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maelorin at 09:35pm on 11/12/2002
maelorin at 09:35pm on 11/12/2002It is amazing just how quickly time passes when you are distracted by small things going on IRL.
Take, for example, the break up of a relationship. Its as though the Universe puts you into cryogenic stasis just before it leaps into hyperdrive ... days, weeks, zip by before you know it ... all the while you are crawling through an agonizing miasma.
Another example might be familiar to anyone who has been a house sitter. Just where would you have put the key to unlock the automatic rollerdoor that is the only way into the carport if you were, say, your 50- & 60-something parents? While that did not test my patience too long (it was in the drawer with the cutlery - of course), I have just found the secret to getting the TV remote to work.
Don't misunderstand me here. I'm quite technologically adept. I have an Honours degree in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry and dropped an MSc in Computer Science because it was not satisfying. Well, OK ... some guys had just released a little thing called html and the World Wide Web - my own hypermedia markup scheme wasn't going to compete and rather than switch I went off in a huff and did a law degree. (I like University, and no one seems to want me to work for them ... ?)
Anyway, getting the remote to work had nothing to do with the batteries, or pointing in the right direction or using the right buttons (duh!). Now, for a remote to work it has to either use ultrasound or infrared to carry the signal from the handset to the device across the room. (Some ultrasound devices can work through internal walls as well, but thats not relevant here) So, the remote uses infrared - and for that to work, the little LED on the front has to work, right - because that's the infrared bit. For that to work, the two posts on the back have to be in contact with the circuitry behind it ... so to get the remote to work, I have to push on the LED with my finger to complete the circuit - but being careful not to cover the damn little thing coz that defeats the whole shining a light across the room thing.
Take, for example, the break up of a relationship. Its as though the Universe puts you into cryogenic stasis just before it leaps into hyperdrive ... days, weeks, zip by before you know it ... all the while you are crawling through an agonizing miasma.
Another example might be familiar to anyone who has been a house sitter. Just where would you have put the key to unlock the automatic rollerdoor that is the only way into the carport if you were, say, your 50- & 60-something parents? While that did not test my patience too long (it was in the drawer with the cutlery - of course), I have just found the secret to getting the TV remote to work.
Don't misunderstand me here. I'm quite technologically adept. I have an Honours degree in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry and dropped an MSc in Computer Science because it was not satisfying. Well, OK ... some guys had just released a little thing called html and the World Wide Web - my own hypermedia markup scheme wasn't going to compete and rather than switch I went off in a huff and did a law degree. (I like University, and no one seems to want me to work for them ... ?)
Anyway, getting the remote to work had nothing to do with the batteries, or pointing in the right direction or using the right buttons (duh!). Now, for a remote to work it has to either use ultrasound or infrared to carry the signal from the handset to the device across the room. (Some ultrasound devices can work through internal walls as well, but thats not relevant here) So, the remote uses infrared - and for that to work, the little LED on the front has to work, right - because that's the infrared bit. For that to work, the two posts on the back have to be in contact with the circuitry behind it ... so to get the remote to work, I have to push on the LED with my finger to complete the circuit - but being careful not to cover the damn little thing coz that defeats the whole shining a light across the room thing.
dorky
(no subject)
I just wanted to point you in the direction of this post (http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?journal=abiku&itemid=197549)... thought you might be able to answer the briefcase question, at the end of the post.