Am I the only one?

[MatthewLTL]

Broadband is definitely faster, but then I'm not downloading big files on my iPhone or doing anything on it which calls for a lot of bandwidth.

For browsing, both are instantaneous for all intents and purposes.

4g is definitely faster than the crummy WiFi at the hotel where I'm staying now.

Depends on how far from the wireless router you are. The further away you are the slower the Wifi will be. Sometime the wifi i get from a local business will be connected at 72Mbps or it will be 1Mbps.... depends on the weather conditions in my case...

 

[A.Goldberg]

Matt, honestly you're gone for 2 weeks and this is one of the first things (if not the first, I don't feel like checking) you do when you get back here. This argument is going nowhere productive and will only lead to problems. This is a tech forum, smartphones are technology, and to bash them completely is borderline trolling.

It begins...

Interestingly, the first thing I thought was "and so it begins..."

1. I beg to differ...... I know/known LOTS of people that it IS either/or most people with "Smart"Phones do not even own a computer.

I think this is probably the exception to the norm. 84% of American Households own computers, 73% with broadband.

Erring on the side of caution I'm just going to end this right here. This is not going to result productively.

 

[eyoungren]

I had a friend once…self confessed Ludditte.

- Left his cellphone out in his yard one night. It rained. Hard.
- Used to play World of Warcraft heavily with some old friends, even utilizing Teamspeak. He was incompetent with Skype.
- Shared a common free webmail address with his wife. Can't be bothered with email.
- Doesn't do forums or browse the internet. But absolutely brilliant with Facebook and texting.
- Can entirely reinstall Windows because of a "virus" but has serious issues with using basic programs.
- Can't be bothered to buy the correct headset for Skyping and fobs off three times when offered a completely free microphone.
- Once he has the correct headset sees absolutely no issue in letting his kid destroy it by stomping on it.

I got the point. He doesn't do Skype or computers or email or internet forums (even it's set up for him). He got the point when I said fine and cut him off for good after 31 years of friendship (there were other issues but this was the cherry on top).

My point…Luddites and people who have no use for tech don't frequent tech forums. Except if it benefits a specific narcissistic need or strokes their narcissistic ego. Then they are an expert.

 

[bunnspecial]

I had a friend once…self confessed Ludditte.

- Left his cellphone out in his yard one night. It rained. Hard.
- Used to play World of Warcraft heavily with some old friends, even utilizing Teamspeak. He was incompetent with Skype.
- Shared a common free webmail address with his wife. Can't be bothered with email.
- Doesn't do forums or browse the internet. But absolutely brilliant with Facebook and texting.
- Can entirely reinstall Windows because of a "virus" but has serious issues with using basic programs.
- Can't be bothered to buy the correct headset for Skyping and fobs off three times when offered a completely free microphone.
- Once he has the correct headset sees absolutely no issue in letting his kid destroy it by stomping on it.

I got the point. He doesn't do Skype or computers or email or internet forums (even it's set up for him). He got the point when I said fine and cut him off for good after 31 years of friendship (there were other issues but this was the cherry on top).

My point…Luddites and people who have no use for tech don't frequent tech forums. Except if it benefits a specific narcissistic interest or strokes their narcissistic ego. Then they are an expert.

Some people see me as a bit of a luddite.

I do enjoy old technology and seeing how things were done "back then." Look at my watch collection, and it mostly spans a period from about 1850 to 1920. Even when I wear a newer watch, I insist on it being mechanical. The Rolex(30 years old, so new by my standards) that I've worn every day for the past month is mechanical-it's probably going to stay there for a while.

Look at my gun collection, and you'll see a whole lot of revolvers ranging from an S&W model of 1899 made in about 1900 to a Ruger Single Seven made last November(I called and ordered this particular gun when they were announced last summer). Even the "new" guns I have are replicas/continuations of old guns. I'd dearly love to have a Colt Single Action and a real Winchester 1892 model, but both are out of my range so have satisfied myself with an Italian(Uberti) Colt clone(in 45 Colt) and Brazilian(Rossi) Winchester 92 clone in 357 Magnum. I have a couple of Ruger single actions, which are inspired by the Colt design but are slightly more modern. I have two shot guns. Both are Winchesters-an 1897 model made in about 1910, and a Model 12 from the mid-1920s. The only rifles I have are a couple of junky mil-surp rifles. I have exactly a two semi-auto handguns-an S&W Model 52 chambered in 38 Special Wadcutter(one of the most accurate centerfire production target pistols), and a 1911 model(Rock Island Arms) in 38 Super. What you won't find are any modern "black plastic guns"(Glocks, etc) or "modern sporting rifles"(ARs or AKs). They just don't appeal to me, although I'm glad I have friends who have them.

I use old technology in my life every day-whether it's a buckling spring keyboard or checking the time on a pocket watch made in the 1890s. When I wake up every morning, I shave with an old Gillette double edge safety razor. I have a couple, but usually use either a Gillette Tech that belonged to my grandfather(I think 1950s production) or a Gillette Slim that was made in the '60s. Older technology fascinates me, and I enjoy understanding as much as I can about how it works as well as integrating it into my life.

At the same time, I am ready to embrace new technology. I may be a bit slow to adapt or resistant to change, but ultimately enjoy what it has to offer. I'm on my third iPhone since 2010(I have basically skipped every other release-my first was a 3gs, followed by a 4s and then a 6) and would really miss not having it. In fact, I've effectively spent a few days doing just that since AT&T was spotty where I've spent the last few days. I still don't like OS X Yosemite, although I installed it on a secondary computer during the public beta period.

 

[eyoungren]

At the same time, I am ready to embrace new technology. I may be a bit slow to adapt or resistant to change, but ultimately enjoy what it has to offer. I'm on my third iPhone since 2010(I have basically skipped every other release-my first was a 3gs, followed by a 4s and then a 6) and would really miss not having it. In fact, I've effectively spent a few days doing just that since AT&T was spotty where I've spent the last few days. I still don't like OS X Yosemite, although I installed it on a secondary computer during the public beta period.

This is the key point right here though.

Personal preference does not make you a Luddite. Refusal to change or outright rejection of change because of spite or unwillingness makes you a Luddite. Especially when that change directly benefits you.

This is where my friend went. It only took me a decade or so to figure it out. Part of the problem though that was he expected me to cater to his outdated way of doing things while refusing to engage me at all in anything new.

A one way street. I said no.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Personal preference does not make you a Luddite. Refusal to change or outright rejection of change because of spite or unwillingness makes you a Luddite. Especially when that change directly benefits you.

I agree with this. My grandfather is 86 or 87 years old and while is skills with technology aren't great, he's willing to adopt new technology. His Mercedes has navigation and he's figured out how to operate it. He owns a C2D Mac Mini and digital camera. He was one of the first people I know to adopt the digital camera (Sony floppy disk camera... which eventually became too embarrassing so we bought him a new camera). He has a cell phone, not a smartphone- that is probably a bit much at this point, but he knows how to use the BlueTooth in his car (though there was a learning curve from the Motorola StarTac integrated into his old Mercedes or the car phones before that). He even has an iPod plugged into his car these days. He had zero interest in even trying new technology.

While he still has a record player, has an AOL account, chooses to record TV shows to VHS, and prefers to use landlines (and always offers me to call him collect haha), he has not stagnated with 1970's technology like my other grandfather (now deceased). We offered to get him a computer dozens of times and he flat out refused. A car having a digital compass or thermometer was about as much technology as he wanted. In 7 years of owning a cell phone he used less than 30 minutes of talk time (and that was within the 6 months), but was still renting a landline phone from the phone company at the cost of $5/month from the 1960's.

 

[jbarley]

As many of you are probably aware, I'm one of them old farts, just shy of 80.
For most of my working life I was an Industrial Instrumentation technician in the Pulp and Paper industry.
My job was all about technology, starting way back when everything was analog, measuring and controlling all stages of turning a tree into a newspaper and generating steam and electricity along the way from the waste.
The systems advanced from analog right on up to total digital computer control and of course we the technicians got dragged right along into the 20th century, some more willing then others.
I took an early interest in home computers starting with the first Tandy Radio shack models, and have been actively involved as a hobby ever since. I do have a cell phone, just a flip phone which I turn on only when I want to make a call and in case I need assistance while on the road. I do not do any social media in large part probably because I've always been a loner, like enjoying fishing and hunting and camping by my lonesome self.
So does this qualify me for "Luddite" status?

 

[MatthewLTL]

Matt, honestly you're gone for 2 weeks and this is one of the first things (if not the first, I don't feel like checking) you do when you get back here. This argument is going nowhere productive and will only lead to problems. This is a tech forum, smartphones are technology, and to bash them completely is borderline trolling.


Interestingly, the first thing I thought was "and so it begins..."


I think this is probably the exception to the norm. 84% of American Households own computers, 73% with broadband.

Erring on the side of caution I'm just going to end this right here. This is not going to result productively.

this is a ppc mac forum..... how is phones even related?

As many of you are probably aware, I'm one of them old farts, just shy of 80.
For most of my working life I was an Industrial Instrumentation technician in the Pulp and Paper industry.
My job was all about technology, starting way back when everything was analog, measuring and controlling all stages of turning a tree into a newspaper and generating steam and electricity along the way from the waste.
The systems advanced from analog right on up to total digital computer control and of course we the technicians got dragged right along into the 20th century, some more willing then others.
I took an early interest in home computers starting with the first Tandy Radio shack models, and have been actively involved as a hobby ever since. I do have a cell phone, just a flip phone which I turn on only when I want to make a call and in case I need assistance while on the road. I do not do any social media in large part probably because I've always been a loner, like enjoying fishing and hunting and camping by my lonesome self.
So does this qualify me for "Luddite" status?

my grandpa is 85 years old...... cannot operate a smartphone, cant use a gps or a computer. he bought himself a computer wont pay for internet... rather wants us to buy him a wifi antenna to get it from us. he cant even work the modern (2006) stereo in my car and doesnt know how to use a keyfob for the car alarm.

EDIT: he also had to be shown how to use the speed dial on his flip phone (i had to put the numbers in) and doesnt understand how to type the password in for his Linux install on his computer

 

[Dronecatcher]

As many of you are probably aware, I'm one of them old farts, just shy of 80.

Ha Ha! Fooled me, I thought you were 30 tops

It's interesting that Luddite is now a pejorative term as someone who refuses to adopt or acknowledge current technology. However, bear in mind the the original Luddites were skilled artisans who saw their livelihoods trashed by transformative new technology ie spinning looms and the industrial revolution. Technology of that kind usually just enforces a vastly accelerated Darwinian survival of the fittest - those that don't learn a new trade simply perish and fade away.

A lot of folk now who are self confessed "Luddites" are probably maintaining that position to cover their own faults - fear, lack of intellect, stigma of not being able to afford new toys or just plain hipster credentials at using "cool" vintage tech (whilst probably still having the latest gizmo on the quiet to do real stuff).

Myself, I absolute love new technology but can't afford to keep up as I could 10 years ago - so I use old gear as a simple response to economics and as a bonus, I've found I get more pleasure out of using old tech than I ever did out of brand new, state of the art gear.

Ideally technology should be a great enabler, a way to make life easier and better but I still see a lot of people suffering the same fate as the original Luddites in the name of progress.

 

[MagicBoy]

this is a ppc mac forum..... how is phones even related?

You started this thread of the discussion with post #43.

 

[Gamer9430]

Am I the only one?

Since everyone is telling Luddite stories, I'll share one. Both my grandparents are still alive, luckily, however I'm just going to focus on my grandfathers. They are 70 and 81, respectively. My grandfather who is 70 has a brand new iMac, iPad 3, and an iPhone 5S. He is extremely swift with technology and is usually good with staying up to date. He worked for Océ and Kodak for a lot of years, and both were very tech oriented jobs, so he had to keep up. He told me a story from years ago about when he went to wallstreet and pitched 20MB HDDs to the businesses. He was one of the original people to convert wallstreet over to using HDDs as opposed to magnetic film.

Now my other grandfather has a 2011 iMac and an iPad 2. My grandparents still have no clue how to use them. My grandmother is a littler better than he is being that she can at least use the iPad, but he struggles to figure it out. He has an easier time on the computer, but even then he still struggles. He used to have a Dell Optiplex with XP running and it served them well for a lot of years. However, they definitely find using the iMac much easier. The mouse was a lot for them to adjust to being that it's just one big button with no indication of where anything is. When I go to their house, they usually put me to work trying to help them out with all their tech issues, like notifications from iCloud about who knows what or adobe Flash updates. So while I'm there, I make sure everything is up to date on the computer and the iPad. My grandfather owns an auto garages on Staten Island, NY. They are still using floppy disks to store stuff on his computers there. Their idea is "why change it if it works". They are perfectly fine with using floppies, and if we didn't get my grandparents the iMac, they would still be using that Optiplex. Also, they both have cell phones (pre-paid flip phones to be exact), but they never turn them on. My mom has told me that my grandpa wanted to keep up with technology back in the days of the Commodore 64 and stuff, but he never did mostly for financial reasons.

It's just funny how opposite the two grandfathers are to each other in terms of how well they can use technology. So I guess my one grandfather is technically a Luddite because of the fact that he has the technology, but doesn't use it, and if we didn't upgrade for them, they'd probably still be using a Packard-Bell from 14 years ago that they used before we got them the Optiplex in 2005.

----------

As many of you are probably aware, I'm one of them old farts, just shy of 80.
For most of my working life I was an Industrial Instrumentation technician in the Pulp and Paper industry.
My job was all about technology, starting way back when everything was analog, measuring and controlling all stages of turning a tree into a newspaper and generating steam and electricity along the way from the waste.
The systems advanced from analog right on up to total digital computer control and of course we the technicians got dragged right along into the 20th century, some more willing then others.
I took an early interest in home computers starting with the first Tandy Radio shack models, and have been actively involved as a hobby ever since. I do have a cell phone, just a flip phone which I turn on only when I want to make a call and in case I need assistance while on the road. I do not do any social media in large part probably because I've always been a loner, like enjoying fishing and hunting and camping by my lonesome self.
So does this qualify me for "Luddite" status?

Wow... I thought you were 30 or something lol. But I noticed you mentioned Tandy's so maybe you can offer me some inside. I am in the process of acquiring a Tandy 102 and was wondering if there is any important things I should know about it to keep it in good working order. It seems like a nice system, and I'm getting it for $40 so i think it's a good buy. I may end up reselling it for maybe $10 more to get some form of profit, but for now I plan to play around with it. This will be the oldest computer I own, being that my 512ke is '86 and this machine is '84.

 

[A.Goldberg]

this is a ppc mac forum..... how is phones even related?

my grandpa is 85 years old...... cannot operate a smartphone, cant use a gps or a computer. he bought himself a computer wont pay for internet... rather wants us to buy him a wifi antenna to get it from us. he cant even work the modern (2006) stereo in my car and doesnt know how to use a keyfob for the car alarm.

EDIT: he also had to be shown how to use the speed dial on his flip phone (i had to put the numbers in) and doesnt understand how to type the password in for his Linux install on his computer

1. Refer to whenever you changed subjects. According to you most of America owns a smartphone in place of a computer, or some vast population does... But more people own a computer than a smartphone in the U.S., so I'm not sure how that conclusion is made. But This also isn't the Windows Mobile 6 thread either. Apple invented this product called the iPhone in 2007, many Apple computer owners may own one.

Matt. How many times have we all been through this same discussion with you. History repeats itself one more time. You returned after 2 weeks and your second post since your ban immediately brings sighs of dread. I had much better expectations.

 

[Gamer9430]

Alright come on A. Goldberg and Magicboy. I, who would be in this fight, stopped enticing him. It's just not worth it anymore to fight with him anymore. Regardless of what we say to him, he is going to continue to act like a child and fight back, completely ignoring what we are saying. It's like talking to a brick wall, your arguments just bounce back at you and don't change anything. It's a waste of time and finger energy. You could be fighting cancer, researching medicine, taking a nap, playing a game, reading a book, watching TV, saving a cat from a tree, spending money, walking, walking a dog, putting out fires, setting fire to things, join a cult, fight off cults, go on a date, get dumped on a date, drive a car, skydive from an airplane, say hello to your neighbors, or even just stand still and stare into blank space. All things that you could be doing if you were not arguing with our friend, the brick wall. However, I'm not in charge, so you can do whatever the hell you want to do, lol.

 

[MagicBoy]

Sorry. My intention is not to entice Matt into further discussion on the subject. I'll happily let his opinions stand on their own merit, however I don't believe we should allow blatantly inaccurate statements go unchallenged. (see "i know FOR A FACT that 3G is no faster than 2G/EDGE" in Post #112).

 

[Gamer9430]

Sorry. My intention is not to entice Matt into further discussion on the subject. I'll happily let his opinions stand on their own merit, however I don't believe we should allow blatantly inaccurate statements go unchallenged. (see "i know FOR A FACT that 3G is no faster than 2G/EDGE" in Post #112).

I agree that inaccurate statements should not go unchallenged. However, being how negligent that he is, regardless of what we tell him he won't change, let along stop spreading the wrong information, like using magnets to hold a hard drive in place... And yes, 3G is definitely no faster than 2G/Edge.

I say defend your point, but I wish there was some other way to do it than destroying the thread...

 

[Dronecatcher]

You could be fighting cancer, researching medicine, taking a nap, playing a game, reading a book, watching TV, saving a cat from a tree, spending money, walking, walking a dog, putting out fires, setting fire to things, join a cult, fight off cults, go on a date, get dumped on a date, drive a car, skydive from an airplane, say hello to your neighbors, or even just stand still and stare into blank space.

Fantastic!!

 

[MatthewLTL]

1. Refer to whenever you changed subjects. According to you most of America owns a smartphone in place of a computer, or some vast population does... But more people own a computer than a smartphone in the U.S., so I'm not sure how that conclusion is made. But This also isn't the Windows Mobile 6 thread either. Apple invented this product called the iPhone in 2007, many Apple computer owners may own one.

Matt. How many times have we all been through this same discussion with you. History repeats itself one more time. You returned after 2 weeks and your second post since your ban immediately brings sighs of dread. I had much better expectations.

1st I am not posing anything that will cause a ban/timeout.
Second. I never said more/less own smartphones/computers. You stated "Since when was it an either-or thing? I stated "I know/known alot of people where it IS a either/or thing.
2nd, where is th proof that more people own computers than smartphones? 60% of all adults have smartphone

 

[MagicBoy]

I say defend your point, but I wish there was some other way to do it than destroying the thread...

I've added him to the ignore list. That should remove the temptation.

 

[eyoungren]

So does this qualify me for "Luddite" status?

Again. Personal preference does not make one a Luddite.

In your career there was change. A true Luddite would have walked off the job. You accepted it, adapted and changed. That's more than can be said for a lot of graphic designers I know who are still stuck in the late 1990s or the early 00s.

 

[eyoungren]

A lot of folk now who are self confessed "Luddites" are probably maintaining that position to cover their own faults - fear, lack of intellect, stigma of not being able to afford new toys or just plain hipster credentials at using "cool" vintage tech (whilst probably still having the latest gizmo on the quiet to do real stuff).

Yes.

My 'friend' has a medical degree whereby he can officially call himself a doctor, with an ability to prescribe and so forth. Unfortunately for his wife, she discovered too late after glomiing on to him that it's in one of those few medical professions that don't make a lot of money, particularly when you choose to live in small towns (he won't leave the place he grew up in) with aging populations.

But his larger group of friends, of which I was never really part of, maintain a "hipster" or "cool" life style that his income can't afford. So, the Luddite label for him. Which makes him angry and resentful and that makes him totally resistant to any change at all.

His ego betrays him though because if it's something that will stroke it (ie., make him look good in front of his friends), all of a sudden he is a tech expert.

 

[bunnspecial]

Since we're telling grandparent stories, I'll add in two of mine.

My grandmother(mom's mother) passed away last summer at 85. She honestly never had that much of an occasion to use technology. I do remember her buying a CD at one point(probably 15 years ago), and being offended that all that was in the case was a "little record." She was getting ready to put it on her record player when my uncle caught her. She was adamant that "CDs are square." We did get her a Diskman-type CD player, and shortly after that she bought a new car that had a CD player. She embraced CDs with open arms after that . She did eventually get a cell phone(after my aunt practically forced it on her) but rarely used it. I had it saved in my phone, but I don't think that my mom ever had it. Even going further back, in the early to mid 90s when home answering machines were becoming common, she absolutely positively refused to leave a message on ours.

My dad's father also passed away last summer at 93(about a month away from 94). Relatively speaking, he was current with technology. He bought a camcorder in the early 80s and used it A LOT-to the point where I think he wore out two. He was pretty seriously into photography around the same time, and gave me a pretty in-depth explanation about why he bought a Konica SLR(although I didn't agree with him-at the time I was buying Canons of the same age because that was all I could afford, and did make a conscientious decision to choose Canon). In later years, we brought him a computer and set him up with internet access. He got a real kick out of sending emails-at first to the point where it was almost annoying - although in later years(past 90) he sort of gave up on it. I think the main reason was that arthritis in his hands made it hard to type. Even so, he played Freecell all the time on the computer. We also got him an iPad, which he used pretty enthusiastically. He never had a Smartphone(if they'd come along earlier in his life, he probably would have), but did go exclusively to a cell phone.

 

[eyoungren]

In all the stories of grandparents or older folk so far I still see an acceptance and willingness to use technology.

Lack of familiarity or difficulty in using technology does not a Luddite make.

A true Luddite wants nothing to do with tech at all.

It's all about your attitude towards tech.

 

[2984839]

Some people see me as a bit of a luddite.

I do enjoy old technology and seeing how things were done "back then." Look at my watch collection, and it mostly spans a period from about 1850 to 1920. Even when I wear a newer watch, I insist on it being mechanical. The Rolex(30 years old, so new by my standards) that I've worn every day for the past month is mechanical-it's probably going to stay there for a while.

Look at my gun collection, and you'll see a whole lot of revolvers ranging from an S&W model of 1899 made in about 1900 to a Ruger Single Seven made last November(I called and ordered this particular gun when they were announced last summer). Even the "new" guns I have are replicas/continuations of old guns. I'd dearly love to have a Colt Single Action and a real Winchester 1892 model, but both are out of my range so have satisfied myself with an Italian(Uberti) Colt clone(in 45 Colt) and Brazilian(Rossi) Winchester 92 clone in 357 Magnum. I have a couple of Ruger single actions, which are inspired by the Colt design but are slightly more modern. I have two shot guns. Both are Winchesters-an 1897 model made in about 1910, and a Model 12 from the mid-1920s. The only rifles I have are a couple of junky mil-surp rifles. I have exactly a two semi-auto handguns-an S&W Model 52 chambered in 38 Special Wadcutter(one of the most accurate centerfire production target pistols), and a 1911 model(Rock Island Arms) in 38 Super. What you won't find are any modern "black plastic guns"(Glocks, etc) or "modern sporting rifles"(ARs or AKs). They just don't appeal to me, although I'm glad I have friends who have them.

I use old technology in my life every day-whether it's a buckling spring keyboard or checking the time on a pocket watch made in the 1890s. When I wake up every morning, I shave with an old Gillette double edge safety razor. I have a couple, but usually use either a Gillette Tech that belonged to my grandfather(I think 1950s production) or a Gillette Slim that was made in the '60s. Older technology fascinates me, and I enjoy understanding as much as I can about how it works as well as integrating it into my life.

At the same time, I am ready to embrace new technology. I may be a bit slow to adapt or resistant to change, but ultimately enjoy what it has to offer. I'm on my third iPhone since 2010(I have basically skipped every other release-my first was a 3gs, followed by a 4s and then a 6) and would really miss not having it. In fact, I've effectively spent a few days doing just that since AT&T was spotty where I've spent the last few days. I still don't like OS X Yosemite, although I installed it on a secondary computer during the public beta period.

I really like old guns and computers. The rifles I shoot the most are a Springfield 1903 Mark 1 and a pre-64 Winchester 1894, despite having an AR. The computers I use the most are a T42 and a PowerBook, despite having a much faster X201. My watches are both mechanical--a Vostok Amfibia (blue Scuba dude) and a G. Gerlach Dzik--despite having a G-Shock that's more accurate and more durable than both.

I'm not resistant to change, I just don't like the false idea that the existence of new technology renders old technology immediately worthless. I get a lot of pleasure out of making old tech work, not to mention the craftsmanship is usually far better, especially on old rifles.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Since we're telling grandparent stories, I'll add in two of mine.

My grandmother(mom's mother) passed away last summer at 85. She honestly never had that much of an occasion to use technology. I do remember her buying a CD at one point(probably 15 years ago), and being offended that all that was in the case was a "little record." She was getting ready to put it on her record player when my uncle caught her. She was adamant that "CDs are square." We did get her a Diskman-type CD player, and shortly after that she bought a new car that had a CD player. She embraced CDs with open arms after that . She did eventually get a cell phone(after my aunt practically forced it on her) but rarely used it. I had it saved in my phone, but I don't think that my mom ever had it. Even going further back, in the early to mid 90s when home answering machines were becoming common, she absolutely positively refused to leave a message on ours.

My dad's father also passed away last summer at 93(about a month away from 94). Relatively speaking, he was current with technology. He bought a camcorder in the early 80s and used it A LOT-to the point where I think he wore out two. He was pretty seriously into photography around the same time, and gave me a pretty in-depth explanation about why he bought a Konica SLR(although I didn't agree with him-at the time I was buying Canons of the same age because that was all I could afford, and did make a conscientious decision to choose Canon). In later years, we brought him a computer and set him up with internet access. He got a real kick out of sending emails-at first to the point where it was almost annoying - although in later years(past 90) he sort of gave up on it. I think the main reason was that arthritis in his hands made it hard to type. Even so, he played Freecell all the time on the computer. We also got him an iPad, which he used pretty enthusiastically. He never had a Smartphone(if they'd come along earlier in his life, he probably would have), but did go exclusively to a cell phone.

on a simular note to that last sentance, My grandpa is currently an exclusive cell phone user, as are me and my mother, all three of us made the switch in 2008 to soley cell phones because 3 phones were $45 a month where has our landline phones were roughly that for us both (his was $30 something) because he never got into the times, he never had Caller ID, never had voicemail he used a Answering Machine all the way up to 2008 (although he did make the switch to a Digital (tapless) answering machine a few years before) because he got one at a garage sale. We had a Answering Machine up until 2003 or so once Caller ID and Voicemail became options the service provider started to offer, we got the Caller ID 1st (my mom was sick of all the soliciters calling) that way if we didn't know the number we didnt have to waste time answering the phone. We made the switch to CID probably about 3 years before they started selling house phones with the ID built in. (we had Caller ID boxes on every phone in the house, anyone remember those?) we finally switched to Voicemail in 2003 after we moved into our current house because my mom as actually sick of a Answering Machine. so our phone bill was closer to $50 a month because of all these modern conviences we got for the phoneline. If it wasn't for 3 phones costing only $45 a month we would probably still have a landline today.

 

[bunnspecial]

I'm not resistant to change, I just don't like the false idea that the existence of new technology renders old technology immediately worthless. I get a lot of pleasure out of making old tech work, not to mention the craftsmanship is usually far better, especially on old rifles.

Amen to that.

With Smith and Wessons, for example, I almost exclusively buy pre-1982 revolvers, or what collectors call "P&R" revolvers. The P stands for "pinned" meaning that there's a pin which goes through the shank of the barrel and the frame to hold it in place. R stands for "recessed" and refers to magnum caliber revolvers. On these, the back of the cylinder is cut such that the case heads sit flush with the back of the cylinder. Neither of these add any functional value to the gun, but is a sign of spending extra time in production. You honestly couldn't give me most of the stuff coming out of Springfield, MA today.

Colt has slid even further downhill. I've been told(although I don't know how to verify it) that they actually outsource a lot of Single Action production to Uberti. If that's indeed the case, it's hard to stomach paying a 3x premium for the pony on the frame. Single actions aside, I've been really disappointed in the recent products I've seen out of Hartford, CT.