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Convert a SIM To a MicroSIM, With a Meat Cleaver

Posted by timothy on from the next-week-how-to-deliver-a-baby dept.

An anonymous reader writes "This morning, my shiny new iPad 3G 64GB arrived from the USA! The only problem was, it had an AT&T MicroSIM and as yet there is no such thing in the UK. So what's the solution? Get a chopping board, a meat cleaver, and a pair of scissors — simples!"

36 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. That's certainly... by NecroPuppy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cutting edge technology.

    --
    I like you, Stuart. You're not like everyone else, here, at Slashdot.
    1. Re:That's certainly... by davidbrit2 · · Score: 5, Funny

      [Insert sunglasses here]

      YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

    2. Re:That's certainly... by alex-tokar · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Improvisation always wins. I recently solved broken USB connector on my wireless key by cutting a spare USB cable in half, attaching it to the wireless key with soldering iron and some duct tape. Seems to work, and the wireless signal has improved as well!

    3. Re:That's certainly... by Thelasko · · Score: 5, Funny

      Cutting edge technology.

      This person puts a new meaning to the term "hacker."

      --
      One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
    4. Re:That's certainly... by cmburns69 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Will we hire him? I think he'll make the cut.

      --
      Online Starcraft RPG? At
      Dietary fiber is like asynchronous IO-- Non-blocking!
    5. Re:That's certainly... by h4rr4r · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's from a popular American joke about Romanians and Gypsies.

    6. Re:That's certainly... by Daengbo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Except that the page footer says "Made on a Mac" with an Apple logo. "Sent from my iPhone." "Sent from my iPod." Who cares? Their products insert advertising. I hate Apple for that crap.

      --
      Put identity in the browser.
    7. Re:That's certainly... by Daengbo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Did the guy write it himself? No? Then the product inserted it. I didn't claim it was hidden from the user.

      --
      Put identity in the browser.
    8. Re:That's certainly... by Clandestine_Blaze · · Score: 3, Funny

      That was very cleaver!!

      --
      Best "String" Ever!
    9. Re:That's certainly... by khellendros1984 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Ummmm....the point isn't that you can disable it. It's that it's extra advertising that's automatically inserted by default. If I buy a product, the company should be happy enough about that, not make strong suggestions that I continue advertising their product. Most consumers leave their gadgets at default settings, and Apple is relying on that tendency.

      --
      It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
    10. Re:That's certainly... by babyrat · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yeah so?

      Blackberry does it on their devices, Hotmail does it, Android phones do it. So you hate all of them too?

    11. Re:That's certainly... by dissy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Ummmm....the point isn't that you can disable it. It's that it's extra advertising that's automatically inserted by default. If I buy a product, the company should be happy enough about that, not make strong suggestions that I continue advertising their product. Most consumers leave their gadgets at default settings, and Apple is relying on that tendency.

      Yea :/

      Now I should say up front, I do like Apples products. But that advertising thing even bugs me.

      However in one case, specifically with my iPhone, I've discovered it's actually better for me to keep that there. Sorta.
      One of the first things I did after setting up email on my phone, was delete the signature.

      I noticed that when sending email from my iphone, I would compose the emails totally differently than I would at any computer (Be it from home or in the office), and people would actually read that as being too snippy to them, or are pissed off at something.

      Re-reading my sentbox, I could see why. They had no idea i was adjusting my replies to be quick, for the trade off of getting a response in minutes instead of when I am next back in the office (Possibly 12 hours later if they send it right after I leave the building, or worse if that is on a friday)

      I went in and re-added that signature, slightly modified:
        -- Thanks, Dissy [Sent from cellphone]

      (Well, I do use my real name for work)

      Now people know I am typing on a teeny crappy onscreen keyboard that thinks it knows better than i what word I meant, and its just the quick 'text message' type thing. They know if it isn't that important it can wait until I am at a computer and can compose a more helpful reply. If it is an emergency, they now know to stop paging me on the loudspeakers and either call my cell, or I would be calling them directly.

      But sure, the sig mentioning the iphone specifically is borderline spamming my friends family and coworkers. They do not need to know which device that sim card is in anyway, they ALL have tiny crappy keyboards for composing long email replies with :P

    12. Re:That's certainly... by autophile · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sure, why not? Written by my fingers.

      --
      Towards the Singularity.
    13. Re:That's certainly... by RManning · · Score: 4, Informative

      I have an Andoid phone, and no, they don't add any advertising to any email.

    14. Re:That's certainly... by dudpixel · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Never mind, apple lovers dont need to be factual when taking shots at android - big Steve said so.

      --
      This seemed like a reasonable sig at the time.
    15. Re:That's certainly... by dudpixel · · Score: 3, Insightful

      but doesn't that mean we can just hate on both Apple AND Blackberry now?

      --
      This seemed like a reasonable sig at the time.
  2. Universal Solution! by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the article

    Apologies for the focus issues with my new Canon IXUS 210 - it is going back today!

    Why send it back when you have such mad skillz at your disposal? What happened to your DIY attitude? Just fix that lens focusing issue with a sharpie and a plasma cutter!

    This works for SD cards going into microSD slots as well--just chop them up. I also heard that if you cut Wii discs in a perfect circle down to GameCube size they will even play in GameCubes. Cutting things up until they fit solves all of life's problems. Steak won't fit in mouth? Cut it up! Square peg not going in round hole? Cut it up! Video too large for e-mail? Cut it up! Loud mouth neighbor too large for freezer? Cut him up!

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Universal Solution! by Shakrai · · Score: 4, Funny

      I tried your approach with the bills that I couldn't pay but they just sent me another invoice.... :(

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    2. Re:Universal Solution! by BarryJacobsen · · Score: 4, Funny

      I tried your approach with the bills that I couldn't pay but they just sent me another invoice.... :(

      Try cutting the people sending the bill instead of the bill itself!

      --
      Track your TV Shows with your iPhone - FREE
    3. Re:Universal Solution! by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 4, Funny

      Square peg not going in round hole? Cut it up!

      I prefer using a lathe.

      Then again, not everyone has access to one.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    4. Re:Universal Solution! by idontgno · · Score: 4, Funny

      I prefer using a lathe.

      You're jutht being lathey.

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
    5. Re:Universal Solution! by schon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Billy solves his problems by calling up his mom.
      Heather solver her problems with drugs and alchohol.
      Daniel solves his problems with a doctor and the law,
      But Malcolm has his own way, it's better than them all!

      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      And he never has the same problems twice!

      Whether it's a bill or a cheque arriving late,
      Rancid marble cheese or a steak that's second rate,
      Awful TV programming or a broken Elvis plate,
      Or his fiancee who dumps him, because he's gaining weight,

      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      Malcolm solves his problems with a chainsaw!
      And he never has the same problems twice!

      -- The Arrogant Worms

  3. Knock Knock by ArhcAngel · · Score: 4, Funny

    You have violated the TOS you agreed to by opening the packaging. Please relinquish the device post haste. Failure to produce the device will result in you being thrown in the apple shark tank (also known as the limo the lawyers ride in).

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    1. Re:Knock Knock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Perhaps not the best home visit to make. Your intended victim:

      a) has a meat cleaver, and
      b) has demonstrated significant skill in its use.

  4. I hear that a file is better... by nweaver · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've heard advice from others that a file is actually better, as it works better for removing the controlled amount of material and things like rounding corners.

    --
    Test your net with Netalyzr
  5. Agh, don't cleave with a vegetable knife! by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Informative

    You'll ruin your mighty-fine blade. Rock it on the cutting board, dice up a big 'ol pile of veggies. This is a cleaver.

    Boy, Slashdot needs <WP:Cleaver>-style tags.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    1. Re:Agh, don't cleave with a vegetable knife! by dangitman · · Score: 4, Funny

      This is a cleaver

      That's not a cleaver, this is a Cleaver.

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
  6. same works for apple products by JazzyMusicMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    iPad won't fit in your pocket, or the iPhone apps don't work well on the larger screen? get your iPhone, and line up the top left corner of the screens ...

  7. That's not a meat cleaver! by LoudMusic · · Score: 5, Informative

    *Twitch* *Twitch*

    I have to do it. My parents own a kitchen store.

    THAT'S NOT A MEAT CLEAVER!

    It's most likely an 8" chef's knife. However, a meat cleaver would be better since the front and back edges are closer to parallel, where as the chef's knife is tapered to a point. The parallel edges would give a more precise cut when hammering on the back edge.

    http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ETG99JSQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

    *sigh*

    --
    No sig for you. YOU GET NO SIG!
    1. Re:That's not a meat cleaver! by Em+Emalb · · Score: 5, Funny

      He is...the most annoying man in the world.

      "I don't always correct other peoples errors on the internet, but when I do, I drink Dos Equis.

      Stay pedantic, my friends." ;-)

      --
      Sent from your iPad.
    2. Re:That's not a meat cleaver! by mathx314 · · Score: 3, Funny

      No it's not, that's a spoon!

    3. Re:That's not a meat cleaver! by Altus · · Score: 3, Funny

      I see you've played knifey spoony before...

      --

      "In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson

  8. blurry vision by roman_mir · · Score: 4, Funny

    I read your comment as so:

    I tried your approach with the balls that I couldn't play...

    - took me a while to come back into my senses after the cold feelings of horror have gone through my spine column and I forced myself to reread that statement.

    --
    You can't handle the truth.
  9. Meat Cleavers the Optimal Solution by ZuchinniOne · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think that this should start a trend.

    Clearly meat cleavers are the best way to deal with all Apple products.

  10. Re:From Office of Making Things Unnecessarily Smal by dgatwood · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, no, no. The point of the MicroSIM is so that you can sneak it across the border in your sinus cavity to evade the authorities.

    Oops. I've said too much. :-D

    --

    Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  11. Re:From Office of Making Things Unnecessarily Smal by RomulusNR · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just think, the original SIM cards were as big as the piece of plastic you now punch them out of.
    The common SIM we use today is properly called Mini-SIM.
    SIMs use the same technology as smart cards (which every European credit card now is*), so they were originally the same size... no doubt this was back when mobile phones were the size of bricks or worse.

    * We had a French foreign exchange student a few months ago, she tried to use her credit card at a gift shop, and couldn't figure out what she was supposed to do with it as there was no smart card reader. The swipe-and-sign method was completely foreign to her (literally!) just as the chip-and-pin method is foreign (and unavailable) to us. It was enlightening.

    --
    Terrorists can attack freedom, but only Congress can destroy it.