Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy · July 2019

Driver, is it wood that has to be stained? If you pressure wash, that needs to be redone. I call “the guy” who puts on a cleaner, power washes, then stains by hand. Every 2 or 3 years needs it. If you have trex, or some other plastic wood product, a basic power washer will do it. Might want to brush on a natural cleaner first.

stickguy · July 2019

Michaell said:

tjc78 said:

berri said:
Actually, I always enjoyed visiting Jersey. There are lots of pretty areas, good food and contrary to stereotypes, I've met many nice people there.
I like it here in Jersey (right outside Philly). I’m not sure I’d be happier anywhere else. I’ve been just about everywhere in the US, and home is my favorite despite the high cost of living.
Yep, that's the part of the state I would frequent (Moorestown)

That’s the town I want to move to since we are staying in this area. Just happens to be the most expensive one in the area, explains why it’s not happening very fast!

ab348 · July 2019

driver100 said:
Here is a question for you. Our deck was put in about 4 years ago. This year it has a coating of junk on it and a bit of green algae I guess. The patio is getting some kind of coating on it too.

How do I get rid of the dirt coating? Do I get a pressure washer. How much is one that is good enough for something like this? Can I wash it down with bleach or something? Should I call the guy?

Here in Canada this is the best deck cleaner I found. You won't need a pressure washer, just a hose with a nozzle having a "Jet" setting. But you will need a pump-up sprayer and a long-handled brush to scrub it. Not an awful job but it does take some time. Probably will need more than one jug for an area of any size.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/4l-2-part-oxygen-deck-patio-and-stone-cleaner/p/1874410

As was mentioned, it will probably not do any stain on the deck much good though, so if you are planning on restaining you may want to get a deck stripper instead.

abacomike · July 2019

driver100 said:
My father had a 1954 Morris, and the wipers went slower when you went up a hill!

Because the wipers worked off vacuum - not electric motor(s).

graphicguy · July 2019

Whine of the week....

So this showed up leaning on my garage door yesterday. Nope....never ordered it. Checked my CC cards. No charge there, either.

Apparently, the driver just dumped it and left...no knock on the door, no ring of the doorbell...nothing. On top of that, the box is crushed. And, to put a cherry on top, the only label on it is a FedEx bar code stating it was a “repackage-relabel”.

Call FedEx and give them the number beneath the bar code, and offer to email a shot of the bar code to them. FedEx claims it’s not a number they can find, and that they have no way to read the bar code picture. Agent said to give her 20 minutes to track it down.

An hour goes by, I call again. I get a different person and ask for the first agent I spoke to. Don’t know if they don’t talk to each other, or if there is just no communication. But, the 2nd agent said he’d help me. I repeat everything and tell him he has until 3:00 p.m. to send a truck for the package (this was at 9;30 a.m.). 4:00 p.m. comes and goes....no truck....no call....no nothin’!

I call the police and tell them FedEx is littering my driveway with orders I did not make. They said I made a reasonable effort to return it and that I could do whatever I wanted with it.

I called a local homeless shelter and they’re picking it up tomorrow.

Someone-Somewhere is expecting a mattress that they aren’t getting and FedEx is bound to repurchase for them.

ab348 · July 2019

I wonder how many homeless shelters have California King beds.

qbrozen · July 2019

yeah, they'll probably have zero use for it and its going to wind up in a dumpster somewhere.

fezo · July 2019

tjc78 said:

berri said:
Actually, I always enjoyed visiting Jersey. There are lots of pretty areas, good food and contrary to stereotypes, I've met many nice people there.
I like it here in Jersey (right outside Philly). I’m not sure I’d be happier anywhere else. I’ve been just about everywhere in the US, and home is my favorite despite the high cost of living.

My daughter lives right out of Philly on the Jersey side. Absolutely loves it.

fezo · July 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

thebean said:
Do you think we will ever see quirky or low profit autos like the Honda Element or a really small GM/Ford pickup or Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon again from mainstream companies? It seems that auto makers aren’t going to mfg anything that won’t sell in large numbers. Not to mention only limited exterior/interior colors. What’s out there now is not enough to get me in the showroom to spend my hard-earned cash.
I think you’re spot on. It’s been years since industry leaders Honda and Toyota abandoned cars like the MR2 or S2000. Now most brands are eliminating whole segments in favor of the most profitable lines.

Yes, and I think they are making a huge mistake in putting all their chips there. All it takes is one gas crisis and you can't give away SUVs. We've seen this movie before. More than once.

At what point do the Big 3 realize that they have virtually nothing to offer someone that actually wants a car?

Wort departures to me are the Cruze, the Volt and the Fusion.

A reckoning will come. I don't see us bailing anyone out again since it seems they never learn. They'll be scratching their heads asking why no one buys their cars. Easy answer - they don't make them/ But all the competition does.

fezo · July 2019

stickguy said:

Michaell said:

tjc78 said:

berri said:
Actually, I always enjoyed visiting Jersey. There are lots of pretty areas, good food and contrary to stereotypes, I've met many nice people there.
I like it here in Jersey (right outside Philly). I’m not sure I’d be happier anywhere else. I’ve been just about everywhere in the US, and home is my favorite despite the high cost of living.
Yep, that's the part of the state I would frequent (Moorestown)
That’s the town I want to move to since we are staying in this area. Just happens to be the most expensive one in the area, explains why it’s not happening very fast!

Which town are you in now? My daughter is in Lindenwold. Had been in Collingswood, but got a much better deal on an apartment.

I like where she is now (though Collingswood is a really nice town). Driving Manahawkin to Lindenwold uses all back roads. The 3 gets 40 mpg doing that run.

tjc78 · July 2019

Wow, @Fezo she is really close to @stickguy and I

I really like Collingswood. If we were to move I would seriously consider there.

jmonroe1 · July 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:
Hmm... maybe I spoke too soon. Car was fine tonight. Car started fine and wipers normal speed.

Maybe battery just got a little drained with the heat yesterday.
If your electric accessories were slow when the car was running it might be something other than your battery. Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn't equipment like wipers work off the alternator once the car is started?
No all your electrical components run off the battery, your alternator keeps the battery charged. That is so electronics get a consistent flow of power, not more when the car is moving.
But my point was that once the car was running his accessories should not run slowly due to the input of the alternator. I’ve driven many a clunker with a near dead battery and things worked fine when the car was running. Could a battery be so damaged that it would restrict power delivery through it?

Short answer...YES.

I'm sure no one wants me to get into this BUT to make a long story short, I have tried to jump start cars that have had shorted batteries to the point that the car could not be jump started because the shorted battery sucked so much power from the jump start car that there wasn't enough power to turn the starter fast enough on the car being jump started. The fix for this is to remove one of the cables on the dead battery and then jump start the car. It works every time if the dead battery is shorted bad enough. So, if you're driving a car that has a battery that gets to the point that it is shorted enough, it will sap enough power from the alternator that is trying to keep the battery charged, that it would affect the ignition system. While this is a VERY rare occurrence it is possible and with all of the warning lights on cars today, at least one light will go on.

jmonroe

tjc78 · July 2019

Well, whatever happened yesterday morning was a fluke. Car has been behaving normally since then.

What happened? Who knows, but it certainly did. Let's just hope it was a one time thing.

driver100 · July 2019

stickguy said:
Driver, is it wood that has to be stained? If you pressure wash, that needs to be redone. I call “the guy” who puts on a cleaner, power washes, then stains by hand. Every 2 or 3 years needs it. If you have trex, or some other plastic wood product, a basic power washer will do it. Might want to brush on a natural cleaner first.

Perfect. The deck is Trex type of stuff, doesn't need staining. I see there is some deck cleaning liquids that you can scrub in a bit, and then spray it off. Thanks Stick....that should solve the problem...just have to be in the mood to do it.

sda · July 2019

The dealer called me yesterday and sent a document that wasn't signed and asked me to get it to them. The Pilot is already on their lot. Not bad for a 2010 with 139k.

sda · July 2019

driver100 · July 2019

ab348 said:

driver100 said:
Here is a question for you. Our deck was put in about 4 years ago. This year it has a coating of junk on it and a bit of green algae I guess. The patio is getting some kind of coating on it too.

How do I get rid of the dirt coating? Do I get a pressure washer. How much is one that is good enough for something like this? Can I wash it down with bleach or something? Should I call the guy?
Here in Canada this is the best deck cleaner I found. You won't need a pressure washer, just a hose with a nozzle having a "Jet" setting. But you will need a pump-up sprayer and a long-handled brush to scrub it. Not an awful job but it does take some time. Probably will need more than one jug for an area of any size.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/4l-2-part-oxygen-deck-patio-and-stone-cleaner/p/1874410

As was mentioned, it will probably not do any stain on the deck much good though, so if you are planning on restaining you may want to get a deck stripper instead.

Thanks Ab. Mrs D is going to pickleball and will get some of that Activox and a deck scrub brush on the way home....goes right by Home Hardware.

driver100 · July 2019

abacomike said:

driver100 said:
My father had a 1954 Morris, and the wipers went slower when you went up a hill!
Because the wipers worked off vacuum - not electric motor(s).

Right....forgot about vacuum wipers.....weird!

driver100 · July 2019

sda said:

Beautiful....truly does look new, in fact with that gleaming blue paint it looks newer than a lot of new cars.
Maybe you should buy it back!

fezo · July 2019

139K? It's barely broken in!

sda · July 2019

fezo said:
139K? It's barely broken in!

It was a good soldier, low maintenance, few repairs. I forwarded the picture to my wife and she said replied with a crying emoji. I hope the Audi plays nice and doesn’t dig deep into our check book. It seems like a really nice vehicle.

28firefighter · July 2019

Looks like it is still listed for sale on their website - these Q5s are a great used car value, IMO. Plus you still have the balance of the 4 year/50k mile warranty on it.

Michaell · July 2019

@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.

sda · July 2019

28firefighter said:
Looks like it is still listed for sale on their website - these Q5s are a great used car value, IMO. Plus you still have the balance of the 4 year/50k mile warranty on it.

It is, good detective work. Hard to believe it listed around $48k new. With 27k on it it’s like a new car.

qbrozen · July 2019

sda said:

28firefighter said:
Looks like it is still listed for sale on their website - these Q5s are a great used car value, IMO. Plus you still have the balance of the 4 year/50k mile warranty on it.
It is, good detective work. Hard to believe it listed around $48k new. With 27k on it it’s like a new car.

Audi miles are like dog years.

sda · July 2019

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.

I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.

Michaell · July 2019

sda said:

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.
I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.

Probably a smart move to get the extended warranty. Enjoy the new Q5!

How often will you get to drive it?

driver100 · July 2019

sda said:

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.
I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.

That is nice the way VW dealers can work on Audis. Getting the parts takes longer....but, my friend with an S-8 says VW will fix Audis.

thebean · July 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

thebean said:
Do you think we will ever see quirky or low profit autos like the Honda Element or a really small GM/Ford pickup or Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon again from mainstream companies? It seems that auto makers aren’t going to mfg anything that won’t sell in large numbers. Not to mention only limited exterior/interior colors. What’s out there now is not enough to get me in the showroom to spend my hard-earned cash.
I think you’re spot on. It’s been years since industry leaders Honda and Toyota abandoned cars like the MR2 or S2000. Now most brands are eliminating whole segments in favor of the most profitable lines.

I forgot about the MR2. Good remembrance. I didn’t fit in it, but it was a very unique car. Scion had some unique ones, but Toyota didn’t stick with it, much like GM’s neutering and then killing of Saturn.

driver100 · July 2019

sda Change your car line-up;
2010 Pilot EXL-RES, 2013 Accord EX, 2006 Acura TL/Nav

SIL bought what was my 2004 BMW X3 in 2007. He is still driving it and he spends nothing on it. Must have about 250k miles on it....since I don't talk to him I don't ask. Still runs it as a 2 WD car. Air conditioning doesn't work - grandkid told me that - and it is all scraped up on the passenger side. Last time I was in it about 10 years ago the oil light was on most of the time - he said that doesn't mean anything. It is a miracle car....I don't know if many brands would live through his cheapness and neglect.

sda · July 2019

I thought I had changed the cars listed yesterday. I guess it didn’t take. I will try again..thx

sda · July 2019

qbrozen said:

sda said:

28firefighter said:
Looks like it is still listed for sale on their website - these Q5s are a great used car value, IMO. Plus you still have the balance of the 4 year/50k mile warranty on it.
It is, good detective work. Hard to believe it listed around $48k new. With 27k on it it’s like a new car.
Audi miles are like dog years.

You aren’t giving me the warm and fuzzies. Fingers and toes crossed it will be a stress free ownership experience. If not the Mrs will not let me forget it! I doubt we will own it past 100k like we did with the Pilot.

sda · July 2019

Michaell said:

sda said:

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.
I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.
Probably a smart move to get the extended warranty. Enjoy the new Q5!

How often will you get to drive it?

When it needs something like gas, maintenance, washed, lol.

jmonroe1 · July 2019

sda said:

Michaell said:

sda said:

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.
I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.
Probably a smart move to get the extended warranty. Enjoy the new Q5!

How often will you get to drive it?

Michaell said:

sda said:

Michaell said:
@sda - I'll be curious what your long term ownership experiences are. I've thought about a CPO A4 as a long term keeper, but am just not convinced that the maintenance costs would be in the same ballpark as a CPO TLX.
I expect the maintenance cost to be higher and shudder to think what they will be. We bought a high tech comprehensive extended warranty (which I rarely buy) that should last the loan/mileage period and should take the sting out of any unexpected repair. I doubt I’ll stick my neck out too far when I replace the Accord and will stay with a Honda/Acura/Toyota product. I have done business with this VW dealership in the past and they have a decent service dept. They said they could do the service cheaper than the Audi store and can even do warranty work for Audi. They are also a lot more convenient to visit, about 25 minutes away instead of 40 min for Audi.
Probably a smart move to get the extended warranty. Enjoy the new Q5!

How often will you get to drive it?
When it needs something like gas, maintenance, washed, lol.

Sounds like the perfect marriage. You'll wash it but she'll wax it. I should be so lucky.

jmonroe

explorerx4 · July 2019

@fezo,
Hybridization/electrification is on the way, so gas won't be as big a factor. At least that seems to be the bet.

Davercee · July 2019

I see. Thanks for the info!

stickguy · July 2019

Fezo, I live next town over. I could walk to it if I wanted. Does she work in philly and take the train in?

Let me know some time you are down and I’ll buy you lunch!

oldfarmer50 · July 2019

driver100 said:
My father had a 1954 Morris, and the wipers went slower when you went up a hill!

Vacuum powered.

oldfarmer50 · July 2019

driver100 said:
Here is a question for you. Our deck was put in about 4 years ago. This year it has a coating of junk on it and a bit of green algae I guess. The patio is getting some kind of coating on it too.

How do I get rid of the dirt coating? Do I get a pressure washer. How much is one that is good enough for something like this? Can I wash it down with bleach or something? Should I call the guy?

My deck is the same way. If I ever get time I’ll scrub it with a bleach/soap solution using a stiff bristled brush. I do something similar to get the algae off the vinyl siding.

oldfarmer50 · July 2019

ab348 said:
I wonder how many homeless shelters have California King beds.

Should have sent it to me, I have a king sized bed. Ship it C/O Edmunds Elder Services.

oldfarmer50 · July 2019

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:
Hmm... maybe I spoke too soon. Car was fine tonight. Car started fine and wipers normal speed.

Maybe battery just got a little drained with the heat yesterday.
If your electric accessories were slow when the car was running it might be something other than your battery. Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn't equipment like wipers work off the alternator once the car is started?
No all your electrical components run off the battery, your alternator keeps the battery charged. That is so electronics get a consistent flow of power, not more when the car is moving.
But my point was that once the car was running his accessories should not run slowly due to the input of the alternator. I’ve driven many a clunker with a near dead battery and things worked fine when the car was running. Could a battery be so damaged that it would restrict power delivery through it?
Short answer...YES.

I'm sure no one wants me to get into this BUT to make a long story short, I have tried to jump start cars that have had shorted batteries to the point that the car could not be jump started because the shorted battery sucked so much power from the jump start car that there wasn't enough power to turn the starter fast enough on the car being jump started. The fix for this is to remove one of the cables on the dead battery and then jump start the car. It works every time if the dead battery is shorted bad enough. So, if you're driving a car that has a battery that gets to the point that it is shorted enough, it will sap enough power from the alternator that is trying to keep the battery charged, that it would affect the ignition system. While this is a VERY rare occurrence it is possible and with all of the warning lights on cars today, at least one light will go on.

jmonroe

But his car started.

explorerx4 · July 2019

@roadburner,
Yesterday I read about something called 'brushing'. Sending out a mattress seems to be an expensive way to go about it. It will probably go to someone who runs the shelter.

explorerx4 · July 2019

Has anyone commented on the launch of the C8 Corvette? Seems like quite a performance bargain.

oldfarmer50 · July 2019

explorerx4 said:
Has anyone commented on the launch of the C8 Corvette? Seems like quite a performance bargain.

I was passing the hat to come up with the $60k but I’m still a bit short.

I would love to take one for a test drive.

https://youtu.be/2I2XT5Y9VlE

abacomike · July 2019

I’ve often pondered what I think is the most important product introduced for public use in the last 50 years.

I used to think it was the Smart Phone which has transformed our world in many many ways - texting, cell phone, internet and a mini-computer. There is more memory and power in an iPhone Xr than was on board the Apollo spacecraft that transported the astronauts to the moon.

Then I thought about Ultra HiDef home theaters. Then the autonomous car. And what about lane departure warnings and accident avoidance systems on cars? Lots of products and systems to choose from, that’s for sure.

But of all the possible contenders, I think I came up with the one product that has saved us time, energy, etc. - and that’s the microwave oven! I don’t know what I would do without my microwave oven. I depend upon that for my lunches, dinners, snacks, etc. I live for my microwave popcorn snack a couple of times a week.

My first microwave was a “RadarRange” by Amana. I think I paid over $600 for it back in 1978 - big bucks way back then. Truly an amazing product!

laurasdada · July 2019

abacomike said:
I’ve often pondered what I think is the most important product introduced for public use in the last 50 years.

I used to think it was the Smart Phone which has transformed our world in many many ways - texting, cell phone, internet and a mini-computer. There is more memory and power in an iPhone Xr than was on board the Apollo spacecraft that transported the astronauts to the moon.

Then I thought about Ultra HiDef home theaters. Then the autonomous car. And what about lane departure warnings and accident avoidance systems on cars? Lots of products and systems to choose from, that’s for sure.

But of all the possible contenders, I think I came up with the one product that has saved us time, energy, etc. - and that’s the microwave oven! I don’t know what I would do without my microwave oven. I depend upon that for my lunches, dinners, snacks, etc. I live for my microwave popcorn snack a couple of times a week.

My first microwave was a “RadarRange” by Amana. I think I paid over $600 for it back in 1978 - big bucks way back then. Truly an amazing product!

Same for my family, we were the first in our circle to have a RadarRange back in the '70s! It actually was passed down to me when my parents moved to Boca, but the ex wife wouldn't allow me to use it as she feared its age and possibly leakage of nuclear radiation!

sda · July 2019

abacomike said:
I’ve often pondered what I think is the most important product introduced for public use in the last 50 years.

I used to think it was the Smart Phone which has transformed our world in many many ways - texting, cell phone, internet and a mini-computer. There is more memory and power in an iPhone Xr than was on board the Apollo spacecraft that transported the astronauts to the moon.

Then I thought about Ultra HiDef home theaters. Then the autonomous car. And what about lane departure warnings and accident avoidance systems on cars? Lots of products and systems to choose from, that’s for sure.

But of all the possible contenders, I think I came up with the one product that has saved us time, energy, etc. - and that’s the microwave oven! I don’t know what I would do without my microwave oven. I depend upon that for my lunches, dinners, snacks, etc. I live for my microwave popcorn snack a couple of times a week.

My first microwave was a “RadarRange” by Amana. I think I paid over $600 for it back in 1978 - big bucks way back then. Truly an amazing product!

That same year 1978 my parents debated heavily before buying an Amana RadarRange. It was a huge expense. The RadarRange was impressive with its heavy chrome locking door and electronic program pad. That baby was heavy! It was reliable and they got 15+ years out of it. They also bought a harvest gold Amana side by side refrigerator with ice and water dispenser in the door at the same time.

ab348 · July 2019

So many uses too!

https://youtu.be/YYwJ1zfY8kw

cdnpinhead · July 2019

Brought to you by Raytheon, currently producer of sidewinder and many other missles. Since much of what they make is for the defense industry, they can't offshore it to India, Puerto Rico, Mexico and all the rest. Therefore, my #3 boy will probably have a job for the forseeable future, unlike his old man.

dino001 · July 2019

abacomike said:
I’ve often pondered what I think is the most important product introduced for public use in the last 50 years.

I used to think it was the Smart Phone which has transformed our world in many many ways - texting, cell phone, internet and a mini-computer. There is more memory and power in an iPhone Xr than was on board the Apollo spacecraft that transported the astronauts to the moon.

Then I thought about Ultra HiDef home theaters. Then the autonomous car. And what about lane departure warnings and accident avoidance systems on cars? Lots of products and systems to choose from, that’s for sure.

But of all the possible contenders, I think I came up with the one product that has saved us time, energy, etc. - and that’s the microwave oven! I don’t know what I would do without my microwave oven. I depend upon that for my lunches, dinners, snacks, etc. I live for my microwave popcorn snack a couple of times a week.

My first microwave was a “RadarRange” by Amana. I think I paid over $600 for it back in 1978 - big bucks way back then. Truly an amazing product!

Internet protocol. The leap in availability of information is surely comparable to the invention of printing press. We also see negative sides of that, too. Back then it was years of religious wars, today we have fake news, disinformation by paid trolls. Just like than too many people got access to information they weren’t ready to receive. One can only hope the cycle of confusion will be shorter and less violent.

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