Category: Projects

December 12, 2024 – Crimes of Opportunity

December 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Sometimes I have things that I want to do but don’t have the desire to put in all the work to do it. What I mean is that I bought a splitter and some extra cable so that I could split the signal from my AM antenna on the roof. I am thinking of adding an additional input to my scanner.

Right now, the scanner is in my office but in the future I am setting up a radio area elsewhere in the basement. I think the attached antenna to the unit works ok most of the time but given that I am in a basement, I cant help but think that there is an impact on reception. I have found that weather (or something) is giving me significant feedback at times.

I have two places to split the signal. One is outside somewhere along the house and the other is in my office. The best place to split it would be at the source but who wants to get out a ladder and make another penetration in the wall? But there is another devil out there, the penetration into my office is buried behind all of the Christmas decorations. Given all I had going on this summer, I bought the stuff but I didn’t have the desire.

Since I had to drag all the Christmas stuff out last weekend, I thought that would be the perfect time to get access and string the wire I bought over the summer. Like all things, it turned out that the process didn’t go as smoothly or quickly as I hoped. I had to drill another hole and use fish tape and monkey and fiddle around. But I got it.

The point I want to make is, being prepared and taking the opportunity saved me the work of moving all of the bins out of the way. This is not an insignificant task. It was two hours of hauling stuff upstairs last Saturday. Granted, the first time I did this, I just moved everything out of the way in the basement. But, it is still effort and it takes a lot of Tetris to get everything back in its place. I usually have to make several attempts each year as things trickle back in after the season.

The same logic goes when we were re-siding the house. I wanted to add some more energy efficient windows in my wife’s office so I ordered them as soon as the job was starting. I wanted to upgrade the skylight in the upstairs bathroom when the roof was replaced. The best time to do the job is when it is in progress so it can be flashed properly.

Our ancestors were opportunists. Yes, sometimes they set out to hunt because they were hungry. But, it is better to take advantage of a situation when they came across it. As long as they had the capability to process and preserve or hold their fortunes. I think that we have lost some of this recognition with places like always stocked grocery stores or widely open home centers. We don’t recognize opportunity when it occurs.

End Your Programming Routine: I know that our culture values constantly work. I am just as guilty of that myself. But, I don’t think our ancestors thought that way. We have shifted from doing just enough to ‘just do it’. In this case, I don’t think it is a big deal but it is that mindset training that is valuable. Unfortunately, if we don’t practice looking for opportunity then we will think about it after the fact. Then we are stuck in the ‘just do it’ mode.

December 10, 2024 – So True, So True

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I finally received my home base CB radio. It was marked as ‘for parts’ on eBay. The seller claimed that it powered up but he did not have an antenna test. It is often the case that when sellers do not have the capabilities or the experience with items that they will mark them as parts only.

So far, I have had pretty good luck buying cheap. My CB works, I think. I am able to transmit and receive. That doesn’t mean that everything is as it should be. When I key the mic, sound also comes out of the speaker. I don’t think I need that and I certainly don’t want that, but maybe that is what it is supposed to do? I am on the path of trying to find out.

There is one other thing that is wrong, the volume button is wobbly. I haven’t gotten into it to the point that I have figured out what is wrong. But, presumably something is wrong with the mount. The volume controls still works fine. Trying to figure out some information, I ran across the video below.

If you watched the video, then you would have seen that the host was trying to encourage people to be adventurous. Using your intuition, there are some problems that can be diagnosed and solved just because you are paying attention. This doesn’t have to be about electronics either. I won’t deny that it would be a lot better to have a little bit of high level theory to go along with your gumption. But, nevertheless electronics could be as simple as a fuse.

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon, we visited some of her family in Mexico. They had a microwave that was not working. I looked at it and found a fuse that was blown. We replaced it and the microwave worked once again. Everywhere we went, I was the hero that fixed the microwave. It was kind of embarrassing actually. To this day, I still do not know anything about microwaves. I didn’t even know that they had fuses. But, I looked around and found a potential problem that turned out to be the fix. All because I had some fundamental knowledge and a willingness to look.

When I look back, I kind of wish that I had studied physics instead of chemistry. In today’s silicon world, I would probably get more use from a better grasp of electronics than chemical reactions. We had a couple of weeks of circuits in general physics. I cant remember much about anything. But, this is all stuff that I can learn, especially if I keep going down the rabbit hole.

The reason I posted this video is because this philosophy applies to much more than radio repair. It just so happens that this is a weak area for me. Car problems, leaks even business problems can be approached this way. What do I know? What doesn’t seem right? Follow the trail and validate each step. If nothing looks wrong, then maybe the problem is too complicated for your knowledge level. As such, there is no harm in escalating the problem to a higher level.

Back in the early 2000s, the check engine light came on. At that point, I had more time than money. I purchased an OBDII scanner (for $450!) and plugged it in. I found out the code suggested that the gas cap was loose. Because Oregon prevented us from pumping our own gas, I had no idea what was going on in that area. I reset the code and tightened the gas cap and the problem was solved.

In many ways, I felt kind of stupid spending that kind of money for a tool that had a no cost fix. But, I still use that scanner today and even though you can buy one for $30 now, I have probably gotten my money’s worth through the years. I would have felt even stupider towing my Volvo an hour away to find out the same results. When you know, you know.

End Your Programming Routine: If something is not working you have my permission to see if you can figure out what is wrong with it. You never know when the problem is a simple fix. Look at it this way, when something is broken how can it get more broken? Just be mindful of what you are doing so you can put things as they were.

November 21, 2024 – Sometimes, Being a Can Do Really Sucks

November 21, 2024 /

I have to vent for a minute. I have a garage for a reason. Not only should I be able to park a car in it which it was until the Mustang was sold, but I should also have a place to work on cars out of the weather. That I cannot do. Secretly, I can barely stand to go into the garage because it is so cluttered.

I have been needing to do the brakes on the pickup for a while. It was something I was planning on doing when the weather was nicer. You all know how my summer went and it didn’t get done. I mentioned to my wife that the needed to be done and she immediately helped me prioritize the job.

I should mention that this was not an emergent problem. One of the rotors was warped which caused a terrible vibration. If things are going well, like not metal on metal contact, I am in the habit of just changing the pads. It is faster and cheaper. But, something must have happened since I didn’t change the brakes that long ago (in milage). I have been putting up with it for several years but I drive fairly gingerly. Now that my son is the primary driver of the pickup it was time to do it.

My wife was at a girl’s weekend and I didn’t have to work. I was dreaming of all the things that I wish I was doing besides freezing my hands with cold metal. Worse than that, rain was in the forecast I had no garage. Plus, I was on the clock with only eight hours of daylight. I had a few tasks to do that day including adding the cargo carrier to the Navigator, replacing a taillight lens plus removing the canopy from the pickup.

I devised that I was not going to beat the weather so I had better set up a work space where I could get the job done. I took the time to setup a popup, organize the parts and tools and make my workspace as comfortable as possible. That included a bucket for a seat and the radio for the football game.

After about thirty minutes, the rain started coming down in buckets. As my weather luck was turning bad, so was the football game. It was a miserable time for shade tree mechanics and Beaver’s fans. The total job took me about four hours. I had to go back and forth to find my tools that my son has taken out of my tool box, find the right sockets and the proper tubing for the brake bleed.

A recent brake job at a tire store cost me $750. I was travelling for work and my wife was on a road trip with the kids so it was kind of an emergency. Mind you, I had just paid a mechanic for the same job about two months earlier and I was not happy in the least. I paid about $120 for parts for this job. And I got a $30 rebate to boot that I am waiting for.

Over the years, I think that I have made almost every mistake under the sun doing this job. This includes twice having the bolt holding the calipers on fall out. When that happens, the bracket bangs against the wheel making a heck of a racket and impossible to drive without feeling like major damage was about to happen.

I now know to use thread locker and torque the bolts to the right amount so it won’t happen again, I hope. Experience helps with expediency and proficiency. I think most people with the tools, the space and mechanical aptitude could do it too. I realize that is some major hurdles for some but why have all the stuff and not do it?

End Your Programming Routine: I am glad it is done and despite everything I very well may have saved time but definitely money. Even with bleeding the brakes it is not that difficult of a job. It was more that I just didn’t want to be out in the elements. I am convinced that I could probably do this in half the time if I didn’t have to spend time messing with the popup and setup. I was tired and sore and happy to be inside a warm, dry bed by the time it was over.

November 19, 2024 – Preparations for Travel

November 19, 2024 /

We are going on our first ever Thanksgiving road trip. This year, we are headed to Montana for a week. The way the weather is shaping up, this could be a miserable doozy of a trip. It is a long way to go in winter weather and we are expecting feet of snow at the higher elevations this week.

The problem with cold weather is all the additional gear you need. Add to that a dog and two extra passengers, we will be pushing our space even in a full sized Navigator. I had to break out the car carrier for the first time in quite a while. This thing is great for extra space, but it also adds a lot of extra height to an already high vehicle.

At the hospital, we already hit the 6’7″ bar warning that a crash is eminent. I happen to know after years of experience that I am just fine. But, I don’t know how fine I am. So, I don’t push it and keep in mind that I may be a bounce away from some very expensive body work. I can say that my wife has tried to drive into our garage Fortunately, I was outside to stop her. The carrier stays on only as long as it has to be on.

A smart man would have gotten the car to a mechanic before we leave. I really didn’t give it a thought until last weekend. By then, it was pretty much too late. That is not to say that I have done nothing. Recently I started getting a ‘Tire Pressure Fault’. I have checked the tire pressure multiple times and chalked it up to more electronic gremlins that have been plaguing this vehicle its whole life.

But, I wanted to check on chains for our upcoming travel. My wife had been told that chains would not fit on the vehicle due to wheel clearance concerns. So, I asked about the tire sensor. I was educated that it was probably a battery. Who knew, inside the wheel has a sensor that communicated with the computer. After fourteen years, two of the sensors are dead. I always wondered how that was done.

All this being said, I would think that this would be something the tire shop would do with new tires. It turns out, no. Now, I have to break down each wheel and replace the batteries. It was suggested that we could wait until new tires are due, but with the Navigator’s reduced role, it could be years at this point. The best motivation is that my wife want’s it done.

Besides the obvious luggage for a week long stay, it would be good to take some extra precautions. The first is be prepared for extra time. The highway’s may be closed until the storm blows through and the snow plows do their jobs. This can effect the start time and the return time and there is absolutely nothing that you can do. Keep your schedule flexible.

Part and parcel with keeping your schedule flexible, make sure your vehicle is stocked with food and drink. You could spend significant time in slow traffic following a plow, an RV or in a snowbank waiting for a wrecker. If something does happen, stay with the vehicle. Leave a plan with someone you know so that they know where to look for you and having food, water and shelter significantly increases your survival odds.

There is all kinds of recovery gear you might want to have. But, if you don’t have it and likely have never used it, probably best to skip. That being said, stick to major roads for safety purposes. These will be the best plowed and most travelled roads anyway. A much better chance to be found or get help if you need it.

I am going to bring a portable CB. I am not expecting a whole lot but it gives a possible way for secondary communications. My past experiences have been pretty ho-hum, If things get ‘western’ than maybe it will be an option to get ahold of a trucker. Plus, it gives a little more experience on the road with a potential tool. It would be better if I had a permanent mount.

End Your Programming Routine: This is supposed to be fun. It is a week of vacation for me and the first whole week this year. I’ll admit that I have a few doubts but it should be alright. I would much rather gear up and not need it, than need it and not have it. But, you have to go through these what if situations and test them to really be ready for the situations.

October 3, 2024 – And… Finally

October 3, 2024 /

My vision is finally complete. I won’t deny that it took so long that I wore out my chair but all the cast-offs and things that I wish I had installed (even some luxuries) are there. I have a new chair coming, just another day or two. The one I picked out got nixed by my wife for cost, but if I don’t like my new chair, I will be pushing for an upgrade.

Since the summer time, I have noticed that I have been having some back soreness. I observed that it went away when I spent several days at the hospital. It could be a number of things but I starting with replacing my office chair. I have sat in it a number of hours every day all summer long. And since it was given to me because it hurt the giver’s back, it is my number one suspect.

I was kind of on the fence about the TV and the surround sound. My thought for the TV is that it is a second monitor. It could be helpful in some group call settings, etc. That is a pretty thin reason. The truth is that I wanted it and when I saw one second hand for $12.50, it was a done deal. Once I had the TV, I had to also add the surround sound. I spent the time and expense to wire it up when I was building the space because that was my plan all along.

My piece de resistance is that I found an inexpensive sub-woofer to connect to the sound system. It is the 30 year long fulfillment. In the late 1990s we were denied credit at Montgomery Wards to purchase a full surround sound system. We told my in-laws about it and they immediately purchased it. I was slightly sad every time I looked at it, but the receiver and speakers got moved around and eventually deprecated.

The joke is on Montgomery Wards now, I am doing better than ever financially and they are out of business. I ended up with a much better system anyway. Once I realized that I could buy a subwoofer used at a reasonable price on eBay, it was a matter of the right time and place. Unfortunately, I have been working so much that I haven’t had a chance to really wring it out. The only thing I have done was the Dolby test. But it sounds fantastic with proper rear speaker placement and the subwoofer installed.

The space is truly my happy place. It is where I work (a lot), it is where I record my podcasts and due most of my writing. Now I can turn on football while I am putting in those late nights. It is always the first place I go in the mornings, even on the weekends. I can hide out until people start waking up and then I come upstairs to get the day started officially.

The tapestry on the wall is from my great grandmother. The pillows on the couch were made by my grandmother as part of our wedding quilt (which is now threadbare). The blanket on the couch was actually my wife’s when we first met. The pictures on the wall is my family crest and the other was from my father-in-law’s estate. My coat is an award that I won from a former job for meeting team performance metrics. I am surrounded by heritage, not just cast-offs.

I had visions of promo-ing a movie or reading a book on the couch or beating Need for Speed 2 the second time. That hasn’t come to fruition yet, nor do I think I will spend a lot more time than I already do in there. I would go as far as to say that I already may spend more time in my office than I do in my bed on average.

If I was being honest, I would like to have a little more storage. I would like to have one of those half file cabinets and maybe another under the desk storage drawer. I really don’t think I have any additional room for the file cabinet so that will probably never happen. I could probably add a few more decor items. For the most part, it is done and I am happy.

End Your Programming Routine: Outfitting my office with all of the techno-junk, personal items and do dads has been a pursuit for three years. All of my time building things, research into cables and cards, installing, testing and optimizing has been a lot of fun. In many ways, I am sad to be done but I need to move on. I need to be investing my time and money preparing for my hike next year. I am already feeling behind the gun on my preparedness for this event.

October 1, 2024 – What is a Dupont Connector?

October 1, 2024 /

Sometimes it is easier to buy first and then ask questions later. About a year ago, I purchased a wireless network card to add to an old Dell tower that I had. I never even looked to see if there was already a wireless adapter in the computer. I only really noticed when I went to enable the driver only to find out that there was already a wireless device attached to the motherboard.

The card was already installed so I left it until one, I purchased a USB, Bluetooth dongle and two, I opened the case to install one of my numerous upgrades. It was not expensive but it was basically brand new. I don’t use wireless anyway. My thoughts were I would install it in an old computer that the wireless is barely functional, even though I am not going to use it anyway.

Some people I know like to upgrade frequently. I understand the point that typically each generation offers more stability, faster performance and things like that. Like I said above, I just don’t use wireless on some devices. I talked about how to plug in new USB power to your motherboard here. Well unfortunately, to get the wireless card out of the computer, I had to break the Dupont connector. Not a problem until you want to install it again.

I don’t know everything, but I know that most USB ports on the motherboard can accept two inputs. This is because they are basically wired together in the Dupont connector. Many times, if you have never messed with them you have the capability to just plug in the wires into and existing connecter. But, if you want to remove a device then you have to get those wires out of the connector to leave the other ones you want to keep in the computer. That is how I broke the one that was originally on the card.

The reason that I am writing this is the question, how do you find something when you have no idea of the name? I started out searching for USB to motherboard connector. I found a lot of cables, but no straight connectors. I tried USB to motherboard plug, not really. I found items to build your own printer cable, I found items to solder into your own electronics. Finally, I had to read several cable descriptions to get the name.

The next problem is that I only want one or maybe a couple. I would be willing to pay $10 for a couple. I don’t like waste. And buying a kit of all these adapters that I will never, ever use seems like waste to me. But I know me, and as much as I don’t like waste I know that I will never take what I need and throw the rest away. So, now I have a $9 kit that I will never need more that a couple. I guess that is how it goes.

Apparently, Dupont connectors are used in small electronics projects like circuit boards that were assembled in electronics class. It is possible that given my propensity for obscure hobbies and techno-junk that I might some day put this kit into action. But, then again I only wanted one.

End Your Programming Routine: All this carrying on and the point is to install this network card in the computer. I have no idea if a twenty year newer card will work in a 32 bit architecture. It says that it will but then again it is Linux so that is always a crap shoot with me. At least now, I have some spare Dupont connectors if I have to pull this one out and break another again.

September 24, 2024 – Things to Sell…

September 24, 2024 /

I find it much easier to buy things then to get rid of them. Much of the time I decide that I am ready to move on, I am willing to give stuff away. We usually have a garage sale every couple of years and I have a propensity to price to sell. Typically, after the garage sale, everything leftover goes to donation. These days, even the donation receipt is worthless because of the new tax deduction rules.

But, every now and then I end up with something that I know has value and would very much like to get better value or trade. The easiest trade is for cash, for sure. But I have some certain items that I would like to move. I have been pretty lazy on getting started but I am starting to feel the urge to get moving.

First of all, these chairs pictured above. After we sold everything to move back from South Carolina, these were the first pieces of furniture that we purchased here. Twenty years ago, we paid $800 each. I looked recently to see if the company was still and business, they are selling for $1500 per chair.

I am under no illusion to get my money back or make a profit. But at those prices, these have to be worth some money. I like the pictured chairs much better then the $150 chairs that replaced them but they didn’t fit in with the ‘décor’. To me, this is a poor way get rich, replace durable goods with lessor ones because they are not in fashion. But, less friction in my marriage is much better than being rich.

I have a rifle case that I bought in college. I have never used it because it is for a 46″ rifle and now I know that mine are 42″. It means that it is extremely floppy and oversized. What did I know that cases come in different lengths. I literally paid $10 for it; I suppose it could be garage sale fodder. After thirty years, I am sure that I will never use it but I would happily to trade it for a similar value shotgun case. With everyone in the family possibly shooting sporting clays, it would be nice to have enough cases.

When my oldest son started shooting trap, I bought a traditional length shotgun barrel that had screw-in chokes. It was cheap because it was an after market maker. What I found with it was that it was not the same quality as OEM (hence why it was cheap). It is not just ammunition finicky, but I have observed many, many misfires on all brands of ammunition. I would like to have an OEM barrel that I feel would be much more reliable. I know that I will never use this barrel again based on my testing.

I can list multiple other items that I think have value and/or would rather have something else. It is just so much easier to not do anything and find a place to stash forever. This is something that I think I want to change. I don’t want my kids to have to figure out what to do with and I don’t really want valuable things just thrown away because nobody wants to put out the effort to clean up after me.

As a result, I am thinking of doing something on eBay. There are better platforms for each specific item, even locally. But, if I had some sort of online account, it could be considered play money. When I sell this, I will do that. I haven’t fully decided yet on a platform but the most important thing is to have stuff that is used and not be owned by stuff.

I hesitate to write about something I am going to do. There is some history about saying something without a lot of follow through from me. But, I am feeling the urge to purge. Part of my ruse was for me to take pictures for this post while at the same time getting the pictures to list. I am crossing my fingers that this is win/win.

End Your Programming Routine: I heard a podcast recently that hoarders start by buying things and then just never doing something with it. Then they buy more and more and it becomes overwhelming. I am not a hoarder by any means but I certainly have things that are in my way or at least are sitting around with little chance of being used. When I have a list a mile long of things that I would like to do, like upgrading my hiking/camping equipment for my trip next year, it makes sense to me to try and wring the value out of things that I no longer want.

September 19, 2024 – Leather Care

September 19, 2024 /

Boy, do I like to trot out old stuff. I bought these boots in 1995 and I wore them a lot until 1999 when I started to develop in-grown toenails on both feet. From that time on, I wore them extremely sparingly, once every couple of years. I am happy to say that was the last time I had surgery on my toes to solve that problem. Unfortunately, the toe of the boot is too constrictive for daily wear.

But, the leather still looks good even if the plastic ribbing is cracked. They could stand for another coat of oil and I think I will have the heels replaced. I bought new square toed boots for our vow renewal last year and I wear them every couple of weeks but I am thinking that I should put these boots back into service. I will not wear them daily, but keeping with philosophy, I should use them or get rid of them.

My wife has some boots too. I haven’t done anything to them because I never thought about them. I learned long ago not to touch a women’s clothes. Last time I washed a denim jacket to be helpful, I had to replace it. She was saying that they looked a little scuffed up. So, I offered to oil them for her. I did warn that the color would be effected but she was OK with it.

What I like to do is start with mink oil. It is a natural product that soaks into the leather. This keeps the leather supple, even after 30 years. I may or may not apply multiple coats of oil, if it looks like the leather is sufficiently whetted, I stop there. I dress the top with a beeswax product made for leather. It too has some oil in it but it is mostly for topical protection and looks.

Both of these products not only protect the leather but also offer some protection for water absorption. Most wet feet happen with water seeping through the seam. This process wont stop that, nothing will. Might as well protect the shoe though.

This is what I do, what about other products? Well, a little goes a long way so I am working with stuff I bought long ago. I will say that I am not a big fan of synthetic products. These would be things that come in spray bottles or come with silicone compounds. They stink and perform no better in my opinion.

When it comes to shoes, the other traditional treatment is shoe polish. This adds some color as well as a little bit of protection. In my experience, the protection is surface deep. It tends to be gone after a week or so. Treating other wearables like holsters and belts also has a propensity for these coatings to rub off. Unless you fancy brown or black smudges, keep these on shoes only.

I do treat some of my dress shoes with polish. I do that because the leather finish is worn and I don’t think the leather conditioner is the right look. This is reason there were so many shoe shiners years ago. The polish evens everything out even if it doesn’t last long.

Generally, leather treatment is leather treatment. So, what I do to boots could theoretically be done with any leather. I reserve my tender love and care to shoes and products that are durable and can be repaired. I have a pair of waterproof, low hikers and they weren’t cheap shoes. That being said, the sole (tread rubber) has peeled off twice. I glued them back to the spongy substrate and the still work. The point being is that I am not going to invest lifetime care into things that will not last a lifetime.

One last point before I leave this. Most modern shoes are not actually leather but synthetic. I would be less militant about synthetic products but I also feel like, ‘what is the point?’ If they are not built to last forever, then I don’t see the value in the time and product to slow the inevitable.

End Your Programming Routine: Treat you leather well and it will literally last your lifetime. One thing I found is spend a little time up front and then the ongoing maintenance will be much easier. On my boots, I will clean them off and rub the wax in. That should be good to go for a couple of years at the rate that I wear them.

September 17, 2024 – Wiping Your Data

September 17, 2024 /

I am a connoisseur of techno junk. All of that comes off of the secondary market. As a result, you never know what procedures are put in place to protect the former owner. I suspect that companies do some things, but really why would I as a former owner want to put chance out to the universe.

I had our old phone system sitting around for a few months. The reason is because I wanted to clean them before I got rid of them. I will acknowledge that getting any real, usable data and having that fall into unscrupulous hands is a very small possibility. That being said, who would want to buy something with other’s junk on it either? We as consumers need to do our due diligence to protect ourselves as best possible.

I will admit that when I get something second hand that has data on it, I take a look at it. I never intend to do anything with it, but more as a curiosity. Who were these people, what did they do with this, what did they replace it with and those kinds of questions. I never invest much before I start over, I suppose it is that due diligence look.

I don’t have anything to hide, but people don’t need to know that I received calls from a household in Germany in 2023. I feel like it is more protecting them, not so much me. The main unit is a cell phone that has a wired connection. So, this is as good as handing over a cell phone to a stranger. I took the SIM card out. Probably, information could be obtained through the provider but at that point, it is out of my hands.

I have sitting in my shop a robotic vacuum. The reason it has not gone to the recycler is that it is still configured to run. This is a device that has a map of my house, down to how the furniture is arranged. It also has a connection to my internet, albeit it is a guest connection. But still, there is no reason just to hand that stuff over to parts unknown.

This is a related scenario but I am becoming aware of old devices and vulnerabilities. The rough outline is old applications that are no longer supported by manufacturers offer a potential home for malware. This could be inadvertently installed and get access to a network. I am a little on the fence on what to do here. Probably the best thing is disconnect old devices from the network or segregate to a guest network an protect active data.

That seems like a subject for another day. But in this day and age of everything can connect, everything wants an account and everything is collecting data, it is a good idea be thinking longer term in security strategy. It is not so much the money but the time to deal with all of these things that could be the real killer. My advice is to clean everything you can before disposing of it, no matter the mechanism.

End Your Programming Routine: I used to believe that I have nothing to hide. I still think that is true, but I also think that no doing due diligence with electronics disposal is like leaving a stack of 100 euros laying at a park bench. It may not be immediately useable, but somebody could figure out how to convert it into something that they want. Don’t just surrender potentially valuable information, think about what you are doing and the consequences.

July 23, 2024 – Are We Done Yet?

July 23, 2024 /

The last major component has been added to my office. Something that started in the winter of 2021 is done… almost. The actual last thing that I want to do is replace my chair with something more becoming of sitting in it all day long. I have decided that my chair sucks a lot.

My chair is not new. Technically that is an upgrade. But the TV is new (to me). This is the component that knits all of my techno junk together. It acts as a second monitor, I have it connected to the VCR, the Blue-Ray player and the X-Box 360. All of those qualify as techno junk in my book.

If you recall three years ago, I actually wired my office for surround sound. My thought was that I was going to finally put those speakers in a home they deserve. I did mess around with them early on but unfortunately, the space does not totally work. My speakers are way too large for the space.

Thinking back retrospectively, I could have built my office differently to accommodate for the speakers I have. That would have involved moving the door more centrally in the space.. But, I would have lost out on some of my usable space for my couch and that does get used.

Like everything in life, it is a compromise. I have considered purchasing some micro speakers like the Bose brand and then I really could make it happen. After all, everything is wired and ready to go. I haven’t totally ruled that out but that would then violate one of my tenants. That is putting to use the techno junk that I have lying around.

Sometimes I turn on the local news on mute while I am working. I enjoy it and it makes me feel more connected. Like this is some kind or war room or control center. Technically, it is the home of AltF4 and is probably the single place I spend time in my life. Nine hours of working beats 6 hours of sleeping. That is actually my justification for the chair.

Like all done projects, it is not totally done. I need to wire the TV output to the receiver. I am still on the lookout for a subwoofer. I occasionally see one at a good price but the timing is not right. I want it to be both cheap and easy. I am weighing the real want for surround sound. I don’t have an actual remote for the TV. We have another Panasonic TV. I can use that remote for the advanced functions. It will cease to be a goal and more like a ‘some day’ desire.

End Your Programming Routine: I feel good that all the old misfit toys now have a home. I don’t know if I will ever sit down and watch a VCR tape in full surround sound, but I could. I feel like one of those TV shows where I can hack into any piece of data and solve a crime or get information. Yeah, it is a fantasy but it is done with a $12.50 TV and a bunch of cast off electronics (including the computer).