Old tech tales are the stories we share with this generation about products and services that have completely changed or become obsolete due to the advancement of technology. We’ve learned that over time keeping our technology and software current and up to date is necessary to remain competitive in this application economy. However, while we often look ahead at upcoming trends in technology, rarely do we joyfully reminisce about the past. Join me and the Customer Lifecycle Solutions group in sharing some of our favorite, funny, and almost embarrassing experiences with old technology. The first story to kick off this series is my personal tale with the VHS…
A defining moment in my childhood was when Lion King first came out on VHS and I finally had something cool to bring to class for Show and Tell. I dreaded Show and Tell because I feared public speaking and I never had anything cool to show the class.
So on this particular Friday morning when Ms. Woodbury called my name to present my item to the class, I knew that this was my moment to shine. I jolted to the front of the room and stared at the twenty curious set of eyes with my back straight and head held high. There, in front of my classmates, teacher, and teacher's assistant , I held the Deluxe Edition VHS in similar fashion as to how Rafiki presented Simba to the Pride Lands on top of Pride Rock .
The famous melody at the opening scene played in my head as my entire class cheered me on.
I remember being consumed by a rush of uncontrollable happiness which probably lasted a mere five seconds before my best friend Ashley asked to borrow the tape. I hesitated, and though my gut feeling was to deny her permission, my mother's nagging voice about how sharing is caring overpowered my conscience.
A few days later, mother dearest had to buy me a new tape and Ashley and I were no longer best friends.
The VHS was developed by JVC in the 1970s using magnetic tape technology that was introduced during the 1950s. In today’s world, a childhood friendship ending over a VHS is unheard of, mostly because for many the word in itself is unheard of. In today’s world, the equivalent of my VHS experience would probably be getting back a scratched DVD of Frozen and I would have to do like Elsa and "let it go".
However, the most frightening scenario in our connected world would probably be losing internet connection while streaming the movie on any of the streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, or Hulu Plus with friends virtually shouting on Skype or Google Hangout about the disconnection.
So how much has the experience changed for you in regards to watching and sharing your favorite movies with friends? Share with us your old technology tale below in the comments or tweet to @hayleethikeo or @CaInc your experience using the hashtag #OldTechTales
Haylee Thikeo is part of the Customer Lifecycle Solutions Group and this quarter she will be posting an old technology tale every month here on communities.ca.com.
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