still working

 I've always liked mechanical things. The reason is simple, you can see how they work. Electronic stuff is like magic, sleight of hand, just how did that work? Mechanical things are repairable by almost anyone with good observational skills. You can study it out, see why it does what it does and make repairs or adjustments. Nothing mysterious about that stuff. A knowledge of physics is helpful, but you don't need a degree in it either. Advanced mathematics are also useful, but I have to admit I have never had to use algebra to figure out something either. But in today's world it is getting quite difficult, unless you understand the occult! It's black magic I tell you.

 Once again, I find myself faced with this. I purchased a magic device that is supposed to convert my old vhs tapes to digital. I had a device that did just that about a year or so ago. It was working fine but I got distracted from the project and set all that aside. I recently came into possession of a number a vhs tapes that I thought to digitize. Shouldn't be an issue, it was working before. No, it isn't working this time. After several hours of frustration and reading I determined the "software" was out of date and was no longer "compatible" with my computer. I had gotten a new one since I had last used the product. Well apparently, 2020 can't get along with 2022, they are incompatible! I bit the bullet and ordered another device. I tried installing that software and it won't work! I have no explanation for that. I carefully read all the instructions and system requirements ensuring they were correct. They are and it won't! Of course, you can contact support, which I did and was reassured I would get an answer to my question in 24 to 48 hours, maybe, depending upon the queue. I know what the queue is, it's what strikes my, well never mind, I can do nothing but wait. There is no looking at. That's why I like the mechanical things, at least I can look at it!

 It's no wonder we live in a throwaway society. Even when the product still works there is little use in saving it. Whatever magic in the old device that converted analog to digital didn't change, but other stuff did, they are not compatible. I discarded an old desktop Pc recently. It had no value whatsoever. OMG it still had Windows 7 as an operating system! Yes, I realize I could have updated it, but it is cheaper to replace it. Yup, cheaper to toss that antique out. It's not even cool to look at. I mean I have lots of old mechanical devices, like a mantle clock, that are outdated but still fun to look at. Old wind-up toys are still entertaining, fifty years later. A seesaw is fun and a slide, old mechanical things, no batteries, no magic required.

 Another thing I find annoying is when you hire someone to "fix" your electronics. I've had a pro do my computer. He plugs in his laptop and connects it to mine. Pushing some keys, he just sits there and says, this will take some time. He's not doing a thing! For over twenty minutes he did absolutely nothing. Then all at once he proclaims, we just need to reboot the system and that should take care of it. He turns the computer off and then back on. That'll be one hundred and fifty dollars please. What? Seems like he should have had to do something more, like work for the money. No, the computer did all the work all he did was push a few keys. Ah but he knew the magic words and had the magic spell on his laptop. Yeah, it's annoying. I couldn't see a thing he did. 

 The abacus method of calculations, first seen in ancient Egyptian civilization, is the fastest way humanly possible to calculate any mathematical problem. Note it is a mechanical device. Practitioners of this method often beat computers in speed. They never need an update to their systems either. If they get a virus, it's the person, not the abacus! You can watch how they work and if you pay close attention, you can learn how it works. It's not magic, it's simple math. If my abacus breaks, I can fix it. 

 I like mechanical things. I really liked those games, Crazy Clock and Mouse Trap! Mechanical devices that entertained. I love my father's hand tools; they still work just fine. My sister has a typewriter that is at least sixty years old, still works just fine, just needs a new ribbon. Yeah, you can still buy typewriter ribbons, the old school type anyway. And a piece of string and two tins cans will still make a "telephone", that will still work. Archimedes famously said, "give me a fulcrum and a place to stand, and I shall move the earth" Mechanics.