Shitty technology will be the death of me

Emp_Fab

I just thought I'd let you all know in advance that when I die, it'll be because I've burst a blood vessel after exploding with rage at some bit of tech that's been released and doesn't do what it's supposed to.

Linux won't see the wireless network card driver on my laptop.  Easeus Todo Backup don't do a Linux version, REDO refuses to see my 1TB USB HDD.  My Raspberry Pi XBMC media centre won't see my other USB drive ...but it moans like fuck if you unplug it - so it knows it's there, it's just not letting me see it.

XBMC has just downloaded all the wrong pictures for my movies and the Pi is now stuck in a boot-loop.

Tomorrow I'll head off to work in a car that has a one in three chance of seeing my bluetooth phone, and if it does, the first call I make will be useless as they can hear me but I can't hear them.  Then it will randomly lock up and the bluetooth menu on the car dash will be greyed out - unless I get out and disconnect the battery under the bonnet - in effect rebooting the car.  I'll fire up my Waze sat-nav which will tell me I have no network connection at all if I'm only in a 2G area and then get stuck with the speed camera warning on the screen long after I've passed it, needing a restart, then the car itself will announce that there's a fault with the 'anti-rollback system'.

It's all shit.

The problem with today's tech is that it's cheap shit running hastily written, untested and poorly documented software and sold by companies that don't give a rat's ass.

I'm giving some serious thought to becoming Amish.

frankus

monquixote

Though it's a bit unreliable every time I use Spotify via Bluetooth on my car stereo it seems slightly magical.

I'm really cutting down on my number of techy things and it is making my life better. 

I don't own a laptop (just use my work one). TV has a Chromecast in it and no other services (including an aerial) and I have an Android smartphone and that's it.

The wife has a tablet and a smartphone. 

Everything I possibly can I do streaming and in the cloud so I'm not pissing about with files. My house is tidier and I feel happier.

thecolourbox

When i read the thread title, I presumed you worked for Virgin

Paul_C

I've got a Compac PC I bought from PC World after my last self-built PC died, and the only thing I've done is to change the video card when it died.

I use my smart-ish phone for phone calls and texts, and I have a Kindle Fire which I play a few games on.

Other than that I draw maps on a piece of paper if I'm going somewhere new and listen to music etc. through a 30 year old stereo plugged into the PC

viz

Why don't you install a switch between your car battery and the fuse box so you can switch it off and on again from inside?

mike_l

@viz it would need a relay. a simple flick switch couldn't take the voltage directly.

viz

Gah, sorry all.

chillidoggy

Hmmm, I think it would depend on the current it's likely to draw. We're not talking about about huge amounts, so I reckon a switch should handle the power of a SatNav.

Now we've solved the problem, Emp simply needs to crack on and do the job.

dafuzz

You can all give me your technology if you want. I like it, want it, and know how to use it

wibble

What car you got? Have a search for a firmware update, quite a few manufacturers have user updatable firmware (eg BMW, Ford etc) for media/BT systems.

What phone you got? BT stack/GPS chips and their implementation vary greatly. If in doubt get an iPhone

chrispy108

Emp_Fab said:

I'm giving some serious thought to becoming Amish.

I think alot of us would support you in that aim, let us know and a few of us can pop round and help you raise a technology free barn

I agree with your point that stuff is shit, but then it's also cheap. So balanced out somewhat?

LooseMoose

I have zero issues with my iPhone, iPad, MacBook or Mac Mini. Just sayin' I bought none of it, all work provided but it's a very good ecosystem, it just works when you're fully on board.

RaymondLin

Bin it all, get a mac lol

A more serious point...since they are all designed in house, you will have much less problems with apple stuff in real life.  If you can live with the boxed in ecosystem.  

thecolourbox

chrispy108;401636" said:

I agree with your point that stuff is shit, but then it's also cheap. So balanced out somewhat?

Not as cheap as buying none at all?

musicegbdf

Emp fab ,I know what you mean. Tech is a real love hate relationship for me.
Stuff seems to be released in a rush ,and we test it for them.
Once it is all up and running and stable it is good though. Part of the problem I think os there is a need for marketing new stuff.
I remember back in the eighties a friend of mine was a research engineer for Fords.
The marketing men wanted a TURBO car, the engineers said they make a better performance car without a turbo. Guess who won !