Informed work
Well, after much thought I’ve handed my diagnosis letter in to work. Let’s see what happens! I’m expecting an invite for a ‘lovely’ chat with OCC health, and maybe something from HR… The joys of working in a large company. Other than that, I don’t expect much too change, at last that’s what I hope for. This feels both momentous and an anticlimax.
PH measurement
Any modern chemists around? It’s many years since i left the chemical lab. I was taught to rinse my pH electrode in demin/distilled water between measurments. Some suppliers are now telling me that you should use normal town/tap water as demin depletes the membrane. While I see the argument, it goes against everything I’ve known. I’m also not sure that with the short rinse time it shouldn’t make any technical difference for routine measurements. Any recommendations and even better, references would be really helpful.
Freshly diagnosed
Well, I’ve just joined the cool kids, having being formally diagnosed this week. - Not that anyone was surprised. I think I aced the test. The psych asked at the end how I felt about the diagnosis, and honestly I don’t know. I’m not sure I feel anything, maybe it’s because I’ve strongly suspected for many years. - is this normal? So now what? Not sure if I should tell work, there seem to be pros and cons to it. Being technical my work is already pretty accommodating. Family already knew, and socially there isn’t a problem, as I don’t do social. It all seems a bit anticlimactic, but at least I I’ll have a letter that says I’m not neuroboring.
New Pixel 8 install
This will be my first attempt at Graphene, and my first android phone for many years, so I’m rusty on how phones are out of the box. The install instructions tell me to enable OEM unlocking on the phone. - Do I need to go through the android setup process first to get to this menu? - Or is there a way to escape this setup step? - If I don’t have to, I don’t really want to download everything onto the phone, just to change one setting and then wipe it. Supplementary question… My current provider (GiffGaff [UK]) has a sim card. Is it better to convert that to an esim in android before installing Graphene, or to do it once the OS is installed? (GiffGaff do the conversion via their app.)
Computer Com ports
Asking here because someone might just know the answer. If not, please point me to an appropriate community. I have a PLC that needs to talk bidirectionally to a serial (rs232) instrument, but for ‘reasons’ I need a windows computer between them: PLC -> PC(com1) --PC(com2) -> instrument I’m thinking that an old school com0com approach may work on the pc, with hub4com joining a real and virtual com port, com0com linking two virtual ports, and another instance of hub4com sending the traffic back out of a real port. Doors this make sense? Will it work? Is there a better approach? Open source preferred. I could probably write something in python to do it but would rather not.
Long term storage of LiPo device
I want to store a battery powered device long term (decades) as a reference article, it will never be switched on or charged again. The problem is that it contains a small LiPo battery that will be very hard to remove. Is there likely to be any significant risk I need to worry about? Once depleted will the battery be relatively inert?
New Build
Do self build watches get the love in here? This is my second build, I wanted a more relaxed every day watch with good readability as my eyesight is starting to go. I also fancied a bronze case and will let the patina form naturally. Any scratches, marks or dings will, I think, add character. Inside is a Seiko nh36 to give me some options later if decide I need day/date. Thought I’d made a mistake with the white hands but now really like them. It’s nothing special or expensive but it meets my needs perfectly.
