At my work, I deal with different warehouses and we have a website with an on-line application and different documents and information they can access.
I have this young man who said they didn't have a computer, after I told him how he could get hold of the information he needed.
In disbelief, I said "You probably mean you don't have Internet access", and he said "No, I mean we don't use computers". Turns out the owner (old man) tried them once but he didn't like them 'cause he couldn't understand them (control them) so he took them off.
So yes, people still use typewriters. I cringe every time a I get such a typed document. It's not "romantic" in a business context. In this context it smells, and it smells bad like decay.
I can attest that typewriters are still very much used in a business context. There are many pre-printed forms that need to be typed out along with typing up stuff on a cheque as well.
As long as we live in a paper driven business society and there are forms that need to be filled out, etc. there's still very much a place for the trusty and dependable typewriter.
They still make and sell typewriters though obviously not very many these days. And most typewriters seem to have been made so well and perform their specific job function so well there's little need to replace them as we have to upgrade and replace our computers every couple of years. Frankly, for some decades old typewriters the only reason they were retired was because the owner could no longer buy the ink ribbon for them.
I'll add that there is less and less a need for a typewriter as many organizations make their forms available online in a writeable/printable pdf format or similar, but there are some organizations, notably governments that still hold on to the old ways.
Recently, one government department I had some frustrations with I couldn't even correspond through email or fax with them. I was limited to hoping they'd pick up the telephone or check their mail.
Being 'old-fashioned' I still have a turntable. It's a Technics Quartz, and very much operational, and I still have about 400 12-inch LPs for it, most in good playable condition.
I also have a terrific little Canon word processor, which can print multiple copies, store and retrieve text on disks, and has an electronic thermally-activated printing head, rather than keys, wheels or magic ball. It even works on thermal fax paper if there's no ribbon handy. It is about 90 percent computer, and its big problem is that the language used for the computing is not the most popular - so I can't use its disks in a regular computer. That's not much of a problem now, because new computers no longer have a floppy drive. But this little Canon still works just as well as the first day it was unpacked back in 1995. You can't get much better than that.
(Sorry this is seriously offtopic from turntables...)
When I said business I meant small businesses of course, how are they going to get anywhere in 2009 away from a computer and the net? It's mostly family businesses where nobody has taken the leap (no curiosity! it baffles me). They are trying to survive, wondering where have all their customers gone, totally clueless. I always tell them their customers are trying to find them online and they can't. And they still think local, they don't see that right now there's someone in Germany shopping or simply choosing stuff and services they'll get once they arrive in this country. It's like two separate worlds: if you are someone who's using the net, you are not seeing these businesses and you may believe they are not there, but they still are.
Kronostar said: "I'll add that there is less and less a need for a typewriter as many organizations make their forms available online in a writeable/printable pdf format or similar, but there are some organizations, notably governments that still hold on to the old ways."
I work (+ or -) for the government and I know exactly what you are talking about. It's inside and outside. Our area sometime deals with the innovation and the implementation of net services between the public administration and the citizens, and in many cases both parts are seriously behind the times.
And, like I said, working (for the public administration) we make these services and documents available online, in different formats. We try to encourage people to update, but some are very stubborn and I can not turn a document away because it is typewritten, or handwritten. I have to accept it.
I bought a brand new IBM 1000 in, I think, 2001. They stopped manufacturing them and it was the last chance to get one new. It's a beautiful machine. I've used it on many occasions.
I also bought a new turntable, a Technics SL-1200 MK2, in 2005.
Turntables and vinyl as a medium have already made a come back big time. In contrast, the Compact Disk will end up being a short lived experiment (good riddance).
I need one of those...
ReplyDeleteAt my work, I deal with different warehouses and we have a website with an on-line application and different documents and information they can access.
I have this young man who said they didn't have a computer, after I told him how he could get hold of the information he needed.
In disbelief, I said "You probably mean you don't have Internet access", and he said "No, I mean we don't use computers". Turns out the owner (old man) tried them once but he didn't like them 'cause he couldn't understand them (control them) so he took them off.
So yes, people still use typewriters. I cringe every time a I get such a typed document. It's not "romantic" in a business context. In this context it smells, and it smells bad like decay.
Wow, in 2009.
ReplyDeleteI was scared of computers until I was forced to learn at new job in 1994. People started me learning 4 different apps in two days, and I got sick!
But soon I got to be the local "guru", and the usefulness of the things have been like air and water to me since.
I can't believe anyone would get away with using typewriters in a business context these days.
ReplyDeleteThat turntable looks like some sciencefictiony germ warfare thingamabob.
I can attest that typewriters are still very much used in a business context. There are many pre-printed forms that need to be typed out along with typing up stuff on a cheque as well.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we live in a paper driven business society and there are forms that need to be filled out, etc. there's still very much a place for the trusty and dependable typewriter.
They still make and sell typewriters though obviously not very many these days. And most typewriters seem to have been made so well and perform their specific job function so well there's little need to replace them as we have to upgrade and replace our computers every couple of years. Frankly, for some decades old typewriters the only reason they were retired was because the owner could no longer buy the ink ribbon for them.
I'll add that there is less and less a need for a typewriter as many organizations make their forms available online in a writeable/printable pdf format or similar, but there are some organizations, notably governments that still hold on to the old ways.
ReplyDeleteRecently, one government department I had some frustrations with I couldn't even correspond through email or fax with them. I was limited to hoping they'd pick up the telephone or check their mail.
Ah yes, maybe I should find a small typewriter for writing on checks. I find it hard to fit long numbers in.
ReplyDeleteBeing 'old-fashioned' I still have a turntable. It's a Technics Quartz, and very much operational, and I still have about 400 12-inch LPs for it, most in good playable condition.
ReplyDeleteI also have a terrific little Canon
word processor, which can print multiple copies, store and retrieve text on disks, and has an electronic thermally-activated printing head, rather than keys, wheels or magic ball. It even works on thermal fax paper if there's no ribbon handy.
It is about 90 percent computer, and its big problem is that the language used for the computing is not the most popular - so I can't use its disks in a regular computer. That's not much of a problem now, because new computers no longer have a floppy drive.
But this little Canon still works just as well as the first day it was unpacked back in 1995. You can't get much better than that.
I can attest that typewriters are still very much used in a business context.
ReplyDeleteThey are not. No one would ever accept a typewriter-typed document these days. No one. That's just the way it is. You look unprofessional.
(Sorry this is seriously offtopic from turntables...)
ReplyDeleteWhen I said business I meant small businesses of course, how are they going to get anywhere in 2009 away from a computer and the net? It's mostly family businesses where nobody has taken the leap (no curiosity! it baffles me). They are trying to survive, wondering where have all their customers gone, totally clueless. I always tell them their customers are trying to find them online and they can't. And they still think local, they don't see that right now there's someone in Germany shopping or simply choosing stuff and services they'll get once they arrive in this country. It's like two separate worlds: if you are someone who's using the net, you are not seeing these businesses and you may believe they are not there, but they still are.
Kronostar said: "I'll add that there is less and less a need for a typewriter as many organizations make their forms available online in a writeable/printable pdf format or similar, but there are some organizations, notably governments that still hold on to the old ways."
I work (+ or -) for the government and I know exactly what you are talking about. It's inside and outside. Our area sometime deals with the innovation and the implementation of net services between the public administration and the citizens, and in many cases both parts are seriously behind the times.
And, like I said, working (for the public administration) we make these services and documents available online, in different formats. We try to encourage people to update, but some are very stubborn and I can not turn a document away because it is typewritten, or handwritten. I have to accept it.
I bought a brand new IBM 1000 in, I think, 2001. They stopped manufacturing them and it was the last chance to get one new. It's a beautiful machine. I've used it on many occasions.
ReplyDeleteI also bought a new turntable, a Technics SL-1200 MK2, in 2005.
Turntables and vinyl as a medium have already made a come back big time. In contrast, the Compact Disk will end up being a short lived experiment (good riddance).
Sound files as a commercial distribution medium (iTunes Music Store style) is also already practically passé. It will be replaced by Spotify and its competitors.
So, pretty soon the only way to buy sound recordings to keep will be vinyl records again.
Typewriters will most likely see a renaissance too. But it will take a little longer.