SwiftOnSecurityDamn my launch PS3, which includes hardware to natively play PS1 and PS2 games, has a dead disc drive. :(
Everybody talks RROD for 360 but the PS3 was also horrendous. A terrible initial generation of hardware for both.
The final parts of the home theater are arriving this week including wiremold cable management and a second subwoofer. Eager to show the completed project. Been collecting parts for literally 13 years. If you want something just start now.
I feel something hidden in social media clout-chasing is how long-term hobbies actually manifest. Most hobbyists do not buy everything in one shot and assemble them for a YouTube video. It is a deliberate collection towards an eventual goal lasting many years. The journey is the destination.
You do not appreciate what you have until you've taken that incremental path. I am fucking blessed and I know the difference because I've lived it.
My side speakers are my old front spears. My rear speakers are my very old front speakers. You cycle your parts to their appropriate role.
This was my HT in 2014, after a buildout from when I got it in 2009. It's so easy to see where people are today and look at the cost and think it's impossible. That's because they assembled what they needed across many years.
Do not try to compete with a decade of investment. It's obviously stupid but never communicated.
Buying durable goods is important. I got my 29U Sim5 knock-down rack shipped to my apartment in 2009 for like 400 bucks.
And it will last me my entire life. There is zero wear on it.
I still use all the speakers I've ever purchased. Could I afford to just replace them with similars? Sure. But I know what I want and I'm happy to respect the heritage of my journey.
And it will last me my entire life. There is zero wear on it.
I still use all the speakers I've ever purchased. Could I afford to just replace them with similars? Sure. But I know what I want and I'm happy to respect the heritage of my journey.
Sorry I know this is an exhausting thread. But I've said before on Twitter and I'll repeat here: I talk about what I wish I knew when I was younger. The possibility to communicate that to anyone is of incredible value.
Unfortunately, human proclivities discard this kind of wisdom. And rightly so, it inspires constant ideological churn and attempts at new paradigms. But so much lost is not without worth.
MsMerope
Michael@MsMerope @SwiftOnSecurity and in their ability to repeat the same mistakes over and over
No@SwiftOnSecurity You were the first twitter account I followed like, 5 something years ago, the results of the effort you put in were obvious to me then and even more so now. Parasocial affection is weird. Thanks though!
TheJesusFish@SwiftOnSecurity I really appreciate the projector recommendation. I picked up an NZ8 a month ago (couldn’t get the NZ7) and I adore it.
@me wow nice!!!
SarcastiCanadian@SwiftOnSecurity The core of my audio system is an integrated amp and a pair of speakers I bought in 1980. They were very high quality kit then, and they still provide great sound. Since then I have replaced/introduced turn tables, tuners, tape decks, and streaming components as well as additional speakers -- the foundation still holds.
Martin Woolf@SwiftOnSecurity To my mind, the point of mentoring is not to make others do as we do, but instead to help them understand why we do as we do so they can make informed decisions in the future. Keep up the good work!
Aaron Allermann@SwiftOnSecurity I have a wallet I got from the Pepsi Stuff campaign back in the 90's. The velcro's going on it, but it's lasted over a quarter-century now and it can go a lot longer.
Dr. Lizzly Atoms@SwiftOnSecurity I feel this. When I filed the insurance claim after my apartment fire, I hit my policy's max because the post-incident inventory listed nearly everything "like new."
Casual ObserverI couldn't agree more. I am still rocking a 2011 Panny Plasma (no burn in because of rigorous family reminders), 2011 Yamaha 5.1 Receiver, and some 15 year old Bose floor speakers. All of it will only get replaced when it's run into the ground.
@SwiftOnSecurity This is always what I think of when talking about durable goods. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boots_theory
#LandBack | IDIC ✨🌈🦄🛼🦻🏻@SwiftOnSecurity Love being able to get old stuff that’s built well secondhand.
Brett Chik@SwiftOnSecurity You bring up something important: Durability is cheaper in the long run, but requires a higher up front investment. This favors the haves over the have-nots. As an example, I bought a couple pairs of well constructed jeans maybe 6 years ago. They were $150 a pair at the time which was really expensive for me. But I easily would have spent that much or more ones the same period of time replacing low quality jeans when they tore or wore out.
⚙ Rev (Code Mechanic)@SwiftOnSecurity I 110% agree and continue to see the benefits of taking this approach! It can actually save you money in the long run and you have higher quality stuff that tends to perform better.
@SwiftOnSecurity i feel like i can tell what age you are just from glancing at the video games and the whole setup 🥰
iFredMe: Is this really SOS’s account.
This pic.
Me: Yup.
Stephen Hoffman@SwiftOnSecurity Briefly thought that one lower-middle box was some HP Integrity rx-class Itanium server.
Then thought, nahhhhh.
Not enough cooling fans in that rack.
Then zoomed in for a better look. Nope. Not an Itanium.
Nadie@SwiftOnSecurity i see that old Verizon fios stb 👀
Doug Simpkinson
WD 40 in Gran Torino
Jeremy "Candyman" Thompson@SwiftOnSecurity yep. took years to put my #homelab together. didn't just go buy everything overnight and set it up in 1 go.
Rich Tong@jeremyathompson @SwiftOnSecurity more like decades for me!
@richt @SwiftOnSecurity Same! First server was a Pentium 3 dual CPU server in 2003! At least I think that was the chip...been a minute.
kira :3@SwiftOnSecurity that's what i'm doing when I actually have a location for mine, i have everything for a reasonable 5.1 by now except a surround processor
ShampooSkeletor@SwiftOnSecurity when I first started on my system the local hi-fi store offered 100% credit on trade in within 24 months on speakers. Spent 6 years trading my mains up every 2. I miss that store.
Zander Horn@SwiftOnSecurity that's 90% of the fun for me, researching, saving, scrounging, buying and then thinking what's next? I can lovingly look back at bits and pieces I bought years ago for certain hobbies and see the journey they've made with me until now.
Matthew Dockrey@zch @SwiftOnSecurity I've been putting together a machine shop for decades, and it's only just now getting pretty decent. It was frustrating at times, but how meaningless it would have been if I'd just bought it new, all at once! It would be reduced to empty pride of ownership, not of creation.
jo@attoparsec @zch @SwiftOnSecurity I find what works best for me is to buy inexpensive entry level things first and learn *why* I don’t like them. Then I know what I’m looking for when I feel ready to upgrade, and I have a spare I know how to use. I always end up kicking myself when I overthink it and spend a lot up front.
Andrew Denner@jph @attoparsec @zch @SwiftOnSecurity my two competing thoughts are to buy the cheapest tools (think harbor freight) the first time and use them till they give out then replacing them with better tools. The other idea is watching for good old tools that are the right price at garage or estate sales.
@jph @attoparsec @SwiftOnSecurity I feel there is a minimum viable thing though, any cheaper and it kinda ruins the experience or ends up wasting a lot of your time.
The challenge is figuring out what is inexpensive and what is just cheap dross.
@zch @attoparsec @SwiftOnSecurity this is a very good point. I would say I don’t mean not doing any research and just buying the cheapest thing, more that I tend to err on the side of affordability especially if I’m unfamiliar with something. But if I buy a tool or some gear and it turns out to be awful, then I know what I don’t like about it and can shop around with that in mind and buy something that addresses the issues I have.
Michael Stephenson@jph @attoparsec @zch @SwiftOnSecurity this is exactly what Adam Savage said about buying tools. Buy cheap to find out what you like and then upgrade when you know what works for you.
Cellivar@SwiftOnSecurity Casually nodding along as someone into model trains.
ryan@SwiftOnSecurity Agreed. As a hobbyist photographer I get a new lens every 3-5 years.
Tindra@SwiftOnSecurity and, as I’ve upgraded my tools, I’ve sold/gifted my older ones to people newer to the craft.
Lesley Carhart 
@SwiftOnSecurity costumes are like that for me.
Nick 'The Viking'I've had the same basic hobby for 50 years, and it's taken many forks along the way. Nothing is static. I've just picked up one back up I saved from 45 years ago as it's not so fitness dependent, hoping to get good enough that when I don't do the other one I'm not struggling.
Stephen Collins@SwiftOnSecurity the progressive build of something important to you is the pleasure, right? Especially as you grow in knowledge as well, replacing inadequate, lesser products with new.
My archery and home workshop is like this. I live on 100 acres, and everything here gets used on the regular. Nothing is a wasted purchase.
My archery and home workshop is like this. I live on 100 acres, and everything here gets used on the regular. Nothing is a wasted purchase.
Karyl 
@trib @SwiftOnSecurity Damn that is like, workshop organization porn
@paintedsky @SwiftOnSecurity I tweaked the hand tool board on the weekend so I'm happier with it, and I moved the bow vise from the woodwork bench to the roller. Extra pics for your pleasure?
charlie@trib @SwiftOnSecurity damn dude this rules. I don’t do archery but I want to build out my general toolset, what are some tools that are non-specifically practical and you can always find a use for?
@the_charlie_the @SwiftOnSecurity ooh, good question!
Living where we do - 100 acres of bushland with our house and 2 B&B cottages - I'm always doing little repairs on things. Basic hand tools are always the go to for that. Everyone needs a 16oz hammer, a set of screwdrivers, and pliers that will cover 80% of jobs. After that, buy for what you need. The hand tools I have are mostly from a mid-tier company that manufactures for a major hardware chain. They're good enough for my skills as an enthusiastic but capable amateur. Out here, good leather gloves are a must. There's also another shed with garden tools, mower, brushcutter, and so on. Those are always busy.
Example of upcoming jobs:
- remove old doors inside the house and hang new doors and install handles as part of our renovations
- install a barn door on our upstairs ensuite off the main bedroom
- brushcut 1km of bush track to tidy it up for summer so that guests can walk it easily
- fix some fence where the wire strands are busted
Living where we do - 100 acres of bushland with our house and 2 B&B cottages - I'm always doing little repairs on things. Basic hand tools are always the go to for that. Everyone needs a 16oz hammer, a set of screwdrivers, and pliers that will cover 80% of jobs. After that, buy for what you need. The hand tools I have are mostly from a mid-tier company that manufactures for a major hardware chain. They're good enough for my skills as an enthusiastic but capable amateur. Out here, good leather gloves are a must. There's also another shed with garden tools, mower, brushcutter, and so on. Those are always busy.
Example of upcoming jobs:
- remove old doors inside the house and hang new doors and install handles as part of our renovations
- install a barn door on our upstairs ensuite off the main bedroom
- brushcut 1km of bush track to tidy it up for summer so that guests can walk it easily
- fix some fence where the wire strands are busted
Francis 🏴☠️ Gulotta@trib @SwiftOnSecurity this is beautiful work
@reconbot @SwiftOnSecurity thanks! I am nothing if not fussy. I did the plywood lining myself, as it was bare metal when we arrived 2 years ago.
Pete Keen@trib that's a beautiful workshop.
On another note, I don't personally do archery but I've known the guy who came up with the 18-1 for about 30 years. Cool to see one in the wild.
@zrail that target, and my 3D fallow deer buck get a workout, trust me.
Mark@trib @SwiftOnSecurity
That cable will quickly become a wasted purchase if you persist in coiling it around your elbow.
That cable will quickly become a wasted purchase if you persist in coiling it around your elbow.
@zl2tod @SwiftOnSecurity yes. I need to unroll it out in the sun, let it soften, and then get it on a roller of some sort. I have never found a good method, so am happy to take suggestions.
@zl2tod @SwiftOnSecurity re-rolled both of my heavy-duty outdoor extension cables. Not perfect yet, but not all twisty like they were. The two-tone needs another pass or two to be as it should be.
@trib
Nice!
I tie a piece of about 4mm polyester cord long enough to go around twice and tie a bow near one end to tie it together. Some people use velcro.
When it's good you should be able to hold the inside end (from the correct side) and throw the cable out cleanly without it turning into a bird's nest.
Nice!
I tie a piece of about 4mm polyester cord long enough to go around twice and tie a bow near one end to tie it together. Some people use velcro.
When it's good you should be able to hold the inside end (from the correct side) and throw the cable out cleanly without it turning into a bird's nest.
@SwiftOnSecurity Reminds me of what I did with my home system, once I had the resources, between 1980 and 2005 or so. Then had most components refurbished and the speakers re-coned - which, unfortunately, did seem to compromise their quality a bit. Having a sunny house did in the woofer cones on the ADS 710s, unfortunately. I prefer accuracy over sheer volume, and my set up is for listening rather than supporting home theater, so my apporach was different. I quit buying new components about 15 years ago because so much audio equipment became oriented toward home theater. I know that's where the market is, but that's not to where I gravitate. In addition, high-quality but affordable FM tuners are impossible to get now: it's either very high-end stuff or DSP-based devices that just don't sound as good. (Plus most FM stations these days sound like crap, just from the technical perspective alone.) So I've gone vintage, with some risks. I need to get a couple of pieces refurbished, and that gets ever more difficult as new gear seems to be designed to be thrown away when it conks out.
Rawwwb@SwiftOnSecurity When you say this, the first thing I think of is that set of rack-mounted A/V equipment where you even got custom face plates cut for everything. That's a *journey*.
JD@SwiftOnSecurity This is perfectly embodied by every woodworker on youtube with a used Honda Civic’s worth of clamps in every shot
BsCaBl 
@SwiftOnSecurity Alright.. so when are we all coming over for movie night? 😆
Mason Rhade@SwiftOnSecurity
I am realky digging your setup.
Any chance for a part list for us interested in trying something like this at home?
I am realky digging your setup.
Any chance for a part list for us interested in trying something like this at home?