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ascroft

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#35042 2-Jun-2009 23:21
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We are all suckers to go and buy new stuff from time to time but I reckon 1/2 of this is boredom with our existing set ups not that we really need something new........

So instead of buying more stuff, hows about some ideas of cunning things you have done with joe basic equipment that others might learn from or be excited by - and save some money!! Cool


{MOD EDIT : SP : Fixed underlining issue}




common sense is not very common


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scottjpalmer
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  #221163 3-Jun-2009 05:33
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Buying shiny new stuff is much more fun, but yes I do agree one of my motivators is "time for a change".



serafis
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  #221566 4-Jun-2009 12:49
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An old telephone directory makes an ideal personal address book. All you have to do is cross out the names and addresses of the people you don't know.

Seriously, though, I agree the motivator is often "new toy envy" rather than a fundamental problem with what you have. Maybe geeks just have short attention spa......oooh shiny!!!

I usually try to recycle and upgrade through Trade Me, although my first HTPC was mostly built from things I already had lying around from previous upgrades. Also a long time ago I learned how to fix things (my wife luckily doesn't mind that we never have to replace anything!) and sometimes build things from scratch.

paradoxsm
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  #221584 4-Jun-2009 13:20
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biggest, partners, and the associated costs involved.


I often strip down old stuff for parts instead of having to buy some expensive cable/converter/opamp etc.

With computer hardware, you might be surprised what can be obtained from antique hardware when you really have to.

I have also been known to raid the kerbside collections before, While it may sound "third world" I have found a number of prototype computers, rare hardware, transmitters, and valuable antiques as well as old junk to strip for parts or simply play around with on all those Auckland rainy days. One day I found a complete vintage videogame/videogame machine collection that someone had simply discarded in labelled boxes.

(no longer live in Auckland, no longer have the hours to play about with old rubbish and of course no longer raid junkpiles but the memories are still there.)



BurningBeard
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  #221653 4-Jun-2009 15:31
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I only replace things as I need them, and I'll usually hold out until it claps out completely.

For example, I've still got a CRT TV and the picture is still excellent - I don't sit close enough to our telly to warrant getting High-Def (and to be honest, I've not seen a single high def TV instore that has wowed me).

I only upgraded my mobile because of the Telstra plan. If it wasn't for that I'd still be using my ancient Nokia, which seems to be absolutely invincible.

I do like keeping my "toys" nice & clean though.




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paradoxsm
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  #221820 4-Jun-2009 22:07
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Forgot about my mobiles, I usually buy something that is future-proofed instead of hyped, I don't have an iPhone for example.

Use a Nokia 6121, 6120 simply for coverage (Vodafone/TelecomWCDMA) but still have my old n95 as apart from the new 900MHz frequency and an mp3-fm transmitter, there is utterly nothing substantially new on the new Nokias and plenty of things removed such as processor speed, daylight viewable Non-interlaced LCD and integrated VoIP client.

Was using a Samsung i325 but it became obsolete (and was free) The old HTC/OKTA touch is now a dedicated GPS, i've sure got some good use out of that device in previous lives.

BurningBeard
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  #221935 5-Jun-2009 10:18
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I love tinkering with stuff that needs a bit of work - when someone needs their laptop "tended to" I jump at it, even if it's a pain in the behind, just something fun and geeky about getting something working properly again.




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serafis
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  #222709 8-Jun-2009 15:23
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You can use two old teabags and a rubber band to make a realistic and low-cost pair of swimming goggles


Yeah tinkering is excellent therapy, the only problem is getting really good stuff to tinker with - and convincing he owner to let you keep it if you fix it! Maybe we could have a thread about those "quick fixes" that shouldn't really work but sometimes do. Like the good old days of putting butter in the pocket watch or thumping the telly....


For example, friend of mine had a laptop that suddenly wouldn't boot. All symptoms pointed to a defunct HDD and he was upset that he'd lost all his data (no backups!). So I removed the hard-drive, gave it a few sharp "twists" back and forth, making sure to keep it in the horizontal plane. This is sometimes enough to free off a platter spindle if it's not spinning up. Anyway, we popped it back in and the laptop booted and stayed running for long enough for him to suck his data off onto a USB drive. He went off with a smile (well a half-smile - he still needs to buy a new HDD of course). I've used this trick before as a last resort (what have you go to lose?) and it sometimes does the trick, but beware, it's often a "one shot" fix if it works at all. {edit} Had a call from said friend last night - he's living dangerously; it's still working two weeks later!{/edit}


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