• Computing is such a racket!

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    #468987

    They have such a racket!! 5-year old car, no problem finding parts. Even my 15 year old Toyota, my 40-year-old sewing machine. But I needed a new mobo, and I asked Gigabyte about my CPU, and they replied “such an old CPU. Sorry it’s not in our database any more. You can go to http://xxxxx, but it won’t be listed there any more either.”

    They’re dating parts in dog years.

    I’ve been to 4 forums and 3 IT friends for 6 weeks trying to find a mobo. A forum devoted just to CPU’s produced no answer at all. (Finally found ONE, but the specific CPU is not the issue here.)

    What a racket! We’re constantly upgraded to technologies many of us don’t use, and the older parts are made obsolete every few years.Do I need high-definition sound to talk to my friend on Skype on my 15-yearold speakers, hi-def graphics to play puzzles? A DVD-RW when I don’t burn DVD’s? A quad-core CPU for internet, email and Paint Shop Pro?

    One wise IT moderator advised me to get a quad-core CPU + matching mobo, not because I need one, but to make the system more future-proof in case the one part goes. Oh, one little hitch, I can’t use my 2-year-old RAM, and maybe not my HD, and not my $60 HSF…. Added up the cost, had to get an older mobo to go with the “old” CPU.

    And then there’s the software racket. Can’t buy the old system any more, buy a new system, but now your software doesn’t work, and half of your hardware, and don’t you want the latest and greatest and fastest? FASTEST, that’s most important!!

    NO. It’s fast enough.

    Now I feel better.

    Viewing 24 reply threads
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    • #1224541

      This will almost certainly depend on the size of the urban area you hunt in, but there is a market in used parts that may be off the screen entirely so far as hunting online is concerned, with the possible exception of finding them. In other words, shipping is such a hassle and an expense that you have to hoof it to the store, but the stores themselves may be concentrated in certain areas, such as the vicinity of a university. There is also a trade in resurrecting donated computers for charities, and if you know of such places they might have the part you want and be willing to barter it for any contribution you might make from your own equipment.

    • #1224545

      I live in the NYC metro area, maybe 30 million people, but the nearest parts store, MicroCenter, is too far away, through NJ traffic and a pricey bridge toll. I’ve tried buying parts from nearby repair shops, but each time I was overcharged, once by 5x the retail price, and the part was defective. Everyone’s out to get you.

      I do get some used parts through my friend who’s on the board of all 5 nearby PC user groups, but they’re often ancient, only suitable for this old backup comp. People hold onto their old PC’s as 2nd PC on their network, and don’t chuck them till they’re extremely dead, which is what I’m doing with my old PC. Anyway, used parts die prematurely, have no warranty, and finding the right parts at the right time can be a full-time profession.

      But you missed my point. I’m outraged at the racket the manufacturers and software developers have with making their products obsolete at an alarmingly rapid rate, more than any other consumer product I’ve seen in 64 years.

    • #1224547

      Speaking of charity and the NY mentality–

      I’ve belonged 14 years to a PC users group, and about 6 months ago I was unemployed, extremely broke. There’s a committee in our group that refurbs older comps and gives them to (501)c’s. I offered to work among the volunteers one night in exchange for an old sound card, anything that functioned, explaining my financial situation, and that I would keep the “payment” under my hat. I was turned down with no reason given.

      • #1231378

        Speaking of charity and the NY mentality–

        I’ve belonged 14 years to a PC users group, and about 6 months ago I was unemployed, extremely broke. There’s a committee in our group that refurbs older comps and gives them to (501)c’s. I offered to work among the volunteers one night in exchange for an old sound card, anything that functioned, explaining my financial situation, and that I would keep the “payment” under my hat. I was turned down with no reason given.

        That is so ridiculous, i help out ( volunteer) in a similar group in Australia and we are only to happy to have people swap parts for labour, I would think that something is rotten down there, in my opinion they have something funny going on, geez we get so many old machines and parts donated that one audio card , and the fact any MB made in the last 5 yrs at least has audio built in that it is very very unusual for a separate audio card to be needed that they should be more than happy to swap one for labour, seems they need to be investigated for fraud or similar , my opinion of course but i would take action if i was you.

        syb

    • #1224566

      Computers are a commodity. Storage and inventory are expensive. It may be cheaper to buy a new computer, and you may already be talking yourself into it, kicking and screaming as you go. Lots of us use them as glorified typewriters.

      Speaking of price and the matter of computers as commodities, chances are pretty good that the reason you are so attached to your existing computer is that it cost more than the quad-core contraption you rail against that has been recommended as a replacement. You might re-consider getting it, and all of the accessories that come with it. Your speakers will still be good, if redundant, and you’ll have an replacement set if they go kaput.

      You might enjoy Scary Efficiency

      from The Motley Fool.

    • #1224688

      I’m attached to my existing computer because I built it myself less than 2 years ago for $250. I reused my old speakers, mike and CD-RW, pricewise all minor items. And no, it’s not cheaper to replace. Bottom line at Dell with XP is $607 w shipping, HP just as bad. One with Win 7 would make my scanner, printer, some software obsolete. Add that to the price.

      Everything is a commodity. No product has built-in obsolescence more than computers, and if you disagree, you might be one or 2 generations younger than me or you don’t understand American marketing. Americans need everything newer and supposedly better constantly. Ask Intel or Microsoft how they feel about that, or the makers of the 54″ TV’s that cost $500 to mount on the wall.

      If someone else wants to get into this debate, we might have something interesting going here.

    • #1225767

      Please note that the article on Dell was published in January 2005. To go even further back in reflecting on such matters, Henry Ford shocked his competitors with the Model T by increasing the wages of his workers. The result was that his workers could afford to buy the very automobiles they were manufacturing, increasing sales.

    • #1225790

      Since I shop at NewEgg for new parts and Ebay for used (read obsolete), I rarely feel like the victim that Rochelle believes she is. I live in Bergen county, NJ and the parts situation is not much better on this side of the bridge. Online shopping is the answer – not Micro Center. Frankly, they have a poor parts selection and high prices.

      I am no youngster either, Rochelle. I know American marketing as well as you do, but you have to keep certain facts in mind.

      1. Technology happens fast and it’s happening 24/7. It’s hard for anyone to keep up. Those that don’t keep up (including enterprises) die.
      2. It’s too expensive for tech companies to keep up with new stuff and still support “legacy” hardware and software. Programmers and driver writers are already busier than a one-legged man at a butt-kicking contest just keeping up with the new devices and software that their bosses are creating. They have no time to make new drivers for a 10-year old scanner in Windows 7 *or* their bosses cannot hire enough people to do it because they would have to increase the price of their new stuff. That would make the new stuff too expensive and non-competitive, price-wise.

      It bothers me as much as anyone. I hate having to buy a new CPU and RAM every time I need a new motherboard. Add to that the new SATA drives, PCIe and 24-pin PSUs and it gets really expensive for a “minor” upgrade. If you cannot afford new stuff, consider EBay for buying “legacy” parts.

    • #1225823

      HP desktop for $299 + tax and shipping:

      http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops&a1=Category&v1=Everyday+computing&series_name=p6300z_series&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/Everyday_computing/p6300z_series

      I think it’s a mistake to choose XP over Win 7 but if you must, use your old XP disks to install on the new PC. It’s a pain to do but it saves you $300.

      • #1225876

        HP desktop for $299 + tax and shipping: http://www.shopping….g/p6300z_seriesI think it’s a mistake to choose XP over Win 7 but if you must, use your old XP disks to install on the new PC. It’s a pain to do but it saves you $300.

        My printer, scanner, many apps won’t run in Win 7. Did you consider that in your cost? I can replace the software with open-source, but the peripherals? Would you buy a used printer or the Brooklyn Bridge on Ebay? BTW–I have a perfectly good printer, the same model as mine, in the closet, to use when this one goes. My scanner is a refurb that I bought about 6 years ago, not from Ebay, and runs beautifully. Actually I repair computers as a sideline business. I have MSDN XP Pro and Home licenses, don’t buy new copies. Not a mistake to keep XP. it works well for me, but not quite like my TV that has never needed a repair since I bought it in 2000. You’ve bought into MS’s concept that newer and faster and more hip (the dancing windows in Vista” src=”http://lounge.windowssecrets.com/public/style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif”>) is better. MS mproved XP for 9 years, then they replaced it with an Edsel. Now they’re replacing the Edsel with an admittedly better system that will need 9 more years of tweaks. Pleeeeeese. /rolleyes.gif’ class=’bbc_emoticon’ alt=’:rolleyes:’ />”> But is it 7 better than XP? I’ve advised all my clints that unless they have some pressing need for a Win 7 feature, and if it works well for them, keep XP until the 2014 deadline. By that time, Win 7 will have some wrinkles ironed out too. But by 2014, MS will try to convince us that Win 7 is too old, and therefore inferior to the next one. I’m dual booting with Linux soon, and will have the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the general non-geeky public is not even aware of Linux. Linux will even run on this clunker.

        • #1225892

          My printer, scanner, several apps won’t run in Win 7. Did you consider that in your cost? I can replace the software with open-source, but the peripherals?

          Actually I repair computers as a sideline business. I have an MSDN XP license for my business.

          Not a mistake to keep XP. it works well for me, but not quite like my TV that has never needed a repair since I bought it in 2000. You’ve bought into MS’s concept that newer and faster and more hip (the dancing windows in Vista) is better. They, and I, have spent 9 years tweaking XP and making it more secure, then they replaced it with an Edsel. Now they’re replacing the Edsel with another system that will need 9 more years of tweaks. Pleeeeeese.

          Did you understand my post? Or are you simply too angry about the inexorable march of progress to pay attention. I did not tell you to switch to Win 7 so there is no associated cost to consider.

          I was offering a reasonable solution to your problem, i.e. buy a cheaper system and install XP on it. This is something that you are obviously capable of doing so what’s your problem?

          PS. Pardon me for suggesting that Win 7 is better than XP. If you prefer to live in a world without competing opinions you might want to look at Iran, or North Korea.

    • #1225857

      MildBill- I don’t beieve I’m a victim. I believe that marketing is victimizing EVERYONE, and a lot of sheeple don’t see it, or have lost any real priority of how to spend their money. (See Joan below.)

      Technology is not progressing to answer consumer demand; the tail is wagging the dog. Did the public demand a tri-core, then quad core CPU or mobos with 16 GB RAM, or was it the other way around? Did we know we had to edit our videos before the mfers told us we needed to?

      [/color]Mfers can’t keep drivers for old parts, but don’t need to constantly change those
      scanners (just an example). Did the public demand multiple changes in printers and scanners every year? If they sell a really reliable scanner that people can rely on for years, and build a reputation for quality, why take it off the market? Bec, of course, they won’t work with Vista, or Win 7, or whatever comes next.

      Was the public clamoring for 54″ TV’s, or high-def? Did they know that Zune, Ipod, Kindle, Nook, Ipad were essential to their happiness before they actually bought them? Did anyone contact the cell phones and say they needed the internet while away from home?

      I can’t afford a BMW, because there’s also Toyota. Lower down the scale there’s Hyundai. I don’thave to walk into the BMW place and explain to them I’m low-end. But I have no problem finding parts for my 15-year old Toyota either, oddly, not even the computer inside 😆 Why is it my mecahanic still repair my car easily, but 15-year old parts for a computer would be unthinkable.
      In fact trying to run a 15-year old comp with today’s apps would be impossible, so don’t bother.

      The sheeple have accepted it as their way of life, and as us older folks die out, the old ways of consumerism will be long forgotten. And the person who brought up the Model T is waaaaaaaay off here. [/color]We’re not supporting American workers. We’re supporting 3rd-World countries and China, where many folks can’t afford to buy the elecronics they’re producing.

      I have a customer who has 4 of those huge TV’s at her place. She and spouse are uneducated, spouse has a small contracting co, let’s call them by NYC area standards, middle-middle class. Home is maybe only $650,000, way below the Westchester County average. As my primary field is home repair, I can say the house was cookie cutter and built of junk, and with almost no surrounding property. So they’re below many of my other clients.

      I was there during the last TV installation, done by specialists in TV installation. Price was $500, at that was 2 years ago. I wanted to shake her by the shoulders (but of course, didn’t:)

      “Joan, you’re living a modest life. Are you really a happier person now?
      Would your life be blighted without the 500 TV channels, of which 496 are still pouring out garbage? The content hasn’t improved, only the medium is ever-changing.” (cf: McLuhan)

      “Would the kids be considered uneducated (the worst insult I can think of) without the latest Ipods and smart-phones? Yet you nickel-and-dimed me about repairing the closet door. Is the door that keeps falling on people’s toes less important than the $3000 TV’s?

      What will the Joans of the world do when the technologies on those TV’s get a few years old? Have them removed, parts replaced, and rehung on the wall? Or just put them out on the lawn for garbage pickup, along with the old computers?

    • #1225883

      Er, what’s a mobo? (oh, a motherboard)

      Your comments are interesting in light of the fact that this weekend I was listening to Spark(which I highly recommend as a podcast). Anyhow they had an interview with Kyle Wiensof http://www.ifixit.com/.
      I often feel guilty about throwing stuff away (even after I’ve used it waaay beyond its designed lifetime). But I’ve frequently been pleasantly surprised by the utility of stuff I didn’t “know” I needed (my smartphone as an example).

    • #1225910

      I’m sorry, but this thread has turned into “Rochelle’s Rant”. I’m begging off.

    • #1225916

      Commercial firms need to cause obsolescence as a modern business survival policy.
      Make something that goes on working and sales die, then the company.
      This happened to tire manufacturers when radials lasting 25,000 miles instead of cross ply lasting 5 years first came out.
      Produce software that does not have the latest features and the reviews crucify it.

      Car manufacturers have to agree to hold spares for each model (a safety issue) for a fixed time so there are plenty available for years. Computers are not a public safety issue so no such rules.

      Consumer electronics are exactly that – produced to consume and throw away – a terrible model for the future of our planet.
      80% of Western economies are based on consuming what the Far East produces so they in turn can lend the West money to be able to pay for the consumption.
      The more we consume the cheaper the goods get.

      If you want a top quality operating system that runs and runs with practically any device of any age then install Ubuntu Linux.
      Open Source software is one part of the answer where thousands of programmers world-wide give their time and expertise freely to improve and share their work without costs for the benefit of all. Perhaps all a bit too socialist for those slavishly following the consume or die philosophy.

      • #1226238

        Computers are not a public safety issue so no such rules.

        Consumer electronics are exactly that – produced to consume and throw away – a terrible model for the future of our planet.
        80% of Western economies are based on consuming what the Far East produces so they in turn can lend the West money to be able to pay for the consumption.
        The more we consume the cheaper the goods get.

        If you want a top quality operating system that runs and runs with practically any device of any age then install Ubuntu Linux.

        I hadn’t thought about the safety issue on cars. Duh. Of course.

        The consumption issue as sad. I myself threw out a whole carton full of old hard drives and optical drives, and a mobo, this week. Not obsolete stuff, dead stuff. I know of no place to recycle them within a driveable distance. During this same week, I inspected 2 ancient computers and 2 dead CRT monitors in my apt bldg’s dumpster. I always cannibalize for a few old cards or CD-ROM’s for my old clunker. It wasn’t an even trade.

        There was a show on PBS, I think on Frontline, showing what happens to supposedly recycled comp parts in 3rd World nations, possibly some nation in Africa. They’re just poured into huge dumps, where the indigent comb through for parts and materials to sell. Not recycling as we think of it. A guy was reading the HD of a woman in the US on his own computer. So even the supposed recycling of dead parts has a glitch in the system.

        And I am building a Linux computer soon or more likely I’ll dual boot till I get used to it. This last dead mobo and 2 HD’s were a turning point for me. And I’m looking more into recycled parts, but not hard drives, too risky. Here’s another place, recommended by a mod at VirtualDr.com

        http://www.pcsurplus…e.com/index.cfm

        Cliff–

        The constant technological upgrades are really great for you builders and people who can afford it as a hobby. The wealth of parts is staggering, like being in, let’s say the Library of Congress or the Met Museum or the cheese dept at Zabar’s. I spent some months on the Tom’s Hardware forum, and saw a side of computing that none of my clients or I ever use. Was most impressed by the case with the slim fishtank attacked to the side, the one made from hand-carved wood, and the one with the 9 hard drives. After looking around, I answered queries only at the XP and software sections.

        Being almost totally unemployed the past 2 years, I built because I didn’t have the money to buy a new one, and because I wanted XP again. For the “soccer moms” and auto mechanics and “Joe the Plumbers” using their comps as glorified typewriters and for getting pics of the grandkids, the new technologies are overkill.

        What do you do with your obsolete and dead parts, Cliff?

        Thanks, Peterg. Good point about peripherals.

        Anyone have any idea what happens to the 54″ TV’s when they go to TV heaven or when the technology becomes outdated?

    • #1225953

      I sympathize with Rochelle, especially in these days of tight money. I would like to make a suggestion, in the event you have to upgrade, go to Tiger Direct.com. They have the most amazing prices and they stand by their goods. They have 24 hour live phone assistance and a good return policy. Day before yesterday they had a 1.5 TB hard drives for $49.95 and an HD dock for 19.95. Sorry to sound like a tout for a company but if getting the most for your dollar in these “MS skewed, quick changing times,” Tiger can be an answer. As for Linux / Ubuntu there is a new Linux Mint 9, and Ubuntu’s 10.4 release both out now. The mint has all the plugins and addons pre-installed. I haven’t tried the Ubuntu 10.4. As for windows 7, I used the release candidate for about 4 months and I am sticking to my XP Pro, dinosaur or not, it is reliable.

    • #1225977

      I sympathize with Rochelle as well. I just have not bought into that “buy the newest” thing yet. I am still running Windows 2000 and it seems to work fine for me. I don’t have any flat screen monitors or HD TVs. I don’t even carry a cell phone. On the other hand, I subscribe to the Windows Secrets newsletter to keep up with what is going on out there. When I have to replace something, I will do it but not as long as the old stuff works. I’ve had friends give me old computers when they were getting new ones so I have some parts for replacement if needed. I’m getting my doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Applied Computer Science but I don’t need all the latest stuff to stay happy. I think it comes down to a world view of where your priorities are. I understand that businesses must be innovative and market new goods to keep making sales. As long as the public keeps buying them, that is the American way – Capitalism. Rochelle is correct in saying no one told them we needed this new stuff but once they made it, the public bought it. If you build it….

    • #1225978

      Hi Rochelle I completely understand where you’re coming from in your “rant” LOL. I’ve been running PC’s long before a lot of people, back when people were asking “what’s windows?” and the only thing on your screen was a DOS prompt. The internet was nothing more than BBS, “bulletin board system” for the unknown, logging into someone elses PC to download/communicate with them. And Heaven forbid that this was done on a 300 baud modem LMAO!!! Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Besides using PC’s for ages, I’ve also worked in the field in multiple areas, one of which was PC recycling. If you are looking for parts, you may want to do a Google search for “computer recycling resales”. One of the results of this search is: http://www.pcrecycling.org/ which is a recycling place that resells parts based in the NJ area with other locations in NY. We both know it’s impossible to buy “new/old stock” parts for older PC’s, so this is one alternative that may work for you. BTW, I have computers still running that have Win95, 98, XP, and Vista. No use for the Vista, but I’ll NEVER give up on the old Win98, or XP. I can at least count on them to get things done without a lot of breakdowns and useless (to me anyway) security warnings to wade through. Good luck on your ventures and applauds to you for keeping the old ones running.

      Terry

    • #1226011

      CLiNT’s opposing rant…

      I’m extremely pleased that the computer and tech industries are moving as fast as they are.
      I enjoy reading about it and picking and choosing what I want. It’s the greatest impetus for DIY builders. Manytimes it costs extra, sometimes it’s not worth it. Sometimes you just have to wait for something you want. Sometimes you have to completely dump everything you have.

      I’ve enjoyed my first W98 computer, both the novelty new and the frustrations equally. You learn from these things.
      Eventually the tech evolves to a point where you have to completely change the way you do things. So what, big deal. This paradigm is also seen in life as a whole and is not confined solely to the computer industry. You goto roll with it, adapt. If you can’t, your stuck.

      Some motherboards now offer the capability to overclock them from a cellular phone. Sweet, but I’ll never get it because I’ve got no use for it. Some motherboard utilize both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, but you’ll never be able to please everybody, eventually they’ll both get dumped.

      Sure, your Windows 98 installations and the hardware that it’s running on should very well be obsolete and consigned to the garbage bin, although the recycle bin would be more preferable. If you can get good usage from obsolete tech, that’s good, all the power to you. You will be able to find what you need over the internet easily as there is, no doubt, many others who do & think like-minded.

      The industry is taking care of itself for the most part; Poorly coded and bad software is eventually dumped, hardware is replaced by
      ever greater functionality and sophistication. Processor chip speeds, memory capacities and speeds, and storage capacities are ever increasing.

      This is technological progress, not a racket.

      The only “racket” I see, is the vast amounts of outsourcing going on in the name of progress. To bring cheap products to market on the backs of workers, far off in some Third world countries, that get exploited in what is in many instances amounting to captive slave labor. All you need to do is look at China for a good example of this.

    • #1226171

      Within this thread are complaints about peripherals that won’t run under a given O/S. I see no excuse for that when you can set up a dual boot system, do your work under one O/S, and print (for example) your final copy under the O/S your printer previously ran under. Your printer will work exactly as it always has, but for the nuisance of your having to re-boot and have the file in a location that can be accessed by the secondary O/S.

      That is aside from the options of using a virtual drive or, say, XP-compatible.

      O/S

      • #1229824

        I fundamentally agree with the OP. The capabilities of my present computer is way – way beyond my requirements but there I am buying all the stuff hoping to future-proof, and knowing I’m kidding myself.

        I got my moneys-worth from 3.1 It was a hell of an improvement over DOS and my smartphone means I only need one item when I go out now instead of the box of gadgets from alarum clock and calculator to laptop for internet and working.

        I have always resented having to throw perfectly good stuff away when only one thing breaks and resented the 4 core 4Gb, 1Tb monster I have now but appreciate that the whole kit cost less than half of the £1,500 the IBM 486SX and 3.1 cost me when £’s were worth twice as much.

        The one great/disappointing thing about 7 though is the XP virtual machine that I can run at the same time that will use all my old kit on the new computer – except I had chucked it all out already!!!

        I frequently get to the end of the day and find about 20 or so, boxes and apps still open that I hadn’t noticed! – I guess that makes my machine faster than me! And that’s good.

    • #1230041

      Didn’t know this topic was still alive.

      Gwyn Kemp-Philp: How much is 1500 Brit pounds in dollars? I think I paid $1300 for my first one in 1996, but I was also making a lot more money in 1996 than today.

      I’m not recommending we go back to Win 95 or 98, very unstable OS’s, or 512 GB RAM. And 95 couldn’t handle today’s internet. My point was more about being forced to upgrade when you don’t have a need for it.

      Depends on what you’re doing, Gwyn. One of my RAM sticks went bad recently, and I found that 2 GB RAM makes absolutely no difference from the 3 GB I had before. :p Hmmm….

      Since my first post on this thread, I’ve visited a scrap metal yard, and brought bags full of electrical wires, TV cable, pipes and solid brass gardening nozzle, collected a few dollars. I do some contracting, so I had loads of this stuff in my closet.

      Re: recycling of unusable parts at that yard: Computer parts count as steel, at only 6 cents/lb, too hard for most people to bring in anything meaningful. An entire comp that you paid $1300 for in 1996 fetches only $3 in scrap. .

    • #1230123

      Capitalism is such a beautiful and productive way of life.

      First PC purchased for ~$2,000 in 1986……
      My last PC was purchased for ~$500 in 2010……
      The last ones is 1/4 the cost and 40 times the power.
      Gotta love technology… or hate it.

    • #1230141

      In this entire thread I have seen no post that even suggests that computers might be used for business purposes or to earn income. Does no one realize that computers are tools for business that vastly increase the output of individual workers, and that cost peanuts relative to their utility?

      Let me go back to the glorified typewriter. How many ordinary people had typewriters in their homes at one time? Approximately none, unless there was a significant reason for it, and they were probably up to no good. If you have a computer you have a ‘typewriter’ that can run rings around any traditional typewriter, assuming you have a word-processor installed, and a word-processor is generally taken to be essential. I don’t care if you are running WordPerfect 5.1 (and Lotus 1-2-3 and dBase IV) under DOS, your computer is far more powerful than Hemingway’s typewriter, although it may not have the cachet of Hemingway’s typewriter, or ‘better still’, Ian Fleming’s, which was gold.

      You may not be Hemingway or Fleming, but quit complaining and start writing – or doing some other work you might enjoy – with that computer and do it for money. Sell a single article or two and the thing will have paid for itself. Just don’t get hacked and have everything you write stolen as fast as you write it.

    • #1230565

      You’ve missed my original post, I think. I repair computers, millions of people earn money in ever field of computing, but that doesn’t change the issue of the rapid obsolescence that we discussed.

      “How many ordinary people had typewriters in their homes at one time? Approximately none, unless there was a significant reason for it..”

      Are you kidding or just very young? Millions upon millions of typewriters were produced between 1870 and maybe 1980, first manual, then electric. I first learned typing in the 7th grade, at age 12. What do you think I had in college 40 years ago? We were required to type our papers the same way that kids today are required to own a laptop in college.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typewriter

    • #1230597

      Point taken, at least with respect to portables of 40 years ago, and I did use the example of Hemingway, which is 40 years before that. The PC was roughly a quarter century ago. You might re-examine, however, my comments about the capabilities of a word-processor relative to a typewriter, and the fact remains that if you have a working word-processor you can drive it for profit ’till the wheels drop off’. What is more, if you are earning a profit from it, it is tax-deductible, which will help you afford to replace equipment as it does become obsolete.

    • #1230601

      But typewriters didn’t drive us so crazy with software, OS’s and constant breakdowns. A working typewriters could last many years trouble-free with an occasional oiling here, cleaning the keys, and and new cartridges. The biggest jump was from manual to electric, but even so, you could use it for many years. When I gave away my electric to an elderly friend, it was as functional as the day I had bought it.

      A computer is already full of garbage and bugs the minute you buy it and it’s a constant uphill struggle. Otherwise these forums would not be here. :D:The failure of one part, like a blown PSU, can sometimes throw your entire investment out the window. Computers are now disposable items.

      Are you also aware that John Updike and several other notable writers still use a combination of typewriters and handwriting? Knowing word-processing sometimes has little to do with knowing how to write.

      On the other hand, I repair and build computers, and I never learned touch-typing. Everything I write requires correction and editing before I hit “Submit.”

      • #1230915

        But typewriters didn’t drive us so crazy with software, OS’s and constant breakdowns. A working typewriters could last many years trouble-free with an occasional oiling here, cleaning the keys, and and new cartridges. The biggest jump was from manual to electric, but even so, you could use it for many years. When I gave away my electric to an elderly friend, it was as functional as the day I had bought it.

        My IBM Electric, with several “ball” heads, typewriter is in the basement, retired and still gets an affectionate pat every time I walk by it. But it was never very good at calculations!

    • #1236561

      Yes. What about the printer racket? I have just bought a brand new laser printer. The 4 replacement toner cartridges will cost a total of 1.7 times the price of the new printer (which came fitted with four half-filled cartridges(?))

      It seems that I must rather buy a new printer when the present cartridges have run dry (at least that way I will stay abreast of printer technology!)

      My Rig: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core CPU; ASUS Cross Hair VIII Formula Mobo; Win 11 Pro (64 bit)-(UEFI-booted); 32GB RAM; 2TB Corsair Force Series MP600 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD. 1TB SAMSUNG 960 EVO M.2 NVME SSD; MSI GeForce RTX 3090 VENTUS 3X 24G OC; Microsoft 365 Home; Condusiv SSDKeeper Professional; Acronis Cyberprotect, VMWare Workstation Pro V17.5. HP 1TB USB SSD External Backup Drive). Dell G-Sync G3223Q 144Hz Monitor.

    • #1279749

      ok, seriously? This is the most bizzare rant I have read in a while. Starting at the beginning of all this, who asked for faster computers? Nobody? Really? The gamers and the porn industry asked for all this. 3D technology? Same thing. People who enjoy themselves are constantly looking for better, faster ways to enjoy themselves. This has always been the case. This, and wars, drive technology. Better games require better graphics, but I do not want to have to wait for those graphics to be loaded, so we need better speed.

      Your printer? You might want to do the math on the printer versus ink catridges again. I think you will find you are either buying the wrong ink or your are bad at math. In the end, if your current printer does what you need then there is no reason to buy a new one to “stay abreast of printer technology!” unless you want to. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

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