Just because there’s a host of fancy new gadgets and devices constantly being developed doesn’t mean that everyone’s rushing to embrace them. Many people are perfectly happy relying on the things they have and what they’re used to. New doesn’t always mean better… especially when the ‘ancient’ alternative is so reliable.
Case in point, the r/AskReddit online community recently had a blast opening up about all the ‘outdated’ technology that they don’t plan to stop using any time soon. From Windows XP to good old pen-and-paper, scroll down to see what they shared.
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Doors with physical keys. I don’t like the idea of every door needing technology to open. It feels less safe.
Agreed, not so much on safety, more by function. If someone wants to break your door down, they'll break your door down but technology malfunctions and fails. Similar to keyless cars with "push to start". If there's something wrong with that button or the communication between the electronic key fails, you're screwed.
Physical books. I tried to get into ebooks but it’s just not the same as a physical book. Plus books have that fresh paper smell that’s so nostalgic
The only reasons I read e-books are price and availability. I pay 10€ a month and I can read to my heart's content. The library has a lot less books and I can't always manage to go there during opening hours. But real books is still 🤎
I think I've said this before on BP but maybe not, so here it goes again. I emailed one of my favourite authors when I was having trouble finding physical copies of his books but they were available on Kindle. He said he made more money per copy from a Kindle sale compared to a physical sale. Since then I don't feel bad about buying ebooks. I'd rather see the author getting more money that the publisher.
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Or had me pay yet another subscription price...or weren't available because of some software/hardware/network problem...or just suddenly disappeared from my library because of some legal BS...just saying, they each have their positives and negatives, but I will always prefer a real, physical book.
Load More Replies... I love a physical book but ran out of space... which made me turn to a Kindle. Now I love it, can take multiple books on holiday, etc.
Nothing beats wandering around a book store, browsing, finding some treasure
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I love real books too, but as I have gotten older I find myself using my Kindle exclusively for the mere fact that I can make the font larger since none of the books I like to read are printed in an easy to read font.
I have an ebook reader. Because the most times I read books in on vacation. And I don't want to carry multiple books to other countries in my luggage. and my reader is lighter, offers light and is waterproof. So for me it's much better than physical books.
I mean. I love a book! But with an e-book you can have EVERY book in your hand immediately... Socrates was worried about the increased use of books, and books have turned out pretty well overall. E-books wont be for everyone. But people who swear by e-books now may not like the thing that comes next? (A robotic pet cat that shoots information directly into your brain and also dispenses your favourite drink... for example. Nothing specific)
Love a physical book and turning the pages. The smell and feel of the paper in my hands. Not a fan of ebooks.
Books are necessary they’re extremely valuable, they refresh our memories, they inform us. Not everyone has electronics. Libraries are wonderful, and how about the blind…they can’t read brail from a tablet or cell phone!
I like books and will get the ebooks of the same to listen to while reading to listen to the voice actors.
A friend loaned me his Nook when I was in hospital. It gave me a headache. I asked him to pick it up and bring me a real book.
I prefer to hold a book in my hand and turn the pages. I love the smell of a new book.
There are books that are hundreds of years old (thousands if you count scrolls) that can still be read. Digital stuff written in the 1980s-90s is already hard to find a program to read. In 50 years what we read digitally today will be long gone.
I need the smell of them. Freshly new books. Old books. Both have their charme.
For me, reference books go on the shelf, and fiction goes on the tablet. I get through 2-3 books (fiction) a week so the Kindle Unlimited subscription is great for me. I can just move straight on to the next book in a series without leaving the house, and it works out much, much cheaper.
All the people commenting on how e-readers are great because vacation. Oh, to go on vacation often enough and long enough that it be a consideration in discussing the validity of books Vs e-readers. I know I would never be on vacation long enough that I'd read more than book nor often enough for to be worth worrying about.
I would die to get myself a tiny little tower library, I have to do ebooks because ADHD + tiny apartment (and in my case, ADHD means physical books are not safe in my care without dedicated book safe spaces lol T_T)
I like both. I don't actually own my digital books. If the company that I bought them from ever goes out of business, and their app goes obsolete I won't be able to read those books anymore. But I'm paying for a subscription so there are a bunch of books I can read at any time. I don't have to worry about my bookmark falling out. I love my e-reader. On the other hand I buy a physical book, and barring a disaster it's mine to read until it falls apart.
I love physical books, but they take up so much space if you read a lot! I have hundreds, but don't know what to do with them once falling in love with my kindle - nobody seems to accept them as donations any more, and it would feel criminal to throw them away. The newer kindles are amazing and have crazy long battery life (and you can read in bed without turning a light on). I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription and average around four books a week, which would get expensive and take up a lot of space if I was buying paper - not to mention it allows me to read books I otherwise would never consider - simply delete if I don't enjoy!
Over millennia books have never been considered outdated, I do not think anything is about to change anytime soon.
Funny how I prefer the ebooks for exactly that reason: they don't smell. I have sensory processing issues, some smells are very triggering. To each their own.
I like ebooks because I can have hundreds of them on my iPad. And I don’t see very well so I can change the font size
Ebooks never struck me as a good idea in the bath, given how many of real books have suffered from me getting them wet, or even dropping them in entirely!
There are waterproof e-readers. I got one for my birthday a few years back, perfect idea :)
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I like both. I can use ebooks when I can't (or don't want to go to the library) but I do love a good physical book when I can.
The prediction of the death of print books was premature. Print books are "a simple technology that works" and aren't going anywhere. But there are times when ebooks are extremely useful.
I love paper books, but I moved countries and live in a very small Victorian terrace house now. There's no way that I could have fit my large collection of books in here, so Kindle Fire it is. The only paper books that I kept are those that are sentimental to me or books that were autographed to me at a book signing. I've got the largest Kindle Fire and that and being able to make the font bigger makes it so much easier to read, now that I'm middle aged. I've got an SD card in there, so any books I've downloaded are always available. I swore I would never get an e-reader, but I've had to adapt as my circumstances changed.
Ebooks are good for travelling or any situation wherey ou want to read, but cannot bring your books with you. Otherwise I prefer physical books.
I like paper books for fun reading or for how-to's (like wood working or cooking). But for technical reading (learning, manuals,...) I prefer something with search option.
I love books, but have started moving favorite authors to my ebook. It cuts down on the clutter, and my ebook is much easier to hold without hurting my wrists or other joints. Plus, I have a ton of fan fiction downloaded. I'll always have my collection of cook books and some favorites around because a house without books isn't a home.
I read the same book multiple times a year and I have a few books given to me by my deceased grandfather. Books are important and when power goes off or you loose wifi or live off grid with nothing to do reading a book broadens your mind as well as helps the time pass 🥰
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‘Outdated’ and ‘obsolete’ tech is harder to root out than you might think. Case in point, Japan is notorious for relying on practically ancient technology, from fax machines to floppy discs. Recently, the nation declared ‘war’ on floppy discs, on which 1,900 law, government, and ministerial procedures still rely.
Meanwhile, fax machines are still used very widely in Japanese workplaces, instead of using email. One of the most technologically advanced and innovative countries on our planet still very much depends on ‘outdated’ tech structures.
It will be a cold day in hell before I get a fridge or a dishwasher with a computer built inside of it.
Dont mix up « computer » with « connected » Modern fridges have some computing capabilities to adapt to their environment and the contents, decreasing a lot the consumption. And that’s different from connecting it to the internet which is another trend.
Real buttons. Not everything has to be touchscreen-compatible and there's no comparison to gaming on a keyboard vs something touchscreen.
Gaming keyboards are the best. I have the same in until he picture. Click Clack
Physical calendar on our kitchen wall, with all our family and friends birthdays on it. We transfer the dates to the new calendar every year. Outdated yes, given our phone apps can easily remind us of important events, but the calendar is very visual and makes it easy for us to remember birthdays! Seeing who is coming up in the month, allows for better present organisation.
It’s our personal experience that so long as a piece of technology is reliable and does its job well, there’s no need to replace it with the newest model—or a fancy digital alternative. That’s why some of us (hi!) still listen to music on our iPods from two decades ago instead of using wireless headphones linked to our smartphones.
You’d also be surprised by how useful a simple notebook and a simple pen are even when you’ve got computers and fancy programs for work. Of course, we’re not discounting the power of tech or innovation: these are hallmarks of human advancement and development. But simpler is—at times—better. And something freshly developed by tech engineers doesn’t instantly invalidate what came before (though some companies would love for that to happen).
Physical media. Ain’t no copyright/license b******t can delete anything from my library.
Yep for this reason I keep my original CDs even though I play them as mp3s. Not going to stream. You do not know my taste, and no streaming service is clever enough to figure it out. My range is far too wide and my playlist is mood dependent.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting the latest and coolest gadgets. However, it does help if you actually understand why you want them. For many people, buying new tech and programs is a (not-so-subtle) way to show off their wealth, status, and power. Whether they realize this or not, they’re signaling to those around them that they have access to the best of the best.
Because human beings are social animals, many of us highly value our reputations. What our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers think of us can impact us in a big way. Whether or not you’re a trusted (and trustworthy) member of society plays a huge role in the quality of your life.
Line dried laundry. Not exclusively as it's winter here and I have a dryer, but line drying is just so much better in every way.
Wired ear buds. Much cheaper, last for decades, don't require charging, and much less likely to lose one.
Only downside is cable management which is easy if you take 5 secs to properly bundle it up after use.
Cash
As long as there are black outs and internet outages or connection issues cash will never die.
However, it’s not through fancy gadgets that you’ll get other people’s respect. It’s our decisions, actions, values, and character that truly matter. How you connect to people—and doing so in a non-superficial way—is what you should focus on. Cool tech, fancy clothes, and overwhelming wealth can create a powerful first impression. But what matters is what lies beneath all of that.
If your reputation hinges on whether or not you’ve got the best car, the newest phone, and access to whatever new and exclusive AI app is trending, then you’re on shaky ground. On the flip side, the things you own and wear can filter out superficial people, too.
Someone who treats you poorly because you drive an old but reliable jeep, have an older-gen smartphone, and a durable but tired wristwatch probably isn’t worth getting to know beyond some polite small talk.
Desktop computers. Mouse and keyboard for life. It’s so much easier to be productive.
My analog watch with the hour, minute, and second hands.
Cars that dont have TVs glued to the dash.
What 'outdated' technology and software do you personally still use and plan to continue using in the future, Pandas? What advantages do you think older tech has over newer inventions? Feel free to share your thoughts with all the other readers in the comment section at the bottom of this article.
Drawing with a piece of paper and a pencil. You just can't beat it
CDs. Nothing beats having a physical copy of my favorite albums
A car with a key, not a fob
This disease has now spread to motorcycles. I'll never buy one without a physical key. It's the answer to a question nobody asked.
Handheld can openers. Dependable, fast, and portable.
stick shift
I drove a stickshift for many years. Did my drivers licence in a stickshift car. And it was really fine. But for most drivers - including myself - the technology nowadays with the automatic transmissions is really more than fine. They shift well, run smooth, are fuel efficient with 6-10 gears and are really comfy in slow traffic and traffic jams. Except you really are a sporty driver (but where can drive drive as such?), then you won't need a stickshift no more. At least I'm not missing it.
Writing letters. With paper & pen, through the postal service!
Corded tools and appliances. So many things I don't use enough to make it worthwhile if it only lasts as long as the battery, and then I have to decide between spending to keep using something old or to just get something new.
That battery powered weed whacker I only need a few times year? The battery is done after a few years anyway. If I get a corded one that sucker will last me decades. Same with lawnmowers, snowblowers, drills, screwdrivers, vacuum cleaners, etc.
If you have a lot of infrequently used tools that share the same battery system (eg Ryobi) you only need one or two batteries and you’ll get full use out of the battery.
For me, manual brooms/sweepers come to mind.
Robo vacuums just don't interest me. I love advanced tech when it makes sense, but for me this feels like a case of overkill. Not everything needs to be smart/automatic. I'm a big believer the future should be one of mixed-use tech.
We have a Roomba because I have fibromyalgia and suffer from fatigue. Admittedly it doesn’t do stairs or cobwebs but I’m happy with it. 🙂
I have a 1947 Singer model 15. Sure I need attachments to do button holes and zig-zag stitches but, I couldn't imagine using a modern machine.
Film, while I do have digital cameras as well, despite the incredible rise in cost I have still find myself shooting both 35mm and medium format film. I develop all my black and white film myself too, because the local lab charges more for it.
Vernier calipers, micrometers, etc: Why add a screen to something that never needed one?
Natural fabrics, I sew clothes out of wool, leather, cotton, linen, and silk. The only synthetic fabrics that ever made sense to me was nylon and kevlar, for normal clothes I just don't see the point in polyester, viscose, PU, etc. It is like we have a whole chemical industry researching worse materials to make things out of.
Viscose is made from wood fibres I believe. While it definitely has been processed it is made from natural fibres. Otherwise I agree about synthetic material for clothing. They end up smelly and don't breathe.
Since I work in an industrial setting - Probably Windows XP
Tube guitar amplifier! I know digital is getting better and better, but you just cant beat the warmth and response of a good tube amp.
Not obsolete, but most have a more “modern” version (cordless/digital/connects to the internet/etc) that is becoming more popular these days, and these folks don’t want to switch :)
Load More Replies... I'm 55yo. I keep handwritten lists. If I don't write it down, I don't remember it.
I save used envelopes and write my grocery lists on the back.
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FTW. The output is legible, AND they work instantly, no bootup sequence. Plus, send someone a laser printed letter, and they'll likely ignore it. Send one written on a typewriter and they'll react like it was written by hand, done just for them.
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wired mouse and keyboard. i do NOT want to be in the middle of something and have that s**t die, have to go searching for batteries, ugh what a pain.
As someone mentioned on the last article, which was posted just 2 weeks ago, its mostly pretentious redditors inflating their egos over paper calendars and can openers.
I found a perfect portable Olivetti in the original case with the instruction book at an estate sale for $25. This is just like the machine I had in college and made money typing papers for grad students.
Load More Replies... I have ADHD, and if I kept my notes and lists on little scraps of paper I’d never find them when they’re needed. I also much prefer having a library of books to read in my phone, instead of lugging 10 paperbacks with me. My key fob lets me get into my car and start it without digging through my purse, and line dried laundry is stiff and scratchy. Preferences are fine, but there’s nothing inherently noble about choosing older technology. It was once the newest thing, too!
Not obsolete, but most have a more “modern” version (cordless/digital/connects to the internet/etc) that is becoming more popular these days, and these folks don’t want to switch :)
Load More Replies... I'm 55yo. I keep handwritten lists. If I don't write it down, I don't remember it.
I save used envelopes and write my grocery lists on the back.
Load More Replies... FTW. The output is legible, AND they work instantly, no bootup sequence. Plus, send someone a laser printed letter, and they'll likely ignore it. Send one written on a typewriter and they'll react like it was written by hand, done just for them.
Load More Replies... wired mouse and keyboard. i do NOT want to be in the middle of something and have that s**t die, have to go searching for batteries, ugh what a pain.
As someone mentioned on the last article, which was posted just 2 weeks ago, its mostly pretentious redditors inflating their egos over paper calendars and can openers.
I found a perfect portable Olivetti in the original case with the instruction book at an estate sale for $25. This is just like the machine I had in college and made money typing papers for grad students.
Load More Replies... I have ADHD, and if I kept my notes and lists on little scraps of paper I’d never find them when they’re needed. I also much prefer having a library of books to read in my phone, instead of lugging 10 paperbacks with me. My key fob lets me get into my car and start it without digging through my purse, and line dried laundry is stiff and scratchy. Preferences are fine, but there’s nothing inherently noble about choosing older technology. It was once the newest thing, too!
