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What's Some Tech That Was Better Than It Is Now? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 5 months ago by wuphysics87@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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When you connect a new device to a 'smart' tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.

Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.

I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.

What is some other tech that used to be better?

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[–] thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz 11 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Sure, that was overly broad. But I've got a BUNCH of tools in my garage and they're fine, but my dad's got a bunch of the same tools in his workshop he had when I was a kid, and they still work just as well now as they did in the 80s (I think his drill press actually used to belong to HIS dad and it's never failed me). Also, his table saw and band saw rock. I remember using them to cut things for silly projects when I was a kid and I just used the table saw the other day... same saw, great results.

My take was all centered around "solid" and "built to last". I don't have any faith that the tools in my garage will outlast his tools. Don't see it happening. I think me inheriting his tools is more likely than my tools outlasting them.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

My dad has an old Makita cordless drill from 1995 which he used for everything from assembling Ikea furniture to drilling holes in cement walls. Complete metal innards, full metal case, battery that's big and heavy enough to bludgeon somebody to death with.

Until one day I bought a fancy new Bosch cordless screwdriver with Li-ion battery, brushless motor and 1/4 the size and weight of the Makita.

At first he laughed at me for buying a toy, then he tried it. He ordered one as well the week after and uses it pretty much exclusively since then.

Still keeps the Makita box and drill around purely for the retro look but even with fresh batteries the amount of torque they put out is not even in the same league.

Obviously that is the exception rather than the rule and most technological advances went into making companies more profits instead of building better products, but there are some advancements that made power tools better. Li-ion batteries and brushless motors being two of the big ones.