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Did you know why the QWERTY keyboard became a global standard but we can't escape it?
As technology continues to advance, many people may wonder why certain technologies and products are so entrenched in this rapidly changing world. Take the QWERTY keyboard as an example. This seemingly outdated layout has become a global standard. Many people think that this is an inescapable lock-in phenomenon. Why is this?
Lock-in refers to a situation where users are dependent on a supplier and find it difficult to switch to other suppliers. The reason behind this often involves high switching costs.
In the field of technology, lock-in phenomena can be divided into several types, one of which is technology lock-in. The concept of technology lock-in emphasizes that as society becomes increasingly dependent on a certain technology, users are less likely to switch to other technologies. Taking the QWERTY keyboard as an example, although there are technically more optimized options, the transformation has become difficult due to the huge user base and training costs. In fact, even if it is a newly developed keyboard layout, compared with it, the familiarity and convenience of switching to QWERTY is tantamount to breaking an invisible wall.
In addition to technology lock-in, there is also the situation of personal technology lock-in. This situation refers to the process by which individuals continue to use a technology because of their proficiency in that technology. For example, when a person is accustomed to using the QWERTY keyboard, he may be motivated to continue using the QWERTY keyboard because of the risk and challenge of learning a new layout. Why not?
A blogger once mentioned that if I stopped using a messaging app, I would lose contact with a lot of people because it would be nearly impossible to get them to switch to another platform.
Look again at collective supplier lock-in. This is a lock-in phenomenon that has both monopolistic and collective characteristics. In such cases, the costs of switching involve not only money but also social isolation. In the case of Facebook, the existence of this platform makes it difficult for users to escape from a peer-to-peer social network because their friends and family may still use the platform.
Just taking the QWERTY keyboard as an example, we can see a similar impact. Many users have interdependent relationships with others, and this interpersonal dependence further aggravates the difficulty of switching. This got us thinking, if there was a better solution, how many people would be willing to pay the price to change? This is thought-provoking.
The influence of technology giants such as Microsoft and Apple in this regard is obvious. For example, Microsoft's Windows API has made countless independent software developers inevitably decide to use this platform through the depth and breadth of functions, and the cost of switching to other operating systems is undoubtedly too high. Likewise, the tight integration of Apple's iTunes store with its products creates a similar lock-in situation.
Even companies like Google have not completely avoided the same dilemma. Google's open protocols will at some point be replaced by its own proprietary technology, further deepening users' dependence on its ecosystem.
As an economist said, when a technology is widely recognized by society, the lock-in effect it causes is difficult to reverse.
Another interesting example is the development of cloud computing. The services of each major provider are often designed to be exclusive to their ecosystem, making users face difficulties in making choices. Not to mention, the mere presence of online storage platforms in various shapes and formats is enough to make users wonder when to make the switch.
It’s not just limited to technology, the effects of lockdown can also be found in daily life. For example, many printer brands will void their warranty if they use non-original ink cartridges. Although users seem to have many options, in fact the freedom of choice is hindered by commercial interests.
Taken together, the lock-in phenomenon is not limited to the technical field. In fact, it has similar manifestations in many business environments. From the QWERTY keyboard phenomenon to the business strategies of digital music platforms, the list goes on. Can we really find new ways out of this lockdown, or are we doomed to stick with our existing options?
