He's already got the parts on hand and he wants to use them. That's certainly a "right" condition.

Further, if one has the same constraints as were applicable in the days when these components were new, it would appropriate to use them too.

Just because the paint is dry doesn't mean that they're useless.

Sometimes I still find it appropriate to use an 8748 ... generally just to prove a point, but they still work just as well as they ever did. I'd never use one in a device for someone who wanted a modern circuit, but for those who just want something that works well enough, e.g. a sprinkler system controller, or a controller for a small model railroad, both of which I've done with 8748's, though not recently, they're just fine.

8255's work OK in such cases too. I wouldn't use them for serious work, however.

I tend to agree that using current technology would be more useful, but in a case where a guy has the parts on hand and doesn't have any requirement to use modern parts, why waste the old timers he's already got on hand? Additionally, the parts to which he's referred all live on a 5-volt supply. Newer ones require either 5 volts and 3V3 or just 3V3. We don't know whether he can support the 3V3 without buying more components. You don't know how convenient it is for him to obtain other regulators than what he's already got.

RE