New technologies come and go, and in the process, we're left with all of these physical reminders of times gone by. Sure, you could take those artifacts and toss them in the recycle bin, but what fun would that be? Instead, we've got a few suggestions on what to do with that old tech, and how to make it useful again.
• Make Art With an Old Casette Tape: Admittedly, this takes a lot of talent and a creative eye, but why not design something creative? Artist Erika Simmons made this and many other beautiful works of art all using tape.
• Vinyl iPhone Case: Custom shaped out of an old vinyl record complete with a 45 adapter, this gadget protector makes what's old new again. 
• VHS Tape Gift Wrapping: There are miles worth of tape inside old VCR videotapes, why not put them to good use? Recycle them by pulling them out of the tape and use them as gift wrap. 
• Vinyl Business Card Holder: Liven up your desk with a business card holder made from two vinyl records. 
• Build a Hidden Cabinet Using Old DVD Cases: Nothing makes you feel more like Batman than a hidden storage compartment. Using a few tools and some old DVD cases, you can make a cabinet door that everyone else will think holds your old movies, and not that expensive trinket you keep stashed inside.
(Images: 1. Erika Simmons, a.k.a. Iri5; Woman's Day 2. VLING 3. Diane Gilleland, Crafty By Nature 4. Groovy, Art Gallery 18 5. Instructables)
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Maybe you tech geeks could start to understand that what you deem "outdated technology" is in some cases collected by music lovers. Case in point, all those horrid DIY objects sold on Etsy and made of vinyl records. I spotted a rare Sparks album melted into a bowl a few months back. If you're really stupid enough to destroy vinyl records, please pick up stuff out of the mainstream, say anything by Barbra Streisand, Foreigner or Yes. If you've never heard about it, chances are someone is looking for it to, you know, actually listen to it. Please don't damage any classical, jazz, alternative or hip-hop records.
Soon we'll see people dismantle rare art books so they can make coasters or placemats out of them.
Just go melt plastic bottles or recycle anything that doesn't serve as a support for music, or culture in general. Not everything has been preserved on the internet. Thank you.
Thank you, Janet. Too right.
Hopefully the Sparks vinyl had a big scratch, making it unplayable? I collect 8-tracks but I'd hack up a useless one in a second if it'd make something cool.
The business card holder site seems to have neglected to keep up to date with their domain name. Bummer if so, they could have had a nice traffic boost from being featured.
Janet is right
Janet is a luddite. It never crossed her mind that the album may have already been warped in a hot car perhaps. Noooo, she rather sit here being all judgy and holier than thou. Who is she to judge anyone elses creative outlet?
Janet might be right, but she can sure lose the attitude. "Horrid DIY objects sold on Etsy?" C'mon.
A great thing about living in America? I can do whatever I want with my trash. I'm taking my old Stooges vinyl and melting them in oven. Because I can.
I would NEVER destroy my old vinyl, no matter what. Rare or not. Items made by old vinyl records are destroying a part of our history, if you ask me. Recently I threw away all my old home audio and video tapes, but not the original ones. These are kept in a safe place. We don't realize it now, but these items are the antiques of tomorrow.
Records, tapes and dvds are outdated technology? Welp, I'm only 25, but apparently I'm a geriatric when it comes to media.
About the silliest article I've seen on AT but the comments are priceless. Feel free to go for my jugular NOW.
Mix tapes... I loved getting them and giving them. Erika Simmons artwork is cool. Love the Lennon.
I still buy Cds Vinyl sounds better than CD's I have an old generic soundesign amplifier/turntable that I listen to with headphones so it doubles as a headphone amp and a vinyl player