27th November 2004, 3:00 PM
Yes, capitalism, but capitalism also nurtures standardization. For example, there aren't a million different incompatible CD-Rom formats, just the one, because they realized well enough that with just one format, everyone can buy it. DVDs were tricky, but the formats are all pretty much set as a package all DVD players have and no one is dumb enough, yet, to create an unsupported DVD format on top of those.
USB is a pretty famous one, the idea being that pretty much all hardware should be using the same format connection. Even the PS2 has some USB ports. Honestly, I expect all 3 next gen consoles to have USB ports, maybe even as the controller ports. Standardization is pretty much always good, so long as the standard is designed with upgradability in mind.
Anyway, the thing is, aside from console controllers, the biggest nonstandardized thing right now is memory cards. There are like 5 companies that won't back down from their formats. It's not nearly as bad as a problem I've given up on, standardized ink cartridges for printers :D, but it should be fixed before it BECOMES that.
USB is a pretty famous one, the idea being that pretty much all hardware should be using the same format connection. Even the PS2 has some USB ports. Honestly, I expect all 3 next gen consoles to have USB ports, maybe even as the controller ports. Standardization is pretty much always good, so long as the standard is designed with upgradability in mind.
Anyway, the thing is, aside from console controllers, the biggest nonstandardized thing right now is memory cards. There are like 5 companies that won't back down from their formats. It's not nearly as bad as a problem I've given up on, standardized ink cartridges for printers :D, but it should be fixed before it BECOMES that.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)