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[grantmeaname]

Why do people buy laptops places other than craigslist? I got a macbook air a few months ago for $300, Apple fixed it for free, and now I'm selling it for $700 because I found a Zenbook Prime for $400. That's not even close to retail! I know that that's not typical, but it still seems like a terrific return for the time invested.

Also: Dear gerbils,
You were right about IPS. My sincerest apologies for ever doubting you.
Grant

[derFunkenstein]

Around here, most laptops are being sold at, like, half again more than they should be. Look at a laptop on my local CL then go look up a similarly-specced system on eBay, and eBay wins every time. No wonder nothing around here sells.

Other electronics are the same way. For example, right now there's a carrier-unlocked iPhone 4 listed for $375 and a Galaxy Nexus GSM at $325. Or a 4GB Xbox (current revision) with a bunch of old sports games (Madden 08 for example) for $200 - minus the sports games that's actually retail price for new. Seriously stupid.

[ludi]

Why do people buy laptops places other than craigslist?

Because of the hassle of having to meet up with people at odd times and places, and place trust strangers who assure you the unit is either "lightly used," or "broken but only to the degree of 'x'," or "not stolen." There are decent deals to be had, but there are always tradeoffs in getting them. When I was under-employed for a few years I was able to spend a lot of time trolling CL and eBay and then strategizing how to best obtain an item, and at what price, based on my estimation of whether I could use it for my own projects or repair/recondition it for resale. Given my current employment, I don't have the time for that, and it can actually be cheaper to buy something new, and have a place to return it if it breaks or doesn't perform as advertised.

[Captain Ned]

Great. Now ESPN has gone to a Facebook-only comment policy. It'll be below absolute zero before I consign my name to that wretched hive of scum and villainly, so so much for commenting on ESPN articles.

[derFunkenstein]

aren't most ESPN commenters mouth-breathers anyway?

[JustAnEngineer]

Now ESPN... wretched hive of scum and villainy.

ESPN/Disney is most of what's wrong with sports these days. It's all about hype and Sports Center highlights instead of competition and teamwork.

[just brew it!]

Great. Now ESPN has gone to a Facebook-only comment policy. It'll be below absolute zero before I consign my name to that wretched hive of scum and villainly, so so much for commenting on ESPN articles.

Yes, I've noticed other sites doing this too. I agree with you; when a site does this, I stop commenting on stories.

[Captain Ned]

Great. Now ESPN has gone to a Facebook-only comment policy. It'll be below absolute zero before I consign my name to that wretched hive of scum and villainly, so so much for commenting on ESPN articles.

Yes, I've noticed other sites doing this too. I agree with you; when a site does this, I stop commenting on stories.

What's worse is that I'm a subscriber. I'm paying them for the magazine and access to other stuff on the website and they still mandate Facebook. Their "customer care" center got a zingy e-mail about this last night.

[BIF]

Lately, there seems to be an anonymous swarm following me around, and not just on the TR forums.

People viewing this forum: BIF and 9 guests
People viewing this forum: BIF and 12 guests
People viewing this forum: BIF and 14 guests

So...I can't believe I've said anything momentous enough to warrant fans or groupies. I've paid my taxes, haven't taken drug money, I'm not a gambler, and I'm nice to little old ladies and beggars, although I don't give them any money. Not the beggars either.

So, what's up? Should I be looking over my shoulder?

[Arclight]

Lately, there seems to be an anonymous swarm following me around, and not just on the TR forums.

People viewing this forum: BIF and 9 guests
People viewing this forum: BIF and 12 guests
People viewing this forum: BIF and 14 guests

So...I can't believe I've said anything momentous enough to warrant fans or groupies. I've paid my taxes, haven't taken drug money, I'm not a gambler, and I'm nice to little old ladies and beggars, although I don't give them any money. Not the beggars either.

So, what's up? Should I be looking over my shoulder?

Slight touch of paranoia, eh?

[DancinJack]

Why do people buy laptops places other than craigslist? I got a macbook air a few months ago for $300, Apple fixed it for free, and now I'm selling it for $700 because I found a Zenbook Prime for $400. That's not even close to retail! I know that that's not typical, but it still seems like a terrific return for the time invested.

Also: Dear gerbils,
You were right about IPS. My sincerest apologies for ever doubting you.
Grant

I'm almost tempted to have you look out for something for me and ship it to me.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sys/3540288218.html This is what I have to deal with.

[Captain Ned]

Got a reply from ESPN. It's something they're "testing" only on MLB-associated comment threads. Did notice today that I was free to comment on hockey and football postings.

I apologize for any inconvenience. We're testing a new technology on the MLB Forums. Users must be logged into Facebook to post, and after posting, they may see some of their Facebook profile data listed next to their name on their comment. The majority of forums and conversations should not require Facebook to post.

Note: Fans do have the option to delete their own posts from the Forum, that will remove their name, personal info and comment from the forum posts.

We value the comments and opinions of our fans. Your comments in reference to needing to use Facebook to post on some message boards is appreciated and will be forwarded to the appropriate department for review.

IOW, The Mouse is selling data to Facebook and doesn't give a crap about privacy.

[grantmeaname]

Why do people buy laptops places other than craigslist? I got a macbook air a few months ago for $300, Apple fixed it for free, and now I'm selling it for $700 because I found a Zenbook Prime for $400. That's not even close to retail! I know that that's not typical, but it still seems like a terrific return for the time invested.

Also: Dear gerbils,
You were right about IPS. My sincerest apologies for ever doubting you.
Grant

I'm almost tempted to have you look out for something for me and ship it to me.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sys/3540288218.html This is what I have to deal with.

That's about what macs cost here. Mine just had a broken screen and was four and a half years old, plus I haggled it down.

[BIF]

Slight touch of paranoia, eh?

Oh no, just being observant, and a little tongue in cheek that I seem to have minions. Or had. Today they seem to be gone; or maybe they just all work (or sleep in?) weekday mornings, LOL! Sorry if you didn't get that!

But you do raise an interesting point, so I'll take the liberty (liberty is never just granted, it has to be taken) to expand. Would you notice if somebody were following you around all day? Would your wife? Your kids?

No answer needed; but I suspect that most people are oblivious to their surroundings, each happy in his or her personal bubble. That is why they always say "it's shocking" when they or somebody they knew were be-felled by some violent person.

"Nothing like that ever happens here!"
"It takes away your sense of security!"
"We feel so violated now!"
"Its just shocking!"

I'm not advocating paranoia. Even caveman could enjoy time with cavegirl from time to time as long as he paid attention to those tiger tracks!

[codedivine]

I will be writing a few articles for Anandtech
Not a regular gig, I remain a full-time PhD. student. I will write when I have something to contribute.
Thought I would make my affilitaton clear here as required by the rules.

[derFunkenstein]

not to mention, #humblebrag

Congrats!

[AMD64Blondie]

Get a day off from work.. and what do I do?

Sleep most all day... EEK!!

(Felt good,but a little odd.)

[BIF]

Users browsing this forum: BIF and 0 guests

My work here is done. Good night!

[just brew it!]

Get a day off from work.. and what do I do?

Sleep most all day... EEK!!

(Felt good,but a little odd.)

Never underestimate the power of a good nap (or two)!

[Captain Ned]

Never underestimate the power of a good nap (or two)!

Agreed. Right up there with always knowing where your towel is.

[codedivine]

not to mention, #humblebrag

Congrats!

Thanks

[Captain Ned]

And it's a lovely -11F this AM on the way to a predicted high of -4F. Tonight will be -21F if the National Weather Service has got it right. Poor furnace won't get a break for several days, as Thursday night is posted for -15F.

Me and the natural gas company will be on a first name basis after this week.

[AMD64Blondie]

Wow.. that makes the current Portland,OR temp of 34 degrees F seem positively tropical.(In comparison to -11 F).

[Captain Ned]

Wow.. that makes the current Portland,OR temp of 34 degrees F seem positively tropical.(In comparison to -11 F).

Bah, record here in VT is -50F. Back in the late '70s I once walked the the 2 miles to high school in -30F because none of the cars would start (carburetors and cold just don't mix and young'uns will never understand that in today's fuel-injected world).

OTOH, the dog gets his business done right quick and the outdoor cat is like "not a chance dude, that's why we have the box".

[superjawes]

And it's a lovely -11F this AM on the way to a predicted high of -4F. Tonight will be -21F if the National Weather Service has got it right. Poor furnace won't get a break for several days, as Thursday night is posted for -15F.

Me and the natural gas company will be on a first name basis after this week.

After -2F yesterday morning, I was quite happy to see 12F this morning. Seems like payback for the 40F weather we had a week or two ago.

Of course there is some snow coming. Doesn't look like much here (1-3"), but I don't ever trust other drivers when roads are slick.

[paulWTAMU]

and I was unhappy the one day this winter we dipped into single digits Eeew

[derFunkenstein]

Yeah, today isn't quite as cold but yesterday my phone said it was 1F when I got up. I know it's worse farther north, but that is plenty cold for me.

[superjawes]

The basic rule is that no matter how cold you think it is, somewhere is getting even colder weather.

[ludi]

Bah, record here in VT is -50F. Back in the late '70s I once walked the the 2 miles to high school in -30F because none of the cars would start (carburetors and cold just don't mix and young'uns will never understand that in today's fuel-injected world).

At those temperatures, fuel injection still doesn't get the oil moving any faster. I once heard someone with friends in Alaska describe how to reliably start a car outdoors at -50F: Step one, place a baffle under the car to deflect air into the engine bay. Step two, aim a forced-air propane shop heater at the base of the car. Step three, go find something else to do for the next hour.

After that, the car will start and run stably for the rest of the day, but the heater will never provide you with any help, so bundle up appropriately and leave it off.

[paulWTAMU]

Same jackass abandoned their 6 year old today at my office. been on hold with CPS for about 45 minutes trying to report this *sigh*

hah! the mom got her right as the cops got here. They're talking to her now. Perfect timing. Prettysure she's going to be screaming and yelling at us (if she doesn't get cuffed first).