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Timer for wall switch?

I had some light fixtures that I couldn't easily retrofit to dusk-to-dawn, so I spent a few extra bucks and got: http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Econoswitch-RPLS740B-Programmable-Switch/dp/B004AP92N2/ and set it to turn my lights on at sundown, and off at sunup. It uses an internal relay, so...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #7
- Nov 27, 2015
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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USB post silicon validation

Well, I'd start with understanding how the USB Compliance program (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/) works. I'd grab an off-the-shelf USB 3.0 device, and take it through the compliance program. At that point, you'll know enough to ask good questions.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #2
- Nov 5, 2015
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Amps vs Volts vs Watts

No, that means that you drank a Super Big Gulp, are now stuck in a traffic jam with 10,000 of your fellow human beings and no bushes, and despite your best efforts you're leaking slightly. Just don't have anyone in the car make you laugh. That corresponds to a big old zap from the van de graaf.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #21
- Mar 6, 2015
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Amps vs Volts vs Watts

OK, everyone's over the edge. Let's have some fun. Electricity is like pissing. Voltage corresponds to how full your bladder is. Current corresponds to how much you're pissing. If you don't really have to go (the voltage is low), the stream is weak (the current is low). If you DO...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #18
- Mar 3, 2015
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Amps vs Volts vs Watts

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but for the OP's level of understanding, they work just fine. Analogy: Electricity in a circuit is like water in a garden hose. Voltage is like the water pressure in the hose. You can have Voltage (Water Pressure) with nothing happening - for example, an open electrical...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #6
- Feb 24, 2015
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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128GB Crucial M4 SATA 3 SSD: $29.99, 256GB, $49.99. (Recertified)

I agree with Ben Jeremy, for the most part. We have products that are built in the 10's of millions per year. I have been called in to help with failure analysis on specimens where we determined that a SPI Flash (cost: about $0.13 in quantity) had been desoldered from a failed product by the...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #41
- Feb 23, 2015
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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Good file server \ NAS options?

Well, remarkably, I just tore down a FreeNAS server at work which has served us faithfully for a couple of years in a mostly Windows shop. Worked great as an unsupported data dump area (the "official" servers were always out of disk space, so we provisioned this one out of petty cash). And...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #4
- Aug 26, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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Any opinions on 27" 1080p monitors?

I use a 32" 1080p TV as my main monitor, and love it. Can I see pixels if I look? Sure, but I'm looking at the content, not the pixels, and it works great. 32" is small enough that I don't have to move my head left-to-right to view the whole screen, but large enough that I can use an 8-point...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #28
- Apr 7, 2014
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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2km wireless bridge

I'd get a couple of Ubiquiti Nanostations from Ebay for $100 and try it before you buy the rest of the equipment. Worst case, you put them back up for sale on Ebay and you're out the cost of the ebay listing and shipping. It'll take a month or two to buy them, try them, and sell them, but it's...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #12
- Feb 25, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Daisy chain switches or bash a hole in my wall?

Unless the two machines are in use simultaneously, pounding bits out to different machines at full line rate, you'll see (and be able to measure) precisely zero difference between having a second switch, and having two lines to the first switch. Get a second $20 gigabit switch, and call it a day.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #8
- Feb 5, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Good inkjet printer? (Oxymoron I know)

Had an HP Officejet 6500 for about three years; worked great, especially once I put in a continuous ink system (external tanks) from cisinks.com. Eventually the printhead gave up (after roughly 15000 sheets of paper), and I decided it was time to buy something new. What surprised me is how...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #10
- Jan 30, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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How well do TVs work as monitors?

Like half a dozen people prior, I have a 32" 1080p TV hooked up as my main monitor on my desk at work. Had to work the menus to get a good PC picture, but once I did I love it. Anyway, a 32" works great - I can be further from the display, my older eyes can read everything without squinting...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #15
- Dec 31, 2013
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Panda Express October 2nd

Just used it - thanks!
- FrankSchwab
- Post #2
- Oct 2, 2013
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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where to buy ink cartridges?

CISInks.com, get the continuous ink system and never have to ask the question again. I've saved roughly $1000 on ink costs over the three or four years I've had one on my HP OfficeJet (Yes, I have a wife and two tweens, why do you ask?). I've gone through at least two or three boxes of...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #7
- Sep 3, 2013
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Anyone ever rent an SLR?

Purely my opinions here, of course. Having just purchased my first DSLR, I will see that there are huge differences in usability between a P&S and a DSLR. From a pro-DSLR perspective, the focus speed is amazing. I went out on a Scouting sledding trip, and on Auto I didn't have to think - I...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #17
- Feb 19, 2013
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Best printers for cheap ink?

Lasers only consume toner when you actually print. Ink jets often consume ink everytime they prepare to print (e.g. Power on), and everytime they're done printing. For occasional printing, get a laser because an ink jet in low usage is just a big, expensive PITA. A laser can sit, unused...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #11
- Jan 31, 2013
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Drawing 20 Amps for device testing

Well, amazingly enough Dangerous Prototypes had a design up just this morning to do exactly what you're looking for: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2013/01/21/building-an-adjustable-constant-current-load/ <EDIT: Never mind, that's DC only. The circuit design also only supports 7A, but 20A would...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #3
- Jan 21, 2013
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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best way to "extend" cat5e wire?

You're absolutely correct about Latticenet, and the original 10Base-T. As I recall (perhaps incorrectly), Category-3 was essentially a standard to homologate current practice of telephone twisted pair, and had essentially the same characteristics. And, as I recall (again perhaps...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #23
- Jan 20, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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FAQ: A starter guide to buying lenses for your Canon digital SLR camera.

Having just gone through this for me this Christmas, I'd say that the Nikon D3100 (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm) is an excellent choice. I made the choice for myself of a Canon T4i, but mostly because the price of used Canon T2i's and T3i's wasn't significantly...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #144
- Jan 16, 2013
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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best way to "extend" cat5e wire?

Having once been in the business of building certification devices for installed UTP cable (Microtest, may it rest in the stomach of Fluke Networks forever), I can say with complete confidence that, well, both ScottMac and WiredNuts are wrong, and both are right. WiredNuts is absolutely correct...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #17
- Jan 14, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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Car dashboard camera?

Don't know much about them, but I've seen them at dx.com: http://dx.com/c/car-accessories-799/car-alarm-security-709/car-dvrs-735
- FrankSchwab
- Post #2
- Jan 7, 2013
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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New to BluRay - so far I can't see what ...

Grab one of the Lord of the Rings movies on DVD, and on BluRay. If the non-CGI outdoor scenes on BluRay don't simply kick the DVD's ass, then something is completely hosed up on your system - something may be downsampling to 720p or even 480p. Went to my mother's over Thanksgiving - their...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #34
- Jan 4, 2013
- Forum: Audio Components
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Solved: Making Windows 8 Tolerable on a Laptop or Desktop

You only have to read the first one. After that, forum rules permit you to ignore all others.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #7
- Jan 4, 2013
- Forum: Operating Systems
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Please recommend PC for TV in the living room

I have one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119072) attached to my TV. Does everything you ask (including playing ripped blu-rays) without breaking a sweat. Installed Win7, and XBMC, and am exceptionally happy. It doesn't have a DVD drive, so if you want to play...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #5
- Dec 18, 2012
- Forum: Laptops
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Using non oem printer ink

I got a continuous inking system from http://cisinks.com/ a couple of years ago. I'm now on my second refill set, and love it. In my HP Officejet 6500, the color cartridges contain about 8 ml of ink, and the high-cap black cartridge contains about 32 ml of ink. A full set of cartridges...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #4
- Dec 11, 2012
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Best DSLR Camera

A shade for front of the lens like http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_189843_-1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Google_Product_Feed Keeps sunlight from the side from causing visible artifacts on the image. The link above shows a...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #27
- Nov 26, 2012
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Intel SSD 180gb for $99 (330 model with Sandforce)

Send me a PM. I probably have a leftover hard disk tray to replace the CD-ROM for a T60 that I could send you. It'll sure make it easier moving files around.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #38
- Nov 26, 2012
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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Making our streets quieter

That statement confuses and vaguely disturbs me.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #25
- Nov 20, 2012
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Making our streets quieter

I've thought about the EMP idea, but the incidental casualties (like, all the electronics in a two block area letting out the magic smoke) put me off the idea. Instead, I visualize an old, high-quality, high-power horn speaker out of an old theater (something like...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #17
- Nov 19, 2012
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Best and worst CPUs since 1998

Well, the most notable in my experience: The NEC V20/V30. Pin compatible and 30% faster, or put it in a clone for some 8 MHz speed. The Celeron 300A. Budget overclocker of the decade. The AMD K6-2. The AMD Athlon "Thunderbird". Overclocked with a pencil. Superior performance to...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #43
- Nov 8, 2012
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
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Converting laptop to desktop?

Find 12V on the motherboard, and wire it to the fans. Use the 19V coming in from the external power supply, run it through a power resistor to drop it to 12V, and run that to the fans. It won't be a plug-n-play solution, but it should be easy to hack something in.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #6
- Oct 31, 2012
- Forum: Laptops
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DEAD - Foxconn Mini Barebone w/SSD $120 - $10 Reb., FS

I bought this unit a couple of months ago, and it's currently doing duty running XBMC in the living room. Works great. Just don't use the included drivers.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #5
- Oct 25, 2012
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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Erase data from bad hard drive

The magnet is unlikely to do anything - it's too far away from the platters to have a strong enough field to flip any bits. Next time, use drive encryption. When the drive fails, you'll have no concerns about people being able to read it.
- FrankSchwab
- Post #9
- Oct 3, 2012
- Forum: Computer Building
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Why isn't there an SI time unit that isn't based on historical things?

I think modern history believes that Jesus was a real person, and lived in the time that Christianity believes he did. Thus, the numbering of year 0 shouldn't be considered to be a "mythological" thing - it's just an inaccurate numbering scheme based on the life of a particular person. The...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #8
- Sep 25, 2012
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Lossless Audio Encoding

For lossless algorithms,you will get deterministic results - every time you run encoder on the WAV file, you'll get exactly the same output. Decoding the output will get you exactly the same data as the input. Think ZIP - you want exactly the same thing out that you put in. For lossy...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #7
- Jan 19, 2012
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Can a single transistor failure render a processor useless?

In my experience, the vast majority of the transistors are critical and would cause a fault of some sort if they were bad. The issue, of course, is finding the fault. If the transistor were in the clock chain, or in the register that held the Program Counter, or was responsible for driving a...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #8
- Jan 19, 2012
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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is Gigabyte lying to me?

In my not-so-professional opinion... The card is probably unrepairable. That portion of the card has gotten very hot, and likely damaged multiple components as well as likely damaging the copper traces in/on the board. So, to that extent, they're probably correct - it can't be repaired...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #23
- Dec 1, 2011
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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Computer case manufacturers: PLEASE MAKE ME

I gotta agree with you, Wacki. You're really asking for a Mac Mini, using a 3.5" HD rather than a 2.5". That's such a cool packaging job I've seriously considered just dumping way too many years of PC heritage and going to the dark side (or is that the white side?). Anyway, I'd love to get a...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #3
- Nov 27, 2011
- Forum: Cases & Cooling
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Share internet connection from one house to another

I actually just bought a pair of those last week to solve a "how do I connect two offices on opposite sides of a parking lot" problem. Frankly, it's excellent hardware for the price. It took me about an hour to figure out how to configure it for what I needed, I suction-cupped them onto...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #7
- Oct 8, 2011
- Forum: Networking
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HP touchpad tablet $99

With the mass hysteria this weekend, it's not clear to me how long retail stock is going to last, so I wouldn't expect too much there. But, I agree on the prices coming down on CL and Ebay - there are so many of them, sellers are going to start getting desperate to unload. If you've sunk $500...
- FrankSchwab
- Post #229
- Aug 21, 2011
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways

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