First-World Problems...Part Lua Sefulu Lua

Pretty unassuming thing...yet it has revolutionized so many things. And we take it for granted!

Think back to your first experience with an integrated circuit, or even a transistor. It was probably something out of the ordinary for those of us of a certain age (29....), but now?

And as much as we bitch and moan about the planned obsolescence of our modern machines, they are pretty amazing.

Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now, or even the one built into your car's dashboard.

So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

Posted by: CBD at 02:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First

Posted by: 80's music fan at August 30, 2020 02:01 PM (glGDV)

2 I like ABS, traction control and feel OK about airbags. Lots of life saved, personal injury prevented. I wish fewer people were looking at the phone.

Posted by: 80's music fan at August 30, 2020 02:02 PM (glGDV)

3 Just put up new motion detector lights on the house.
You'd think they would provide batteries.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2020 02:03 PM (axyOa)

4 But the porn epidemic has not been worth the suffering.

Posted by: 80's music fan at August 30, 2020 02:03 PM (glGDV)

5 Made with silicon, the second most common element in the Earth's crust. Sand

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 30, 2020 02:03 PM (9TdxA)

6 Top ten?

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 02:04 PM (vU2Np)

7 Sorry I'm late

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:05 PM (OjZpE)

8 Just a rando first this time.

Posted by: 80's music fan at August 30, 2020 02:05 PM (glGDV)

9 Soon, we will remember third world problems as not being all that bad, once we get out minds right!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:06 PM (2C38g)

10 I have third world problems and they are ruining my weekend.

Posted by: runner at August 30, 2020 02:06 PM (zr5Kq)

11 9
Our

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:06 PM (2C38g)

12 I can remember when real dildos didn't have bluetooth.

Damn...am I getting old.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:07 PM (3D/fK)

13 First world problem?
Keeping the tablet screen clean

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:07 PM (OjZpE)

14 I like the tv screen built into my refrigerator!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:08 PM (2C38g)

15 I like my modern TV, I hate my kid's new washer, dryer and refrigerator. The bells and whistles on my 2020 car are great, except I don't care for push button start and had to override the "planet saving" feature that makes it shut off at traffic lights. What BS

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:08 PM (ONvIw)

16 My first experience with a transistor radio was when I was very young. Both me and my older brother got a Sears "Happy Time" transistor radio. It was a 3 transistor radio with a single ear bud. We are talking early 50s here Morons. I still have that radio. It no longer works though.

Posted by: Vic at August 30, 2020 02:08 PM (mpXpK)

17 5
Made with silicon, the second most common element in the Earth's crust. Sand

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 30, 2020 02:03 PM (9TdxA)

------------------------------------

I'm a railfan, and it always sort of amazes me when I watch commodities moving. Unit trains with over a hundred gondolas full of coal or limestone, centerbeam flats filled with lumber, long trains of sand hoppers, all on their way to become something else. Really, for all our technology, in a way we haven't advanced that far from Neanderthals - the commodities our culture is built on are still just rocks, sticks and dirt.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 02:09 PM (+3rQF)

18 I think the new riots are fantastic. We'll finally get that Trump!

Posted by: Malignancy, The Wicked Witch of the Potomac at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (Y8PSl)

19 Was actually thinking the other week
My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (OjZpE)

20 16: Getting a transistor to take to the lake or use just while sunning in the backyard was very cool, back in the day

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (ONvIw)

21 So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

The ones that shit the bed and are trashed en toto, because you can't fix them?

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (WavOX)

22 I remember my father building a Heathkit digital portable calculator.

$100.00 back in the late sixties/early seventies. Took four AA batteries.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (3D/fK)

23
So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

Had you finished that with "washing machines", I would have known that you don't own one.

There's a reason why augmenting today's washing detergents with real TSP is a recurring topic at this place and others like it.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:11 PM (pNxlR)

24 I sell TVs. I've noticed a steady decline, year over year, in build quality. The improved technologies are supposed to make up for that, but most 4k scalers seem just as crappy as they were 5 years ago.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at August 30, 2020 02:11 PM (jDLck)

25 Was actually thinking the other week
My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.
Posted by: Skip

Radio Shack.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:11 PM (WavOX)

26 Id still be here if this place was on a wildcat bbs

Posted by: Jean at August 30, 2020 02:11 PM (Xih1H)

27

It was great when everybody used to die from lung cancer instead of existential sadness...

Posted by: Pendulating Richard at August 30, 2020 02:12 PM (9qiZT)

28 I'm one of the oldest millennials (born in '82) and I have many fond memories of playing with the original one-piece, black-and-white Macintosh because my dad used one at work and would bring it home a few times a week. He still has it in its original travel bag on a shelf in his basement, and yup, it still boots and works great.

I'm old enough to remember getting our first home computer (a Macintosh IIsi with a whopping 1 MB of RAM and 80 MB hard drive, which I filled a fifth of by installing Marathon) and our first online service (America Online, circa 1995).

The one thing he probably really regrets introducing me to was the Nintendo Entertainment System when I was 3. 35 years and countless wasted hours I could have used on something better later, I'm still a hopeless video game junkie. I've cut out most modern games and their woke BS though, and focus on retro.

Posted by: MrUNIVAC at August 30, 2020 02:12 PM (man7Q)

29
The ones that shit the bed and are trashed en toto, because you can't fix them?
Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (WavOX)

Before I bought my refrigerator, I called the PSE&G appliance repair people to ask which machines were easiest from a repair and replacement part perspective.

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:12 PM (ONvIw)

30 great old washing machines were truly greater. We had one twenty years and then had to replace them every couple of years.

I guess my tv is better but it has to be ten years old. It is a Samsung and at least they used to make some really good stuff.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:12 PM (knLuK)

31
Hewlett-Packard HP-45 calculator. Loved that device. Some punk ass CHEM 101 student lifted it from my office during one of my open office hour sessions.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (pNxlR)

32 It was a 3 transistor radio with a single ear bud.

Vic,
Got my first 3 transistor radio in 1964. I could get three stations on it. Then had to do chores so I could get batteries. And that taught me about positive and negative.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (axyOa)

33 I got a GE portable transistor AM-FM monaural radio back in the day, sucker ate batteries for lunch, but it was great because it was mobile music!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (2C38g)

34 Id still be here if this place was on a wildcat bbs
Posted by: Jean

tx.guns & misc.survivalism on usenet.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (WavOX)

35 I had a computer with no hard drive. There was this adventure game, one of those text only games. If you died, you had to reboot DOS.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (knLuK)

36 hackable sex toys?

Posted by: Louis Reinitz at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (bVHFg)

37 And much to be said for medicine too: getting an MRI on my knee was a lot less painful than an arthrogram would be. For an arthrogram, you had to inject the knee full of contrast agent before taking the x-rays.

Posted by: Otto Zilch at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (U2esv)

38 7400 Quad NAND. Signetics or TI. Not sure. I'll check later.

Posted by: klaftern at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (RuIsu)

39 Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (MVjcR)

40 "Radio Shack."

Ah yes...long gone now as well.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (3D/fK)

41 I had a computer with no hard drive. There was this adventure game, one of those text only games. If you died, you had to reboot DOS.
Posted by: Quint

Try pixel dungeon on your phone

Posted by: Jean at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (Xih1H)

42 So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

When shopping for toys....buy American.

And you can't go wrong with gasoline.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (pB6Gt)

43 MORON ROAD TRIP!!!!

CannibalBob, Heidi, Jordan61 and I are headed to Chesapeake Beach! I gotta dip
My toes in salt water.

Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (tTptI)

44 tx.guns & misc.survivalism on usenet.
Posted by: rickb223

I remember usenet more for the binary files

Posted by: Jean at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (Xih1H)

45 Fry's Electronics at their zenith was truly a wonder to behold. Going there today is so depressing.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (jDLck)

46 Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!
Posted by: Weasel

That's good to hear.
As a kid I loved going into the store and playing with the tube tester when the old man wasn't looking. Always tried to make the needle move.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (axyOa)

47 " hackable sex toys?"

Why would a butt plug NOT need access to the internet?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (3D/fK)

48 Used to be able to build things with IC DIPs with tenth-inch spaced pigtail leads. Now all the chips are SMDs, so home brewers have to buy them on breakout boards, or get an expensive SMD soldering robot.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (qpX6U)

49 Washing machines are a different fish altogether.

You put in dirty clothes, add some detergent and water, let the machine spin and agitate for a while, then rinse and spin, so most of the water is gone.

Take out and dry. Done.

If your washing machine has a computer in it that does anything more than regulate time and amount/temp of the water, you're paying too much.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (hku12)

50 43 MORON ROAD TRIP!!!!

CannibalBob, Heidi, Jordan61 and I are headed to Chesapeake Beach! I gotta dip
My toes in salt water.
Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (tTptI)
------
Nice! It was so good finally meeting you all.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:17 PM (MVjcR)

51 Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (tTptI)

Nurse, I hope you are not a vegetarian!

If you are though, don't turn your back on Heidi!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:17 PM (2C38g)

52 Oh....i remember Redneck Rampage. One of the first computer games before WWII.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:17 PM (pB6Gt)

53 Probably a lot of the silicon that comes out of Asian fabs has "phone-home" logic onboard that we haven't found yet.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:17 PM (qpX6U)

54 Usenet groups.

I guess that's why following conversations here is so easy for me.

It's just like it was then.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:18 PM (WavOX)

55 First computer I used had 4k. Dad and I built it in the basement. To this day I am amazed at how fast CPUs work. With all the stuff going on in there it's mind boggling that they work at all.

Posted by: f'd at August 30, 2020 02:18 PM (QmALp)

56 "I gotta dip
My toes in salt water."

Need to go a little further east yet.

That's on the bay.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:18 PM (3D/fK)

57
That's good to hear.
As a kid I loved going into the store and playing with the tube tester when the old man wasn't looking. Always tried to make the needle move.
Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (axyOa)
----
My first real job was at a drugstore with a tube tester.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:18 PM (MVjcR)

58 Vacuum tubes will be valuable after the EMP blasts during the Soros funded terrorist enukining...

Posted by: Pendulating Richard at August 30, 2020 02:18 PM (9qiZT)

59 Washing machines are a different fish altogether.

You put in dirty clothes, add some detergent and water, let the
machine spin and agitate for a while, then rinse and spin, so most of
the water is gone.

Take out and dry. Done.

If your washing machine has a computer in it that does anything more
than regulate time and amount/temp of the water, you're paying too
much.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (hku12)

I had so much trouble with the modern versions or Whirlpool and Maytag that I did some sleuthing online. I ended up getting old school machines with only push buttons from Speed Queen. You see Speed Queen in every laundromat for a reason, and they are American Made. You don't see the retail versions in stores for whatever reason. But they can be had online.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (knLuK)

60 First computer I used had 4k. Dad and I built it in the basement. To this day I am amazed at how fast CPUs work. With all the stuff going on in there it's mind boggling that they work at all.

Posted by: f'd

When you hit the refresh button here:

Processing 0.0, elapsed 0.0131 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0056 seconds, 67 records returned.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (WavOX)

61 VIC-20 FTW!

Have tape recorder, will travel.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (Z+IKu)

62 It's a QFP. The dot on the side indicates "pin 1"

Posted by: Cybersmythe at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (qDSku)

63 What didn't exist before my lifetime (age 29...)
Medical devices and procedures:

First kidney transplant in 1950s
First polio vaccine in 1950s
Stents to prevent heart attacks
Dental high-speed drills
Dental implants
Low cost drugs for high blood pressure, cholesterol
CT Scans
MRIs -- kind of miraculous to look inside
Knee and hip replacements
Aids to quit smoking, including Vaping

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (vU2Np)

64 NURSE! Keep an eye out for Horseshoe crabs. They don't have them out here and they are super creepy.

Oh, and have crab cakes and compare them unfavorably with Dungeness (which is only appropriate). And complain about the oysters too, they like that back there.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (WyVLE)

65 Rusty Nail, advice if you will.

Have yet to get a real (flat, contemporary) TV.

When I do, my requirements will be basic (and I hear most of the "advanced" features they keep inventing are irrelevant most of the time anyway).

So - just pick a screen size, and bottom of the line? Brand to avoid?

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (OTzUX)

66 hackable sex toys?"
----------------
Why would a butt plug NOT need access to the internet?
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (3D/fK)

Word on the street is, you have your distant lover controlling speed and motion and all that. I would assume for the ladies, they generally want their own man doing that, but for the fella who like some behind action, yeah, a stranger will do just fine.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:21 PM (hku12)

67 For me, it's radios. On the shelf above this desk, I have two radios. One is a brand new Icom IC-7300. Completely digital, automatic tuning and zero beat, built-in digital filtration, touchscreen controls, full color bandscope - every bell and whistle I can imagine, and many I still haven't mastered. Puts out 100 watts in any mode - SSB, AM, FM, CW, digital. It's an amazing piece of technology, and it's really on the low end of the price scale. It's a bargain radio. Beside it is a Heathkit HW-8. Manual dials, components soldered by hand onto a breadboard, a tiny light bulb so you can see the dial in the dark. A massive 3.8 watts, CW (morse code) only.

I'd like to pretend I'm some kind of purist and prefer the old Heathkit, but I don't. It's fun to use for the challenge, but modern radios are just so damned good.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 02:21 PM (+3rQF)

68 Probably a lot of the silicon that comes out of Asian fabs has "phone-home" logic onboard that we haven't found yet.
Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:17 PM (qpX6U)

We passed the point of having any idea of what our computational toys are actually doing (with respect to "reporting") a long time ago!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:21 PM (2C38g)

69 19
Was actually thinking the other week

My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes
and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual
stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.

I loved going with my dad to the local drug store that had a cool oak tube tester that he would plug a tube into to see if it was good or not. Imagine fixing a TV these days.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 02:22 PM (+ya+t)

70 Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now, or even the one built into your car's dashboard.

It took a real man to loot a Trinitron back in the day.

Posted by: t-bird at August 30, 2020 02:22 PM (vOGqy)

71 Was actually thinking the other week
My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (OjZpE)

Reminds me of the radars I worked on back in the day. Stuff was made before I was born...1958. Worked on the radars in the late 70's.

Posted by: Traveling Man Who's Stuck At Home. Thanks China &&&& at August 30, 2020 02:23 PM (eEnvs)

72
* sotto voice *

Let's replace Pixy's hamsters with gerbils, and see if anyone notices ...

Posted by: Richard Gere at August 30, 2020 02:23 PM (DMUuz)

73 61 VIC-20 FTW!

Have tape recorder, will travel.
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (Z+IKu)

TI99/4A bitches! I spent all afternoon programming a game in BASIC from a nerd magazine and attempted to save it to cassette tape. It didn't work. I was very upset.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:23 PM (NWiLs)

74 Run wireshark on the WLAN traffic in your neighborhood, and see all the Chinese-named packets.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:23 PM (qpX6U)

75 It took a real man to loot a Trinitron back in the day.
Posted by: t-bird at August 30, 2020 02:22 PM (vOGqy)

LOL. Some of them must have weighed over 150lbs

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM (ONvIw)

76 Lua?

Awesome. I'll have the plate of pork and rice. No macaroni salad, thanks. That's just too much carbs. And just leave the teriyaki sauce bottle.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM (S+F2a)

77 If your washing machine has a computer in it that does anything more
than regulate time and amount/temp of the water, you're paying too
much.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM (hku12)

I had so much trouble with the modern versions or Whirlpool and Maytag that I did some sleuthing online. I ended up getting old school machines with only push buttons from Speed Queen. You see Speed Queen in every laundromat for a reason, and they are American Made. You don't see the retail versions in stores for whatever reason. But they can be had online.
Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (knLuK)

I hear the problems (leakage, mold, stank, etc) people have with their front loaders that are minimal water usage... egad. Just take it to the river and use rocks if you're that worried about using too much water.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM (hku12)

78 Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:21 PM (hku12)

For a good time call
1-800-BUT-GIEG

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM (2C38g)

79 Having lived through the PC revolution, it's amazing that I now have more computing power and storage space in my smartphone than even the highest-end business computer had at the time.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM (NWiLs)

80 There's been such a huge change to the humble telephone. The quality of the calls have certainly gone down, but it's now a recording studio, radio, television, computer, library, and post office.

Posted by: t-bird at August 30, 2020 02:25 PM (pbStR)

81 39 ... "Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!"

Weasel,
Seriously? In what way?

Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2020 02:25 PM (7EjX1)

82 It's absolutely pouring rain here. Standard August in Florida.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:25 PM (NWiLs)

83 You know they make hand grenades with Braille for blind people.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:25 PM (pB6Gt)

84 I HATE HATE the auto stop start on my car. I am looking at aftermarket product that will always have it off. I can't count the number of times that I nearly got into an accident because I am a roundabout and I hit the gas and nothing happens car hesitates Which nearly causes an accident.

Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at August 30, 2020 02:26 PM (dKiJG)

85 Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now,�

-
Today's are far easier to loot and run away with.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 02:26 PM (+y/Ru)

86 We passed the point of having any idea of what our computational toys are actually doing (with respect to "reporting") a long time ago!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:21 PM

You say that like it's a Bad Thing.

Posted by: Bob from NSA at August 30, 2020 02:26 PM (DMUuz)

87 MP3 players and recorders.

My Naxos takes a AAA battery and can record 15 hours of audio. It cost $12.00 and has better sound quality than any cassette tape recorder I ever owned.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2020 02:26 PM (WyVLE)

88 There's been such a huge change to the humble telephone. The quality of the calls have certainly gone down, but it's now a recording studio, radio, television, computer, library, and post office.
Posted by: t-bird

Yeah. I whined to my wife the other night how much I missed the old black, dial Western Union standard hard wired phones of my youth.

Call quality was so much better.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (WavOX)

89 I still have a TRS-80, Model 100 out in the garage that I would love to give to any Moron who might want it.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (3D/fK)

90 39
Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (MVjcR)--

Vacuum tubes never went away with the Russians. I bother used to work on aircraft electronics. His test equipment as all tube powered and the only place you could get the tubes for it was Russia.

Posted by: Vic at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (mpXpK)

91 Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now, or even the one built into your car's dashboard.
----------
It took a real man to loot a Trinitron back in the day.
Posted by: t-bird at August 30, 2020 02:22 PM (vOGqy)

I don't really get why people wall mount their teevees. Most people I've seen with them mounted, the angle is wrong. They're too high on the wall, and in a few years when it's time to replace it, your wall is damaged.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (hku12)

92 Slave factolee make chip for Loundeye Amellican Pig Dog!

Goo Luck!

Posted by: ChY Nah at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (luzVb)

93 Family still has two big Sony TV tHat are basically too big to move safely, even getting on a dolly is potentially inviting back surgery!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (2C38g)

94
I had a computer with no hard drive. There was this adventure game, one of those text only games. If you died, you had to reboot DOS.
Posted by: Quint

Command line games where you had to draw your own maps FTW!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (pNxlR)

95 So - just pick a screen size, and bottom of the line? Brand to avoid?

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM

LCD panels with LED backlights are still king. Just look for a set with good side angle viewing and avoid off-brands like TCL and Hisense. Samsung, LG, and Sony are good brands. Vizio is hit and miss.

OLED sets from LG and Sony look better than everything, but bring your wallet and be prepared to pay double (or more) the cost of an LED LCD.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (jDLck)

96
Yeah. I whined to my wife the other night how much I missed the old black, dial Western Union standard hard wired phones of my youth.

Call quality was so much better.
Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (WavOX)

Plus you could use them as a blunt weapon in a pinch. Can't do that with a modern phone.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (NWiLs)

97 I find the phones better but the conversations worse

Posted by: Chicago Vota at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (WVSR6)

98 I am so old I remember when phones were used for talking to someone. Cameras were used for taking pictures. It was a weird time.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (knLuK)

99 My first world problem right now is getting the hell out of Delaware and into jersey. It's like every road on the frigging planet is dumping onto 295.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 02:29 PM (//+90)

100 Commodore 64 was my first computer. Good times! The disk drive could be used as a weapon. It was huge. The ole TV powered by tubes and an aerial antenna that might pick up TV stations out of Pittsburgh but mostly Youngstown. It was hard times, man. Having to walk up to the TV and change the channels and screw around with the antenna to get a better picture!

Posted by: Puddleglum at August 30, 2020 02:29 PM (r/b5c)

101 89 I still have a TRS-80, Model 100 out in the garage that I would love to give to any Moron who might want it.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 02:27 PM (3D/fK)

Trash-80! My school had those many years ago...

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:29 PM (NWiLs)

102
I find the phones better but the conversations worse

Posted by: Chicago Vota at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (WVSR6)

well said.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:29 PM (knLuK)

103 Oh, and LED lights, especially the daylight lighting panels. Those are nearly magic.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (WyVLE)

104 I don't really get why people wall mount their teevees. Most people I've seen with them mounted, the angle is wrong. They're too high on the wall, and in a few years when it's time to replace it, your wall is damaged.
Posted by: BurtTC

Next tvs will be the whole wall, all of the walls. Won't need to paint.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (pB6Gt)

105 Best calculator ever made, and still the best to this day, the HP 12-c, 15-c, and 16-c.

The quality was so good they had to stop making them, because they would never break.

I still have a 12-c and a 15-c.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (5p7BC)

106
Having lived through the PC revolution, it's amazing that I now have more computing power and storage space in my smartphone than even the highest-end business computer had at the time.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:24 PM

the average low end smart phone has more computing power than the on-board systems on the space shuttle

IIRC, the shuttle flew on three 8088 machines

Posted by: AltonJackson Free Kyle at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (2E6fI)

107 Plus you could use them as a blunt weapon in a pinch. Can't do that with a modern phone.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (NWiLs)
-------
Slamming a modern light, plastic phone down in somebody's ear is no longer quite as gratifying as it once was.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (MVjcR)

108 "Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now"

Some of us haven't made it to the wall yet.

Posted by: Ace's new flat screen at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (DMUuz)

109 My Dad was HUGE on gadgets and Worked Federated Depart Stores, He got me a wrist watch RADIO for my birthday, that was 1980. Talk about cool, it only got AM Radio but still.

Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (dKiJG)

110 107 Plus you could use them as a blunt weapon in a pinch. Can't do that with a modern phone.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (NWiLs)
-------
Slamming a modern light, plastic phone down in somebody's ear is no longer quite as gratifying as it once was.
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (MVjcR)

Pushing the "end call" button really really hard just doesn't cut it.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (NWiLs)

111 My great aunt beat a guy to death with one of those old black Bakelite phones. he crawled in the bedroom window and was preparing to help himself. After that she got a gun.

The second time, somebody crawled halfway through the bedroom window she blew him back out the window.

There was never a third time.

Posted by: Pendulating Richard at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (9qiZT)

112 Nice meeting you all at the MoMe last night. I didn't stay long enough to meet everybody but the ones I did meet were good folk. Well done Bluebell and Weasel. Now get some sleep, you earned it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (r/b5c)

113 Weasel!!! How are you?!

Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (+X9Vs)

114 I have a mini car battery booster I can charge by USB port. I think it's fantastic.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (6z9Vj)

115 81 39 ... "Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!"

Weasel,
Seriously? In what way?

Vacuum tubes never went away with the Russians.

All the old Soviet republics have lots of cool vacuum tubes, radiation sensors, and vintage semiconductors for sale.

Some hams value tube gear because they are convinced it will survive an EMP attack. Maybe it will, but it won't survive the air- and ground-burst nudets that follow.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (qpX6U)

116 What we do here used to be done on CB Radio.

Posted by: klaftern at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (RuIsu)

117 Seems like everybody but me is OK with continually flushing money down the new-features tube. The only new feature I'm interested in is longevity. Since I diverge significantly from the pack by lack of interest in features, and dislike of having money pried out of my hands, I still run that Great Old Washing Machine you referenced, as well as great old everything-elses. So, I have to keep replacing tired wiring, etc. but that's better than sending more money than I have to overseas to prop up a communist regime.
... and now I sound exactly like my Dad.

Posted by: Mephistefales at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (VQs2C)

118 OT - President Donald Trump on Sunday shared a message on Twitter describing Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler as a "useless fucking idiot."

"Ted Wheeler is the useless fucking idiot and comic relief that gets everyone killed in every disaster movie," Twitter user "Tiff" wrote in a message on Twitter.

"Tone down the language, but TRUE!" Trump wrote, sharing the message.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (B12g/)

119 Family still has two big Sony TV tHat are basically too big to move safely, even getting on a dolly is potentially inviting back surgery!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (2C38g)

When I moved there were two large teevees still sitting in the garage. As far as I know they're still there. Too much hassle trying to have them "recycled," and NOBODY wants to haul them away as trash.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (hku12)

120 For appliances, to my surprise, the best we have are -

*ta-da!!!*

LG.

The fridge is only a couple of months old. But, it's very well designed and works like a delight. ie. keeps food and ice cold.

Our Washer and dryer are a few years old. And have never given us a moments problem, unlike another brand*cough*Samsung*cough*.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (EERbD)

121
Best calculator ever made, and still the best to this day, the HP 12-c, 15-c, and 16-c.

The quality was so good they had to stop making them, because they would never break.

I still have a 12-c and a 15-c.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM

I use a 12-C every day

Posted by: AltonJackson Free Kyle at August 30, 2020 02:32 PM (2E6fI)

122 Electronic ignition and fuel injection.

I was living in MN during the transition from points, condenser and carburetor to electronic ignition and fuel injection.

Being able to walk out on a 20 below day and have the car start immediately was a life saver.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:32 PM (WEBkv)

123 My Dad was HUGE on gadgets and Worked Federated Depart Stores, He got me a wrist watch RADIO for my birthday, that was 1980. Talk about cool, it only got AM Radio but still.
Posted by: Patrick from Ohio

Christmas '73 or '74.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:32 PM (WavOX)

124 113 Weasel!!! How are you?!
Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (+X9Vs)
------
Pooped! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your gift baskets were a major highlight of the evening!

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (MVjcR)

125
CannibalBob, Heidi, Jordan61 and I are headed to Chesapeake Beach! I gotta dip
My toes in salt water.
Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 02:15 PM (tTptI)

$20, same as on West Coast ... oh, never mind.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (pNxlR)

126 Best calculator ever made, and still the best to this day, the HP 12-c, 15-c, and 16-c.

The quality was so good they had to stop making them, because they would never break.

I still have a 12-c and a 15-c.
Posted by: Dave in Fla at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM

I have all three, and a few HP-41s. There's something to be said for the synthetic programming you could do on the 41s.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (DMUuz)

127 The most amazing circuitry ever created is in that thing you carry around on your shoulders.

How many phone #'s /addresses can you repeat without looking at your phone?

Posted by: Ben Had at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (Ys4fK)

128 What we do here used to be done on CB Radio.

Posted by: klaftern at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (RuIsu)

reminds me of that scene in Last Man Standing when the daughter discovered Ham radio and declared it better than Twitter.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (knLuK)

129 Oh, and for TVs -

SONY has always been the best for us.

Another brand*cough*Samsung*cough* went tits up after 4years.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (EERbD)

130 We passed the point of having any idea of what our computational toys are actually doing (with respect to "reporting") a long time ago!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar�

Let's just say it's a lot easier for Santa to tell who's naughty and nice.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (+y/Ru)

131 I got into technology starting in the late 80s. I went to DS A school in 87 and 88. Got into the fleet that still had computers and related equipment that were not chip based. A 286 pc was still relevant. The first time i saw a one gig hard drive it was bigger than two shoe boxes. I understand digital technology but can not wrap my head around where it has come to today. In all its glory.

Posted by: USNtakim at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (0OmEj)

132 Now if only we could have a chip inbeded into our brain so that so many don't just stare at their phones all day. Go to a bar with young people. What are they doing, sitting together but miles apart.Visited a 96 year old lady with my nephews daughters ages 11 and 13. They hardly even talked to her, just checking their phone for the whole visit. She could have told them to listen to her life story and they wouldn't even have heard her. Do they do that in a classroom? (when kids actually went to a physical school, that is)

Posted by: Colin at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (gfP64)

133 Better every year: veterinary medicine.

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (ONvIw)

134 Get some rest, friend. You and bluebell and Mrs. JTB did the real work!

Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (+X9Vs)

135 What we do here used to be done on CB Radio.
Posted by: klaftern

I'm so old, I remember 23 channel CB's.
We bought one for my grandfather for Christmas one year because he traveled often from the city to the country.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (WavOX)

136 Went to the Verizon store and said I need a simple phone that rings when someone dials my number, and I can decide whether or not I want to answer; and if I want to talk to someone I can dial their number and they can answer or not.

Salesman said "We don't sell those anymore!"

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (2C38g)

137 My first experience with transistors was when I was a kid.

My father helped me and my brothers build some radios from kits. My older brothers did most of the soldering.

There was a cool electronics store in Chicago back then - Allied Radio.. on Western Ave, I believe.. They had all kinds of kits and electronics supplies.

We put together a crystal radio, a short wave radio and a pair of walkie talkies. fun times..

Later on Allied turned into Heath Zenith and I bought my first dumb terminal.. a Z-19.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (CjFDo)

138 134 Get some rest, friend. You and bluebell and Mrs. JTB did the real work!
Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (+X9Vs)
-------
If you can, tune into the Gun Thread tonight for post-MoMe discussion and analysis.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (MVjcR)

139 All the old Soviet republics have lots of cool vacuum tubes, radiation sensors, and vintage semiconductors for sale.
Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM

Sadly, the supply of Rooskie Nixie tubes seems to have dried up.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (DMUuz)

140 I don't really get why people wall mount their teevees. Most people I've seen with them mounted, the angle is wrong. They're too high on the wall, and in a few years when it's time to replace it, your wall is damaged.
Posted by: BurtTC

Next tvs will be the whole wall, all of the walls. Won't need to paint.
Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM (pB6Gt)

Fifteen or fifty years from now, when you're dead and your kids/grandkids are trying to sell your house, your wall-o-tv will be as much an eyesore for prospective buyers as lime green kitchen color scheme is today.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (hku12)

141 38 134 Get some rest, friend. You and bluebell and Mrs. JTB did the real work!
Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 02:34 PM (+X9Vs)
-------
If you can, tune into the Gun Thread tonight for post-MoMe discussion and analysis.
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM (MVjcR)

Oh boy, this is gonna be GREAT!

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (NWiLs)

142 I was really into stereos in highschool, spent $750 on my equipment. Marantz receiver, Dual turntable, Akai tape deck and Advent speakers. Have no Idea what the comparable would cost me now, but I have been thinking of getting into vinyl again

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (xGKh3)

143 Oh, and for TVs -

SONY has always been the best for us.

Another brand*cough*Samsung*cough* went tits up after 4years.

Posted by: naturalfake

Still running a 36 inch Sony Bravia tv from 2009.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (WavOX)

144 I have been thinking of getting into vinyl again
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (xGKh3)

KINK-eee...

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (NWiLs)

145 The most amazing circuitry ever created is in that thing you carry around on your shoulders.

How many phone #'s /addresses can you repeat without looking at your phone?

Posted by: Ben Had

I can remember most of the numbers in my phone number!

Posted by: Broken Brain Biden at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (+y/Ru)

146
KINK-eee...
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (NWiLs)

Beat me to it!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (pNxlR)

147 33 I got a GE portable transistor AM-FM monaural radio back in the day, sucker ate batteries for lunch, but it was great because it was mobile music!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:13 PM (2C38g)

Turquoise?

Posted by: Braenyard at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (bETih)

148
Oh boy, this is gonna be GREAT!
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (NWiLs)
------
Brother, you are SO going to love TX in October.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (MVjcR)

149 I had a Timex Sinclair computer.
I still have a huge color CRT tv that still works fine.
The only reason it is still there is because I can no longer lift it, even tho' I am the one who put it there in the first place!

Posted by: attila the reasonable at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (w7KSn)

150 Salesman said "We don't sell those anymore!"

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:35 PM

Sounds wrong to me. Just Google "verizon feature phones". There's a basic Kyocera that they give away for free with a wireless contract.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (jDLck)

151 Weasel, I can't wait.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (Ys4fK)

152 Brother, you are SO going to love TX in October.
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:37 PM (MVjcR)

I am very much looking forward to it!

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (NWiLs)

153 I remember my friends numbers when we were kids. I could not tell you anyone's number today other than my own.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (knLuK)

154 Fifteen or fifty years from now, when you're dead and your kids/grandkids are trying to sell your house, your wall-o-tv will be as much an eyesore for prospective buyers as lime green kitchen color scheme is today.
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (hku12)
------------

15 or 50 years from now, the wall will be a TV.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (WEBkv)

155 151 Weasel, I can't wait.
Posted by: Ben Had at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (Ys4fK)
------
Xtra big hug to you for your contribution!

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (MVjcR)

156 I spent a long time avoiding the "pod" style dishwasher detergents, maybe because of the tide pod thing and maybe I just hate change. I finally broke down and tried them and damned if they aren't as good or better than the loose powder stuff, you use less and they more convenient at the same price. It might help that my dishwasher is 20+ years old, so no water saving BS.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Low Glycemic Souls at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (Wm5SB)

157 15 or 50 years from now, the wall will be a TV.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (WEBkv)

It will stream directly into your optic nerves, completely eliminating the need for an external viewing device.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (NWiLs)

158
I have to remember the last FOUR digits of my wife's and my phone numbers for when I pick up prescriptions. I remember our phone number from when I was in the fourth through twelfth grades.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (pNxlR)

159
That said, I'm tired of "smart" everything.

What I'd really like is a dumb fridge, dumb washer, dumb dryer, dumb everything that's build rock solid and has like four major components: each of which is easily replaceable.

The more complicated stuff is, the more ways it can break down.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (EERbD)

160 Greetings:

In the last '66, I was working at a Wall Street brokerage house that was installing an IBM 1401 mainframe in a special room with raised floors and a dropped ceiling. Then came the 360 and later on the 375.

In the last '70s, I was working with a PDP-8 "mini" computer on board an oceanographic research vessel. Then came the PDP-11.

In the last '80s, working for the Navy as a civilian printer, our mainframe was in Washington and we transmitted data from 8" discs over phone lines.

Later in the '80s, first PCs then Macs arrives. DOS and D-base and the world of Macs. Printers suffered through the change and customers supplying PC files.

Thinking back, the world seems to absorb it all, but I still have a bit of a qualm about where it's all going.

Posted by: 11B40 at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (evgyj)

161 The most amazing circuitry ever created is in that thing you carry around on your shoulders.

How many phone #'s /addresses can you repeat without looking at your phone?

Posted by: Ben Had at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (Ys4fK)

I know my number. And my mother's. Pretty much everyone else's is non-essential. If you aren't programmed into my phone, I'm not going to need to speak with you when I don't have my phone with me.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (hku12)

162 I remember my friends numbers when we were kids.

I could not tell you anyone's number today other than my own.
Posted by: Quint

And I sometimes have to pause on that.

I never call myself.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (WavOX)

163 I broke a blue ray player remote. Replacing it would have been more expensive than buying a new one.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:40 PM (6z9Vj)

164 It will stream directly into your optic nerves, completely eliminating the need for an external viewing device.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (NWiLs)
------------

That, sir, is a disturbing idea and, probably correct.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:40 PM (WEBkv)

165 Moki!!!

Hope you are well. The raffle baskets you made up for the MoMe were wonderful. Such a generous thing to do.

Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2020 02:40 PM (7EjX1)

166 I am very much looking forward to it!
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (NWiLs)
-------
I always enjoy watching someone at their first MoMe. It never gets old, but it's so much fun to see the amazement on their faces.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:40 PM (MVjcR)

167 "Sadly, the supply of Rooskie Nixie tubes seems to have dried up."

One garage sale I stopped at had a couple Nixie racks with all the support circuitry. Unfortunately, the seller knew what they were worth.

I bought the geiger tube for my counter from a guy in the Ukraine. I got a Red Army sling for my Mosin from a little old lady in Odessa. The old semiconductors from the Soviets are great for their imperfections: noise generators and the like.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:41 PM (qpX6U)

168 Fifteen or fifty years from now, when you're dead and your kids/grandkids are trying to sell your house, your wall-o-tv will be as much an eyesore for prospective buyers as lime green kitchen color scheme is today.
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (hku12)
------------

15 or 50 years from now, the wall will be a TV.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (WEBkv)

That's what I'm saying. That's going to be a fad, like lime green color schemes and shag carpeting.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:41 PM (hku12)

169 Moki

So sorry I did not get to see you last night, but Weasel is correct those were simply beautiful gift baskets! As an attendee you have my thanks for helping out in absentia!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:42 PM (2C38g)

170 Before I bought my refrigerator, I called the PSE&G appliance repair people to ask which machines were easiest from a repair and replacement part perspective.

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:12 PM (ONvIw)

Is that the outfit that helps keep CA in flames?

Okay, my first world problem is my 'fridge. It's now 25 years old and *knocks on wood* still working fine. But. About 2 years ago, the blower motor started squalling like a 2 year old being told No.

So. I emptied out the freezer section, took out the sheet metal covering and got the fan unit out. Got the part number off it, went to the manufacturer website to get the OEM replacement part number, and ordered it from an appliance parts place.

It came in, and I R&Red the old fan. Put the sheet metal back in, and the new part sits a full inch lower than the hole in the sheetmetal. Fuckity.

So I took the old motor apart, cleaned up everything, and put a couple of drops of lube on it here and there and reinstalled it.

It's still working great. No noise. The new part is on a shelf for that eventful day to come, when I'll have to 'modify' the sheetmetal hole, as that is the only replacement OEM part for my model fridge. Believe me, I've checked.

*mutters unkind words about the OEM replacement part engineers*

Posted by: GnuBreed at August 30, 2020 02:42 PM (Z4rgH)

171 A kidnthat works for me wanted to do software loads via a upc code, he thought he was a genius - until I dug out my 41 with the barcode reader

Posted by: Jean at August 30, 2020 02:43 PM (Xih1H)

172 Rusty Nail - thanks, mucho.

Saved your info, and that's plenty, for when I finally get around to getting a real TV.

Whether I finally get around to building my first AR before that remains the only amusing question.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:43 PM (OTzUX)

173 160:Thinking back, the world seems to absorb it all, but I still have a bit of a qualm about where it's all going.
Posted by: 11B40

(knock knock knock)..CANDYGRAM! Get your sweet yummy candy! (knock knock knock)...Hey, you don't like candy? Open the door, it will be ok...(knock knock knock)

Posted by: Skynet at August 30, 2020 02:43 PM (r/b5c)

174 Greetings:

Shag carpeting means never having to vacuum. Just get a longer shag.

Posted by: 11B40 at August 30, 2020 02:43 PM (evgyj)

175 15 or 50 years from now, the wall will be a TV.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (WEBkv)

It will stream directly into your optic nerves, completely eliminating the need for an external viewing device.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (NWiLs)

That's what I'm saying. The tech will change so rapidly, that wall mounted anything will be a silly anachronism very soon. Like your grandparents' vcr.

Won't even need to be implanted. Eyeglass/contact lens vr will be here before we know it.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (hku12)

176 Gun Thread

-
Senator Corey Gardner came to town for a campaign stop at a BBQ at the range. He said the two best smells are gunpowder and BBQ.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (+y/Ru)

177
So, good news...I'm not crazy. OK, maybe that's overselling, but regarding a particular work-related item, I have confirmed that I am not crazy. Actually I'm batting a thousand in that area thus far. Which would suggest that the crazy party is, well, someone who is not me.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (NWiLs)

178 First world problem
Trying to decide which color of polish for your mani/pedi

Posted by: Jmel at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (bVhJi)

179 Very odd that Chocolate Jesus and Mike have been very quiet since the DNC ..................

Posted by: James "Buster" Hymannd at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (qM84C)

180 It will stream directly into your optic nerves, completely eliminating the need for an external viewing device.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (NWiLs)

Don't forget the GPS location reporting system and contact tracing features based on your SSN.

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (2C38g)

181 gp - shopping in Ukraine? Cool. I assume that years back, before the unpleasantness with RUSSIA!!, one might have been able to actually buy a Mosin there, not just the accessories. But I wonder. Ukraine was a big source of the crates of Mosins shipped to the US in the last 20 years.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (OTzUX)

182 Us asshole guitar players were usually the ones keeping vacuum tubes alive because of our walls of tube amps. One of my amps has 7 preamp tubes and 4 power tubes. Another amp has 5 preamp tubes, 6 power tubes and 3 rectifier tubes. Having multiple amps like that damn near guarantees a future for vacuum tubes, and an asshole that billows smoke when you have to retube them.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (//+90)

183 Is that the outfit that helps keep CA in flames?

Posted by: GnuBreed at August 30, 2020 02:42 PM (Z4rgH)

No, I'm in NJ

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (ONvIw)

184 166:I always enjoy watching someone at their first MoMe. It never gets old, but it's so much fun to see the amazement on their faces.
Posted by: Weasel

That wasn't amazement, I was just tired. ;-)

Posted by: Puddleglum at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (r/b5c)

185 First computer I used was a TRS-80 Model I, and was programming in BASIC in the 4th grade.

First we owned? Timex-Sinclair 1000, with the membrane keyboard and 2K of RAM. Another 4K was a big, expensive brick stuck into the back of it.

After that, Commodore VIC-20, Coleco's ill-fated ADAM, Commodore 128, and Amiga 1000. Then it was PC til the end of time.

My favorite new tech is my tiny JBL Charge 3 speaker, which sounds better than any ghetto blaster I ever owned in the 80s.

And a flashlight from Gearlight that costs 20 bucks, and is brighter than the spotlights we had in the 90s, that we plugged into the cigarette lighter to shine for deer. Amazing.

Posted by: Taqiyyologist at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (j3jZX)

186 @15 I like my modern TV, I hate my kid's new washer, dryer and refrigerator. The bells and whistles on my 2020 car are great, except I don't care for push button start and had to override the "planet saving" feature that makes it shut off at traffic lights. What BS

-------------------

My car has that latter "feature", along with a button to override it on a trip by trip basis. However, it's ordinarily inactive, and I was completely unaware that it existed.

Then I took a trip from LA County where I live up to Sacramento and the Bay Area earlier this year. And after the first time that I started my car after arriving up north, the "feature" suddenly activated. It continued to run on every drive I took in the car until a few weeks after I got back home, when it suddenly stopped working again.

Very odd.

Not that I'm complaining, of course.

Posted by: junior at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (PTw5h)

187 This might be a minority opinion but I like the development of the craft beer industry.
And no I'm not a hipster.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (6z9Vj)

188 Don't forget the GPS location reporting system and contact tracing features based on your SSN.
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (2C38g)

They'll take care of that once we start getting chipped at birth.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (NWiLs)

189 Andy Ngo (real journalist) has the names of both the victim and the suspect from last night's Portland murder (using that term properly, unlike governors, mayors, and RNC speakers/WH staffers often do). Of course he's withholding both, for the right reasons, for now.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (OTzUX)

190 Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now, or even the one BUILT INTO YOUR CARS DASHBOARD.

So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

Posted by: CBD at 02:00 PM

I have to wonder what the venn diagram of folks who used to yell shut up and drive now have 7" or larger screens to play with in their dash.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (z79tQ)

191
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (//+90)
--------
Berserker - the small Marshall amp you saw last night has tubes!

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (MVjcR)

192 Greetings:

Shag carpeting means never having to vacuum. Just get a longer shag.
Posted by: 11B40 at August 30, 2020 02:43 PM (evgyj)

Brown carpets, man. Varying shades of brown in one's carpet means never having a stain that can't be hidden in plain sight.

Same color as cat barf. Same. Freakin'. Color. Hallelujah!

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (hku12)

193 was really into stereos in highschool, spent $750 on my equipment. Marantz receiver, Dual turntable, Akai tape deck and Advent speakers. Have no Idea what the comparable would cost me now, but I have been thinking of getting into vinyl again
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (xGKh3)

I've had a real nice system for about 15 years now. Kenwood receiver, Technics 5 disc CD changer, Yamaha dual cassette deck, Technics semiautomatic turntable and two prs of Bose speakers that I got at the local recycling center because someone cleaning out their parent's house didn't want to mess with them. Also had a client give me a pair of KLH speakers in Walnut cabinets.

Posted by: Traveling Man Who's Stuck At Home. Thanks China &&&& at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (eEnvs)

194 Once in a while I'll grab an old CB off ebay and modify it with an Arduino for control. Fun to watch something scan through channels that wasn't designed to do that. Add an Si5153 breakout board and more "interesting" things can happen.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (SchxB)

195 IBM PC 1984: 64k, two floppy drives, green screen

$4000.

Yes, it had little ICs for the memory modules.

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (vU2Np)

196 I love this Sunday thread. I am learning to count in so many new languages. Who knew Samoan would be so melodious!

Posted by: jayhawkone at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (czLWr)

197 187 This might be a minority opinion but I like the development of the craft beer industry.
And no I'm not a hipster.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (6z9Vj)

I like the competition and choice of brands, for sure. The growth of local breweries to provide alternatives to mass-produced pisswater is a good thing. The hipster connection is unfortunate happenstance.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (NWiLs)

198 This might be a minority opinion but I like the development of the craft beer industry.

And no I'm not a hipster.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (6z9Vj)

Wine is better than forty years ago, beer it better, Scotch is better and Bourbon is better.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:48 PM (knLuK)

199 I once went to a surplus electronics shop in search of a rack. Picked out the best one, price quoted was $75, said "Deal.", and started loading it onto my pickup.

Owner started putting boxes of circuit boards in the bed. I asked "What are those?", and the reply was "They go with the rack." I said, "I just want the rack." He said, "You don't understand, they GO with the rack."

Got home, started poking through the boxes, and it appeared I had everything needed for a PDP 11/34, except for a VT terminal.

It took 6 months to get it up and running, and the only think that made that feasible was one of the 4U disk drives had the boot pack in it, which otherwise would have been unobtainium.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 30, 2020 02:48 PM (DMUuz)

200 Next tvs will be the whole wall, all of the walls. Won't need to paint.
Posted by: humphreyrobot at August 30, 2020 02:30 PM

You should see the laser projectors. It's a small box on the floor, at the base of the wall, projects 4k. Amazing.

Posted by: Taqiyyologist at August 30, 2020 02:48 PM (j3jZX)

201 I forgot to mention that in the same period of time that my color CRT tv has been in use (decades) I have burned through a dozen or so LED, LCD or Plasma type flat screen tvs, which seem to go bad shortly after the warranty expires.

Posted by: attila the reasonable at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (w7KSn)

202 Which would suggest that the crazy party is, well, someone who is not me.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (NWiLs)

Occam, is that you?

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (2C38g)

203 This might be a minority opinion but I like the development of the craft beer industry.
And no I'm not a hipster.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (6z9Vj)

When I shipped home from Germany in 1990, I was certain I had had my last really good beer. Wasn't long before I began seeing small breweries popping up, and now Germans come to America to do beer tours.

Life's too short to drink PBR.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (x8Wzq)

204 Brown carpets, man. Varying shades of brown in one's carpet means never having a stain that can't be hidden in plain sight.

Same color as cat barf. Same. Freakin'. Color. Hallelujah!
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (hku12)
--------------

You guys are reminding me of some green jungle pattern wallpaper my mom put in, years ago.

The ficus, remember those?, started dying, and mom, looking at it, asked, "I wonder why the ficus is dying?"

I looked at mom and told her, "It couldn't stand the competition from the wallpaper."

Fortunately, mom had a sense of humor.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (WEBkv)

205 Andy Ngo (real journalist) has the names of both the victim and the suspect from last night's Portland mostly peaceful murder

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (+y/Ru)

206 Just compare your TV from your childhood to the one on your wall right now, or even the one BUILT INTO YOUR CARS DASHBOARD.

So enough about the great old washing machines...how about the great new...?

Posted by: CBD at 02:00 PM

I have to wonder what the venn diagram of folks who used to yell shut up and drive now have 7" or larger screens to play with in their dash.
Posted by: OneEyedJack at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (z79tQ)

I have a nice display on my car. I think it's 7". Does a lot of nice things that come in handy. However, since my phone is not an "approved" brand/model, my car won't recognize it. So be it. I can take calls through the car, which is nice. GPS though, I have to look at my phone to use it. Boo hoo.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (hku12)

207 First computer at work 1968 era:

64k memory, 3 one-megabyte disks. Yet it processed orders and results for 1500 lab tests each day in a 500 bed hospital.

I think it is time for a dirt nap.

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (vU2Np)

208 Craft beer's great. Taste is taste, and is one thing still allowed to vary between individuals (unless that's also regulated, now??).

But there's a weird impulse to denigrate/demonize/ridicule certain tastes or preferences, whether it's beer or 9mm vs 45ACP, and attempt to dress it up on some objective basis, which is incredibly stupid, but so boring that it merits no further discussion.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (OTzUX)

209 202 Which would suggest that the crazy party is, well, someone who is not me.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:44 PM (NWiLs)

Occam, is that you?
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (2C38g)

I'd say it's more process of elimination than Occam's Razor...

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (NWiLs)

210 I broke a blue ray player remote. Replacing it would have been more expensive than buying a new one.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker

'Universal' remotes used to be a solution to that. Have you tried looking for one that's compatible?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (S+F2a)

211 Guten Abend:

Fraulein, bringen sie mir drei glas bier, bitte.

Posted by: 11B40 at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (evgyj)

212 The ficus, remember those?, started dying, and mom, looking at it, asked, "I wonder why the ficus is dying?"

I looked at mom and told her, "It couldn't stand the competition from the wallpaper."

Fortunately, mom had a sense of humor.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (WEBkv)

Hah! I LOLed. Out loud even.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (x8Wzq)

213 So Joe is gonna crawl out of his basement tomorrow to a secret location to blame Trump for the violence? Can hardly wait

Posted by: Ralphie at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (Zmnko)

214
The more complicated stuff is, the more ways it can break down.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (EERbD)

For a time Mrs KvC could not resist buying those "universal" charging systems and data cables ("replace ALL your chargers with just ONE!") in which you swapped out one style of jack or transformer for another and "Hey! Presto!"

I HATED those - 2^N possible points of failure, where N was the number of devices you're "saving" time and $$$ to charge with ONE SYSTEM. "Buy a dedicated charger or connection cord," I said. But noooooo.

What are now part of electronic trash that I take to recycling once a year? You guessed it ...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (pNxlR)

215 I still have an old black desk phone. I love it. Need to get the phone co. out to see why the lines don't work at the other end of the house.

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (R4aZ2)

216 213 So Joe is gonna crawl out of his basement tomorrow to a secret location to blame Trump for the violence? Can hardly wait
Posted by: Ralphie at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (Zmnko)

If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of riots.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (NWiLs)

217 broke a blue ray player remote. Replacing it would have been more expensive than buying a new one.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker

'Universal' remotes used to be a solution to that. Have you tried looking for one that's compatible?
Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (S+F2a)

A universal remote was an option but that was more expensive than a new player.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (6z9Vj)

218 @104 Next tvs will be the whole wall, all of the walls. Won't need to paint.

----------------

I have a vague recollection that was how it worked in Farenheit 451. IIRC, the protagonist's wife was happy because they'd just gotten another wall in the house converted into a television.

Posted by: junior at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (PTw5h)

219 187 This might be a minority opinion but I like the development of the craft beer industry.

And no I'm not a hipster.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (6z9Vj)

I like the competition and choice of brands, for sure. The growth of
local breweries to provide alternatives to mass-produced pisswater is a
good thing. The hipster connection is unfortunate happenstance.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (NWiLs)

the craft beer industry kept going until they got into some really weird areas, such as some of the worst of Goses. Not saying gose is bad, but people pushed it into areas where it was weird for the sake of being weird. That is part of the creative process i guess.
These days I prefer a simple lager with a really nice Scotch. But everyone is into their own thing. You see the same thing with wine. People will swear off simple whites, end up with the most tannic reds, but go back to whites, Chards, Merlots, etc, all the things they said their were done with.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:52 PM (knLuK)

220 I forgot to mention that in the same period of time that my color CRT tv
has been in use (decades) I have burned through a dozen or so LED, LCD
or Plasma type flat screen tvs, which seem to go bad shortly after the
warranty expires.
Samsung LCD TV here is going on 15 years, no problems. Also have a little Element LCD TV, maybe 5 years old, vertical line in the middle of the screen. I think the transistor for the red pixels died.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:52 PM (SchxB)

221 They'll take care of that once we start getting chipped at birth.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (NWiLs)

Goons upset a lot of anchor baby mamas !

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:52 PM (2C38g)

222 If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of riots.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (NWiLs)

Don't think it's gonna stop any time soon... It's the media/Dems new talking point... trump caused the riots!

Posted by: It's me donna at August 30, 2020 02:52 PM (Zmnko)

223 I wish my grandparents kept there old, rotary dial, black, metal phone. It was solid. Like deadly solid. If you swung it at somebody's head, they'd get a serious concussion.

Posted by: Puddleglum at August 30, 2020 02:53 PM (r/b5c)

224 https://www.cbsnews.com/black lives matter rally nj teen emily gil billed police overtime englewood cliffs

The gist is she organized the BLM rally (she isn't black either) so got the bill for police overtime for it, $2,500 worth.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:53 PM (OjZpE)

225 At the start of the Personal Computer era, I was at a PC enthusiast trade show: the sign on the table screamed:

16k for 16 bucks!!!

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 02:54 PM (vU2Np)

226
Craft beer's great. Taste is taste, and is one thing still allowed to
vary between individuals (unless that's also regulated, now??).

But there's a weird impulse to denigrate/demonize/ridicule certain
tastes or preferences, whether it's beer or 9mm vs 45ACP, and attempt to
dress it up on some objective basis, which is incredibly stupid, but so
boring that it merits no further discussion.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:50 PM (OTzUX)

it is a process. If you are denigrating things you used to like, you are likely still early in the process. The real aficionados realize their tastes change and there is a time and place for everything.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:54 PM (knLuK)

227 Wine is better than forty years ago, beer it better, Scotch is better and Bourbon is better.
Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:48 PM

This is why I laugh at old hippies when they say Mary Jane was better in the 60s. No, it wasnt. Hell, tomatoes and marigolds are better. Every single plant in the Burpee catalog is better.

Posted by: Taqiyyologist at August 30, 2020 02:55 PM (j3jZX)

228 There was a cool electronics store in Chicago back then - Allied Radio..
on Western Ave, I believe.. They had all kinds of kits and electronics
supplies.

If you ever get back around West Chicago, American Science and Surplus is a cool place to poke around in.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 02:55 PM (+ya+t)

229 CJ and Big Mike are busy counting money. Double checking each other, no doubt.

Posted by: klaftern at August 30, 2020 02:55 PM (RuIsu)

230 I think, but not quite sure, rotary phones are not compatible with today's connections.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:55 PM (OjZpE)

231 https://www.cbsnews.com/black lives matter rally nj teen emily gil billed police overtime englewood cliffs

The gist is she organized the BLM rally (she isn't black either) so got the bill for police overtime for it, $2,500 worth.
Posted by: Skip

Welcome to reality

Posted by: Jean at August 30, 2020 02:55 PM (Xih1H)

232 Berserker - the small Marshall amp you saw last night has tubes!
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (MVjcR)

YThat little guy looked like it had el84s.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 02:56 PM (//+90)

233 The gist is she organized the BLM rally (she isn't black either) so got the bill for police overtime for it, $2,500 worth.
Posted by: Skip

Heh, good. Maybe they can get a judgment when she doesn't pay up.

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 02:56 PM (R4aZ2)

234 Andy Ngo (real journalist) has the names of both the victim and the suspect from last night's Portland murder (using that term properly, unlike governors, mayors, and RNC speakers/WH staffers often do). Of course he's withholding both, for the right reasons, for now.
Posted by: rhomboid

Names are already on Facebook. 4chan found the shooter's name.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:56 PM (WavOX)

235 Another blending of old and new. Reproduction candlestick phone from the 70's or 80's, rotary dial. Linksys SPA-3000. Raspberry Pi 4. All hooked up and working with Asterisk providing the connectivity via SIP. Only downside is I'd need a $45+ adapter to convert dial pulses to tones for dialing out.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (SchxB)

236 We still have a 720p TV that is at least 10 years old. Still has a good picture, especially with DVDs.

Our big living room TV is already 5 or 6 years old. Back when I watched sports, hockey, baseball and football looked great on that screen.

I do not miss the old CRTs, except for nostalgia reasons.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (x8Wzq)

237 �So Joe is gonna crawl out of his basement tomorrow to a secret location to blame Trump for the violence? Can hardly wait

Posted by:�Ralphie

Leaving a trail of slime wherever he goes.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (+y/Ru)

238 Picked up a Sony DVD player for bedroom at Goodwill. $7.20, little black sleek thing. No USB or HDMI, just analog. Hooked up to my flatscreen and works like buttah. Put in model number at Amazon and got a remote, which takes two AA batteries but works perfectly, $9.95. Pretty pleased with myself.

My first world problem is that I would like to play my CDs through a DVD player because my TV speakers are so good. But i can't turn off the TV display and am afraid of burning the screen, which I read can eventually happen even with LCDs.

Posted by: skywch at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (Y/Ps0)

239 There was a cool electronics store in Chicago back then - Allied Radio..
on Western Ave, I believe.. They had all kinds of kits and electronics
supplies.

If you ever get back around West Chicago, American Science and Surplus is a cool place to poke around in.
Posted by: dartist

TTU.
Two thumbs up.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (WavOX)

240 I still have an old black desk phone. I love it. Need to get the phone co. out to see why the lines don't work at the other end of the house.
Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 02:51 PM (R4aZ2)

Back in the day, Ma Bell owned those phones and did not want to spend a penny for maintenance or replacement so they were built for true long term service!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (2C38g)

241 Microbreweries can try some weird things knowing it's a small batch.
My local brewery tried to brew wine beer. It was a disaster but they tried and won't do it again.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 02:58 PM (6z9Vj)

242 I have an Opus (Bloom County) phone. Not hooked up because we don't have land line. Still works, I think.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 02:58 PM (x8Wzq)

243 1997 Speed Queen, last of the durable washers. Speed Queen knuckled under o the eco-freakos a couple of years ago and changed their design to the same fragile and ineffective thing the others are doing. Long live the Queen.

Posted by: Steve G at August 30, 2020 02:58 PM (/Gy2j)

244 175 15 or 50 years from now, the wall will be a TV.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:38 PM (WEBkv)

It will stream directly into your optic nerves, completely eliminating the need for an external viewing device.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:39 PM (NWiLs)

Three years.

on demand music too

Posted by: E. Musk at August 30, 2020 02:59 PM (bETih)

245 This is why I laugh at old hippies when they say Mary Jane was better in the 60s. No, it wasnt. Hell, tomatoes and marigolds are better. Every single plant in the Burpee catalog is better.
Posted by: Taqiyyologist

Acapulco gold and red is goat weed compared to the shit of today.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 02:59 PM (WavOX)

246 Baynesville Electronics ( Towson, MD ) torndown 2 years ago and replaced with Sonic Drive in.

Posted by: CapeFear at August 30, 2020 02:59 PM (4PDMt)

247 I think, but not quite sure, rotary phones are not compatible with today's connections.

Depends on the equipment at the local office. If they've got some really old gear in there it may still handle pulse dialing. Otherwise you'd need an adapter board to translate pulses to DTMF tones.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:59 PM (SchxB)

248 I can still remember my old phone number for home in GA when I was young. I can't remember any of the numbers on my phone now. Not even my own. That is what happens when all your numbers are stored on the phone and you just call them up for an auto-dial.

Posted by: Vic at August 30, 2020 03:00 PM (mpXpK)

249
I like the competition and choice of brands, for sure. The growth of
local breweries to provide alternatives to mass-produced pisswater is a
good thing. The hipster connection is unfortunate happenstance.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 02:47 PM (NWiLs)

Sure they provide an alternative but craft beers are often worse than pisswater, because they're expensive and usually awful. Too hoppy, fruit-infused, or just crap. Then you drink it anyways so you don't waste the money and try something else equally bad.
Finally you get one you really like and the next time you go back they don't have it cause it was "small batch", here try this shit you didn't like last time.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at August 30, 2020 03:00 PM (z79tQ)

250 195 IBM PC 1984: 64k, two floppy drives, green screen

$4000.

Yes, it had little ICs for the memory modules.

I started out with an OSBORN which featured dual 8" floppy winchesters and a 6" amber colored monitor. It was considered a "portable".....at 32lbs.

Posted by: Still Retired at August 30, 2020 03:00 PM (k+h+d)

251 The first washer that I can remember was a ringer one. We used the bell timer on it for our boxing matches.

Posted by: Cold Stream at August 30, 2020 03:00 PM (s2LKJ)

252 Heavyweight Champeenship of the World!

Meghan McCain is agreeing with Michael Moore about the election, and Dems might want to listen

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (+y/Ru)

253 We had a Whrilpool washer and dryer that lasted over 30 years. It went through numerous repairs, both by repair guy and later by us getting instructions via phone. We have had a new set now, for about 5 years.

My problem with new stuff is that much of it is not repairable, by the MFG or the owner.

Posted by: Javems at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (ofIwF)

254 You know that super expensive high school football stadium they built in Katy, TX a few years ago? The exit signs in the referee's dressing room are in Braille. And no, I am not kidding.

Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (4HS8l)

255 Fortunately, mom had a sense of humor.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 30, 2020 02:49 PM (WEBkv)

A fine English lady, trying to keep up appearances, but unable to afford too many updates, still had ugly old green wallpaper in her plant room. And she could only afford to keep the one servant around, her trusty butler, Jeeves.

Jeeves had all duties, and tirelessly did them without complaint. Madam had him not only tending the plants, but also taking photos to send to the gardening club for their annual newsletter.

However, the green wallpaper was causing him some trouble, not being a professional photographer... or horticulturalist.

"Madame, I'm afraid I can't get the ficus to focus," he said with some degree of exasperation.

"And you know, Jeeves, I had to let go the gardener for trying to do that"

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (hku12)

256 Guitar amps and stereos sounded way better with tubes before solid state.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (+ya+t)

257 Only downside is I'd need a $45+ adapter to convert dial pulses to tones for dialing out.
Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM

I thought most CO copper interfaces still handled legacy dial pulse?

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:02 PM (2C38g)

258
It took 6 months to get it up and running, and the only think that made that feasible was one of the 4U disk drives had the boot pack in it, which otherwise would have been unobtainium.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 30, 2020 02:48 PM (DMUuz)

Awesome work!!

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:02 PM (vU2Np)

259 Heavyweight Champeenship of the World!

Meghan McCain is agreeing with Michael Moore about the election, and Dems might want to listen

Really hope they don't. Would love to see them go down in flames.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:02 PM (SchxB)

260 In Illinois, we cannot discard electronics in the standard waste stream anymore. Worse, the state made no provision for e-waste. We now have to pay e-waste collectors to take old TVs, etc.

My neighbors haven't figured out yet that their old TVs won't be picked up from the curb. So rather than let it sit there for weeks, I take it, harvest whatever usable stuff I can, then chop up the rest into little pieces that fit in garbage bags. What did the state expect would happen with their stupid law?

By the way, judging by curbside trash in my city, guess what people did with their $1200 COVID checks? Most of em bought new TVs, and sent the money to China.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 03:02 PM (qpX6U)

261 I'm very excited about a preorder for the new HP Reverb G2 VR headset. It's miles ahead of what's out there now. The only drawback is you need a primo computer and graphics card to run all those pixels. I figure this is why I saved and worked hard.

Posted by: pep at August 30, 2020 03:02 PM (v16oJ)

262 My 13 year old daughter and I are at my Mom's bedside in hospice as she slowly starts her journey to Jesus. She is 86 and has been a very good woman her entire life and a wonderful Mom.

I don't know how much longer she has. If you are so inclined, might I ask the Horde to say a prayer that she pass peacefully and that she may find herself in Jesus's arms soon?

Thank you all.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)

263 You know that super expensive high school football stadium they built in Katy, TX a few years ago? The exit signs in the referee's dressing room are in Braille. And no, I am not kidding.
Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (4HS8l)

I've always laughed at public buildings with the sign "seeing eye dogs welcome " in braille.

My dog isn't that smart.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (6z9Vj)

264 >>>Back in the day, Ma Bell owned those phones and did not want to spend a penny for maintenance or replacement so they were built for true long term service!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:57 PM (2C38g)

And in a pinch it could be used as a mace.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bETih)

265 Just saw a BLM roadside stand. We're goi g to stop and buy some flags and then burn them In the next busy intersection.
Just passing Andrews AFB.

Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (GRdu1)

266 Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)

Praying, sir.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (x8Wzq)

267 A friend of ours owns a microbrewery.

For Halloween one year, he made BooBerry beer.

Was actually pretty good.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (3D/fK)

268 The micro brewery I worked at tries goofy small batches, some work some not to my taste, but when I get there always sample ones I haven't yet.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (OjZpE)

269 In June 1975 I built an Altair 8800. After that, I bought an Altair 680 from a guy who couldn't get it working, and fixed it.

Around 1985, I stupidly sold them both at fire-sale prices.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (qpX6U)

270 "And you know, Jeeves, I had to let go the gardener for trying to do that"
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 03:01 PM (hku12)

I'm so sorry. For that I shall relieve the AoSHQ of my presence for the rest of the day.

Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (hku12)

271 Acapulco gold and red is goat weed compared to the shit of today.

Mexican Ditch Weed

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (+ya+t)

272 128
What we do here used to be done on CB Radio.

Posted by: klaftern at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (RuIsu)

reminds me of that scene in Last Man Standing when the daughter discovered Ham radio and declared it better than Twitter.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 02:33 PM (knLuK)

---------------------------------

As part of the show, Tim Allen actually got his amateur radio license for real, not just the fictional callsign used on the show. It was kind of a big deal among radio nerds.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (+3rQF)

273 Prayers Sharkman.

Kiss her hand and tell her you love her.

Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (GRdu1)

274 Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)

Prayers for your Family

Posted by: It's me donna at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (Zmnko)

275 We live in a world of wonder, but it's a shame so much of it is disposable. One of those big 55" TVs breaks and you file a warranty claim and they'll just send you another.

Which is nice because then all you need to do is order the $40 part from ebay and you've got two 55" TVs. But that's not what most people do. Most people probably don't even know where to add the LED fluid.

Posted by: Moron Robbie spikes football - I said 10,000 COVID deaths, tops, back in May at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (pYfGN)

276 I have a good older stereo but I rarely use it because I listen to music off my computer in my office.
No it's not as good but it is easy.

There are women like that-not good but easy.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (6z9Vj)

277 teen emily gil billed police overtime englewood cliffs

The gist is she organized the BLM rally (she isn't black either) so got the bill for police overtime for it, $2,500 worth.
Posted by: Skip

Ya the city already blinked.

No bill.

Posted by: Not Voting Our Way Out Of This at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (LAKVm)

278 Also had a client give me a pair of KLH speakers in Walnut cabinets.
Posted by: Traveling Man Who's Stuck At Home. Thanks China &&&& at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM (eEnvs)

Had a pair of nice bookshelf speakers in walnut that I was going to take on a move. I dropped one and it broke my big toe clean through. hurts. I ditched the speakers

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (vU2Np)

279
I don't know how much longer she has. If you are so inclined, might I ask the Horde to say a prayer that she pass peacefully and that she may find herself in Jesus's arms soon?

Thank you all.
Posted by: Sharkman

Done. Blessings on you all!

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (R4aZ2)

280 Sharkman you have it

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (OjZpE)

281 Hang dai sharkman.

Posted by: Moron Robbie spikes football - I said 10,000 COVID deaths, tops, back in May at August 30, 2020 03:06 PM (pYfGN)

282 Also, just finished assembling a new grill, made in China naturally. It's not on par with a Weber, but damn close, and besides, I've gotten 8 or so years out of my old one. I see no reason to pay big bucks for something built like a tank.

When I was a kid, a grill was a pot on spindly legs, and charcoal. Better smell, but infinitely more trouble.

Posted by: pep at August 30, 2020 03:06 PM (v16oJ)

283 Praying Sharkman

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:06 PM (6z9Vj)

284
Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)
God Bless your mom and your family. Hard to see good people pass.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 03:06 PM (+ya+t)

285 You got it Sharkman.

Posted by: Jewells45 at August 30, 2020 03:07 PM (dUJdY)

286 re craft beer excesses and gose, I give you this article. I found the article to be hilarious. If we can't laugh at ourselves we are lost. I love craft beer, craft whiskey and every type of wine and I mean every type. I have had A to Z and could give a few examples that start with A and a few that start with Z.

But this guy was funny. But you know what, he got a ton of online hate, like the real thing. Weird.

https://tinyurl.com/yydkqg4w

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 03:07 PM (knLuK)

287 I test drove a bunch of e-bikes yesterday. They are a lot of fun.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:07 PM (6z9Vj)

288 Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)

Prayers up for all of you!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:07 PM (2C38g)

289 prayers up, Sharkman!

Posted by: vmom 2020 VINCERO at August 30, 2020 03:07 PM (J8nVw)

290 " and replaced with Sonic Drive in."

And the Sonic's owner is a real asshole, to boot.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (3D/fK)

291 Not hooked up because we don't have land line. Still works, I think.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 02:58
--------------------------
I still have my land line. Never answer it. Let all calls got answering machine. Wife and I always give that number out to prevent unwanted/spam calls on cell phones.

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (Dhht7)

292 I thought most CO copper interfaces still handled legacy dial pulse?

They're supposed to. Some places require you specifically request it or they won't turn it on for your line.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (SchxB)

293 ZOD.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (xK9An)

294 Sharkman...
Prayers sent

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (3D/fK)

295 Pornography.

Posted by: Doug at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (LK4rm)

296 "IBM PC 1984: 64k, two floppy drives, green screen"

There's an old computer store here in Rockford that has a stack of em in the window. Store's been closed for at least a decade, after the owner was murdered in his store by a you-know-what knifeman.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (qpX6U)

297 There are women like that-not good but easy.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:05 PM (6z9Vj)

So, same as in town?

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (2C38g)

298 I used to have to go somewhere to buy records -- 33 1/3rds and 45s -- and hope that whatever store had what I wanted. After a while, the record got scratched. Also, I used to have to balance a lot of change on the cartridge head to keep the needle in contact with the records. Not to mention the record player didn't work if it wasn't plugged in to the wall.. Nowadays, I simply surf over to iTunes, give Jobs' estate money, download what I want, and play it where ever I want. There is an online store that sells movie soundtracks exclusively and I can send the guy some money over the internet and get most of the soundtracks I missed over the years. I can do all of this with out leaving the house and at 3:00 am.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- current occupation: cat furniture at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (dLD8W)

299
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 02:56 PM (//+90)
----
I was just looking online and I think that's exactly what it has! Um, is that good? It's a great little amp.

Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (MVjcR)

300 Prayers up, Sharkman.

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at August 30, 2020 03:10 PM (Dhht7)

301 >>When I was a kid, a grill was a pot on spindly legs, and charcoal. Better smell, but infinitely more trouble.
Posted by: pep at August 30, 2020 03:06 PM (v16oJ)

Huh. When I was a kid, a grill was a random spot on the steppe with a blazing pyramid of wood. Herbal smell of dung used to start it. No trouble.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:11 PM (xK9An)

302 I've got the first two years of Byte Magazine on the shelf in the shop. Those were heady days. Stuff like how to write your own assembler or solder rams chips on top of each other to double the capacity.

Posted by: f'd at August 30, 2020 03:11 PM (QmALp)

303 I re-coned my Bose 901s and dug out my old amp and tuner from 1974 a few years ago. Still rattles the windows.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 03:11 PM (+ya+t)

304 The lawnmower of my youth was practically indestructible. Eventually I destructed it.

Posted by: nip at August 30, 2020 03:11 PM (cpS4u)

305 Oh, and I remember how excited I was the day I discovered that my CPU's built in beverage holder could play CDs. My next computer could rip the CDs!

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- current occupation: cat furniture at August 30, 2020 03:12 PM (dLD8W)

306 In midst of all this positivity I need to say I hate Zoom. I need human contact.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:13 PM (6z9Vj)

307 Prayers up, Sharkman.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at August 30, 2020 03:13 PM (WiSx8)

308 Guitar amps and stereos sounded way better with tubes before solid state.
Posted by: dartist

The funny thing is there are a bunch stereo mfrs that make tube heads and amps now. I think there are kits as well.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (S+F2a)

309 "Oh, and I remember how excited I was the day I discovered that my CPU's built in beverage holder could play CDs."

Great cat toys.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (qpX6U)

310 Meghan McCain is agreeing with Michael Moore about the election, and Dems might want to listen

Really hope they don't. Would love to see them go down in flames.

Posted by:�Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again

There's not much chance they'll listen.

Val Demmings (D-Moronville) Blames Murder Of Trump Supporter In Portland On Trump And Homeland Security

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (+y/Ru)

311 Sharkman, done.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (SchxB)

312 Huh. When I was a kid, a grill was a random spot on
the steppe with a blazing pyramid of wood. Herbal smell of dung used to
start it. No trouble.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:11 PM

That doesn't sound like what is best in life.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (WiSx8)

313 I don't know how much longer she has. If you are so inclined, might I ask the Horde to say a prayer that she pass peacefully and that she may find herself in Jesus's arms soon?

Thank you all.
Posted by: Sharkman

Prayers.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (WavOX)

314 When we moved into our new home 5 years ago we bough a washer and dryer with all of the electronic bells and whistles. Did research for months. After the control panel on the washer was replaced twice and I constantly had to reboot it (plug pulled for 20 minutes) we gave them to a family member who uses them to wash drop cloths for their business. We now have an inexpensive, somewhat electronic pair from GE. Washer has an agitator which I actually prefer.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (JVgnl)

315 Isn't it a hate crime to burn a BLM flag?

Posted by: Case at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (26W4a)

316 Prayers for you and your family, Sharkman, may God give you comfort and peace.

Posted by: spypeach at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (Up/Jb)

317 One of the great improvements over the last 60 years in terms of automobile safety is tire technology. I've heard experts say improved compounds, form and tread design have saved more lives than seat belts.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (7Fj9P)

318 Sharkman you have it
Posted by: Skip

Seconded

Posted by: JT at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (arJlL)

319 I don't have a motorcycle but I would buy one of those three wheelers.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:15 PM (6z9Vj)

320
Best of Breed for Miss Delilah at today's Oklahoma show. The Hound group judge dumped her in breed yesterday but she's such a stupe that, who knows, she may give Lila a Group 1.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (Hfdzf)

321 Sonic's owner is a real asshole, to boot.

-
?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrranosaur Wrangler at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (+y/Ru)

322 I had a job as a CAD drafter back in the 1970s.

Posted by: az_desert_rat at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (/2TXu)

323 Used to haul a bag of vacuum tubes to the Radio Shack to the big test machine they had if our TV went out back in the day.

9 times out of ten it would work right and you would be able to buy the correct vacuum tube to fix your TV.

Some times you would have to make multiple trips to the Radio Shack to figure out which tube(s) were bad.

Posted by: Mr. Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (JUOKG)

324 I was just looking online and I think that's exactly what it has! Um, is that good? It's a great little amp.
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 03:09 PM (MVjcR

Yup, great tube for a small amp. I have an 18 watt version. Classic small Marshall tube.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (//+90)

325 prayers, Sharkman

Posted by: CN at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (ONvIw)

326 Best of Breed for Miss Delilah at today's Oklahoma show. The Hound group judge dumped her in breed yesterday but she's such a stupe that, who knows, she may give Lila a Group 1.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (Hfdzf)

Yeah

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (6z9Vj)

327 May sharkman's mom find her reward in heaven and eternal peace. Amen

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at August 30, 2020 03:16 PM (JVgnl)

328 Sonic's owner is a real asshole, to boot.

Not one of them paper assholes, eh ?

Posted by: JT at August 30, 2020 03:17 PM (arJlL)

329 Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!
Posted by: Weasel
Have an old Counterpoint amp, it is a hybrid, has some tubes, and some transistors. Got it out of storage last August. Left channel was very weak. Turned out a couple tubes were gone. Place in Spokane treated it like the prodigal son, got it back working great. So happy. Otherwise, might be looking at those of which you speak.

Posted by: MikeM at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (HUUzL)

330 Prayers for your family, Sharkman.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (NWiLs)

331 It's not on par with a Weber, but damn close, and besides, I've gotten 8 or so years out of my old one. I see no reason to pay big bucks for something built like a tank.......

Posted by: pep at August 30, 2020 03:06
-------------------------
Hell, the new Webers aren't on par with the old ones. Not tank like anyways. Just put new one together this week. Made in Mexico and nothing compared to the 15 yr old one I'm replacing.

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (Dhht7)

332 I'm sure Hadrian's dogs won most loved of breed.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (6z9Vj)

333
Condolences, sharkman.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (Hfdzf)

334 Our Washer and dryer are a few years old. And have never given us a moments problem, unlike another brand*cough*Samsung*cough*.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (EERbD)

It's been said on this blog: friends don't let friends buy Samsung appliances. (TV good, so far)

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (vU2Np)

335 Used to be able to build things with IC0 DIPs with tenth-inch spaced pigtail leads. Now all the chips are SMDs, so home brewers have to buy them on breakout boards, or get an expensive SMD soldering robot.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 02:16 PM

Not really. I don't work with the 0102's or the really small stuff, but I just use a temperature controlled iron and a head-mounted magnifier. I have a stereo microscope I would use for it, but I find it's mostly unnecessary. I know guys who use hotplates and toaster ovens to do SMD work.

You do have to have printed circuit boards for SMD work, though. You can't do ugly or Manhattan style.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at August 30, 2020 03:18 PM (qDSku)

336 "Sonic's owner is a real asshole, to boot. "

I used to shop at Baynesville Electronics.

I have attended zoning hearings where the owner of that Sonics has testified.

Not the most honest person that I have ever met.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 03:19 PM (3D/fK)

337 prayers up Sharkman. May the Lord bring peace and comfort to her and your family.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 03:19 PM (knLuK)

338 >>That doesn't sound like what is best in life.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at August 30, 2020 03:14 PM (WiSx

...and nekkid chicks in leather bikinis and bear-grease. And reuben sandwiches--like on a platter, piled up, like, a foot high, warm, forever. And martinis so cold that the cold floats on top. And a Grace Jones footrub. And...whatever, it was bonfire party, and it was the dogs.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:20 PM (xK9An)

339 Just this year I replaced my AC unit. The old one was original to our house, and was looking beat up when we moved in 27 years ago. It was an '86 Carrier. 34 years of Midwestern summers that thing kept cooling this house. Also, we just replaced our 27 y/o Whirlpool fridge, also (new) original to our house. The Frigidaire is almost as noisy as the Whirlpool we replaced, and that had a compressor getting ready to go.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at August 30, 2020 03:21 PM (7Fj9P)

340
I'm a railfan, and it always sort of amazes me when I watch commodities moving. Unit trains with over a hundred gondolas full of coal or limestone, centerbeam flats filled with lumber, long trains of sand hoppers, all on their way to become something else. Really, for all our technology, in a way we haven't advanced that far from Neanderthals - the commodities our culture is built on are still just rocks, sticks and dirt.
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 02:09 PM (+3rQF)

Tis true, and not long ago those diesel locomotives were coal powered with guys sweating it out, shoveling the coal into the furnace to keep the thing going. (Trains move about half the freight in this country.)

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at August 30, 2020 03:21 PM (ejsiI)

341 Andrew Clark
@AndrewHClark
Biden is going out of his way to avoid Wisconsin.

Per Politico, he "will steer clear of the pivotal Midwestern battleground state on Monday" to avoid Kenosha.

It has been 670 days since Joe Biden visited Wisconsin.
Biden will not visit Kenosha on Monday
The Democrat is expected to travel elsewhere. Trump is planning to be in the Wisconsin city on Tuesday.
politico.com
12:12 PM � Aug 30, 2020

Derek Hunter
@derekahunter
"Why would I go to South Canada?" Joe was overheard asking staff, "These are my supporters and you want me to criticize them? C'mon, man. Why don't we just blame Trump for what my voters are doing?"

Biden will not visit Kenosha on Monday https://politi.co/2GcWQI7 via @politico

12:13 PM � Aug 30, 2020

Posted by: BetaCuck4Life at August 30, 2020 03:21 PM (FBrfY)

342 19 Was actually thinking the other week
My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (OjZpE)

I was born in 1960 and, when I was a youngster, do-it-yourself tube testers were in every decent-sized grocery store. Dad told my brother and me stories about the bad old days when you had to gather up your tubes and take them to a professional tube tester.

Posted by: Michael the Texan at August 30, 2020 03:22 PM (9IdCK)

343 I still have a copy of PC World magazine from April 1987.

The great CD-ROM revolution was what it heralded. "Harnessing the power of unlimited storage"

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (ejsiI)

344 >>I'm a railfan, and it always sort of amazes me when I watch commodities moving. Unit trains with over a hundred gondolas full of coal or limestone, centerbeam flats filled with lumber, long trains of sand hoppers, all on their way to become something else.
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 02:09 PM (+3rQF)

Steel on steel, brother. It's the only way. Was at the NoVAMoMe yesterday, and dorked out reading all the RR stuff at the venue.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (xK9An)

345 We now have an inexpensive, somewhat electronic pair from GE.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine
Yup. My place in Idaho, has Kenmore(!) washer and drier. I just bought the place a year ago, had these oldish appliances. Both are running like champs. All the kitchen appliances are Jenn-Air. Also running great. The old ways are the best ways...it is known.

Posted by: MikeM at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (HUUzL)

346 What I hear when my son talks tech:

"So I toggled the SLC switches to renoberate the Gooey caramel transponders, but then you can't forget to re-phase the RAMM chips with a small blast from the Gui Port - right one, not the bottom one. But then I thought, Crap, forgot to disengage the bus terminal LED switching unit."

Me: So...magic.

Son: Pretty much.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (x8Wzq)

347 There are a lot of coffee makers that make really good coffee.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:24 PM (6z9Vj)

348 Re: Auto start/stop.
Keep slow rolling and it won't stop.
Or 2 foot , touch the gas to restart.
Or let it roll an inch to restart
Or put in manual and it won't stop.

Posted by: DaveA at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (FhXTo)

349 Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV. Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.

Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

350 I have a Samsung washer and dryer that we bought 10 1/2 years ago. They both technically still work fine with no issues...they just don't work well. Clothes don't get as clean as I'd like and dryer sux! I will get a Speed Queen set as soon as one of them goes... Even with the cave-in they are still better than most everything else on the market.

Posted by: lin-duh en nui! at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (UUBmN)

351 I have been thinking of getting into vinyl again
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at August 30, 2020 02:36 PM (xGKh3)

I'm convinced by the science that digital is as good as vinyl.

But what about the music we get on Alexa, or amazon music, or streaming through phones? Is that as good as the stereo equipment we bought back in the day?

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (vU2Np)

352 I was born in 1960 and, when I was a youngster, do-it-yourself tube testers were in every decent-sized grocery store. Dad told my brother and me stories about the bad old days when you had to gather up your tubes and take them to a professional tube tester.
Posted by: Michael the Texan at August 30, 2020

*
*

Until the '80s, I think, we had a radio supply place in or near the French Quarter where you could still buy the tubes and just about everything you needed for radios. The company is still here, in the suburbs now.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (rpbg1)

353 My dad said that in the early 40's, cars had to have a "top end job" (remove heads) about every 25,000 miles.
I don't like all the bells and whistles and I don't like the price tags, but today's cars much better--cheaper to maintain, safer, and more durable than they used to be.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (sWM8x)

354 >>Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days. Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

Kent cigarettes. The filter is the perfect size to work as a "knob-turner."

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (xK9An)

355 Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV.
Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the
plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.

Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

same here. We had one where you had to use pliers because the knob was gone. You had to push it in and out three times to get it to work. not the nob but the on off button.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 03:27 PM (knLuK)

356 Anyone remember the "200 in One" (or whatever in one) science/electronics sets from the 70s and 80s?

Posted by: The Otter at August 30, 2020 03:27 PM (uEbPt)

357 Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV. Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.
Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

Also, tin foil on the rabbit ears, and the endless micro-adjustments.

Dad: Okay. There. Don't move.

Me: Dad, my arm's getting tired.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:27 PM (x8Wzq)

358 Prayers sharkman

Posted by: Duncan at August 30, 2020 03:27 PM (+HZ1v)

359 First time I experienced power steering was on a 65 Mustang iirc. My 57 Chevy was a muscle builder to parallel park.

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 03:28 PM (+ya+t)

360 Shut up, Marcia.

Posted by: Jan at August 30, 2020 03:28 PM (2M/TV)

361 >>> Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV. Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.
Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

Yep. Been there. Also had to do volume control, which sucked because we lived across from the RR tracks, which still averages a train every 15 minutes.

Posted by: Chin Music at August 30, 2020 03:28 PM (t8efL)

362 I remember when cruise control first came out.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:28 PM (6z9Vj)

363 Yep. Been there. Also had to do volume control,
which sucked because we lived across from the RR tracks, which still
averages a train every 15 minutes.

Posted by: Chin Music at August 30, 2020 03:28 PM (t8efL)

oof!

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 03:29 PM (knLuK)

364 But what about the music we get on Alexa, or amazon music, or streaming through phones? Is that as good as the stereo equipment we bought back in the day?
Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (vU2Np)

Not unless they are specifically streamed in high fidelity.

And a lot of the problem with digital vs analog music is that the older analog music was mixed better. The "remasters" of many great songs have the music up way too loud vs the singer, for example.

Posted by: ... at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (uEbPt)

365 As of now almost all cars have safety features that didn't exist 10 years ago.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (6z9Vj)

366 My lot in life was to love things of great beauty

My antiques and art still look superior to anything new

Posted by: REDACTED at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (O+AcM)

367 Thank you all. You are God's best people.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (bQngX)

368 I saw an ad the other day for a 1 terabyte solid state drive for $88. That's just crazy.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (sWM8x)

369
Yup. My place in Idaho, has Kenmore(!) washer and drier. I just bought the place a year ago, had these oldish appliances. Both are running like champs. All the kitchen appliances are Jenn-Air. Also running great. The old ways are the best ways...it is known.
Posted by: MikeM at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (HUUzL)

Keep the old Kenmore, but put a surge suppressor on the power to the washer. I had to fix my Kenmore washer once in 14 years -- and I replaced the brain board without a serviceman. Not so with the Samsumg appliances: three repairs in two year, one needed serviceman.

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (vU2Np)

370 I still have a TRS-80, Model 100 out in the garage that I would love to give to any Moron who might want it.

I have one that I use. If you want to give it to someone who will only use it as a spare, let me know.

Email is at the bottom of the page in my nic.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (2lndx)

371 I still have the Pioneer speakers from the first serious stereo I bought in 1976. They work like a charm.

Posted by: Case at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (26W4a)

372 346
What I hear when my son talks tech:

"So I toggled the SLC switches to renoberate the Gooey caramel
transponders, but then you can't forget to re-phase the RAMM chips with a
small blast from the Gui Port - right one, not the bottom one. But then
I thought, Crap, forgot to disengage the bus terminal LED switching
unit."

Me: So...magic.

Son: Pretty much.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (x8Wzq)

-------------------------------------------
Teach him about the good old fashioned Turbo Encabulator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDgQg6bq7o

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (+3rQF)

373 Sharkman, prayers up for you, your daughter and your precious mother.

If you know her favorite hymn, sing it for her.

Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 03:31 PM (+X9Vs)

374 I still use my McIntosh tube amp for my stereo.
Got it around 1975 I think.

Posted by: attila the reasonable at August 30, 2020 03:32 PM (w7KSn)

375 Our first color TV was a Heath-kit that Dad built. Lasted quite a while, but when it eventually passed away, he refused to buy another TV for two years.

Total coincidence I'm sure, but that's when I discovered Lord of the Rings and became an avid reader.

Old man was crafty that way.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:32 PM (x8Wzq)

376 I still have an old black desk phone. I love it. Need to get the phone co. out to see why the lines don't work at the other end of the house.
Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020

*
*

I wish I'd kept my mom's old rotary phone. I wouldn't have been able to use it in today's "Press 2 for Sales" world, but it would have been nice to have.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:32 PM (rpbg1)

377 Anyone else steal cable by creating a cable box with a cool whip container and a resistor ?

Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:33 PM (2DOZq)

378 IMHO modern digital reflex cameras are awesome. I still have a medium format film. It's a great camera but I would have to go through a whole learning curve again.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (6z9Vj)

379 My dad said that in the early 40's, cars had to have a "top end job" (remove heads) about every 25,000 miles.

I don't like all the bells and whistles and I don't like the price
tags, but today's cars much better--cheaper to maintain, safer, and more
durable than they used to be.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM

---

Up until the mid 80s you were lucky to buy a car and get 75,000 miles out of it.

I haven't touched a spark plug in a car since way before I retired from the Navy in 1999 and I haven't sold a car that did not have at least 150,000 miles on it.

Posted by: Mr. Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (JUOKG)

380 Anyone remember the "200 in One" (or whatever in one) science/electronics sets from the 70s and 80s?

Yep. It was a "150 in 1" set that put me on the sad path I've traveled to get here. It was fun the using the relay contacts for a spark gap and wiping out my sister's AM radio.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (SchxB)

381 And unless you're serious about photography phone cameras are fine these days.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (6z9Vj)

382 technology peaked for me in the 90s. American cars got AC as a standard and Euro hotels got en suite bathrooms as a standard accoutrement.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (knLuK)

383 The old TV I had back in the '70s wasn't listening to my every word, reporting it all to a central data collection site, and being stored so it could be used against me at some later date when I would be deemed a "terrorist."

...Just like this comment.

Posted by: RKae at August 30, 2020 03:35 PM (Wrh9U)

384 65 Rusty Nail, advice if you will.

Have yet to get a real (flat, contemporary) TV.

When I do, my requirements will be basic (and I hear most of the "advanced" features they keep inventing are irrelevant most of the time anyway).

So - just pick a screen size, and bottom of the line? Brand to avoid?

Posted by: rhomboid at August 30, 2020 02:20 PM (OTzUX)

Yes. As big a screen as you want, with the best picture. Features optional.

"Smart TV" features obsolete out of usefulness. If you want those, get a Roku or Fire Stick, or whatever.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer at August 30, 2020 03:35 PM (fpng3)

385 I'm listening to Judas Priest on vinyl right now. He "40th anniversary" edition of British Steel, released yesterday for Record Store Day (belatedly).

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:36 PM (2lndx)

386 Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:26 PM (sWM8x)

Think someone here said recently that there is a "stock" Lexus V-6 that has been certified for aeronautical use, seems to speak well of their fabrication and assembly!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:36 PM (2C38g)

387 Teach him about the good old fashioned Turbo Encabulator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDgQg6bq7o
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (+3rQF)

Ha! He'll like that. So would Dad.

*adds to Lexicon of Cromulent Words*

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:37 PM (x8Wzq)

388 Philo Farnsworth was instrumental in the invention of television...

...but, strangely enough, we didn't then say to him, "OK, so control our lives now! Let's make you de facto king of the earth so you can make decisions about our personal rights and destinies!"

Posted by: RKae at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (Wrh9U)

389 Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:34 PM (SchxB)

I figured someone would!!!

Posted by: ... at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (uEbPt)

390 And unless you're serious about photography phone cameras are fine these days.

They're amazing. I have a mini DSLR, that I rarely use. The only place where it really outperforms the stupid little camera phone is with a telephoto lens. And how often do I just happen to be carrying a standalone camera and the telephoto? Pretty much never.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (2lndx)

391 I'm listening to Judas Priest on vinyl right now. He "40th anniversary" edition of British Steel, released yesterday for Record Store Day (belatedly).
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:36 PM (2lndx)

40 years?

You know how I know I'm old?

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (x8Wzq)

392 I have to wonder what the venn diagram of folks who used to yell shut up and drive now have 7" or larger screens to play with in their dash.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at August 30, 2020 02:46 PM

What about people who still yell "shut up and drive"? I'm, um, asking for a friend.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at August 30, 2020 03:39 PM (qDSku)

393 "Email is at the bottom of the page in my nic."

Sending now.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 30, 2020 03:39 PM (3D/fK)

394 The old TV I had back in the '70s wasn't listening to my every word, reporting it all to a central data collection site, and being stored so it could be used against me at some later date when I would be deemed a "terrorist."

Thankfully, I do not have those tv's. Or alexa, or any other electronic shit. Just the analog phone. It usually lives in the other room.

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 03:39 PM (R4aZ2)

395 390 And unless you're serious about photography phone cameras are fine these days.

They're amazing. I have a mini DSLR, that I rarely use. The only place where it really outperforms the stupid little camera phone is with a telephoto lens. And how often do I just happen to be carrying a standalone camera and the telephoto? Pretty much never.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (2lndx)

I hope to go trekking in the Himalayas sometime soon. I want to buy a DSLR for that but mostly my phone is fine.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:40 PM (6z9Vj)

396 I still have my land line. Never answer it. L
Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (Dhht7

Found underground wire in my yard in Fairfax County, VA. Called 811 -- for info on buried utilities.

The Verizon guy said it was a landline wire the company no longer used.

Posted by: FloridaMan at August 30, 2020 03:40 PM (vU2Np)

397 My first experience with a transistor radio was when I was very young. Both me and my older brother got a Sears "Happy Time" transistor radio. It was a 3 transistor radio with a single ear bud. We are talking early 50s here Morons. I still have that radio. It no longer works though.
Posted by: Vic at August 30, 2020

*
*

I got a 9-transistor radio for Christmas 1963, and listened to the local Top 40 station all the time. When "I Want to Hold Your Hand" hit the charts, I thought the group's name was spelled "Beetles."

It used the squared-off 9-volt batteries, and came with a brown leather (?) carrying case. You could leave the radio in it and still hear the radio just fine. It reminded me of the brown exterior of an ice cream sandwich.

A few years later I had a Motorola AM portable desk radio that had some of the best sound I'd ever heard before stereos came along. I miss that one.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:40 PM (rpbg1)

398 {{{{Hrothgar, JTB, Mrs. JTB, Ben Had, Weasel, hoplite housewife and anyone I missed}}}}

Humbled, I am. I am so very very happy you enjoyed everything! I am so very very sad we couldn't make it. Next year!!!

Posted by: Moki at August 30, 2020 03:41 PM (+X9Vs)

399 346 What I hear when my son talks tech:

"So I toggled the SLC switches to renoberate the Gooey caramel transponders, but then you can't forget to re-phase the RAMM chips with a small blast from the Gui Port - right one, not the bottom one. But then I thought, Crap, forgot to disengage the bus terminal LED switching unit."

Me: So...magic.

Son: Pretty much.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:23 PM (x8Wzq)

All you need to know: if you see smoke, that's the magic escaping.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer at August 30, 2020 03:41 PM (fpng3)

400 Was actually thinking the other week
My grandfather was big into stereos, with huge components with tubes and transistor boards and they would blow out he had to go to actual stores and shops to find these tubes that looked like small light bulbs.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 02:10 PM (OjZpE)

But tubes sound better. There's something "brittle" about the sound of solid-state stereos. And tubes will sustain a 200% overload, for a short time. That will cause the magic smoke to exit a solid-state device.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (t9LCj)

401 Jack Kilby, who invented the integrated circuit, lived a few blocks away when we were growing up.

When I was in Cub Scouts and early Boy Scouts, some of the leaders who worked at Texas Instruments took us to meet Mr. Kilby quite a few times. He was gentle, nice, and answered our stupid questions. At the time, I wondered why the adults admired him so much, because he didn't look special and our neighborhood was decidedly middle class.

I would love to go back in time and talk to him again. Youth is wasted on the young.

Posted by: Michael the Texan at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (9IdCK)

402 I put my 15 year old Infinity G35 through the state safety inspection last week. It has 213,000 miles on it. Passed with out problem. It has the Original brake pads on the rear wheels, and I've only changed the front pads once. Manual 6 speed transmission, so the brakes aren't fighting the engine every time I apply them.

Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (4HS8l)

403 All you need to know: if you see smoke, that's the magic escaping.
Posted by: Jeff Weimer at August 30, 2020 03:41 PM (fpng3)

*frantically searches for a chicken to sacrifice*

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (x8Wzq)

404 Portable disc players were a technology that came and disappeared in my lifetime.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (6z9Vj)

405 I posted this last evening, but will re-post here if you missed it and may be interested. Madison-based criminal trial lawyers Chris Van Wagner and Jessa Nichole Goetz have singed on to Kyle Rittenhouse's defense team. I believe they are co-lead counsel for trial if there is one.

Bios here:
https://tinyurl.com/y43gmqsd
https://tinyurl.com/y4owqncn

Posted by: fly at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (2M/TV)

406 >>396 I still have my land line. Never answer it. L
Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at August 30, 2020 03:08 PM (Dhht7

Thought I was the only one. Hate talking on the phone. One day Big Weird will happen, cellphones will be paperweights, and landlines *may* work.

On that day...well, whatever, didn't need a cellphone or a landline. Time to refugee to the hills.

Posted by: Zod at August 30, 2020 03:43 PM (xK9An)

407 349 Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV. Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.
Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

That was us, and me. We kept the pliers on top of the TV.

Posted by: Ordinary American at August 30, 2020 03:43 PM (H8QX8)

408 Portable disc players were a technology that came and disappeared in my lifetime.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (6z9Vj)

One of the selling features being if they didn't skip every time you made a minor movement.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:44 PM (x8Wzq)

409 I really do miss the days of not having a phone on me 24/7. The few times I forgot my phone at home ( charging) I didn't panic but it was definitely an odd feeling.

Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:44 PM (2DOZq)

410 Yes. As big a screen as you want, with the best picture. Features optional.

"Smart TV" features obsolete out of usefulness. If you want those, get a Roku or Fire Stick, or whatever.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer

--------------------------
And don't connect it to your network.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at August 30, 2020 03:44 PM (Mm4NK)

411 Thinking of you & yours Sharkman.

Posted by: WeBoned! at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (8k7U7)

412 Remote controlled vibrators.

Posted by: Marooned at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (yYptV)

413 7 349 Unfortunately I was the remote control for the TV. Eventually this remote control had to use a pair of pliers when the plastic channel knob would break. Good old days.
Posted by: Weaning is hard at August 30, 2020 03:25 PM (2DOZq)

That was us, and me. We kept the pliers on top of the TV.
Posted by: Ordinary American

Does anyone else remember when the huge tv in a wood cabinet would break and the tv repairman would leave a tiny loaner tv until the parts came and he could fix the tv?

Posted by: CaliGirl at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (7bcfy)

414 Vacuum tubes are staging a comeback!
Posted by: Weasel at August 30, 2020 02:14 PM (MVjcR)

They can now mine vacuum out of the heads of democrats.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (t9LCj)

415 Posted by: fly at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (2M/TV)

Thanks for posting this, we need more decent lawyers like this taking these cases!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (2C38g)

416 But tubes sound better. There's something "brittle" about the sound of
solid-state stereos.
IIRC, that's something to do with the harmonics produced within each type of device. I think it was that tubes tended towards even harmonics and transistors tended towards odd harmonics. Either way it's distortion.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (SchxB)

417 Firepower is a great album.

https://youtu.be/6QtjdDiMLVg

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 30, 2020 03:46 PM (LxTcq)

418 put a surge suppressor on the power to the washer
Posted by: FloridaMan
Thank you. I will go look and see if I have a ss in the messy room, or will get one today.

Posted by: MikeM at August 30, 2020 03:46 PM (HUUzL)

419 Portable disc players were a technology that came and disappeared in my lifetime.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (6z9Vj)

One of the selling features being if they didn't skip every time you made a minor movement.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:44 PM (x8Wzq)

I had a sports model you could jog with.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (6z9Vj)

420 409 I really do miss the days of not having a phone on me 24/7. The few times I forgot my phone at home ( charging) I didn't panic but it was definitely an odd feeling.
---
My brother got sick of getting calls from work at all hours, so he returned their Iphone, bought a flip-phone, and only gave the number out to family. His employer said they'd fire him if he didn't answer work calls from home and he said, "Go ahead."

They didn't fire him.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (sWM8x)

421 There was a humorous back in forth between members in Sunday School this morning involving technology.

Half of those in attendance were viewing Scripture on their wireless devices, while the other half including myself were still reading the physical book.

Ultimately we determined that the digital bible was acceptable, but only if you the the King James app.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (G5Q2v)

422 They can now mine vacuum out of the heads of democrats.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (t9LCj)

But the quality of the vacuum is really crappy!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (2C38g)

423 I had a sports model you could jog with.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (6z9Vj)

I actually had a pretty decent on as well. I still have it somewhere in my home office, which means it's essentially lost forever.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:48 PM (x8Wzq)

424 I would love to go back in time and talk to him again. Youth is wasted on the young.

Posted by: Michael the Texan at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM

---

Best Douglas Adams quote.......Life is wasted on the living.

Posted by: Mr. Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 30, 2020 03:48 PM (JUOKG)

425 You know how I know I'm old?

Worst thing, when I saw that sticker, my first thought was, I didn't know British Steel was a sixties album... oh, right. Math. I'm old.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2020 03:49 PM (2lndx)

426 >>Thanks for posting this, we need more decent lawyers like this taking these cases!

Welcome. That info comes directly from John Pierce with whom I had a brief email exchange yesterday, by the way.

Posted by: fly at August 30, 2020 03:49 PM (2M/TV)

427 >>> I put my 15 year old Infinity G35 through the state safety inspection last week. It has 213,000 miles on it. Passed with out problem. It has the Original brake pads on the rear wheels, and I've only changed the front pads once. Manual 6 speed transmission, so the brakes aren't fighting the engine every time I apply them.
Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:42 PM (4HS8l)

=====

I miss my '07 G35X. Had it only a year. Hit a deer, and insurance company totaled it. I should have fought them on it. Had only 137K. Searched the Chicago/milwaukee area (3hrs away, but market was bare in my area) for months to find one that was in as good as shape as mine for a reasonable price. No luck. Maybe once the kids are out of college I'll look for another one. :-(

Posted by: Chin Music at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (t8efL)

428 Posted by: MikeM at August 30, 2020 03:46 PM (HUUzL)

Also a good idea for modern refrigerators, can be cheap at the price!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (2C38g)

429 They can now mine vacuum out of the heads of democrats.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 03:45 PM (t9LCj)

But the quality of the vacuum is really crappy!

Too much trace methane?

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (SchxB)

430 Family still has two big Sony TV tHat are basically too big to move safely, even getting on a dolly is potentially inviting back surgery!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 02:28 PM (2C38g)

When I moved there were two large teevees still sitting in the garage. As far as I know they're still there. Too much hassle trying to have them "recycled," and NOBODY wants to haul them away as trash.
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020

*
*

My JVC TV is from 1996; I bought it new. I don't know what the screen size is, but I know it weighs 75 pounds, and I've only had to have it repaired once.

Some of the colors on the screen are starting to bleed -- a red patch blurs over into people's faces a little -- so I suppose it'll have to go soon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (rpbg1)

431 Fly

Thanks for the links.

Posted by: Ha at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (LAKVm)

432 Working on tube type TV's, you had to be careful though. Make sure the picture tube was discharged thoroughly before fiddling about.

You could also play good jokes on people by switching around the wires for the horizontal deflection yoke. It would make everything be backwards on the screen.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at August 30, 2020 03:51 PM (Mm4NK)

433 There was a humorous back in forth between members in Sunday School this morning involving technology.

Half of those in attendance were viewing Scripture on their wireless devices, while the other half including myself were still reading the physical book.

Ultimately we determined that the digital bible was acceptable, but only if you the the King James app.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (G5Q2v

I preach occasionally. I have to resist the temptation to get judgmental with people looking at their phones.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:51 PM (6z9Vj)

434 402
I put my 15 year old Infinity G35 through the state safety inspection
last week. It has 213,000 miles on it. Passed with out problem. It has
the Original brake pads on the rear wheels, and I've only changed the
front pads once. Manual 6 speed transmission, so the brakes aren't
fighting the engine every time I apply them.

how many clutches has it gone through?

Posted by: Anachronda at August 30, 2020 03:51 PM (kf5Ci)

435 Those giant tv's have huge fresnel lenses that are great to give to kids to play with.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (sWM8x)

436 "Not really. I don't work with the 0102's or the really small stuff, but I just use a temperature controlled iron and a head-mounted magnifier [to solder SMDs.]"

I do very much admire your skill.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (qpX6U)

437 Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:03 PM (bQngX)

I will certainly pray for your mom and your family. It is good that you're with her and a blessing (Despite the very hard time right now) that you have had such a wonderful mom and grandmother.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (WkPC9)

438 Working on tube type TV's, you had to be careful though. Make sure the
picture tube was discharged thoroughly before fiddling about.

Got bit once poking around inside a tube TV. Glad it was the low voltage area at about 400V instead of the 15 to 25kV from the tube.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (SchxB)

439 When I moved there were two large teevees still sitting in the garage. As far as I know they're still there. Too much hassle trying to have them "recycled," and NOBODY wants to haul them away as trash.
Posted by: BurtTC at August 30, 2020

we had to haul our old broken tv down to a recycling place an hour away

Posted by: vmom 2020 VINCERO at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (J8nVw)

440 "Some of the colors on the screen are starting to
bleed -- a red patch blurs over into people's faces a little -- so I
suppose it'll have to go soon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius"
---------------
Might just need degaussing. You can buy a coil fairly cheap and watch a youtube video on how to do it.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (Mm4NK)

441 Vacuum tubes make great sense in space craft. You obviously don't need the glass envelopes in space. All of the tv, communications, and GPS satellites use vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes can be made very reliable.

Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (4HS8l)

442 Whew. It was a PITA but I think I dug our the yucca from my front yard.

Damn bulb or whatever is/was the size of my leg, and I am not a skinny soiboi.

CBD, know any fried yucca dishes?

Posted by: WitchDoktor at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (4k/Uz)

443 421

Ultimately we determined that the digital bible was acceptable, but only if you the the King James app.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (G5Q2v)

-------------------------------------

I'm Roman Catholic, so we'd have to see if there was an iApocrypha in-app purchase.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (+3rQF)

444 Posted by: Chin Music at August 30, 2020 03:50 PM (t8efL)

I still regret selling the Infiniti QX4!
The Lexus is almost broken in at 170 K!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 03:54 PM (2C38g)

445 I put my 15 year old Infinity G35 through the state safety inspection last week. It has 213,000 miles on it. Passed with out problem. It has the Original brake pads on the rear wheels, and I've only changed the front pads once. Manual 6 speed transmission, so the brakes aren't fighting the engine every time I apply them.
Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020

*
*

My '03 Buick Park Avenue was still running like the proverbial top when I traded it in early 2014. Had about 140K miles.

The oldest car I ever had was the '86 MB 420SEL, the smaller V-8 in the big S-Class of those times. I bought it at age 13 and 135K miles, and ran it all over eastern CO and then down here in Da Swamp. It was totaled while parked at 198K miles.

My regular mechanic had to replaced a dinged oil pan on it when I had 185K miles. He said the internals of the engine looked super clean.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:54 PM (rpbg1)

446 we had to haul our old broken tv down to a recycling place an hour away
Posted by: vmom 2020 VINCERO at August 30, 2020 03:52 PM (J8nVw)

Back in the day you could just take them out in the desert and shoot 'em. (full disclosure - never did that, although it would have been cool to see)

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:55 PM (x8Wzq)

447 I'm Roman Catholic, so we'd have to see if there was an iApocrypha in-app purchase.
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (+

Check out Bible Gateway

It has everything.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:55 PM (6z9Vj)

448 First world problem here too, I have a ebook that has to be a error on Amazon's part that it will not download. Thought it was working on it last 40 minutes and didn't work. Usually they download in couple minutes. And obviously I have good connection.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 03:55 PM (OjZpE)

449 Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:47 PM (G5Q2v)

I have one of the oldest cell phones known to mankind. It has a little keyboard you pull out. I have no apps on it. I'd go with the actual book. Did I mention that I'm about as un tech saavy as one can get?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 03:56 PM (WkPC9)

450 how many clutches has it gone through?

Changed once at 140,000 miles.

Posted by: An Observation at August 30, 2020 03:56 PM (4HS8l)

451 I hated syncing my Palm Pilot.

Posted by: WitchDoktor at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (4k/Uz)

452 LG.

The fridge is only a couple of months old. But, it's very well designed and works like a delight. ie. keeps food and ice cold.

Our Washer and dryer are a few years old. And have never given us a moments problem, unlike another brand*cough*Samsung*cough*.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 30, 2020 02:31 PM (EERbD)

I got an LG Tromm front load washer a dozen years ago, and it was a troublesome POS. The used Whirlpool top-loader that replaced it is still going strong.

And the only TV I own is a 4" B&W jobbie built into a little ghetto blaster.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (UVCFl)

453 "Vacuum tubes make great sense in space craft. You
obviously don't need the glass envelopes in space. All of the tv,
communications, and GPS satellites use vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes can be
made very reliable.

Posted by: An Observation"
-------------------------
Still need to keep dust out though.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (Mm4NK)

454 I have one of the oldest cell phones known to
mankind. It has a little keyboard you pull out. I have no apps on it.
I'd go with the actual book. Did I mention that I'm about as un tech
saavy as one can get?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 03:56 PM (WkPC9)

I used to have that phone! I liked the pullout keyboard.

Posted by: Vendette at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (SbDwL)

455 Back in the day you could just take them out in the desert and shoot 'em. (full disclosure - never did that, although it would have been cool to see)

I did that many moons ago. It was an old B & W I bought at a second hand store. When it died, we took it to the desert and shot it up. Very fun. Cleaned up the mess too. Today, that would probably get you an expensive ticket.

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (R4aZ2)

456 Some of the colors on the screen are starting to
bleed -- a red patch blurs over into people's faces a little -- so I
suppose it'll have to go soon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius"
---------------
Might just need degaussing. You can buy a coil fairly cheap and watch a youtube video on how to do it.
Posted by: AshevilleRobert at August 30, 2020

*
*

Maybe so. But nearly everything broadcast nowadays is set for a wider screen, so I miss part of what's being shown. And I want to ditch cable, get a modern TV and antenna, and get my over-the-air stuff for free. I've heard good things about Roku TVs here.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (rpbg1)

457 CBD, know any fried yucca dishes?

Posted by: WitchDoktor at August 30, 2020 03:53 PM (4k/Uz)

I have never cooked it, but have eaten it with great gusto. The Cuban restaurants in West New York NJ serve it as a side. It seems to be steamed and then sauteed with tons of butter or oil. It's great!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (xT2tT)

458 Skip is your kindle still under warranty?

Posted by: vmom 2020 VINCERO at August 30, 2020 03:58 PM (J8nVw)

459 The only thing I've ever won in my life is a 42 inch 3d capable TV.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:58 PM (6z9Vj)

460 My father had a bunch of Wollensak reel-to-reel tape players. I wish we'd kept them.

Posted by: Ordinary American at August 30, 2020 03:59 PM (H8QX8)

461 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 03:56 PM (WkPC9)

I used to have that phone! I liked the pullout keyboard.
Posted by: Vendette at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (SbDwL)

Never had one of those, but I would prefer that to the touch screen. I usually use a little wand to type because of my sausage fingers.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 03:59 PM (x8Wzq)

462 I'd go with the actual book. Did I mention that I'm about as un tech saavy as one can get?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 03:56 PM (WkPC9)

.....

Lol.

Yes Fen, we've talked before when you went through some phase on a new computer that you could only get half of your comment on here before it posted!

I like the book because I write in the margins all the time and insert tabs and stickers in certain places.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:59 PM (G5Q2v)

463 My pub of choice is full of hot women today.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (6z9Vj)

464 He said the internals of the engine looked super clean.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:54 PM (rpbg1)

Did you run good quality synthetic oil in it?

Had to an injector replaced at 200K and the mechanic said the engine was in excellent shape!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (2C38g)

465
Re tubes -- that's exactly it, tube distortion sounds better than transistor distortion. You can read the details, but the tube distortion is more "musical" (in the sense of how the human mind finds sounds pleasing and not pleasing), while soild state distortion patterns are un-musical.

So, in listening to reproduced music, we all get accustomed to distortion, deviations from the original source material, and it turns out the old vacuum tube distortion sounds better than the solid state.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Rapscallion, etc, etc at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (rCwaK)

466 I have never cooked it, but have eaten it with great gusto. The Cuban restaurants in West New York NJ serve it as a side. It seems to be steamed and then sauteed with tons of butter or oil. It's great!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (xT2tT)

--

Thanks man, I'll give it a try! The root reminds me of a potato, so I'll experiment.

Posted by: WitchDoktor at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (4k/Uz)

467 I preach occasionally. I have to resist the temptation to get judgmental with people looking at their phones.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 03:51 PM (6z9Vj
why not just tell them no phones? I don't say this lightly I think we have gotten down to one of the real problems with today's society. For some reason authorities just gave up. You see this in poker rooms. They told the players not to be on their phones for obvious reasons but the players refused to obey and the poker rooms gave up. You see this on the PGA Tour. Forever you were not allowed to take pictures during a tournament and then just like that they gave up because no one was obeying the rules.

Only at The Masters do they enforce the no phones policy and somehow it works their. A lot of people these days are used to ignoring societal norms.

Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (knLuK)

468 I used to have that phone! I liked the pullout keyboard.
Posted by: Vendette at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM (SbDwL)

Actually, I do like it, but it's giving up the ghost and I don't know if I can get another one.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (WkPC9)

469 Another first world problem
RINGS DINNER BELL NOOD

Posted by: Skip, the guy who says NOOD at August 30, 2020 04:01 PM (OjZpE)

470 Does anyone else remember when the huge tv in a wood cabinet would break and the tv repairman would leave a tiny loaner tv until the parts came and he could fix the tv?
Posted by: CaliGirl at August 30, 2020

When I was in high school, our TV went out for a few days. They didn't bring us a loaner, but I didn't miss it because one of our local stations, the NBC affiliate, broadcast its sound at the very lowest end of the FM band, and I could pick it up on the radio!

The station was running Star Trek reruns. I first heard "The Corbomite Maneuver" on radio.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 04:02 PM (rpbg1)

471 My pub of choice is full of hot women today.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (6z9Vj)

What do you mean?

Is it unseasonably warm?

Did they just finish a half-marathon?

menopausal?

(Forgive me, I've had a cocktail or two, and am ignoring chores that I need to do.)

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 04:02 PM (x8Wzq)

472 Between the use of PowerPoint and digital bibles nobody takes a Bible to church any more.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 04:03 PM (6z9Vj)

473 vmom it's not my end, downloaded Lloyd's book and Prager's big book Exodus.

Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2020 04:03 PM (OjZpE)

474 I like the book because I write in the margins all the time and insert tabs and stickers in certain places.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 30, 2020 03:59 PM (G5Q2v)

Yes; I'd that too. I have to get a new Bible because it's very worn and falling apart.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 04:03 PM (WkPC9)

475 I have one of the oldest cell phones known to mankind. It has a little keyboard you pull out. I have no apps on it. I'd go with the actual book. Did I mention that I'm about as un tech saavy as one can get?
One of these?

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y6z7qhx6
Or something from this century?

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 04:03 PM (SchxB)

476 He said the internals of the engine looked super clean.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 03:54 PM (rpbg1)

Did you run good quality synthetic oil in it?

Had to an injector replaced at 200K and the mechanic said the engine was in excellent shape!
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020

*
*

Not synthetic, not on my watch. I used Valvoline and changed every 3K, as they used to advise us to do back then. Since I did it myself, it wasn't expensive.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 04:04 PM (rpbg1)

477 "Back in the day you could just take them out in the desert and shoot 'em. (full disclosure - never did that, although it would have been cool to see)"

There is nothing more satisfying than shooting up a piece of electronics that has vexed you, especially jam-prone printers.

Set up a cam, put out some PC keyboards, and plink em with 22LR, then watch the playback in slow motion. The keys erupt out like fountains.

Yes, I clean up the range when I am done. I always try to leave the range better than I found it.

Posted by: gp, Blinded By The Bright Light of Biden at August 30, 2020 04:05 PM (qpX6U)

478 Back in the day you could just take them out in the
desert and shoot 'em. (full disclosure - never did that, although it
would have been cool to see)

I did that many moons ago. It was an old B W I bought at a
second hand store. When it died, we took it to the desert and shot it
up. Very fun. Cleaned up the mess too. Today, that would probably get
you an expensive ticket.

Posted by: Infidel at August 30, 2020 03:57 PM

---

We blow $hit up with tannerrite all the time here.

Refrigerators, smokers and whatever else we can come up with that doesn't work anymore. Pick up the big pieces and whatever we can and let nature take it's course with the other stuff.

Private property so not a big deal.

Matter of fact we need to come up with something to blow up this coming Saturday. 8 pounds of tannerite left over from the last time. All we blew up that time was watermelons and people were bitching that we needed to eat the watermelons and not blow them up.

Luckily two other couples came with extra watermelons.

That field is gonna be covered in watermelons next year.

Posted by: Mr. Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 30, 2020 04:06 PM (JUOKG)

479 I don't think people who learn photography on digital cameras can be as good as people who learn on film cameras because they don't understand light.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at August 30, 2020 04:07 PM (6z9Vj)

480 Time to eat!

Posted by: dartist at August 30, 2020 04:07 PM (+ya+t)

481 Not synthetic, not on my watch. I used Valvoline and changed every 3K, as they used to advise us to do back then. Since I did it myself, it wasn't expensive.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 04:04 PM (rpbg1)

That's a workable strategy if you have garage space and some tools!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar at August 30, 2020 04:07 PM (2C38g)

482 Actually, I do like it, but it's giving up the ghost and I don't know if I can get another one.

Maybe not an exact replacement, but they do still sell phones with slide out keyboards. Samsung's "Intensity 3" and LG's "Extravert 2" are a couple of examples.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 04:08 PM (SchxB)

483 I was just thinking about all the great innovations in the last twenty or twenty-five year.

LEDs are awesome!

A car is still a car.
Jet airplane a jet airplane...

It is so cool that we can video-conference... actually, no. Do not give a shit about that.

All the cool new software... still had the same capability to do what I need twenty+ years ago.

But the internet pron is awesome... conversely corner video store had more videos than streaming video or it was at least cheaper. Cheaper by far.

I am sure that the last twenty-five years brought us some great medical advancements but the only thing that really stands out are smart phones... which I really would not ever think about if it weren't for reason everyone seems to think everybody has one for stupid reason.

I honestly cannot think of a single thing that came out in the last 20-25 years that is worth jack-shit.

AWB repeal does not count as it was blocking what was already available.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at August 30, 2020 04:08 PM (/Dgcm)

484 Yes; I'd that too. I have to get a new Bible because it's very worn and falling apart.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 04:03 PM (WkPC9)

Hi Fen,

A few years ago, I used this company to have a family Bible rebound. They did a great job. You might want to give them a call to see if they can help you.

http://mcspaddenbookbindery.com/

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 30, 2020 04:10 PM (PiwSw)

485 Depends on the equipment at the local office. If they've got some really old gear in there it may still handle pulse dialing. Otherwise you'd need an adapter board to translate pulses to DTMF tones.
Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 02:59 PM (SchxB)

You know what would be a nifty product that would probably sell really well? A Bluetooth base station for vintage dial phones that would connect to your cellphone via Bluetooth. You cellphone would "see" it as a hands-free headset. Your vintage phone would "see" it as the local switchboard. Receive calls, and dial out at will.

Based on what you have described up-thread, Blanco, you probably have the chops to build one.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:15 PM (XE8kA)

486 Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 04:08 PM (SchxB)

Thx for the suggestions, Blanco.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 04:16 PM (WkPC9)

487 179 Very odd that Chocolate Jesus and Mike have been very quiet since the DNC ..................
Posted by: James "Buster" Hymannd at August 30, 2020 02:45 PM (qM84C)

Wasn't he just involved with the NBA player's "Demands"?

Posted by: Fox2! at August 30, 2020 04:17 PM (qyH+l)

488 http://mcspaddenbookbindery.com/

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 30, 2020 04:10 PM (PiwSw)

Great; Thanks!.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2020 04:18 PM (WkPC9)

489 Just saw a BLM roadside stand. We're goi g to stop and buy some flags and then burn them In the next busy intersection.
Just passing Andrews AFB.
Posted by: Nurse ratched at August 30, 2020 03:04 PM (GRdu1)

Work as a team. Engage the vendor on conversation, while other team members steal their shit.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:19 PM (XE8kA)

490 When I was in high school, our TV went out for a few days. They didn't bring us a loaner, but I didn't miss it because one of our local stations, the NBC affiliate, broadcast its sound at the very lowest end of the FM band, and I could pick it up on the radio!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 30, 2020 04:02 PM

Let me guess, it was on channel 6.

Channel 6 is adjacent to the FM broadcast band, and television audio is FM so they didn't do anything to cause it to be on your radio.

Columbus, Ohio had the same deal except the ABC affiliate was on channel 6.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at August 30, 2020 04:22 PM (qDSku)

491 My son's church (he's a deacon) is an interesting mix of older and younger people. Even the younger folks carry physical bible with them when they attend services and do Bible studies. In the bible studies they'll pick a verse or chapter, read it aloud, then have someone else read it again in another version. I got more out the few times I sat in than I ever had on my own.

Being a fallen Catholic, I was not sure what bible to get. Son chose for me: NKJV. I love it.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 04:23 PM (x8Wzq)

492 Thank you all. You are God's best people.
Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2020 03:30 PM (bQngX)

Tough place to be, Sharkman. Condolences for the impending loss of your Mother. May her passing be peaceful.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:28 PM (BHOPp)

493 Philo Farnsworth was instrumental in the invention of television...

...but, strangely enough, we didn't then say to him, "OK, so control our lives now! Let's make you de facto king of the earth so you can make decisions about our personal rights and destinies!"

Posted by: RKae at August 30, 2020 03:38 PM (Wrh9U)

Philo Farnsworth also invented the Fusor, which can do nuclear fusion on a table top. You can buy one; they are sold commercially. Used as a handy-dandy neutron source.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:33 PM (BHOPp)

494 Philo Farnsworth also invented the Fusor, which can do nuclear fusion on a table top. You can buy one; they are sold commercially. Used as a handy-dandy neutron source.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:33 PM (BHOPp)

but did he teach the toaster to feel love?

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Doggie Medic at August 30, 2020 04:34 PM (x8Wzq)

495 I used to have to put a couple of quarters on the needle arm to play records. Now i use my phone and play it through a wireless speaker, and the sound quality is great.

Posted by: jsg at August 30, 2020 04:43 PM (xSRCx)

496 Work as a team. Engage the vendor on conversation, while other team members steal their shit.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2020 04:19 PM

You're not stealing their sh*t. You've enabled them to make an unplanned donation.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 30, 2020 05:00 PM (DMUuz)

497 I have a question about cooking rice in an Instant Pot. Last night, I made what is known in Sabin World as "chicken glop". I used to bake the chicken part in the oven and boil the rice separately on the stove top. A couple weeks back, I tried sauteing cut up chicken breast in the IP, then adding rice, water, cream of chicken soup, and some half and half. It came out fine except for a little crust on the bottom. I tried it again last night and it was a flop. The little pressurizing button refused to pop up and I had to scrape crusted rice off the bottom, then restart the IP. I finally gave up and finished it off in a covered frying pan. The XO suggested that maybe I should have added all the wet ingredients first, then the rice. Does anyone else cook rice in their Instant Pot? Any ideas?

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- current occupation: cat furniture at August 30, 2020 05:04 PM (dLD8W)

498 Quality is often better. Pricing in computers is amazing.

In the mid-80s, when I got my first job that allowed me to be self-supporting, I decided to start looking at personal computer systems. Went to a computer store and priced an entry-level system: 286 CPU, 640K RAM, 20 GB hard drive, 3.5 inch floppy drive, RGB monitor.I was quoted a price of $900.

The salesman said, "I have to show you this...we were cleaning out our storeroom, and we found this promotional material for the Leading Edge Model D computer." The specs: a 8088 CPU, 16K of RAM, 5.25 floppy drive, monochrome monitor. Suggested retail price: $3100.

Not all that much time had passed, but one could buy a much more powerful computer for less than one-third of the price.

Posted by: Introverted Elephocentric Hypochondriac at August 30, 2020 05:04 PM (rw/ga)

499 .

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at August 30, 2020 05:17 PM (SzQLD)

500 ..

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at August 30, 2020 05:18 PM (YqDXo)

501 Now i use my phone and play it through a wireless speaker, and ~~the sound quality is great.~~ I can't tell the difference

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2020 05:19 PM (8IOEj)

502 I have a Transoceanic radio. The battery is still in it and I've seen instructions onlne on how to rebuild the battery. It works, of course. A friend became buddies with an old radio guy, picked up several and gave us one for Christmas.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 30, 2020 05:19 PM (YynYJ)

503
Only at The Masters do they enforce the no phones policy and somehow it works their. A lot of people these days are used to ignoring societal norms.
Posted by: Quint at August 30, 2020 04:00 PM (knLuK)

Were it only we could do that with masks

Posted by: ... at August 30, 2020 05:20 PM (uEbPt)

504 Recently purchased the parts to build a GPU workstation for neural network training. (That way I'm not tied to Google's cloud for things that don't require unreasonable resources). I have a 24 core AMD machine with an E-bayed NVIDIA Tesla for something like $1200.

Set up my own file and email servers for personal use.

Posted by: MadRocketSci at August 30, 2020 05:33 PM (+G8SK)

505 Recently purchased the parts to build a GPU workstation for neural
network training. (That way I'm not tied to Google's cloud for things
that don't require unreasonable resources). I have a 24 core AMD machine
with an E-bayed NVIDIA Tesla for something like $1200.

Set up my own file and email servers for personal use.

Very cool.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at August 30, 2020 05:45 PM (SchxB)

506 Set up my own file and email servers for personal use.

Posted by: MadRocketSci at August 30, 2020 05:33 PM

Speaking as someone who has run his own email server for more than two decades. Good luck in your upcoming battles with the antispam brigade. You're going to need it.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at August 30, 2020 06:08 PM (qDSku)

507 I'm not going to read this whole thread by now

*audience hisses*

but I want to observe that the earliest TV sets had tiny screens.

And now? Tiny screens, except that now they're portable.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2020 07:11 PM (u/nim)

508 I remember having a T.V. with bulls ib side and waiting for the TV to warm up, and it only got three stations. Eight track was becoming a thing. I got my first sterio at 16 yo, for 200-. Time they are a changin'

Posted by: Psycochicken at August 30, 2020 07:27 PM (uTquT)

509 The new washing machines suck. When our 2003 model croaked two years ago, the repairman said $440 to get it back in service, so we got a new one. Some enhancements: larger tub and glass window in lid. But the water level is automatically selected and usually insufficient for the load. There is a "max fill" manual option, but for most of my loads that's too MUCH! The worst is that it takes over a fucking hour to do a load!

Last year our 24 year old gas dryer (runs on propane--ours is the only gas dryer at summer home deep in the woods within ten miles) stopped. The repair people suggested getting a new one, so we went to various dealers who quoted prices averaging $800-900, but when we were told we could expect appliance life of only 5-8 years that was a deal breaker. The repair guy came back out, replaced a snapped belt for $150, and the dryer was good for all of the rest of the summer and all summer this year too).

If I had to do it over again, I would have paid the $440 for the washer repair.

Posted by: 370H55V at August 30, 2020 08:23 PM (fslDK)

510 Washing machines: Speed Queen is the best, but my Maytag Commercial is pretty great. I had limited space, which pushed me into the Maytag Commercial. They both use more water, but the clothes get clean (no weird black dots and the clothes don't seem mangled when I take them out). Only had a year, but it is substantial. Expect to spend almost $1000 per piece and they are not pretty, but they work.

Posted by: roulette girl at August 30, 2020 08:26 PM (3v+lN)

511 Late to the party, as usual, hoping to get under the ban bar:
Hearing Aids continue to cost in the multi-thousands, yet you can get a 50 to 60 inch 4 K TV for less than a thousand? Medical tech SUCKS.

Posted by: TXMarko at August 30, 2020 10:50 PM (bOb7D)

512 yeah...

...everything's fun and games until somebody makes the lights go out.

Posted by: ibid at August 31, 2020 11:37 AM (5jXgj)

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