The Importance of An Outlet

In this technology-driven world today, an outlet seems to be the most sought for utility known to man. We go to coffee shops and we don't ask for an latte - we ask if there's a free outlet somewhere in the cafe. We get home and we make sure that somewhere in our room is an outlet near our resting couch (or bed) so that we may charge our devices while still getting the chance to use it. Right now, I'm seated beside four - yes, four - outlets, three of which are already being used and the other still waiting for it's user. Truth is, this power outlet seems to be getting ubiquitous everyday - and as with all ubiquitous things, we really only notice them when they're gone.

An outlet exists because we get something out of it - which is necessarily true for gadgets. However, an outlet in the not-physical sense is something we all need, one way or another. We all need one outlet, because getting stuck in your own thoughts without an outlet to take it out can be really sad - and besides, without an outlet I wouldn't be able to type these thoughts out in the first place.

What Games Taught Me About Platforms

Growing up in a time when the status quo of console gaming was just beginning to take shape, one can vividly remember the time when I saw a plumber on screen and was told that a certain "Mario" was me, and I was to control him in order to "win the princess." Much more amazing to me then was that when I pressed a button, that Mario guy would do something! It would jump! At that time, it felt like I was a god that had ultimate power - even though it was only a plumber with no other purpose in life but to get the princess by jumping over and above square bricks.

Fast forward to today's world, and I find myself living in a reality not so distant from my past - the industry of technology. In other words, software is the main thread that binds together most of what I do. The bits and bytes have become ubiquitous, and an internet connection is already something akin to air - you don't notice it when it's around, but when it's gone, you'd think the whole world was conspiring against you. That said, the software in the world basically take up two mantras - the one being the native code, and the other being the platform.

You'll notice this because as widespread a language may be, more often than not there will be platforms available that further the features of the native code. And yes, it's true that they get you places. However, like how Mario can just jump into a brick and break it, so will a platform act the same.

A platform is a platform is a platform - it does help you get to places, but if you build your skills (and ultimately, your career/business) around it, it will eventually fall apart - leaving you to fall to the depths of whatever is down there.

Perhaps this is why I had apprehensions in using platforms so much. However, it's come to my realization that I've been building on platforms for a while now, though I never really realized it as such. Point is, the more specialized, deep, and abstract a platform is, the weaker will it's staying power be.

Now, the decision to use one is a relative one - it's best to weigh the future and present returns before taking a big leap and clicking on "Sign up!".