I don't think anybody is going to argue that cash for clunkers didn't have a negative effect on the used car market. Hell, this is/., I'm fairly certain most of us feel (myself included) that cash for clunkers was a thinly veiled form of corporate welfare for the auto industry. All we're trying to get at is that the frothing at the mouth stealing from motherless children analogies are just a wee bit excessive.
That's a horribly false economy and terrible advice for all but the lemonyest of lemons. If that same waitress budgeted for a fixed, predictable monthly loan payment and simply put that money aside into a "maintenance/rainy day" fund - she would end up far ahead with her used car. Folks get the sticker shock when they get a $700 repair estimate, but compare that to the $300 to $400 per *month* they would be spending on a loan? Don't forget, even with a loan you still need to pay for maintenance.
Look back at those under $10k cars. You'll find heaps of early 2000s cars with maybe 100k miles - most more than capable of going another 100k with modest maintenance costs. I think the problem is more due to discipline than anything else. People seem to be able to swing expensive car payments because they have no choice in the matter. However, in the absence of that car payment, they aren't able to set aside any money for a rainy day fund. They are simply unable to leave money unspent.
Sure, some cars are just pieces of shit. I can't argue that. But a lot of that stuff falls under regular maintenance. If something breaks... fix it, that way it's less daunting when the next thing breaks. Do the guys who drive around in pristine 20 year old cars simply have great luck with them? Generally no - they just fix things when they break. Generally they still come out far ahead of the guys who drive their cars into the ground and buy new ones every few years. Let's take a major maintenance item - say the timing belt on a 2000 Civic. Maybe coupled with a hand full of other odds and ends you have a thousand dollars to put into a car that might be worth two thousand. Some folks say "not worth it" and get a new car. They're out twenty grand on a new car versus the one grand for the guy who goes ahead with the maintenance and is largely set for the next ten years.
Folks make the mistake of comparing maintenance costs with the value of their current car, not the cost of a new one. That said, there's nothing wrong with simply wanting a new car - as long as you aren't whining about the cost.
Is that the senate rules, or a failure of the Democrats to force an actual filibuster? I'm no expert in Senate rules (high school civics was a while ago and apparently not that accurate) so I'm genuinely curious. If Republicans are threatening to filibuster some vote, couldn't the Dems start the process anyway and force them to actually carry out their filibuster?
Mittens? Really? What are you, twelve years old or something? I mean it's one thing to support Obama based on his performance, but why on earth would you stoop to loathing one of the most effective methods around for keeping your hands warm? Sure, Mittens may not be as stylish as Gloves. You lose some dexterity, but have you ever tried actually using your fingers in Gloves anyway?
I should know better than to get involved in these discussions. You all can go get frostbite for all I care.
I've noticed this... It seems headlight design is an afterthought for motorcycle makers. Low beams about as effective as a flashlight, high beams that have reasonable throw but zero spread. Only bike I've ridden with a decent light (...and I haven't ridden many) is the big round H4 on my BMW R100R. Strange though to be going through so many in a season, do those bulbs just put off too much heat?
The sign is in and of itself a deterrent. If people are dumping illegally, they'll find an easier spot. Of course, in an ideal world you'd be able to catch them and fine them for the cleanup instead of shifting the problem to a neighbor, but we live in a far from ideal world.
Did you know that there is practically *never* a reliable chain of custody on the tin foil you buy from the grocery store? Did you know that it's not even made of tin anymore! How can you trust your hat when the strategic tin foil reserves are filled with product from untrusted sources!?!
I guess most hard core IT or software guys wouldn't have much exposure in this area - they don't tend to get out of their field much unless they're working some sort of control system.
Anyhow, there are many electromechanical interfaces that can be used to make the "connection" between electrical and mechanical components. Basic things like switches or thermocouples or even resistors (remember, heat is mechanical!) on up to electromagnetism. With the right wires and magnets you can make all sorts of mechanical connections to your electrical wife!
I've never understood that adversarial nature. Where I am, sure we take jabs at the management side, but we're all on the same team. Management takes care of us because we build the stuff that keeps them in business. We work hard because we know that our work is going to make money which in turn keeps us paid and comes back to us in raises and bonuses. It's a symbiotic relationship that seems to work extremely well. I honestly don't know of anybody in a union (maybe some of the manufacturing guys... who knows).
It's not just business either, our current political situation is extremely adversarial - I'm of the opinion that we're suffering pretty greatly from it.
Slashdot Mirror
Cash for Clunkers was bad for everyone except car dealers.
Come on now, it was good for the automakers, too. And the banks who get to dish out heaps of new car loans!
I don't think anybody is going to argue that cash for clunkers didn't have a negative effect on the used car market. Hell, this is /., I'm fairly certain most of us feel (myself included) that cash for clunkers was a thinly veiled form of corporate welfare for the auto industry. All we're trying to get at is that the frothing at the mouth stealing from motherless children analogies are just a wee bit excessive.
It's also why you can get low mileage replacement motors for Japanese cars relatively inexpensively here in the states...
That's a horribly false economy and terrible advice for all but the lemonyest of lemons. If that same waitress budgeted for a fixed, predictable monthly loan payment and simply put that money aside into a "maintenance/rainy day" fund - she would end up far ahead with her used car. Folks get the sticker shock when they get a $700 repair estimate, but compare that to the $300 to $400 per *month* they would be spending on a loan? Don't forget, even with a loan you still need to pay for maintenance.
Look back at those under $10k cars. You'll find heaps of early 2000s cars with maybe 100k miles - most more than capable of going another 100k with modest maintenance costs. I think the problem is more due to discipline than anything else. People seem to be able to swing expensive car payments because they have no choice in the matter. However, in the absence of that car payment, they aren't able to set aside any money for a rainy day fund. They are simply unable to leave money unspent.
Sure, some cars are just pieces of shit. I can't argue that. But a lot of that stuff falls under regular maintenance. If something breaks... fix it, that way it's less daunting when the next thing breaks. Do the guys who drive around in pristine 20 year old cars simply have great luck with them? Generally no - they just fix things when they break. Generally they still come out far ahead of the guys who drive their cars into the ground and buy new ones every few years. Let's take a major maintenance item - say the timing belt on a 2000 Civic. Maybe coupled with a hand full of other odds and ends you have a thousand dollars to put into a car that might be worth two thousand. Some folks say "not worth it" and get a new car. They're out twenty grand on a new car versus the one grand for the guy who goes ahead with the maintenance and is largely set for the next ten years.
Folks make the mistake of comparing maintenance costs with the value of their current car, not the cost of a new one. That said, there's nothing wrong with simply wanting a new car - as long as you aren't whining about the cost.
Your /. ID is far too low for you to know the word "frenemy"
OK completely off topic, but I think "verb" is a cool word. I mean, just say it in your head a couple of times. Verb.
Verb.
VERB!!!!
OK, back to work you guys.
I prefer simply "dermal"
Is that the senate rules, or a failure of the Democrats to force an actual filibuster? I'm no expert in Senate rules (high school civics was a while ago and apparently not that accurate) so I'm genuinely curious. If Republicans are threatening to filibuster some vote, couldn't the Dems start the process anyway and force them to actually carry out their filibuster?
Mittens? Really? What are you, twelve years old or something? I mean it's one thing to support Obama based on his performance, but why on earth would you stoop to loathing one of the most effective methods around for keeping your hands warm? Sure, Mittens may not be as stylish as Gloves. You lose some dexterity, but have you ever tried actually using your fingers in Gloves anyway?
I should know better than to get involved in these discussions. You all can go get frostbite for all I care.
I've noticed this... It seems headlight design is an afterthought for motorcycle makers. Low beams about as effective as a flashlight, high beams that have reasonable throw but zero spread. Only bike I've ridden with a decent light (...and I haven't ridden many) is the big round H4 on my BMW R100R. Strange though to be going through so many in a season, do those bulbs just put off too much heat?
Mars-shattering
It has its uses. After all, without that train of thought, we would have no Stargate SG-1!
It's the same either way.
... the local landfills around here collect motor oil for recycling.
The sign is in and of itself a deterrent. If people are dumping illegally, they'll find an easier spot. Of course, in an ideal world you'd be able to catch them and fine them for the cleanup instead of shifting the problem to a neighbor, but we live in a far from ideal world.
Did you know that there is practically *never* a reliable chain of custody on the tin foil you buy from the grocery store? Did you know that it's not even made of tin anymore! How can you trust your hat when the strategic tin foil reserves are filled with product from untrusted sources!?!
Barrels man, BARRELS!! Yo momma's so fat, she stole THIRTY THREE THOUSAND gallons of syrup just to get through breakfast!
What kind of nerd doesn't giggle at the thought of a strategic maple syrup reserve?
Her Majesty's Kingdom for a mod point!
People with philosophy degrees flipping burgers for example.
I don't understand how this qualifies as underemployed...
Right, 'cause /. nerds are all about physical confrontation...
I guess most hard core IT or software guys wouldn't have much exposure in this area - they don't tend to get out of their field much unless they're working some sort of control system.
Anyhow, there are many electromechanical interfaces that can be used to make the "connection" between electrical and mechanical components. Basic things like switches or thermocouples or even resistors (remember, heat is mechanical!) on up to electromagnetism. With the right wires and magnets you can make all sorts of mechanical connections to your electrical wife!
Because that's what we each individually choose to do! I think... maybe... Here, let me just set down my starbucks and ask siri.
I've never understood that adversarial nature. Where I am, sure we take jabs at the management side, but we're all on the same team. Management takes care of us because we build the stuff that keeps them in business. We work hard because we know that our work is going to make money which in turn keeps us paid and comes back to us in raises and bonuses. It's a symbiotic relationship that seems to work extremely well. I honestly don't know of anybody in a union (maybe some of the manufacturing guys... who knows).
It's not just business either, our current political situation is extremely adversarial - I'm of the opinion that we're suffering pretty greatly from it.
Come on man, why can't we all just get along?