March 29, 2005
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Obsolescence
My first two computers both saved programs and data on audio cassettes. My third computer, an Atari, used single-sided, low density 5.25 inch floppy diskettes. The next step was high density 3.5 inch diskettes, and these are about to become obsolete and disappear. The new media are memory sticks and optical disks. Among optical disks, the CD-ROM is probably on its way out, being replaced by DVD, which has its replacements on the horizon.
Recently, and much to my surprise, my mouse became obsolete. It was a serial bus mouse, and serial busses are about to vanish. My newly upgraded Linux system no longer knows what to do with a serial mouse. The mouse has to connect to the PC connector or to the USB (Universal Serial Bus). The PC connector will probably vanish soon. USB 1.1 is being replaced by USB 2.0, both of them on the verge of being replaced by Firewire.
I looked for a replacement mouse at Sams Club, knowing they were not available from Costco. All were wireless, using either infra-red or some kind of radio to connect to the system through USB. At least one had an adaptor for connecting to the PC connector. They ranged from $31 to $77, much more than I was willing to pay. I went to Staples.
Staples had about a dozen mouse models ranging from $8 to the absurd. The $8 mouse used a rubber ball, which isn't reliable. I settled on a $15 mouse that connects to the PC connector. It uses optical technology, will work on any smooth surface with a granular pattern (such as a piece of wood) and has a neat lighted wheel as the third button.
I like wheel mice.
My newly updated Linux system, Linspire 5.0, accepted the mouse with no problems, having a suitable driver already installed. A driver diskette was provided for installation to Windows systems; it goes into the archive with the "manual".
I feel obsolete.