I saw the back of an integrated and it depressed me.

@erik_squires 

Yeah.  I know how you feel.

I was in the Apple store the other day and noticed the new iMacs don't have a floppy drive built in.  I've got a full 104k of usable data on those disks, and no way to use them! I stomped out the store, made my way back to my 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1A sitting in the parking lot, cranked down the windows, shoved it in first gear, engaged the clutch, did a (quite juvenile, I must say) burn out, and drove home.

"I-n-t-e-g-r-a-t-e-d" means just that.  But how many things do we need to "integrate" and ignore legacy devices?

@tylermunns 

"An accident caused a seemingly uber-fragile screen on a flat screen TV to break the other day, necessitating a new TV."

We had a plasma TV come into our shop years ago for repair with a bullet hole through the screen.  I decided to exercise my First Amendment Right, keep my mouth shut, and not ask any questions.  I believe the cost of a new panel was more than the replacement cost of the TV.  We kept it around for a while, just because.

To the OP's point, I had one of those "moments" when McIntosh added digital inputs to their 2-channel preamps -- WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!  It was a depressing moment for sure.  My concept of "legacy" gear, or modern versions of marketing  "legacy" gear, was that the piece would never become obsolete.  Low level inputs, MM/MC phono stages, etc. have stood the test of time, and like the tune Yesterday, will probably still be relevant 50 years from now.  "Digital" is a moving target.  And, like the Apple floppy drive, we'll look back and remember the current digital processing as being as useful today as a fax machine.  The trick is how to design around obsolesce, making upgrades doable, without performance issues.  This has been the challenge in "upgradable gear" for quite some time.

So, yes, OP, I had my moment.  

@asvjerry

’Floppy drive’...sounds like the Sunbeam trans needs a new clutch... 😏

Cute cars, they wuz...."

I’m on my second clutch. Did you hack my surveilence system and watch me doing the clutch replacement? You’d be suprised how often onlookers use the term "cute" to desscribe my car. It’s not exactly what we’re going for here with a hand-built dual-quad 347. There’s a British Car show tomorrow in St. Louis. I am purposely not shaving for a few days prior. I’m hoping a burly dude standing next to the Tiger will discourage others from using the "C-word’ when describing my car.

The "floppy drive" reference may be a more accurate reference these days to date night.

@dabel

"GTI - MK5 knew clutch installation starting next week. I’ve been known too redline thee little girly beast. 🤓"

"Little GTI .... you’re really lookin' fine. Direct injection and a 6-speed ... and a turbo-charged 2 liter." (Okay, failed at 2 liter rhythming thing). We had a GTI in the family, and my daily driver (178k miles) is a (manual transmisson) Audi A4.

@asvjerry

"’all-out HULK’"

Well, happy to report I didn’t have go to this extreme at the car show yesterday. Made a point to wear my "REAL CARS DON’T SHIFT THEMSELVES" t-shirt (with the familiar 5-speed shift knob icon). They were too busy smiling to notice how "cute" my car was. But, I will take your advice when we show my wife’s Mini Cooper S convertible next time. This car is so cute, you’re tempted to reach over and pinch it.

@acresverde

"My first ever car was a ’67 Sunbeam Alpine"

I hate to get all geeky here on British cars with 4-cylinder tractor motors under the bonnet, but I bought a Series V Alpine 30 years ago. 10 years later I added a turbo with the goal of matching 1/4 mile performance of a showroom stock 260 V8 Tiger. I now have the time slips to prove it. It’s truly "The Little Engine that Could." Still have the car (plus 2 Tigers) and thrash it at every opportunity.

@czarivey 

"That was my TV. I shot some NASTY dude speaking too often about overpopulation from TV screen in ravaging anger."

I figured the guy who checked it in used an alias.  I can finally find closer on this 20-year-old issue.  Thank you for stepping forward.

@asvjerry

the plate I always wanted, but the letters wouldn’t fit:

”BLUE BAYOU”

I’ll close with a link to one of my favorite opening movie scenes:

https://www.google.com/search?q=gattica+i+was+conceived&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:9b2da435,vid:wY_0u84DtXY,st:0

@asvjerry

I like how you’re thinking. I just can’t decide if this is an opporunity for personal growth, or I should immediately change meds. Tough call.

My "for real" dally driver plate reads: "LUV HZ". I got a twofer here: A tribute to my ex, AND let the world know how much I enjoy music.

And... on my Sunbeam Tiger (after one too many dudes and dudess’ asking: "Is that an MG?". "NOTA MG"

Wonder if NUT KRKR for another of my other hot rods is taken?

So proud of both of us for having the discipline to stay on topic here..