The Times are a Changin’
I vividly remember the first time I saw a computer. It was in the early 90s and my dad, a shop teacher, brought me home what I now know was a 64kb Apple IIe. I walked in to his office and he asked me if I wanted to see something cool. He told me he could make the computer count to 1 million–a feat I deemed impossible and way to amazing to be real–so I sat in front of the computer for several hours while it counted systematically from 0 to 1,000,000. My mind was blown. That night, as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep, I remember attempting to count my way to a million. At 4-5 years old, I doubt I made it very far.
A friend of mine and UU DMS alum were chatting this morning about all the changes in technology that have happened in our short 22 years of life. Since my first interaction with a computer, technological achievements ranging from the commercialization of the internet in the early 90s to a new era of mobile computers have been abundant. 
In the past 4 years, my flip-phone has lost all its cool-points, Flash has died (just being honest), the video editing software I learned in school is now antique (I’ll save this argument for another post), and with Apple’s release of its new operating system, OS X Lion, it is painfully clear to me that the days of personal (home) computers are numbered.
Bold Statement, I know. So as a recent grad who made mediocre grades and spent more time dreaming than listening, I have little credibility as any expert. However, hear me out, I want to entertain this idea. Last year, Wired Magazine declared that “The Web is Dead” on its September cover. The article by no mean implies the internet is gone but points out that the majority of online engagement happens through individual applications. As you can see below, only about 22% of internet use is done through a browser. (and these statistics are now a year old). The takeover of Apps is old news.
Apple, at least, has led people to be less dependent on their personal computers. The iPhone is now the number one selling smartphone and iPad sells are up 183% from where they were this time last year. Once iCloud is in full swing this fall, a user need never use a personal computer again. Pretty impressive. OS X Lion brings the functionality of the iPhone or iPad to the laptop/desktop. It’s redesign emphasizes the experience of an application and makes gestures and the need for a track-pad (goodbye days of the mouse) central to the OS’s function. After only a day of use, I am ready to jump aboard the iPad bandwagon. The interactivity makes sense.
Ok, so the reality is the personal computer isn’t actually going away anytime soon, but I think its safe to assume people will continue to utilize them at home less-and-less. Mobile and Tablet devices are the big thing and for the average user’s daily use, there is little these devices can’t do for them. They give you the flexibility to access the web anywhere and will fit in your pocket or small bag.
The computer, though, isn’t solely used for personal purposes. As someone working in the creative industry, I think the desktop/laptop computer will maintain its stride in the professional world (although if Apple’s approach in developing software is any indication, they won’t cater to the professional user). Right now, it is hard for me to imagine an efficient (professional) web/graphic/video workflow on a tablet device but I know it is being developed. I don’t doubt, however, that in a few years, the processing power to render media will likely be available.
All this to conclude that technology is rapidly changing. Today’s breakthrough is tomorrow’s antique. The skills and techniques I learned as a student at Union will stay with me but the equipment and software I was taught won’t endure. It is bewildering and exciting to see the world of media evolve so fast. I hope I can keep up.
How do you plan to keep up with new technologies? What are your thoughts on the future of the home computer?
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