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Re: Backdoor Roth IRA - 18 days ago

Still will have to pay taxes on it.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Downgrading desktop Mac mini to headless server mini - 19 days ago

Why not just use the mini in the server functionality as well as your primary computer?

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: HD Radio: Useful or just another 'flash in the pan' technology? - 19 days ago

Quotefreeradical It's a solution looking for a problem. I work in the industry, for stations that broadcast in HD, and I agree with this assessment.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Speaking of speakers - 22 days ago

I'd first check the surrounds of the speaker cones and make sure everything is physically intact. If the surrounds have deteriorated, the excursion during low frequencies is likely to cause distortion/crackly sounds.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: bidet roll call - 23 days ago

We have a BioBidet-1700 that came with house purchase this year. Was my first experience with a bidet, but I'm pleased so far.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: pocket doors - 6 weeks ago

I have one on our master bath and agree with the general sentiment above, in that it's nice but ours is a 60 year old house and it's rather noisy if one wants to get up and take care of business when the other is still sleeping. I haven't yet tried to figure out what it would take to maintain/improve it.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: The Drive reports on CR's latest auto reliability rankings - 7 weeks ago

Ah, I see now: Consumer Reports is ranking the most reliable new cars, which is not clear from that article.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: The Drive reports on CR's latest auto reliability rankings - 7 weeks ago

I'm not sure I understand this - is this really a reliability ranking (which I would think would take a long-term look) or more of an initial quality ranking?

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Why does this forum show as "Connection Not Secure" ? - 7 weeks ago

The web is moving over (or arguably has moved over) to using https/SSL, which means it uses a digital certificate to authenticate the identity of the website and encrypt any information (such as a password) that is passed to the server. If a site doesn't use SSL, that means if you type in your password it will be passed in the clear which can easily be intercepted.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: TV for Wall Photo Display? - 7 weeks ago

Don't know if this works the way you seek, but it's marketed as this type of solution. Samsung The Frame

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: How to sell tires - 8 weeks ago

I'd measure the depth and take a photo with a coin or something to give scale.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: looking for a portable hard drive 4-6 gig for still image storage - 2 months ago

You mean TB? I've always liked and had good luck with the WD My Passport line.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Refrigerators - Side-By-Side Vs. French Doors - Standard Depth Vs. Counter Depth. - 2 months ago

In our old house we had a side by side. Bought a new house earlier this year, and it came with french door model. If I had to do it again, I'd think hard about french door. I find I almost always need to open both doors to get what I need, and so it's twice the amount of work (imagine if everytime you pass through a double door, you'd need to open both...). When I have to replace it, I'll likely

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Smart theromstat reliability survey - 2 months ago

Old house was a 1928 side-stair colonial (relatively compact) with steam heat and someone in the house pretty much at all times. A regular digital thermostat was perfect as the only variation was lowering temp at night. Otherwise I believe steam heat works best when it's consistent. New house is a 1958 ranch (spread out) with forced air. I put in an Ecobee with remote sensors as it can react q

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Faxing from a mac in 2020? - 3 months ago

faxzero.com

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

Quotesekker Shall I start by going to the VW website? I did a quick google search, and there really are not a lot of decent articles from independent sources since 2016. Keep in mind, the EPA estimates are also not very accurate as there are differences in efficiencies depending on driving conditions (highway vs city etc). Anyway, apparently just over 1% of cars are sold in the use with s

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

QuotesekkerBut I think the next step in auto evolution are cars with NO trannies... You're absolutely right, because we've already gone from manual to 3 or 4-speed auto to 5- or 6- and even 8- and 9-speed auto to CVT (mated to a hybrid engine). Still, I'm going to try to savor a manual tranny if I can, and hopefully even teach my kids to drive one (though that's years away).

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

Quotesekker Have a more recent reference? Most wisdom - and personal experience - is that sticks are more fuel efficient than automatic trannies. But I have not purchased any ICE recently. Sure. Go to Chevrolet website and compare the Spark Activ Manual to Automatic. Go to Honda website and compare Honda Fit automatic to manual. Go to Mazda website and compare automatic Miata to manual Miata.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

Quotesekker QuoteBixby QuoteM A V I C That's a bummer. Manuals are better in a lot of ways, including better for the environment. I love manuals, but how are they better for the environment? The cars that I've seen that have both manual and CVT, the CVT gets better mileage (if by just a little bit). Manuals tend to be better gas mileage than automatics. Language from CR: 'In your quest for be

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

QuoteM A V I C That's a bummer. Manuals are better in a lot of ways, including better for the environment. I love manuals, but how are they better for the environment? The cars that I've seen that have both manual and CVT, the CVT gets better mileage (if by just a little bit).

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I may have decided on my next car. Figured you’d want to know. You’re welcome. - 3 months ago

One of the drivers (ha) of my wanting a Honda Fit when it will be time for a new car (next year) is that I can get a recent used one with a Manual transmission. I kinda figure it will be the last manual transmission I own, as I tend to keep cars a while and I figure the next one after that would be electric.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: All things being equal, would you rather have an older or younger doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, broker, carpenter, etc? - 3 months ago

If all things were equal, why would it matter?

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: How do you compare identical products? - 3 months ago

QuoteN-OS X-tasy! QuoteBixby I'd go analog, no battery to die. Even the stick ones can be accurate. And to answer your question, I'd cross reference another review source, such as Consumer Reports. CR is not going to waste their time reviewing junk like this. Huh, they've got a whole page on tire gauges with 17 reviews.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: How do you compare identical products? - 3 months ago

For what it's worth, Consumer Reports found this stick gauge to be highly accurate. The reviews on the Milton one seem to indicate it may not be.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: How do you compare identical products? - 3 months ago

I'd go analog, no battery to die. Even the stick ones can be accurate. And to answer your question, I'd cross reference another review source, such as Consumer Reports.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Old Sennheiser Mic —> iMac? - 4 months ago

Looks like it's a MD 21U. You'll need an audio interface with a mic input (preamp). Often this is a USB device. Many have the mic input as an XLR (3 pin) connector. So you may need to look for a device that also takes mic level in on TRS, or get a proper XLR to XLR cable.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: What is your favorite animal? - 4 months ago

I refuse to use favorites as security question answers. Favorites can change.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Piano and computer combo desk search - 5 months ago

This is intriguing, though the plans promised in June of 2020 seem to be vaporware so far. Monkwood DIY desk

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: Home Recording Studio - 6 months ago

Just get a USB mic.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals

Re: I went to Home Depot today - 8 months ago

I only go at 6am when they open. No wait.

by Bixby - Tips and Deals