2008 Is over

And once again we're overrun with cell phones and music gadgets. I love technology because it continually improves. Unlike the economy, gas mileage, car values, most people.... technology improves on itself every year. Unfortunately it's starting to wheedle into our brains.

Nearly everything you buy is obsolete and no longer supported by the manufacturer because they've changed models 10 times since your purchase. Heck, Consumer Reports magazine has become somewhat useless because the product rated is no longer for sale in stores. Take USB thumb drives. When I purchase my 1gb drive I went out and googled 8, 16, 32 and even 64gb drives. They existed but 32 and 64 were over $3k. Then the 2gb showed up at Staples for the price I purchased my 1gb. Eventually the 4gb pushed down the 2gb so I waited and got an 8gb for the same price I purchased my 1gb. I know this is going to continue but I'm gigged out. I don't need any more - stop already!!!

I think we have everything we need in cell/texting technology, offline storage technology, portable music and GPS capabilities. I don't need a multi-terabyte hard drive or a 3000 inch HD plasma television. Yet in 2009 we'll get all this and more.

Instead, give me access to solar panel for my home that will help me get free of the power company and a car that will break my bond with OPEC.

The internet

Believe it or not there are now humans on this planet who have had the internet available to them their entire lives. That seems crazy to me. I remember using my dial up modem to log on to hobbyist electronic bulletin boards to share information and download shareware. I remember Compuserve, GEnie and eventually AOL who provided less busy signals and more access to the same stuff. I remember when I started using the internet and thinking "this is going to change the world".

Although I had the right idea, I wasn't even close. Every year there's something new that blows me away. Look at the free tools we have now. How many ways can I map my trip or see a satellite photograph of your house?! I have broadband access to my house, wireless throughout my house, wireless at Burger King, movies, music, news, blogs!

Consider the changes in accessibility. Not only is all of this available to everyone in more modern countries, the exact same worldwide Oracle is available to every person on the planet.

My first blog post is dedicated to the positive impact internet technology has brought to our world. Thank you to all the system engineers and computer programmers who make this creative medium the positive force that it is. Incredible job! And of course... thank you Al Gore.


North American Internet Usage Statistics
Internet Traffic Report
Worldwide Internet Usage
PC Magazine Top 100 Websites