Tech That Failed To Fail

itwbennett writes "There are tech fads that flare up quickly and then, pouf, they're gone (Tamagotchi, anyone?). And then there are technologies that industry bigwigs predict will follow that familiar pattern and instead end up withstanding the test of time. The Internet, for example, has famously failed to implode, despite dire predictions by Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe. And what about TV, the cornerstone of the American living room? Inventor Lee DeForest, known as one of the 'fathers of the electronic age,' declared TV a commercial and financial impossibility, a sentiment that was shared by 20th Century Fox exec Darryl Zanuck. And FCC engineer T.A.M. Craven was absolutely certain back in 1961 that there was 'no chance communications space satellites will be used to provide better telephone, telegraph, television, or radio service inside the United States.'"

Re:Dont forget OSX and Linux

[gabebear]

They(OSX and Linux) have utterly failed to "destroy Windows on the desktop", and will continue to do so.

I don't think Windows has failed to fail. It fails pretty well.

Re:ATM machines

[ZamesC]

Bank close at 3PM, because, in the pre-computer days, there was several hours worth of counting & bookkeeping that had to be done between kicking the last customer out & close for the night. Why they STILL close at 3PM, is... well... tradition, I guess.

Re:ATM machines

[Dr_Barnowl]

Brazil is changing it's ATMs to Linux. Presumably it's the year of Linux on the ATM.

Re:The tech wasn't the issue though

[Mr_Silver]

What the iPod did was make MP3 players cool, it made them a fashion accessory.

It was far far more than that:

1. It was slimmer and lighter than the competition which meant it was easier to carry around with you.
2. It was prettier than the competition and looked like it was worth the money you paid for it, you weren't embarrassed to pull it out of your pocket.
3. It had a far better build quality. The competition were producing players with nasty plasticy buttons and creaky bodies.
4. The battery life (I think) was better.
5. It used Firewire instead of USB 1.1, so loading songs onto the device averaged about 1-2 seconds per song rather than the competition which was capable of about 1 minute per song.
6. It came with iTunes which automatically managed your library, syncing and playlists whilst the competition made you drag and drop your files.
7. It had a user interface which was easy to use and didn't make you want to cry. As opposed to the competition which never managed to produce anything with less than 7 buttons.

Yes, it wasn't perfect - but compared to the Creative Nomand [wikipedia.org] or the Archos Jukebox [wikipedia.org] it was an amazing bit of kit. In fact the only people who didn't like it were Slashdot readers and that was pretty much going to guarantee it would sell like hotcakes.

Re:ATM machines

[cayenne8]

Who uses coupons? Why would I waste an hour of my life to save 50 cents off something I don't want?

I've not been using them as much lately, but I have in the past and you can SAVE a good amount of money.

First rule is, and you've alluded to it...ONLY use them to buy things you want and use.

I often spend a relaxing Sunday morning, going through the newpaper, maybe drinking a little kicked up coffee...I read the paper, look whats on sale at various stores, and I get the coupons out. I look through the coupons, usually 2-3 'books' of a few pages each and clip out what I like to use.

I have an organizer, and I put the coupons in there. I generally know what I have coupons for.

Before I go shopping, and I usually do my weeks worth of shopping on Sunday mornings, and get out early before the crowds hit.

I look at the various grocery stores weekly specials...and from there, plan what I'm going to cook. I like to cook and can either make up stuff based on sale ingredients for that week, or know of recipes I've been wanting to try..

I hit the store..get what I want, and use coupons that are appropriate for that weeks meals. If something is on sale, I may buy that item (if non-perishable) on sale with the coupon.

Those $0.25-$0.50 really can add up, and it doesn't take the cashier long to scan them. It can really add up if you hit a store that does double coupons.

Does it take a little extra time? Sure.....but not that much. I rarely eat out for crap food like fast food. If I'm going to dine out...I like to go once or twice a month to a NICE restaurant with servers and good wine, and things that I'd likely not cook at home....and I CAN cook some pretty complex and exotic things.

I figure my savings with sales and coupons contributes to good meals out.

I've not used coupons as much lately, as that these days many of them are for processed foods, and I more and more tend to shop on the outside aisles of the stores...fresh produce, meats, dairy....I like to cook from scratch.

And cooking what's on sale that week....has its benefits. I don't get stuck in a rut eating the same stuff all the time.

Again...I enjoy cooking. so, it doesn't work for everyone...I usually cook 2-3 main entrees and 2-4 sides on Sunday...and have most of my food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the whole week. It is cheaper, healthier, etc...and to me, fun.

I also keep a pretty well stocked pantry..so, often times...I may not need to buy much more than raw meats and fresh veggies....I often have the rest at home already.

Lastly..summertime is really great...I use the charcoal grill a LOT. I'll often grill up different veggies and meats....and then during the week, put them together in fun ways....wrap sandwiches, salads....jambalaya (ok, not so much that one lately as I'm low carb...but I do live in New Orleans, so there are some staples you do, to use all your leftovers and make it taste good.).

Depends on your life, lifestyle and what you like to do with your time.

Food is a big one with me....so, it doesn't seem like I'm wasting time on it.

Housecleaning on the other hand....well, that blows, but has to be done too from time to time.

Re:Inventor of TV

[Some Bitch]

Philo Farnsworth invented Television.

...a year after John Logie Baird did.