My Dying Printer

I am not sure how old my printer/scanner/copier is.  It may be 9 years old. It may be older. I cannot recall.  What I do know is that it is not doing so good. Several months ago, it stopped scanning items which eliminates the ability to scan items into the computer, which I rarely did, and making copies, which I frequently did.

I could send it back to Hewlett Packard for repair, but for between $50 and $100 dollars, I could buy another printer/scanner/copier.  I will eventually choose the latter option. I still have ink cartridges for the printer I have, so I hope to use those up before I replace the printer. Two printer cartridges for the machine I have cost more than a new printer!

In the meantime, I have to find a way to convince the printer that I do not need it to repeatedly align the cartridges, which prevents me from using it as a printer. I worked at it for a while, and got there. For how long, I do not know.

We do what we can.

I hate that so much of our technology is so outdated so quickly.  I had a lawn mower for 25 years, and a washer and dryer for 20 years.  I have a vacuum cleaner that I purchased in 1984.  I can no longer purchase filter bags for it, and the power head does not work, but the suction part still works, and I just keep emptying the filter bag. I do not use it for regularly for house cleaning, but I do use it for really nasty stuff.  Also, I still use it as a blower, because my upright vacuum does not allow for "blowing."

I hate planned obsolescence.  It is a disrespectful strategy by manufacturers and producers.

My father was a handyman of sorts, and repaired all kinds of small appliances and machines. As I child, I could earn $5 by dismantling and cleaning a box or room fan that was dirty and not running.  My cleaning efforts would restore the fan to working condition.  I remember, years ago, that some friends of ours had a box fan that stopped working. They were ready to throw it out.  I told them I could fix it.  I took it apart, cleaned it and restored it to working condition.  They fed myself and my now ex-husband dinner for my efforts!

The point is, much of what is manufactured today has a planned obsolescence factor.  This is because we are developing new technology all the time. But this is also because manufacturers want to keep selling new stuff, and if the old stuff still works, there is no reason to buy new stuff.   If I suspect that in a product, I try to avoid the product.