3/28    So I'm really confused about the DC to DC, car-to-laptop power adapter.
        How come most of them are "inverter" types, where you convert from
        DC to AC, and then AC to DC? Isn't that inefficient?
        \_ Using a resistor or transistor to do DC->DC also gives power loss.
           -not an EE.
        \_ It's easier to step up/down the voltage if the current is in the
	...

12/27   Anyone have experience with voltage regulators? Ie, it will
        correct under and over voltage back to 120v? I am trying to
        find one... Thanks.
        \_ Yes, they will do that. Is there anything more specific
           you wanted to knwo?
           \_ What particular ones have you used? How well does it work?
	...

10/16   Has anyone had AC power adapters that are slightly warm even when
        it's not connected to the device that uses it? Obviously, this means
        it must be consuming energy even when it's not transforming anything,
        but why should it be?
        \_ Every AC adapter generates some heat...some much more than others.
           Inside, you have active devices that are constantly working to
	...

9/11    Is it practical to have, say, a large portion of CA or AZ running
        on solar power? My coworker runs his entire household via solar
        and it got me to wondering what would happen if everyone did this.
        Obviously industrial plants need more power, but could we do away
        with a lot of our polluting plants if everyone went solar? If so,
        then why don't we? What are the technological obstacles, if any?
	...

11/6    For AC adapters, if something says it needs 4.5V 300mA, is it all right
        to use something higher-rated, like 4.5V 500mA? Why or why not? Thanks.
        \_ The neutron flux can break down the gamma field.
           Get some ball bearings.
           \_ Good advice.  Also, don't cross the streams or there will be a
              total protonic reversal.
	...

07/15   I need to get a replacement AC adaptor for a device which
        says 7.5VDC 1.2AMPS. Will a generic AC adaptor
        that supplies 7.5V, 1000mAh (like from Fry's) work??
        \_ You meant 1000mA instead of 1000mAh?
        \_ Maybe, but you're safer if you get one 7.5V, 1200mA, or > 1200
                                      I think you mean ~, not >  _/
	...

8/5     My company is in a low-medium security 3-story building and
        there was a burglarly attempt on our office (they selected ours
        in particular even though we make a point to not let anyone see
        what's inside) last night -- they tried to get through the
        drywall to try to push back the bolt, attempted to pick the lock
        through the keyhole, and tried to crowbar the door frame out,
	...

9/18    Does a burned out lightbulb consume energy?
        \_ Boosting car stereos again danh?
        \_ burned out bulb == broken tungsten == air as conductor ==
           extremely high resistance == next to no current flow == no.
           \_ you mean 'practically no'
           \_ Or can I say since there is still a very little capacitence on
	...

8/19    The AC Class Pass (ride bus free) is only valid if you have a
        sticker on your ID card- and replacing it is $60.  What the hell
        is TRiP thinking?
        \_ Standard screw-the-students stuff.  Trip isn't there to help you.
           They're another branch of the machine designed to screw you over.
           Haven't you figured it out yet?
	...

3/13    "China's Drone Swarms Rise to Challenge US Power"
        http://www.csua.org/u/zgz (news.yahoo.com)
        Before our drones dominate the sky, we are already losing dominance.
	...

1/26    Wozniak says the the Steve Jobs movie clip is historically inaccurate,
        that Jobs was not so much a visionaire that Jobs claimed to be, as Jobs
        was just looking to make a few quick bucks. Why should we trust
        Woz's words over Jobs'?
        \_ Seriously? Read both the Steve Jobs biography and Woz's autobiography.
           Nobody contests that Jobs was a scumbag. Also: the lounge in Soda Hall.
	...

11/6    Four more years!
        \_ Yay! I look forward to 4 more years of doing absolutely nothing.
           It's a much better outcome than the alternative, which is 4 years
           of regress.
           \_ Can't argue with that.
        \_ Massachusetts went for Obama even though Mitt Romney was its
	...

7/25    http://www.quora.com/Japan/What-facts-about-Japan-do-foreigners-not-believe-until-they-come-to-Japan
        Japan rules!
        \_ Fifteen years ago I worked there for seven months.  I miss Japan!
           (I'm Chinese immigrant.)  More facts:
           - Besides cold drinks, vending machines also carry hot drinks like
             hot tea and corn soup.  And they are actually hot instead of warm.
	...