Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Specs on Compact Fluorescent Lights

Are mfgrs building CF bulbs with looser specs? I've got old bulbs (Early 1990s to about two years ago) that have worked fine for years but the new bulbs won't cut the mustard.

For example:

I've got CF bulbs from LOA and others that I bought in 1995 that are still going strong. In my kitchen ceiling light I had one of those old LOAs with three U tubes and an A base, and a newer spiral, both rated around 23 watts.

Now I bought some Sylvanias, spiral, 23 watt. In the kitchen fixture, they work OK for a few minutes but then start flickering when they get hot.

In the garage the older bulbs worked fine for two winters down to around 0-10 F, although a bit dim. The Sylvania that I used to replace one of those flickered the whole time the light was on this morning - about two minutes in a 25-degree garage.

Generally, things all around are getting "looser", with things made in China and all.