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- Thread starter Gutwrench
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True. Have you heard of the black stick or spudger? These are used to pick off capacitors, chips, and connectors during repairs. Here’s a link to one: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/App...A5xBV2c5bFpUM6lL4ls_0LRQHMBFhuiYI87Ai4yOPsp91
I’ve always seen it in Apple repair manuals.
Good luck with that. Depending on the issue I think I'd rather just go to work.
In the days of cathode ray tube monitors, Apple had a special tool to ground the 3000 volts before you touched the tube. It was an insulated handle, with a probe and one end and grounding clip on the other. You clipped it to the frame then touched certain spots around the tube to ground them. If there was any significant charge, there was a loud "SPLATTT" as it did its thing. And you knew it was grounded and safe.
Some shops had the repair section close to, and in hearing of, customers. They were concerned about the "SPLATTT" noise, so Apple introduced a version of the tool with a 1 MegOhm resistor in line, so it discharged quietly. So you didn't know it was grounded and safe.
It took about a week before the first hospitalisation due to an improperly grounded CRT.
Apple withdrew the new version of the grounding tool...
Wow! That’s why there’s a massive warning ⚠️ about it, even if the Macintosh is turned off. I read on a retro computer website that these things can retain electricity and power for weeks or even months after the Mac is turned off. I also saw this in a YouTube video of a Mac technician from Japan who repairs Macs of all kinds and years and HomePods (some iPhone tutorials are in there too). He restored a historic Macintosh color classic and put up several warning signs in his video, teaching viewers how to repair Macs from this CRT era. The warning signs read, “Warning: Never touch the inside of the CRT tube until you ground yourself and follow all the safety precautions. Improper handling can cause serious injury or death. These have very high voltage ⚡️ levels.” He intentionally left the Mac on to test the display functionality, but at least he made sure his gloved hands weren’t too close to the CRT tubes that emit the light. Video below it’s half an hour long 👇
By the way, what did Apple’s grounding tool look like for these early machines?
While I think ChatGPT can certainly be useful in some situations, like analyzing an image (that was my most recent use for it), or coming up with video ideas for me, I don't think it's wise to use it on school assignments.
In fact, here, if you use any AI tools on assignments, you're required to attach a paragraph at the bottom of your assignment stating which AI tool you used, why you used it, and the extent to which it was helpful. But still, just don't.
Back on campus now, I literally could've stayed there for another month. I'm so glad I went—was debating whether I should, so I definitely made the right decision.
I learned even more in just these two days than I learned at some two-week-long programs in the past. That just reinforces how amazing the faculty here are. Among many things, here are a few new concepts I was introduced to:
- The ways dance plays a role in the classroom - the importance of dance in general. For one of the sessions, we learned gumbooting (a South African tradition), which was really fun. At the end, we all shared how we would teach that dance form - what would be incorporated into a lesson, and how would you structure it.
- The importance of self-reflection after a rehearsal, either as a student or teacher
- Teaching in a classroom for a few years after undergrad before starting grad school
- Ways to practice conducting without an ensemble in front of you. Practicing conducting outside of rehearsals, generally.
- Creative ways to incorporate percussion instruments and improvisation into the classroom. Ways to introduce polyrhythms to young students. Ways to connect all that to dance.
Hey everyone, I’m a bit of a money saver when it comes to textbooks. I start by emailing the college Liberian or checking the library’s website to see if they have the textbooks I need. If they don’t, I head to the bookstore as a last resort. But here’s the thing, I also take advantage of the support programs offered by my school. They give students coupons and gift certificates for bookstore items, which is a great way to save some money.
Oh, and there are also classes that use open access books or don’t charge any material fees. You can find these classes on your college’s website. Keep an eye out for OER, which stands for Open Educational Resources. They’re free to use and can be a great way to save money on textbooks.
I disagree. When I was studying computer science, ChatGPT didn’t exist, but in the real world, I use it all the time, and it’s incredibly helpful. As long as you understand the reasoning behind the answers and aren’t just blindly copying and pasting, I see it as a net positive.
During my Jr. Pentesting Exam (eJPT), I used ChatGPT after gaining unauthorized access to a Linux machine to explore privilege escalation techniques. It introduced me to several new methods that weren’t covered in my course material.
Most professionals I know rely heavily on ChatGPT - whether for better or worse - but they learn from it, and that’s what really matters. It’s not going anywhere, so the best approach is to learn how to use it effectively. Your school seems to be taking the right approach by embracing it, unlike some institutions that ban it outright.. a decision I believe they’ll regret in the future.
Used books are the way to go, I think. I've only spent about $150 this entire year on books. No coupons or anything though. Ebooks can also be good, but I don't like them as much.
Yep, that's very common, at least here. Of course not all classes can use open access materials, but I've been lucky enough to have most of my classes be that way.
Of course it's a bit different with music classes. But if you think about it, while music classes generally don't have crazy expensive books or other fees, students do spend a lot on their instruments, and any necessary maintenance, etc. So I'd say it's about equal.
Of course I'm half-college, half-conservatory (half music, half non-music), so it is a bit more of a cost with the classes in the College. But it really isn't that much. Like I said, $150 per year is pretty normal for me. This year maybe a little more (closer to $250) because I had to drop a class and buy the books for the new one.
Times have changed, when I was in college the late 1970’s, it was common to spend $300 to $400 per quarter on [used] textbooks. The best bargain was to get buy books directly from someone who took the class the previous quarter. But professors (working with book publishers) would release new “editions” every year to limit the used book market.
When I was in college a 5 years ago or so, most resources were online with the exception of a few math textbooks that were super cheap (80-100).
I graduated from university in 82 and it was common to have to spend a few hundred every term on books. The text book market was a legal cartel. A proper investigation would have exposed the abuses being inflicted upon the students and parents if they were footing the bill.
Hey man, I barely spent any money on books or software for school. Even if I had to pay for expensive software for a class, I use bookstore credit for that. It might seem different to a STEAM student like me, but I’m always on the lookout for resources to help me save money.
In fact, only a few classes, especially at my institution, use Open Educational Resources (OER) or free materials. For instance, certain general education (GE) courses like language arts, history, science courses like biology and physics, and even some of my major courses like C++, computer science, and ACAD use resources available on Canvas or through the library books provided.
However, I still need to get the books digitally because I use a screen reader, and they need to be compatible with it. If the library doesn’t have an ebook version, I can get the physical copy and send a receipt to the special services department, who will load it into the software with the digital version.
Another great benefit is that having my books electronically stored on my laptop allows me to continue studying even when I travel. It saves space in my carry on luggage and is better for my back!
Last semester, I didn’t need to use any textbooks because none of my classes required them. I also took one biology class online last year, and instead of textbooks, we watched short informative videos. I can still complete my homework while I’m on the go by watching the videos while I wait at Starbucks, in line, or in the waiting room. Just pop on my AirPods and watch them on my iPhone.
My last GF taught Nursing Assisting at the local Community College, and wrote a textbook for the field, which did very, very well (last time I talked to her she had four variations in print).
Lippincott Publishing wanted to put it out in hardcover, at a very high price. She fought them tooth and nail to have it printed in paperback, explaining to them that most of her students were recently-divorced Moms who were trying to support themselves and start a career in their 30's. She won that battle, even though it cost both her and the publisher some profits.
I'm glad I got to see that whole process of writing a textbook from scratch, amazing the amount of work and time that goes into it.
Glad she won her case, publishing is a minefield (I had some experience in my last job helping academics and researchers in security/human rights issues).
At work? Hope you don’t lose your job. That’s tough. Been there done that.
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From what I read about the US and Canada game it sounds more like waiting for the ambulance to arrive!
Hockey guys are really tough guys, but very soft inside - dated one once. They survive.
See if we can beat Finland, and get the bronze🥉 - the final will be between Canada and US.