ddrueding
Fixture
Nice!
Something Random
- Thread starter ddrueding
- Start date
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
However she did ask me, that when she needs a mobility scooter (many years in the future) that I get her one like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdDjzIjTlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdDjzIjTlE
What is that supposed to be - you? The photo is difficult.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
Maybe next year
You should probably get started on that now.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I'd like to postulate a new theory for determining the quality of electronics:
If you have to peel a layer of plastic off something to protect its glossy black finish, it's probably a piece of crap.
If you have to peel a layer of plastic off something to protect its glossy black finish, it's probably a piece of crap.
ddrueding
Fixture
If a product has a shiny black plastic surface the odds of its quality being poor is fairly high.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
Most of your graphic cards must have had that plastic layer...
ddrueding
Fixture
The GTX's are technically cast aluminum and polycarbonate
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Sturgeon's Law applies.
I have a different observed pattern:
Find the base minimum price for any product and double it and that is the price point where some quality products exist though you may have to know something to find it. 3x base is where conspicuous consumption begins.
The above does not conflict with Sturgeon's law because 90% of people buy at less than 2x trying to find the bargains of the world.
Note, none of these theory's have to do with a plastic coating protecting the finish. So I contend that your's is a new theory.
Find the base minimum price for any product and double it and that is the price point where some quality products exist though you may have to know something to find it. 3x base is where conspicuous consumption begins.
The above does not conflict with Sturgeon's law because 90% of people buy at less than 2x trying to find the bargains of the world.
Note, none of these theory's have to do with a plastic coating protecting the finish. So I contend that your's is a new theory.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
I use a different methodology. If it's heavily advertised it may or may not be crap but it's probably grossly overpriced (i.e. most Apple products). If it's stupidly cheap it's almost certainly crap but very occasionally you'll get great products at bargain basement prices. If you want quality for not too much money look for unadvertised products which are just above the lowest tier in price. Here you often find real bargains. I find as you move further up the price ladder often you're just paying for additional features you may or may not need, not quality. And yes, the highest prices are conspicuous consumption. One unfortunate fact is that nowadays paying a high price is never a guarantee of quality. More often than not you're just paying for a name or slick advertising. Therefore, it's best to avoid the highest-priced items even if you can afford them.
Another trick I use is to find what you want, and then just wait for specials. I never pay full retail price for anything. I don't need to be the first one on the block to have it. In fact, I'm more than happy to wait for the next iteration to come out in order to get the next to last version for a bargain price. Another good reason to wait is because the kinks are usually worked out by then. To me it adds insult to injury when you pay a high price for something cutting edge only to be a beta tester.
Another trick I use is to find what you want, and then just wait for specials. I never pay full retail price for anything. I don't need to be the first one on the block to have it. In fact, I'm more than happy to wait for the next iteration to come out in order to get the next to last version for a bargain price. Another good reason to wait is because the kinks are usually worked out by then. To me it adds insult to injury when you pay a high price for something cutting edge only to be a beta tester.
ddrueding
Fixture
My favorite trick is to find the cheap brand equivalent of the expensive brand (Denon and Marantz have many models that are just branded differently).
That Super Typhoon Haiyan looks quite awful.
I hope so too. It does look bad.
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
10,000 feared dead. Hope Paugie, his extended family and friends are safe.
You'd think that eventually, but it seems less and less likely every day.
The procedure was not too bad. Subsequently I will have the NMR.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
The typhon passed South of Paugie's location. I don't doubt he has had quite a storm at his place, but I don't fear for his well being. He lives a bit North-West to Manila.That Super Typhoon Haiyan looks quite awful.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
This map shows that winds where of category 1 in Paugie's region. He might have severe damages to his property, but this shouldn't be life-threatening.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Rationally, he's probably fine but I'd like to hear his account of things once he pops up again.
Seems like there are no end of natural disasters there though.
Seems like there are no end of natural disasters there though.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
A few months ago, Google started requiring a G+ login to leave feedback for apps on the Play Store.
Now Google requires a G+ login to comment on Youtube videos.
I have a strong negative reaction to social networking generally, but moreover I cannot see the benefit to enforcing a connection between a real-world identity and an online one in order to use those specific parts of the Google ecosystem when I already have Google IDs that are functionally already an authorization to access Google services. Is this anything other than an opportunistic attempt to increase the per-user value for Google datamining? Is there anyone here who actually gets some meaningful value from their G+ account?
Now Google requires a G+ login to comment on Youtube videos.
I have a strong negative reaction to social networking generally, but moreover I cannot see the benefit to enforcing a connection between a real-world identity and an online one in order to use those specific parts of the Google ecosystem when I already have Google IDs that are functionally already an authorization to access Google services. Is this anything other than an opportunistic attempt to increase the per-user value for Google datamining? Is there anyone here who actually gets some meaningful value from their G+ account?
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
Maybe they are trying to increase the quality of YouTube comments?
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I don't care if that's what they're doing. Trolls will continue to make throw-away troll accounts. They're actively preventing formerly valid and useful communication by creating a two-tiered system for users who choose to use some Google products but not others.
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
Maybe Merc could send him some Western Digital hard drives.
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
I thought that as well when watching...
The ultimate question: How many WD HDDs does it take to stop a .50cal? (expand for 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .30cal, etc).
ddrueding
Fixture
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
It's nice to meet your daughter. She seems quite awake and healthy.
ddrueding
Fixture
Yup. Causing trouble already; able to grab and pull stuff. She loves eye glasses and keyboards most of all.
ddrueding
Fixture
Stoked about my business cards. I've wanted cards without a phone number on them for ages. Letterpressed and thick enough to cut a steak.
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
I like the clean design, but who gives out business cards anymore?
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
Pretty much every sales persons I've met in my professional life distributed business cards like candies on Haloween.
ddrueding
Fixture
I get asked for a card about once a week. I hand out probably one a month. On average, those who I've given a card are worth about $2500 to me over time. These cards cost about $2/ea in the small quantities I order, but are totally worth it IMHO. I'm having the guy who makes the paper (yes, that is to spec by a craftsman as well, mostly linen fibers actually - like US currency) experiment with embedding an RFID chip in the paper itself. The printer is also up for milling a QR code die for me for the next batch (probably on the back).
ddrueding
Fixture
One of the most profitable parts of my business is helping wealthy yet technically illiterate people get up to speed just enough that they aren't embarrassed. My most recent client does real estate and is succesful enough to own a Citation V but has an @aol.com email address and wants to be able to Skype with his grandkids. The idea is that if you ask for a business card you really need my help.
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Stereodude
Not really a
I give them out at work, but customers like to know who to call when they're having problems.