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Master Techs

Working to save the public money and time.

 

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here should be some info about "us"

I hope it's ok if I start ;-)

Nick

I joined iFixit back in 2009. At the time I joined, I was still learning with XP-licensed (common) retired Pentium 4 systems because of how readily people would give them away at the time. Part of the reason behind this was if I fried one of these systems, it wouldn't be an expensive mistake as the "common" AGP/DDR spec was plentiful. I later took on more expensive gambles, but this happened over time. Nowadays I generally have three rules for prebuilt and custom, based on the Windows 11 minimum CPU requirements:

  • Prebuilt (firmware upgradeable): Workable
  • Prebuilt (not upgradeable): I no longer work with it, but if it comes with the 11-ready system I will tinker with it.
  • Custom build: Base the price on the current board+CPU, in addition to what it would cost me to put an AMD Ryzen 3000 or better, plus motherboard and if need be Windows license due to variable cost. If it's something I have in stock I will base it around what that pair costs on average.

Due to the inactivity of the group, I ended up taking over.

I personally am of the mindset it is better to "figure it out for yourself" so you can do it on your own, rather than rely on others within reason. What this essentially means is if I am going to do something like get negative scans done, I'm not going to pay a lab for scans (or high res scans if it's included); I will let the free ones go and do my own, with my own equipment and software like SilverFast on an Epson scanner like the V600. This is in addition to going in and doing an inversion and some baseline color correction, and finishing in a professional editing tool like Affinity Photo (and processing and saving as a CMYK/8 or LAB/16 file for print) as a TIFF and JPG file pair.

For print, I also have my own processes: If I am doing my own print work (or borrowing the printer I am going to use) I have my own process and will use my equipment with Qimage One so I can control as much as I can to ensure my settings remain. If this is not the case, I will send the best-supported files of the TIFF and JPG pair. While this is more time-consuming, the result makes up for the extra processing.

I realized I had a the knack when I was younger. In the early days, I was modifying/repairing Beyblades and the launchers, as well as custom builds such as shell swaps or full-color changes. Incidentally, along the way, I found a way to fix a common ripcord issue we ran into a lot where it got stuck; the solution meant disassembling it and removing one gear, but it fixed the issue every time without destroying the ripcord. At the time everyone tolerated it because it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to send them in since they were cheap and the fix was known to be better than the repair, and it saved the ripcord.

After we lost interest in Beyblades, I shifted toward computers, even though Beyblades were mostly done (but would work on them as needed). On the IT side, some of my first experiences were with Win98 FE due to its tendency to crash (and yes, I still consider WinME worse than 98 FE if you're going off of instability alone). While I never experienced Windows ME back then (and generally, very little), I did gain very useful experience from Win98 FE when I was 6. Win98 SE is a much better release of Win98 by far.

The shift to cars

This is somewhat recent after seeing what you could drive a well-specced Audi or BMW for once they depreciate if you can do your own repairs (and only pay a dealer or shop if you have to). This is in addition to getting older high-mileage Japanese cars as beaters and not worrying about expensive repairs since if you can fix most issues it negates the cost of a shop visit if it's not a DIY job.

This was also pushed further after seeing what one can own a "classic" car for by not relying on a shop for repairs, especially things like older BMWs like the E39/E46 or W140/C140 S-Class. However, despite the shift, the computer stuff remains around, albeit less frequently.

about:andreas

I want to start an offensive in Germany to get the idea of repair, saving resources and give a "no-go" to planned obsolescence". It will be great if some of the german users (like Markus...) can contact me so that we can concentrate our efforts for going to a better future! http://erhaltungsgesellschaft.de is "my child" and I want to start there with a german wiki for repair-tips and hints in all possible parts like cars, electronic, etc.

about:markus

so, here comes a little bit about me ;-)

i try to fix almost everything that comes between my fingers. i work mostly on cell phones and saeco coffee makers. from time to time i fix notebooks with bga problems. but there is another thing i work on at the moment, i bought a real bakery oven a few weeks ago and now where having some fun in the neigbourhood (and some jobs to do at company parties and so on)

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i fix many things for free, but not for everone - i have a few customers (cell phone and computer stores) - they surely have to pay - except for my ex boss at the nokia store - i worked there 8 yrs ago and if i need anything - i'll get it from him (great source for spare parts - let's not forget - most stuff i'm doing is component level repair and some sparparts are simply not on the "market")

i can't compete with the social engagement of other members.

i live in weisendorf, we don't have those extreme social problems here - but i'll try to teach others how to use a computer the right way (not just for chatting and so called social networks). but as always - i have way to little time to do all the stuff i want to do...

markus

ps: if you can't get enough of that picture - click here for a larger version: CLICK

pps: btw - i bought the bakery oven on ebay for around 50$ - replaced a fuse for a few cent and it works great

about:rj713

I try to repair/rebuild at least one computer per quarter to give to a child who can't afford one. mayer has offered to help me in that endeavor.

Just delivered a rebuilt iMac G4 to the local Y kids computer lab. Trying to decide what next.

Well it turns out next is a project is a MDD G4. I have maxed the memory and added a USB 2 card. The unit checks out well and has been given to the Y kids computer lab--helps more kids for the buck.

My new primary will be a 2.4 GHZ Mini starting with 4 GB of ram but in time I will max the ram to 8 GB. I am saving my Thinkpad T 42 as a backup computer.

Update--The T42 will be given to a child after all. I just purchased a Pismo for my backup--always did like working on those.

The T-42 has been delivered to a child--working on some upgrades to my Pismo now.

That Pismo and a G4 DVI have gone to children and another Pismo will go in a week or so. I'll have to back off for a while to build up funds again.

OK I've picked up a IBM desktop for a good price and have just finished going through it and installed Mint Linux. Unit will go with a new keyboard/mouse and a copy of Mint Linux to a child when school starts in the fall.

Picked up a decent G4 iMac for $40 and a MDD G4 for $80 for my next projects for children.

The iMac and a G4 MDD are going to children this week.

I delivered my Powermac G5 to a local home for unwed mothers to be used to help train them in useful job skills. Purchased another Pismo for my backup machine.