As someone who works a lot, and doesn't know anyone personally that can give me advice or help on building my particular car, I would not be able to complete my car without a computer. I can figure out most things I have a question about on here with the search function or by asking, and I have found almost everything for my car except the engine, transmission, and rear axle on the internet. It is funny, I work at an auto repair shop as a manager, none of the technicians I know can answer any questions I have about anything from the 50's or earlier, so without the HAMB, I would be left to make huge mistakes, and be screwed a lot of times. As far as cell phones go, we don't have a land line at our house, but they can be annoying at times. As previously mentioned though, you don't have to answer them though...especially since they have caller ID!
Well I guess that as we use stuff more we become more dependant on it. I know I have. Had to got out without my cell a couple times last week as it decided to take a dump on me( That's another thing,why do we expect modern electronics to never ever break down?) .Felt naked without it.Cos there's no way to call my mates up to ask where the flaming hell they are and don't they know they're 10 minutes late and did their mums never teach them to be on time and. . . . . . . All these new fangled gadgets are very useful and comfortable and all that,but I think they have to a certain extent ruined common courtesy.No one is ever on time any more,people interrupt conversations to answer cells and things like that. Use it,don't abuse it.
I'm definitely an old dog regarding new tricks. I think I was the last guy in the world to buy an electric carving knife, a Walkman, a microwave, or a CD player. I haven't yet worked my way up to stuff like Palm Pilots (tried/failed), iPods, or GPS navigation systems. On the other hand, ATMs, microwave ovens, cell phones, digital cameras, and (most of all) computers and the Internet, are right up there with electricity and the automobile as the most important inventions of the last 100+ years -- to me. I am able to function when my internet connection goes down, but I'm a lot less happy. It's amazing to me that my 40-year-old daughter is completely at ease with all the newfangled stuff, and is occasionally my coach when I absolutely have to buy something techy. Where the heck did she pick that up??
I thought I was the last human on the planet without a cell phone. Then I got the damn thing, and have to admit it really is handy. I guess I mostly like to hear from the people that call; don't usually find it an irritation. On the other hand, I keep in mind the words of my older daughter: "I am exactly as available as I want to be." If you use the device on your terms, it is great; if you let it push you around, it is your own fault.
My granddad was born in 1894. He was a great storyteller, and could describe his experiences of the early 20th century with brilliant clarity. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, I called my granddad. I said, "you've been around for the arrival of everything -- cars, planes, telephones, radio. Whaddya think about guys walking around on the moon?" He thought about it a minute, and answered, "My first thought is that it was a lot of money that might better have been spent somewhere else. Then I remembered MY grandfather saying that airplanes were a bunch of horse****, so I guess I'd better reserve judgement." Smart old guy.
Earlier in this thread (couldn't find it to quote it), somebody said that he likes his car radios with five ****ons and two knobs. Boy, Howdy!! I like FM and good sound quality, but I sure don't want any more than the traditional set of controls. Seems like finding good tunes in a truly traditional looking car radio is a tough search.
This thread has go me feelin' like I'm not keeping up. First thing tomorrow, I'm goin' to Wal-Mart an gettin that Mr. Coffee thing I've been hearin about.
Over the last twentythree years or so, many people have said to me that I "shoulda' been back in the '5o's". However I think that now is as good a time as any. In 2008 we can choose from the best that's come before us and the best of today, ie. drivin' period modified old cars/the HAMB.
look for an older clarion,they are black and the controls are pretty simple. the one I have has a cd player, but it's simple to operate and you can learn it by feel.
The newest technology is dependant on all the technology before it. I expect it to be the most vulnerable to failure or subterfuge for that very reason. The last to rise will probably be the first to fall. I love having a computer, but I know how to find information and entertainment without one. If every cellphone on the planet disintegrated tomorrow, I can't see that it'd make one iota of difference. We didn't need them before they existed, and in my narrow view they have taken more away from our lives than they have added.
Preachin' to the choir. I like AM, mono and 1 speaker. Five ****ons and a WonderBar... maybe a foot switch really does it for me. Would you believe that I was one of 3 movers & shakers that basically created the aftermarket iPod repair industry from scratch? No ****. ~Jason
The Jalopy Journal
