vinegar Archives - The Silicon Underground David L. Farquhar on technology old and new, computer security, and more Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:46:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://kerosin.digital/rss-chimp16321610 How to destroy a computer hard drive https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-to-destroy-a-computer-hard-drive/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-destroy-a-computer-hard-drive https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-to-destroy-a-computer-hard-drive/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2016 12:00:16 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=10004 When you get rid of a computer hard drive, it’s important to get rid of it properly. Your hard drive probably contains a lot of sensitive information on it, like tax returns or loan applications. Here’s how to destroy a

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]]> https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-to-destroy-a-computer-hard-drive/feed/ 1 10004 Save money on appliances https://dfarq.homeip.net/save-money-appliances/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=save-money-appliances Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:00:40 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=8362 If you want to know how to save money on appliances, I have some unconventional advice: Buy used. Yes, really. Here’s how to buy used (or refurbished) appliances and save big money without getting ripped off. I’ve had a number

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]]> 8362 Not quite a new floor in a bottle, but… https://dfarq.homeip.net/not-quite-a-new-floor-in-a-bottle-but/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-quite-a-new-floor-in-a-bottle-but Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:00:58 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=7542 There are several acrylic floor finishes–sometimes mistakenly called wax–that promise they’re like a new floor in a bottle. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but if you have reasonable expectations, they definitely can make a floor look better and easier

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]]> 7542 How I freed a seized-up garbage disposal https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-i-freed-a-seized-up-garbage-disposal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-i-freed-a-seized-up-garbage-disposal Fri, 06 Sep 2013 11:00:34 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=6815 I’m sure all landlords have a story like this, but let me tell you my garbage disposal story. I don’t know what the last occupant put in that disposal, and I don’t want to know. What I do know is

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]]> 6815 How to clean your LCD monitor or TV cheaply and safely https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-to-clean-your-lcd-monitor-or-tv-cheaply-and-safely/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-clean-your-lcd-monitor-or-tv-cheaply-and-safely Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:55:05 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=5720 I found a nice trick this week. If those microfiber cloths that came with your LCD monitors and TV(s) have all wandered off, you can use a dry eraser instead to clean your LCD. They’re bigger, so they’re easier to

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]]> 5720 How to get that dusty old train running again https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-to-get-that-dusty-old-train-running-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-get-that-dusty-old-train-running-again Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:46:05 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=1371 It's the weekend after Thanksgiving. The time of year when nostalgia runs high and ancient toy trains come out of the basement or the attic and get set up again until sometime after the new year.

Well, hopefully they make it that long. Here are some tips for getting old Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, and similar trains running again.

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