Friday Five – Favorite Technological Advancements

Welcome to the Friday Five! Each week we help you get to know our writers with the help of a top 5 list! This weeks category: Favorite Technological Advancements!

Recently we’ve had a object land on a comet, and some people made a hoverboard, and all kinds of other awesome technological advancements. So this week we’re doing Favorite Technological Advancements!

Chris

1. Playstation 2 – There is a reason this console kept putting out games for over a decade, it was basically got everything right. Sure we’ve got nostalgia for games on the NES, SNES, PS1, etc. But the PS2 was a juggernaut in home console gaming that we may not see happen again.
2. Windows Server 2012 R2 – Windows Server is a pain in the ass no matter what way you look at it. But at least 2012 R2 put the start button back which makes getting to the tiles screen easier when you’re using RDP in windowed mode. Plus Server Manager is just way easier to use then previous versions. And that’s not even talking about some of the nice features they’ve started including.
3. Nintendo DS – Much like the PS2, the DS just got handheld gaming right. The systems that led up to it were magnificent, but the DS was innovative and by the time it’s replacement the 3DS launched it’s library just dominated other consoles.
4. Smart Phones / Tablets – Sci-Fi movies and television have had portal devices like this for decades! It’s only right that we finally get to use them in real life, and they really do help. I use my phone for pretty much everything, much like everyone else.
5. Water and Ice Dispenser built into refrigerators – Who the hell wants to have to put ice cube trays or pitchers of water into the fridge? Not this guy that’s for damn sure!

Vogel

1. Soap – Sorry, had to. And if you don’t get the reference, your loss.
2. Microprocessor – Because who wants a computer the size of their house that has less power than the phone in my pocket?
3. Firmware – I like the idea of being able to upgrade hardware without replacing it.
4. GUI – The graphical user interface bridged a gap for users of limited computer knowledge and allowed the home computer to flourish.
5. Pulleys/Hydraulics – From the ancient pyramids to Stonehenge, pulleys made lifting large objects possible. Hydraulics works on this same principle. Basically, I’m impressed by any discovery that allows you to exert less work and produce a mechanical advantage.

Shannon

1. Television
2. Internet
3. The Light Bulb
4. Photography
5. Boats

Eric

Well… I suppose the minor conveniences we enjoy in everyday life apply here.

1. Wireless Remote Controllers – The convenience of sitting as far away from the television and still retaining the ability to control it is the greatest achievement in laziness.
2. Touch Screens – They suck so bad, but they’re a far cry from what they were 5 and 10 years ago. Super responsive, and simple to use. Touch Screens are a stepping stone to greater things.
3. Smart Phones – These are a Miracle of modern science. All of the worlds information available at your fingertips AT ALL TIMES! Stop bitching about how slow it is and understand just how far we’ve come in under a decade!
4. The Airplane – Because a 2 hour flight to Florida beats a 13 hour drive any day!
5. 3DS – Glasses free 3D! It’s not perfect, but it’s an achievement! It can really only get better from here.

Chris talks a bunch on PodQuest each week. He's also been known to write about stuff from time to time. You can Email Chris or follow Chris on Twitter @Just_Cobb or Facebook

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