Old tech tales are the stories we share with this generation about products and services that has completely changed or become obsolete due to the advancement of technology. We’ve learned that overtime 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 latest tale in this series is from Michael Natoli, VP Business Strategy CLS about mixtapes and college crushes.
Remember those compact cassette tapes? The ones that typically hold 30-45 minutes of your favorite tunes on each side? These were the little things that threw you into a panic and sent you running for your number 2 pencil when it tangled up. I remember one particular Sunday afternoon where I decided to dedicate the entire day placing a microphone from my recorder to the stereo in order to get the clearest sound. I was compiling a mixtape for my crush and sat next to the speaker with my arms up for hours waiting for these tunes on the top 40 countdown.
Every time I hit the record button, there was a rush I felt in seeing the tape spin seamlessly. “Success,” I muttered. After filling two hours of blank space, and with an ice pack over my left shoulder, I used my trusted number 2 pencil to label the mixtape “For Jen”. Next to her name I drew a small heart and on the back of the tape I wrote the burning question on my mind, “Will you go out with me”. Needless to say that when I showed her the tape, she did agree to become my girlfriend. Nineteen years and two kids later, I think back to that tape…
But imagine what it’s like now to share music with friends or a crush. The market for cassettes declined in the late 1980s when it was overtaken by CDs. The decline continued and in 2001 cassettes accounted for only 4% of all music sold. The rise of streaming music services such as Pandora, Sirius, and Spotify is changing the way people listen and share music. Personally I feel as though you don’t get that same kind of thoughtfulness that goes into creating a mixtape for someone when you share these online playlists. But hey, maybe that’s just me.
What about you guys? Have you created a mixtape for yourself or someone special? If so what were your favorite tunes or techniques in doing so? How do you share music with your friends and family today?
Share with us your technology tale below in the comments or tweet to @mjnatoli 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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