On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 15:21:36 -0400, Clare Snyder
wrote:

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:49:15 -0400, Bud Frede
wrote:

Clare Snyder writes:

On Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:02:39 -0500, Mark Lloyd
wrote:

On 4/23/20 10:29 AM, micky wrote:
Another problem with getting a heat pump is that the wirign to the
thermostat is inadequate. no easy way to run a new wire to the same
location**.

I don't have a heat pump, but 2 stage AC and heat. This requires 7 wires
(including power return) to the thermostat. I now have 10 wires
installed (3 for later use).

I have a 2 stage furnace plus AC running on 4 wires - using a single
stage thermostat.

I have the same setup here.

In the past I had tried various fancy thermostats and didn't have luck
with them. The manuals were horrible and I don't think the people who
designed the thermostats ever had to actually use them.

A few years ago when it was time to replace my furnace and AV, they
threw in a new thermostat with it. It's a White-Rogers programmable
model. I can't control it across the internet with my phone, and I'm
sure it doesn't have all the fancy features, but it works reliably, it
was easy to figure out how to use, and the manual was well-written.

I think this is like the old constant upgrade cycle Microsoft did with
Office. The average person only used 10% of the features, but they kept
adding more and more features so they could sell a new version to you.
If it was still available for purchase, and if it would still run on a
modern computer, many people would be happier with Office '95 or
something rather than the latest and greatest Office
whatever-version-they're-up-to-now.

There are some things that get new features that I use and that improve
the experience. For the most part though, I'm at that 10% level and the
rest is just added complexity and is actually a drawback for me.

It feels strange to think this way. I'm in IT and I am constantly
learning new things and growing my skills. It's just that there are some
areas where I'd like less complexity. It's less to worry about, less
hassle, etc.

I try to resist "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" and not upgrade just because
there's something new. I want what I guess I could call "appropriate
complexity." :-)

Yeah, I'm not the typical consumer, and I know that I'm not who the
product makers aim at. Maybe I'm just getting old or something...


Like the motto of my IT company here in Ontario - "appropriate
technology for the information age".
In the beginning I sold a LOT of off-lease and reconditioned hardware
which allowed many companies to get into office and retail
computerization at an affordable price.

That is where I usually get my PCs if I can't get one for free.