Traci from PA pointed out in the guest book that Fox News just ran a story about about the top ten technology items that are on their way out. Since that ties in so well with what we've been talking about today, I'm posting an abbreviated version of it.
1. Landline phones: Walk into any college dorm room and ask to use a landline. You'll be met with blank stares. With cell-phone technology continually evolving, it seems that these days only a handful of people are still moving into a new house and having the landline turned on.
2. Floppy disks: Storing something on an external device? Considering the state of computer technology at the end of the 1970s, it's no wonder people were astounded by the usefulness of the 5 1/4-inch wide, 360-KB floppy disk.
A decade later, the disks had shrunk to 3 1/2 inches and their capacity multiplied to a whopping 1.44 MB — enough for a minute and a half of an MP3-file song. If you still have a few lying around, they make great coasters.
3. Wristwatches: Throwing on a fancy watch may make you look professional, but let's be honest. Cell phones and iPods tell you the time when you're out and about, and virtually every appliance in your home has a clock. No one wears a wristwatch anymore, unless he or she grew up with one.
4. VHS tape and VCRs: They met a sad death in 2006 when retailers decided there was no room left on their shelves for the big, bulky cassettes. Many people still keep VCRs around for when grandparents ask to see that old tape of little Bobby — who's now 22 and fresh out of college — shoving cake into his mouth on his first birthday.
5. Beepers: Annoying devices designed to beep any and every time anyone felt like reaching you.
6. Film cameras: When Polaroid announced in 2008 that it would stop selling its famous instant-developing film, people ran out to buy up the remaining stock in order to preserve this unique form of photography.
7. Typewriters: Once one of the most powerful means of mass communication, the typewriter claimed a spot near the top of the technological food chain for more than 100 years.
8. The Walkman, Discman and MiniDisc player: The multitasker's dream, the Sony Walkman portable cassette player changed the way the world listened to music in 1979, quickly becoming the hottest accessory of the early 1980s.
9. Dial-up Internet access: It's hard to see why anyone would use a phone line to connect to the Internet when there are so many feasible alternatives.
10. DVDs: What's that, you say? How can DVDs be obsolete? Facts don't lie — DVD sales fell off the proverbial cliff in the first three months of 2009. The fact is that with broadband Internet, you don't need a disc to watch a movie any more. Netflix and Blockbuster have recognized that by rapidly ramping up their online-download services.
So there you have it, folks. The times they are a'changing! The item on the list I couldn't believe was the watch because I'm just not sure I could make it without my wrist watch. If that makes me an old fuddy duddy, then so be it.
Any other comments on this subject? I've enjoyed reading all the guest book entries today. I do have one question though. What is a ditto machine? That one sorta threw me.
Look Both Ways
1 year ago
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8 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):
I used the ditto machine as a teacher. I would write or type whatever on a paper that had a purple carbon (ditto), and then that was attached to the Ditto machine, and hand-cranked for the # of copies needed. It also had a distinctive scent!!! As I recall all the copies were purple. (but my memory could be making that up.)
xxoo
mrs pam
i am so sad to see all of the things i know and am comfortable with going away...i am waxing nostalgic lol~
I still use a wrist watch. Wear it everyday. I own a cell phone but it is such a bother to pull it out of its pocket hit a button to displace the time then put it back in its pocket. Much easier to turn my wrist and read the time.
Angela
I remember the ditto machine when I worked at a daycare years ago. This was the only method we had for making copies. You always knew when a teacher was cranking out copies by the scent and of course the color purple.
Sharon P.
I loved the smell of the pages from the ditto machine! And when they were slightly damp...heaven!
Becky, the teachers used those machines to make copies of stuff.
THE DITTO MACHINE! Holy cow! I remember we'd get a ditto copy of a test and everyone in class would hold the paper up and sniff. Hopefully it wasn't toxic....I think that smell is like the smell of crayons and Playdoh - hard to explain, but once you sniff, it brings you right back to your childhood!
L in Alaska
I still wear a wristwatch too - I feel lost without it - although it may be because I am not a huge cell phone user and often turn it off in class.
I am however guilty of not having a land line - I like talking on a land line better but I can't see sending money for a land line and cell phone when there is only one of me and I can't talk on both at once!
I also remember their being files of the floppy disks in elementary school - we used to go searching through them to find Oregon Trail during free time - It seems like it was a really long time ago but I guess it wasn't - how quickly technology changes!
great new blog site can't wait to read more about your wonderful family, i so enjoy Sarah's blog
hugs Peggy
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