Technology, which is no longer relevant, but still alive

We live in a time of rapid change. From the invention of smart phones to gadgets with screens of ultra-high definition passed several years. Modern electronic devices are doomed to become obsolete for a short time. In this connection, the statement that Sony is stopping the production of Betamax cassettes, which gained their popularity back in the late 70s of the last century, looks belated for several decades.

Who is still using obsolete technology? Everyone knows that the format Betamax in the 80 years was replaced by a more modern analogue - VHS. You will be surprised, but it can be not only hipsters. The Japanese in their majority still honor fidelity to half-inch video cassettes and vintage technique. All this is currently available in Japanese stores. But what is still relevant to this day, despite the production of new alternatives.

Floppy disks

Many people keep in their minds pleasant memories of floppy disks, which were the most popular way of transferring data from computer to computer before the invention of CDs, USB drives and, of course, the Internet. But floppy disks are still in high esteem among Norwegians. Not so long ago, the software developer Finn Gundersen said in his blog that Norwegian doctors receive a government floppy every month. Each such floppy disk contains updated information of the patient-doctor list, a special state system in which each registered citizen can choose for himself a particular doctor. Since patients can change their choice at any time, the list should be constantly updated, and information - in a timely manner, reach the attending physicians.

Diskettes are inexpensive, much less than a USB drive. In addition, they have a small amount of memory, in contrast to the standard CD. Considering that a floppy can be delivered by mail in certain periods, and the data volume is no more than 1.44 Kbytes, they are the logical choice.

Facsimile machines

The ability to scan documents with subsequent e-mail sending for faxes in many organizations seemed to be the beginning of their end. But technology, which was invented in the distant 1942, is still common in Japan. Due to the importance of writing hieroglyphs, the fax machine is considered as a convenient way to send personal notes to many Japanese. Through fax, both official and private individuals communicate. Do not forget the Japanese and the sending of legal documents, as well as certificates. The facsimile apparatus acts as a guarantor of the authenticity of the security.

Cell Phones

For several years, world sales of smartphones based on Android have surpassed sales of conventional mobile phones, intended exclusively for calls and SMS. However, in the African countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the good old cell phone is still the king. Not so long ago, in a sociological survey, scientists found that smartphones have not yet gained popularity in the seven countries of the black continent. This is partly due to the cost of modern devices, as well as the popularity of banking services in Kenya and Tanzania. Residents of these countries actively transfer money to each other, and to confirm the operation it is necessary only to enter the appropriate SMS code. Many citizens of Africa are still far from the Internet, so in real life, communication between them is reduced to sending ordinary text messages.

Pneumatic Tubing

Pneumatic mail, through which documents in containers were carried by a rapid flow of air, was invented as early as the beginning of the 19th century. Nevertheless, these devices are still used in many hospitals in the world, for example, at the University College of London hospital. The reason for popularity is simple: pneumatic tubes can instantly move from one part of the building to another not only paper, but also packs with medicines.

Windows XP

The era of the popular earlier operating system was officially completed on April 8, 2014. However, many people continue to be faithful to Windows XP. This is about 40% of the Vietnamese, as well as some residents of China, India, Algeria and a number of other countries. Among the institutions of Windows XP are still using the US Navy, and this despite the multibillion-dollar deductions to Microsoft for the right to continue to receive software security updates.

Printing machines

Printers were popular for a century, but now they were replaced by a computer keyboard. However, there are places where typewriters are still used. For example, funeral bureaus in some US states print death certificates on them. And the New York Police Department will soon introduce a bill banning printing machines. Apparently, in many areas these devices are still used to create police reports.