Old Style

Although I’m a big fan of computers, some things are better done old style.

I’ve been working with computers since the mid 1980’s and I’ve lost count of the different software packages I’ve used. Like Word Star and WordPerfect for documents and Supercalc for spreadsheets. And then there are all the different ways of storage. We’ve gone from cassette tapes to the cloud via magnetic tapes, floppy disks (5.5 and 3.5 inch varieties) and CD’s.

One thing they have in common is that all these programs and storage methods are now obsolete. Of course it’s been possible to back up files onto new media, and convert documents to new software packages, but I bet I’ve lost more stuff than I’ve kept over the years.

But changing fashions in technology don’t affect the good old index card. All the important stuff for my family history research is kept on cards, even if the research is online.

Ok, so you can’t back up cards and there’s a risk that they may get damaged or lost. But on the other hand, they don’t crash, become obsolete or have read/write failures. The main risk is my crappy handwriting, sometimes even I can’t tell what I’ve written. But as long as I print, it’s no problem.

Besides, there’s something satisfying about good old fashioned stationery. Or is that just me being nerdy? 11