Friday, December 20, 2013

Quit Smoking Emergency Box

boxlight.JPGI seem to have inheirited one of my wife's coworker friends.  You know, the old coot retired kind. He is like family though and somehow I'm supposed to keep an eye on him. Of course, you know you are on speed dial for tech support when they figure out you know something about computers. Like a bad habit, you just can't say No. Which brings us to this.  Let's say "Grandpa", used in a most reverent way, had his computer crash last week.  You get some urgent calls and voicemails.  You return the calls and try to troubleshoot over the phone.  No picture on screen and no sounds from the computer. Luckily he has a spare computer given to him by a relative when they cleaned out their office. He manages to get that one plugged in and fired up.  All kinds of messages start popping up and he starts deleting things. Computer is getting slower and hangs. (This is a true story, by the way)   Well, I am forced to make a housecall since Caitlin said he sounded so sad without his computer.  Caitlin suggested, why doesn't he just get an ipad?  Well, grandpa did just learn to skype and videochat with his grandkids.

Anyway, we meet for lunch and go grab the two computers to fix.  He's gonna need to go cold turkey on the penny stocks for a few days. I just finished fixing the original machine by replacing the power supply and wiped the other one to rebuild a Windows machine. The original machine was all caked with dust and a brown nicotine coating which I surmised had siezed the cooling fans and overheated the machine into submission.(didn't take pictures, but the horror, someone should put up a forum topic with the dirtiest computer)  Sorry but I had to do a total decon on the machine before I could work on it.  So yeah, a smoke-filled environment is not good for the user nor the machine nor for the guy that has to open the machine up.  And so after lunch he made a bee-line to the corner store for a $12 pack of cigarettes and a lotto ticket.  He's has all the stuff to quit smoking but admits to not breaking open any of the aid packages.  Addiction is tough to beat.

But on a happier note, that was the inspiration of this ible.  If you can't beat 'em, make something to help. I knocked this together today so I can give it to him when I bring the machines back. My "Tuesdays with Morrie".

So this is how my "Tuesdays with Morrie" will go. I  will ask to see the pack of cigarettes that he bought after our lunch.  I will then seal it in my Quit Smoking Emergency Box because I will bring along my portable drill/driver and use my square drive screws(he'll have to find the right bit if he wants to attempt to open the box)  It's not mean, it's an intervention.  We do "love grandpa".  And it will sit next to the repaired computer as a reminder to get out and do better things.

DISCLAIMER: I am a non-smoker. It's your choice if you smoke but don't do it near me. I have seen the effects of chain smoking catch up with some people, it ain't pretty.  The illustration prop inside the Emergency Box is not intended as an advertisement nor endorsement of smoking.  It is hazardous to everyone's health around the smoker and it's nasty.

DSCF0047.JPGI put this together with stuff I found laying around leftover from other projects.

OK, the only thing I had to "borrow" was a bottle of Caitlin's "glow in the dark" fabric paint.  It is the 3-D kind which is gelled and applied with the bottle needle tip applicator.

The Emergency Box is just a simple wooden box with a plexiglas front panel.

I had a piece of leftover plexiglas (acrylic plastic - the cheap one, the LEXAN bulletproof grade polycarbonate is $$$)

Some lumber strips of 1 x 2 and trim 1 x 1 strips.

I also had a block of 1 x 3 to use as the base.

You need some red paint so it will look like a real emergency box.

CAUTION: This is a simple woodworking project so be able to safely cut and fasten your pieces together.


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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Icy Dock MB882SP and MB982IP Hard Drive Converter Reviews

Legit Storage Reviews

The 3.5” hard drive has been in use for many years.  It has been a standard size for desktops, network storage and enterprise use.   In recent years, 2.5” hard drives have become popular due to increases in performance and storage capacity.  Additionally, Solid State Drives are quickly becoming the standard.  The problem is that in order to use one of the new 2.5” hard drives, you either have to modify your existing hardware, or buy new equipment.   For some, this can be a very costly update.  Icy Dock has a lower priced solution in the form of 2.5” to 3.5” hard drive converters.  A 2.5” hard drive can be installed, making it the same size as a 3.5” hard drive with a standard SATA interface.  These converters can be found starting at around $26.00 for the entry level converter and up to $34.99 for the enterprise class SAS compatible converter.

both-boxes

Using the enterprise version as an example, Icy Dock has a great picture showing how the MB982IP-1S-1 matches up to a standard hard drive.  Here they attempt to show the size and that their enclosure has the same screw holes as a standard 3.5” drive.

vendorgraphics

Icy Dock 2.5” to 3.5” Hard Drive Converter Features:

SATA, SAS or SSD (7mm to 15mm)

Converts your 2.5” SATA HDD or SSD to a 3.5” SATA hard drive, for 3.5” SATA drive bay usage.Support SATA 6Gbps.Compatible with Most 3.5” HDD Backplanes and Hot Swap Devices.Universal mounting holes for most common PC case.Screw-less design for quick & easy hard drive installation.Airflow vents for heat dissipation with shockproof design.Simple and Lightweight design.Compatible with Mac Pro.Perfect for System Integrators and IT Professionals3 Year warranty

There are two main versions of the Icy Dock 2.5” to 3.5” hard drive converters, each designed with slightly different target uses, however they can both be used in virtually any situation, providing the hard drive is compatible.

both-converters

The consumer and small business version is the MB882SP (right converter) line, is mostly made out of plastic and is compatible with SATA drives only, while the MB982IP (left converter) line targets the enterprise this line includes SAS connectivity and is made out of metal.




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Custom Lego Earrings!

lego earrings on teacup.jpgLego Earrings.
They are simple, easy to make, and add that spark of nerdiness to any outfit!
And they are fun to build onto for an easy change up!  Makes a fun gift too!

You'll need:
2 desired flat Lego pieces (don't have to match)
2 jewelry pliers
Drill with a small drill bit
4 jump rings
2 earring hooks

lego earrings drill.jpgDrill a small hole in the tops of the Lego pieces.
I use a flat brick, usually a 2 by 4 or 5...and drill the hole
right between the bumps...is there are real word for these?

Then use the pliers to hook a jump ring through the hole.


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Unique Lace Bracelet with Locket

mainfront.jpgIn this Instructable I'll show you how to make a unique bracelet - made from a single piece of lace, a locket and some beads. Most of the items used here I already had at home. You won't have the same materials as I do, but hopefully this Instructable will inspire you to use what you have to create something even more unique and beautiful! The locket in the center of the bracelet is something that I had and had never worn - as I wear one small necklace all the time and don't like to change it out. So, I wanted to use the locket and transform it into a bracelet that I could wear! P1013397.JPGMaterials: lace beads thread & needle for sewing (I used a clear thread) Clasp for back of bracelet - anything will work scissors I used bias tape binding for the edges of the bracelet other embellishments locket if you have one anything else you like to add Tips:
The materials you have and use will vary and differ from mine. Using beads that look like pearls can really be beautiful as well. Be creative, yet try to be cohesive in keeping with a similar theme. It's real easy to make this look tacky! I actually added more beads and tried to make it more interesting but I crossed over into the "tacky" grey area - where it just didn't look good anymore. I removed some beads and it looked much better! So try to keep it looking clean and classy!

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How to Build a LEGO Organizer For Your Keys and Everyday Items

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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tired of dead batteries in your cordless tools? me too! so let's hack away!!

cordless project (2).jpgok this is my 1st instructable so please be kind.
Are you like me when it comes to cordless tools? I get so frustrated with half finished projects and hours of wait time while those "convenient" cordless tools charge. so, i wanted to add wall power to them but, the key for me was to achieve this and not make a permanent mod to the tool itself,. now the real question is.. HOW result do i get that result? surprisingly it's really simple, minimal soldering required and again not a permanent modification to the tool. the best part is that i can change from tool to tool for flexibility, i can still use battery packs when an outlet isn't available and it cost me no money.  OH and it only took about 30 minutes. OK let's get hacking!!1) cordless tool(s).  I had a 24v firestorm drill/ jig saw/ reciprocating saw combo i had rescued from someones curbside trash (YaY free!!)
2) suitable voltage converter w/ power cord (IE laptop charger or such), works best if it also is small enough to fit inside the old battery pack (this one was in with a bunch of electronics i rescued from a dumpster (YaY free again!! sensing a theme yet?) You could build your own if you have that skill, or a wall wart will work fine too, i didn't have a wall wart capable of the 24v needed for these tools.
3) 22-24 AWG wire 
4) soldering iron w/solder
5)   shrink tubes, sandpaper or small files, pliers, screwdrivers, a dremel is very handy, hot glue gun and glue (or if you're like me and don't have one...improvise) 
6) and MOST IMPORTANT....a little common sense

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Compare the Contents of Two Folders with the Diff Command

Compare the Contents of Two Folders with the Diff Command

Whether you want to sort out duplicates or figure out which folder has certain files and which doesn't, you can use the diff command in the Terminal to find out fast.

While traditionally used to look at the difference between text files like this...

diff file-1 file-2...you can also compare the contents of two folders by adding -rq:

diff -rq folder-1 folder-2Once you enter this command—changing folder-1 and folder-2 to the folders you want to compare, of course—the terminal will spit out a list of differences between them. That's all there is to it!

Compare two folders' contents in Terminal | MacWorld


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