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What's in Your Toolbox?

Posted by Cliff on from the the-physical-one-not-the-digital-one dept.

Embedded Geek asks: "I am a software developer with access to (conservatively) $100K worth of emulators, protocol analyzers, and debugging equipment at work. Nevertheless, as in every lab since Frankenstein's, I can never find a meter or screwdriver when I need one - and God help you if you need electrical tape! Over the years I have accumulated a personal toolkit to fill the gaps between what my employer provides and what I need to get my job done. In addition to the basics (a meter, screwdrivers, cable ties, boxcutter, extra power cables, duct tape) I have a number of oddball items that have come in handy (serial cable gender changers & converters, a dental mirror, dental picks). I'm curious what other items slashdotters doing hardware/software development have found useful that their bosses never provide. What about those in the IT/support world?"

6 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. stethoscope! by Zack · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's great for listening to hard drives to determine how screwed up they are. Start hearing little ticking or grinding noises? Back that sucker up and get a new one.

    Other than that, a 9 lbs. hammer comes in handy for those machines that refuse to cooperate ;-)

  2. a thousand uses! by catseye · · Score: 5, Informative

    A Swiss army knife/Leatherman tool.

    I suppose one of those fancy-pancy ones targeted at IT workers would have some useful job-specific items, but just having an easily accessible assortment of quick-use generic tools (knife, pliers, tweezers, etc.) in a compact package has gotten me out of some spectacular jams in the past. You never know when you'll need something basic like a screwdriver, but you can't (for whatever reason) reach your normal box of goodies.

    -A.

    --
    What did the walrus say to the penguin? "No soap, radio."
  3. What I Carry by linuxbert · · Score: 5, Informative

    Besides the standard set of screw drivers, and adaptors, and other stuff allready mentioned, I carry: * linksys usb NIC (size of a memory key)
    * network crimper, punchtool, striper, and cable tester
    * forceps (surgical locking neadle nose plyers)
    * laptop to 40pin ide adaptor
    * flashlight
    * pen +pencil + cd marker
    * dental mirror
    * Antec ATX Power supply Tester
    * Multimeter
    * spare mouse
    * digital camera (occasionally to remember really fubared stuff)
    frs 2 way radios come in handy, as does a cordless drill, bandaids, and your whits.

  4. Re:Tie Wraps by catseye · · Score: 5, Informative

    Similar to this, but a little more versatile, are strips of Velcro. Great for temporarily bundling cables or holding stuff out of the way while you work.

    Better yet are the long strips you can cut with a scissors -- I buy 'em in the six foot length. Very useful!

    -A.

    --
    What did the walrus say to the penguin? "No soap, radio."
  5. hasn't changed.... by slothdog · · Score: 5, Informative

    probably the same kind of stuff that was in it a couple months ago.

  6. What utility software? by quinto2000 · · Score: 5, Informative

    '98 boot disk (and bootable CD)
    Spinrite
    MemCheck
    CheckIt/QAPlus
    pcAnywher e
    VNC
    WinZip
    Acrobat
    DOS version of PKZip
    Collection of common nic/video/printer/etc drivers
    Copies of major OS's (Win2K, 98 OSR2 etc.)
    Copies of Office
    Copies of SP's and patches
    Copies of browsers (IE, Netscape, Opera)
    L0pht Crack
    Your favorite IP scanner and other IP tools (e.g. Putty)
    Other tools depending on OS's you work with (e.g. JCMD for Netware, Upromote for NT, the Win2K/NT resource kits, 'Nix boot disk and utils and hundreds of other favorite need-specific utils

    --
    Ceci n'est pas un post