What age group are you in?

**slimslob** · 01-12-2021

I just turned 73 last month. I have been retire for about 4 years now. The last few years I was working, customers would ask how I could get down on my knees to work on their equipment. I would tell them that getting down was not a problem. The problem was getting up.

**BillyCarpenter** · 01-12-2021

Originally Posted by slimslob

I just turned 73 last month. I have been retire for about 4 years now. The last few years I was working, customers would ask how I could get down on my knees to work on their equipment. I would tell them that getting down was not a problem. The problem was getting up.

Hey, your brain is still in it's prime. I'll vouch for that.

**Phil B.** · 01-12-2021

Originally Posted by slimslob

I just turned 73 last month. I have been retire for about 4 years now. The last few years I was working, customers would ask how I could get down on my knees to work on their equipment. I would tell them that getting down was not a problem. The problem was getting up.

amen brother

**Venom** · 03-24-2021

Started at 18yrs old when Selectric typewriters and Gestetner duplicators ruled. That was 37 years ago. The youngins don't know how much easier the machines are now to work on. Copiers would have vague error codes or a light to say door open. It is rare to use a meter now and even rarer to use a soldering iron. We would have to carry machines up flights of stairs that were as heavy as a vw bug. We used chemicals to clean machines that would give such a buzz...i would forget where I parked my car. Manuals would be in binders that filled half of the trunk. The office would have to buzz your pager if they wanted to get a hold of you. Through all that I miss the old days....customers were less demanding...the big companies ruined it by offering 4 hour service....now some are down to 1 hour guaranteed response. Customers are trained to demand immediate service. Cost per copy rates have dropped...seems like companies charge almost their cost just to get the accounts. I could rant for hours....have a good one guys and gals. Venom

**tsbservice** · 03-24-2021

Originally Posted by Venom

Started at 18yrs old when Selectric typewriters and Gestetner duplicators ruled. That was 37 years ago. The youngins don't know how much easier the machines are now to work on. Copiers would have vague error codes or a light to say door open. It is rare to use a meter now and even rarer to use a soldering iron. We would have to carry machines up flights of stairs that were as heavy as a vw bug. We used chemicals to clean machines that would give such a buzz...i would forget where I parked my car. Manuals would be in binders that filled half of the trunk. The office would have to buzz your pager if they wanted to get a hold of you. Through all that I miss the old days....customers were less demanding...the big companies ruined it by offering 4 hour service....now some are down to 1 hour guaranteed response. Customers are trained to demand immediate service. Cost per copy rates have dropped...seems like companies charge almost their cost just to get the accounts. I could rant for hours....have a good one guys and gals. Venom

BAAAM! Bullseye

**Murv** · 03-24-2021

Started in '78 while in my last couple of years in HS (sh*t needed fixing and I needed cash). As noted above I too am a survivor of the Trichloroethane generation of screwdriver jockeys. Haven't turned on an O-scope in almost two decades but used to have three of them. Still dragging a tool bag around. Why? I dunno... masochistic tendencies?

MRS

**slimslob** · 03-25-2021

Originally Posted by Murv

Started in '78 while in my last couple of years in HS (sh*t needed fixing and I needed cash). As noted above I too am a survivor of the Trichloroethane generation of screwdriver jockeys. Haven't turned on an O-scope in almost two decades but used to have three of them. Still dragging a tool bag around. Why? I dunno... masochistic tendencies?

MRS

The current owner of the company I retired from started out as a delivery boy while in high school.

**BillyCarpenter** · 03-25-2021

Maybe I'm just remembering (or have forgotten?) the old days too fondly but with the new copiers, just the sheer volume of information that you must know is kind of staggering. Of course, 99% of my training has come from this site and I have no formal training on the new machines. I think I have it down now but it was a lot of damn work.

**Murv** · 03-29-2021

Originally Posted by BillyCarpenter

Maybe I'm just remembering (or have forgotten?) the old days too fondly but with the new copiers, just the sheer volume of information that you must know is kind of staggering. Of course, 99% of my training has come from this site and I have no formal training on the new machines. I think I have it down now but it was a lot of damn work.

Just have to treat them like what they are - a computer with a printer and a scanner attached. I guess I am fortunate in that while I specialized in printers and copiers from day one, I was also installing networks, repairing PC's, setting up servers, and even did a stint as the SysOp of a small ISP.

**Phil B.** · 03-29-2021

Originally Posted by Murv

Just have to treat them like what they are - a computer with a printer and a scanner attached. I guess I am fortunate in that while I specialized in printers and copiers from day one, I was also installing networks, repairing PC's, setting up servers, and even did a stint as the SysOp of a small ISP.

I was a SYSOP of the largest BBS's in Raleigh...

that was before the internet was cool.

BBS = Bulletin Board System send email... play games... have discussion area... files/pics

all via those old things known as analog modems