Hi,
I really wonder why a huge bunch of people in IT are so conservative.
For example, websites who don't roll out iPad app regardless of the users needs. Blame it on the lack of skills to develop these, but most of them really don't get that iOS-style devices are the future, and the future is now - who knows what 2011 will bring. If people are unable to do this, just roll out a mobile version of the website - all the cool kids are doing it, and in most cases, this is already sufficient.
Another example: AirPrint. What is so hard about unifying the way computers interact with printers? They do all the same, just like keyboards, mice and mass storage drives. I actually agree with Apples decision to remove the AirPrint support from 10.6.5, you need to make a big cut to wake up the manufacturers. Powering on your computer to print from your iPad is definitively not the way to go. If printer manufacturers don't develop support for AirPrint, they'll probably see big sales cuts soon.
Or have a look at the thread a bit below. This however is IMHO based on the lack of knowledge about Moore's law. Without picking up the "Macs are overpriced" topic again, it leaves to say that there are hundreds of $500 laptops out there. I may be able to get the best one and stick an SSD in there, most people around here too, but Average Joe at the mall doesn't.
You get the point. People don't read MacRumors, Techcrunch, Slashdot and what not as basic sources of informations daily, they are clueless. This is already wrong for Average Joe, but definitely for guys who are in IT. I mean, imagine a manager without his daily fix of the WSJ - after some period of time, he would probably be useless for business.
IMHO, in the 21th century, where computers are omnipresent, fit in your pocket and are a big part of most peoples lives, all this a serious social concern. Somehow, we, the people of this planet, have to make sure to stay state-of-the-art in every way and whatever may prevent it has to abolished.
Some of those problems result from politicians - especially the old ones. If you can't even use a computer, how can you judge those issues and do what's best for the people? The guys from Silicon Valley are the ones you'll have to contact on those matters. However, I think this will resolve itself as the Silicon Valley people get older, move on and some will end up in politics.
For Apple, there is sometimes stuff you wonder about and could classify it as reactionary. For example, the lack of Core-i CPUs in the Mini and the lower-class MacBooks and the lack of 7200RPM hard drives. However, Apple mostly has a good reason to justify their actions - in those cases that would be license issues between Intel and nVidia, Intel's bad graphics and the heat that 7200RPM laptop hard drives put on top of the already hot MacBooks. In all the other examples I stated, you simply get a "No, we don't do that" resp. "No, I don't want that" and that's it. It seems like people don't even give it a though.
Once last example would be cable companies. There is trouble going on for years about the CableCard. The technology for this is widely available for decades, namely Common Interfaces and Conditional Access Modules plus SmartCards. However, having those technology may not be fun either. For example, you need a receiver which is certified by the cable company, or they don't ship the SmartCard. Sure, the cable company provides a receiver, but it's crippled firmware doesn't work well and is not what I'd consider "Made to please Apple users", nor are the certified ones. Technically, every Receiver works, that's the purpose of the technology. Period. Or if you bought a Router with your internet service contract, they don't upgrade your connection because theoretically, you won't be able to use ISDN phones with DOCSIS3. Makes no difference whether you have them or not: Wait a year or two, cancel your contract and try again. Technically, this is no problem either. The provided Cisco modems could (well, if you don't cripple the firmware and use the Cisco-provided one like the US model does) act as SIP proxy, and $20 buy you a SIP-ISDN adapter.
So, what do you guys think of the issue of reactionary behavior in IT in general, and how it could be handled in the future? My examples may not concern you so much, but I guess all of you experienced similar situations where technically possible things where denied for no reason.
Kind regards
I really wonder why a huge bunch of people in IT are so conservative.
For example, websites who don't roll out iPad app regardless of the users needs. Blame it on the lack of skills to develop these, but most of them really don't get that iOS-style devices are the future, and the future is now - who knows what 2011 will bring. If people are unable to do this, just roll out a mobile version of the website - all the cool kids are doing it, and in most cases, this is already sufficient.
Another example: AirPrint. What is so hard about unifying the way computers interact with printers? They do all the same, just like keyboards, mice and mass storage drives. I actually agree with Apples decision to remove the AirPrint support from 10.6.5, you need to make a big cut to wake up the manufacturers. Powering on your computer to print from your iPad is definitively not the way to go. If printer manufacturers don't develop support for AirPrint, they'll probably see big sales cuts soon.
Or have a look at the thread a bit below. This however is IMHO based on the lack of knowledge about Moore's law. Without picking up the "Macs are overpriced" topic again, it leaves to say that there are hundreds of $500 laptops out there. I may be able to get the best one and stick an SSD in there, most people around here too, but Average Joe at the mall doesn't.
You get the point. People don't read MacRumors, Techcrunch, Slashdot and what not as basic sources of informations daily, they are clueless. This is already wrong for Average Joe, but definitely for guys who are in IT. I mean, imagine a manager without his daily fix of the WSJ - after some period of time, he would probably be useless for business.
IMHO, in the 21th century, where computers are omnipresent, fit in your pocket and are a big part of most peoples lives, all this a serious social concern. Somehow, we, the people of this planet, have to make sure to stay state-of-the-art in every way and whatever may prevent it has to abolished.
Some of those problems result from politicians - especially the old ones. If you can't even use a computer, how can you judge those issues and do what's best for the people? The guys from Silicon Valley are the ones you'll have to contact on those matters. However, I think this will resolve itself as the Silicon Valley people get older, move on and some will end up in politics.
For Apple, there is sometimes stuff you wonder about and could classify it as reactionary. For example, the lack of Core-i CPUs in the Mini and the lower-class MacBooks and the lack of 7200RPM hard drives. However, Apple mostly has a good reason to justify their actions - in those cases that would be license issues between Intel and nVidia, Intel's bad graphics and the heat that 7200RPM laptop hard drives put on top of the already hot MacBooks. In all the other examples I stated, you simply get a "No, we don't do that" resp. "No, I don't want that" and that's it. It seems like people don't even give it a though.
Once last example would be cable companies. There is trouble going on for years about the CableCard. The technology for this is widely available for decades, namely Common Interfaces and Conditional Access Modules plus SmartCards. However, having those technology may not be fun either. For example, you need a receiver which is certified by the cable company, or they don't ship the SmartCard. Sure, the cable company provides a receiver, but it's crippled firmware doesn't work well and is not what I'd consider "Made to please Apple users", nor are the certified ones. Technically, every Receiver works, that's the purpose of the technology. Period. Or if you bought a Router with your internet service contract, they don't upgrade your connection because theoretically, you won't be able to use ISDN phones with DOCSIS3. Makes no difference whether you have them or not: Wait a year or two, cancel your contract and try again. Technically, this is no problem either. The provided Cisco modems could (well, if you don't cripple the firmware and use the Cisco-provided one like the US model does) act as SIP proxy, and $20 buy you a SIP-ISDN adapter.
So, what do you guys think of the issue of reactionary behavior in IT in general, and how it could be handled in the future? My examples may not concern you so much, but I guess all of you experienced similar situations where technically possible things where denied for no reason.
Kind regards
