EDIT: Could you folks do me a favor? When you see a tech tip you like or helps you in some way, post a comment to that tip so I know what you like.
Every Tuesday I post a tech tip (you can see all of them by clicking on the "tips" label below). Okay, most Tuesday's I post a tech tip.
Anyway, my question is: Are you cool with them? Handy? Not handy? What kinds of tech material would you like to see covered?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
You cool with tech tips?
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15 comments:
Yes, Jay. Your Tech Tips are very nice. Thanks to your Tech Tips I picked up Firefox 3 the day it was released.
There are a few things I'd like covered:
I've got this printer, and this silver piece of plastic came out of it one day, so I got out my welding tools and I welded it to the back of the printer where I thought it came from. But then I realized that I had melted the strip that connects the ink cartridges to something else, so I got out some duct tape and I taped it back on but now the cartridges slam against the walls of the printer. So now the cartridges are a little off kilter and I'm getting crossed ink streams on the paper. Can you fix my printer?
I'm assuming you're joking (welding plastic?!), but I'll give you a serious answer.
Generally speaking, inkjets are the equivalent of a Gillette Fusion handle. A Gillette Fusion is that 5-bladed monstrosity of a cartridge razor.
The idea here is to practically give away the razor handle (with a few starter cartridges) in order to lock you in to buying their incredibly expensive cartridges forever. Or at least until they release a six-bladed monstrosity.
Same deal with inkjets. So if you have problems with an out-of-warranty inkjet, dump it and get a new one.
This is why I use laser printers at work and home. Laser printers are a little more expensive up-front, but generally are cheaper to print with per page.
Not coincidentally, this is also why I shave with a 1940s vintage Gillette Super Speed double-edge. Think of it as an open-source shaving experience.
I was joking, but thanks for the serious answer. I've never owned an inkjet, thank goodness.
And I shave with electric. Ain't as close, but I don't need nothin' fancy.
And that's one to grow on. Yo Joe!
Only a weak-knee, limp-wristed lib would be asking this kind of question. Everybody knows conservatives know how to do everything all by themselves.
Did you know that libs invented computers (and the internet -- didya hear that Al Gore?) to enslave humanity to their desks and ruin the lives of millions.
Stupid libs.
< / channeling trenton>
::::
Back to your question, though...yes Jay, I like Tuesday Tech Tips w/ Jay
I'm more fond of tweaks for my system/browser than I am with google tricks, but they both work for me.
First of all, could you folks do me a favor? When you see a tech tip the you like or helps you in some way, post a comment to that effect.
That helps me figure what's doin' out there on the internets.
As for the type of tips, there's only so much I can do with browser tips -- I get bored with it and want a little variety.
That's why we spent some time cleaning up your desktpos a little while back.
Now, I can give you all sorts of tech tips.
* Kitchen/cooking tips (anyone who doesn't see the connection between geeky tech tips and the kitchen never saw Alton Brown's awesome show, Good Eats.
* Fancy router tips (securing it properly, etc)
* Prepare for the day your PC doesn't turn on or melts down.
* How to turn renovate an old PC (new OS, re-purposing, etc.)
* A tech checklist for people going to Iraq or Afghanistan.
* How to buy and use an MP3 player
* Buying a new PC or laptop
* Adding RAM to a machine or a larger capacity HDD
* Calibrating your home theater for video and sound
* Consolidating your remote controls
* Making tin-foil hats to block CIA mind-control rays from space.
Any of that interest you?
Good grief Jay, you know all this AND you own a restaurant?
I like to tinker. Which reminds me, if you like to tinker, don't chuck your old inkjet printer, VHS VCRs, etc: They are chock full of parts you can use.
You can find all kinds of awesome projects in the quarterly Make magazine:
http://www.makezine.com/
I used Make's instructions (actually Johnny Lee's instructions) to make two steadicams that actually work for the DVD a buddy and I made.
Tonight I'll be supercharging a router for home use. Little projects help keep my powder dry.
I'm pretty handy with a PC, but always on the lookout for simple and inexpensive ways to improve performance.
As the house chef throw your kitchen tips my way anytime!
I'd enjoy some tips regarding audio on the PC. I've been having a problem with all my stereo files - the right channel is fine, but the left is full of annoying distortion.
Any ideas? I tried mixing them to mono and then the whole thing was ruined.
Trenton,
It does work that way, doesn't it? Run everything through a single channel (the right, as you note) and the whole thing gets ruined.
RayBee,
"Run everything through a single channel (the right, as you note) ".
A good idea, but it won't work.
While listening to a single channel is preferable to hearing the screeching of the malfunctioning left channel, true stereo requires both channels to be working in concert. That's the only way to accurately recreate the music of the creator and not ruin the song.
No, I think the left channel is just damaged internally. Probably a blown capacitor, but there are lots of ways things can go awry to cause distortion . Some components just arrive from the factory weak and tend to fail when called upon.
I hope it can be repaired. Don't you?
____
"Run everything through a single channel (the right, as you note) ".
A good idea, but it won't work.
____
Do you always repeat what the other person said?
Do you always repeat what the other person said?
It's been proven that running things exclusively through the right doesn't work. You said it. I agreed.
Some people just can't hear the left no matter what.
No surprise with Mr T.
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