To say the internet has changed our daily life is true, albeit an oversimplification of the truth. Because of the internet, how we share information, interact with one another and even entertain ourselves is drastically different than it was just a few short years ago.
Computers have also become smaller, faster and more efficient as times have changed. Twenty-five years ago, every bit of data that wasn’t preloaded in the computer’s operating system was loaded into the computer through a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. A decade ago, it was practically certain that a new computer would have a CD/DVD-ROM drive, but those drives are gone on many of today’s computer models.
However, before you begin worrying that technology is changing too quickly, think about the last time you used the CD/DVD-ROM drive on your computer.
The way we consume data has changed over the past decade. Consider that 10 years ago, we used a CD or DVD to install software programs, listen to music, watch a movie or back up data for storage. Now, we download or stream content online and use cloud storage for data backup.
Many software companies, like Microsoft and Adobe, transitioned away from selling software on CDs or DVDs. If you’re interested in purchasing Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop, you’ll have to download the programs.
After decades of computers needing a floppy disk, a CD or some other physical medium to operate, this is a big change.
But there are plenty of positives to the advancement. For example, buying a new computer or repairing a damaged machine used to mean digging through old boxes to find software CDs and registration numbers. Now, you can often type in your username and password online and re- install the software.
If you’re worried about backing up your data or if you need information from CDs and DVDs, you can purchase an external CD/DVD-ROM drive and still access all your information.
If you frequently run out of space on your computer’s hard drive, there are several backup options that don’t involve a CD/DVD-ROM drive. An external hard drive or USB flash drive could be a perfect choice.
If you want to start using a cloud-based storage solution, Apple’s iCloud, Dropbox, Amazon Cloud, Google Drive and Microsoft’s OneDrive are some of the most popular.
Technology is always evolving. But while the elimination of the CD/DVD-ROM drive concerns many people, there are several easy fixes. Soon enough, it’ll be a distant memory like the floppy disk.