EP#417: Cloud of Disks

Join Parker and Stephen as they delve into Japan's decision to phase out floppy disks and CD-ROMs for government submissions. From reminiscing about nostalgic tech quirks to analyzing the challenges and benefits of this transition, they explore the implications for industries and digital competitiveness. Discussing Japan's slow tech evolution, resistance to cloud systems, and the enduring use of floppy disks in various sectors, they ponder the future of outdated tech and its impact on global standings. Tune in to gain insights into the end of an era and what it signifies for technology and society.

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Discussion Highlights:

• War on Floppy Disks 💾: Discussing Japan's decision to end the use of floppy disks in government operations.
• Implications of Technological Obsolescence: Speculating on the challenges of transitioning from physical media to digital storage.
• Comparisons to Government Processes: Stephen shares his experience with outdated military specifications and discusses the reliability of military-grade components.
• Automotive and Military Testing: Comparison of testing standards for automotive, military, and space applications, highlighting similarities and differences.
• What does this mean for Parker’s FD5? 😭: The implications for Parker's FD5 camera and its reliance on floppy disks, is this a ticking time bomb?
• Nostalgia vs. Modern Replication: Discussion on replicating vintage aesthetics with modern tech, including Parker's use of a disposable camera lens on a mirrorless camera.
• Grease Weasel: Explanation of the grease weasel device and its role in preserving data from old floppy disks.
• Floppy Disk Bombs: Stephen shares a fun and dangerous way of combining matches with floppy disks. Don’t try this at home kids 🔥.
• Digital Competitiveness: Japan ranks 32 in digital competitiveness. What are the factors that affect a country's technological advancement?
• Industrial Use of Floppy Disks: Some industries still use floppy disks, including automotive, medical devices and avionics. Chuck E. Cheese used them until at least 2023.
• Secure. Contain. Protect. (SCP): Tangent about SCP, a copypasta site about different creatures in an organization called Secure. Contain. Protect.
• Predictions for Technological Obsolescence: Speculation on the last industrial or commercial use of floppy disks and potential next tech equivalents.
• We want to hear from you, so head over to our discourse to let us know:
  • What industries that you work in are still using floppy disks?
  • What will be the next tech equivalent of a dinosaur?

Relevant links:

• Japan government accepts it’s no longer the ’90s, stops requiring floppy disks
• Our last design contest: EP188 Design Contest - Useless Machines Wrap Up
• Parker’s FD5 Camera: EP379 Taking Pictures With Magnetic Flux
• SCP Foundation
• Chuck E. Cheese still uses floppy disks in 2023, but not for long

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast! We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our Circuit Break Community for discussions or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.