For some arcane reason I am no longer able to access, as in sign-in to, my library's eBooks downloading site. That same website, OverDrive, is used by libraries worldwide so, I can't help but ask, am I officially a dinosaur now or are there others out there so frustratingly unable to access just one or two sites?
For me the aforementioned 'no go' sites are; Twitter, my
libraries downloading site for eBooks and, as of today, Flickr (and no refunds for lack of access!)...
that's to date any way.
Who knows how many more Internet sites will, in future days, come to view me and my computer set up as too out of date for them to have anything to do with?
Which globally respected and popular site will be the next to cast a virtual eye over my apparently outdated desktop computer and arbitrarily decide,
without consultation, notification or excuse
that I am no longer to be accepted within the ranks of those privileged enough
to be allowed to use it?
Even though we live in a society with access to an mind boggling array of low priced goods, that does not appear to apply to items from either the computer or communications industries.
that's to date any way.
Who knows how many more Internet sites will, in future days, come to view me and my computer set up as too out of date for them to have anything to do with?
Which globally respected and popular site will be the next to cast a virtual eye over my apparently outdated desktop computer and arbitrarily decide,
without consultation, notification or excuse
that I am no longer to be accepted within the ranks of those privileged enough
to be allowed to use it?
Even though we live in a society with access to an mind boggling array of low priced goods, that does not appear to apply to items from either the computer or communications industries.
In those industries, it would seem, 'enforced upgrading' by
way of 'pre-planned obsolescence', on the part of said industries, is seen as the way of promoting sales of your
latest products.
With the latest products 'made available' to an unsuspecting public whom, for the most part it would seem, have been brainwashed into believing that having the latest mobile phone or tablet, and the added debt that can entail, is more important than paying your food and power bills.
This 'enforced upgrading' by way of 'pre-planned obsolescence' is nothing new.
One just has to look at the recent history of software in general to see how the biggest names in that industry see nothing wrong in constantly releasing 'new', 'better or just simply 'improved' product into a market-place with an ever burgeoning demand.
Said software seldom seems to cost less than what went before and is rarely 'backwardly compatible. Thus, by way of this oh so subtle coercion, forcing ever more of the population to pay out ever more money for products which can be said to replace those which, until the arrival of 'the New *.*', had more than adequately accomplished all its owner asked of it.
With the latest products 'made available' to an unsuspecting public whom, for the most part it would seem, have been brainwashed into believing that having the latest mobile phone or tablet, and the added debt that can entail, is more important than paying your food and power bills.
This 'enforced upgrading' by way of 'pre-planned obsolescence' is nothing new.
One just has to look at the recent history of software in general to see how the biggest names in that industry see nothing wrong in constantly releasing 'new', 'better or just simply 'improved' product into a market-place with an ever burgeoning demand.
Said software seldom seems to cost less than what went before and is rarely 'backwardly compatible. Thus, by way of this oh so subtle coercion, forcing ever more of the population to pay out ever more money for products which can be said to replace those which, until the arrival of 'the New *.*', had more than adequately accomplished all its owner asked of it.
Anyone becoming aware of this fact could be forgiven for thinking the desktop computer mobile or tablet they have is perfectly good enough for them, however this matter of personal choice is now commonly taken out of the individual's control ...
you've got it, thanks to 'pre-planned obsolescence'.
you've got it, thanks to 'pre-planned obsolescence'.
Where next I ask myself?
I pose the question because, while our society runs the risk of allowing a new excluded subculture to form ( those excluded being unable to 'like' or 'follow' anything or anyone from within social media etc ) feedback received from those with the power, those technically trained types with minds more used to dealing with the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the dynamic world of computing and communication than mere mortals such as myself,
suggests all to painfully I am truly
alone 'out here'; excluded without recourse of any kind.
Perhaps these 'techie' types are not so much unwilling to advise, guide or assist ... as I had expected they would. Perhaps it's more that they are individually too deeply and emotionally involved in our society's way of doing things to know how to help or bring this situation to a happy and hopefully, positive conclusion.
Perhaps these 'techie' types are not so much unwilling to advise, guide or assist ... as I had expected they would. Perhaps it's more that they are individually too deeply and emotionally involved in our society's way of doing things to know how to help or bring this situation to a happy and hopefully, positive conclusion.
