Just because something is newer doesn't mean it's better. There have been many instances of companies releasing new products that are actually flawed in some way, making people wish they had stuck with what they knew before.

This is especially true when it comes to computer software, with newer versions of existing programs either not working with older operating systems or just sucking on a fundamental level.

We explored these veterans of computer software in last week's We Ask You, and the discussion threw up a long list of long-forgotten programs that someone, somewhere, still uses to this day.

Old, But Not Outdated

We asked you,What Is The Oldest Piece Of Computer Software You Still Use? We had a very satisfying number of responses, and the range of old software that was named and shamed applauded meant we could venture on a nostalgic trip to yesteryear and beyond.

Anyway, enough babbling. What follows is a list of just some of the old computer software people (namely, MakeUseOf readers) are using today. To see the full discussion please take the time to read last week's We Ask You.

  • Fireworks MX 2004
  • Zork
  • Spinrite
  • Sidekick 99
  • SCORE
  • SnagIt v8
  • Quicken 2006
  • Jasc PainShop Pro 7
  • ACDSee
  • Lotus Organizer
  • Turbo Pascal v5.5
  • Cool Edit Pro
  • Proxomitron
  • Visual Studio 6.0
  • DiskMapper
  • Pash
  • Windows for Workgroups 3.11
  • Turbo C++
  • Microsoft Picture It!
  • IrfanView

The reasons people gave for still using this old computer software included pure nostalgia, a why-fix-what-isn't-broken mentality, and it still being the best thing available for their particularly niche need. All of which are valid excuses (if excuses is the correct word).

Comment Of The Week

We received a lot of great comments, including those from Amrit K, Tom W, and Henk van Setten. Comment Of The Week goes to Xoandre, who won with this comment:

You want really old? Try this one:

I have a 5.25? floppy disc with AppleWorks 1.2 on one side and my saved writings on the other. This disc requires an Apple IIe to operate and I was recently given access to my late father’s storage facility, where he kept his Apple IIe, Apple LISA, Commodore 64, and his teal-colored iMac.

I have been trying to make sure I have all the components together for the Apple IIe so that I can boot up AppleWorks once again and get a printout of those writings.

I also have the original 5.25? floppies for Where in the World (and Where in Time) is Carmen Sandiego? as well as INFOCOM classic games collections for PC – DOS games like Zork I, II, III, Wishbringer, Leisure Suit Larry, King’s Quest, and others. I also have the booklets with InvisiClues.

Slightly more modern, on my Windows 7 PC I still use Macromedia Flash MX for Flash design, PhotoShop CS & Illustrator CS (no numbers), 3D StudioMax 7.0, and have just reinstalled Civilization III via Steam for a better gameplay experience than Civ IV. Eventually Civ V will be an option, once its price drops.

My library of games and software extends back in time to when I was a child sitting in the Public Library, dreading when the person waiting to use the lone Apple IIe would end my 20 minute turn for the day, and hoping there would be a shift-change so i could get back on and continue working on my writings in AppleWorks.

We chose this comment because, not only was AppleWorks 1.2 one of the oldest pieces of computer software named during the discussion, enough details are included to add some much-needed context. The inclusion of some classic DOS games provided the succulent icing on top of the already delicious cake.

We Ask You is a weekly column in which you have your say about a particular subject. We ask you a question each week, with the results compiled and compressed into a follow-up article the following week. This column is nothing without your input, all of which is valued.

Image Credit: Vox Efx via Flickr