Over the years I worked with-or for- two organisations that had among their mission statements a reference to “Future Proofing”.
Every iteration of their product line or new product introduction carried a promise, (spoken or implied) of “Future Proofing”.
Somehow the businesses would be able to have sufficient flexibility that they would be able to handle any changes that come down the pipeline.
However, like wooden wagon wheels, both organisations have long since disappeared from the market place and their products are no longer available on the shelves. So much for “Future Proofing”.
Actually as I look back over it there have been a long list of products that I’ve used that are no longer extant.
Who remembers WordStar. and using ^control key formatting. (Don’t all put your hands up!)
WordPefect anyone? (I know that Corel still have a version, but do you know anyone using it?)
Ahh, Lotus 123 So long old friend. (I used to train Lotus 123, mind I’m not an accountant) And while we are are on spreading sheets, how about VisiCalc on the Mac?
Two more and we’re done. Aldus PageMaker (not the Adobe version please). And its PC equivalent Ventura. Ahh, the agony.
Yet at the time, Pagemaker in particular sold more macs in Universities than any other program.
Something quite interesting in using Aldo Manuzio and his friend Griffo, ( everybody should have a friend named “Griffo”, very, well ‘ Stralian maaate’.
Aldo had his own future proofing logo which meant “Make haste slowly”.
What brought all this trip down memory lane on?
Good question.
I’ve spent this week working through the camera cupboard and looking at hardware I’m never going to use again.
The Nikon 1 system. And don’t think I didn’t put in some effort to make it work for us. There are several blog pages on this site that tell the history of our association with the small camera and its beautiful lenses. But, it wasn’t Future Proof.
EE has taken delivery of a sparkling new iMac to replace the older Mac Mini that has served her well many years. The Mini will go the way of wagon wheels as there is only so much bench space.
A bunch of small lenses, including a wide angle we used for car interiors, they are now in the last box before the door in the garage. Along with some flash units, and more coloured filters and paraphernalia of similar used-but no longer used-vintage and we’d all blush if I mentioned how many camera bags are now on the short list too.
Lockdown, has highlighted how “Future Proofing” is as fragile as fine dew on a leaf in the morning.
So no future predictions here. The Doona Hermit is taking just one day at a time.
I’ve also been a bit remiss of the past weeks for not publishing any bird related posts. Usually have relied on reporting recent trips. So I’ll take a wander through some of the older files and see if I can patch together some related images this coming week.
In the meantime Stay Safe, Stay Well and Stay Creative.
Besties to all my fellow lockdowns,
From the Global Headquarters of the Doona Hermit.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 