Are Updates Required?

[BEDROCK]

I know in software they are mostly recommended but what about ancient systems that are sill in use like Windows XP, I know that some earlier version of software like Nero / Norton were far quicker and stable than bloated latter day counterparts and you could make a case that having everything rammed up to date that even system updates can slow your machine down with newer versions as a posed to the basic versions which are generally all we need.

 

This can also be translated onto hardware devices, mobile devices in particular are beyond the joke nowadays in having new phones out every single year and nothing lasting 2 minutes when decades ago things we built to last and still function fine today.

 

Same that could be said for entertainment systems, old CRT TV's lasting decades and outlasting inferior modern models by factor of 10, old vinyl decks last ages and still sound sweet today as a posed to CD players with optical lenses having short lifespans not being as easily replaceable than say turntable stylus needles.

 

It is obvious that modern day technology is not up to the job of sustaining itself over many years, things are designed to break and things are designed to make you buy more, a sober and global con that has reduced the world to expendable degrees.

 

I think that phone companies can easily design flagship phones that could be future proof for 20 years with minimal maintenance and software updates, things could easily be done. Just like the finest watches that should be bomb proof, so should technology.

 

It is a well engineered, well orchestrated con and the world has fell for it, shame on you

[The Joker]

You're right about Nero. I happily used version 6 until a few months ago when Microshaft stopped supporting XP.

 

That meant I had to swap my Pentium 4 PC for a newer one capable of running Windows 7, which also required an upgrade of my antivirus software, my office suite and Nero to the bloated version 8.

 

Thank you Bill Gates (and Mr Ballmer)

 

[denomis]

How do you expect a phone to last 20 years? Technology moves forward and makes life more productive, 20 years ago I had a Phillips zavvi phone, it made calls and texts with very basic wap internet services, now I have a smart phone and it allows me to be more productive, from researching work related things to making money by doing things like eBay.

 

As for your CRT comment you have to look at the bigger picture (no pun intended) the cost of running a CRT over ten years in energy terms would probably pay for buying and running at least 4/5 led monitors.

[Dardandec]

You've got to also look at the broader picture, technology from years gone by was also a lot more expensive than today. When I lived with my parents in the early 80's our first VCR was about £400. Basic TV's were like £200+

 

If you work that out with wages earned at the time and inflation, they would be silly money now.

 

Most modern technology can last just as long nowadays if it is looked after.

 

My lad bought a 19" acer widescreen monitor last year and it cost him £38 brand new, prices like that are practically for free. Our first CRT monitor about 15 or so years ago was like £80 for a 15".

 

Even mobile phones can be an 18 month throw away toy if you are on contract, even though they are the baby in technology compared to TV's etc.

[denomis]

You've got to also look at the broader picture, technology from years gone by was also a lot more expensive than today. When I lived with my parents in the early 80's our first VCR was about £400. Basic TV's were like £200+

 

If you work that out with wages earned at the time and inflation, they would be silly money now.

 

Most modern technology can last just as long nowadays if it is looked after.

 

My lad bought a 19" acer widescreen monitor last year and it cost him £38 brand new, prices like that are practically for free. Our first CRT monitor about 15 or so years ago was like £80 for a 15".

 

Even mobile phones can be an 18 month throw away toy if you are on contract, even though they are the baby in technology compared to TV's etc.

 

 

Yeah, my first LCD hd tv was £400 for a no name 32" 1080i and my first DVD player cost £150, to put that in perspective I've just been in Asda where I saw a 42" sony smart led tv for £325 and DVD players are about £20.

 

Also my no name LCD tv was still going strong after 7 years use, and probably still is, I sold it on to upgrade to a 42" 3D led tv which only cost £275.

[Guest]

My first LCD TV is still going as far as I'm aware 10 years later, my first plasma is olver 5 years old and still going. Same goes for my old monitors. My AV amp is well over 10 years old and still going strong. Never had any problems with my phones right back to my HTC Desire, I only upgraded because I wanted a new phone which was faster and had more features that I wanted.

 

Not sure what your point is really. Technology moves on.

[anywebsite]

My ZX Spectrum is broken (both of them in different ways), but my C64 works well. If you buy well engineered technology then it should last. You just forget all the rubbish they used to make because it broke & everybody gave up on it years ago, but well made things keep improving as they fix faults that have come to light since the last version was made.