Search results

  1. R

    Home automation - DIY

    Surprised no one mentioned Z-wave. Not dirt cheap, but can buy various modules, thermostats, door locks and can control it via a variety of controllers (mi casa verde, homeseer etc). I control most of my lights, thermostats and some door locks via this using homeseer (runs on any pc basically)...
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    ** UPDATE** Official 2014-15 NFL 'U LOST Bro'-owl Thread** Pats are SB Champs!!

    That's implying there was something to the story. There is nothing to prove because it didn't happen, Sherlock.
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    ** UPDATE** Official 2014-15 NFL 'U LOST Bro'-owl Thread** Pats are SB Champs!!

    You mean the "supposed" taping of the Rams practices that the Boston Herald issued a public retraction of that slanderous article? Yeah, people tend to overlook that part.
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    Anyone know anything about water heaters?

    Fair enough that was one concern I had, whether valid or not. The other I think for the tankless was that they would've had to drill out an exhaust vent out the side of the house instead of using the existing vent that goes up the chimney and we didn't want to get into that type of project.
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    Anyone know anything about water heaters?

    Recently replaced ours (Gas) and had an A.O. Smith 50 gallon high recovery (e.g. heats faster) model put in. Overall very happy with it. Thought about using the new boiler we have connected to a stainless tank but it would've cost 2x as much (but maybe you'd save some in gas) but we were in a...
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    Did the forums get a font change?

    Noticed the same thing a few days ago, thought I was going crazy
  7. R

    Most ridiculous selfie ever not by Russians

    You stood atop skyscrapers with nothing preventing you from falling......
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    Dissapointed in washer/dryer choice, samsung

    AVOID electrolux. Bought my parents a full set (Microwave, oven, fridge) of it and had to have the microwave repaired multiple times (eventually got replaced) and the oven had multiple repairs as well. It's another brand whose name people associate with quality but has gone dow nhill. Next time...
  9. R

    daycare costs more than college in 31 states

    While it sucks in the short term, there are studies that have shown that kids that are exposed to these bugs earlier are less likely to get sick when they are school age.
  10. R

    daycare costs more than college in 31 states

    Over $1600/mo for 1 child under 2 years old (that's 5 days a week ~8-10/hr a day) in Mass. Crazy expensive but like others said, even if it was an option to stay home with him, the social skills he learns really is amazing.
  11. R

    PSA: DynDNS is shutting down FREE DDNS service

    Got the same emaill today and was looking to see if there was a better coupon than the 25% they give you in the email. Found a 50% off coupon (credit to Fatwallet). Code is TFU3DYNDNS. Confirmed, I renewed for 5 years for a total of $45! :)
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    When did Newegg become so anti customer service?

    Done with newegg here as well unless it's an amazing deal. Newegg and Shoprunner can't hold a candle to Amazon's prime. Ordered an item from newegg 5 days ago that was in stock with Shoprunner. Still in packaging state. They show on their website to expect delays due to high volume from black...
  13. R

    VOIP phone

    I have an ooma as well (yay for being grandfathered in for the old version and paying $0.00/mo!). Overall I can't complain. I like how it supports e911 (while magic jack doesn't). We don't use it a ton but for no monthly fee, it's paid for itself quickly and the call quality is very good.
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    So, who's ready for the 2 feet of snow in Boston this Friday?

    I'm about 15-20 mi West of Boston, and we must have 18-24"+. Haven't been outside since 9pm last night, but can't see where I cleaned the drive way. Fortunately we still have power, that was my biggest concern. Just the amount of snow that is on the deck railing looks to be 18" easy. EDIT: oh...
  15. R

    how to get the shine back on hardwood floors?

    Bona and I wouldn't clean hardwood floors with just water
  16. R

    Milk it, milk it till the teats fall off.

    I'm sure they'll tie it into the whole Thanos storyline revealed at the end of Avengers, at least if it is similar to the comics.
  17. R

    Grab a napkin homie...

    Better... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAl-ZyI8R5Y&feature=related (german or something included)
  18. R

    Recessed lighting in kitchen. LED's?

    Often local utility companies subsidize the cost of these LED lights. I know that is the case at Home Depot/Lowes depending on your location. Locally they had these LED for only $25. I think this is what you are looking at but I could be wrong...
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    Not Where They Hoped They'd Be

    LOL. As someone who studied Chemistry and Computer Science, and who works mainly with Chemical Engineers, I am comfortable saying you have no clue what you are talking about. Chemical Engineers are in demand (and if you are not you are doing it wrong). I liked CS but have absolutely no desire to...
  20. R

    Any way to adjust mkv subtitles in W7 media center?

    If you are using ffdshow, you can use Media Control to manage subtitle/audio streams via a 10' interface (i.e. controllable from your remote): http://sourceforge.net/projects/mediacontrolmce/
  21. R

    Celtics or Heat in the finals?

    Just because they market it that way doesn't mean it should be that way. Unfortunately it's permeated to the Refs (by far the worst in all sports). Wade can perform a Street Fighter scissor kick and he's the one that gets the foul.
  22. R

    Celtics or Heat in the finals?

    Last I checked (and maybe this isn't true in the NBA) but this is a team sport and not the Lebron vs Durant finals. This is what is wrong with modern sports frankly. Give me the TEAM not the "Chosen one". Who already has been in the finals and lost.
  23. R

    Suddenly, that call me maybe song ain't so bad...

    Best thing from the Dolphins in years! hah
  24. R

    Is FiOS expansion dead?

    Move out to the burbs of Boston, the FIOS is mighty fine!
  25. R

    Do employers expect you to negotiate a salary?

    If its a professional job, I've never heard that it hurt to ask if the salary is negotiable. At worst if they truly are interested in you they'll just say no. I'm 2/2 for negotiating frankly and has increased my salary through my career quite a bit.
  26. R

    The worst retail store of all time: Building 19

    B19 is awesome. Not that I buy much there anymore. But others said you can buy $5000 handmade oriental rugs there as well (not a bad selection too). Used to go there a ton as a kid.
  27. R

    A little project I've been working on

    Did something similar recently but went with a Home Automation package (HomeSeer Pro + my own built pc to control it). I have 2 Z-wave t-stats, multiple lights and dimmers, and door locks controllable from any PC/HTPC (media center plugin) and Phone/tablet. It's pretty fun. Definitely not super...
  28. R

    Lending money to family...

    I believe this is correct. I know when I recently bought a home we had to prove extensively and trace all deposits into our accounts, multiple times. I know you can grant people a gift (I forget what the $ limit is), but if you don't do it that way then what you said is likely the case.
  29. R

    it costs me $78/day to live in my house

    30. Property taxes are about 1/3 of that give or take. High cost of living where I am (Mass).
  30. R

    it costs me $78/day to live in my house

    I win (or is it lose?) 113.33 including taxes
  31. R

    How soon is too soon to quit a job?

    It's not a question of loyalty from the employer point of view. It's a matter of having a return on invested resources (time, money, training, etc). Doesn't make sense to put resources into someone if they may not stay very long.
  32. R

    I hate Antec

    They STILL haven't shipped my RMA. Forget Antec, hate on Foxconn.
  33. R

    I hate Antec

    RMA'd a barebones PC to Foxconn. They received it 2 weeks ago, still waiting on any word that the replacement shipped. Now that's bad RMA service.
  34. R

    Roethlisberger is hip

    An extra fat Seth Rogan.
  35. R

    The Ceton Q and Echo

    Pretty cool. Glad to see a company is stepping up in this market. I went personally with the HDHomerun Prime + built my own HTPCs (3) and couldn't be happier (Live/Recorded TV, Mediabrowser, and Homeseer for home automation control). But that path is definitely NOT for the non-technical and...
  36. R

    Boston Children's Museum

    Traffic won't be horrendous on Sunday I don't think, nor MLK day (though not everyone gets it off so you'll hit some commuter traffic probably). Hard to say how much a 1.5yr old will appreciate it but I personally like the children's museum, there are a bunch of things to look/do.
  37. R

    I think the dentist messed something up

    Happened to me and it turned out a hole developed in the filling. Somehow that also lead to an infection (I believe it was related) and I ended up having to have a root canal on that same tooth. Was not fun at all.
  38. R

    Dexter -- Season 6

    For me, this was the worst season by far. As abaez said, you really had to suspend your disbelief as there were so many plot holes and liberties taken. Only one cop on top of the sky scraper? Really? Random plotlines (deb in love with dexter came out of no where, the video game serial killer...
  39. R

    Financial advisor is pushing whole life as an investment vehicle, need advice

    Yeah I'm not sure what Vic Vega is talking about from what I understand.