To no one in particular:
Isn't nice to open a program and recognize everything about it, know all its quirks and foibles and just know how to "get her done?" 
It's almost like meeting with a good friend... Sadly, sometimes we lose friends, they (or we) move thousands of miles apart, some of them even leave this life! 
Our computers and software sometimes have the same things happen. Something comes between the things we enjoy about them. They may just break irreparably. The software become "orphaned" (the developer no longer maintains it). It is superceded by newer versions and the old versions are no longer updated or bugs in it are no longer repaired. It may be sad and even discouraging but it happens.
We still have choices, of course. I know of companies that still use Apple ][e hardware to run machines in a factory. And there are even still people who know how to repair those computers! Besides, new hardware is expensive! OTOH, how does the price of an Apple ][ compare to the cost of a new mini?! They are hardly the same machine! 
Frankly, if they were both available today it would be silly get the antique model!!
And much the same goes for software. Who would attempt to use VisiCalc with so many easier to use and capable apps that do so much more at the same and even lower cost? 
But change is often difficult and money is not always plentiful. But "life" IS "change", in my humble opinion, and money is always available for what we really want (OK, maybe not for absolutely everything...)! But much of this change requires another attitude that I have a tendency to forget; Plan ahe
a
d,
Save for the future NEEDS! 
Of course, there are alternatives to buying the latest and greatest. Used hardware is always cheaper than brand new. 
Of course, age also may mean extra work in maintenance and finding spare parts...
Many don't realize that the new software/hardware actually is better and much more stable than what we had, even in OS 9! There are underpinnings on OS X that have been through changes/updates/debugging/etc. that even predates OS 6! And yet, the interface is not as much different as you might expect, the basics you already know will serve you well. The machines still have a start up button! 
You can still shutdown with the "Shutdown" menu item. But what you won't see are the things that have changed; Extensions that might not work with others, File systems that often lose track of what's where, memory that is limited to 100MBs, etc. And the software has improved exponentially, also. You really have nothing to lose by upgrading to newer hardware and software except fewer hours of frustration, repairs and non-standard file formats.
All I'm saying is the obvious! There comes a time when we simply can't afford the time, frustration and real work that is required to avoid the changes we need to make. This point is not limited to computers and software. That old jalopy may become a safety hazard! Those extra kids may get tired of sleeping in one bedroom!!! Bite the bullet, tighten the belt, get a piggy bank, do some research...there is bound to be an acceptable solution to the problem!
Good luck and happy Macing! 
And, no, I don't own any Apple stock.
