What first world problem did you have today?

[Imp]

USB type C cable adapter delayed from Amazon, so I had to pick one up at Microcenter. The cheapest one they had was $40. Now I'm going to have to drive all the way back there to return in when the Amazon cable comes.

...The hell is Type C? I thought it was full-sized Type B before I looked it up. It's reversible, pretty cool. And I still don't have a USB 3.0 input port on my desktop or laptop yet.

 

[pete6032]

...The hell is Type C? I thought it was full-sized Type B before I looked it up. It's reversible, pretty cool. And I still don't have a USB 3.0 input port on my desktop or laptop yet.

It's an exciting new cable format that will generate millions of dollars in sales and frustrate the hell out of consumers.

 

[smackababy]

Someone gave me a bottle of champagne, and its only mediocre. =(

 

[Imp]

Someone gave me a bottle of champagne, and its only mediocre. =(

This time last week, I was watching The Hangover 3 and finishing a bottle of wine... Damn non-indestructible liver and not-free liquor -- moreso the latter.

 

[HeXen]

Neighbor lady goes on vacation, asked my mother to pick up her mail.
She lives way down on the end of the street but doesnt trust anyone to pick up her mail except my mom.
Mother gives me the keys and tells me to get her mail. If the little old lady knew about that, she

probably would have asked the post office to hold her mail.

I open mail box the first day she's gone. Its completely stuffed.
She has not retrieved her mail in a week.
I need to put it in her house.
Go to neighbor number two and ask for little old lady house key.
Return to neighbor one, keys dont work. Locks are grinding like a beat up old blender. Do not know how little old lady gets in and out of front door.

I go back to my house, get some graphite, put graphite in door.
Door sticks.
Frame and door are both warped.
I return home, grab sander and some other tools.
Sand door, sand frame,



long story short.....


I fix her door, locks, fans, porch light, and window.

I need to go back tomorrow and straighten up the place, and also bill her for the labor.

$40/hr labor charge with a 8 hr minimum plus double time for any after business hours.

Once again you seem like the guy to ask about identifying joystick parts. Today I received an ASCII Stick II Turbo for Family Computer with a broken B button. I took it apart and found that the bottom of the switch had popped off and the inner spring + ball were rolling around loose inside. I can't find any part numbers or brands on the switch, but I'm pretty sure it's Seimitsu. I can find very similar-looking switches but not the exact same, so I can't confirm it.

The only markings anywhere are "3-E" on the top and "3-K" inside the base plate that popped off (not normally visible).

It's VERY similar to the ASCII Neo Geo stick on this page which they say has Seimitsu parts. It clearly uses the same buttons:
http://nfgworld.com/mb/thread/580-Neo-Geo-Joystick-Mech

I want to believe it's Seimitsu like they say but, then again, they also say...

THAT clearly isn't the case.

I looked at the internals of other Seimitsu switches and it looks like they have silver-colored balls with conical springs where mine has a copper/gold-colored ball and a cylindrical spring.

I'm sure this is going to be the smallest size available and I can probably get away with using one of the ones I see with blade terminals on the back, but I wanted to get an exact replacement if possible. Of the lists of Seimitsu and Sanwa parts I can find, ALL have blade terminals. I just think it's strange that I can't find this exact switch when it has to be Seimitsu or Sanwa.

It doesn't appear that the switch is easily available from eBay and Amazon unless purchased with a whole button assembly. If I can't buy the exact same button I'd rather buy two so that I can make sure the two buttons feel the same and I don't want to spend too much buying the big button assemblies when all I need is the switch. The specialty websites I see individual switch on all seem like they are either going to gouge me on the part's price or gouge me on shipping.

I believe for the famicom version at least, Ascii outsourced parts from shenzhen taking electronics at the time just as was done for the NES Advantage. It's not really arcade hardware anyway and I don't think they ever sourced anything from Sanwa or Seimitsu that I know of...perhaps to save money they cloned parts. but likely you'll have to go with the blade terminals as a replacement.

I don't know much beyond microswitches. I never owned a console joystick, I just build my own and prefer the Sanwa joysticks and Happ buttons. I always mod my microswitches using black tape inside them so they don't make that clicking noise...easier and cheaper than buying silent switches which are hard to find.

 

[Imp]

*shudders*

First problem was I went to Wal-Mart at the mall on a Sunday, barely 2 weeks before Christmas, so it was pack as hell.

Second problem was that I dropped a bag of candy on the floor at the checkout. Not wanting someone else to pay for my idiocy, I slapped it on my pants and checked it out. It touched some clear tape turned black on the way down...

 

[Jeff7]

Stupid rules. LiFePO4 is safer than alkaline.

That's a different chemistry though, isn't it?

I think mine are the classic "puncture it and it catches fire" type.

 

[Fire&Blood]

Amazon is very late with shipping my headphones, (MDR V6) supposedly delivery on Sunday (?)

Yup, Sunday delivery, without any special input from me or fees, (chose free shipping at Amazon checkout) is this a regular USPS thing or just seasonal? Mailman showed up @10am, no signature requirement or anything out of the ordinary.

I enjoyed my ATH M30x's before breaking the 3.5mm jack but the MDR V6's are much better headphones at a lower price point. Only a few hours with them but I'm convinced I couldn't have done better under $70, probably have to exceed $100 to match or beat them. Very impressive monitor headphones.

 

[Svnla]

It was low 80s earlier today and then it rained all day and now it is 52 outside. Wet and cold.

 

[CZroe]

$40/hr labor charge with a 8 hr minimum plus double time for any after business hours.



I believe for the famicom version at least, Ascii outsourced parts from shenzhen taking electronics at the time just as was done for the NES Advantage. It's not really arcade hardware anyway and I don't think they ever sourced anything from Sanwa or Seimitsu that I know of...perhaps to save money they cloned parts. but likely you'll have to go with the blade terminals as a replacement.

I don't know much beyond microswitches. I never owned a console joystick, I just build my own and prefer the Sanwa joysticks and Happ buttons. I always mod my microswitches using black tape inside them so they don't make that clicking noise...easier and cheaper than buying silent switches which are hard to find.

I've seen three completely different PCBs in NES Advantage joysticks but clearly none used authentic arcade controls (capacitive rubber domes).

That said, I'm pretty sure that the ASCII Stick II Turbo does use Seimitsu parts, just like other almost-identical ASCII sticks (AS-5599-MX has almost identical internals to this and this image even has "seimitsu" in the filename). I've seen other almost identical sticks for the MSX II and X68000.

I think I did find the exact switch this morning in a decade-old Seimitsu parts catalog. I'm pretty sure it's one of these two switches:
JB-35F
JB-35-T

Of the six pegs that are normally hold the bottom plate on (failed on mine), note the peg in the middle on one side which looks different (just like mine). The catalog shows it without the button cap and it looks even more identical.

I doubt I'll get an exact replacement so I'll probably buy two blade terminals to make sure both buttons feel identical.

Now, I'm not too happy with these hair-trigger buttons. I practically have to lift completely off when trying to press a button repeatedly as rapidly as possible. For example: the more rapidly I flutter in SMB3 to slow my descent the more likely it is to miss a press because it doesn't think I ever released it, causing me to fall momentarily. This never happens with an NES Advantage: If the button pops up at all then it registers as having been released. I can push it back down again to register the next press as soon as I feel it lifting from the last press.

I'm willing to mod the mounting plate. Is there any particular button switch that might behave closer to that? Thanks.

 

[Charmonium]

It was low 80s earlier today and then it rained all day and now it is 52 outside. Wet and cold.

Got up over 70 here which at these latitudes for December is pretty bizarre. I think it's gotten close to this before but today we beat the record by more than 5 degrees F. Not sure what's going on but am guessing the jet stream probably had something to do with it.

 

[Imp]

Worked on my taxes again. Effing wash trade rule and registered, tax sheltered accounts. Making things way more complicated than necessary. Part of me wants to just pull the money out of all those tax sheltered accounts and pay more so I don't have to deal with this crap.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Had to spend most of the day driving...coming back from Key West after staying 5 days in a house a block from Duval St.

 

[kn51]

Car I purchased requires the use of premium fuel.

 

[dainthomas]

I was trying to catch up on some shows on my DVR yesterday and fell asleep for a few hours. Now I'll have to find time to watch those shows again.

 

[Svnla]

Got up over 70 here which at these latitudes for December is pretty bizarre. I think it's gotten close to this before but today we beat the record by more than 5 degrees F. Not sure what's going on but am guessing the jet stream probably had something to do with it.

It is sunny and cool (65 F) today, a bit breezy with wind. The sky is so clean and blue. If everyday is like today, I am a happy camper.

There were some bad weather incidents yesterday/last night. A few railroad tanks blew off the track completely by wind in Texas. It is strange to see NY state and surrounding area have warmer temperature than southern states in the last few days.

 

[slag]

Uverse is flaking out daily and either crashing or locking up our residential gateway. ATT tech came out this weekend and accidently left our gate open. Dog got out on Saturday morning and we received a phone call from animal control and the microchip company letting us know.
We had to drive clear across town to the kennel to pick her up. When we get there, they tell us they need a copy of the most recent rabies vaccination and that it has to be less than a year old before the dog can be released or we can pay a 20 dollar deposit and provide the proof or get her vaccinated on Monday. Who carries this paperwork on their person and why didn't they tell us this on the phone? We then had to go to the police station which is in another part of town to pay the fine and transport fee and since it was a weekend, we had to wait outside in the cold about 45 minutes for the person to show up and take us in to pay the fine. Then we had to trek back to the kennel, pick up our dog, and take her home. Over 3 hours wasted because AT&T didn't close the back gate when they were working there and they knew we had dogs.

 

[HeXen]

I've seen three completely different PCBs in NES Advantage joysticks but clearly none used authentic arcade controls (capacitive rubber domes).

That said, I'm pretty sure that the ASCII Stick II Turbo does use Seimitsu parts, just like other almost-identical ASCII sticks (AS-5599-MX has almost identical internals to this and this image even has "seimitsu" in the filename). I've seen other almost identical sticks for the MSX II and X68000.

I think I did find the exact switch this morning in a decade-old Seimitsu parts catalog. I'm pretty sure it's one of these two switches:
JB-35F
JB-35-T

Of the six pegs that are normally hold the bottom plate on (failed on mine), note the peg in the middle on one side which looks different (just like mine). The catalog shows it without the button cap and it looks even more identical.

I doubt I'll get an exact replacement so I'll probably buy two blade terminals to make sure both buttons feel identical.

Now, I'm not too happy with these hair-trigger buttons. I practically have to lift completely off when trying to press a button repeatedly as rapidly as possible. For example: the more rapidly I flutter in SMB3 to slow my descent the more likely it is to miss a press because it doesn't think I ever released it, causing me to fall momentarily. This never happens with an NES Advantage: If the button pops up at all then it registers as having been released. I can push it back down again to register the next press as soon as I feel it lifting from the last press.

I'm willing to mod the mounting plate. Is there any particular button switch that might behave closer to that? Thanks.

Best I know of is a microswitch, when you release, it's immediate with it's own tactile feel as well. however I recommend you ask over at http://forum.arcadecontrols.com. A lot of well seasoned arcade nuts there, I'm a lowly noob compared to anyone there. Good luck

 

[Imp]

Bought some more rice... What a pain in the ass, even when delivered to my door. Bags are 8 kilos a pop, I order a max of 2 at once to make it easier on me and the delivery people, but it's still about 36 pounds of dense shit packed into a box not designed for essentially a semi-fluid rock.

Gotta start buying these things in individual kilos?

 

[Jeff7]

Evidently, to fly a quadcopter with an FPV transmitter, one must obtain a $15 HAM radio operator license from the FCC.
Ok, I can do that. I just took a sample mid-level test for the heck of it (I only should have been taking the basic test) and got 71% on it.



And if you're using the FPV goggles, a spotter is needed.
Dandy. That could be a rather significant problem for me.
I guess I need to befriend a local homeless person, or someone permanently unemployed and perpetually bored, or someone else who otherwise has a very flexible schedule. Christ, is there a robot available that can handle that sort of thing yet? I'm not sure yet what they're even supposed to be spotting for. Make sure I don't accidentally suffocate on the goggles?



Too many more unexpected hurdles and there'll be a nice quadcopter in FS/T. :\

 

[Red Squirrel]

Evidently, to fly a quadcopter with an FPV transmitter, one must obtain a $15 HAM radio operator license from the FCC.
Ok, I can do that. I just took a sample mid-level test for the heck of it (I only should have been taking the basic test) and got 71% on it.



And if you're using the FPV goggles, a spotter is needed.
Dandy. That could be a rather significant problem for me.
I guess I need to befriend a local homeless person, or someone permanently unemployed and perpetually bored, or someone else who otherwise has a very flexible schedule. Christ, is there a robot available that can handle that sort of thing yet? I'm not sure yet what they're even supposed to be spotting for. Make sure I don't accidentally suffocate on the goggles?



Too many more unexpected hurdles and there'll be a nice quadcopter in FS/T. :\

I heard they want you to have a FAA license too now for anything over 0.5 lbs, I think it is. I can't recall the exact details, just saw something quick on Reddit about it. Sucks that they're regulating drones but it was a matter of time. I guess it's good they're not just making them illegal.

 

[rh71]

I had a day off today and the only difference was that I napped from 10am-12pm. Hardships of working from home F/T.

 

[Kaido]

I heard they want you to have a FAA license too now for anything over 0.5 lbs, I think it is. I can't recall the exact details, just saw something quick on Reddit about it. Sucks that they're regulating drones but it was a matter of time. I guess it's good they're not just making them illegal.

US drone operators must register with the FAA by February:

http://wap.engadget.com/2015/12/14/us-drone-operators-must-register-with-the-faa-by-february/

The FAA's online registration form goes live on December 21st.

If you fly a drone, the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration wants to know about it. The FAA's online drone-registration program goes live on December 21st, and anyone who's ever operated an aircraft between the weights of .55 pounds and 55 pounds needs to sign on before February 19th. There will typically be a $5 fee for each registration, but the FAA is making it free for the first month, through January 20th.

"We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season," FAA administrator Michael Huerta says in a press release. "Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly."

Registration requires the operator's name, home address and email address, and it's valid for three years. The process results in a certificate that includes a unique identification number, which must be noted on the drone itself. If you don't register a drone, you risk civil penalties of up to $27,500, or criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and/or three years imprisonment.

The new online-registration rules apply to hobbyist or recreational drone operators only, for now. The FAA plans to roll out online registration for a wider range of drone operators, including commercial uses, by spring 2016. For now, business-centric drone operators have to register using the paper-based process, the FAA says.

 

[Imp]

I baked a red velvet cake -- it was cupcake mix, but I poured it into one big cake pan instead -- and have to finish the entire cake by myself... 1/3 of the way there.

 

[Jeff7]

I heard they want you to have a FAA license too now for anything over 0.5 lbs, I think it is. I can't recall the exact details, just saw something quick on Reddit about it. Sucks that they're regulating drones but it was a matter of time. I guess it's good they're not just making them illegal.

US drone operators must register with the FAA by February:

http://wap.engadget.com/2015/12/14/us-drone-operators-must-register-with-the-faa-by-february/

The FAA's online registration form goes live on December 21st.

Makes sense. Plenty of idiots are flying in places they really shouldn't be flying - close over vehicle traffic, very near airports, in airport property and close to planes, above people...

Quadcopters turned into a fad that everyone wanted, rather than something like model airplanes or helicopters, which has typically been more of a niche hobby.
The market flooded with them, and now a lot of people who shouldn't have them are going to be doing stupid things.




At least my Syma quad is <0.5lb. Hell, it can't even lift just the battery of the Emax Nighthawk I got. I guess the latter will need registration though. Oh well, at least it's not expensive, probably enough for administration of the database.