Dummyware
January 29, 2010mike Comments OffA long time ago in a galaxy far far away… has nothing to do with this post.
About five or ten years ago right here technology had come of age. The average American had the internet a PC and a cellphone, they had made it big time. And thus the beginning of the age of dummyware began.
What is dummyware? Besides a clever made up compound word. Dummyware is the dumbing down of both hardware and software for average consumer use. It means the power user has to go from aggressive computer user to hacker to get what he wants out of his devices. It means that 5 or 10 years ago my mobile device was an extension of my PC synchronizing with its information and applications and bringing a compact for with me. Today that mobile device is multiple times more powerful and is basically a fancy way to check my facebook (see future article).
Why do I need a processor many many times faster than my first PC in my mobile device that can’t even play music while I read a book? (looking at you Apple iPad/iPod/iPhone) Way back in the day I could connect my mobile device (a number of Palm III series devices) to my PC via serial (sorry kids we’re in the way back machine now) and control my Winamp Media Player while I played HalfLife online in full screen. Was I a hacker/codecracker? No I was a slacker, I downloaded the software plugin, connected the cable, reboot the computer most likely and DONE. That was it. Now if I want my mobile device to talk to my PC I have to get permission from the Technology Czar or Bill Gates or someone and good luck with that!
I would like to thank all of the consumers who have dummyware proliferate and sacrifice advanced feature support in favor of idiotproof hardware/software.