A few days ago, a footage featuring Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, was broadcast in United States Media. Addressing the public, he estimated that printable media will “completely” disappear in ten years. This speech was on display in DIGG website. Many people either derided him; calling it an inane idea or simply sales pitch for the next generation media to come.

We should bear in mind the fortuitous nature of this report which was released in the “Green Earth” week. This certainly puts Mr. Ballmer’s idea into perspective as an advocate of the preservation of natural resources; given the fact that thousands of trees are cut down annually in order provided materials for printed media. Moreover, the loss of green areas and deforestation has scaled up green house effect and carcinogens. It seems that open source critics have implemented Mr. Ballmer’s views as red herring in order to torpedo Microsoft policies. It also bears to remind that the total removal of printable appears to be a herculean task if not at all impossible.

We should first observe major setbacks which inhibit us from undertaking this task and then come with some feasible strategies. In my opinion, there are four major setbacks which stockade our plan for the future media:

1.       The convenience involved when working with printable paper: Evidently, every user can spend twice as much time studying if they cut back on his computer time.

2.       The high cost of computer systems and the accessibility involving printable papers: It is still costly for the majority of people in the word to own a PC, whereas no one can deny the usability and availability of pintable papers.

3.       The lack of proper attitude of the public towards using computers: To our chagrin, the public still seek avocational purposes regarding their PC

4.       The lack of accessibility of internet world wide: In many countries in the world such as China, Iran, and other Islamic countries, people still suffer from internet low coverage and poor services.

5.       The lack of user-friendly feature for GPRS and the public’s limited knowledge regarding its use: GPRS or the mobile internet service still in its incipient stage in many countries and has not yet been fully launched.

6.       The limited use of pocket size electronic equipment: In many countries such equipment as PC packet is considered as merely items of luxury rather than a full-blown practical gadget.

Although solving these problems appear costly for the time being, we are much better off dealing with the situation immediately rather than postponing it for the time when the costs are quadrupled. In order to come up with exigent strategies, we can consider the following guidelines:

1.       The advantage of paper over computer results from hazardous rays emitted from monitor screens. According to high school physics books, light reflected from objects is distributed in the environment in a prism-like color variation. The colors by which we distinguish the objects are in fact the emitted radiation reflected by the object. The radiation of screen is higher than the radiation of paper. In recent years a series of research have been carried out in line with reducing the hazards involved with such radiation. In fact, we should try to close the gap between monitor radiation and the optimal rate which belongs to that of paper. Alternatively, we can lower the hazard down to a rate whereby we do not run any risk for the retina for full time users.

2.       Current breakthroughs in software technology have lowered the priced rates of computer hardware worldwide. However, this downturn did not contribute to any hike in solvency of third world nations regarding purchasing PC. In addition, the overall inflation in world market has also dropped the marketability for computer technology. On the side line, the lack of international campaigns against deforestation has undermined environmental issues for the public. The coalition among computer companies and the rampant competition have also helped to lower the price rates. Besides, running campaigns against deforestation has contributed to people’s motivation for buying computers and their interest in saving trees.

3.        Regarding this feature, the administrations and manufacturing companies are the sectors which can promote the public view and attitude with respect to technology. If such organizations, public or private, consider the goodwill of the public and value the cultural aspects rather than their own financial benefit margin, we can be confident that in ten years, the public’s attention will turn towards the multi media and the printed media will take a tumble in return.           

4.       With the advent of international organization’s campaign regarding information technology and a hike in their mobility and finance, we can be confident that the restrictions laid on internet by political and ideological means would be lifted quite soon. Consequently, those countries with strict regulations against internet will loosen up and provide less limited protocols for internet users. Moreover, first world countries can extend their technical supports to third world nations in line with providing them with facilities which enable those nations to enter the market for information technology.

5.       GPRS is still an item of luxury and cell phone is still in its incipient stage in many countries, while GPRS does not exist. Recently, many organizations provide their services via cell phone lines for their users and this new service can prompt the public to create a cultural perspective for this new media. However, GPRS technology and its initiation require a series of political and geopolitical strategies in some countries like China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Russia. In line with these strategies, international organizations such as world trade organization (WTO), Europe Assembly (EA), the US Senate, and World Bank (WB) and so on can provide initiatives and road map.

6.       It is highly necessary for the price rates of pocket size technology to drop and reach a reasonable limit. This can be another strategy which can attract the public towards such equipment. This is quite clear, since if the prices drop, the demand will automatically rise for such equipment and in return, printable media will fall into oblivion.

In sum, it is now clear that Microsoft under the management of Steve Ballmer is on the right path in upholding the principle of healthy environment. In closing, I don’t think we should compromise this significant international spirit in favor of open source slogans. I also hope that someday, we see international organizations pass laws in favor of such plans of goodwill.

Author: Mahyar Esteki

Translated by: Dr. Masoud Seid Motahhari