CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Non-Audio Stuff => Random Thoughts => Topic started by: graean on May 22, 2015, 05:42:29 AM
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For me, it's mostly cleaning supplies, I guess.
a Miele S8 Kona canister vacuum, about a hundred microfiber cloths (Costco is fine), pumice stones, bathtub cleaning brushes, dry mop, Bon Ami, citric acid, and good soft-rubber squeegees preferably by Ettore.
The vacuum is nearly a grand, but there's a lot less dust in the air and on furniture and molding inside the house. It's also quieter, has stronger suction than the previous Kenmore Progressive and Dyson upright, and doesn't leak dust, although it does heat up and exude a faint plastic smell, though all vacuums do that. It's just more obvious with this one because the smell isn't masked by dust and the influence of more noise. The air gets clean enough such that right after I vacuum and stride around the house because I want to breathe in the air.
The cloths I use to wipe wall, clean dishes . . . and so on. Never returning to cotton.
Pumice stones from Home Depot clean lime scale . . . toilet rings . . . and can abrade away calluses, assuming of course we're using a stone dedicated solely for that, and not cleaning toilets and such.
Bath tub brushes with nylon bristles, one for general srubbing, one to get into the grout and edges. Good to keep around the tub when I want to quickly clean up.
Dry mop by Rubbermaid with built in spray, filled with vinegar. The pH of vinegar prevents bacterial growth, so the mophead doesn't spread a half rotting smell along the floor. The mophead is a microfiber pad. Floors get nice and clean.
Bon Ami is a cleansing powder made from limestone and coconut surfactant. It's less hard than glass, so it doesn't scratch it, but has a strong abrasive action because of the fine particles. A good alternative to bleach and acid based cleaners (like Bar Keeper's Friend, Clorox) because it is less caustic on the skin and thus more convenient. It is really effective on grease/fat based stains, as long as they are on fairly smooth surfaces.
Powdered citric acid, bulk, for limescaled shower doors. "Weak" acid by chemistry, because it produces chemical buffers. Means its less effective than strong acids, but also less dangerous. Still, glasses/goggles and gloves. Scoop some up and dab a little water and spread across the glass. Then brush in circles to dissolve/emulsify the citric acid with water and the limescale. Then wait and wet as needed to allow the reaction to dissolve the limescale. Wash off, use a wet cloth to wipe the glass (to remove resultant salts, which make for murky glass), wash off again (pail of water), and squeegee--
Squeegees. 12, 14, 16 inches. Start with 12" for use in the shower to remove water to prevent clouded glass. In general use around the house a wet microfiber cloth to wet glass, then squeegee it off. Vertical strokes only downward, or horizontal strokes in one direction, or otherwise. Another cloth wipe up water that collects at the sides and bottom (where you squeegee the water toward). A squeegee pole, if you do high windows.
And a lot of plain heather blue and grey t-shirts are nice, too.
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Mostly tools for me.
A nice cooking knives. Can't cook without the right tools. In my case, that would Mac Mighty 9.5" Gyuto and 3.5" paring knife.
18650 battery powered LED flashlight - Fenix PD35 2014. Bright light that cranks out 960 lumens, good sized, and battery lasts a long time. I charge my work light about every 2 months.
Snap-on racketing screwdriver set. I use this almost every day. It's a damn nice screwdriver. Pricey for a screwdriver, but it doesn't feel like just a screwdriver once you've used it.
Professional grade insecticide - anyone get annoying spiders in the house or ants? I hate spiders so I give the gift that keeps on gifting: Onslight FastCap. Comes in a concentrate so you have to get a sprayer for it. Get it along the foundation and key locations around the house. Shit works all year 'round and you'll find dead spiders and other bugs around the house. The normal stuff you get at Home Depot just doesn't work like this.
A nice pocket knife - comes in handy a lot more than you think.
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Thinking that you were talking hifi/headphones. my mind boggled when I got to pumice stone!
The cloths I use to wipe wall, clean dishes . . . and so on. Never returning to cotton.
Absolutely. For everything from cleaning vinyl LPs to drying myself after bathing. Microfibre is wonderful. Absolutely best thing thing sliced bread (which I no longer use at all for cleaning).
:)p1
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Snap-on racketing screwdriver set. I use this almost every day. It's a damn nice screwdriver. Pricey for a screwdriver, but it doesn't feel like just a screwdriver once you've used it.
If you ever want a good socket wrench, check out MAC Tools. They have the finest rachet action for spots with limited area. Just get the right one.
What kind of spiders do you get? I leave the Daddy-Long Legs alone to help control other pests.
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Eye Glass cases - cheap way to protect more than just your eyeglasses. I keep first aid stuff in one when I'm at school as well as another to protect my CIEMs and portable rig. Cheaper than similar sized otter box.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Witch Hazel - extremely versatile as well as cheap.
If I think of anything else...I'll post about them.
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What I carry besides my wallet and phone:
Individual hand wipes. Not every place you buy lunch at has a public restroom and restrooms sometimes run out of soap.
Disposable Earplugs (Leight Max). For crowds, offensive sound systems / music at stores, and sleeping.
Small pill box with tylenol, advil, immodium, benadryl, &c. They'll all think you're weird till they have a headache or worse; then they forever lose the right to laugh at you--for that.
Keychain flashlight (Fenix E series). Much better than a phone's LED.
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Tape...
Duct tape for fixing things. Electronic tape for cable ends. All kinds of tape for things manufacturers leave to chance. Tape is tapetastic.
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If you ever want a good socket wrench, check out MAC Tools. They have the finest rachet action for spots with limited area. Just get the right one.
What kind of spiders do you get? I leave the Daddy-Long Legs alone to help control other pests.
Is the Mac socket wrench nicer than the Snap-on ones? The Snap-on racheting mechanism on my screwdrivers is very nice. Maybe 2-3 degree turn to get to the next click which is also very soft. I know Mac makes totl stuff that's on par with Snap-on.
I don't get a ton of spiders and they are the brown ones. I have an extreme prejudice for spiders.
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Individual hand wipes. Not every place you buy lunch at has a public restroom and restrooms sometimes run out of soap.
Not a problem in a place where people normally eat with their hands, but still, I do not guarantee soap!
Disposable Earplugs (Leight Max). For crowds, offensive sound systems / music at stores, and sleeping.
I carry a range from cotton wool that just takes the edge off an over-amplified concert, to plugs that would protect me at a rock concert
Small pill box with tylenol, advil, immodium, benadryl, &c. They'll all think you're weird till they have a headache or worse; then they forever lose the right to laugh at you--for that.
And plasters? It's good to be able to deal with a rubbing shoe or a cut finger.
Keychain flashlight (Fenix E series). Much better than a phone's LED.
Always on my keychain, whether the car key is or not.
Tape...
Duct tape for fixing things. Electronic tape for cable ends. All kinds of tape for things manufacturers leave to chance. Tape is tapetastic.
The best tape ever: Self-Amalgamating Rubber Tape. The layers bond with each other and become one. Great for electrics, great for low-pressure plumbing leaks.
:)p7
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I have the following on my key chain at all times, unless I have to go through TSA screening:
Leatherman Micra
Spyderco Ladybug
128 GB password protected USB thumb drive
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Is the Mac socket wrench nicer than the Snap-on ones? The Snap-on racheting mechanism on my screwdrivers is very nice. Maybe 2-3 degree turn to get to the next click which is also very soft. I know Mac makes totl stuff that's on par with Snap-on.
Yes. My friend was Master Tech for Lexus. He has full boxes from both companies. Each has their own tools that are better than the others for different reasons. Nobody has a finer rachet that I've felt. It's almost Swiss watch like. I forget which model it was but if you want one I'll ask my friend.
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Yes. My friend was Master Tech for Lexus. He has full boxes from both companies. Each has their own tools that are better than the others for different reasons. Nobody has a finer rachet that I've felt. It's almost Swiss watch like. I forget which model it was but if you want one I'll ask my friend.
I'll keep that in mind when I need a wrench. I rarely need it, while I use screwdrivers a lot - different lengths and bits. What I really need is something that can get in at a right angle but is still small. Seen a couple in the market but the head is very bulky.
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Hario V60 coffee dripper
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Hario V60 coffee dripper
A good coffee dripper is worth more than all the Starbucks establishments combined.
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128 GB password protected USB thumb drive
What one do you use? I need one with a more sturdy loop. Had two break off in my pocket already.
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Commonly overlooked purchases:
Pants
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Pants
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Especially useful for wearing on the chest. Although quite how that works beats me. Another unique thing for cats, I suppose...
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What one do you use? I need one with a more sturdy loop. Had two break off in my pocket already.
Verbatim Store n' Go (don't know whether they still make it any more). The metal loop at the end is pretty robust, and I got a strong ring to thread through it from the place where I have keys made.
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What kind/brands of pants? I know there are different cuts, materials, breathability, durability, pockets places/numbers, construction, ease of cleaning, color fastness, weight, fabric weave/texture.
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Verbatim Store n' Go (don't know whether they still make it any more). The metal loop at the end is pretty robust, and I got a strong ring to thread through it from the place where I have keys made.
They make these still.
http://www.amazon.com/Verbatim-Store-Flash-Drive-97002/dp/B005GWQRWM (http://www.amazon.com/Verbatim-Store-Flash-Drive-97002/dp/B005GWQRWM) I use them a lot for work.
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They make these still.
http://www.amazon.com/Verbatim-Store-Flash-Drive-97002/dp/B005GWQRWM (http://www.amazon.com/Verbatim-Store-Flash-Drive-97002/dp/B005GWQRWM) I use them a lot for work.
Ewww USB 2.0! USB 3.0 is a must these days. I've had one of these for awhile: Lexar JumpDrive P20 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - LJDP20-32GCRBNA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6DBGLK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Awpyvb0V8KXFB
You won't break the lanyard loop it's part of the one piece aluminum chassis.
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Ewww USB 2.0! USB 3.0 is a must these days. I've had one of these for awhile: Lexar JumpDrive P20 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - LJDP20-32GCRBNA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6DBGLK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Awpyvb0V8KXFB
You won't break the lanyard loop it's part of the one piece aluminum chassis.
Amazingly enough, the world is still full of devices that have only USB 2.0 ports (like, for example, law firm and accounting firm laptops with which I might need to share data while sitting in a conference room with crappy guest wi-fi). Organizations that have installed bases of tens of thousands of computers don't spend tens of millions of dollars at the drop of a hat to replace devices that are still functional and meet the users' needs.
Trust me to know my requirements. There are more things in Heaven and on earth, dear Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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USB2 is fine, as all us audio people should know, and yes, there is still a lot of it about. I don't think my wife's new[ish] laptop has any USB3 ports, even though it has been around for a few years now.
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Thad, that's why you are still a hippie.... come on man, get with the program..its Gen 3.. :)p13
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Feather Double Edge Razor (the plastic handle one at <$20, not the 10x more expensive stainless steel AS-D2 model)
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Amazingly enough, the world is still full of devices that have only USB 2.0 ports (like, for example, law firm and accounting firm laptops with which I might need to share data while sitting in a conference room with crappy guest wi-fi). Organizations that have installed bases of tens of thousands of computers don't spend tens of millions of dollars at the drop of a hat to replace devices that are still functional and meet the users' needs.
Trust me to know my requirements. There are more things in Heaven and on earth, dear Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
That's why I buy the cheap USB 2.0 for work. No USB 3.0 computers there. Were running Windows 7. Just upgraded from XP less than 3 years ago. We get new units when they absolutely have to make the switch or they just all start to fail too quickly or can't be repaired. I call it buying "trailing edge technology." I've had compatibility issues once with my work and home computers, because I upgraded too fast. PITA! Home is 3.0 for music! headbang.
I'm sure the next upgrade we will to Windows 7/8 as upgrade, as the last was Vista/7 as upgrade.
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I'm sure the next upgrade we will to Windows 7/8 as upgrade, as the last was Vista/7 as upgrade.
I can bet you a steak it won't be. It'll be Windows 10. At this stage of the game, any tech going to 8 is asking to get fired.
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Amazingly enough, the world is still full of devices that have only USB 2.0 ports (like, for example, law firm and accounting firm laptops with which I might need to share data while sitting in a conference room with crappy guest wi-fi). Organizations that have installed bases of tens of thousands of computers don't spend tens of millions of dollars at the drop of a hat to replace devices that are still functional and meet the users' needs.
Trust me to know my requirements. There are more things in Heaven and on earth, dear Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Doesn't mean you can't use USB 3.0 flash drives on 2.0 devices. Most of the cheaply 2.0 drives are slow as shit and don't maximize the bandwidth. At least most of the cheap 3.0 drives can do 20MB/s R/W while costing barely more.
I didn't realize you had no USB 3.0 devices but you could still maximize USB 2.0 speeds on them.
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Noobish question: does a USB hub need to be 3.0 for it to work with the peripherals/outputs?
I'm thinking it's just a hub not a switch or router, so there's no intelligent data speed management going on. I'm not sure if the 3.0 compliant thing for some hardware or accessories is just marketing??
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Noobish question: does a USB hub need to be 3.0 for it to work with the peripherals/outputs?
I'm thinking it's just a hub not a switch or router, so there's no intelligent data speed management going on. I'm not sure if the 3.0 compliant thing for some hardware or accessories is just marketing??
Yes
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Thad, that's why you are still a hippie.... come on man, get with the program..its Gen 3.. :)p13
Hey, Ganesh... that's some schiit you're talking there, isn't it?
:)p7
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Just upgraded from XP less than 3 years ago.
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I upgraded from XP about three years ago too... to Linux
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We get new units when they absolutely have to make the switch or they just all start to fail too quickly or can't be repaired. I call it buying "trailing edge technology."
Very good thinking.
:)p13
Here's something I wouldn't be without: a Swan Morton scalpel handle and a box (not a packet, a box) of blades. I've had my handle since about 1974
:)p2