Compatibility between vintage (80s/90s) Technic and current parts (motors etc)
The motor you have linked is indeed quite old and as far as I know, not compatible with anything newer. Seeing that it works with simple DC current, it wouldn't be hard to construct a converter cable, but it is still some work (especially reducing the voltage from 9V to the 4.5V required by this motor).

The next generation (9V system: large motor, micromotor, mini-motor, buggy motor) has much better prospects regarding compatibility, as they can be used with the voltage regulator, the control center with the recording function, dumb battery boxes, first generation RCX controllers, cybermaster and code pilot units and there are even converter cables for the PF system. There are even light and sound elements for this system and the cables are nice and simple 2-wire ones with brick-compatible connectors, carrying anywhere between -9 and 9 volts.

The PF system has been in use for the last several years and is widely compatible even with 3rd party accessories like SBrick or BuWizz. The cables here have additional wires for controlling servo motors and the connectors are stackable, but proprietary and only partially compatible with LEGO bricks.

It is not yet clear if the even newer Control+ system will at any rate be backwards compatible at all, but knowing the LEGO community, it is only a matter of time.