Yesterday I reattached a cupboard door; the screws had pulled out and broken the cupboard wall they came out of. But this has me thinking, do you fix things? Computers are hard but not impossible, phones are extremely hard with only specific things that can be fixed. But what about simple things like a broom handle or chair.

This is a little in the vein of the thought from yesterday, where we are conditioned to consume without thought by advertising.

[–] KhanumBallZ 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes. I actually just ordered a replacement battery for my Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Luckily it's only a matter of lifting a ribbon cable.

I think it's easier to fix electronics, than it is to fix simpler items like socks, shirts, pants, coffee cups, shoes, etc. Probably because the latter are designed to be disposable these days.

[–] Dave 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I try hard to.

We have a spot on the bench where the kids put broken things to be taped or superglued back together.

The dishwasher that was here when we moved in had issues with the electronics, we got someone in to fix it and it struggled on doing an average quality job and occasionally refusing to go, we finally replaced it about 7 years after we moved in (it was probably already 5-10 years old then). Not gonna lie, having a new one that just works and does a good job is great, but I don't like replacing things that are doing the job.

My laptop is a Framework, which is very easy to repair compared to others. I've had to do a display panel replacement and hinge replacements, it wasn't a problem. Previously I've done the occasional repair on more typical laptops but normally nothing too complicated.

Phones are hard. Unless you have a FairPhone, your phone is probably glued together or otherwise difficult to even open. I got a second hand phone off trademe almost 4 years ago. It's still going strong, though the battery is not as good as it once was.

I have fixed our dining table after a leg fell off (new bolts + glue), and have fixed chairs but will remove them if I don't think I've done a good job because of the safety factor. Our dining table and chairs were also second hand, we got them about 8 years ago.

These are just some things that come to mind. I try to repair anything before throwing it away, but I'm not that good at it. Improving with practice, though.

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I totally understand the not being that good at it.

I'm a automation engineer, I work with computers....so fixing things is something I'm getting better at.

[–] Dave 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I've had some help over the years, mostly in the encouragement to give it a go. I have some memorable moments, such as my father-in-law helping to fix a scotia that wasn't quite the right shape. He looks at me and says "I think I can fix that with my chainsaw", then proceeds to shape the wood using his chainsaw to fit perfectly in the slot, will less than a mm of tolerance.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes I'll usually try to fix anything first. I've learned a lot over the years just using all the info on the internet. I've replaced all the light fittings in our house, did my own insulation, fixed the car (replacing rotors and pads), fixed our 20 year old toilets, fixed the kid's clothes and shoes, replaced or fixed taps, made my own tables and benches (functional but ugly). Computers I've been building and fixing since a teen.

I've managed to extend the life of a lot of things, but there are times I have to weigh the cost if it's worth it, for example if I need to get new specific tools. Or sometimes I just use it as an excuse to upgrade.

Electronics is probably where I haven't done much fixing, but it is an area I'd like to learn more on.

[–] absGeekNZ 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Electronics can be difficult, desoldering is tricky and prone to damaging the boards (assuming discrete components that can be accessed); if a micro controller (chip) goes bad....you are SOL without very specialized equipment. Surface mount components are doable with a very steady hand and a magnifying glass and a sharp point on your iron.

But then the next problem is finding replacement parts.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 4 points 1 year ago

I’d probably start with very basic things just to learn. Being able to fix basic appliances would be a nice skill to have. I haven’t had anything really fail in that way, so nothing to practice on

[–] eagleeyedtiger 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Anyone have a good recipe for artichokes? We got given two of them. I know you eat the inner parts/leaves, but have no idea how to prepare them.

[–] liv 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pretty sure you boil them and then cover them in butter and garlic?

[–] eagleeyedtiger 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wonder if you can roast them. Don't particularly like boiled veges

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Many years since I've had one but I think they're basically like asparagus and can be steamed or roasted.

[–] Dave 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I updated the !newzealand@lemmy.nz banner image yesterday to one nominated in the banner image suggestion post. There's only one left unused in that post and people didn't seem to supportive of it. Also, next month is Christmas. Anyone got any Christmas themed banner image suggestions?

OC is encouraged but not required.

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[–] KhanumBallZ 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Enjoying the sunshine while it lasts. More rain seems to be on its way.. despite the fact that we were promised a 'dry summer'. I'm thinking about just ditching my sneakers, and wearing gumboots, or waterproof rubber shoes.

I have more kale than I can eat in the backyard. Probably saved myself $50 already, and it's only been a few weeks. Next time I'll probably set aside the big patch for potatoes only - and then keep the kale and spinach in small containers. Eat air-fried potato chips all year round.

Been also doing a bit of reading on Anti-civ philosophy lately, though it's hard to imagine that we live in a civilization, let alone a society, when we barely even know the names of our neighbours.

Nobody living in an industrial society would ever wake up every morning thinking: ""Oh wow! I am part of this miraculous organization that enables me to have medical care, computer chips, clean running water, air conditioning and heating! Maybe I should think carefully about how my decisions impact the lives of my neighbours, so they can be just as happy as I am! I'm so glad I have a job!"".

Rather - most of us live our lives on autopilot. We vote on autopilot. We spend on autopilot. We hardly give anything much of a thought. And it's only during times of crisis and hardship that we take a step back and reflect on ourselves. And then of course there's Ozempic, anti-depressants, McDonald's, KFC, etc. Not to mention the ecological disasters we're facing. It makes me wonder if maybe it would be better for civilization to slowly fade away, or scale down significantly. It might just happen on its own, with the way things are going.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 2 points 1 year ago

I love eating kale and most brassicas. I grew Collard greens a couple years ago and they get massive. You get a lot of food of 1 or 2 plants

My favourite kale so far is "Dazzling blue". I picked p some Ethiopian Kale seeds from kings seeds to try this season