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I would like to see a standardized OS for PCs too, so that support costs can be lower and the cost of applications can be lower as they don't have to be developed and tested for multiple versions of OS.
And I thought Europe was trying to do the opposite, making sure people have lots of OS'es to choose from.
Universal Chargers are a Good Start: 5 More Things That Need Conformity
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#22
KingKong 
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- Group: Members
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- Joined: 13-August 07
Posted 01 July 2009 - 01:50 AM
You are quite wrong! The power of the US economy comes from standardization, and the EU learned that and copied: currency, metric system, left-hand drive, Euro-plug, etc.
In the US, you buy a nice faucet during a trip to California and you can be very sure that it will fit into your kitchen at home in Boston. Ditto for everything else, thickness of plywood, size of screws, spanners, photo frames, paper sizes, etc etc etc. They may be using inches, pounds and so on, but it's STANDARDIZED. The metric system also standardizes for the same resulting effect (some people got confused that the metric system was to make it easy dividing by 10's). In Europe, you buy a hifi set in UK (assuming there's some reason for you to buy one there) and bring it home to Germany it won't fit the wall socket.
Not too long ago, I traveled Europe on trains. In one tiny time zone, I had to change currencies ten times (not mentioning passport checks) and struggling with five languages. Then I did the same in the US a year later, and it was one currency over four time zones, one language, etc.
The US is far ahead in standardization compared to Europe and the rest of the world. It's just that they are standardized within themselves and they are an economy big enough to benefit from that.
In the US, you buy a nice faucet during a trip to California and you can be very sure that it will fit into your kitchen at home in Boston. Ditto for everything else, thickness of plywood, size of screws, spanners, photo frames, paper sizes, etc etc etc. They may be using inches, pounds and so on, but it's STANDARDIZED. The metric system also standardizes for the same resulting effect (some people got confused that the metric system was to make it easy dividing by 10's). In Europe, you buy a hifi set in UK (assuming there's some reason for you to buy one there) and bring it home to Germany it won't fit the wall socket.
Not too long ago, I traveled Europe on trains. In one tiny time zone, I had to change currencies ten times (not mentioning passport checks) and struggling with five languages. Then I did the same in the US a year later, and it was one currency over four time zones, one language, etc.
The US is far ahead in standardization compared to Europe and the rest of the world. It's just that they are standardized within themselves and they are an economy big enough to benefit from that.
#24
oldschoolh4ck3r
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- Joined: 11-January 09
Posted 01 July 2009 - 10:55 PM
I totally agree with the needed standardization of memory cards and power adapters. It just makes sense. I can't believe it hasn't been done already.
USB is one example of excellent standardization. PCs are much simpler to use nowadays because of it and that means increased productivity.
I disagree with the standardization of game console controllers. Each system has its own unique design and standardizing the controllers would be a boring move stifling innovation.
Here's a major suggestion for standardization: printer ink cartridges! There are so many proprietary ones out there, and the only reason I can see for it is GREED.
USB is one example of excellent standardization. PCs are much simpler to use nowadays because of it and that means increased productivity.
I disagree with the standardization of game console controllers. Each system has its own unique design and standardizing the controllers would be a boring move stifling innovation.
Here's a major suggestion for standardization: printer ink cartridges! There are so many proprietary ones out there, and the only reason I can see for it is GREED.
