I hope the PC as we know it is gone in 30 years!
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| theoldman59 Feb 08, 2007 9:42 AM EDT |
As with most predictions, the predictor seems to assume that the PC of today will remain on a straight line development path, remaining similar to today's configuration with Operating Systems and purchased software. Somehow, I doubt that will be the case in 30 years. I personally hope that PCs radically change to more specialized devices so we can lose the bulk. In many cases, a device might serve a few, specialized tasks instead of the big heavy duty box we have today. the BlackBerry is a prime example. It does telephone, e-mail and other functions well with somewhat proprietary software, but that software must interact with other software's via compatible file formats. The competition between vendors will force the commonality of file formats for many years to come. As the PC changes away from the ubiquitous box on your desk to smaller, more elegant, more specialized systems, the desire of vendors to please the customer will force a somewhat cooperative file format model. Any vendor that moves out on their own risks the backlash of the customer community by not purchasing their product. Only time will tell, but the customers are smart enough to demand some interoperability, no matter what. Single vendor solutions are high risk, where multiple vendors supporting the same basic format remove a great deal of risk. If the author is referring to Financial Files (SAP, and others), or databases (Oracle and others), we are already there and I do not expect major changes in that model. |
| jimf Feb 08, 2007 11:14 AM EDT |
'Yet another' prediction of the future... I like science fiction, but I try never to confuse that with reality. |
| Sander_Marechal Feb 08, 2007 3:54 PM EDT |
I don't want specialized devices. I want a general purpose computer. The more open and the more general purpose, the better. The only thing that I hope to see is that virtualization, networking and peripherals take a major flight. That way you would simply have a single "home computer", tucked away somewhere along with your water, electricity, phoneline, etcetera. All you'd have to do is put a monitor, keyboard and mouse somewhere and wireless magic with the home server does the rest. If you want a "specialised service", the home server just creates a virual enviroment for it and stream everything to the peripheral. There is no difference between a TV and your "workstation". They're both screens with a wireless link. The "TV" is just a bit larger, that's all. Oh, and *one* remote to control it all, please. |
| jimf Feb 08, 2007 4:39 PM EDT |
> I don't want specialized devices. I want a general purpose computer. The more open and the more general purpose, the better. I agree completely, and, I'm betting that many, if not most, people will also prefer that. I doubt the PC format is going away any time soon. Specialization is just the new cash cow that MS and the media Moguls want to sell us. |
| theoldman59 Feb 09, 2007 9:38 AM EDT |
Unfortunately, the age of specialized devices is already here. Blackberry's, iPhones, GPS systems in the car, microwave, etc. They are here and more and more are arriving every day. The box that we call a computer today seems to have matured in the past 10 years. The main changes you see today seem to be speed, and a different look. They still run the good old spreadsheet, word processor, database, and internet connection the same today as a few years ago, just faster. Even the way we display data is relatively unchanged from 10 years ago. Perhaps, the maturing industry will cause the behemoth software houses to stumble and open the way for smaller folks to enter the markets and make the changes necessary to ensure the continued rate of progress. At any rate, I hope the constant change in the markets will cause that stumbling so that the predicted demise of the PC as we know it does happen, just not the way the author fears. I hope the changes bring new players into the markets that force competition and benefit the consumer. As with all prognostications, only time will tell. The arrival of the $100 PC for third world nations is one element that may drastically impact the PC as we know it. Here’s a Toast to the Future and the unknowns it brings! |
| tuxchick Feb 09, 2007 9:40 AM EDT |
In 30 years I don't want a dommed old PC. I want a troop of slaves to rub my feet, clean my house, and bring me nice things to eat and drink. Hmm...why wait 30 years? |
| DarrenR114 Feb 09, 2007 9:56 AM EDT |
TC - maybe you should hide that cattle prod to better entice that "troop of slaves" |
| jimf Feb 09, 2007 10:31 AM EDT |
> The arrival of the $100 PC A cell phone by any other name.... What a joke. |
| jimf Feb 09, 2007 10:36 AM EDT |
> a troop of slaves What devious recruting plan??? Never mind, I'd rather not know :D |
| tuxchick Feb 09, 2007 10:46 AM EDT |
Hide the prod? Man, you lily-livered hippie liberals are all alike. |
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