My Disappointments with Technology

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Bruce Keener

I am so fed up with the state of technology that I have decided to vent. Here’s where I am coming from on this:

  • I came from the generation that watched men land on the moon, and that was, what, 40 years ago? Almost half-a-century. I have my doubts that we could do it again.
  • When I was a student at Georgia tech, about 35 years ago, a professor there helped develop the first handheld scientific calculator. I was so impressed by that technology (and Prof John Pittman), but I also remember having visions that computing technology would always improve and that it would forever improve our lives. We’ll it is not living up to my vision.


Now I sometimes wonder if technology has hurt us more than it has helped us. I know that is an exaggeration, but there sure is a lot of time spent on trying to get computers and PDAs to do the things we want them to do. I am not 100-percent convinced that we ever get that time back.

For example:

  • You would think that we would have reached the point where you could sync your data to all manner of devices. But, you will feel challenged in trying to get a Pocket PC and Outlook and Entourage (or iCal) all in sync, and forget about trying to keep all of that in sync with any PIM you have on a Linux system. You can sync with any one of the three systems individually, but together? (I do think Plaxo has some potential on resolving this.) Update: James Kendrick reports that the Vista sync center actually turned his xv6700 into a brick!
  • With my T-Mobile Dash, I have noticed two problems since its WM6 “upgrade:” (1) The audible on the alarms has stopped working: all I can get now for a reminder is a vibration, as if it were in the vibrate mode (which it is not), and (2) after every sync with ActiveStink, the device has to be reset before it will fetch mail or connect to the internet.

Isn’t that pathetic?

I am getting more and more tempted to get an iPhone just to finally have a device that is innovative. And, I bet its alarms work. And, I bet it syncs okay (with Macs, at least).

I am tired of this crap. What has gone wrong with innovation? What has gone wrong with device dependability? (Is Palm the only company that can consistently make a handheld with Working Alarms?) Lack of vision is clearly one cause. Perhaps another is that the incompetence of an organization grows in proportion to its size.

Are you as fed up with this nonsense as I am?

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  • http://apileofblog.com Glenn Dixon

    Some good points there. I remember in the early 90′s a co-worker talking about having his desktop surface as a computer screen. I can’t believe it took 15 years for that to make it to the market. But as far as space travel goes we now have non-military people in the space station and private companies sending satellites into space, including the launch. But you’re right, I’m always looking for perfection in devices. It’s a curse.

  • capo

    Hmmm. I wrote a rather lengthy rant but decided against posting it. I’ll just say “I heartily agree” instead.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    Glenn – thanks for the reminder that there are interesting things still being done with space exploration. And, the Hubble Telescope certainly has helped us better understand, or speculate on, the physical origins of our universe. But, speaking of the latter, there have been few breakthroughs in our understanding of the fabric of our universe: string theory has floundered for over a quarter century, as one example.

    Anyway, my frustration is not due to an impression that there has been no progress, but my impression that there has been damned little of it that has really served us well.

    Capo – I think we are cut out of the same mold when it comes to this subject.

  • nowaynohow

    I also started writing a lengthy response, until I realized I do not have enough time to finish. So– I also agree with this rant! I have two points. First, the Internet is a great product of technology for those of us that are continually learning. Information is almost available at a moments notice. Two, I can’t believe that accessing the internet is still limited, with its popularity. I should be able to access the internet every where I have cell phone coverage with out paying a huge price. Instead I have to wait for work, home, or a coffee shop (and even the coffee shops still charge). Hopefully the popularity of the iPhone and similar technologies will change this.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    Good points, nowaynohow. We should have 24/7 to the internet and be able to use it for all our tech needs. I am glad to see services like Plaxo emerging. Maybe it can be Google-Gears enabled to provide offline access, too.

    I do think there are some hopeful technologies emerging, thanks to innovative few. Underscore that the innovative are few.

  • John

    Technology isn’t the problem when it comes to manned space flight. It’s the lack of desire and leadership.

    Re handhelds, I believe the HP200LX has yet to be equaled. Again the tech is there, it’s just not being built.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    John, I think you are right re space.

    As for handhelds, I will not pick a favorite, although I agree that HP is hard to beat. Thinking back over my devices, the best were HP’s: the 3975, the 2215, and the 4700. The one exception was Toshiba’s e805, which was really a top-notch device. I wish I had held on to each of these. (I still have a 4700 but it is loaned out to a friend.)

    I think you are right that the capability exists to build good hardware, and I agree with you. Again, it is a lack of standards and vision. What pisses me off about the iPhone is that it should be the standard … it should be the minimum we are willing to accept … it should not be considered innovative, it should be considered baseline. To me it is a shame that we have to buy such an “innovative” device to get what I would consider to be what we should have for the norm.

    I almost got an iPhone this morning after visiting Vickie at the cemetery. I parked in a local strip mall where I have done some business before with AT&T, but instead of walking to it I walked to Barnes and Noble.