Developments of genius

[Dave2002]

Sometimes newer things are less good than those which preceded them.

Example: Modern compact cameras which have no viewfinder but an LCD screen. Totally useless in bright sunlight.

More?

[Hornspieler]

Aw shucks, folks! I just growed up like any other bright kid.

Hornspieler

[umslopogaas]

My old fuel oil tank had a clear plastic tube down the side which enabled me to check fuel levels. This was a measurement that was continuously available, accurate and consumed no electricity, so was free.

My new oil tank has an electronic gadget which transmits a signal to another gadget which is plugged into a socket inside the back door. This has a 0 - 9 scale, so is less accurate than the old one. You have to turn it on to get a reading, so it consumes electricity, or as I do, leave it running continuously, so it consumes even more. Its only advantage is that you can check levels when its raining without getting wet.

[Beef Oven]

It's all over too quickly. I used to spend many a happy hour tuning my guitar. Now, with a digital tuner, it's all over in 90 seconds. This post is not intended to be understood as any kind of double-entendre.

[Dave2002]

My old fuel oil tank had a clear plastic tube down the side which enabled me to check fuel levels. This was a measurement that was continuously available, accurate and consumed no electricity, so was free.

My new oil tank has an electronic gadget which transmits a signal to another gadget which is plugged into a socket inside the back door. This has a 0 - 9 scale, so is less accurate than the old one. You have to turn it on to get a reading, so it consumes electricity, or as I do, leave it running continuously, so it consumes even more. Its only advantage is that you can check levels when its raining without getting wet.

Yep - but when there's a problem with the battery, or other communications problem, those things don't work properly. I don't know the details, but one I was familiar with had a receiver which looked like a 13 amp plug with an aerial sticking out and a 7 segment display and was plugged into the mains, and I don't know exactly what was in the tank. Sometimes it would flash wildly or put up strange codes, and was the source of some concern.

[eighthobstruction]

I'm annoyed by the speed that digital freeview recorders give up the ghost....people in Currys say that on average they only last 3-4 years....the freeview part I believe continues to work, but, once you have changed your viewing/recording regime, when the recorder part grinds to a halt, the advantages of recording and viewing later makes it difficult not to trot down to Currys and get another....

[french frank]

Electronic gadgetry in cars may be a boon, but it has its downside: in my late mini, the airbag warning light went on and I had to take it back to a specialised dealer (the one from whom I bought the car having closed down and my local service man couldn't do it) as it is illegal (apparently) to carry on driving with a possibly faulty airbag. £60 to put it on their digital whatsit to indicate it was just the light that was faulty. And also, since I did very low mileage in the car, in cold weather the engine immobiliser regularly made the battery flat in very cold weather. Then there are the faulty electric windows that get stuck, open or shut ...

[amateur51]

Anyone who has ever owned and used an electric juicer will know that the gilt peels off that particular piece of gingerbread the first time you try to clean it

Hence I assume the popularity of smoothies, where you injest all the pulp too

[MrGongGong]

Sometimes newer things are less good than those which preceded them.
Example: Modern compact cameras which have no viewfinder but an LCD screen. Totally useless in bright sunlight.
More?

Webern and Elvis

[gurnemanz]

You can't wrap up digital downloads with pretty paper and a ribbon and give them as a present.

[Ferretfancy]

I have yet to buy an electric kettle fitted with a level gauge that has not leaked at the base.The union of metal and plastic simply doesn't hold for very long. We now have a simple stainless steel model, no gauge, but it has lasted well.

[MrGongGong]

I have yet to buy an electric kettle fitted with a level gauge that has not leaked at the base.The union of metal and plastic simply doesn't hold for very long. We now have a simple stainless steel model, no gauge, but it has lasted well.

Electric Kettles compared to one on the stove

[Nick Armstrong]

Electric Kettles compared to one on the stove

Disagree - the Braun fast-boil kettle at home has been going strong for 15 years or more (mit gauge) and is far quicker and more convenient than a stove top job

[MrGongGong]

Disagree - the Braun fast-boil kettle at home has been going strong for 15 years or more (mit gauge) and is far quicker and more convenient than a stove top job

What do you do with the time you save ?
NO don't answer that !
I know what you folks charge per second

[Nick Armstrong]

What do you do with the time you save ?
NO don't answer that !
I know what you folks charge per second

I'm rarely on the meter in the environs of the kettle, happily. There's music to listen to etc etc!