Things I've learned the hard way . . .(Part 2)

[~Deicide~]

Any data worth saving, is worth saving twice. Just took some older fujifilm cd-rs out of storage, and NOT A SINGLE ONE would read on any of the computers that i have. I lost about 6 months worth of pictures. These worked fine a few years ago.

From the website:

low-volume publishing and distribution of data, as well as mass storage and long-term archiving.

Luckily, I wa able to salvage most of the photos out of a couple of old hard drives.

Lesson learned!

[Echo63]

Much as I love Surefire build quality, the plastic lens retaining rings suck and don't hold up to drops...the bezel edge WILL bend. So just buy the steel ring and install it right away before you drop the light on its head and then strip an Oveready removal tool trying to put the steel one on later after the damage is done.

I agree with this one !

The dent can be carefully hammered back enough to get the new bezel ring in though

[HotWire]

Ever had the hood on your car fail to *pop* when you pull the latch? I was told there is *no way* to open the hood! It will have to be cut off! Others suggested using a crow bar and forcing the hood up! Factory car manuals were of no help. I must have read 1,000 posts on the problem in various forums. Then on one small post with a photo.....Bingo! Most latches have a *back door.* I was able to find the *back door* (a small hook) and pop it open with a tool I made from 3/16" rod. Then it was a matter of cleaning and adjusting the hood and lubricating the cable and latch. Cost? Nothing. Piece of 3/16" rod: priceless!

[Monocrom]

Ever had the hood on your car fail to *pop* when you pull the latch? I was told there is *no way* to open the hood! It will have to be cut off! Others suggested using a crow bar and forcing the hood up! Factory car manuals were of no help. I must have read 1,000 posts on the problem in various forums. Then on one small post with a photo.....Bingo! Most latches have a *back door.* I was able to find the *back door* (a small hook) and pop it open with a tool I made from 3/16" rod. Then it was a matter of cleaning and adjusting the hood and lubricating the cable and latch. Cost? Nothing. Piece of 3/16" rod: priceless!

If it makes you feel better, I knew about the "hook." Forgot about it a few years later, then nearly crushed my fingers before finally remembering about it.

[Chauncey Gardiner]

The last time my hood failed to open, I had my wife pull the release handle while I gently pounded on the hood. Popped right up. Of course if the cable is broke, the hook is option #1.

"Others suggested using a crow bar and forcing the hood up!" That is one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard. Obviously "Others" have no idea how the hood latch works.

Congratulations for keeping your head and thinking it through.

~ Chance

[PhotonWrangler]

When opening a bottle of soda that's been sitting in a hot car, open it very slowly, even if it's been opened and partially consumed already. It still has enough built up pressure inside to go splat!

[PhotonWrangler]

If your business depends heavily on a laptop computer, bring an emergency Linux boot disc with you when you're traveling. My machine went a little bonkers the other day and it was because of a Windows glitch which almost prevented me from completing a crucial portion of a job. An alternate boot disk would've avoided the problem.

[Illum]

If your business depends heavily on a laptop computer, bring an emergency Linux boot disc with you when you're traveling. My machine went a little bonkers the other day and it was because of a Windows glitch which almost prevented me from completing a crucial portion of a job. An alternate boot disk would've avoided the problem.

Some laptops don't have optical drives, it pays to figure out the bios of those that don't so you can boot off of USB keys

[PhotonWrangler]

Some laptops don't have optical drives, it pays to figure out the bios of those that don't so you can boot off of USB keys

Good point, Illum. I did make up a Knoppix USB boot disc for these situations.

[Cyclops942]

post deleted

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Almost without exception, when someone asks for personal advice, they really just want you to listen, not give advice.

~ Chance

[Cyclops942]

Almost without exception, when someone asks for personal advice, they really just want you to listen, not give advice.

~ Chance

Sorry, there are exceptions. Maybe not in your experience, but definitely in mine. However, it is important to find out which case it is before offering advice. Keeping your mouth shut unless and until they look at you expectantly would probably be safer than asking, "So... is this one of those times when I'm just supposed to listen, or do you really want advice?"

[Monocrom]

Don't ever try to have a rational discussion with someone who has studied something which you have enough talent to do, and actually do well. However, they lack that talent. So all they can do is simply study the subject. Then based on their studies, instead of first hand experience, they get upset when you point out their preconceived notions are simply not true. Even if you do it politely.

There's nothing like listening to someone who fancies themselves an expert based solely on studying a subject.

[PhotonWrangler]

Don't ever try to have a rational discussion with someone who has studied something which you have enough talent to do, and actually do well. However, they lack that talent. So all they can do is simply study the subject. Then based on their studies, instead of first hand experience, they get upset when you point out their preconceived notions are simply not true. Even if you do it politely.

There's nothing like listening to someone who fancies themselves an expert based solely on studying a subject.

“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin

[Monocrom]

“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin

Very true. My situation involved politely disagreeing with someone who is an otherwise intelligent adult.

[Burgess]

People sometimes say to me:


" I really like your Softball photos. "

" I wanna' take pictures like yours. What camera should I buy ? "


I respond:

" I wanna' play music like Eric Clapton. What guitar should I buy ? "




Only a FEW of them actually " catch " this !




_

[Illum]

They assume you would naturally recommend the camera you are using, but almost always overlook two factors that often turns around the blocks your recommendations. One is purpose, the other is budget. a freelance photographer, a wedding photographer, a wildlife photographer, and an astrophotographer do not all share the same camera, nor its price.

I have been asked that question more than once, and it has lead to a monologue of brand name loyalty and "theres no way a camera like that should ever cost more than..." more than once. If you ask a question, expect an answer that will not always adhere to what you believe in.

[Th232]

Not to mention the issue of skill as well. Better to learn how to use a camera as well, whether it's a book or some workshops. Good equipment will help you some, but skill is a lot more important.

[Zeruel]

I respond:

" I wanna' play music like Eric Clapton. What guitar should I buy ? "

That's a good one.

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Most people would do anything to be able to play the guitar like Eric Clapton.......except practice.

~ Chance

[Cyclops942]

Don't ever try to have a rational discussion with someone who has studied something which you have enough talent to do, and actually do well. However, they lack that talent. So all they can do is simply study the subject. Then based on their studies, instead of first hand experience, they get upset when you point out their preconceived notions are simply not true. Even if you do it politely.

There's nothing like listening to someone who fancies themselves an expert based solely on studying a subject.

"A man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with a theory." -- Angelo D'Amico

[Monocrom]

"A man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with a theory." -- Angelo D'Amico

We need a "Like" button.

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I use this ~

C. G.

We need a "Like" button.

[nbp]

If you're doing a brake job and replacing the rotors and you see two Phillips head screws holding the rotor on (such as on my Accord), don't bother trying to get them out. They are likely stuck there for good and you will mangle them up (or your tools) in the process and waste time and get frustrated.

Just get your friend the drill, pop in about a 9/32 metal bit, and drill the heads off those suckers. They really aren't necessary as the caliper and the lug nuts will hold the rotor in place anyways, and are mostly there for the original manufacturing process. With the drill you can get done in about 15 seconds per screw what will take you a heck of a lot of irritation if you try to remove them. Put your new rotors on over the old studs and don't worry about them ever again.

This was my afternoon yesterday.

New rotors and ceramic brakes mean the car stops like a dream today though.

[Chauncey Gardiner]

.....Not to put ceramic pads on rotors that weren't designed for them. The steel used to make the rotors on my 91 Cadillac wasn't strong enough, the ceramic pads ate them for lunch.

~ Chance

[jnj1033]

The extra $2 for signature confirmation is worth it.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 2

[nbp]

iPod Touches cannot be submerged. I just dropped mine in water for probably less than two seconds and it is not functioning AT ALL.

Such a clumsy mistake is super unusual for me and does not make me too happy.


Is it dead for good?

[mvyrmnd]

iPod Touches cannot be submerged. I just dropped mine in water for probably less than two seconds and it is not functioning AT ALL.

Such a clumsy mistake is super unusual for me and does not make me too happy.


Is it dead for good?

Probably.

Liquid damage is considered "repairable damage" by apple and you can pay a nominal fee for a whole unit swap.

[nbp]

So they can take my device and have access to whatever personal data is stored on it? Hmmmm, I dunno about that. It's almost 3 yrs old, maybe I'll just write it off and save for an iPad.

Will try the rice trick though.

[Monocrom]

Definitely try the rice trick, and then wait a handful of days more. I've experienced the following situation more than once. Electronic item gets flooded, won't work, then numerous days later it starts working again. The rice trick should speed up the process a bit though.