Usability and vitalizaton

Dennis you hit the nail on the head. In fact, at one point I considered using 25, but I felt there would be more outrage. Our parents said it about us and now we say it about our kids, "things were different when I was growing up". The one thing that is constant - those companies that keep their eye on the end-user will always win.

BTW, virtualization is the ability to "hide" mutiple functions and processes behind one interface. In a way it is like a portal application which hides the complexity of multiple databases and applications. This allows companies like Google and MySpace to be so easy to use.

Can you imagine what it will be like when the millions MySpace users move into businesses. What will be the requirements on IT then? They will expect much more tham we do today.

You've missed the point Jason. Statistically, those over 35 are much less likely to be avid IT users - especially in professional firms. The number of horror stories I read about senior partners doesn't bear thinking about. You and I are the rarities that break the general rule.

Gen Y/M or whatever the latest is say that younger people, especially those <20 don't use email - a core business tool. The same surveys show <20 are much smarter at information discovery. That's how Lonely 15 was exposed as a fraud. It's how Edelman was called out on its fake Weal-Mart blog site. It's how I discover internal inconsistencies among the Big 4 in terms of what they say and what they do.

My sense is that over time, younger people will be much smarter than we are today. That's the time and adoption cycle for you.

Unless I have totally misunderstood the comment, which is possible:

Okay I am 38, I have used computers since I was 14, I have used them in business since I was 21, and yet I am considered an immigrant, I disagree, I have, with IT technology, been there along the way, hardware, software, internet etc.

Also Den, where does this leave you?

I am sorry, I totally disagree with this comment of David Precopio, it depends on the person, like with everything, my dad, he is over 35 (no surprise there then, thank god), and has been involved in the computer industry from the early lets build a house to put the (slow, huge, card with loads of holes in it driven) ‘PC’ in, right up to now, and he can still leave me standing!

The comment is too general, he missed the fact that there has always been, and will always be those who can and those who can’t and age has nothing to do with it!

PS Surely that is age discrimination, and there is a law against this now in the UK, and if it doesn’t cover this comment I am sure someone in Brussels will now be busy drafting one sot he UK can implement it while the rest of Europe watches and laughs … (Sorry Den, getting a bit political)