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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
HP Starts Worrying About Forecasted Death Of Printing
Techdirt: "When computers first started becoming popular, there was plenty of talk about the 'paperless office' of the future, where everything would be done digitally. However, for years, the opposite actually happened. "
I don't think this is ever going to happen. While more and more, if not everything will be available on the computer, people will still want to print things out. For example in a class or another setting, if you need to take notes on an article or something, it is SO much easier to do so on a piece of paper. While perhaps it is just because this is how we were raised, I don't imagine future generations only writing on computers (tablets or not). Although, if you look at tablets for say, drawing, perhaps that shows something of the future for other mediums. But there is still plenty of work with the pen and pencil and other art tools. So while everything can be done on the computer, I do not think it will ever solely be the computer. Paper and printouts will always be wanted.
I am torn on this issue. I feel bad about how much paper we waste on a day to day basis, but at the same time, I hate trying to read things on a screen. The worst is when the document doesn't quite fit on your screen so you have to scroll side to side in order to get anything done. That drives me nuts! Honestly I much prefer to read off paper and leave computers for typing.
HP has nothing to fear. While I love the computer for my personal work (i.e. notes that no one else will see) and one-on-one communication, I think paper works better for addressing many people. Physical messages seem to carry more weight than offhand emails. Not to mention that they can be referenced much more easily. If I want to check on a document or link, I need a computer, the file, and usually an internet connection. If I want to check on a paper, all I need to do is check my binder. There will always be a place for paper work.
I dunno, I think there will always be a place in our hearts for printers - especially for school people. I mean really, it would suck to e-mail your teacher an essay and then get some sort of e-mailed response in paragraph form instead of those wonderful little notes they write directly on your paper in the areas they're talking about...
Also, reading stuff on the screen sucks. I would much rather read something in paper format than on a computer - something long that is. Not only that but it's easier to take notes onto what you're reading if you're holding it rather than peering at a screen.
It would be wonderful if we could morph into a paperless society, but I really don't see that happening as long as our generation is alive. We have extensive experience with computers and the digital world, but at the same time, we do so much on paper, especially in this business. Honestly, I'd be really shocked if the printer companies had to make any sort of changes in order to stay in business. I just don't see us moving in that kind of direction. We still rely heavily on paper for communication.
i think as we see interfaces for computers become more dynamic and more intuitive, we'll see paper and printing consumption decline. Also, with the increase of cheaper, larger screens, people seem to find the need for big expensive printers to decrease. It all depends on the accessibility and familiarity of computers in the coming years. There is no doubt that even if final products still come out on paper, a lot of designers and printing companies are resorting to an almost all-digital work flow. who knows...
This has been something my dad has talked about as far as having his scripts in front of him. Productions I think will not convert to this because no matter how nice it is and how stable it seems if something went wrong then it would just be the end. If someone is calling the Oscars and they suddenly loose their script then there is nothing that can help. I don't think HP needs to worry, I think we do because as much as they say that print is on its way out is how much they'll just start punching their prices up and then if something happens and they go under because they priced themselves out they'll just blame computers...
8 comments:
I don't think this is ever going to happen. While more and more, if not everything will be available on the computer, people will still want to print things out. For example in a class or another setting, if you need to take notes on an article or something, it is SO much easier to do so on a piece of paper. While perhaps it is just because this is how we were raised, I don't imagine future generations only writing on computers (tablets or not). Although, if you look at tablets for say, drawing, perhaps that shows something of the future for other mediums. But there is still plenty of work with the pen and pencil and other art tools. So while everything can be done on the computer, I do not think it will ever solely be the computer. Paper and printouts will always be wanted.
I am torn on this issue. I feel bad about how much paper we waste on a day to day basis, but at the same time, I hate trying to read things on a screen. The worst is when the document doesn't quite fit on your screen so you have to scroll side to side in order to get anything done. That drives me nuts! Honestly I much prefer to read off paper and leave computers for typing.
HP just wants a reason to jack up their prices in the next few years. when ink carts. jump up to 40 or 50$ each, they'll reference this 'prediction'
HP has nothing to fear. While I love the computer for my personal work (i.e. notes that no one else will see) and one-on-one communication, I think paper works better for addressing many people. Physical messages seem to carry more weight than offhand emails. Not to mention that they can be referenced much more easily. If I want to check on a document or link, I need a computer, the file, and usually an internet connection. If I want to check on a paper, all I need to do is check my binder. There will always be a place for paper work.
I dunno, I think there will always be a place in our hearts for printers - especially for school people. I mean really, it would suck to e-mail your teacher an essay and then get some sort of e-mailed response in paragraph form instead of those wonderful little notes they write directly on your paper in the areas they're talking about...
Also, reading stuff on the screen sucks. I would much rather read something in paper format than on a computer - something long that is. Not only that but it's easier to take notes onto what you're reading if you're holding it rather than peering at a screen.
It would be wonderful if we could morph into a paperless society, but I really don't see that happening as long as our generation is alive. We have extensive experience with computers and the digital world, but at the same time, we do so much on paper, especially in this business. Honestly, I'd be really shocked if the printer companies had to make any sort of changes in order to stay in business. I just don't see us moving in that kind of direction. We still rely heavily on paper for communication.
i think as we see interfaces for computers become more dynamic and more intuitive, we'll see paper and printing consumption decline. Also, with the increase of cheaper, larger screens, people seem to find the need for big expensive printers to decrease. It all depends on the accessibility and familiarity of computers in the coming years. There is no doubt that even if final products still come out on paper, a lot of designers and printing companies are resorting to an almost all-digital work flow. who knows...
This has been something my dad has talked about as far as having his scripts in front of him. Productions I think will not convert to this because no matter how nice it is and how stable it seems if something went wrong then it would just be the end. If someone is calling the Oscars and they suddenly loose their script then there is nothing that can help. I don't think HP needs to worry, I think we do because as much as they say that print is on its way out is how much they'll just start punching their prices up and then if something happens and they go under because they priced themselves out they'll just blame computers...
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