Being a computer consultant now, and a mechanic for several years while I was in high school, I certainly can appreciate some similarities between the two professions. While $100 for a stud may be unreasonable in some cases, in others it's well justified. When the gave you an estimate they did so with knowldge of how other whel studs have went. Many times it will involve using an oxygen/acetylene torch. So now you have a great deal of time involved, pulling the car in, hoisting the car, getting the torches, etc. Plus, shops have a great deal of overhead to cover (insurance for starters). Also, what is generally ignored is the amount of responsibility placed on auto technicians, the are held responsible for the saftey of not only those occupying the vehicles the work on, but every thing they may wreck into if something fails on the car (that's why strict records are kept, especially those relating to state saftey inspections).
Some had mentioned how a $1 a track is far too much and wonder why a subscription service for downloads not offered. I've came across two such subscriptions services that I've never seen mentione here on/. One offers $35/month unlimited downloads (plus other deals, just hit music, nights only, weekend only), the other (which I subscribe to is $15/month for 1000 downloads (though limited to 128Kbps generally) or $0.01/MB. The best part being the ability to choose bitrate and format. Though it's worth noting that the files are archived as 384Kbps MP3's, and are transcoded to what ever is specified for download.
http://allofmp3.com (Russian)
http://weblisten.com/ (Spanish)
Both will need to have linked click to switch to English
My friend will be buying a house in the springtime, and I am going to install slimp3 boxes in each room. They will be recessed into the wall and somehoe make them blend in. Also in wall speakers will be used for all but the game room. What made me go with a system based on the slimp3 rather than the more common home automation systems for the entire house was the ability to get the same music going in every room with no effort (they're will be many parties, this was a big concern). Currently I use the server software to listen to my mp3s at work.
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Being a computer consultant now, and a mechanic for several years while I was in high school, I certainly can appreciate some similarities between the two professions. While $100 for a stud may be unreasonable in some cases, in others it's well justified. When the gave you an estimate they did so with knowldge of how other whel studs have went. Many times it will involve using an oxygen/acetylene torch. So now you have a great deal of time involved, pulling the car in, hoisting the car, getting the torches, etc. Plus, shops have a great deal of overhead to cover (insurance for starters). Also, what is generally ignored is the amount of responsibility placed on auto technicians, the are held responsible for the saftey of not only those occupying the vehicles the work on, but every thing they may wreck into if something fails on the car (that's why strict records are kept, especially those relating to state saftey inspections).
Some had mentioned how a $1 a track is far too much and wonder why a subscription service for downloads not offered. I've came across two such subscriptions services that I've never seen mentione here on /. One offers $35/month unlimited downloads (plus other deals, just hit music, nights only, weekend only), the other (which I subscribe to is $15/month for 1000 downloads (though limited to 128Kbps generally) or $0.01/MB. The best part being the ability to choose bitrate and format. Though it's worth noting that the files are archived as 384Kbps MP3's, and are transcoded to what ever is specified for download.
http://allofmp3.com (Russian)
http://weblisten.com/ (Spanish)
Both will need to have linked click to switch to English
My friend will be buying a house in the springtime, and I am going to install slimp3 boxes in each room. They will be recessed into the wall and somehoe make them blend in. Also in wall speakers will be used for all but the game room. What made me go with a system based on the slimp3 rather than the more common home automation systems for the entire house was the ability to get the same music going in every room with no effort (they're will be many parties, this was a big concern). Currently I use the server software to listen to my mp3s at work.