I am sick of software and computers. I am in the business and have learned that when things were simple, life was better. I don't bother to keep track of my train stuff. Who cares, I buy because I like it. I run it, enjoy looking at it and displaying it. Remember, we're just renting the stuff and "own" nothing, as our stuff will be sold by our children or stay in the family.
Anyway, remember when life was simple, for example:
1. How many of you stopped at a gas station to use a pay phone?
Cell phones are nauseating. I do everything possible to avoid using mine.
2. Remember full service at the Gas Station where the kid came out to check your oil, radiator and wipe down the windows?
3. Voice mail totally sucks. After about 9 years at my company I finally capitulated and installed one of those systems. I still try to have an "operator" or a real live human being available for someone to talk to.
4. Although I have known of this for quite awhile, when I needed to call Quicken Software, I ended up with a customer service representative who was in New Deli India! I couldn't understand a freakin word she was saying.
5. What happened to just having a cup of coffee? Now its a "double tall carmel machiato light wip" or a "grande triple shot latte with extra foam and two extra pumps of Vanilla". That will be $4.00. Right. Give me a cup of coffee and a damn donut. And I ain't talkin' Krispy Kreme. Just a stinkin' donut.
About the only changes that are good are some of the train hobby products available to modelers today. The locos run better, they sound great (if you have sound), DCC is awesome, the rolling stock options are endless, and even the brass is superior in operation and detail today - take a look at a W&R GN 2-8-2 and then run it, you'll know what I mean.
DOG