Recent advances using the on-line nuclear orientation facility KOOL are described. Examples are given from results on nuclear moments, spins and multipolarities in different regions of the nuclear chart. The first on-line nuclear magnetic resonance results are discussed, as well as the first particle anisotropy measurements. Each one of these technical improvements is shown to lead to substantial increase of accuracy and/or surprises in physics. A short review is given of recent experiments aimed at eliminating the lower limit on nuclear lifetimes which exists in pure low-temperature nuclear orientation.