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3751

Living Room / Re: Hard Drive electrical failure... trash it?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 07, 2008, 12:00 PM »

I choose to repair things, (doesn't matter what it is: electronic; electrical; mechanical; two pieces of wood; anything), because today's throwaway society is just fundamentally wrong.

Or maybe it's because I'm too cheap to pay for a replace

-4wd (September 07, 2008, 05:48 AM)

I, too repair a whole lot of stuff. It's my first response to a failure. I keep a reasonably well-equipped workshop for just that purpose. So I'm with you in principle.
But... there comes a point where the return isn't worth the investment (either of time or of money).
I think that, like all else, it's a matter of balance.
Also, I know my limitations and I'm not prepared to gamble on the success of a repair that's beyond my scope.
Both money and technology play into it that decision as well. When I was starting out in life I repaired everything. I had to. There was no money to do otherwise. Fortunately, I'm not quite so hard pressed today. Also, for example, nobody else ever laid a tool on any car of mine -- but today's auto electronics are simply beyond my ability.

The only thing I have to figure out now is if I'll trash the enclosure too... Maybe. Unless there's some way to safely test it.

-Armando

My exhortation to walk away was intended to refer to the enclosure, not just the drive.

3752

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 07, 2008, 11:40 AM »

I thought I'd start a thread related to ideas about how we should sit, stand, lift stuff even

-tomos (September 07, 2008, 08:56 AM)

Thanks, every time I see something on DC that relates to this area I am reminded to make an effort.

3753

General Software Discussion / Re: Send some info of your PC!

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 07, 2008, 11:34 AM »

I can't  figure out how to get the spec. on my machine, so I'll resort to posting this photo of its power supply.



 

3754

Living Room / Re: Hard Drive electrical failure... trash it?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 09:47 PM »

in summer the ambient temperature rises easily to 45 degrees Celcius

-Shades (September 06, 2008, 09:00 PM)

That's a bit too hot for me! Humid as well?

3755

Living Room / Re: Hard Drive electrical failure... trash it?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 07:39 PM »

I'm afraid of loosing more time and money on this, so in the end I might just buy a new cheap external HD at future shop... I don't know what I'll do with my current empty enclosure as I don't know how find out it it's guilty or not.

-Armando

Time's money.
Play safe and dump it.
Or, set it aside until such time as you have both the opportunity and inclination to try again (which will probably resolve into never).
Sorry you're having grief, but a short, sharp pain in the wallet is often better than a lengthy and uncertain course of treatment.
Mind you, I certainly admire those with the skill and persistence to do Gothi[c]-type surgery on on the guts of such pieces of esoterica as routers. 

3756

Living Room / Re: Win XP auto-update query

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 06:29 PM »

(just like they update 'automatic update' without your permission unless you set updates to 'never').

-Carol Haynes (September 06, 2008, 06:18 PM)

And sometimes even then, according to rumour.

3757

General Software Discussion / Re: So... beautiful~

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 07:51 AM »

More tea, Vicar?

3758

Living Room / Re: "Waiver of Liability"... suggestions?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 06:31 AM »

I agree with J-Mac.

If you consider it worth creating legal cover, ensure that it's done properly.

3759

Developer's Corner / Re: Keyboard Sounds

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 06, 2008, 06:25 AM »

My Brother says I type faster with one finger than he does with both hands! 

-CleverCat (September 06, 2008, 02:24 AM)

I suspect that I belong in the same camp as your brother.
Sorry for the unhelpful interjection (well, almost mildly repentant). I'm sure that you'll get an informed response soon.

3760

Living Room / Re: OK - lets get to know each other... who are you, what do you do, where from?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 05, 2008, 04:59 PM »

Hi Rui,

Nice to see you here!

3761

Developer's Corner / Re: Keyboard Sounds

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 05, 2008, 11:03 AM »

sometimes the sounds lag behind the key press?

-CleverCat (September 05, 2008, 08:17 AM)

Previously, I haven't wanted to dazzle the community with my technical skills but this one I can't resist.

Press the keys more slowly.

3762

Living Room / Re: A tool to help "Get Me Out of Here"

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 04, 2008, 02:57 PM »

Zen Master Sum Yung Ting sez: "Man who can pen Poe can do anything."

-40hz (September 04, 2008, 02:18 PM)

Ah, Sum Yung Ting, in salad daze, sez: "Always keep Poe pen mind."

(BTW: That was a riff on The Bells wasn't it?)

A direct quotation... whole new interpretation of cells, eh? 

3763

Living Room / Re: A tool to help "Get Me Out of Here"

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 04, 2008, 11:20 AM »

Ego inflecto ut poeta pro mihi.[/i]

-40hz (September 04, 2008, 08:43 AM)

Well, if you're going to toss dead things around, my bottom line is the tried and true non illegitimi carborundum.

3764

Living Room / Re: A tool to help "Get Me Out of Here"

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 02, 2008, 07:48 PM »

Well, why leave it to chance?

-40hz (September 02, 2008, 09:32 AM)

So, that explains the cacophony and mass exit from the meeting that I called this morning!
I could do nothing but sit there Poe faced.

Oh, from out the sounding cells,
What a gush of euphony voluminously wells!
How it swells!
How it dwells
On the Future! how it tells
Of the rapture that impels
To the swinging and the ringing
Of the bells, bells, bells,
Of the bells, bells, bells,bells,
Bells, bells, bells...

3765

Living Room / Re: Has your phone replaced your camera?

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 01, 2008, 08:39 PM »

Not I.

It's hard to believe that a $300 phone is going to replace a $3,000+ lens, never mind the body.  I guess it depends on what you want to photograph, and why.

[Edit: adding this] Anyway, with my level of expertise, I'd never get a clear picture. The subject would be reaching for his/her phone always, because I'd inadvertently hit the dial button instead of the shutter release.

3766

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 01, 2008, 11:58 AM »

My back yard abuts a cemetery.  Those folks make the best neighbors you could wish for.

-oldfart (September 01, 2008, 07:31 AM)

They have very poor taste in lawn ornaments, though

3767

General Software Discussion / Re: Strategies for international travellers regarding new US Customs seizure policy

« Last post by cranioscopical on September 01, 2008, 08:04 AM »

What is the optimun size of laptop hard disk size for swallowing (and how do I get it out again - I may have a big bum but ....) 

-Carol Haynes (September 01, 2008, 02:28 AM)

That will require careful analysis...

3768

Living Room / Re: Take That Stupid Printer -- Stop Tricking Me Into Wasting Ink!

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 31, 2008, 10:54 AM »

My cheap samsung ML-2010 prints until I can barely read what's printed. 

-Armando (August 30, 2008, 10:45 PM)

Don't those make great little personal printers, if you want a monochrome laser?

I bought one for my wife a year or so ago and can't fault it.

Here, in Canada, Staples is selling them for just under $60 which is quite a bargain.
I could buy about three of them for the cost of the toner cartridge in my H-P mono laser.

3769

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 31, 2008, 10:47 AM »

skinny sun bathing after my shower! ...watch this space!

-CleverCat (August 31, 2008, 08:35 AM)

Ohhh, well, if you insist   

3770

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Year Calendar on a Single Page - Excel-2007 Template

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 30, 2008, 05:51 PM »

Thanks for sharing, Jim

3771

Living Room / Re: What do you usually forget to backup?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 30, 2008, 01:07 PM »

Similar things to which tranglos refers, program customizations.

• Settings for favourite editors etc.
• Home-grown actions for such programs as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
• If you install software into one location, it's a good idea to take a directory of its contents. Quite often, on a new machine, I realize that I've forgotten to install utility x; that usually happens 3 minutes after I desperately NEED to use utility x to meet my deadline.

3772

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 30, 2008, 09:50 AM »

The clivias are attractive, I think the closest we come to those here, in Canada, is the daffodil.

3773

Older Newsletters / Re: --> Newsletter For August 28th, 2008 - Codename "Dizzying Discounts"

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 29, 2008, 09:42 AM »

Thanks for taking the time to do this, Darwin!

It makes a good springboard from which to launch an exploration of DC.

 

3774

Living Room / Re: Video chat: Why don't people like it?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 29, 2008, 09:35 AM »

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM)

What are pyjamas?

-40hz (August 28, 2008, 10:32 PM)

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're what you wear when you spend a lot of time playing video games. Chris, am I right?

    

-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 10:38 PM)

I walked right into that one from 40hz, didn't I? 

Reminds me of the early days of British television. At that time, all BBC newsreaders were male, and all were required to appear in formal evening wear. It wasn't uncommon, in the studio, to see a black-tie dinner jacket 'above the desk' and a ratty old pair of corduroys below.

And, yes, pyjamas are the preferred mode of dress when shirking from home.
One shies away from the image of 40hz who, apparently, takes informality to yet greater... um... lengths. 


[edit: can't punctuate]

3775

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 29, 2008, 09:14 AM »

I ride one of those!

-CleverCat (August 28, 2008, 05:23 AM)

I'll send you a plunger...  

-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 01:24 PM)

What on earth for? 

-CleverCat (August 29, 2008, 08:00 AM)

Sorry,




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