Programming VCRs

One of the differentiating features of our generation was whether or not one was able to reprogram the clock on a VCR. However, I would imagine that the marker of technological skill has expanded to include being able to use a computer or cellphone, or being able to discern the mess behind a TV or a desktop computer.

And these are all skills that I have. And I take pride in the fact that I am able to hook up a DVD player to a TV - even though it only takes a HDMI cable, and the HDMI cable only fits in ports designed for it...

But what I wonder is: will there be a time when I will be included in the generation of the know-not-hows. Will I be able to keep up with what I have learned and stay ahead of the curve, or will I discover that the young whippersnappers with their gizmos and what-cha-ma-bobs are completely complicated and inaccessible?

On the other hand, perhaps there is some skill that is learned once, regarding technology, and every other technological device acts in accordance to our knowledge.

Maybe it is a little bit of both. When things are new and you have no idea what they are, then usually it is confusing and mind boggling. Like when you get a new phone and all the button combinations are new and misleading - sometimes. But then you use your phone for a week (or a day, or a year - depending on what part of the learning curve you are on) and you realize you are ready to text message your friend by motor-memory. But then again, maybe we have the ability to explore and "fail" and realize that "failing" technology means that you set the VCR clock incorrectly, not that you activated a self destruct timer on your TV...

So I have hope that I have some innate ability to explore and learn - which is really the essence of technological knowledge. Which gives me hope that when future devices come along that I have no experience with, I will learn, and fail, but eventually understand.

Use Disuse Use - Keyboards

I had a previous post about parts of the computer that have fell by the wayside. What I realized the other day is that the keyboard has a more interesting story.

Here it is:

Once upon a time, the keyboard was created. Apparently, there are many possible stories about the layout of the keyboard and why the QWERTY configuration was chosen. However, the most accepted theory seems to be the fact that early models would frequently jam and this configuration would prevent jamming (since it is less efficient, slows down the person typing, and separates common keys from one another). I welcome comments about why you think this is not the most accepted theory...

Anyways, with the creation of the computer, the keyboard layout clearly transferred over. And I don't know about you but I don't fear internal jamming from my computer because of the keyboard layout. I welcome comments about the connection between your computer jamming, and your keyboard layout...?

Obviously, the reasoning for the keyboard layout was no longer important; and subsequently, it became a part of the computer that fell by the wayside!

But whats more? I think that the keyboard layout has made a comeback! With the creation of on-screen keyboards on small smartphones, companies had to create software to "predict" the probability of the next key pressed - since smaller keys mean smaller phone, and while keys can get smaller, people's fingers can't.

Bringing it all back - what a coincidence that the more likely keys are less likely to be near each other from the original design of the keyboard for typewriters! Therefore, it would be easier for software to predict what key the user really meant to type. So you see: From "Use" to "Disuse" and back to "Use" again.

The End.