Evolution of IT Support - Part 2

And so it came to pass that these systems become more and more complicated with each "mini-generation". Eventually, we come to a point where computers and their software are performing functions which they were never intended to do.

I think it's time to make a list -- I'm going to list the 10 things I've seen over the years that are making computer support a huge, huge headache at times (in no particular order).

#10 CD and DVD burners -- the idea of making your own custom CD or DVD seems really awesome...and if you're knowledgeable enough, it really does. When they first came out, the CD creation software was flaky at best and CPU and hard drive performance issues caused a phenomena called buffer underrun. This led to countless "coasters" or failed discs. These discs also "rot", especially in harsh conditions. So some of those old backup discs may no longer work anyways. Oh, and certain CD drives only like certain brands (or capacities) of discs. Lots of possibilities for things to go wrong.

#9 Printer manufacturers -- the problem is twofold. First, these companies make so much money on their ink cartridges. Why in the world do they have to make them so tiny? At least some of us have graduated to laser printers. Second of all, most bundled printer software contains tons of bloatware and useless printer "monitor" software. Like I needed someone to tell me I had 78% life left in my ink cartridge. What are we playing -- World of Inkjet? Should I summon a healer?

#8 All-in-one printers -- these are those printer/copier/fax/scanner devices in one giant contraption. Which means we have about a 500% greater chance something is going to malfunction really, really soon. And 500% more bloatware. And who uses faxes anyways? At least the one with built-in LASER printers are halfway respectable.

#7 The ever-growing size of CRT monitors -- back in the mid-90's, the standard size computer monitor was 14". Then it grew to 15", 17", 19" and eventually 21". Which meant only one thing. More space needed for parts. And much, much more heat. While heat really isn't an issue in the dead of winter, it's still a lot of wasted electricity. So happy we've moved on to LCD monitors.

#6 Floppy disks -- the 3.5" variety never worked...at least for more than 2 weeks. Then we graduated to ZIP disks, but no one ever seemed to have a ZIP drive at the right time...and the discs were ridiculously expensive. And then we started using rewritable CD's which were mentioned in item #10. Finally we move on to a happier land, where USB flash drives emerge from the depths. And everyone still has a collection of floppy disks hiding somewhere. And I still find myself fearing the next time I have to troubleshoot a floppy drive for someone.

#5 AOL -- one hugely successful venture with a horrible, horrible software package. They'll probably get a free pass since they brought the internet to the mainstream, but they would have probably still been around had they made a leaner, less restrictive interface. There's a reason it was called "internet with training wheels".

#4 Antivirus software -- once a simple application that fit in a single floppy disk to run whenever a user suspected a virus. Now, one huge behemoth of a monster that pretty much takes over every imaginable function of the operating system. And then have the audacity to charge you every year for a new "subscription". But as the old saying goes..."they got you by the balls". Or maybe not. There's free AV scanners out there. Do they really work? Do ANY of them really work?

#3 iTunes -- now that everyone has an iPod or similar device, everyone just HAS to be their own DJ and let everyone in the world know their tastes in music. Look...I believe in downloading good music. But the candy coated goodness is a little much for me. And the fact that it sucks up tons of system resources. And the fact that the average person doesn't have any idea what to do when their music suddenly "disappears". And the fact that almost EVERY SINGLE time I fix a computer, I get an bonus iTunes question tacked on just to "pick my brain".

#2 Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, Windows (everything), etc. etc. - if iTunes were bad, Microsoft knows how to bastardize semi-functional software even more. Look people -- just because Apple seems to make software which gives dumb, average people the illusion that they are professional photo editors, movie makers, music mixers, etc. doesn't mean you have to try and copy the effort. And fail completely. If nothing else, keep things simple. And functional. And fast. Sadly enough, that will never happen.

#1 Palm Pilots, PDA's, etc. etc. -- eventually evolved into Smartphones such as the Blackberry and iPhone. But in the early (and not so early days), these were bug-ridden and unreliable at best. Everyone wanted one in hopes their productivity would increase by 46% or better. My guess is that they created at the very least, 46% more headaches and stress. Oh well. At least we got a halfway decent product out of this stuff 10 years later.

Next up I'll list the 10 things which have made my job a ton EASIER in the IT field.