Ship of Fools: The Inexorable Laws of Technology

Thread: The Inexorable Laws of Technology Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Eirenist (# 13343) on :

We are I think all familiar with:

1. Murphy's Law: What can go wrong, will go wrong.

A period of my professional life spent trying to help combat fraud and misuse in the telecommunications world led me to conclude:

2. There is no advance in technology that is incapable of being wrongfully used.

Yesterday evening, waiting at a meeting while a recalcitrant data projector was being persuaded to operate, I formulated the following:

3. Every new technology makes us its prisoner,

and

4. The information you need is always inaccessible.

(Though the last may apply to life today generally.)

Are shipmates aware of any additional laws in this field?

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

I would adjust the last one to something like:

4. The information you need is always available, just inaccessible.

I would add

5. No matter how good the technology, there is always human involvement. That is always the strongest component, and the weak link.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Eirenist:
We are I think all familiar with:

1. Murphy's Law: What can go wrong, will go wrong.

Are shipmates aware of any additional laws in this field?

I would add:

1.i Kelly's addition to Murphy's Law: When nothing can go wrong, something will still go wrong.

I think it was Tom Gilb who stated that behind every computer error are at least two human errors, one of which is to declare the problem a 'computer error'.

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

The longer you have worked using a program on a project without saving the more likely it is to crash.

Jengie

Posted by Porridge (# 15405) on :

Based on far-too-numerous conversations with experts who have just "fixed" my computer and then tried the fix:

What should work never does.

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
I think it was Tom Gilb who stated that behind every computer error are at least two human errors, one of which is to declare the problem a 'computer error'.

Reminds me of an electrician friend of mine who held, correctly, I think, that there is no such thing as an electrical fault, just mechanical faults.

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

Heinlein's law: any technology sufficiently advanced will be indistinguishable from magic. (presently being verified by several "What's an email attachment? OOoooohhhh!!!" people I know)

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

Ahem.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Labour saving devices don't.

M.

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :

A device will become obsolete as soon as you purchase it.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

The Diagnostician's Law: An intermittent fault is a fault that has not yet been analysed sufficiently.

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :

Computers become steadily smaller and cheaper but the cost of connecting cables remains constant.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

If you but connecting cables from the store that sold the computer they will cost at least ten times that of cables bought elsewhere.

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
A device will become obsolete as soon as you purchase it.

And, just as soon as you master some software, the new version will have completely changed the interface so you can't find any of the tools you need.

Similarly, if it works, don't worry - Microsoft will "fix" it.

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :

The concept of the WOM (Write Only Memory) is important. You created the data, you know you saved it correctly, but you will never see it again. Applies to humans and machines pretty much equally, but I prefer to blame the machine.

Posted by John T (# 17166) on :

If it sticks, use a large hammer. If it breaks, it needed replacement anyway.

Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :

Any device will stop working immediately the guarantee runs out.

Posted by Hebdom (# 14685) on :

You will always need a cable or device you've put into the council e-waste collection a week after the event.

Posted by MarsmanTJ (# 8689) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
I would add:

1.i Kelly's addition to Murphy's Law: When nothing can go wrong, something will still go wrong.

I think it was Tom Gilb who stated that behind every computer error are at least two human errors, one of which is to declare the problem a 'computer error'.

My boss has a list on our shared to-do list thingy, one of which is the 'PEBCAK error' list. PEBCAK: Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard.

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :

"Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon . . . " you will need a file after deleting it, deleting all backups thereof, and emptying the recycle bin.

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :

quote:
Originally posted by MarsmanTJ:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
[qb] 'PEBCAK error' list. PEBCAK: Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard.

I've heard this called a PICNIC error;
Problem
In
Chair
Not
In
Computer

Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :

A software upgrade that promises to save you 3 hours a week through greater efficiency will take you a minimum of 10 hours a week to learn.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

All joints can be fixed using duct tape and WD40).

i) If a joint is too loose, apply duct tape
ii) If a joint is too tight, apply WD40

Posted by The Machine Elf (# 1622) on :

"[You] must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s"

(William Blake, but applies to computer systems too)

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