Rapid tech decay is getting me down

[JoeWras]

More broadly, physical products remain fairly robust. The death-knell is from software updates and resulting incompatibility. Many of the miniaturized hyper-advanced electronic gadgets are evincing slower pace of advancement, much like mechanical things did, many decades ago. What's forcing our hand, isn't shoddily made plastic bits built by indentured servants in some foreign sweat-shop, but the clever machinations of $400K/year software jockeys forcing yet another upgrade... "for our own good", of course!

Don't get me started. The clever machinations usually were a result of laziness (let me just include this library that requires 1G of memory). But I digress... flashbacks of w*rking. I'm done with that nonsense.

 

[target2019]

In the 80's I thought being a Luddite was a negative characteristic., given the times. The changes to come held infinite promise, we heard.

The name Luddite occurs in the movement's writings as early as 1811. The movement utilised the eponym of Ned Ludd, an apocryphal apprentice who allegedly smashed two stocking frames in 1779 after being criticized and instructed to change his method. The name often appears as captain, General, or King Ludd. Different versions of the legends place his residence in Anstey, near Leicester, or Sherwood Forest like Robin Hood. Luddite - Wikipedia

Turns out there is some truth to their beliefs, and new tech is not always benevolent. The grind of ageing on an ordinary human makes it more difficult to contend with the upgrades and obsolescence discussed in the OP.

My 10-year old system is said to be incompatible with Windows 11, and as I always knew, one day Windows 10 will die. Just five years ago I would feel strongly about that impending doom, and analyze what I needed to do to move forward. Now, I just ignore it and live the next day.

I do embrace all the advantages and properity that tech brings to my life. Drug development certainly has extended my life, as another example. But those Luddites don't seem very evil to me anymore.

 

[DayDreaming]

...
3) Amazon Echo first gen was non-configurable unless I had an iPhone, they have given up on the Android app support for first gen. Echo goes into the e-trash.
...

FYI, Amazon has a trade-in program where you could send them that old Echo and get a few bucks for it, and discount on a new Echo: https://www.amazon.com/l/9187220011

 

[rembrandt]

Remember when you bought a phone in the 80s, after the breakup, and it lasted forever. I still have an 80s phone I use occasionally. There are phones from the 50s still at work out there.

Not anymore.

This post isn't only about phones, although they are a great example. It is about everything tech these days. The shelf life is so short. It is short not necessarily because the technology or manufacture is bad, it is short because the company producing it requires one or more of the following:
- A subscription
- A proprietary way to configure it
- A kill switch
- A security update, not supported anymore, i.e. a forced update schedule
- A battery that has a short lifetime, and needs expensive replacement or just buy a new version
- Frequent time consuming monitoring of its operation

Over the last three weeks, I've been slammed by this problem.
1) Old router (2018) was end of life and insecure, it had to be replaced
2) Many devices needed a Wifi update after the router was replaced, which was time consuming and difficult on some of them
3) Amazon Echo first gen was non-configurable unless I had an iPhone, they have given up on the Android app support for first gen. Echo goes into the e-trash.
4) OBItalk is dead. All us wise guys who moved to free landline service now have to scramble, and it will require work. Is this the end of free Google Voice/Obi landline service
5) Security cameras went offline. Company who built them went bankrupt during pandemic. Fuddled around with those for a few hours getting them working with 5 year old buggy software.
6) The laptop I bought in 2018 (Lenovo) is working great. I got top of the line to make it future proof. Turns out top of the line performance didn't align with Microsoft's idea of security, so Microsoft won't support windows upgrades. Will AI chips find their way into desktop PC's in 2025? This is a solid, awesome computer, but will be trash in a year (not really, I'll Ubuntu it, but Ubuntu won't run some old software I need to configure old devices)

And so on. One thing that especially bugs me about rapid tech decay is that these companies tout how "green" they are. When looking for a new Amazon Echo, they tout their sustainability pledge. I'll give you true sustainability: How about not making us throw this stuff away after a few years?

Sorry, I read it fast and thought it said tooth decay. I was going to find you a dentist!

 

[Go-NoGo]

I have a 2015 Dell PC, just updated to Win11 24H2.
MS updater said i could not update due to older CPU, but a simple registry mod fixed that.

Runs perfectly fine, a little slow on some tasks, but I can live with that

 

[Surewhitey]

I'm knocking on the door for 2 upgrades.

1. Due to apps not working/support on my 7/2018 Huawei tablet (sometimes website inputs don't allow me to type it fields too). It has been a really good, fast tablet and the right size of 8.4" with a fabulous screen resolution (rivaled the best at the time). Same for their phones, but then came the big-bad Chinese spy story.

2. My 6 yr old Vizio tv is on the fritz with uneven lighting and their attempts to upgrade software is making it a daily frustrating. Now that Walmart is running the show, I'll be likely moving to a different brand and, of course, bigger than I need size.

I have been thinking of finding an oversized phone to double as a tablet, but I haven't found it yet & don't care for the foldable ones. I probably have 6-7 phones in a junk drawer waiting for the recycling bin...

 

[Surewhitey]

Sorry, I read it fast and thought it said tooth decay. I was going to find you a dentist!

My brain read the same...

 

[CRLLS]

I have a 6+ year old laptop serving me just fine. I run MS Office 2013. I occasionally run 23-year-old CAD software. I try not to "upgrade" for upgrade's sake. However, I have seen where a 4-year-old car no longer supported the car's self-diagnosis operating system, and my new car has a subscription service for the features that I paid for when purchased.

I know of some cars' PCMs are still running just fine after 30 years. One car I am currently building will depend on that 30-year-old PCM. Electronics are fairly reliable these days, it is the software for creature features that age out fairly rapidly. I guess I will have to add a line on my annual "forecasted expense" tab for aging out devices. The problem is, how much do I put in that bucket?

 

[GenXguy]

I have a 2015 Dell PC, just updated to Win11 24H2.
MS updater said i could not update due to older CPU, but a simple registry mod fixed that.

Runs perfectly fine, a little slow on some tasks, but I can live with that

This is what I was talking about earlier. My computer is 4 years older than yours, and it's fast overclocked with 16 GB RAM and SSD drive, but I know there are ways to make Windows 11 work on hardware that's not officially supported. Of course, Microsoft could break that hacked compatibility at any point with an update.

I have a 6+ year old laptop serving me just fine. I run MS Office 2013.

I would certainly hope so. 6 years sounds like "new" to me. lol My laptop is 12 years old and is still fast/responsive and working great. I did upgrade it to an SSD drive in the first year and upgraded from 8 GB to 16 GB RAM a couple years ago because it was only $18 (would be $14 today).

Electronics are fairly reliable these days, it is the software for creature features that age out fairly rapidly.

I still see a LOT of electronics / hardware failures. I've had two SSD drives fail in the last two years, had a couple older Dell computers fail back to back due to bad/leaking capacitors years back, a PC power supply failure in the last year, a memory chip failure in the last couple years, a startup capacitor failure on my central air condenser. I tried to play a tape in an old VCR I hadn't used in years, and suddenly that VCR wasn't working. Some remote control features on my Pioneer receiver remote quit working (confirmed is remote). Had a TV antenna distribution amplifier stop working. I have a Sharp TV that now usually fails to power on if the temp is below 70. Electronic scale stopped working after a few years. New microwave oven sometimes cuts off heating power intermittently during use (at full power). Lots of CFL and diode light bulbs failing compared to the old candescent bulbs that lasted many years. As I sit here, I just think of more and more things failing that aren't related to software.

 

[ivinsfan]

So we use a chromebook for our financial transactions, that's all we do with it. Decided to upgrade to a bigger screen with more RAM... On the BB website if you click the more info icon on a certain machine it says FYI this operating system will get automatic updates until...X/X/X... there it is in B and W and makes it easier to decide which machine you want to buy..

 

[GrayHare]

Vendors love so-called security updates because they render old stuff obsolete while merely exchanging an old set of security holes for a new set. Meanwhile a 1970s Voyager 1 keeps going and going.

 

[FindingForward]

I have a 2015 Dell PC, just updated to Win11 24H2.
MS updater said i could not update due to older CPU, but a simple registry mod fixed that.

Runs perfectly fine, a little slow on some tasks, but I can live with that

When you say "simple registry mod", do you think someone could do this who's not an IT person, but can follow instructions pretty well? Is there a reputable blog or site that has a guide on how to make an older laptop work on win 11? I have a 2016 that runs great and hate the thought of discarding, but also don't want to run obsolete software with no security updates. I've done a couple of fairly complex registry-related things to fix issues in the past, but I had a clear step by step list to guide me.

 

[explanade]

This is why tech companies are among the most valuable ones in the world by market cap.

It is a waste of resources to turn over devices so frequently. I upgrade very frequently but I usually trade in the device or donate old devices to Goodwill. So AFAIK, the devices I trade in or donate are being used somewhere else, not going directly to the landfill.

But it's not a like for like comparison of modern devices to old Bell telephones from almost half a century ago. Those were simple devices, not capable of doing much.

My main computer is from 2017, though I'm ready to upgrade now. My laptop is from 2021, it's fine.

These are just one way to BTD.

I don't have to have the latest but I wouldn't want to deal with not having a modern smart phone, reasonably secure. Some people have gone back to flip phones or got rid of a cell phone altogether.

I've not ever tried a chatbot. If they ever prove reliable, I will use it and any AI features which saves me time.

 

[Go-NoGo]

When you say "simple registry mod", do you think someone could do this who's not an IT person, but can follow instructions pretty well? Is there a reputable blog or site that has a guide on how to make an older laptop work on win 11? I have a 2016 that runs great and hate the thought of discarding, but also don't want to run obsolete software with no security updates. I've done a couple of fairly complex registry-related things to fix issues in the past, but I had a clear step by step list to guide me.

Create a system backup before starting

First get the MS PC health check app, which will tell you what you need (or don't have) to upgrade to Win11

How to use the PC Health Check app - Microsoft Support

Learn how to use the PC Health Check app to help you improve your device performance.

support.microsoft.com

In my case, just the CPU was unsupported, so the registry change was all that was required.

Try this Youtube video which walks you through the entire process:

MS Q&A support website also has the registry modification:

Redirecting

 

[JoeWras]

Sorry, I read it fast and thought it said tooth decay. I was going to find you a dentist!

Ha ha! Not intentional, but I see what I accidentally did.

Tooth decay gets me down too!

 

[Retired Expat]

Totally agree, it's sad to throw stuff out that is useless while it still works.

For my router that I upgraded, I made sure to get one that would do old wifi frequency, so all my old stuff will still work. I gave the same ssid and pwd so I don't have to change all my other things.

I am not upgrading my thermostat as I don't want a connected device as its a risk and will someday be too old and need replacing.

I only pay $50 for a phone (no plan), as I know it's garbage in ~2->3 years due to the battery weakening.

iPhone battery couldn’t make it through the day but otherwise the phone worked fine. New battery cost $80. Even splurged on replacing smashed back glass. So for $200 my old phone runs and looks like new. While new phone is being sold for $1200 but I don’t need more features or speed so why upgrade?

Recently confronted by this many places. Car was giving me trouble but I use it very infrequently… sell the old Audi and buy new one, buy some cheap lower end vehicle, maybe even just rent when I need a car? All viable options and easily affordable. Renting worked out to probably save money over the year. In the end kept the car as depreciation gets less every year…doesn’t look old in any way… and I like knowing it is there on the trickle charger if I need it.

Can easily afford new just can’t see the reason for it? I this my growing frugality? Routinely drop thousands for First or business class, but not willing to stay on the merry go round of tech upgrades


So this year didn’t upgrade any electronics, buy new tech (a small passion) splurge on the new 75 “ tv, get a new car or any of the other things I would have done once if I had a good financial year such as this one was. Something is changing in me……is this……OLD AGE”?

 

[JoeWras]

Wait until ya'll need HVAC service. Because they are changing refrigerant types every 15 years or so, your unit is basically doomed if it has a small fixable leak because the price of the discontinued refrigerant skyrockets.

Or, maybe the techs are too lazy to diagnose, or don't know how to diagnose, or are in short supply (labor issues) so their only training is in remove and replace.

Come to think of it, the tech shortage is probably more significant than the refrigerant change over.

 

[sengsational]

I'm still running XP on my home theater PC. As long as you don't have anything new, it's fine. Unfortunately, browser updates fall into something new, so no Internet browsing. But it downloads TV schedules and records and plays OTA TV shows fine. I've even got a Windows 98 laptop with X-10 (home automation) code that I still plug in once a year to control Christmas lights.

Moving phones and computers is a PITA. I know how this one works, everything I need is here. Microsoft hasn't added any functionality that is compelling to me in 30 years, and in the last decade, they just seem to be weaseling into my life without any benefit to me. Next stop, Ubuntu, but I might be too much of an old dog for that.

 

[JoeWras]

I'm still running XP on my home theater PC. As long as you don't have anything new, it's fine. Unfortunately, browser updates fall into something new, so no Internet browsing. But it downloads TV schedules and records and plays OTA TV shows fine. I've even got a Windows 98 laptop with X-10 (home automation) code that I still plug in once a year to control Christmas lights.

Moving phones and computers is a PITA. I know how this one works, everything I need is here. Microsoft hasn't added any functionality that is compelling to me in 30 years, and in the last decade, they just seem to be weaseling into my life without any benefit to me. Next stop, Ubuntu, but I might be too much of an old dog for that.

What about security? You probably don't have anything on there to worry about, but it could become a zombie server?

 

[ERD50]

Running Linux on my laptops has extended their life. Linux is not bloated, so runs fine on older, lower powered machines, and I've never had a problem upgrading to the latest release.

On my wife's MacBook, we ran into the Catch-22 of "you need this browser update to continue", followed by "that browser update requires OS version xyz" followed by "your hardware does not support OS version xyz".

 

[FindingForward]

Create a system backup before starting

First get the MS PC health check app, which will tell you what you need (or don't have) to upgrade to Win11

How to use the PC Health Check app - Microsoft Support

Learn how to use the PC Health Check app to help you improve your device performance.

support.microsoft.com

In my case, just the CPU was unsupported, so the registry change was all that was required.

Try this Youtube video which walks you through the entire process:

MS Q&A support website also has the registry modification:

Redirecting

thank you! I believe CPU was the only issue on mine as well.

 

[jim584672]

I have an ancient Q1 2011 laptop running Manjaro Linux and Windows 11 in a VM. Just to prove you can ignore the "you need a new processor" stuff.

 

[sengsational]

What about security? You probably don't have anything on there to worry about, but it could become a zombie server?

It's possible, but unlikely; I have a third party firewall that doesn't let anything get out without building a rule for it. It's so old and therefore uncommon that the hackers don't invest in finding exploits anymore. And it actually is set up as a POS terminal, so got updates for a long time after regular XP died.

When I was in IBM marketing, we were trained on how to leverage FUD in getting customers to move to new hardware. The security thing has a significant FUD component. There certainly are exploits that can be leveraged, but just because it's possible under a specific set of conditions doesn't mean all the pieces are in place to allow it, and even if that were true, the hackers would need to have something worth the trouble if they succeeded. Not worth worrying about.

 

[JoeWras]

Ah FUD. Good old FUD. Yep. Worked for IBM back in the 80s where I learned the term.

Anyone want to talk about automobile brakes or common household mold? Hold my beer, I'll show you some FUD.

And I agree, you're OK. My NVR I spoke of upthread may be a zombie of sorts, who knows? Doesn't really matter. I have it isolated and they can access all the videos of my front yard that they want.

 

[indiajust]

I am using my fourth apple computer, since 1992. At least 10 years per gadget. Phones have been more disposable, but I did not carry a cell until 2008. Perhaps 6 of them. The consequence of a dynamic environment is rapid obsolesence. Windows is a serial offender in dialing this in for profit. There are caves and stone dwellings that have sheltered humans for thousands of years, static on progress though. I honestly look forward to having a complete collection of USB C devices and cables so that I never have to do the cord shuffle and adapter again.