the "not worthy of it's own thread" thread

I discovered the USB cable equivalent of the disappearing socks (a nerd's dilemma).

I used to have great difficulty finding a required USB-A to USB-B cable and was swimming in USB-A cables. But now when I need a USB-A to USB-A cable I keep tripping over USB-A to USB-B cables (literally found at least a dozen of them) but can't find a single USB-A to USB-A cable.

<sigh>

the sad life of a geek
 
Bob Noel said:
I discovered the USB cable equivalent of the disappearing socks (a nerd's dilemma).

I used to have great difficulty finding a required USB-A to USB-B cable and was swimming in USB-A cables. But now when I need a USB-A to USB-A cable I keep tripping over USB-A to USB-B cables (literally found at least a dozen of them) but can't find a single USB-A to USB-A cable.

<sigh>

the sad life of a geek
Click to expand...
That’s because USB-A to USB-A is illegal according to the USB specifications. They treat it like a NEMA 5 “suicide” cord. USB-A to {B, mini, micro, C} are all legal, though.
 
And yet many of us still have them for USB extensions when that 3' or 6' isn't long enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WDD
Bob Noel said:
I discovered the USB cable equivalent of the disappearing socks (a nerd's dilemma).

I used to have great difficulty finding a required USB-A to USB-B cable and was swimming in USB-A cables. But now when I need a USB-A to USB-A cable I keep tripping over USB-A to USB-B cables (literally found at least a dozen of them) but can't find a single USB-A to USB-A cable.

<sigh>

the sad life of a geek
Click to expand...

argh - turns out the UPS uses an RJ45 for the data port (unlike my other UPS') - so wasted a number of hours looking for the right cable that I don't actually need. Edit to clarify - the RJ45 is one end of the cable, the other end is USB-A... go figure.

arrrrrgggggghhhhh
 
Last edited:
Bob Noel said:
argh - turns out the UPS uses an RJ45 for the data port (unlike my other UPS') - so wasted a number of hours looking for the right cable that I don't actually need. Edit to clarify - the RJ45 is one end of the cable, the other end is USB-A... go figure.

arrrrrgggggghhhhh
Click to expand...
Lucky you! My UPS has a DB9... that is used for serial RS232 data... but of course does not use a standard DB9 serial pinout. So it's Linux -> USB to serial console cable -> custom wired RJ45 to DB9 adapter.
 
Bob Noel said:
argh - turns out the UPS uses an RJ45 for the data port (unlike my other UPS') - so wasted a number of hours looking for the right cable that I don't actually need. Edit to clarify - the RJ45 is one end of the cable, the other end is USB-A... go figure.

arrrrrgggggghhhhh
Click to expand...
They are just making up new standards, aren’t they?
 
Bob Noel said:
argh - turns out the UPS uses an RJ45 for the data port (unlike my other UPS') - so wasted a number of hours looking for the right cable that I don't actually need. Edit to clarify - the RJ45 is one end of the cable, the other end is USB-A... go figure
Click to expand...
Be careful that it's not actually RS232 instead of USB on the RJ45.
DaleB said:
Lucky you! My UPS has a DB9... that is used for serial RS232 data... but of course does not use a standard DB9 serial pinout. So it's Linux -> USB to serial console cable -> custom wired RJ45 to DB9 adapter.
Click to expand...
I suspect that this is the case or a variant thereof, which would be consistent with vintage UPS boxes.
 
Like I've said since the days of SCSI... The nice thing about standards is that there are just so many to choose from.
 
so I'm on the phone with RCN to troubleshoot my internet connetion.

While on the phone and waiting for a cable modem reset to occur, the CSR followed his script and asked if I wanted to save money by switching to their streaming TV service.

I wasn't snarky or snide, but I thought it kind of funny for them to try to switch me to a TV package that requires the internet connection to be functioning while on the phone trying to get my internet connection to work.

in fairness to the guy, I know he has to follow his script.
 
When I watched "Brazil" back in the late 80s, I thought it was such a dark view of the future that I suggested to friends that they not watch it. Now, about 40 years later, it almost seems like light satire. And I'm from that generation that doesn't have all that many feelings.
 
These Sportys/PilotWorkshop guys sure are timely.

F

Thread 'ATC Communication Problems? m/w Mad citation Pilot vs ATC'

I saw these from vasaviation on my youtube feed and wonder if the pilot (probably to be the owner of the LLC?) will be hearing from a FSDO? latest post first post Someone wasn't having a good day.
  • Like

Declare an Emergency? - PilotWorkshops

John: “As pilot-in-command, you are responsible for the safe outcome of the flight. The regulations provide you with the authority and discretion to declare an emergency and to mobilize any ATC resources. If the safe outcome of the flight is in doubt, declare. However, emergencies come in two...
pilotworkshop.com
 
How Comanche flyers, I'm curious what you use for personal mins for runway lengths.
 
Gotta love Siri. For some reason, Siri needs my current location to answer a question about the distance between two locations on earth unrelated to where I am
 
Also gotta love fedex. A package to be delivered to my house left a warehouse 10 miles from my house, went north to NH and then south to CT. And then it will eventually (?) get to my house
 
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
 
Last edited:
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
Click to expand...
Do not underestimate the Chrysler minivan. They are about as invisible to speed traps as you can get and have plenty of HP motivation for people hauling. That said, yeah, should have forced the luxury car.
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
Click to expand...
Be careful. I rented a van once. Now I own one, and i have five kids.
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
Click to expand...
Annual in Michigan?
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
Click to expand...
I too had to rent a car today. For me, the cheapest was economy class. They sure weren't kidding. This Nissan Versa sedan is 1 year old, but has no CarPlay, no USB-C, no GPS, no XM Radio, no blind spot monitoring, no adaptive cruise control, no center arm rest, no keyless ignition and no keyless entry. It's kind of hard to see through the steel wheels, but I think they might actually be hiding drum brakes.

In order to find the car in the parking lot, I tried to press the key fob to activate the horn but there's no key fob. My right arm was feeling a little tired but there was no place to put it. The radio came on but it was like listening to a tin can.
 
Wife and I got back from a week doing a Viking river cruise in France. Took the Seine river Paris to Normandy.

Not sure how authentic it was. One week, didn't see one mime.

On a serious note, the American Cemetery at Omaha beach was impressive and solemn.
 
Did they forget to round the runway headings, or is the military actually going out to 3 digits these days...
(randomly saw this while looking up dallas area airports)
1786899061794.png
 
I got a bad case of spatial disorientation in IMC today.

It was the classic "looking down because I dropped something" scenario. Even though I was straight and level, I ended up mashing the rudder brake pedal while I was in the car wash tunnel as the gantry rolled past my side window. I should have known that I had already put the transmission in P but I was a bit distracted.
 
Writing the word cookies over and over looks weird.
 
A dumb question, but I see "aErobatics" and "aCrobatics" used almost interchangably in referring to doing loops/rolls/etc. Is that a typo or are both valid?
I always thought of acrobatics as a human acrobat, like a circus guy doing flips and tricks. Aerobatics I thought was the pilot equivalent. Yet, my aircraft is placarded with 'no acrobatics approved', and both appear in common usage. Is there a 'right' one?
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Had to get a 1-way rental car to go pickup my plane from annual tomorrow. I rented a 'luxury' car b/c it was oddly the cheapest vehicle class available. But at the counter I foolishly told the guy I can take "whatever" if they don't have a luxury car available.

And then he ran outside and rolled up in a Chrysler minivan, which immediately caused my testosterone levels to plummet below 0. So now I'll be driving to Michigan tomorrow, emasculated:(. But on the plus side I'll be flying back in style :cool:
Click to expand...
I had a Ford Aerostar minivan, used it to tow a Formula Ford race car. After I got married and quit racing, I used it to carry materials to finish two rooms in our basement . I guess you got the wrong type of minivan.
 
Mini vans seem to be making a “respectability” comeback. The usefulness is amazing. My son just got one. Family of 5, 6 if you count the dog, makes it a very attractive option.

Had one when we were in the raising kids era ourselves. Hauled lots of things besides kids, and most pull a trailer easily as well.
 
FormerHangie said:
I had a Ford Aerostar minivan, used it to tow a Formula Ford race car. After I got married and quit racing, I used it to carry materials to finish two rooms in our basement . I guess you got the wrong type of minivan.
Click to expand...
The Ford Aerostar was built on the Ranger platform. The one with the 4.0L V6 was pretty decent! Watch out for the weight and balance though since it's RWD! I once nudged the center median with the right front on I-35 ;)
 
With our old mini van, I pulled a trailer with motorcycle on it for track days. Packed lots of things in it from Home Depot. Wife - 5’3” - had no problem driving it. Put roof rack on it, loaded teenagers and drove to CO several times for skiing.

They are just so dang usable.
 
"If this is a medical emergency, please hang-up and dial 911"

I'm sure almost everyone hears this whenever calling a doctor's office.

But really, do people need to be reminded of this? Has anyone, ANYONE, called their doctor's office, heard "If this is a medical emergency, please hang-up and dial 911", and then said "oh that's right" and dialed 911?

otoh - there are people that have to be told repeatedly not to use a toaster in the bathtub.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: WDD
It's so universal, the "call 911" has to be a legal escape hatch of some sort.

What I also find ironic is the pre recorded "customer service is our top priority....." Well, if that was true, I'd be speaking to a human vs being put on hold.
 
My newly formed flying club was denied a credit card by our bank. Because it is a non profit, I’m only eligible for a card with personal liability. We were denied for insufficient consumer credit history.

Admittedly, my family has no debt and has had no debt for 20 years. One credit card only and paid off every month for 27 years. I guess that is insufficient credit history.
 
Justin M said:
My newly formed flying club was denied a credit card by our bank. Because it is a non profit, I’m only eligible for a card with personal liability. We were denied for insufficient consumer credit history.

Admittedly, my family has no debt and has had no debt for 20 years. One credit card only and paid off every month for 27 years. I guess that is insufficient credit history.
Click to expand...
Find another bank that isn't and idiot.
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
A dumb question, but I see "aErobatics" and "aCrobatics" used almost interchangably in referring to doing loops/rolls/etc. Is that a typo or are both valid?
I always thought of acrobatics as a human acrobat, like a circus guy doing flips and tricks. Aerobatics I thought was the pilot equivalent. Yet, my aircraft is placarded with 'no acrobatics approved', and both appear in common usage. Is there a 'right' one?
Click to expand...
No acrobatics means…or should that be aerocrobats

1789823029489.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top