Useful Things You Can No Longer Easily Buy

[DynamicSpirit]

I thought this would be an interesting twist on the various 'things you don't see' threads that have been lurking around.

What things are no longer easily available, but actually would be really useful if they were still easy to get?

Two things to start off with:

1. Laptops with DVD drives. The default now seems to be for laptops to not have them - which subtracts a tiny bit from their weight and size, but means if you want to watch dvds on them, you have to plug in an external drive - really awkward if you like watching DVDs in bed.

2. Touring bicycles suitable for fitting mirrors. This is a bit harder to explain, but: Years ago, if you bought a touring bicycle that had drop-handlebars, the gear cables would come out from the tops of the handlebars. This was really useful because you could attach a mirror around the cable - in a perfect position to be able to see traffic behind you in the mirror while you were cycling. Not only that but the mirror was - so far as I can tell - basically theft-proof with the cable threaded through it. As I recall, a company called Mirrycle took advantage and specialised in making those kinds of mirrors.

But at some point the standard gear lever design changed, and now gear cables come out from the inside of the handlebars as standard. I've no idea what benefit that is supposed to offer - personally I've never been able to detect any benefit as a cyclist, but it means there's now nowhere you can usefully fit a mirror on dropped handlebars.

 

[A Challenge]

Audio Jacks on phones. This one really annoys me as I use wired headphones quite a bit, though I have now had to get some wireless ones, and it is basically impossible to get a phone nowadays with one on (mine doesn't).

 

[Paul Jones 88]

A decent traditional mobile phone with buttons like Nokia E Series devices which were quite powerful smartphones, they just worked really well and had powerful email facilities, also a decent camera.

 

[LethalDrizzle]

Powerful vacuum cleaners.

Yes, I appreciate that energy efficiency is a key component in the reduction of CO2 emissions, but modern vacuums are hopeless, and I do wonder just how much energy is actually saved thanks to the increase in cleaning time. Efficient design can only compensate for so much.

 

[yorksrob]

Phones with robust power charging jacks, such as Nokia.

 

[A Challenge]

Powerful vacuum cleaners.

Yes, I appreciate that energy efficiency is a key component in the reduction of CO2 emissions, but modern vacuums are hopeless, and I do wonder just how much energy is actually saved thanks to the increase in cleaning time. Efficient design can only compensate for so much.

That's like power limits on kettles, which admittedly does help with peak loadings (which is significant, there's a reason they have to watch for the end of EastEnders in the National Grid control room) it takes a fixed amount of power to heat an amount of water and losses are higher if it takes longer.

 

[gg1]

Computer PSUs with pass through ports to power a monitor.

 

[Bletchleyite]

1. Laptops with DVD drives. The default now seems to be for laptops to not have them - which subtracts a tiny bit from their weight and size, but means if you want to watch dvds on them, you have to plug in an external drive - really awkward if you like watching DVDs in bed.

DVD is dead as a format. For legacy purposes (i.e. existing ones you have) plug the drive in and rip them all to your hard drive and watch from there.

Phones with robust power charging jacks, such as Nokia.

USB C is far more robust than traditional jacks, as is Lightning. Failures of the old style jacks were common, and obviously there was no standardisation. A big advantage of all the USB designs is that the spring that retains the plug in the socket is on the plug rather than the socket, meaning that if a cable gets loose it typically just means a new cable, not a costly socket repair which was often needed with the old style low voltage jacks.

 

[Pinza-C55]

Sodium Chlorate. Great stuff for killing weeds but sadly also great for making bombs.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

DVD is dead as a format. For legacy purposes (i.e. existing ones you have) plug the drive in and rip them all to your hard drive and watch from there.

Eeek! No thanks! I have hundreds of DVDs. Ripping each one individually to a hard drive would take days of full time effort, and on a quick estimate based on Googling the capacity of a DVD (4.7GB) and guessing that DVDs on average use maybe about 2/3 of that capacity, I would expect the data on my DVDs to consume an entire 1TB hard drive. So basically impossible to fit on a laptop if you also want things like an operating system on the drive too.

Besides, it's actually quite nice to be able to choose a DVD to watch based on looking at the packaged boxes on the shelves.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Eeek! No thanks! I have hundreds of DVDs. Ripping each one individually to a hard drive would take days of full time effort, and on a quick estimate based on Googling the capacity of a DVD (4.7GB) and guessing that DVDs on average use maybe about 2/3 of that capacity, I would expect the data on my DVDs to consume an entire 1TB hard drive. So basically impossible to fit on a laptop if you also want things like an operating system on the drive too.

DVDs aren't compressed, if you rip them as a compressed format they are much smaller on your hard drive.

 

[nw1]

Top-ups from cash machines.

This disappeared in 2019 and I remember in early June of that year, just before an overseas trip, frantically running round the Clapham Junction area (I was changing trains to reach Gatwick) trying to top-up my phone but none of the cash machines offered the option.

I thought it was a temporary fault but it appears to have been permanent.

Topping up via a cash machine was very useful, extremely customer-unfriendly to get rid of it.

You can top it up via the company concerned's website, but even still, it's yet another password to remember. And I always found that company's site rather user-unfriendly.

 

[northwichcat]

DVD is dead as a format.

DVDs have two purposes:
1. Being an improvement on VHS for films.
2. Being an improvement on CDs for computer storage.

Arguing streaming has become the long term replacement for films is one thing, arguing DVDs are dead is another thing. As a storage medium they have advantages over other forms and downloads. Remember some addresses don't have superfast Internet, so downloads of a few GB will be very slow and will hamper anything else trying to use the connection while they are taking place. And while USB pens and SD cards have come down in price, a DVD is a much cheaper way of sending out large files to an external company.

Top-ups from cash machines.

I used to have a PAYG account with T-mobile before they became widely available and I remember them sending out 'top up cards' to use at PayPoint outlets. So being able to put your bank card in a machine, typing in your phone number and selecting the top up value was far more streamlined.

And while I don't expect it's a large number of people affected, I think banks having some machines in branch with staff nearby to help, might make the process of topping up easier for the less technically minded and those who might be more vulnerable to online scams, like giving card details on a copy cat website.

 

[GB]

I thought this would be an interesting twist on the various 'things you don't see' threads that have been lurking around.

What things are no longer easily available, but actually would be really useful if they were still easy to get?

Two things to start off with:

1. Laptops with DVD drives. The default now seems to be for laptops to not have them - which subtracts a tiny bit from their weight and size, but means if you want to watch dvds on them, you have to plug in an external drive - really awkward if you like watching DVDs in bed.

2. Touring bicycles suitable for fitting mirrors. This is a bit harder to explain, but: Years ago, if you bought a touring bicycle that had drop-handlebars, the gear cables would come out from the tops of the handlebars. This was really useful because you could attach a mirror around the cable - in a perfect position to be able to see traffic behind you in the mirror while you were cycling. Not only that but the mirror was - so far as I can tell - basically theft-proof with the cable threaded through it. As I recall, a company called Mirrycle took advantage and specialised in making those kinds of mirrors.

But at some point the standard gear lever design changed, and now gear cables come out from the inside of the handlebars as standard. I've no idea what benefit that is supposed to offer - personally I've never been able to detect any benefit as a cyclist, but it means there's now nowhere you can usefully fit a mirror on dropped handlebars.

The space saved from a DVD drive is much better used for other components or additional cooling.

 

[david1212]

Eeek! No thanks! I have hundreds of DVDs. Ripping each one individually to a hard drive would take days of full time effort, and on a quick estimate based on Googling the capacity of a DVD (4.7GB) and guessing that DVDs on average use maybe about 2/3 of that capacity, I would expect the data on my DVDs to consume an entire 1TB hard drive. So basically impossible to fit on a laptop if you also want things like an operating system on the drive too.

Besides, it's actually quite nice to be able to choose a DVD to watch based on looking at the packaged boxes on the shelves.

DVDs aren't compressed, if you rip them as a compressed format they are much smaller on your hard drive.

Even without compression if the average capacity is 4GB around 250 will fit on a 1TB USB drive. To watch just copy to laptop then delete. If going away choose 20 or so and copy to laptop.

Maybe the software I used and PC being a few years old but I did try converting to mp4 and quickly decided too much hassle so just coped each DVD to a folder.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Audio Jacks on phones. This one really annoys me as I use wired headphones quite a bit, though I have now had to get some wireless ones, and it is basically impossible to get a phone nowadays with one on (mine doesn't).

I’m a bit baffled by this. I have an iPhone 11 which doesn’t have a separate audio socket, but I have wired in-ear headphones with a lightning connection that I use, and also a set of “proper” headphones that has a 3.5mm audio jack, and to use these I bought a 3.5mm to lightning adapter for three quid

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m a bit baffled by this. I have an iPhone 11 which doesn’t have a separate audio socket, but I have wired in-ear headphones with a lightning connection that I use, and also a set of “proper” headphones that has a 3.5mm audio jack, and to use these I bought a 3.5mm to lightning adapter for three quid

They are a barrier to waterproofing the device due to how they are designed. They also take up space.

The space saved from a DVD drive is much better used for other components or additional cooling.

Or making the laptop smaller.

DVDs have two purposes:
1. Being an improvement on VHS for films.
2. Being an improvement on CDs for computer storage.

Arguing streaming has become the long term replacement for films is one thing, arguing DVDs are dead is another thing. As a storage medium they have advantages over other forms and downloads. Remember some addresses don't have superfast Internet, so downloads of a few GB will be very slow and will hamper anything else trying to use the connection while they are taking place. And while USB pens and SD cards have come down in price, a DVD is a much cheaper way of sending out large files to an external company.

USB drives are so cheap now that they serve no purpose in that regard and are much slower, less robust and less reliable.

I used to have a PAYG account with T-mobile before they became widely available and I remember them sending out 'top up cards' to use at PayPoint outlets. So being able to put your bank card in a machine, typing in your phone number and selecting the top up value was far more streamlined.

And while I don't expect it's a large number of people affected, I think banks having some machines in branch with staff nearby to help, might make the process of topping up easier for the less technically minded and those who might be more vulnerable to online scams, like giving card details on a copy cat website.

PAYG is dying off anyway as contracts fit better with data being the main thing now. But for most people attaching a debit card to their phone account will be easiest. You can then top up from your phone.

 

[northwichcat]

these I bought a 3.5mm to lightning adapter for three quid

But why should you need an adaptor? For years headphones always came with a rarely used 3.5mm to 6.35mm jack because a small number of HiFis had large jacks. It would have been much simpler if they'll all used the same sized jack.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

DVDs have two purposes:
1. Being an improvement on VHS for films.
2. Being an improvement on CDs for computer storage.

The other benefit of DVDs is that they are (or can be) read-only. So for permanent data (and videos is the most obvious example of that) you have a guarantee that you can't accidentally overwrite your data. It also means that if you do get infected by a virus, data on DVDs is safe. (Although I realise there are other ways of arranging backups)

And - unlike memory sticks - they are a very convenient size/shape for storing quite a few of them, and they are big enough that you're not likely to lose them.

 

[northwichcat]

USB drives are so cheap now that they serve no purpose in that regard and are much slower, less robust and less reliable.

While some companies hand out promotional USBs, this can incur a significant cost if you're handing out a significant number. While cheap USB pens don't tend to last that long.

 

[Bletchleyite]

While some companies hand out promotional USBs, this can incur a significant cost if you're handing out a significant number. While cheap USB pens don't tend to last that long.

Nobody will hand out DVDs now as most people don't have a means of reading them. Cheap USB pens that don't last long are ideal for promotional purposes - if the thing on it is useful you'll copy it to your hard drive and it'll be included in your regular backup (you do back up, don't you?)

The USB drive format really is a hugely better format than DVD, requires no drive and isn't hugely more expensive in terms of the media now.

 

[A Challenge]

I’m a bit baffled by this. I have an iPhone 11 which doesn’t have a separate audio socket, but I have wired in-ear headphones with a lightning connection that I use, and also a set of “proper” headphones that has a 3.5mm audio jack, and to use these I bought a 3.5mm to lightning adapter for three quid

I'm sure there's no link between Apple starting to sell headphones with lightning connectors and them removing audio jacks, but let's ignore that. I have a USB C to audio jack connector, but I've lost one and am surprised I haven't managed to lose its replacement yet. It also means I can't charge my phone and use my headphones at the same time, though that is less of an issue since I got my Bluetooth ones.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm sure there's no link between Apple starting to sell headphones with lightning connectors and them removing audio jacks, but let's ignore that. I have a USB C to audio jack connector, but I've lost one and am surprised I haven't managed to lose its replacement yet. It also means I can't charge my phone and use my headphones at the same time, though that is less of an issue since I got my Bluetooth ones.

Before I got Bluetooth ones I found I did lose these quite often. Insulation taping them to the headphone plug seemed to work, though obviously that prevented using the headphones in a different type of device with a plug.

 

[nw1]

They are a barrier to waterproofing the device due to how they are designed. They also take up space.



Or making the laptop smaller.



USB drives are so cheap now that they serve no purpose in that regard and are much slower, less robust and less reliable.



PAYG is dying off anyway as contracts fit better with data being the main thing now. But for most people attaching a debit card to their phone account will be easiest. You can then top up from your phone.

I've never liked contracts - I find them too binding. I much prefer a more open and free approach. So I've always stuck with PAYG and intend to do so as long as I can.

Also if you want to 'root' your phone, e.g. to install alternative Android distributions, LineageOS and the like (which may be necessary if you no longer get official updates) then I think contracts can cause problems there. I much prefer to buy a 'clean' non contract phone and then use PAYG. Gives you much more freedom and also potentially prolongs the life of your phone. My last one lasted from 2014-20 (and would have lasted longer had it not gone missing...); only got official updates up to Android 6 but thanks to alternative Android distributions I managed to get to Android 9 with it.

 

[northwichcat]

Nobody will hand out DVDs now as most people don't have a means of reading them.

The USB drive format really is a hugely better format than DVD, requires no drive and isn't hugely more expensive in terms of the media now.

My (Dell) work laptop only has one standard USB port though and that's being used by the bluetooth USB thing for the separate (Dell) mouse! So it doesn't have space to insert either form of storage medium without a separate device being added or disconnecting the mouse.

 

[A Challenge]

I've never liked contracts - I find them too binding. I much prefer a more open and free approach. So I've always stuck with PAYG and intend to do so as long as you can.

Also if you want to 'root' your phone, e.g. to install alternative Android distributions, LineageOS and the like (which may be necessary if you no longer get official updates) then I think contracts can cause problems there. I much prefer to buy a 'clean' non contract phone and then use PAYG. Gives you much more freedom and also potentially prolongs the life of your phone. My last one lasted from 2014-20 (and would have lasted longer had it not gone missing...); only got official updates up to Android 6 but thanks to alternative Android distributions I managed to get to Android 9 with it.

You can buy the phone and then get a Monthly SIM only plan, which I think will get around your issues with rooting a phone or wanting to change provider mid life of phone.

 

[northwichcat]

PAYG is dying off anyway as contracts fit better with data being the main thing now.

Not really dying off but changing direction. The 'contract free' plans that don't require a credit card are really PAYG, as you can only use what you've prepaid for. For example, if calls to France aren't included in your plan then you must add a cash balance before being able to make a call to France.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've never liked contracts - I find them too binding. I much prefer a more open and free approach. So I've always stuck with PAYG and intend to do so as long as I can.

Also if you want to 'root' your phone, e.g. to install alternative Android distributions, LineageOS and the like (which may be necessary if you no longer get official updates) then I think contracts can cause problems there.

No, they don't. You own the phone and the contract includes an element of a personal loan to pay for it. Or, as I do, you buy your phone outright and have a separate contract for the connection.

My (Dell) work laptop only has one standard USB port though and that's being used by the bluetooth USB thing for the separate (Dell) mouse! So it doesn't have space to insert either form of storage medium without a separate device being added or disconnecting the mouse.

I suspect you're probably discouraged from using any removable media on a work laptop, but if not then USB hubs cost pennies.

 

[nw1]

Sodium Chlorate. Great stuff for killing weeds but sadly also great for making bombs.

I remember going to my village hardware store in about 1986 and being amazed what sort of chemicals they sold there. Stuff straight out of a chemistry lab!

Definitely had sodium chlorate. They also had elemental sulphur, and sodium hydroxide (aka the most common lab alkali) too - but I think you can still get that. Not quite as dangerous as chlorate, I will grant you that.

 

[gg1]

I've never liked contracts - I find them too binding. I much prefer a more open and free approach. So I've always stuck with PAYG and intend to do so as long as I can.

Also if you want to 'root' your phone, e.g. to install alternative Android distributions, LineageOS and the like (which may be necessary if you no longer get official updates) then I think contracts can cause problems there. I much prefer to buy a 'clean' non contract phone and then use PAYG. Gives you much more freedom and also potentially prolongs the life of your phone. My last one lasted from 2014-20 (and would have lasted longer had it not gone missing...); only got official updates up to Android 6 but thanks to alternative Android distributions I managed to get to Android 9 with it.

A SIM only contract give you the same level of flexibility.