7 office gadgets headed for the graveyard - Slide Show - MarketWatch: "NEW YORK (MarketWatch) —
1. The Rolodex is first up on a list of office tools that may soon become obsolete. Invented in 1956, this rotating filing system for business contacts remained a fixture on most office desks well into the computer age. But some 58% of the 7,000 professionals surveyed by LinkedIn say the devices will likely be seen only on exhibit at the Smithsonian within the next five years. "
'via Blog this'
2. Fax machines: The demise of the fax has been predicted for years, but these office workhorses may finally be put out to pasture, according to 71% of those surveyed. Indeed, they are No. 2 on LinkedIn’s soon-to-be-extinct list. Some of those who regard their paper-eating ways as environmentally unsound have even filmed themselves smashing their faxes to make their point.
3. Desktop phones: Now that email and instant messaging have rendered most phone conversations unnecessary, 35% of professionals say the desktop telephone will soon be merely decorative. This may not be as far-fetched as it sounds, especially if home phones are anything to go by. Only a decade ago, 97% of American homes had a land-line, compared with just 74% of homes today, according to a study by Pew Research.
4. Tape recorders: When Mark Spoonauer, editor-in-chief at LaptopMag.com, wants to record an interview, he uses the record function on his iPhone. Smartphones are already replacing digital recorders. It’s no wonder that some 79% of those surveyed by LinkedIn say tape recorders will soon be obsolete.
5. USB thumb drives: Around 17% of professionals in the LinkedIn survey say USB thumb drives — the successor to the floppy disc, Zip drive and re-writable CD — will fall out of favor within the next five years. But Mark Spoonauer, editor-in-chief at LaptopMag.com, says they will probably be obsolete even before then. In addition to becoming unnecessary, the devices — which are typically plugged into many different computers — are increasingly being blamed for the spread of computer viruses, he says.
6. Business cards: Why carry around decks of business cards when social networking makes faster — and stickier — connections? LinkedIn says 15% of those surveyed expect business cards to become obsolete. Apps like CardMunch now allow people to hand out an endless supply of digital business cards.
7. The office cubicle: Call it corporate glasnost. Nearly 20% of those surveyed say management will tear down the walls of cubicles and replace them with open-plan work-spaces But while such layouts may foster teamwork and brainstorming, a recent survey by the Berkeley Center for the Built Environment says people are more sensitive to noise in open-plan offices.
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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/7-office-gadgets-headed-for-the-graveyard-2012-09-29?link=MW_story_insert
http://www.steampunklab.com/
4 comments:
Dear MooPig, Considering that I learned to type on a manual typewriter like that and could get up to the minimum words per minute to barely pass the typing class, I have to say for this at least I am thankful for electronic technology feeling the arthritic effects of manual labor through the years. Mom always told me, "You better learn to type;" she meant that I couldn't do much else, but come to find out keyboarding is still valid. I should have rebelled by going for PhD instead of hugging trees. But so far they can't completely replace human beings; especially in the societal need for human interaction, singing, dancing, art, and poetry. Look at the little kids. Love you guys. SylD
Look who has wandered into MooPigster land!!!! Sylvia.
NOTE: In here "typos" are revered, typing is QWERTY-fied open and genuine ... it is love.
Altruistic Moms always say those things that need to be said. That's why they remain imprinted on our brains. God love us!
So wonderful to see you around the Internet! I think you will enjoy your travels. Thanks, big Sis!
Pete-rick
Didactic development...bon apetit!
Stylist!!
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