Rise of the Netbook

The Browncoat Cat wrote:

The Co=Ordinator wrote:Have to say that, for me, the lightness & compactness of the netbook is what makes it so user friendly.

Don't get me wrong, I love the compactness of my netbook. However, I remember when computers that powerful were the size of a desk, my old brain just cannot equate something so light with something so powerful, so a little (but not much) extra weight would be an advantage.

It's interesting how we relate to technology in this way.

I know what you mean about technology needing a certain weight, even a certain chunkiness, in order to feel 'proper'. My smartphone, for example, is heavier than the standard model because it has a qwerty keyboard and - to me - feels like a real object because it's slightly bulkier and heavier than my colleague's iPhone.

The two devices do more or less the same thing (mine's a droid phone, so it lacks a bit of Apple grace and flair) so there's not much to choose between them other than mass.

Dave Webb wrote:It's interesting how we relate to technology in this way.

I know what you mean about technology needing a certain weight, even a certain chunkiness, in order to feel 'proper'. My smartphone, for example, is heavier than the standard model because it has a qwerty keyboard and - to me - feels like a real object because it's slightly bulkier and heavier than my colleague's iPhone.

The two devices do more or less the same thing (mine's a droid phone, so it lacks a bit of Apple grace and flair) so there's not much to choose between them other than mass.

It is interesting isn't it. I also think it's very much a generational thing. Particularly for those of us who are Sci-Fi/Who fans whose view of 'futuristic' technology was very much influenced by the design of of then current technology. It coloured our expectations of how advanced kit should look/feel.

This is particularly noticeable to me when I see the younger members of my family's reactions to the tech around then. If it isn't slim, sleek and preferably touch screen - then it's just 'old fashioned' or 'clunky' or 'a brick'.

Horses for courses, I suppose.

Dave Webb wrote:It's interesting how we relate to technology in this way.

I know what you mean about technology needing a certain weight, even a certain chunkiness, in order to feel 'proper'. My smartphone, for example, is heavier than the standard model because it has a qwerty keyboard and - to me - feels like a real object because it's slightly bulkier and heavier than my colleague's iPhone.

The two devices do more or less the same thing (mine's a droid phone, so it lacks a bit of Apple grace and flair) so there's not much to choose between them other than mass.

That's a great point, Dave.

This past July, I bought a smartphone- a Samsung Intercept. It weighs roughly half what the old palm-powered phone it replaced weighed, and that old phone was one I bought in 2005. And yet, despite the fact that my smartphone can fit in my pocket and not feel like a deadweight, it's capabilities run rings around my old phone.

From this ultra-thin phone, I can connect to the internet, watch videos, translate languages, scan bar-codes on products to see where I might be able to buy them more cheaply than the store I'm in, get directions, buy movie tickets, summon roadside help, even file an insurance claim.

And yet, with all this capability, I have to marvel at how un-phone like it feels.

Patrick wrote:That's a great point, Dave.

This past July, I bought a smartphone- a Samsung Intercept. It weighs roughly half what the old palm-powered phone it replaced weighed, and that old phone was one I bought in 2005. And yet, despite the fact that my smartphone can fit in my pocket and not feel like a deadweight, it's capabilities run rings around my old phone.

From this ultra-thin phone, I can connect to the internet, watch videos, translate languages, scan bar-codes on products to see where I might be able to buy them more cheaply than the store I'm in, get directions, buy movie tickets, summon roadside help, even file an insurance claim.

And yet, with all this capability, I have to marvel at how un-phone like it feels.

Yep, know what you mean. And I'd actually argue that for the younger generation at least, a modern mobile phone's ability to actually, you know, make calls is the least important feature it possesses.

Sid Seadevil wrote:Yep, know what you mean. And I'd actually argue that for the younger generation at least, a modern mobile phone's ability to actually, you know, make calls is the least important feature it possesses.

I spent an hour or so on Kettering station t'other day, watching people react to rail delays. So many of us reached for a phone as yet more bad news came in. Some of us called people, some texted, some updated facebook pages. I read a couple of chapters of Moab is my Washpot on the basis that there's always time for a book, even when the book is also a phone.

The interesting thing was, instead of disconnecting us from eachother, the multifunctional phone allows humans to continue doing what humans do best - talking to one another.

Dave Webb wrote:I spent an hour or so on Kettering station t'other day

You have my deepest sympathy.

And I have crashed one of my helicopters and broken its rotor. Only a four inch long infra-red remote control helicopter, but it was the best Christmas Present I've had in years and years. I have decided the inside of my house is too small for helicopters, but the inside of Treherbert Branch Library, when it is closed to the public during the lunch hour will be ideal for flying my surviving helicopter.

The Browncoat Cat wrote:And I have crashed one of my helicopters and broken its rotor. Only a four inch long infra-red remote control helicopter, but it was the best Christmas Present I've had in years and years. I have decided the inside of my house is too small for helicopters, but the inside of Treherbert Branch Library, when it is closed to the public during the lunch hour will be ideal for flying my surviving helicopter.

Go for it, Cat. Only don't wait until it's closed for lunch - attack the public!!!

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Sid Seadevil wrote:Go for it, Cat. Only don't wait until it's closed for lunch - attack the public!!!

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Down, boy! Down!

Honestly, can't we get an obedience collar for the Seadevil or something?

Patrick wrote:Down, boy! Down!

Honestly, can't we get an obedience collar for the Seadevil or something?

I say, that's a tad harsh innit? I'm only promoting more interactivity between staff and public.

Sid Seadevil wrote:

The Browncoat Cat wrote:And I have crashed one of my helicopters and broken its rotor. Only a four inch long infra-red remote control helicopter, but it was the best Christmas Present I've had in years and years. I have decided the inside of my house is too small for helicopters, but the inside of Treherbert Branch Library, when it is closed to the public during the lunch hour will be ideal for flying my surviving helicopter.

Go for it, Cat. Only don't wait until it's closed for lunch - attack the public!!!

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Much as I would like to, with certain people, I love my job too much.

Although the helicopter set is set up for mini dogfights. Each has an infrared canon, and when you get a got line of sight on your opponents copter, you press a button on the remote, it make a suitable "wee-kapow" noise, and if you score a hit, you stop the rotor of your opponent, causing it to crash.

The Browncoat Cat wrote: Each has an infrared canon, and when you get a got line of sight on your opponents copter, you press a button on the remote, it make a suitable "wee-kapow" noise, and if you score a hit, you stop the rotor of your opponent, causing it to crash.

I've never wanted a remote control helicopter before, but now I do. Quite a lot.

Dave Webb wrote:

The Browncoat Cat wrote: Each has an infrared canon, and when you get a got line of sight on your opponents copter, you press a button on the remote, it make a suitable "wee-kapow" noise, and if you score a hit, you stop the rotor of your opponent, causing it to crash.

I've never wanted a remote control helicopter before, but now I do. Quite a lot.

Move over. I'm about to join you in that particular boat.

Sid Seadevil wrote:

Dave Webb wrote:

The Browncoat Cat wrote: Each has an infrared canon, and when you get a got line of sight on your opponents copter, you press a button on the remote, it make a suitable "wee-kapow" noise, and if you score a hit, you stop the rotor of your opponent, causing it to crash.

I've never wanted a remote control helicopter before, but now I do. Quite a lot.

Move over. I'm about to join you in that particular boat.

He certainly does make it sound like a cool gadget.

Doesn't he just. We should all have received a set for Christmas.

We should have, shouldn't we?