# Old (lack of?) technologies that are just frickin' better than the new tech **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647 "2012-06-29T00:56:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/41 "2012-06-29T16:35:45Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > My[safety razor](https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+razor&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=YxHtT8P7BYKW2gXc5fXFCg&ved=0CE0Q_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=767)is seven kabillion times better than any modern disposable razor. It’s still hard as hell to cut yourself, and since the razors are so cheap as to be almost free, you can use a fresh perfectly sharp one every single time. You know what - you just sold me a razor. I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me before, like, for example, last week when I paid $20 for a pack of Gillette refills. I could have bought two safety razors and year’s worth of blades for that price. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/42 "2012-06-29T16:44:43Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > Oh quit your bitching and get one of [these](http://www.cell-mateus.com/). All the cool kids are wearing them. 😉 Cell Mate. Haha! Just like with a real cellmate, don’t bend over! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/43 "2012-06-29T16:58:18Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Obviously this depends on the phone, but plenty of them (including all iPhones and Androids, and I assume Blackberrys and Windows Mobile phones) let you “leave” the calling app, but still be on the phonecall, to do other things on your phone. I’m sure. Not my phone (nor my budget). My phone knows not of apps. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/44 "2012-06-29T17:20:44Z")
Resumes. In the old days, you would see a job listed in a [newspaper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper), then write the address on an envelope, plop in a resume and BAM, you’re done. Then Al Gore invented the internet and things got easier _for a while_. You could apply for jobs with one or two clicks. Then some assclown invented [Taleo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taleo). Not only is it shitty, bug-ridden software, now you have to fill out like a gazillion pages of info including references’ name/address/email/phone, reasons for leaving, starting/ending pay, supervisors’ name/email/phone/address, grade school, high school, gpa’s, etc. I don’t mind eventually supplying this info, but now it takes like 45 minutes to initially apply. You can set up a resume with them to import (sort of), but most companies I hit don’t seem to have this feature activated. ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/45 "2012-06-29T17:28:07Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > Guitar amps with tubes. Got enough cash and you can still get 'em! But you’ll pay for them! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/46 "2012-06-29T17:29:51Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > …it’s good to have a hard copy of your address book. Yep, pen and paper still has its advantages. As someone who’s somewhat computer savvy, I’ve been asked a couple of times to set up computers for newbies. The first thing I say to them is, “Now that you’re entering the wonderful world of digital technology, here is absolutely the first item you need: a notebook and pen.” A hardcopy of passwords and settings and technical specs is vastly superior to a text file that can’t be accessed. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/47 "2012-06-29T17:47:47Z")
Thermostats. I’m sure that if I got up, went to work, came home, and went to bed at exactly the same time every day that the smart thermostat in my apartment would be a nice thing to have. But I don’t, so it isn’t. There is no explicit manual mode that turns all the timed features off, so I have to set them all to happen at 3:00 a.m. Whoever created this thing never went out to dinner after work, never had a weekend, never went on vacation, etc. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/48 "2012-06-29T18:39:17Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > Got enough cash and you can still get 'em! But you’ll pay for them! 😉 Absolutely; and that’s what I did. You can get any sound digitally treated to sound any way you want now without too much trouble, but not the plug it in, turn it on immediacy and warmth. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/49 "2012-06-29T19:04:16Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > Got enough cash and you can still get 'em! But you’ll pay for them! 😉 Speaking of cash, I prefer it over a debit card. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/50 "2012-06-29T20:03:41Z")
Analog over-the-air TV signals. Digital is fine, as long as you live in a populated area, and it’s not raining or snowing. But as soon as you are in the boonies, or stuff is falling out of the air, the signal deteriorates, and then it’s gone. Sure, the old analog signals would get snowy, but you could still watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/51 "2012-06-29T22:38:20Z")
Screw synthetic fabric winter jackets–gimmie a wool peacoat any day. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/52 "2012-06-29T22:55:13Z")
A good manual gearbox in my car, vs any computer controlled, 8 speed auto (or worse, CVT). ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/53 "2012-06-29T23:00:03Z")
Agree 1000% about those horrible new gas cans. However, since I’ve got a sharp knife and know how to use it, I can permanently defeat that miserable little gadget that keeps you from removing the spout assemble, and I also always keep a funnel handy so the spout isn’t ever used any more. I think this stems from “Federal Regulations”. In my considered opinion, most of the bastards that write those things should be consigned to the ninth level of Hell (preferably burning in a lake of fire) for all eternity. Not that I’m bitter, or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/54 "2012-06-29T23:40:55Z")
Iron skillets instead of non-stick. I like the heft and the heat management Oil skin jacket instead of any nylon. Doesn’t melt from fires or cigars. External frame backpack instead of internal - I like to hang crap off of my rig. Wooden matches over lighters. I KNOW if there is a chance of lighting my match. I also carry flint & steel. V8 with a Holley Carb over fuel injection. Sorry earth - I know. Its only on weekends. I have whetstones and a file/rasp rig for my hatchet. I don’t want my pocket knives ground down like my kitchen knives. I swear I get better espresso from my simple stovetop rig than my fancy one too. ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/55 "2012-06-30T01:34:19Z")
I prefer disposable film cameras to digital cameras for the sole reason that you can’t see the picture you just took until you actually get the film developed. For me, it’s much more fun that way. I don’t know how “better” that makes film cameras, and I can understand the argument that digital cameras allow you to retake a bad photo. But I still prefer the disposable ones. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/56 "2012-06-30T03:08:00Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Screw synthetic fabric winter jackets–gimmie a wool peacoat any day. Right with you on this one. Synthetic fiber jackets make the wearers look like little kids, IMHO. Then again, they probably are better at actually keeping one warm and dry, so one has to consider that. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/57 "2012-06-30T03:12:39Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > And I cannot hold a cell between my ear and shoulder and type at the same time. > > Amen. Annoying as hell. They do sell both wired and wireless (Bluetooth) headsets to solve this problem. Also, at least with my Android device, any set of earbuds with a 3.5mm jack coupling will allow me to hear the person at the other end. To talk, I do still need to hold the phone up; but even so, it works fine when you’re just on hold waiting for the other person to answer. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/58 "2012-06-30T03:21:37Z")
It used to be you could change a television channel in milliseconds. Nowadays, it takes multiple seconds. When you were bored, you could flip through channels one by one, spending a few seconds on each channel until something caught your eye. Trying to do that now is a painful process. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/59 "2012-06-30T03:30:04Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Honest to Pete, I can’t think of a single thing, and wouldn’t give up the newfangled gizmo for any of the examples given so far. > > I love living in the future. 🆒 Same here! I think I was born 20 or 30 years too soon. I adore new technology! I can’t think of anything that was better back then. I can remember having to walk miles, in the cold after having a vehicle break down or run out of gas. How much more pleasant (and safe) to be able to call for help? And computers and websites like this one! Computer games with their wonderful graphics. I was a teen when “Pong” came out, and BELIEVE you me, “The Sims” blows “bloop BEE bloop, BEE BEEE bloop” RIGHT out of the water. Paying bills by sitting down at the kitchen table with a stack of envelopes, paper bills, stamps, your checkbook register, and a calculator? UGH! Worse, if your bill was due THAT DAY, you’d have to take time off work, and physically go to the utility to pay it. Nowadays? A couple of clicks of a mouse and you’re done! Man, I could go on and on. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647/60 "2012-06-30T04:11:07Z")
> [@Suil\_Dubh](#): > > I prefer disposable film cameras to digital cameras for the sole reason that you can’t see the picture you just took until you actually get the film developed. For me, it’s much more fun that way. I don’t think that disposable cameras were ever designed to be better than anything. Cheap optics and tiny film. You’d get better pictures with a 1952 Brownie camera. For my ancient technology, I’d have to say that in some instances, paper catalogs are better. When you just want to browse a catalog, it’s really annoying to have to wait for a page to load 20 or 50 items at a time. (When I know what I want, I’d rather have a search engine.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-lack-of-technologies-that-are-just-frickin-better-than-the-new-tech/626647.md?page=4)