Minor things that bother you

[hbelkins]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

[Max Rockatansky]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

[DTComposer]

When famous celebrities who are doing multiple commercials or are spokespersons for multiple companies at once.

People like Peyton Manning, Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe, and about 10 years ago -- Kelly Ripa, are all examples of overkill.

Some, like Manning, are set for life.  While others seem like they are doing these ads to make ends meet, since they squandered their fortunes away.

Honorable mention goes to washed-up celebs whose careers were over decades ago.  Would I *really* trust Joe Namath or Jimmy J.J. Walker in buying the products they are shilling even if I were their age???

Related: the number of times "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is used in a commercial*, changing the lyrics, but never quite scanning right.

*It's at least two times, but as Dr. Doofenschmirtz would say, "which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice."

O-o-o-Ozempic!

Aaah! And they even had the "making of" video about that song!

[formulanone]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

On paper, this seems ridiculous, but it isn't quite as evil as it sounds. You may never need the extra power, so if you realize it's not for you, then you're not obligated for the privilege of wearing down your battery quicker and it obviously doesn't take up anymore space on your vehicle. Try it, do/don't need it...you decide. The catch is that you paid for it already and that's sort of tough to swallow...but there's also plenty of vehicles with untapped resources, but you'd have to spend thousands in power upgrades (and voiding your warranty) to extract that extra power.

$200 a year for twenty more horsepower or $1000 for the lifetime of the vehicle is commensurate with many vehicles' performance add-ons, if not a actually cheaper deal. Compare some vehicles with differing engine outputs and judge for yourself.

[wanderer2575]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

That bullshit would be a dealbreaker for me.  Paying extra for the guacamole at Chipotle or the extra shot at Starbucks flies because those things otherwise wouldn't be on your plate or in your cup.  Even with satellite radio and OnStar, while you're paying for the hardware regardless of whether you use it, the justification for a paid subscription is that you're paying for content and outside service.  But extra horsepower and seat heaters/coolers?  EVERYTHING needed for that is in the car and, again, you're already paying for it.  They're not beaming the extra horsepower through the air to the car.

[TheCatalyst31]

When famous celebrities who are doing multiple commercials or are spokespersons for multiple companies at once.

People like Peyton Manning, Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe, and about 10 years ago -- Kelly Ripa, are all examples of overkill.

Some, like Manning, are set for life.  While others seem like they are doing these ads to make ends meet, since they squandered their fortunes away.

Honorable mention goes to washed-up celebs whose careers were over decades ago.  Would I *really* trust Joe Namath or Jimmy J.J. Walker in buying the products they are shilling even if I were their age???

Related: the number of times "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is used in a commercial*, changing the lyrics, but never quite scanning right.

*It's at least two times, but as Dr. Doofenschmirtz would say, "which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice."

O-o-o-Ozempic!

I'm old enough to remember when that song was an AT&T commercial instead of a pharmaceutical commercial. (But not old enough to remember when it was a hit song.)

[Max Rockatansky]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

On paper, this seems ridiculous, but it isn't quite as evil as it sounds. You may never need the extra power, so if you realize it's not for you, then you're not obligated for the privilege of wearing down your battery quicker and it obviously doesn't take up anymore space on your vehicle. Try it, do/don't need it...you decide. The catch is that you paid for it already and that's sort of tough to swallow...but there's also plenty of vehicles with untapped resources, but you'd have to spend thousands in power upgrades (and voiding your warranty) to extract that extra power.

$200 a year for twenty more horsepower or $1000 for the lifetime of the vehicle is commensurate with many vehicles' performance add-ons, if not a actually cheaper deal. Compare some vehicles with differing engine outputs and judge for yourself.

I've never paid subscription anything on a new car and don't intend to in the future.  Then again I don't think this particular model or anything Volkswagen are something I'd be a buyer for.  I suspect the demographic being marketed to is someone who might consider subscriptions like this. 

[Rothman]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

On paper, this seems ridiculous, but it isn't quite as evil as it sounds. You may never need the extra power, so if you realize it's not for you, then you're not obligated for the privilege of wearing down your battery quicker and it obviously doesn't take up anymore space on your vehicle. Try it, do/don't need it...you decide. The catch is that you paid for it already and that's sort of tough to swallow...but there's also plenty of vehicles with untapped resources, but you'd have to spend thousands in power upgrades (and voiding your warranty) to extract that extra power.

$200 a year for twenty more horsepower or $1000 for the lifetime of the vehicle is commensurate with many vehicles' performance add-ons, if not a actually cheaper deal. Compare some vehicles with differing engine outputs and judge for yourself.

You corporate shill.

[formulanone]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

On paper, this seems ridiculous, but it isn't quite as evil as it sounds. You may never need the extra power, so if you realize it's not for you, then you're not obligated for the privilege of wearing down your battery quicker and it obviously doesn't take up anymore space on your vehicle. Try it, do/don't need it...you decide. The catch is that you paid for it already and that's sort of tough to swallow...but there's also plenty of vehicles with untapped resources, but you'd have to spend thousands in power upgrades (and voiding your warranty) to extract that extra power.

$200 a year for twenty more horsepower or $1000 for the lifetime of the vehicle is commensurate with many vehicles' performance add-ons, if not a actually cheaper deal. Compare some vehicles with differing engine outputs and judge for yourself.

You corporate shill.

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

Make me pay to use Carplay or heated seats, and that's a slippery slope to charging for HVAC and power mirrors. And that's on top of all the other BS a dealership tosses in on vehicles whether you asked for it or not (usually not).

[Rothman]

Also the various things that used to just 'come with the package' and now require separate subscriptions (ie, full power from the engine).

Mike

Huh? The only things on a car that I know of that come with an optional subscription is satellite radio and OnStar.

Not that you buy a Volkswagen, but they are an example of subscription based extra horsepower:

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

On paper, this seems ridiculous, but it isn't quite as evil as it sounds. You may never need the extra power, so if you realize it's not for you, then you're not obligated for the privilege of wearing down your battery quicker and it obviously doesn't take up anymore space on your vehicle. Try it, do/don't need it...you decide. The catch is that you paid for it already and that's sort of tough to swallow...but there's also plenty of vehicles with untapped resources, but you'd have to spend thousands in power upgrades (and voiding your warranty) to extract that extra power.

$200 a year for twenty more horsepower or $1000 for the lifetime of the vehicle is commensurate with many vehicles' performance add-ons, if not a actually cheaper deal. Compare some vehicles with differing engine outputs and judge for yourself.

You corporate shill.

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

Make me pay to use Carplay or heated seats, and that's a slippery slope to charging for HVAC and power mirrors. And that's on top of all the other BS a dealership tosses in on vehicles whether you asked for it or not (usually not).

Everything becomes Spirit Airlines...

[Scott5114]

Shaq might be the worst offender in this regard, at least recently. Want to buy candy shaped like the head of an NBA star who retired over a decade ago?

At least he actually has a stake in some of the companies he's involved with, like Papa John's (which he owns now). Apparently he is also involved in a line of furniture designed for big and tall people—to me, an endorsement from Shaq saying a chair could carry more weight would carry more weight than an endorsement from someone else.

I often wondered why an office supply company used "Taken' Care of Business" - at least they cut it before it got to the "workin' overtime" lyric. Really? You want them to buy stuff at your place, supposedly noting that it will be good for them, and then use a song about overtime?

There has to be no worse offender in this vein than Mark Burnett using "For the Love of Money" as the theme song to The Apprentice. The song is 180° opposed to what the show is about, and the cuts have to be ludicrous to disguise that fact.

(n.b. this is not an invitation to talk about the host of the show)

[kphoger]

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

But it is different.  When I buy a car, I own the car.  I should be able to do whatever I want with the car I own, because it's mine.  Within legal bounds, I should be able to use the engine to its full potential or even modify it as I see fit.

[Max Rockatansky]

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

But it is different.  When I buy a car, I own the car.  I should be able to do whatever I want with the car I own, because it's mine.  Within legal bounds, I should be able to use the engine to its full potential or even modify it as I see fit.

FWIW the example I linked was an ID.3 (an EV).  I would imagine remotely programming a gasoline engine to not operate at peak potential is more tricky than electric motor.

[wanderer2575]

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

But it is different.  When I buy a car, I own the car.  I should be able to do whatever I want with the car I own, because it's mine.  Within legal bounds, I should be able to use the engine to its full potential or even modify it as I see fit.

FWIW the example I linked was an ID.3 (an EV).  I would imagine programming a gasoline engine to not operate below peak potential is more tricky than electric motor.

That is irrelevant.  The point I was trying to make (and kphoger also is making) is that the capability for the engine to operate at peak potential is already there in the engine I have paid for.  It's not an optional physical add-on like fancy wheel covers or upgraded speakers or a trailer hitch.  I'm already paying for the extra horsepower capability, even if I choose to not use it.  I accept that.  I DON'T accept that on top of that I have to pay an additional ongoing fee for an internal switch to be flipped from Off to On.  Programming an engine to not operate below peak potential is part of the bullshit; I don't care how tricky it is for them.

[thspfc]

Who wants extra horsepower on a Volkswagen? Is the car capped at 60 MPH without it or something?

[hotdogPi]

Who wants extra horsepower on a Volkswagen? Is the car capped at 60 MPH without it or something?

I have no idea what type of car it was, but I seem to remember there was one type of car that you could easily modify the engine to add horsepower, which would instantly void the warranty, but it could be the only way to get out of being stuck in snow.

[Max Rockatansky]

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

But it is different.  When I buy a car, I own the car.  I should be able to do whatever I want with the car I own, because it's mine.  Within legal bounds, I should be able to use the engine to its full potential or even modify it as I see fit.

FWIW the example I linked was an ID.3 (an EV).  I would imagine programming a gasoline engine to not operate below peak potential is more tricky than electric motor.

That is irrelevant.  The point I was trying to make (and kphoger also is making) is that the capability for the engine to operate at peak potential is already there in the engine I have paid for.  It's not an optional physical add-on like fancy wheel covers or upgraded speakers or a trailer hitch.  I'm already paying for the extra horsepower capability, even if I choose to not use it.  I accept that.  I DON'T accept that on top of that I have to pay an additional ongoing fee for an internal switch to be flipped from Off to On.  Programming an engine to not operate below peak potential is part of the bullshit; I don't care how tricky it is for them.

Tell Volkswagen what you think then by not buying their product that has built in features paywalled.  Even still they'll likely have a steady supply of customers who will actually pay.  Like it or not this is a thing that has been looming in the auto industry for quite a while.

[kphoger]

You buy a microwave oven, but the defrost and popcorn buttons only work if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Panasonic.

You buy a tape deck, but fast-forward only works if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Pioneer.

You buy a pair of headphones, but the volume is capped unless you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Sony.

You buy a television set, but you can only adjust the display settings if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to LG.

You buy a chest freezer, but the temperature will only go below -5°F if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Frigidaire.

You buy a stationary bicycle, but you can only set the resistance level above '7' if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Schwinn.

[Max Rockatansky]

If any of those other product manufacturers thought you'd pay a subscription to unlock built-in content they would do it.

[wanderer2575]

If any of those other product manufacturers thought you'd pay a subscription to unlock built-in content they would do it.

That's another point entirely.  And I have no doubt Volkswagen or anyone else won't miss me because, you're right, they'll have a steady stream of suckers customers willing to fall in line.

[gonealookin]

Everything becomes Spirit Airlines...

You buy a microwave oven, but the defrost and popcorn buttons only work if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Panasonic.

You buy a tape deck, but fast-forward only works if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Pioneer.

You buy a pair of headphones, but the volume is capped unless you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Sony.

You buy a television set, but you can only adjust the display settings if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to LG.

You buy a chest freezer, but the temperature will only go below -5°F if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Frigidaire.

You buy a stationary bicycle, but you can only set the resistance level above '7' if you pay an additional monthly/annual fee to Schwinn.

[formulanone]

I know, it nags me but it really isn't that much different.

But it is different.  When I buy a car, I own the car.  I should be able to do whatever I want with the car I own, because it's mine.  Within legal bounds, I should be able to use the engine to its full potential or even modify it as I see fit.

I feel this has been tread upon several times.

The problems are when tech companies find fault with users modifying their computers to the point where they threaten legal action under the disguise of "security" and "safety" and large corporations get their way though legislation. They avoid patents to call these innovations "trade secrets" to create legal framework to keep a customer from modifying a product they've bought, and turning it into a license. When Right to Repair laws are sporadic at best, manufacturers continue to take advantage of their consumers in these ways.

It's a Volkswagen, it will probably break in five years, anyhow.

[vdeane]

The default size of a Word window is quite tiny - not even large enough for the File menu to show in its entirety.  And unlike other programs, Windows won't remember your last window size for the next time it opens, either.

[1995hoo]

The default size of a Word window is quite tiny - not even large enough for the File menu to show in its entirety.  And unlike other programs, Windows won't remember your last window size for the next time it opens, either.

Do you generally open things in non-maximized windows? The reason I ask is because I run Word maximized, usually on my left-side monitor but sometimes in two maximized windows on both at the same time. It always reopens in a maximized window and the only thing that varies is that it sometimes opens on the wrong screen if I mess up and close the one on the right side last. I have dual 24-inch monitors and I could almost use even larger ones to run Word maximized because we use tracked changes and comment bubbles almost constantly and I also keep the Navigation and Styles panes open on the sides of the Word window. So an even larger monitor would allow more space for the comment bubbles in the right-side margin.

[tchafe1978]

One of the least favorite parts of my job  is calling on insurance for customers. But I always get a chuckle when I call the insurance company's IVR system, and get the "please listen carefully as our menu options have recently changed' message. Liars! I've been calling your company for the last 4 years and the options have been the same this whole time!