Sirbendy

I'm running LPG/propane, still got 79% on the tank. Had 80% in january. Also stocked up on coal for the log burner, filled the log store etc. Looking at 3 rooms for heat pumps/aircon as well.

We use either the current Samsung droid tabs we have, or I've repurposed outdated ones that were due for scrap - no wifi connection, purely as cameras that I then download to the desired locations.

Seriously rated the ikea high chair. Survived both of my kids, and we gave it away after.

Given I was until recently a science tech responsible for these things, tin the strands of the inner core, or pliers and twist them tightly together first. We have a BNC unit, and an older type with a screw connector.

This may not be allowed, and I get that...but I'm trying to get some older Androids (Samsung Tabs) back into service as cameras..I've got 4 that are post-factory reset, asking for previous owner credentials. From what I've been told, these were all donated by a company a fair few years back. Fully functional, outdated, but they make good cameras/video cameras for the kids. So...any suggestions? Feel free to delete the post if not allowed, or reply by DM.. Cheers all.

I've got it on the PS4, having loved it on the PC, many years past.

Anyone out there running SNOM phones? If so, do you know of any way to remotely view or pull serial numbers from them? Many thanks

I went for a cheapie initial with both of mine..travel system. Then, when they outgrew that I went full belt and braces...Britax ERF seats, that last until they're old enough to not need additional seating. Huge, built like tanks, start in rear facing and eventually turn it round. First one I bought from a Volvo dealer, rebadged as the Volvo safety car seat. Figured, I've been in heavy impacts in a few Volvos, including one that tore off a wheel and removed a wing. It still started and dragged itself onto the recovery truck. Them Swedes know a few things. Never regretted it. They're 13/16 now..

I'm sure there's apps for this, but it's been a while. I put the tablets "In" a conventional frame (Double sided foam tape to attach). Totally threw my family when my mum passed..they're all round my dining room table, moaning about my brother "not being bothered" and "irresponsible" for not attending (lived far away). Had the minister there to arrange the funeral. Picture frame on the table, picture of mum on it. "Excuse me, everyone...are we all here? Good..." "Except your brother..*moan, moan*" "Are you there, old man?" "I've been sat drinking a coffee and listening to everything, yes. One sec, I'll turn the camera on..." Up he pops in the picture frame. "Surprise! Welcome to what we call "technology". SOME of us in the family aren't living in the 1800's." My family were unimpressed.."You should have warned us." "Nah. My house, my gameplan. ALWAYS assume you're being watched.."

2014 Berlingo. I looked at everything i-Cockpit in the dealership. "Nah. I want buttons and knobs." Being van/industrial based, Berlingos are less...consumer oriented. Everything in mine is physical. Love it. Emissions, well, it's the "Airdream" model...stop/start etc etc. 96k on the DPF and happy, lovely pressure and flow rates. I've just reset the lifetime counter and refilled the EOLYS fluid on it for another 120k of fuss free motoring. That's the thing with PSA group, they set in software the "lifetime" of parts..DPFs, "end of life" at 120k, even if they're fine. EOLYS usually needs filling by then as well, so you can do that DIY and reset both to zero. Thats the only software issue that I have to sigh about. That and the programming of the AMT...second gear holds too long, down to sub 5mph. Which means you go to give it beans on, say, a rolling low speed start on a roundabout and it flips it's lid, and cuts engine power while it searches for the correct gear for the power. Then it goes off like scalded cat. Or it'll hold 6th on a hill, at 15mph and 800rpm, and I have to take over on the paddles. It just makes me laugh..proof that computers are still fallible.

Early mk3 Fiestas were a PITA....SPi, with a cold start injector to take the place of the choke. The cold start injector would stick on and flood.... I had 2 Maestros, with the stepper motor autochoke. Good idea, badly executed. Replaced both with manuals. Good old Skinners Union Carbs with dashpots you had to top up.

Sparx is aware of issues as well, I've just had a call to say half the kids can't login.

Not sure if ours is DTC, but it's very new. We've done a heck of a lot of cards on it this last few days, all MiFare stuff. I've had one card that I binned due to weirdness in the chip action. And for all I know, that chip was FUBAR to start with.

It's not a full one, it's like..a lap blanket type of thing, 3 power levels. I tuck one end in the seatbelt and leave the rest lying along my thighs/over the knees. Doesn't get anywhere near the pedals, so no issues there. Then it comes in the house, and goes under the knees when I lie down. It's essential for me, given 3 months ago I was a few weeks post major knee rebuilds with 30cm scars on each leg. They also rearranged and customised tendons and ligaments, so in the cold everything contracts and locks up.

Nah. Charge up a 240v power bank at work, take it home and run the heater for longer..🤣 To be fair, I run an inverter in the van, with a heated throw that I use while driving. Arthritic, post major surgery knees require this in the cold.😂

Mmm, tried that with my R-Pi1 that also runs Pi-Hole...not sure if it's a DietPi thing, but that didn't seem to have a compatible driver. Going to poke the Zero2W with Ubuntu Server and see if that's any better.

I got so fed up with Win* at home, I migrated all out laptops over to ChromeOSFlex. Love it, everything works. EXCEPT...my rarely used home laser printer. It's a Samsung M2020W mono Wifi/USB jobbie. Fine under Windows, ChromeOS really doesn't like and can't use it. Any suggestions, anybody? Ta in advance.

That's it exactly..not her fault, not mine either..we had kids, we got into routines, we got wrapped up in parenting. She was younger than me, she wanted more now the kids are older (2.5 and 5)..I was happy to be "Dad", she has said "You were so wrapped up in the kids, you forgot "us""..no, I never forget her, but we were both that protective over the kids we never went out, let babysitters look after them etc. After 5 years, I'm not surprised she wants a bit more of a life. I'm 37, 38 coming up...I'm disabled, limited mobility, easily tired, was falling asleep putting the kids to bed or downstairs after, and after a day of IT, the last thing I wanted to do at home was spark up the laptop or even talk IT/Web, TBH. It's an age gap thing, maybe. Bear in mind that I was in counselling for job-related stress/mild depression last year or the one before also...it took it's toll. Even my friends have now said "You did change a lot..you were quiet, you'd lost your spark, we were quite worried about you, TBH.."..it was news to me. They're now saying "We can see the old you again coming back...the humour, the ideas, the energy..it's nice to see you again". I became Mr Sensible, Mr Dependable, Mr Safe and Mr Routine when the kids came along..Quote, "you'll never change. You'll never take chances, or risks, you'll stick with that job that's destroying you, you've lost your drive, your confidence.."...that was one of our last exchanges as a couple. Sigh. No, I've never taken chances, or risks..now I have the kids, that's 10x. That's who I AM. I have to have a backup plan, a safety net, a fallback. Eagles may soar, but weasels never meet jet engines. I stuck the job as it was money coming in, paying the mortgage. All very fair comments, mind. Now, the worst has happened..the pressure removed to a large degree. The brakes are well and truly off.. I'm doing new stuff, trying new things, making changes, having fun, and just kicking back and enjoying my time now..and yes, the kids no longer have to worry about "Daddy Time Vs Sensible house time"..Daddy Time is by nature less regulated, and I let them do things a little differently..the routine is there, but not so rigid..they dictate what they do, I facilitate it. We talk, we play, we walk, cycle, cuddle, and we enjoy every minute. No more worrying about what anyone else says..My kids, my choices. There's a whole brave new world out there...it's just a killer that to find this new lease on things, there had to be such a huge loss..but maybe it's better for all. At least, for the adults. Time rolls on, you have to roll with it..and I'm trying..

I love CLEAPSS..heh. It makes fascinating reading...bear in mind I love things like this, and enjoy reading haynes manuals etc- CLEAPSS reads quite like them.

Nah, I was the P/T guy.. They just took the team from 3 to 2, basically...3 was still quite stretched. Budgetary madness. Admittedly, the ratio of Tech:Staff in science is 1:7 right now, which feels quite tight across 11 labs, but then IT is more like 1:250 Tech: Workstation..shouldn't complain. Science tech is way more manual and demanding in its way..no scheduling, no scripts..pre-prepare, test, prioritise, prepare, deploy, assist, collect, wash, tidy away..we have a small prep room, it can be quite claustrophobic. It's taught me a lot already, but it's settling down...I come in to a req board that's not visible due to the amount of sheets on it, and it fails to raise my blood pressure. Like I always said in IT..."If you panic, you have lost. Take it steady, break it down and rock on". We're doing OK. People may say the prep room is a mess, my response is "Are you offering to help? It's a working space in a busy department, it looks worse than it is, we're doing fine.".

I went into the office, explained that my life of 14 years (or term of employment thus far there, as it also was) had just imploded catastrophically, and was literally told, word for word "Due to budgetary issues, tightening belts etc, we needed to downsize IT (3 man crew, one (me) part time), so your post is redundant as of September." But, I was also given the spiel of "exemplary service to the school for 14 years" etc, and then "There are 2 jobs coming up in science...as you know, both tech are retiring...would you consider moving sideways?".......I said, "What do I know of Science? My quals on that front are old GCSEs"...got in response, "You're a fast learner, you'll get 5 months training, and there's always google..". Well..when your job, home, personal life and everything else in in the grinder..what's left to lose? The most important thing in my life is my kids. They're safe whatever, so...one of herselfs complaints was that I never took risks etc..and I thought "WTF. Roll with it, if nothing else it's experience for the CV, and it could be fun!" In fact, I stated similar to the head..heh. I had a smile on my face too.. I think it may have been "The hell with it, I signed up to serve the headteacher, I stand by it. I accept, and I'll see if I can do it." I then had 3 weeks to debrief the IT team and train them in "my" areas...imaging, sysprep, MDT, Cisco IP Phones, callmanager etc. Not to mention 14+ years of in dept hardware knowledge, before I decanted wholesale to science. The IT team (including the IT director) were as surprised as me when I told them..when I got back to the office, I was called in to discuss the rollout schoolwide of SSDs over the summer..and said "Not my beef anymore.."... Me and an ex-TA have replaced the Previous science techs, the senior one had been in post for 30 or so years..learning curve be damned. It's a vertical takeoff! He's a chem-head, luckily...I never was that good at chemistry, but I'm learning in terms of making up molar solutions, iodine, and the various bottles of pretty fluids we need. I seem to have a knack for Physics, Head of Dept is talking about getting me trained up as AS level tech for sixth form, plus the possibility of "classroom time". Suits me, life is for learning now. In terms of how I find it...it's rare I get pestered for IT support, although I do admit I am happy to take over the science IT support if needed to offload the guys..it's all so much "no brainer" after all this time.. I commonly get asked to lend a hand upstairs, or offer advise, or help with things like DTs laser cutters (again, one of "my" areas). Some people have seen me, done a double take and "Eh? YOU? Why in Science?"...I mean, I've been doing it since may..people see the labcoat, not the face. What have we often said, nobody notices the low level staff and the ones who actually make it go? I agree. I still wear my pinstripes and waistcoat, but I enjoy wearing the battered labjacket with a sharpie in the pocket too..heh. Gets a bit of a stare when I'm shopping for supplies in supermarkets.. So much to learn, no time to sit, often have to eat on the run, forever washing up, and loads of stuff to fix, tune and tweak, along with an invoicing and inventory system to overhaul..it's good fun.. Sometimes I work late on mights I don't have the kids...there's something therapeutic about having Planet rock on, mixing things in the fume hood, or making glass tubing for whatever, or even re-blading the scalpels..heh. Big kids playground! The downsides....organs. Eyes, I've got used to. My stock joke, "I hate being watched as I work". Or as I once said when the DT tech accused me of flirting with someone "I only have eyes for you, darling...Here they are, look! Sheeps ones, ha!"...the look on his face, priceless. Lungs, hearts, kidneys? Dissections? Bloody boards and things to wash up? Grim. Didn't mind the preserved rat..he was fun to talk to, always had a smile for me. Well, it looked like one. I don't know how long it'll last, or how long my body will take the strain for..but I'm going to enjoy each day as much as I can and not worry, because the worst that can happen, has happened. As long as I still have my kids and they love me, nothing else matters. I've had then from Friday through to 2 hours ago, and enjoyed every flu-ridden, puke laden minute.. I've set up my life insurance, they're covered to the tune of 50k each, this house is left to me, and in turn to them, family as trustees...now I just intend to build up finances, experience new things, enjoy the experiences and spend as much time with them as I can, having quality time, and try to figure out who *I* am now, as odd as that sounds.

And you - as they say, it can only be up from here.. Life will get easier..got the kids to keep me going and set my goals. They are the most important job I have now..

Hello All! Good god, It's been an AGE since I was on here. SO much has changed. My website has been replaced, now "Sirbendy.wordpress.com" I am now single after 14 years, sharing care for my kids and trying to put things back together. I no longer own a house, I've moved back in with the parents (easiest option - the house was more ideal for the kids, so their mum is buying me out, and then she/the kids can keep the house in the ideal place for schools) And then, in the old adage of "bad things come in 3's", I went to advise the head that my personal circumstances had changed drastically, to be told "Your job in IT is on run-out anyway and won't be there after September". I had to laugh. However, I was offered a position in...wait for it...Science! After many years in IT Support, I am now a Science Technician. Talk about a change. The pay is less, but I have no mortgage now...I just need to keep the car fuelled, pay toward the kids, and rebuild my life and finances. I also now work term time only, which means I get ALL school holidays with my kids here, which is time no money could EVER buy. In a Normal week, I see them monday nights, have them wednesday overnight, then have them Friday/Saturday/Sunday morning. Not the 24/7 I crave, but that can't happen now. The kids accept that, but not willingly. At least they get lots of time with both of us, without us arguing with each other. I'm sorting them a custom bedroom etc here, to their design. I'm setting out a section of the garden for them too. Luckily out here in the sticks (Anyone know of Wroxeter?), it's quiet, big gardens and minimal cars, so they love it. I'm trying to rediscover my inner geek..it's SO hard though, right now. I'm either tired, running around with the kids, or without the kids and feeling very low and hopeless..I know that'll ease eventually though. I have all my stuff in the garage..solar panels, SLAs, electronics stuff, engines to fix etc..I keep forcing myself to do things. My beloved Astra has been SORNED..the ePAS went intermittent, and nearly put us in the river, so after Vx quoted me a packet for a new rack, I decided to give the old girl a rest. She's now sat on the huge drive here, next to the family Focus, and my new drive..a Ford Fusion 2 with EST Auto/Semi auto transmission. Bit of an odd beastie, but it's good. I've since repaired the Astra - new rack my arse. The Alternator "run" output line has gone intermittent...without that, the ePAS pump goes offline. I just wired it direct to 12v. All good again. It's there if I need it. Until I do, the kids have a full size car as a toy..they LOVE that. One day it'll be a classic..and they can have it if they wish..it's not being disposed of. So..life has had a reboot effectively...I'm still kicking though, just feeling quite aimless and isolated at times..and I know my site is missing bits..it'll be sorted eventually..

Astra's seem quite robust..on my 3rd. Brakes are original, and they don't get spared. Second set of front springs due to both snapping, but I have to pass a lot of speedbumps every day, and as I say, the car isn't spared..I also do a road that's subsiding several times a week, like a rollercoaster - frequent rapid "full travel" thrashing of the units. Exhaust totally replaced now, over 2 years. Just tyres and timing belts as a rule, over 5 years of merciless owning so far. Due a service (but it can wait for summer, as I want to service the autobox too), one of the plugs keeps cutting out, so new plugs needed. Cat warning came on and is now off again, so I'll ignore it..and the "airbags inoperative" warning is on - annoying but non-critical, I know what's causing that..I just need to get under the seat..heh..

Pssh. My Astra keeps giving random "Catalyst below optimum operation" warnings...Android phone, plus Torque Pro app, plus Bluetooth OBD2 dongle = clear the code. Google youtube, renovating catalysts. Good vid. I put some nail polish remover (same stuff) in the tank and took the old girl (X reg, 90k on the dials) for a burn to Wales for a family holiday, in sports mode...light went out, been out for 12 months now..just popped back on the other day. Ah well, wales again in april!