The Wengerd Report: New isn't always better

Remember modems? Now we complain when there's no wi-fi available. I'll give credit to the smart phone, and even begrudging credit to the iPhone in particular, for improving the way we communicate and the way we work on the go. There's no denying that we've made real progress. But what if sometimes the old fashioned way really was better?

Remember the digitizer vs. keyboard debate? Well old-timer, say hello to the ribbon.

Remember when HTML was invented to encapsulate content and relationships in a view-independent way so that consumers could decide how to format it? Step right over here, and let me introduce you to HTML 5 and an "immersive web experience" that you have very little control over.

Remember NNTP social networks? Welcome, friend, to an HTTP world where cartoon avatars are perfectly normal, even on professional discussion groups.

I don't want to roll back time, but wouldn't it be nice to undo some of the changes?

• Imagine if we could erase the .NET framework and "just-in-time" compilation.
  
  
• What would the world be like if our software started instantly instead of having to be compiled and "optimized" before it can run?
  
  
• What if our CAD software UI was fast enough that the digitizer vs. keyboard debate was actually still relevant?

Comments

[Emmanuel A. Garcia]

I miss the almost instant booting and shutting down that plain old Microsoft DOS provided. Warm regards from Southern California,

Emmanuel A. Garcia

[John Moran]

I can remember a really slick interface that put your tablet menu on-screen for you and it was quick enough to actually use...

We were able to duplicate it when DCL first came out, but it wasn't as pretty nor as fast...but it was cheap!..

[john]

I loved DOS! I remember mastering QEMM and other memory managers to tweak drivers to load into reserved memory areas. Loved Lanstastic peer to peer networking software. Nth Engine video cards with custom digitizer drivers. Building custom RS-232 plotter cables. A/B switches. Lightning Zoom graphics card independent display list drivers. The list goes on and on.

Those were the good old days!!!

[Gym Equipments in Bangalore]

Good blog.. Loved Lanstastic peer to peer networking software. Nth Engine video cards with custom digitizer drivers. Building custom RS-232 plotter cables....I miss the almost instant booting and shutting down that plain old Microsoft DOS provided...