Evils of the Upgrade Treadmill

Companies today will make new versions of their software solely to rake in profits.  They add very little functionality, or they add functionality that most people won't use.  Often this "upgrade treadmill" approach will try to force users to buy new versions.  A new version of the software has a different format for saving files so that users with the older version of the software are forced to upgrade.  Users should purchase newer versions of software for added functionality, not because they feel forced into doing it.  People defend the upgrade treadmill saying that it is the main source for innovation, but programmers that are paid to find ways to "upgrade" Microsoft Office are not innovating.  They are changing the look of Word, but it's the same program today as it was ten years ago.  Innovation comes from the most unlikely sources.  Did anyone expect Mark Zuckerberg to invent one of the most revolutionary social constructs ever when he started Facebook?  The upgrade treadmill is a method used by large companies to make more money then they deserve; it is not the source of innovation.

More about the upgrade treadmill:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/wa-cranky44.html

Microsoft's Monopoly

Countless people complain about Microsoft having too much power and that they have a monopoly on the software business.  Microsoft only has as much power as we give them.  If we refuse to use their products for one reason or another they will be forced to improve or change them.  One example of this is Microsoft Office.  Many people feel locked in to using it.  If using their program rubs you the wrong way morally, then don't use it.  There are other options such as OpenOffice, AbiWord, or even Google Docs.  If you are tired of Microsoft having so much influence, then don't feed the fire!  There may be some disadvantages to using OpenOffice or Google Docs instead of Word, but you need to stand your ground.  Start using open document formats such as odt and encourage others to do the same.  If enough people would accept and use an open document standard, then Microsoft would be forced to be more accommodating or risk losing a significant amount of profit.  If you wish that Microsoft had less of a monopoly then, instead of complaining about it, do your best to change it.


Here are some articles and opinions about Microsoft's monopoly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft
http://www.zaimoni.com/George/MicrosoftMonopoly.htm

Power to Influence Society

It is interesting to think about how advances in technology have given everyone power.  Before the invention of the printing press, in order to spread one's own ideas though a book, it was next to impossible.  After the invention of the printing press it became much easier to spread one's own ideas.  However, an average person would not have the means nor the connections to publish a book that would be available throughout the nation, let alone across the globe.  The Internet has made it possible for anyone to express their own ideas and opinions and make them accessible to the world almost instantaneously.  Almost everyone takes this power that is now at their fingertips for granted.  No longer do people have the inability to influence people throughout the world.