The Mark Dykeman Web Niche

Some of the most important things in this world have the sex appeal of a tattered wet dishrag.  GUI, Web 2.0, plastic surgery, photo touch-ups, makeovers, even new paint jobs:  these technologies make our world look cooler, faster, easier, and sexier than the alternatives.  But none of them can go the distance with these ten “can’t live without” technologies.  

Internal Combustion – planes, trains, boats, and automobiles – most of it won’t work without the standard internal combustion engine, one of the dirtier machines in existence. 

Transaction-Based Information Systems – twenty-five years ago computer screens usually had dark backgrounds with ugly green or orange text.  A lot of it is still there, hiding in the background.  Accounting, banking, personnel, order taking, inventory – they still use this technology and they are an indispensable part of our world. 

Central Heating/Air Conditioning – imagine Canada without central heat.  Imagine Florida or Nevada without air conditioning.  The list goes on. 

Refrigeration – frozen food rules the world, whether it’s fast food, frozen vegetables, or pre-cooked meals.  It’s an indispensable part of our current economies.  It also helps keep various chemicals and compounds, like medicines, safe for use after long periods of time. 

Immunizations – how long would we last without the necessary immunizations against disease? 

Public Education – you might knock it and wish it were better, but it sure beats illiteracy.  I mean, complete illiteracy. 

Lighting – where would we be without light?  We’d be in bed earlier, that’s for sure.  We also wouldn’t be shopping, clubbing, or movie-going when the sun wasn’t in the sky.  No driving at night either…   Come to think of it, forget about manufacturing!

Clocks – somebody’s got to make sure the trains run on time.  Many think of time as an illusion, but tell that to the air traveller who’s waiting for a plane that’s two hours late. 

Sanitation – just imagine how much excrement builds up in the course of a day and you’ll be eternally grateful to the person who helped us move past latrines and outhouses. 

Traffic Signals – and you think you suffer from gridlock now?  Imagine rush hour in any major city without timed traffic signals.  If you’re like me, you’ll quickly be wishing you were somewhere else.

They may not beautiful or stylish, but these technologies have what it takes when you look under the covers.  Look twice and you’ll see they’ve got staying power.  And isn’t that what we all want?