In 1981 it was light years ahead of the rest…
Digibarn: Xerox Star 8010 Interfaces, high quality polaroids (1981).
In fact, it was still better than most in 1992 when I used it at Xerox. What I had not realized until I saw these pictures was that it had basically not changed in 10 years. I recognize the system in all its details, except that I has a color screen. Makes you wonder where they would be today if they’d actually invested in it.
“YKK Co. is now comprised of nearly 100 smaller companies acquired in the hugely successful years since their formation. They currently oversee around 200 facilities in 52 nations, worldwide – their factory in Macon, Georgia alone produces seven million zippers per day. They not only make every part of the zipper, but also the rigid fabric on either side of the zipper and the dye for that fabric.
The most incredible thing about this company, though, is that they actually manufacture the machines that make zippers (for – you guessed it – eventual use in other YKK factories). Seriously.”
Nobody would design a business like this today but then they’re almost a monopoly. Makes you think that vertical integration maybe isn’t a bad thing. Veritically integrated like Apple and Boeing when they delivered on time!
Suddenly the cheerleaders of centralized services have had their fingers burnt. Dave Winer twists the knife…
“Our blogs are still there, as is the web and the Internet. They never went away just because we foolishly flirted with something fast and easy and seductive. Our blogs never went away, they’re still ready to share our ideas and connect us with others.”
So why are these centralized services so popular?
Personally, I believe that it’s simply easier for the media to get large audiences and then to report on the activity when they’re using a central system with a brand name.
The technical solution is far from perfect however it’s easier for the reporters. However, once people see the reality of scaling issues and a one size fits all design the boom will die!
Then we’ll all be back to buying domain names and running our own sites.
“And if you asked me, ‘What is your dream, your real dream?’, well, apart from managing a national side in a World Cup, it’s simple: I would give anything to be able to play one more match. I don’t mean a kickabout with some mates. I mean a real, proper football match. Just to walk into the dressing room, all the kit laid out, the new socks, the boots … everything ready.
“Just to do a little run on the spot, a bit of jumping to warm up, then to walk out of the tunnel on to the turf of a real stadium. Just to hear the roar of the crowd and to let my mind compute all the emotions and thoughts and strategies simultaneously: my loved ones, my loyalties, my fitness and, above all, who is going to be marking me? Just to hear the whistle blow, and for the game to start.”
The prodigy who dared to turn down Chelsea | Richard Williams | The Guardian