Week 3: Computer Software

As computer hardware had been evolving, so did the means to operate the equipment, which in turn inspired the creation of computer software. What inspired the creation of the computer software were people’s needs to operate on a system that is much smaller and more sophisticated in appearance, and simpler and reusable for using. This was the goal that UNIX had been able to achieve, which eventually became Linux by maintaining the model. As effective as it may have been, it was certainly not perfect, as what Steve Jobs was able to demonstrate. During the 1980s, Apple introduced a newer version of the computer system, which actually borrowed certain elements from UNIX, while incorporating some of their own ideas. The renovating of the system became another model of its own, which later led to the creation of Mac OS X. What Bill Gates had conjured, which later led to the creation of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, had certainly been an accomplishment that was not itself very unique either. In the end, the computer software products that we have are nothing more than what originally began as variations of the same system, eventually prospering in their own directions. Regardless as to how much one is differentiating from the other, the core elements seem to be remaining.

The parallel between the evolution of computer hardware and computer software lies in people’s demands for tools that are more presentable and easier to utilize. At first, such technologies used to be solely available to the military. However, big companies were able to obtain them first for their own use. Seeing as how they have the money, it seems logical that the best materials are often given to the highest bidders. Much like how the U.S. Government constantly felt a need to update its equipment for the sake trying to remain a step ahead of the Soviet counterpart, businesses are driven by the same urge when it comes to outdoing the competition. Each competitor tries to gain an advantage by looking for the flaws that the products have and then trying to improve on it by presenting a much better version of the previous. However, if there is anyone who is good at finding any short-comings, it is the consumers themselves. Because people by nature can never be satisfied, they will always look for any excuse to complain, and they will always have a reason to feel disappointed with their products. The only way these businesses can stay alive is if they continue to accommodate for the non-stop dissatisfaction. The competition and the complaining is what make the technology and industry prosper and evolve.