Technology you came into late (or still haven't come into).

In My Humble Opinion
1

Anyone here still use a VHS player regularly? Or a Betamax? How about a cassette player? No, no, I’m not talking about HAVING a cassette player too, so you can play cassettes if you want…I mean, you exclusively use a cassette player… as in, you have no CD player or iPod or anything that gives off music save for a cassette player. Or how about owning only a record player?

Even if you don’t only own these, anyone use only any of these things for awhile? I was using a TV that played VHS tapes deep into the 2000s, until about 2009 or so, when I finally got a DVD player. I still only have a regular DVD player, too…no blu ray or anything like that.

I also have never owned an MP3 player or iPod. Most technological advance I ever had there was owning a CD player.

Also, I’ve never owned a cell phone and only had an actual answering machine (that connected to the phone–as opposed to a voicemail box) until I moved in 2010.

I didn’t have a flat screen computer until 2008 (in fact, I didn’t even have my first computer period until 2004) and I didn’t own a flat screen TV until 2012. Anyone still using a box-like TV or computer? Again, it doesn’t count if you own one ALONG with a flat screen, it only counts if that’s what you use more than any other thing.

Other little things: I didn’t have a fridge that had an ice dispenser until 1999, we didn’t have any sort of A/C save for a swamp cooler until 1997, we didn’t have a push button phone until 1995 (we had a rotary one for most of my life, even deep into the 90s), we never had an electric can opener, and we never had things like air filters or carbon monoxide detectors or any of that stuff.

I’m sure there are many other things and areas I’m forgetting about stuff in, feel free to tell me all the things you can think of, that apply, in your life.

2

I almost never use dishwashers.

3

Grin! I, too, have never used a dishwasher.

I still watch VHS tapes, although I’ve migrated as much as possible to DVDs.

My music is in mp3 files on my computer…but I haven’t been able to figure out how to play music on a dedicated music-player or on my phone.

I don’t do anything on WiFi or Bluetooth. I don’t have a web-cam and don’t have a Skype account. I don’t know how to do video editing.

I’d really love to get started with 3-D printing, but I don’t know how to design 3-D objects to take to a printing service. I can use Google Sketch-Up to do some 3-D designing, but I’ve not been able to find a “sculpting” program that makes printable objects.

I’m not on FaceBook.

ETA: I didn’t like the idea of cell phones…until the day I was stuck on the side of the freeway with a dead battery in a hammering rainstorm. That was the day I said, “Cell phones are WONDERFUL!”

4

I don’t have an iPod or anything similar.

I recently purchased a smart phone, but can’t figure out how to use it.

I tried voicemail a while back, hated it, and went back to using an answering machine.

There’s no AC in my house (although, living in the Seattle area, don’t need it very often)

I don’t have wi-fi, don’t use Facebook or Twitter or Skype, and don’t understand this thing called the “cloud”.

I am, in short, technologically backward. Things are progressing too quickly for my old brain; just as soon as I figured out email, they started throwing tweets and clouds at me.

I do, however, have a microwave oven – don’t use it very often, but I have one.

5

I still buy music on CDs. I don’t own an MP3 player. (Well, I think there’s one on my phone, but I don’t know how to use it.)

When we watch movies here at home, I buy the movie on DVD (usually Blu-ray).

My daily driver is a 2002 Saturn, which means I don’t have all the fancy electronic amenities that are on newer cars.

6

With the money I save by staying off the face books I can afford state-of-the-art lawn sprinklers and long-range laser motion detectors around my yard to monitor those pesky neighbor kids.

7

Twitter baffles me.

And what the hey is Instagram?

I LUVS my iPod Classic, which I understand is no longer being manufactured.

I have at least 50 cassettes that need transferring to CDs … :frowning: There’s great music in there somewhere!

I have more physical books in storage that I’ll never find time to unpack or read for the first time, or the second … :frowning:

I’m gettin’ too old for this newbie stuff :eek: :mad: :rolleyes:

8

In all my life, I have never used an ATM. Along the same lines, I have never had a debit card.

Somehow, I made it through.

9

I’m still watching a pre-digital 32" CRT TV. I have a DTA tuner and watch TV with rabbit ears, but it actually has a built in DVR, so no need for a VCR.

10

So then how do you pay for stuff? How do you get cash?
I’ve never owned an ipod. It’s more weird because I’m relatively young, but my first portable music player was my LG Chocolate (cherry ftr). Ever since then I’ve just used my phone (which has also never been an Apple).

11

I was actually a fairly early adopter of VHS and DVD and BluRay. I like my movies.

I was an early adopter on computers.

But I’m way behind on phone technology. I didn’t start carrying a cell phone on a regular basis until a couple of years ago. And the phone I use is a five dollar special that only does phone calls. I don’t have any smart phone features. I’ve never had voice mail and I’ve never sent or received a text.

I never really got into video games. The last one I owned was the 8-bit NES and I gave that away years ago.

12

I used to write checks for bills, although now I charge everything and pay it off monthly. I always just got enough cash out from the bank every payday.

I used to see co-workers hit those cash machines daily for lunch. :confused:

13

(1) Even though I have had scads of power tools throughout my life I’ve never felt the need to own a cordless power tool. Corded tools are sometimes a hassle but not often enough to make me want cordless. Given the improvements of cordless batteries and the wide range of available tools these days you’d think I would change – nope.

(2) Same thing goes for cordless (not mobile) phones. I approve of the technology but can’t seem to make the jump to a purchase. I get angry every time I find myself running to my landline before the call goes to the answering machine. But do I buy one? Nope again.

14

I’m a mixed bag. Had my first home computer in 1982–an IBM PC connected to a 300 baud acoustic modem (you dialed and then stuck the handpiece into a cradle). But I used pulse dial on my phone until I finally got DSL service in 2000 and they insisted I pay the premium for touch tone. I finally got a cell phone 8 years ago, but all it does is make calls. No photos, no texting, etc. I still have an answering machine, no voice mail. I have a DVR box and record and watch at leisure most of the things I want to see. I But CDs for music and DVDs for movies. I do now have Wi-Fi at home.

15

Dang, what a bunch of old fogies.

I do still buy all of my music on CDs because I like owning it and not being tied to some stupid Digital Rights Management system.

I drive a Toyota from 1995, with a cassette player, so I am a bit behind there. But I do use the cassette with a wire plugged into my phone to listed to podcasts.

I have yet to find a reason for twitter.

Most of the things that I have that are old and not cool are because I am too poor to buy new ones, not that I don’t want them.

16

Does that mean you get paper checks too?

17

Well, I used to get them until they invented direct deposit. Then I would just go to the bank once in a while to get enough cash.

18

I have never had cable or satellite TV service. I have always relied on over-the-air broadcasts, VHS tapes, DVDs and Blu-Rays. Now most of the video I watch is on-demand over the Internet. The big trend these days is cutting the cord, but I was 30 years ahead of the trend by never having a cord to cut.

19

I wish everyone had added their age, because I’m 46 and this thread baffles me. I’m relatively savvy when it comes to tech (I’m no programmer, but things like smart phones, social media and computers are essential to my life) and I don’t feel like it’s been any sort of chore to stay on top of it all.

And no DISHWASHERS? What is wrong with you people? :wink:

20

::Snicker:: Youngster! I actually lived in that dark time before ATM’s and debit cards. While I have embraced all of that technology with gusto, I could instantly revert to checks, credit cards and cash if necessary.

Since it was mentioned above, I just realized that I have never owned a fridge with an in-door ice or water dispenser. I have no idea why.