Fix it rather than flinging it in land-fill?

[Psycho Sonny]

If the ecosystems weren't totally closed people could install and upgrade their own apps.

The open source community can do wonders even with older hardware. Even with really old hardware.

It's undeniable that having a closed system and not fixing bugs or updating apps in older models is done to drive uptake of newer models. It's really not controversial - we all know this is 99% of the reason.

Once something is 4 or 5 years old it's left to die. Even simple fixes are not implemented. Nothing is upgraded despite (most likely) there not being a technical impediment to doing so.

eg: on my oldish Samsung app the browser no longer works. Nor does the Netflix app. It would probably be extremely simple to push a newer browser version or a newer Netflix app. But they aren't available because the Samsung store is closed system, and they won't let you update.

yeah but with a closed system you don't have numpties that have installed a stupid app and messed up the whole tv.

pro's and cons. I get what you are saying but with chromecasts and fire tv's available for buttons it's a mute point. an inconvenience with 2 remote controls i agree but it is what it is. the alternative is £1K on a new set.

i think in the past 15 years i've gone from 32" to a 42" to a 50" to a 55". my next set will be in a couple of years time and most likely a 75".

 

[jellybeard999]

https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup/videos

Louis Rossman has some great videos on this;

eg :
Gluing in components, which have no need to be so they can't be removed
Prosectuting for possesion/distribution of parts, repair manuals
Refusing to sell components, only units/modules - eg whole display panels, rather than eg just the backlight or cable - generally for pretty much the cost of the whole device

Most relate to Apple, but the principles should be adhered to by everyone - parts should be obtainable and replaceable where reasonably practical - particularly batteries, screens etc which are key points of failure.

Everyone would be in uproar if you HAD to go to a car manufacturer for a service or simple repair. I'm sure for cars the warranty is not voided if genuine parts are used, irrespective of who repaired it. Why is it acceptable practice to do this for electronic devices?

I think in the near future, this will be legislated against, as everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious. Standardised charger cables are a step in the right direction!

 

[Rofflay]

https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup/videos

Louis Rossman has some great videos on this;

eg :
Gluing in components, which have no need to be so they can't be removed
Prosectuting for possesion/distribution of parts, repair manuals
Refusing to sell components, only units/modules - eg whole display panels, rather than eg just the backlight or cable - generally for pretty much the cost of the whole device

Most relate to Apple, but the principles should be adhered to by everyone - parts should be obtainable and replaceable where reasonably practical - particularly batteries, screens etc which are key points of failure.

Everyone would be in uproar if you HAD to go to a car manufacturer for a service or simple repair. I'm sure for cars the warranty is not voided if genuine parts are used, irrespective of who repaired it. Why is it acceptable practice to do this for electronic devices?

I think in the near future, this will be legislated against, as everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious. Standardised charger cables are a step in the right direction!

When they make paying for holidays illegal and other shady bungs then sure, That will happen everyone will have a right to repair. If something can not be repaired then should it be sold?

Hmm

 

[LuckyBenski]

Whoop! I've been going to Restart Parties like OP for years It's uncovered a whole load of people who want to see more repair happening. For some it's environmental, some it's economic. Some people can't afford to simply buy a new device. Especially if they bought a better model because they need it to last. And some just like tinkering, which is why I got involved. The reduce of waste and such is a strong fringe benefit.

It turns out there are people all around the world with the same motives so repair parties are popping up everywhere. There's even an annual conference in Europe which helps coordinate lobbying and protest etc for right to repair and other policy improvement.

Personally I grew up with second hand everything. Literally found PCs people had binned and fixed them up. I still buy broken electronics I can fix, and rarely buy new stuff. Truth be told I couldn't live nearly as well as I do if I had to pay full price for things.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Whoop! I've been going to Restart Parties like OP for years It's uncovered a whole load of people who want to see more repair happening. For some it's environmental, some it's economic. Some people can't afford to simply buy a new device. Especially if they bought a better model because they need it to last. And some just like tinkering, which is why I got involved. The reduce of waste and such is a strong fringe benefit.

It turns out there are people all around the world with the same motives so repair parties are popping up everywhere. There's even an annual conference in Europe which helps coordinate lobbying and protest etc for right to repair and other policy improvement.

Personally I grew up with second hand everything. Literally found PCs people had binned and fixed them up. I still buy broken electronics I can fix, and rarely buy new stuff. Truth be told I couldn't live nearly as well as I do if I had to pay full price for things.

Where I live up North we have recycle centres where you can take your old stuff in and they get rid of it or they reuse the parts. These companies go out to businesses to get their old IT equipment as well to recycle and sell.

 

[The_Arbiter]

Great thread, and nice posts.

I bought a £500 video camera from Currys many years back, bought the 5yr accidental cover for £300. Never used the cover till the last few months as the plastic shutter that opens and closes would stay open. Didn't matter as i always had a lens fixed. But thought may as well get it fixed as it would be free. Camera got taken in at store, after a month or so i would ask if any news. I think it was in total a 3 month ordeal. Nobody in the store knew where the camera was or what was happening. Turned out they couldn't fix it, and gave me a new camera. The new camera was a £200 piece of cack. None of the features my other one had. Guy tried fobbing me off, "nice new camera" and such. The small print of contract said they could do that if the replacement was of even suitable features. I made a fuss and said if you can't get me a replacement i'd be happy for my old camera back and a refund of the cover as never used the cover. But no, camera long gone to being stripped down. Wtf indeed. Canon rep was in store that day and was nice enough to back me up. After staff and managers, and phone calls to who knows, they all accepted that the nearest model to mine was a £800 model. Such a joke. Had 3 lenses i had to sell in order to buy a new one.

Old hardware vs new software as mentioned is an issue. Personally i'd be happy being stuck with older hardware and tech. But when you have cash, what are you supposed to do?

If people feel strongly enough, as always stated, vote with your wallet. People are happy to feed Intel and overpriced GPUs. People gaining 30fps for £££s is likely pressure from others having something they don't, market advertisement, and as above, money burning holes. So i don't blame people, if it brings them happiness.


Used to work with an old guy who rode around on his bike, got hoovers and fixed them. His place was mad. Looked like a tip, with hoovers hanging from his makeshift warehouse roof. He often said that they were real easy to fix.

Does anyone remember the PS1 elastic band trick/fix? Never did it myself, but was quite common. Involved literally just an elastic band to fix the disk motor as wasn't direct drive iirc.

Mobile phone battery as mentioned, annoying. As well as forced updates that slow the hardware. I'd be fine with buying a new expensive battery and paying for security updates so my phone isn't out of date or dragged down by android updates.

Money vs time repair. But old quality things are worth repairing, new products aren't as they're poor quality.

I recently sold some bicycle parts on ebay, many at a loss, knowingly. A near new wheel for example was just too painful to throw away despite as not worth anything.

A big pet peeve though is the cables that get bundled with stuff. How many micro and mini usb cables do i need?! Those component cables too, they're like a 10 in 1 cable.
Just sell the thing separetely for a quid or something.

 

[robgmun]

We live in a disposable society sadly, For goods and humans. @FoxEye i have an old HP311c laptop in the kitchen and the keyboards failed. Throw it out right?


Hell no software keyboard to the rescue, I am saving it from landfill until it actually dies. #Doingmybit

Just scour Ebay and you'll sooner or later find someone selling replacement keyboards