___________________

The extinction timeline: The mouse dies in nine years, then

BlackBerries go dark; Google outlasts Microsoft

Futurist Richard Watson has come up with a timeline for when certain

technologies, companies and customs (likespelling, and sit-down

breakfasts) will become extinct. Watson notes that it's mostly just for fun --

not to be taken too seriously. Here's a sampling of the technologies and

companies headed to the tar pits:

2012: dialup Internet access, and e-mail

2013: fax machines

2016: computer mouse

2017: BlackBerries

2022: blogging

2024: desktop computers

2035: Microsoft

2049: Google