Telephones... then and now

[k0ua]

I just can't see replacing something that still performs the same as when bought new.

Mom's 50 year old freezer just keeps going...

Can't count the friends and acquaintances that have told me 10 years is doing good on new applicances... but then I keep my cars forever... like 40+ years.

One thing about the old Western Electric phones we have is no supplemental power required... power outage... no problem...

And no need to search for a phone when it is corded!

I agree that IF you have a land line (most people do not anymore) you should keep a non powered corded phone. I have one or two still laying around for emergencies. I also agree if your 50 year old freezer is still working, I would keep it. But I don't agree you should keep your 30 year old huge CRT television.

The LED TV's are just to cheap and the power savings are too great to not switch over. Not to mention in the summer time you are paying to overcome that 600 watts of heat the dang things put out. Sure you gain a little back in the winter, but electric heat is costly heat too. Not to mention the streaming functions the newer TV's have. My big screen Vizio in the front room is many years old now and still works and look perfect. And it is used heavily. Mostly to watch Netflix and Amazon streaming services.

Recycle them old heavy glass monsters guys. Well, the emissions from the cathodes will die soon on their own anyway.. They will grow dimmer and dimmer.

 

[Industrial Toys]

As far as I am concerned, the whole HD thing is a tremendous joke. Consumer SUCKERS! Not that long ago, my 32" Hitachi CRT TV failed. For a while, I watched a 10" portable wi/fi thing I had bought, complete with snow!

Once your brain is engaged in the subject matter, picture quality (or size) hardly matters. Ask anyone that grew up with B&W.

 

[ultrarunner]

I agree that IF you have a land line (most people do not anymore) you should keep a non powered corded phone. I have one or two still laying around for emergencies. I also agree if your 50 year old freezer is still working, I would keep it. But I don't agree you should keep your 30 year old huge CRT television.

The LED TV's are just to cheap and the power savings are too great to not switch over. Not to mention in the summer time you are paying to overcome that 600 watts of heat the dang things put out. Sure you gain a little back in the winter, but electric heat is costly heat too. Not to mention the streaming functions the newer TV's have. My big screen Vizio in the front room is many years old now and still works and look perfect. And it is used heavily. Mostly to watch Netflix and Amazon streaming services.

Recycle them old heavy glass monsters guys. Well, the emissions from the cathodes will die soon on their own anyway.. They will grow dimmer and dimmer.

I would say we are not typical consumers... in that I will repair as opposed to toss.

That big 1980 Zenith Console is something mom is comfortable with... she has no idea how to even turn the TV on at my brother's home...

No A/C here so heat gain really isn't a factor... plus with 12 kWh per day year round I can't really make a case for saving... and the home is all single pane from the 1950's too... the climate is very mild year round.

Streaming etal... isn't really a factor... no cable/internet.

Mom does have a VCR and enjoys watching some of the old film she paid to have converted 30 years ago...

Only corded phones for at my home and moms... old fashion I know.

Even back in 1989... mom had the neighbors coming to her home because none of their phones worked with power out for days... her old rotary phone worked perfect.

Last week I was at a Tech Convention in Santa Clara... lots to see for automation and security... one of the salespeople was trying to get a response from me and said we no longer drive Model T's... I had to interrupt and said I do!

But... I still have my Apple //e... even the original box and LQ Apple branded Qume printer... it cost me dearly when I bought it new... so I'm keeping it...

The phone company hates me at work... I alone have kept the DSL active... they even terminated service on their own and made them turn it back on... can't terminate a hospital like that.

We have fiber from AT&T and Comcast in the building... the AT&T fiber oftens has trouble... I know because AT&T is standing in the lobby saying they have a problem...

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Dad must be one of the last Rotary Dial Customers in Ontario. I installed a Nortel Business communications system in his house. He has to dial out on one line (pulse) then switch lines for tone (end to end) signalling

 

[k0ua]

My Dad must be one of the last Rotary Dial Customers in Ontario. I installed a Nortel Business communications system in his house. He has to dial out on one line (pulse) then switch lines for tone (end to end) signalling

You do know Nortel went belly up in 2009?

I installed hundreds of their business products throughout my career. Some of the best business telephony equipment ever made. (in my opinion of course)

 

[MossRoad]

I just can't see replacing something that still performs the same as when bought new.

Mom's 50 year old freezer just keeps going...

Can't count the friends and acquaintances that have told me 10 years is doing good on new applicances... but then I keep my cars forever... like 40+ years.

One thing about the old Western Electric phones we have is no supplemental power required... power outage... no problem...

And no need to search for a phone when it is corded!

If its still working, sometimes its hard to justify getting rid of it. The power savings is significant, but will it cover the cost of a new one?

Hmmm, if only there was a calculator that could help you find out how much an old fridge is costing you in electricity, and how that extra energy production is affecting the environment....

hahahhaha
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator Calculator | ENERGY STAR

I agree that its hard to justify tossing something that is working well. But in the long run, a 50 year old fridge has cost way more in electricity than the purchase price of many new fridges.

 

[MossRoad]

You do know Nortel went belly up in 2009?

I installed hundreds of their business products throughout my career. Some of the best business telephony equipment ever made. (in my opinion of course)

I think we have 3-4 skids with 4'X4' cardboard boxes on them piled high with Nortel desk phones in the company's basement.

 

[TomSeller]

quality (or size) hardly matters. .

what are we talking about ?

 

[aczlan]

When does the do not call list ever supposed to work?

Because its too easy to spoof where your phone number is coming from by setting a fake number on the caller ID which makes calls essentially untracable.

Aaron Z

 

[k0ua]

Because its too easy to spoof where your phone number is coming from by setting a fake number on the caller ID which makes calls essentially untracable.

Aaron Z

Our industry (insurance) still has to abide by it. Because we identify who we are up front.