Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryNYC
ManDay,
I appreciate you taking the time to write up your use cases, and I can certainly see how some of the dropped features in the S1 were of great value to you. Sadly, I don't think there are enough users like you to fund the further development of the device, even when selling it for a grand. In the end, it will be the mass market that saves you, and us, and allows for the continued development of the product.
Sony seemed to figure out that the device would not be successful when aimed at a narrow niche, such as just lawyers. I bought my S1 from a composer who saw in it the ability to quickly write music. He moved on to the Surface Studio, an amazing 29" display that you can write on with a stylus.
I don't mean to sound so harsh and uncaring. I regret using the word "bloat". Still, I think users have to adapt when software changes. We live in this amazing world where there are so many ways to solve our problems.
I can only smile at what consumes us because I started programming on punched card machines and DECWriters, which, by the way, were terminals that printed on paper! Every new device I buy fills me with delight and astonishment. I remember when I had to use rocks, and now, look, just look at this beautiful thing!
I know you don't want to change your habit of not carrying around a laptop, but, we do indeed have the most amazing, small, lightweight laptops ever created, and ones that are a joy to use. Yes, they cost money, but you can get zero percent financing from Barclays at the Apple Store and figure out the monthly payment so that you don't pay them a dime of interest.
|
I appreciate your constructive attitude towards my issue with the sync capabilities of the device and also find your apt recount of technological progress delighting. The things and technologies that become possible are indeed amazing, if one thinks about it. I do, however, think, that there are a few fundamental aspects, very much like the UNIX philosophy, that contribute to a sustained and stable progress. And minimizing inter-dependencies, for instance dependencies on commercial, 3rd-party products like non-free operating systems, to name just one example, between technologies is in fact one.
I guess one could even find lighter, handier, but especially cheaper alternatives to a MacBook Air. But really, how realistic and how practical will it be for me to buy and carry another computer, just to be able to use a tablet? For obvious reasons, I can't simply ditch my current computer, which is my main work-horse, so I will have two computers. The second one
only for the purpose of transferring files to the tablet. Doesn't that taste at least a little bit funny to you? Eventually, I need to establish means to synchronize not only between the DPT and the "light" computer, but also between the "light" computer and my main computer. That, in turn, may compromise security of my main computer and requires me to get acquainted with OS X/Windows. A whole rat-tail of complications is in the pipe, and for what? For Sony made a little choice.
I'm just trying to illustrate that I'm not reluctant to solve my problems with the device and indeed willing to adapt, as far as I can. But it might not be as easy for me as you may imagine. I readily admit that even within the exquisite circle of DPT buyers, I might count as a bit of a weirdo. But to a lesser extent, there are many people in a similar situation like me. Now we have to wait it out. I just hope they manage to add back at least the essentials in a non-interfering manner, so that eventually, we can also benefit from this new, awesome hardware and you, too, remain happy with a decluttered and easy-to-use interface.