Fifty Plus (50+) - HOW "ELECTRONIC" ARE 50+'RS?

Ok

How up-to-date and with it are 50+rs (electronically)?

Please choose as many choices as fit you.

Good question DnvrFox, I'm glad you put 'other electronic stuff' in there. I don't have some of the items named, but I have HDTV, 64bit processor computer with digital picture printout, game cube, and playstation II. (and of course a cyclocomputer)

Good question DnvrFox, I'm glad you put 'other electronic stuff' in there. I don't have some of the items named, but I have HDTV, 64bit processor computer with digital picture printout, game cube, and playstation II. (and of course a cyclocomputer)

Yes, there is only room for 10 choices on the poll algorithm. It was difficult to decide what to leave out and keep in.

We have HDTV also, plus I have printers all over the place - laser, high quality photo, multi-function, etc.

No game cubes or play station, though!

I am finally down to 3 computers. Tossed three this year!

Looking at MP3's right now.

I have DSL on this computer, and a cell phone, which is usually turned off.

IMHO, I think 50+ are toy capable, that is they like their toys. Just look at how many of us have bicycles. This is the generation that went from black and white TV to DVD and 30 channel television with home theater not too mention the huge changes in computer technology. In my opinion, I think this group expects change and advancement and are not intimidated by it, contrary to what the marketeers think.

IMHO, I think 50+ are toy capable, that is they like their toys. Just look at how many of us have bicycles. This is the generation that went from black and white TV to DVD and 30 channel television with home theater not too mention the huge changes in computer technology. In my opinion, I think this group expects change and advancement and are not intimidated by it, contrary to what the marketeers think.

I agree. But a bunch of bicyclers is certainly not a representative sample of the 50+ age group. I would think the following biases might be introduced into the sampling:

1. From my experience only, bicyclists are by and large from engineering, scientific, computer and related backgrounds. We did a couple of surveys sometime back which verified this bias.

2. OTOH, many bicyclists tend to be minimalists, rejecting car transportation, for example.

3. Some bicyclists are environmentally sensitive and pretty health conscious.

So, who knows? Many factors at play.

1. From my experience only, bicyclists are by and large from engineering, scientific, computer and related backgrounds. We did a couple of surveys sometime back which verified this bias.

I must have missed that survey. I was also out to lunch when they passed out the engineering, science, math and business genes. My academic background is psychology and my career is way to touchy feelie for most folks.
:)

I must have missed that survey. I was also out to lunch when they passed out the engineering, science, math and business genes. My academic background is psychology and my career is way to touchy feelie for most folks.
:)

It was long before your entrance into BFN!. It wasn't a 50+ survey.

But it would be interesting to update it on General Cycling Forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=175170)

1. From my experience only, bicyclists are by and large from engineering, scientific, computer and related backgrounds. We did a couple of surveys sometime back which verified this bias.

Hey, my Dad's an engineer (space vehicles and air plane stuff) and my wife works for the biggest and bluest computer company--- BUT--- in all my posting here in BF-50+ and BF Classic & Vintage, no other "postors" ;) have admited to being part of the clergy. Am I all alone in spandex and a clerical collar?

Bob

Hey, my Dad's an engineer (space vehicles and air plane stuff) and my wife works for the biggest and bluest computer company--- BUT--- in all my posting here in BF-50+ and BF Classic & Vintage, no other "postors" ;) have admited to being part of the clergy. Am I all alone in spandex and a clerical collar?

Bob

I've tried hard to get our 2 male pastors out with me on the bicycle with no success. However, our female pastor does ride bikes!

There is a guy who posts in the "mechanics" section named "Rev. Chuck" but I don't believe the Rev bit!

I've tried hard to get our 2 male pastors out with me on the bicycle with no success. However, our female pastor does ride bikes!

There is a guy who posts in the "mechanics" section named "Rev. Chuck" but I don't believe the Rev bit!

DnvrFox,

Granny Gear has tried to get his pastor to bike as well, but with no luck. I haven't spent any time in the Mechanics section. Maybe Chucks a "Rev" because he can work miracles on otherwise hopeless castoffs. Sort of like the Lesson I preached on this morning, Mark 2:1-12, the Paralytic who was lowered through the hole in the ceiling. In the end he took "up his mat and walked." Maybe Chuck makes bikes roll!

Bob :)

Blackberry ain't got no Blackberry. Gotta cellphone and an Ipod, but i hardly ever use them. No wifi. Can't even figure out how to get the wifey to work.

I will have a blackberry in about 2 mos.

PastorB-My pastor is a cyclist but I don't think he visits BF 50+ although he would qualify!!

Next time, you might ask how many have their own web site(s). Just an idea...

Next time, you might ask how many have their own web site(s). Just an idea...

Why don't you do your own poll "this time?"

Not hard at all.

Just an idea! :D

Well, PastorBob, I'm not a pastor, but I am ordained and taught in a Bible College for 17 years before burning out. M. Div. - Asbury Seminary. While doing undergraduate studies in Illinois, I pastored a country church.

Oh yes, and I ride a Cannondale touring bike!

There is a guy who posts in the "mechanics" section named "Rev. Chuck" but I don't believe the Rev bit!
Correct, Rev.Chuck is a bicycle mechanic at one of the better LBS shops in central North Carolina.

Blackberry?? Back to Irmas pies again.

Until about 3 years ago I was heavily involved in computers. Then a change in job and setting the timer in the Microwave deafeats me. Can't be bothered. Who needs it if you have a daughter that understands these things.

Do use a computer extensively but as a user and no longer as a fixer. Have a cell phone if I remember to take it and it has a charge in it. Prefer the radio to I Pod. (Only one button to push)

All I am interested in is do I need it and most of the modern technology defeats me.

setting the timer in the Microwave deafeats me.

Am I the only person in the Western World without a microwave?

I have many of those items but leave electrons at home when I ride. Haven't had a cycle computer on my bikes for over two years. ( have my watch on my wrist though)

John

Why don't you do your own poll "this time?" Not hard at all. Just an idea! :D

OK, OK - I deserved that! :D ;)

OK, OK - I deserved that! :D ;)

:D :D :D :D :D

I am fascinated that, so far, 26 of 39 responders have wifi in their homes, which is a much higher percentage than I had anticipated!

I also have wifi, but I was interested in your motivation to have wifi?

What does it do for you?

I have it because I have two computers - a regular and a laptop. I have the regular hooked up to the DSL, and use the wifi to reach my laptop upstairs and wherever else in the house I might take it.

I use a Netgear PCMCIA card, and also a more stationary Belkin wifi receiver that plugs right into the broadband port for when I want to use the PCMCIA for my digital camera or whatever and the laptop is on the desk in my wife's office.

I don't have a cell phone, but my wife and sons do.
I don't have a car, but my wife and sons do.
I receive television broadcasts over a mast-mounted antenna with a 26dB head amp.
I don't have satellite radio; KUSC (91.5MHz conventional FM radio) works fine for me.
I do have a 3-computer home network, plus a very small NEC laptop computer.

I don't need to prove to anyone that I am "electronic." I design baseband chips for high-speed ultrawideband communication systems and direct a department comprising 10 other electronics engineers.

Am I the only person in the Western World without a microwave?

Yes.

I also have wifi, but I was interested in your motivation to have wifi?

What does it do for you?


- i've been using wifi for a number of years (started with Raylink gear)

- stringing cat5 cable throughout the house is a no-no unless the cable & install is up to code - if there's a fire, you could be looking at insurance claim problems...

- we use laptops as portable stations so we can hang out on the back deck or lanai and surf...

- our HP7410 is a high-speed wifi all-in-one printer - platform agnostic - we can even scan, copy, or fax via a wireless connection!

- the main music and video server (running Fedora Core 3) resides inside the kitchen pantry - wifi accessible, but out of sight and quiet...

- no wires, hubs, switches and power transformers required!

- life is good!

Am I the only person in the Western World without a microwave?

As DG said- YES. This is the wifes province though, so doesn't really count for me.

I was into showing Alpine plants and I got a microwave so I could sterilize soil for potting them on. It was only later that we discovered that it makes fantastic porridge and scrambled eggs. Then on top of that it is ideal for melting grease and beeswax into a consitency to pour into bearings.

I'm pretty good at things that have chains and sprockets, but I'm approaching the limits of my ability electronically just to answer this post. My wife and I only recently got a DVD player for our television and we had to have one of our kids show us how to coordinate three different remotes to make it work.

I'm pretty good at things that have chains and sprockets, but I'm approaching the limits of my ability electronically just to answer this post. My wife and I only recently got a DVD player for our television and we had to have one of our kids show us how to coordinate three different remotes to make it work.

We have to do the three remote thingie also. It is strange that we can send exploratory vehicles to Jupiter, but they haven't figured out how to work the DVD, cable and TV with just one remote. And if I use the VCR, it is 4 remotes.

You are supposed to be able to program just one remote to do everything, but none that I see have all the necessary functions, nor have I figured it out yet!

Does everyone here know what everything single push button on all those remotes actually does? I don't.

We used to use our VCR all the time for time shifting the shows we like (when we had an antenna), but since cable and all the stuff that goes with it, especially the digital cable, it seems near impossible. I think we are going backwards!

Well, I have a T-1 coming in at work, a cell phone that rests on my desk and stays here when I leave for home. I have two XP computers with oodles of video editing and 3D animation software. I also tend several websites, Point Happy Interactive (http://www.pointhappy.com/) and create virtual reality.

I leave it all behind happily, when I go home. There I have a 7 year old laptop running W98, with dialup, a TV connected to rabbit ears and a DVD/VCR. I do have a Microwave, but a year after moving into my apartment, it is still sitting in a box unused. For pleasure I take walks and count the fish in the stream.

What do gadgets have to do with being up to date?

What do gadgets have to do with being up to date?

I find it interesting and fun just seeing where everyone is in this aspect of their lives.

This is certainly not a weighty subject and I didn't mean for anyone to take it that way.

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.

I'm wired 24/7, even in the wash closet. :) I use a Win Mobile PC with wifi and a Palm Lifedrive with wifi when I have to detach from my desktop.

Strangely enough, though, I eschew heart monitors and GPS devices,

-Dennis

I'm the guy who requested and purchased the last available black rotary-dial phone in Ottawa, so I'm not an "early adopter", as the marketing guys would say.
Still, I do have broadband and satellite HDTV -- a dreadful invitation to sloth, at least in this weather. Not sure what exactly a BlackBerry is for, so I assume I don't need one. And I carry a cellphone in case I need to make an emergency call. I never leave it turned on and I don't even know my own number. So don't call us, we'll call you.

Am I the only person in the Western World without a microwave?
No. My mother, age 92, does not have one.

How about the only ones still using rabbit ears instead of cable?

Don't know if they will work with coming digital tv's. If not, what a croc about public airways.

I'm one of the few apparently that has a dial up modem. I do have a cell phone, it's a bag model for emergencies only. But I have had a GPS that I've used for over five years now. What an easy way to get somewhere, since my wife can't read a map.