Auto Self-Service/Diagnosis

I'm pondering the merits of buying an ODB II code reader, in order to be able to service & diagnose problems with our cars. Jaycar have one for $129 - which is quite a lot to shell out for something I may decide isn't really how I want to spend my already limited time.

In the first instance, I might try a $10 can of contact cleaner & give the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor a clean to see if that helps at all.

However, it's still cheaper than having the local AutoMonkeys clock up labour hours trying in vain to diagnose a problem that they don't really care about all that much... Alas, erratic idle behaviour or stalling in our current 45.7 degree Celsius heatwave falls into the "too hard basket" for most people.

Programming Aphorisms of Strunk & White

Drawing an interesting analogy
http://www.codingthewheel.com/archives/programming-aphorisms-of-strunk-and-white

Origami CD Case

Very green. Very cool. Very handy!

http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/680-How-to-Make-a-Folded-Paper-CD-Case

ADSL Speed Testing

Download/upload test: http://www.ozspeedtest.com/

Distance from Exchange:

1. Use http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au/ to find your exchange
2. Use Google Maps to compute the approximate distance to your house
3. Use http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/extreme/ to convert distance to theoretical speed (under ideal conditions).

Downstream Attenuation:

1. Find the "Downstream Attenuation (dB)" figure from your modem's stats page.
2. divide it by 13.81
3. Use http://fremnet.net/article/216/adsl-theoretical-speed-calculator or the excel spreadsheet on which it is based.

All of the above is approximate & theoretical, and only reflects the performance between your house and the exchange you are connected to. The network performance beyond your exchange, and the performance of the sites you are visiting is another story entirely.

The CIMM - Capability Immatturity Model

What's worse than ad-hoc? The four levels of software immaturity - negligent, obstructive, contemptuous, and undermining:
http://www.stsc.hill.af.mil/crosstalk/1996/11/xt96d11h.asp

Based on http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/977/1/12.7_immaturity.pdf

NEETS - United States Navy Electricity & Electronics Training Series

http://www.phy.davidson.edu/instrumentation/NEETS.htm

The Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS) was developed for use by personnel in many electrical and electronic related Navy ratings. Written by, and with the advice of, senior technicians in these ratings, this series provides beginners with fundamental electrical and electronic concepts through self-study. The presentation of this series is not oriented to any specific rating structure, but is divided into modules containing related information organized into traditional paths of instruction.

The series is designed to give small amounts of information that can be easily digested before advancing further into the more complex material. For a student just becoming acquainted with electricity or electronics, it is highly recommended that the modules be studied in their suggested sequence. While there is a listing of NEETS by module title, the following brief descriptions give a quick overview of how the individual modules flow together.