The upgrade society

[Ian]

I have just watched a BBC TV documentary by the Yorkshire poet, Simon Armitage, on iPlayer. He looks at the modern trend in society to be dependant on gadgets of all shapes and sizes, including digital cameras. He asks if they really improve our lives and are we guilty of upgrading too often. If you have access to iPlayer (mostly UK only) the link is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n1hwj/Upgrade_Me/

What really struck me about the programme was that when I was watching it I soon suspected that this was an 'old' programme - because of the tech they were looking at. In fact the filming was probably done in 2008 although the date on the credits was 2009. But even so, it was only three years ago and to me the programme was on the verge of meeting its expiry date!

My personal view is that if you are thoughtful about your choices and resist initial temptations, then upgrades beneficial and good value. I'm still running Windows XP on a PC that I built four years ago, and the tower case it's housed in is ten years old. My laptop is almost 3 years old and I have no plans to replace it for now. My phone is about 8 months old, but my contract is 2 years and I probably won't need to replace it when the contract is up - my previous phone lasted me three years.

What about cameras? Well, I'm not very representative as I get to try and use many different models every year. But I was wondering how frequently others here change and upgrade their gadgets, including cameras?!

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: The upgrade society

I have just watched a BBC TV documentary by the Yorkshire poet, Simon Armitage, on iPlayer. He looks at the modern trend in society to be dependant on gadgets of all shapes and sizes, including digital cameras. He asks if they really improve our lives and are we guilty of upgrading too often. If you have access to iPlayer (mostly UK only) the link is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n1hwj/Upgrade_Me/

What really struck me about the programme was that when I was watching it I soon suspected that this was an 'old' programme - because of the tech they were looking at. In fact the filming was probably done in 2008 although the date on the credits was 2009. But even so, it was only three years ago and to me the programme was on the verge of meeting its expiry date!

My personal view is that if you are thoughtful about your choices and resist initial temptations, then upgrades beneficial and good value. I'm still running Windows XP on a PC that I built four years ago, and the tower case it's housed in is ten years old. My laptop is almost 3 years old and I have no plans to replace it for now. My phone is about 8 months old, but my contract is 2 years and I probably won't need to replace it when the contract is up - my previous phone lasted me three years.

What about cameras? Well, I'm not very representative as I get to try and use many different models every year. But I was wondering how frequently others here change and upgrade their gadgets, including cameras?!

Ian

Well Ian some would say even though you only built the PC 4 years ago and your laptop is 3 years you are still guilty of the charges.

As for me, definitely guilty as charged, although I still have and use, my old Canon 10D now six digital generations old. I am using the Canon 40D only two generations old. This is due more to my finances, against the desire to upgrade. I am hopping this year at some point to invest in a Canon 7D.

I have resisted to date upgrading CS4 to 5 but have upgraded Lightroom from 2 to 3 and well worth the upgrade it was.

My computers are iMac one year and MacBook 9 months old, HTC phone 6 months, although on contract I get free upgrades after 18 months anyway.

We now live in a society of want rather than need, the period of austerity we are gong through is all relative, compared with my youth through the 1950 & 60 we are a very very rich society despite this recession.

Patrick

[Ian]

Re: The upgrade society

Of course my laptop and PC are in no need of replacement, so they should last at least another year or two, if not more. In 2007 i replaced my five year old laptop primarily because it was beginning to fall apart! I do admit that I only kept the replacement for one year and actually sold it to Julia's Aunt as it wasn't really up to the job I required of it and it was perfect for her.

We have two cars, one I bought from new when I had money - back in 1996, and the other is almost 4 years old and acquired 5 months ago, replacing an 11 year old car that we had for 6 years and it was actually so worn out it no longer worked properly!

We're on our second LCD TV - the first only lasted 18 months. A circuit board in the power supply failed and Samsung was unable to obtain the spare part, would you believe. Prior to that our conventional TV was 5 years old and perfectly good, but I had won the original Samsung TV (which broke down) - explaining why the old TV got replaced the TV before that only lasted 6 years before it broke down and was uneconomical to repair, (one of the colour guns failed).

I think on the whole I'm fairly content with our lot. I don't really think we replace things unnecessarily. They usually stop working first.

Ian

[Barr1e]

Re: The upgrade society

I feel a little guilty. I recently replaced my computer for a pretty fast one with much more space. Also the camera was upgraded to the latest model.

My mobile phone however is years old and I only switch it on a couple of times a month to see if I have any messages. The car, which I bought in August 1998, keeps going incredibly well for her years - I think garaging it has helped its condition somewhat.

I would like a Epson P-6000 Multimedia Storage Viewer or similar, but I'm not too sure whether the cost outweighs it benefits. Thoughts on this would be welcome.

Regards. Barr1e

[Josh Bear]

Re: The upgrade society

Hi Barrie

Re the epson storage viewers. I used a p3000 for 5 years. It was a fabulous tool for storing and reviewing photographs whilst on holiday. The screen is superb, sharp with great colour reproduction. One issue I had was the hard drive became too small due to the increasing file sizes of raw files so I upgraded to the 6000. Love it.

Which leads me neatly onto the initial subject of this thread. Upgrading is purely an individuals choice. A choice based on real or perceived need and then balanced with available budget. Early adopters or upgraders have a valid place in a consumer culture and indeed in times like these it could be argued that anyone who is spending is adding to the economy. Of course it is not reasonable to expect people to buy us out of this economic situation. If someone feels they need to upgrade and can afford to do so then good for them. Whatever no one should feel guilty about upgrading.

I have upgraded my dslr 4 times in the last 7 years. Canon 300d was my first real camera. Upgraded to a 20d then to a 5d and finally to a 5d mark two. Do I feel my hobby has benefited from this change? Yes I do. I know it is about where you point the camera but my current camera allows me to shoot in different ways than the 300d did. Will I upgrade to the mark 3? No idea. It will depend on what the differences are, what I think I can do with them and of course whether I can afford it. I have no intention of upgrading my television to a 3d version as I see no benefit to me that would justify the expense of such an item. Will I update my iPad when the new one is announced next week (rumour)? More likely if it means I can FaceTime home when travelling, read my books with an improved screen and if it is lighter to carry. These are things that I would find valuable and would then be balanced with cost.

Like I said personal choice.

Best regards

Josh

[Barr1e]

Re: The upgrade society

Thanks Josh.

Regards. Barr1e

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: The upgrade society

Laptop - 9 years old, Phone - 5, VHS Recorder , DVD player - 7, TV - 10, Car - 6, Wife

However when it comes to Cameras, I upgrade whenever it will result in there being a noticable improvement in Image Quality. This mainly involves getting better lenses, so now I have little room for improvement.

I've never upgraded, simply to have the latest model, but will always have a very good look at them to see if there is something that I can use as a justification.

Certianly an interesting discussion and if money was not a factor, I'd have it all

[Stephen]

Re: The upgrade society

I would like a Epson P-6000 Multimedia Storage Viewer or similar, but I'm not too sure whether the cost outweighs it benefits. Thoughts on this would be welcome.

Regards. Barr1e

[Barr1e]

Re: The upgrade society

Hi Stephen -

Thanks.

I appreciate your offer.

I am currently looking at the Tablet Android PC range, as I feel this is the route to go now.

Regards. Barr1e

[Stephen]

Re: The upgrade society

Hi Stephen -

Thanks.

I appreciate your offer.

I am currently looking at the Tablet Android PC range, as I feel this is the route to go now.

Regards. Barr1e

Seems like a good plan Barrie

[Ian]