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rdouglass -> RE: Hasta la Vista (5/20/2006 16:48:36)
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quote:
The really really sad thing is that in a couple of years it will be the standard and all the software will only run on it.
That's the way it is. We don't buy a computer to last forever (or at least we shouldn't.) We don't buy vehicles that way (a few collector items yes, but in general no.)
We (at least from a business perspective) cannot treat computer hardware and software as durable goods to lat indefinitely (10+ years). They need to be treated almost as a "consumable" item with a definite lifetime.
If you want to do computing as a hobby, then yes, a PC may last you 8 or 10 years. But if you do this professionally, you're really pushing it with 3 year old hardware. If you want to do woodworking as a hobby, well you can probably get by with the same tools you had 10 years ago but if you're doing this for a living, you'll be buying new euipment much sooner if you want to remain competative.
Computers are *not* durable goods items. They are 'toasters' in the sense that they're not even worth fixing many times after about 2 years.
I know it seems like a never ending cycle (a conspiracy almost), but the computer you bought 10 years ago will probably do the same job it was intended to do with no problems. The real problem is we want them to do more than they were intended to do.
Well, maybe not directly us but our customers. And unless you're doing this as a hobby, you need customers. If we're not providing what our customers want, then we don't really have a very good business model (or we need to find new customers.)
My customers want sites built with the latest technology and techniques (don't mistake these words for "latest hardware and OS"). If my competitor can do it in half the time as I can because he has newer (read "faster") hardware, then he has an advantage over me. I don't see this as being all that much different than most other businesses that produce a product. That part is Economics 101.
Having said that, you don't always have to jump every step. Why not skip a step or two? For instance, going from Windows 2000 to XP may not be necessary and you may be able to just wait for Vista. Or something to that effect.
Unless of course, your app requires it. Same deal though - it is a cost of business and has to be treated as such. Try building 5% of the cost of a new PC or app into every project as if it was a cost of doing business. That's how 'real 'businesses do it. Hey, we all have a 'cost of doing business'. The trick is knowing what that really is. Buying new computer hardware and software is *definitely* one of those costs in this business. As much as rent, phone charges, and electricity.
</$.02>
EDIT: And my first computer had 16K of memory. Ya know, it will still do what it was intended to do and still makes an adequate word processor.
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