RandomUser

When I started there was lots of smoke 😀 it's true that you can easily accumulate random stuff, but I still think it's better to have spares of the things I use than risking running out and waiting for a delivery. Maybe I'm just disorganised.

When you buy components, buy a bag of them. Good for when you let the smoke out of one, and you can have several projects on the go at a time.

I'd go with a good quality traditional key lock fitted properly in a good door and frame. Security isn't a single point task, it depends on many things so think like a bad person and do what you can to make your property a harder target than your neighbours.

A good lock on a bad door doesn't work, neither does a bad lock on a good door. Everything needs to work together. If you're likely to lose your keys or many people need access a smart lock may be an idea, but good probably isn't cheap. If it's just you and you can keep your keys safe, then I think tried, tested and simple kit is good.

Ultimately though, as ever, it's your risk assessment based on your needs.

If you watch lock picking lawyer, you may as well just leave it open. Most smart locks seem to prioritise convenience over security. -possibly check that your insurance is happy with a smart lock.

There's a good chance that it's the capacitors in the PSU that have failed. It's always the caps! Should be a very doable repair.

Ermmm.... If you use several pins to get the current rating, what happens if one of the pins fails or gets corroded? Won't you risk generating heat? Think I'd prefer nice big connectors for the power and to keep the data lines safely segregated. Depends on your needs and design I suppose.

It's like everything, practice slowly, get good form wired in, then when you write fast for exams your writing will be worse than normal, but still legible.

Practice writing slowly and with good form. Write regularly, give yourself practice pieces. At uni you will be writing FAST, so it'll get worse if you don't keep disciplined.

Alternatively, learn to touch type, and type any work you need to hand in. - if your handwriting is so bad, you may want to make your notes legible to yourself for revision.

Brilliant, many thanks. With all the old phones in my cupboards I'd hoped this was the answer, but it's good to get a second opinion.

This is very interesting. Have you considered studying social engineering? - I've found SE techniques quite understandable to help form a process to deal with people in a 'useful' way. Many years ago I was sent on a positive influencing course via work and discovered that most NTs can be quite easily manipulated with a few simple tricks. In the end I stopped using them as it felt unfair.

I have a similar one, probably a bit older though. I got it from an auction and had to clean it up a bit and replace the bellows leather. As clocks go it has no redeeming features at all, it's a bit broken, the time is hard to read, it needs winding every day and has an ear splitting Cuckoo even though I also have four other chiming clocks nearby. Having said all that, it's an integral part of the household and we love it.

It's funny even though these are not 'good clocks' by any means they do a great job, especially if they bring back memories and connect us to the past.

Butt your enclosure right up against the lock body, then you reduce shearing forces trying to pull it off the door. Extend the pull bar through your enclosure so you still have a manual override.