Sir Clive Sinclair won't even read his email from family and friends.
In a recent interview with the UK newspaper The Observer, computer inventor Sir Clive Sinclair said that he finds computers annoying. In fact, Sinclair said that he doesn't use a computer at all. Emails are read aloud by his assistant, as he finds emails just as annoying.
"I'd much prefer someone would telephone me if they want to communicate," he said. "No, it's not sheer laziness – I just don't want to be distracted by the whole process. Nightmare."
That's surprising given that he co-created the Sinclair ZX80 back in 1980, opening the door to personal mass-market computing in the home like the TSR-80 and the Commodore 64. He admits that the computer-- along with the follow-up ZX81-- made him loads of money. The former computer sold around 50,000 units whereas that newer ZX81, released in 1981, sold around 250,000 units.
Given today's hardware standards, both machines are primitive. The ZX80 had a membrane keyboard, 1K of memory, and used a cassette player to load programs. The ZX81 had a bit more to offer, allowing peripherals such as daughterboards for added memory and external keyboards.
With that said, it would seem that Sinclair would actually embrace the simplicity that today's technology provides. That's not in case. In fact, he blasted the designs of today.
"Our machines were lean and efficient," he said. "The sad thing is that today's computers totally abuse their memory--totally wasteful, you have to wait for the damn things to boot up, just appalling designs. Absolute mess! So dreadful it's heartbreaking."
It's no wonder he avoids the PC. Perhaps he should re-invent today's PC.
how did u post this article again?
Maybe we should pool a grant and let him go to town.
I find it funny that he finds emails themselves distracting yet he uses his assisstant to read them outloud... because thats not distracting or time consuming in the least...
Though if he made another PC I'd be more than happy to read about it and possibly try it.
Maybe we should pool a grant and let him go to town.
I think a little re-invention anywhere isn't a bad thing. (or at least a good attempt)
how did u post this article again?
I find it funny that he finds emails themselves distracting yet he uses his assisstant to read them outloud... because thats not distracting or time consuming in the least...
Though if he made another PC I'd be more than happy to read about it and possibly try it.
They should have to live my life in a cubicle, at a keyboard. And I'm upset at both of them. But really I'm upset at my father for not letting me be a professional sky-diver!
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/09/magazines/fortune/cubicle_howiwork_fortune/
*trashes his cubicle*
now is far more complicated and requires a totally different mindset. The Pc he made was practiacally
useless, but his idea was terrific.
I get the logic, I personally, am coming to hate this super connected world, it's like an electron forced to share it's orbit, it's just not good. YOu don't ever seem to have a moment to yourself through this constant flood of information, the TV, radio, cell phone, smart phone, black berry, berry black, phone i, i pad, i pod, you are always connected, constantly, it's like the Borg, ... or that Japan Anime Serial Experiments Lane, social networking will morph into reality and the real world, essentially becomes just a back drop to living on the net.
It's actually quite scary. My most peaceful moments now a days are when no one can contact me, it's damn near exhilirating...
And look at Tiger, if it wasn't for that darn, Text messaging!!!
Bottom line: this guy is 20 computer generations out of date and his opinions reflect that.