Old and New -- Redmondmag.com

Barney's Rubble

Old and New

By Doug Barney
11/01/2012

In the world of presidents, 51 years old is relatively young, though not so shocking these days. In the world of high tech, 51 is getting up there. And, yes, that's exactly how old I am.

I don't know how many young gals' and guys' eyes have glazed over in years past when I waxed on about how much faster the 8086 processor was than the 8088, or told the joke about how many DIP switches it took to screw in a graphics card.

Unfortunately for the folks I bore with stories, I think it's cool to remember the old times. Heck, I think it's cool to remember just about anything.

The young have their own version of cool, and here I don't quite keep up.

Here are some other signs I'm a bit of a computer fogie:

I still believe in printing, and actually use printing as a form of backup for key documents. (Tree huggers, I feel your pain, but I've also seen stories go completely poof! -- and Word had no memory of their existence).

I've used a BlackBerry for far too long. Two years ago I dunked my phone in the ocean and got a free one, which locked me in for two more years. Now that I'm free from that obligation I'll get an actual modern phone -- I just haven't decided which one.

I hang onto old machines -- like Windows XP laptops -- too long, and I bought an obsolete Mac iBook because it was so cheap. Too bad I can't even load a modern browser.

Although I had a ton of Best Buy gift certificates from my kids, it took me years to break down and buy an iPad, which serves mainly as the family camera.

I use Hotmail (now Outlook.com) not Gmail (though with Google privacy that's probably the cool way to go).

I actually use e-mail, not text.

Until recently I thought the Mac was more important than the iPhone.

I don't use hip apps such as the FourSquare location service -- and actually find it kinda creepy.

I don't use my phone for search, social networking or taking pictures. This is probably because it's still a BlackBerry.

I still think a laptop needs a CD drive, though I never use the drive.

I haven't thrown out my LPs, cassettes, CDs or 8-track tapes.

But I also have a modern streak:

I use Windows 7 but am jonesin' for Windows 8.

I'm used to the Ribbon.

I got the first Video Toaster ever built (look it up, it's cool!).

I use cloud backup and cloud file share.

As editor in chief of Redmond magazine, I get to see and hear about everything first.

I have 3 iPods.

I no longer read print newspapers.

What are your most- and least- modern traits? Let me know at [email protected].

About the Author

Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.

Featured

Cisco Warns of Brute Force Attacks Targeting VPNs and Firewalls

Cisco has revealed that a global increase in brute force attacks targeting Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other devices is currently taking place.
What's Inside Microsoft 365's Security Toolbox?

Microsoft provides plenty of native tools to secure Microsoft 365. IT pros just have to know where to look.
Microsoft Kills 30-Day Data Retention Policy for Copilot in Fabric

Microsoft this week announced several usability improvements coming to Copilot in Fabric in preparation of its general availability release later this year.
Using Microsoft Office to Build a Network Diagram 2

Now that we've set up our process, let's dig in with the actual execution.
Microsoft Graph 'Activity Logs' Feature Goes Live

Microsoft announced the general availability of the "activity logs" capability in Microsoft Graph, giving administrators more options to track user activity and identify patterns of potential misuse.