Valentine's day love letters to our gadgets

Dear Linksys WRT54GSv4 router running DD-WRT v23 SP2,
I've had a lot of loves in this long life of mine -- all those widescreen monitors, my harem of laptops, smartphone after smartphone -- but I'm through with all them since I found you. Before I had you, I was doomed to a life of serial short term relationships with Netgear and D-Link (which was by far the worst). Oh, how many times I rolled out of bed to a router I didn't even remember bringing home -- one I was quick to forget.
I'd even had a few other Linksys routers. Remember when we split up and I was with one of those v5 units that ran vxWorks? Oh god, what a world of pain it put me through, what heartache! But even when we got back together things weren't always good. You were still crashing all the time, and for some reason you wouldn't let me play Xbox Live (why, dear, why?). But then our friend suggested you go seek help, turn your life around with DD-WRT. It was the best thing you ever did for yourself, and I'm so proud of you.
I see my friends with their fine young 802.11n things, but they're so unstable. You're a rock. You've really grown up since v23 SP1. But more importantly you've changed my life for the better, and I now know you're the perfect one for me. I love you, Linksys WRT54GSv4 router running DD-WRT v23 SP2, don't you ever forget that.
Yours,
Ryan

K800i, shall I compare thee to other phones?
Thou art more featured than the competition:
Rough winds do not affect thine call quality,
And others don't often play one's AACs;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
Though not oft' is your reflective display dimm'd;
And every fair mobile phone sometime declines,
By chance or unexpected water damage:
But thy eternal email access shall not fade
Thanks partially to possession of fair insurance;
Nor shall others brag that they also own you,
For my particular K800i has goatse stickers:
So long as peeps can speak, and fingers can text,
So long lives this K800i, thy gives social life to me.
- Conrad
Finally Paul can be known for his creepy love song about his GameCube -- and not just his creepy stalker song about Pete.
Download - Video [MP4]
Download - Audio [MP3]
To my beloved PocketDish Archos AV402E,
You're a simple thing, really -- and I've grown to love you dearly. You're there when I wake up, when I'm needing a companion, when sweet music need fill these ears.
Yes, to some you may be just another silver portable media device -- but not to me. You are a beauty of curves and lines that betters my life with all that you do. I'm giddy when I hear you, see you, touch you, play with you. I love how you relate to that dear DVR of mine -- why can't others be like you? How you do what you do is something I'll never ask.
There are so many things to thank you for today; thank you so much for taking care of about 15GB of my music collection at any given time. And for hanging onto our pictures and video, including sideloaded satellite programming. You're the best, and I sincerely mean that. Isn't it obvious? We need each other. Day after day, you are just yourself, and every night I give you the recharge that keeps you going. Don't ever change. You're perfect just the way you are.
Hugs and Kisses!
- Brian
Aw, isn't that sweet? Evan "painted" his beloved HTC Apache a little something for Valentine's day. Full size version here.
Oh, MyGIG, where would I be without you?
Your turn-by-turn directions, they whisper like haiku.
As I struggle to escape my wintry locale,
Only but a few times, have you led me afoul.
As I search for the place that will be my next home,
Your guidance is true, wherever I roam.
From property to domicile, you lead the way,
and music stream outs -- whenever I press play.
And as we maneuver through the series of streets,
your Bluetooth connectivity makes me complete,
I speak to my pal without moving a hand,
and you're even so kind as to (momentarily) mute the band.
So many locations for directions I entreat,
from Cook-Out to old friends to Hillsborough Street,
and when I arrive, so quick. I'll be frank,
it's you, MyGIG, whom I must thank."
- Darren
Ode to Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
For years I have typed
on keyboards, without fail
But nothing felt quite right
'till I found you on sale
Split down the middle
your keys all askew
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
What did I do without you?
Others don't understand
keyboards like you, they stare
But we just ignore them
We know their ergonomics scare
Your name is, of course, a mouthful
but your faults are few
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
What did I do without you?
- Don

Dearest DirecTV HR20,
I know that our relationship was dysfunctional. Actually, all the dysfunction was on your side, but I'm not here to point fingers -- I'm here to tell you that I want to give it another shot.
Ever since I went to your little sister, the H20, things just haven't been the same. Now, I'm not saying she's stupid, but sometimes it seems as though she has no memory whatsoever, and I'm not sure I can live like that. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the way you unwaveringly watched all the shows I enjoyed most, and could faithfully recite them back to me. I don't know, but I want it back in my life.
I know that you've been really busy lately between warranty repair and the constant firmware upgrades, but I feel like your disposition has improved, your flakiness has diminished, and you're altogether a better DVR than when I left you. Please, be mine.
Forever yours (or at least until the D-HR20P comes out),
Chris

It started with a shimmer
hot, incandescent lighting of our dirty German digs
Dressed in blue, you spoke
words muffled 'neath the rugged plexiglas tomb of your birth
I understood
Things had changed
For now... I must look, not touch
silicon titillation... nectar to the tongue
Switch, flip
silence
No pops, no hiss, no twin-engine blast
silence
No vibration
No battery frustration
OS on a bullet
Thirty two gig on a whisper
Shh, can you hear it?
Ssss... Ssss... Deee...
Come for me at last
- Thomas

I know I'm still married to Windows, and that you caught me fooling around with OS X, but I promise you're my true love, and that someday I'll throw them all aside for you. It's just complicated, you know? I haven't had the guts to break it to Windows yet, but I swear I'm planning to tell them soon about how things just sort of happened between us. It's not like either of us planned this. I thought I'd just flirt a little bit with your Live CD, but before I knew it was installing you onto my old Gateway desktop and spending night after night with you.
You just have to be patient with me. If we really love each other we'll work everything out and be together, right? Besides, you do have to admit you have a few issues you need to work on. I mean, I know I'm not perfect, but you definitely have some things you need to change about yourself before I can toss aside everything in my life to spend it with you. I love you, but I can't spend my time trying to make you into the perfect OS. So please don't be upset that I'm spending tonight with Windows, I promise that the marriage is over and that I'll make it up to with a shiny new widescreen monitor next week.
Love,
Peter
























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
martin @ Feb 14th 2007 2:59PM
I totally concur with the WRT54GS loving. No other router is as good as my DD-WRT WRT54GS. My old 54G lasted me almost forever until an old surge protector let it get shocked one sad, fateful night. But now my GS is here with a faster processor and is even better!
Jonathan @ Feb 14th 2007 3:00PM
This reminds me of my friend embracing his PSP.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicfreak21/364328650/
akintz @ Feb 14th 2007 3:02PM
Ah yes... the MS Ergo KB 4000.
"I hate ergo kbs... I can never type with them. Oohh... wait a tick. This ain't half bad."
Thou hast converted me.
IrishGandalf @ Feb 14th 2007 3:13PM
i heart my new Acer Aspire 5633WLMi Laptop, :P
IrishGandalf @ Feb 14th 2007 4:13PM
sorry that wasn't ment to be a reply, just a general comment.
Noshino @ Feb 14th 2007 3:19PM
a man and his router, what can be more beautiful than that?
akintz @ Feb 14th 2007 3:28PM
"a man and his router, what can be more beautiful than that?"
A woman and her router?
Flying? @ Feb 14th 2007 4:58PM
Ahaha! Engadget you rock ! Paul Miller has a 1st fan :-)
My techie true love:
1. Thinkpad T41p
2. Panasonic PT-AE700 LCD projector (such a romantic name) with proper screen obvioulsy
sorry .. can't choose between you guys ... you'll just have to compete constantly one with another ... and with my forthcoming FTTH connection :-)
andy @ Feb 14th 2007 3:35PM
Woo!
J'adore Ubuntu!
Mario Mejia @ Feb 14th 2007 3:41PM
Oh xga projector, how I love thee.
Let me count the ways... wait it is hard to count how many movies I've watched and rewatched on your beautiful counterpart - the screen.
But I love you too my PPC 6700 (HTC Apache) - I am sorry I skinned you like the iPhone, but I took it back and reskinned you to show your WinMo beauty.
And Engadget, you complete out lustful love-triangle. ;)
s i d @ Feb 14th 2007 3:43PM
i can't decide :( i lust after all of 'em im gonna die aloooone !
Laura @ Feb 14th 2007 3:49PM
Dear Engadget,
This just takes your love of all things technology to a whole new level, doesn't it? Good job.
Your Devoted Fan,
Laura
everrette powell @ Feb 14th 2007 4:01PM
dear LG - 42" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV - 42LB1DR
i always apreciated your crisp picture ever since i brought you home from best buy, and that built in dvr as came in handy way more than i ever thought possible. i am so in love with you i am about to watch a blu ray disc on you right now after i am finish writing this because you and i both know since sony said it they must have won
darla @ Feb 14th 2007 4:20PM
Lol wow are we techie's really that bad???
omoks @ Feb 14th 2007 4:36PM
Engadget Rocks!!!
T-Mobile MDA with Slingplayer rocks
Dell 2405FPW -true love of my life
Windows Vista Ultimate...aa Windows Vista Ultimate...well its just a new relationship and we are still working out the kinks but 1 day after SP3 I'll love you just as well
mightymatt @ Feb 14th 2007 4:45PM
LMFAO @ mybu! omg that's hysterical!
Jamie @ Feb 14th 2007 4:54PM
Xbox 360,
We dated for a year and a day
then I lost it and gave you away
Got myself a PS3 and a Wii
watched bluray and swung my arm like a monkey
It didn't take long for me to realize
that graphics and gimmicks clouded my eyes
your live mode is unmatched
your catalog of games, packed!
you gave me music, movies, and games
online you introduced me to people with weird names
aah, memories. You never know for sure
what you've got till its your no more
I MISS YOU. Can't take it, I feel so alone
Tonight I'm going to BestBuy to bring you back home.
Your repentant love,
Jamie
Andy Atkinson @ Feb 14th 2007 4:59PM
What about software lovin'? I love you Flickr and Pandora and wordpress, you help me out tons. I know I've fooled around with Smugmug, last.fm and drupal, but to you three my heart will remain faithful, of that I am sure.
...whoa check out the zooomr lightbox thing....
souravgh @ Feb 18th 2007 3:40PM
cant believe nobody here is professing their love to an ipod. theyre usually everywhere.
i sleep with mine every night.
Jay @ Feb 14th 2007 5:24PM
Dear Wii,
We've been together for almost 3 months nows, but that seems like such a short amount of time when you consider how long it was from when I first laid eyes on you until we finally got together. I remember that day back in 2005 when I saw you. You were so simple looking, but I knew there was so much more to you than a little box with a blue slot. As the months went by, I learned more about you, and even though people treated you with harsh words about HD and only being Gamecube 1.5, but always knew there was somthing really special that they couldn't see past. When I stood outside that Toys'R'Us all could think was soon we wood be together. I took you home, plugged you in, and the rest is history. I don't know completely what the future holds with SMG, SSBB, and MP3.....but I know I want to spend it with with you.
Love,
Jay
AL @ Feb 14th 2007 5:34PM
Your battery is failing and your hard drive fragmented. Your hold button long gone and your scroll wheel thrice glued back in place. Karma, why can't I quit you?
resource @ Feb 14th 2007 5:42PM
Nerdiest
Thing
Ever
I love it.
I'd show this to my friends if they wouldn't beat me up after.
bl0nde @ Feb 14th 2007 5:47PM
The apocalypse will be coming soon:
If Apple start praising the Zune,
The Playstation 3
Will outsell the Wii,
And we'll lose the DRM on our tunes.
Stephen @ Feb 14th 2007 6:55PM
Oh, PowerMac g4 Mirrored Drive Door edition, how I love the so. You're always faithful and never crash. Your case design is beautiful, I love thy Dual 1.25Ghz Processors and 1Gb RAM... what else can I say?
Oh, and My WRT54G is pretty darn nice, too.
R.D. Lasak @ Feb 14th 2007 7:57PM
I would never tell my girlfriend this, but I also love my gadgets. Love is perhaps too strong a word, but today I'm working at her place and really miss my 27" Westinghouse LCD and new HP Scanjet 7800.
On second thought, my gadgets do not make breakfast!
http://randysworldview.blogspot.com/
kyle @ Feb 15th 2007 5:26AM
kyle + macbook pro 4ever