When it comes to throwaway hardware and software due to the age of the
so-called antiquated hardware or software, I am one of those who stays with
what works. It really bothers me when people say, "I understand your
situation, but, . . ." They always put that "but" in there, and then say
why I must upgrade.
---
Be positive! When it comes to being defeated, if you think you're finished,
you! really! are! finished!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Josh Kennedy" <joshknnd1...@gmail.com>
To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 6:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Throwaway Tech was Previous Topic of
InteractiveFiction
I buy my laptops refurbished and recertified from newegg.com or blaire
technology group. I upgraded this one to windows8.1 but will be going back
to windows7 soon because I don't like windows8.1's interface that much and
my windows xp virtual machine in vmware player has major issues under
windows8.1.
On 10/22/2014 3:49 AM, Thomas Ward wrote:
Hi Shaun,
Well, it is true that in a lot of places in the world some people take
technology for granted, and new computers, cell phones, and other
things are now regarded as throwaway technology. I think one reason
for that is because the cost has drastically dropped over the last ten
to twenty years. It has made it inexpensive to own and thus easy to
throwaway and replace as desired for some people.
For example, when I was in college I purchased my first laptop for
note taking etc. It cost me $1,800 USD brand new from Best Buy.
Nowadays I can walk into any Walmart and pick up a brand new laptop
for like $325 if I just want a cheap and affordable laptop. Basically,
in the span of about fifteen years the cost has dropped to the point I
could buy about five new laptops for the price of one I could have
purchased in the late 90's. So much so that it costs as much to
replace the hardware in them as it is to by new outright in a lot of
cases.
That said, it is mainly people with lots of money to spend who are
doing that. Blind computer users generally are on fixed incomes so
can't just run out and buy a new laptop anytime a new model comes onto
the market. It is hard enough to get them to upgrade their software
like buying a new Windows version let alone the entire computer
system. As someone who has fallen on hard times I understand where
they are coming from.
If we consider the average blind American on SSI makes about$720 per
month it is pretty hard to justify spending $325 on a new laptop every
so often just to get a software and hardware upgrade when there are
more important things like rent, electric, food, and other things that
need to be paid. Let me say that $720 doesn't go far these days, and
so it is no wonder blind users are less likely than the mainstream
public to join the ranks of those who throw away old technology after
it is a few months old.
With all that in mind as an audio game developer I need to consider
that, and do more to be backward compatible than someone like
Microsoft just because I can't depend on my customers to upgrade as
often as the general public. So while you have a point that we are
living in a throwaway society, too much tech as become throwaway tech,
it must be remembered it is only certain segments of the population
who do that sort of thing.
Cheers!
On 10/21/14, shaun everiss <sm.ever...@gmail.com> wrote:
you are so right tom, sadly these days most get the graphical world
and thats all they know.
its one of my laments on computer stuff.
In the day my day if something went wrong you actually tried to
replace it or fix it.
now, if something goes wrong a recovery disk, a reformat will fix it
but your average yung person wouldn't know what dos was anymore.
and if something breaks or even if it doesn't they are ready to
replace it to quickly.
An example, my cousin brought a brand new phone last year.
It was barely a few months old, it still worked fine but he sold it
because it was not the latest and got another one, at full price.
When I have a computer and not to many years ago, you only replaced
it if the gbattery exploded, the drivves failed or the case melted.
You ran all your boxes into the ground.
People sadly do not think like that anymore.
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