15 Standards, Conventions & Technologies Killed by the PC

15 Standards, Conventions & Technologies Killed by the PC

If it's obsolete, chances are the personal computer played a role

Pity the poor 8-track tape. It never really sounded very good, it malfunctioned more often than any other music delivery system we can remember, it degraded quickly, and its oddball format forced record companies to add or remove songs and even break songs in two in order to fill the excess tape. In the end, there's no wonder 8-track remained in vogue for less than a decade and was killed – completely and absolutely killed – by newer and better technologies like the cassette and the compact disc.
But whereas some technologies die fully and completely, most simply whither and hang around like unwanted party guests. Look, for example, at the venerable fax machine. An idea that's way past its prime and has been replaced virtually everywhere, it nevertheless continues to exist in a few select locations, generally to serve businesses and situations where hard copy signatures are required.
What evil entity has driven the fax machine to the brink of oblivion and soon, we expect, to its demise? The same contraption that's utterly ruined the careers of so many other once-essential, once-treasured devices and concepts – the personal computer. Like a runaway train, the PC eventually obliterates everything that lies in its path, no matter how long it takes to get there. Let's take a gander at some of its more memorable victims.............

Read more at: Maximum PC | 15 Standards, Conventions & Technologies Killed by the PC

I've actually seen 8 Tracks on sale at some of the swap meets around here...it was quite odd.

But yes, there have been some things eliminated by the advent of the PC. I'm still waiting though for when we "go paperless"...

I can agree with the musical talent quote on that article, since one of our assignments in class was to create a song using Garage Band. Mine came out really good (to my total surprise) and I got an A on it, and this was just using loops and other snippets.

Nice article.
I'd go through withdrawal symptoms, without my PC.
I can't say that I miss anything that technology has either stalled or made go away.

Well I miss the 500lb. encyclopedias.
The 50lb. phone books.

Frozen camera film.
Melted camera film. Well partially melted and stuck together in enough spots to ruin the one and only good picture on the entire roll!

Manual type writer arms. Hit two by accident and they lock together standing straight up in the air.

8-Track tape monsters. They only eat the good tapes.
Stick a Liberace or Lawerence Welk tape in it and it will play perfectly.

Hopalong X said:

8-Track tape monsters. They only eat the good tapes.
Stick a Liberace or Lawerence Welk tape in it and it will play perfectly.