So there we go, another year over. It's that quiet last working afternoon of the year, so perhaps time to reflect on the things that have made a difference in the IT-land over the last 12 months.
The big one, I guess, has to be Facebook. Looking back, three things happened, firstly, word gradually got out that anyone could join, secondly, the development platform was launched, meaning it was suddenly a huge amount of fun, and final, a tipping point was reached, meaning that if you weren't a member you had to join else you'd be missing out. Facebook's real strength is probably its security model, meaning that completely different groups can peacefully co-exist (meaning, at the moment, us old people haven't scared everyone else off yet!). Facebook seems to have more or less replace email for social e-interactions - I wonder how much longer email will be relevant as anything other than a corporate tool? And I wonder how long it will be before Facebook make serious inroads as an e-Learning platform?
Just for the record it's worth noting that this year it has been standard for Facebook groups to be set up for any UCISA activity. Will this still be happening next year?
Somethings that weren't as big as they might have been were Microsoft Vista and the Apple iPhone. Vista was, well, lets be kind, a bit of mixed blessing. Its interface hasn't exactly met with universal praise, and its become clear that XP is still faster. On a personal level it's driven me to Mac OS 10.5 in search of a fun, powerful, modern OS.
The Apple iPhone looked like being the big one, and perhaps it still will be. My experience with the iPod Touch says that's is probably great. The big stumbling block for most people seems to be the cost. Or more specifically, the lack of choice over cost, with the tie in with O2. Until that changes I can't really see it become a huge mass-market device, although the latest US sales figures show that it's just overtaken Windows Mobile in the Smartphone market. Surely Apple wanted to expand that market though, not just take existing market share?
The
ASUS £200 laptop caused a bit of splash but they've been in short supply, so I've not been able to get my hands on one. Maybe, as Nintendo have proven with the Wii and DS (had to get that in there somewhere!) power isn't everything, and this sort of light, low cost device is what people have been waiting for? Maybe, if production and marketing increases, this will finally be the mass market portable device we've all been expecting for the last 10 years?
I've noticed a big change in my own use of IT at home - the Wii rather than the computer has become my default way of accessing the internet. I'm not sure why really - it wasn't a conscious decision. It's probably that the Wii starts up more or less instantly, or maybe it's because I by fav chair faces the Wii? I'm not sure really, but I'm interested if anyone else does that.
Happy Xmas/New Year!