Don't try to keep up with the Jones

To often anymore, we want to get the newest computer, printer, TV or other tech gadget simply because it seems that it will work better, faster, or easier. Unfortunately that kind of thinking is seriously flawed. You've heard me say it before and I will continue to say that a huge majority of tech users don't fully utilize the power in their current gadgets. That includes guys like me as well.

The reality is that with cars, we still use them to get from Point A to Point B. Do we need a new car because the new models can go from 0-60 a half second quicker? When computers first entered homes in mass 12 years ago we primarily used them for email, word processing, and solitaire. Do we need a new computer that can flip the cards a little faster? You get my point. Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is absurd.

And the madness has spread to software. In today's upgrade crazy world, a software company is expected to roll out new software versions at least once per year. It doesn't matter if the product is riddled with bugs and useless features; just roll out a box with the word NEW on it and the numeral representing next year.

In the old days of computers, good software was designated by numerals like 4.0 or 4.2. When we saw the product move forward in tenths, we knew that the upgrade was incremental. When the version number moved forward a whole number, the software made real changes that made the potential upgrade worth doing for some computer users. Today, software developers care more about market share, new bloated software, and rolling out frequent 'upgrades' rather than focus on producing quality, useful, and truly ground breaking, productivity enhancing solutions.

This soapbox stems from my desire for the average computer user to feel comfortable with their skills and equipment. Technology will continue to move forward, but we do NOT need to follow unless the tech we are using now doesn't accomplish what we ask of it.

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