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Durability

I would usually post this on my watch blog, but I thought it would get more views here.
I was talking to a co-worker during a training session, and I noticed he was wearing a Seiko 5 (Automatic Watch) which was well worn.  He told me it was 10 years old now, and still works great with no servicing.  His previous watch was a Seiko 5 which he wore for 20 YEARS with no service.  He just got sick of the styling and gave it away.  Think about that.  Something that costs less than $100 lasting 20 years with no maintenance.  We are not talking about something sitting on a shelf here.  This is something strapped to your arm, with endless shocks, exposure to temperature extremes, and water.  Yet, this humble, little watch lasted 20 years with no complaint, and as far as we know, it is still ticking away somewhere.  I wish they could make everything that well.

 

Posted by on February 9, 2008 in Uncategorized

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Internet working again and tech rambling

Comcast was here over an hour today, but, it looks like something did the trick (knock on wood).
For now, it is running at about 20 mb/sec 🙂

In other news, hooked up our VCR to watch an older tape.  Man, I forgot how really really crappy VHS looks compared to DVD.  Heck, it looks really bad compared to cable TV.  I see why DVD’s were the fastest new technology EVER adopted by U.S. consumers.  It works, looks good, and is cheap.  It’s not perfect, by any means, just try to watch really dark scenes and you will see where the problems are, but it is eons better than VHS.  Laserdisk was cool, but the form factor was too large and inconvenient.  Most people don’t want to flip a disk or wait several seconds for the head to come over to the other side.  Human nature, I guess.

 

Posted by on February 8, 2008 in Uncategorized

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Arghhhhh

For the last two night between 6:00 P.M. and who knows when our Comcast connection has basically been a joke.  Gave up last night and called comquack and they did the usual reset modem, computer crap.  Always does nothing, I do it to humor them.  After that little dance I asked him to ping the modem, he said ‘man, you have 25% packet loss’, no shit sherlock, I tried that as well before I called. 
The worst thing is that it only happens at night, you know, when we actually want to use the internet.  I hope they can find something obvious wrong.  I really hope it is not some shmuck in the area doing a huge upload or playing some connection intensive game wrecking it for everyone else at 6:00.
We shall see.  It is very aggravating right now.  Works great at 5:30 in the morning. 

 

Posted by on February 7, 2008 in Uncategorized

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Dave’s computer advice

A few days ago I switched back to my trusty IBM SK-8805 keyboard.  I was using a “cool” looking Ortec laptop looking keyboard.  No matter how cool you think your keyboard looks, go with the one that feels the best.  The IBM is loud, a little ugly at times, but I can type twice as fast on it, with the half the errors.  I am sure this IBM will last darn near forever as well.


My advice is never ever skimp on your input devices.  A cheap mouse/keyboard will give you carpel tunnel.  You can have the most kick ass computer in the world, and if your keyboard sucks, you will hate the computer.  This also goes for monitors as well.  Get the best that you can afford.  Eye strain=headaches.  I have had the same monitor for years, it was expensive and huge (19″) when it was new, and still looks great now.  The computer you can skimp on, if you can upgrade it in the future, or it is so cheap you can throw it out. A keyboard/mouse/monitor should outlast 2 or 3 generations of computers, easily.  

 

Posted by on January 31, 2008 in Uncategorized

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Ho Ho Ho

Looks like we are in for some serious snow.  I just hope it is enough snow for a ‘snow day’ tomorrow. 
If we get a foot, like some predictions, you really don’t want to drive in it.  We have just a regular sedan, and I know I don’t have 12″ of ground clearance.

Glenn is growing more teeth.  Two just came in, a little out of order.  It looks like the first molar, but he is very protective of his mouth.  I read online it is usually harmless if they come in a little out of order.  Other than that, he has been a pretty happy baby on the sippy cup and antibiotics. I hope his ears feel better now.  We will find out next month how they are doing.

 

Posted by on January 31, 2008 in Uncategorized

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