Lamenting the Death of Features

“Like most long-time computer users, I remember the good old
days when it took five minutes to boot my PS/2 machine into Windows
3.11 for Workgroups, and running Word and Excel at the same time
was about as adventuresome as one could get on a machine. I
remember being amazed at how I could play Tetris while installing
my first Linux distribution (Caldera OpenLinux, made
by–shhh!–SCO), which convinced me forever that Linux was better
at handling system resources.

“We have all become accustomed to having new features added to
our operating systems and applications: plug and play, USB support,
browser extensions, docking station support, dual-head display
settings. It’s a nice feeling to play with new tools.

“Except, of course, when some of these features are removed in
newer versions of the software later on.

“That is, unfortunately, the case for the last two features on
my up-to-date openSUSE system. Once upon a time, I could hot/warm
undock my laptop from its docking station with the push of a button
(and vice versa) and have the display settings immediately adjust
to the new configuration. Now, I can’t.”

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