Today I am going to reflect on a common perception that suggests that brand new way equals better way. Feel free to comment on my thoughts in numerous comments. There are two parts, so I am sure one thing is going to address your interest.

Innovation vs Conservation. Here some thoughts after the jump.

*Jump*

1. The urge of innovation probably got mankind out of Stone Age caves.
2. Curiosty kills many cats…
3. Landing on the moon wouldn’t have happened sooner if there was this competition during the Cold War.
4. Never change a running system.
5. (to be continued in the comments)

#1: The queen opened Terminal 5 in London Heathrow (in LHR - see the picture to the left: Terminal 5 from far, where everything seems perfect. Nearly idyllic..) two weeks ago. This brand new building supposedly represents the ability innovation and somewhat of pride and is sintended to improve BA’s reputation. The interior and the design of T5 just seems majestic and cool slogans like “Change The Way You Fly” lull you in a wrong sense of trust that this new thing is the latest. But what do we read in today’s news paper? Up to 20,000 checked-in luggages are missing and causing an enormous holdback for planes since they can’t really leave without a belly loaded with luggage. Plus, the employees in T5, understandably, face new challenges with the all-new automated system of luggage check-in and various other things were also playing nicely in the opening week. Why not invest in training to prevent chaoses like that. Of course, there was a deadline, but the costs and the image-spoiling factor aren’t going to help BA gain popularity again. There is no use in desperately trying to meet a deadline when the troubles ruin the fame of a huge terminal opening. What’s happening with people stuck in LHR Terminal 5 and what else wasn’t working like expected? - Read the International Herold Tribute article.

For my part: I love the new design and I can’t wait to fly into LHR and check out every new corner of the new T5 building. Love hanging out at airports. Maybe it’s better that they have problems now with handling luggage, because I’d request a working luggage check-in and check-through system!

#2: If you are not that much into blogging, just skip the next 2 paragraphs (I tried to speak a non-blogger specific language) Wordpress 2.5: Matt Mullenberg released a major update of Wordpress blogging software. Generally new ideas were implemented and some already existant functions were revamped. The first hands-on experience is quite neat. I can’t tell yet if I am in love with the new Admin center, but it feels slick and handy.

When I found out that the new version was released (20 min. after Matt published the blog entry), I didn’t really hesitate with an early installation. I had second thoughts about an early adaption when it was already done. New sofware, just like “hard ware” (see the LHR T5 complications), often causes some troubles. For example, some plugins I was using before aren’t working properly anymore. Since conflicts messed up the blog (not essential functions though) I now have to pass on. Hm, bummer. However, new things like the automated plugin updating function, tagging system and gallery/image persuaded me subconsiously.

My Point: Innovation brought us out of the cave.

Obviously I am an innovation-phil person. I think that new things do equal better after all. If you need to run a productive system a gradual transition is the best solution. Early adaption “challenges” make innovation look bad on the first glance, but after all it is indeed what brought light (actually fire) into our caves. Am I being unreasonable here?