Recycled Computing

Are CDs and DVDs Necessary Anymore?

- 2011.03.28

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Short link: http://bit.ly/fvkwcQ

Remember the ruckus when the iMac was announced and the "experts" thought that Steve Jobs was crazy because a 3-1/2" floppy drive was not built-in. Third party manufacturers rushed out to make portable USB 3-1/2" floppy drives so nervous Apple-ites could read their data on the colorful new iMac.

Steve Jobs announces the iMac on May 6, 1998
Steve Jobs announces the
iMac on May 6, 1998.

The universe, as we knew it, was in a state of chaos.

Today the only use for a 3-1/2" floppy is an improvised drink coaster. What was once dismissed as a silly idea, eliminating the built-in floppy drive, is now the norm.

The question now is whether or not optical drives are really necessary. Apple's MacBook Air series of computers do not have optical drives, and I wonder if it won't be long before they disappear from MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

When was the last time you used your optical drive?

To install software, rip music, and convert videos, of course!

Living with the Cloud

But both my iPod and iPad download software through the App Store, and Apple has even introduced an App Store for Mac software. Apple has set up iTunes to download all sorts of media for consumption on your computer and "post-PC" devices.

The life of a hermit has never been easier. I can see a trend here, and that trend, led by Apple - but buoyed by the development of Android, netbooks, smartphones, and tablets - is towards life on the "cloud". A few of my associates are using the cloud for data storage, online applications, and syncing.

Curmudgeon that I am, I can see that I will have to buy one of Apple's MacBook Air SuperDrives if I want to buy a MacBook Air. Of course, buying an Air is a dream that may have to wait. And I would be really dreaming is whether the Air (or any other) SuperDrive will ever work on my iPad. Apple would have to restore full power to the USB port* and then add optical disc drivers to the iOS software.

You see, the iPad can take the place of a laptop some of the time, but not all of the time.

You Still Need a Computer

You still have to have an OS X or Windows "mothership" to tether the iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone. The MacBook Air is a very small mothership, but Apple intends it's "post-PC" devices to supplement your user experience, not replace your Mac.

I may be clinging to my CDs and DVDs (vinyl records and cassette tapes, too), but I do use the cloud from time to time. The big use of cloud computing for me is Netflix. I love Netflix. I was watching Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles on Netflix and, suddenly, my service provider crashed, and I was in serious Terminator withdrawal. Fortunately, service was soon restored, and the universe returned to normal.

The lesson here is that Skynet doesn't have to launch rockets at mankind; it just has to cut off our internet service.

* The MacBook Air SuperDrive actually requires more juice than a standard powered USB port provides, but you get the idea.

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