# Things You Still Do The Old-Fashioned Way **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684 "2015-01-01T16:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/101 "2015-01-04T20:21:06Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > I have an image in my head of the old cartoon where an automated machine takes a tree and grinds it down to a single toothpick. Thats not far from how it is done, we might take a 30# log and whittle it into a 1# bow. After you have done it about 3,000 times you become machine like. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2015, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/102 "2015-01-05T05:16:12Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yes, a paper calender is so much quicker. One glance and I know my appointments. Much faster than opening a calendar app. I like the one-month wall or desk calendar in principle, for the reasons that have already been mentioned. But paper calendars can be consulted only when you are wherever you keep the calendar; I have my phone with me all the time. And, truth be told, I don’t have meetings or appointments most days, so just seeing that there is something on a particular day is usually adequate. > [@](#): > > Still write my grocery list on a scrap of paper. I used to do this, but a list and pen are just two more things to carry with me, and I always have my phone with me, as noted. So I tap out the list into a word processing app, then use a stylus to cross off the items as I go along. I did try writing the list into a stylus app, but my penmanship is too lousy for that. Besides, unless I wanted to bring a clipboard, there’s really nothing to write _on_ when I go marketing. > [@](#): > > Most of my transactions are for cash… I still do this, but I’m edging away from it. Using my Starbucks card for Starbucks and a debit card for other small purchases is the best way I’ve found to not accumulate piles and piles of change. I often dry some of my clothes on a rack, particularly jeans that I don’t need to wear for a day or two. I still use Olduwan-style choppers. Acheulian hand-axes are just a fad. And get out of my gorge! ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/103 "2015-01-06T01:24:57Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > I record shows on a VCR. What do I win? I’m recording on the VCR as I type this. Make sure to send me my portion of what we won. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/104 "2015-01-06T06:35:28Z")
I also still use a written shopping list. Back in 2013, I switched from disposable razors (having previously switched from a cartridge razor) and started using my father’s Gillette adjustable safety razor (vintage 1959) which uses double-edge blades. There must be one or two members who can trump this with using a straight razor. Last year I bought an analog clock (battery operated). I bought it because it’s similar to one of the watches in [The Persistence of Memory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persistence_of_Memory). > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’m not going to spurn new-fangled things that do work and make my life easier; I think you have to approach it thoughtfully, like most other things in life - is this worth it, to make a change? Am I just changing for change’s sake? Am I resisting change just because I’m an old fart and I’m not comfortable with learning new things? Is this something I actually need, or is this a manufactured need? Exactly. I have nothing against gadgets or toys. I’d like a smartphone, but at the moment I really don’t have a need for one, so it can wait. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/105 "2015-01-08T00:19:55Z")
I can take notes in Gregg Shorthand. Like others here I have a paper calendar and keep notes on paper. I’m frustrated with keeping accounts on my computer. I’m seriously thinking of going back to a paper register. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/106 "2015-01-08T00:59:13Z")
Oui magazine, know what I’m saying… ---
**Author:** ![Neenah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/958977/32.png) [@Neenah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neenah)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/107 "2015-01-08T05:43:25Z")
I milk a cow, and make butter, yogurt, and cheese. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/108 "2015-01-08T23:22:16Z")
We cook from raw materials most every meal, and we prefer less processed base ingredients whenever possible, food allergies/sensitivities and dislike of oversalty or oversweet mass market stuff tends to dive this choice. It also seems just as cheap to make stuff rather than buy convenience foods. \ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684.md?page=5)