I mean it. Well, at least I should say I love them when they just do what they should do. That's just so rare though. Buy a new device, enjoy it for awhile, then get ready for the downhill drop-off. My Nikon CoolPix 5700 stop being able to sense when the flash was up so I had to sent it authorized repair. Much more than I wanted to pay. Now the lens it locked in the extended position. Something happened on my trip to LA for the PDC. No idea what it could be. I took pictures that evening, and I typically turn it off between shots when it's going to be a few minutes. I turned it off and the lens just froze. “Lens error” appeared on the screen. AARRGGHH!!
So now I can pay $150 to fix the lens, or just pony up for a new one. I'm really thinking it's time for a new one. The Nikon's a few years old anyway, and it's just not as zippy as a new one would be.
I'm really interested in the Canon Powershot S2 IS. It's got 12x optical zoom over my 10x, and it's smaller to boot! The faster compression engine, unlimited video (well, based on available memory) at up to 640x480, 30 fps means no more need to lug around the camcorder for short events (think talent show or piano recital for the kids). It means switching to SD memory, which is too bad since I have 1.5GB of CompactFlash memory now. Sigh.
So money to spend on the camera, and now it appears that my wireless router is no longer being very well behaved in wireless mode. So there's more money. Then on top of all that, my external hard drive is acting up. It clicks sometimes. We all know what that means (hint: it's not good). It works often, but I'm afraid to do much with it. Unfortunately the company from which I bought it is ignoring my pleas for help. Sigh (again).
So, I hate gadgets in everyday life. The promised potential is incredible, but you only get to realize that potential for such short bursts (in the grand scheme of things) that it hardly seems worth it. Unfortunately, those short bursts are enough to keep me coming back, like some expensive drug. That's a good analogy. They're both expensive habits, and each cause as much grief as pleasure!