer to print my photos and put them in an album; printed photos are much easier to look at than those on a screen and if I want to stick a photo of my granddaughter in my bag when going to see a friend I can. I also belong to an art group; how would you go about using 2 or 3 photos for reference if you don't have printed copies? As for "saving" your precious photos in the "cloud"; why? Mine are printed and then stored on a disc. They are in my control!
I know someone who has an iphone and they make calls by accident as the screen is so small. I have a perfectly adequate mobile from a supermarket which cost £12. It does the job.
My Humax hard drive recorder is a wonderful thing though; I wouldn't be without it!
Fred E, I like reading in the bath. If I drop a book in the bath it may be ruined, but it's only one book. What happens if you drop a kindle in the bath?
The other thing that worries me about them is that I seriously doubt if everything ever written will be made available for them; so a whole load of literature will be lost to those who only use them and not books. I admit I read some quite obscure stuff at times (anyone out there heard of Clark Ashton Smith? If you like Dr.Who you'd like Clark!), it's sad to think that kindle readers will probably never have access to it.
I do have a lovely digital camera but still prefer to print my photos and put them in an album; printed photos are much easier to look at than those on a screen and if I want to stick a photo of my granddaughter in my bag when going to see a friend I can. I also belong to an art group; how would you go about using 2 or 3 photos for reference if you don't have printed copies? As for "saving" your precious photos in the "cloud"; why? Mine are printed and then stored on a disc. They are in my control!
I know someone who has an iphone and they make calls by accident as the screen is so small. I have a perfectly adequate mobile from a supermarket which cost £12. It does the job.
My Humax hard drive recorder is a wonderful thing though; I wouldn't be without it!
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grumpyoldwoman - 11-Dec-11 10:48
I too get annoyed at all the passengers on public transport who cannot sit still and quiet but have to fiddle with their mobile phone or latest gadget.
I sometimes feel I’m travelling in some sort of mobile nursery school with all the children playing with the toys.
Is it totally impossible for anyone to just sit without playing with some gadget? (rattle)
I sometimes feel I’m travelling in some sort of mobile nursery school with all the children playing with the toys.
Is it totally impossible for anyone to just sit without playing with some gadget? (rattle)
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Kindle, it sounds like something for kids not a software book reading application. I don't think I want to read books on-screen. Documents, yes; books, no.
FUP, you mention that people clutch their devices like a man does a life raft. I agree. But that's because their life is contained in the device - their contacts, their photos, their music, their books, their films, their phone; their voice recorder / minute taker and voice files. If they ever lost it, or it was stolen, they'd be mourning for six months.
Me? I'd prefer to use my mobile phone for phoning or texting someone - and only when its essential to do so; my Cowan S9 for listening to music and watching portable movies; my photos and nearly all my contacts are in albums or stored on my hard drive and I use a proper camera for taking photos and read proper hard and soft cover books, not Kindle. Nearly everything I download is backed up on a separate hard drive. That way if I lose my device, I lose my device. I don't lose my 'life' (so to speak).
FUP, you mention that people clutch their devices like a man does a life raft. I agree. But that's because their life is contained in the device - their contacts, their photos, their music, their books, their films, their phone; their voice recorder / minute taker and voice files. If they ever lost it, or it was stolen, they'd be mourning for six months.
Me? I'd prefer to use my mobile phone for phoning or texting someone - and only when its essential to do so; my Cowan S9 for listening to music and watching portable movies; my photos and nearly all my contacts are in albums or stored on my hard drive and I use a proper camera for taking photos and read proper hard and soft cover books, not Kindle. Nearly everything I download is backed up on a separate hard drive. That way if I lose my device, I lose my device. I don't lose my 'life' (so to speak).
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I thought you needed educating about Kindles and while we were talking about new technology and gadgets I thought you'd appreciate something that may improve your enjoyment of walking and make you less of a fed up pedestrian.
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Fred , I do appreciate music but I don't force my taste in music on other people.
Was there a reason you felt the need for that childish bit of rudeness?
Was there a reason you felt the need for that childish bit of rudeness?
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