What to Watch on Amazon Prime

Posted on March 29, 2024 by admin
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Mr. Robot

“Mr. Robot” follows Elliot (Rami Malek), a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. Elliot finds himself at a crossroads when the mysterious leader (Christian Slater) of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the corporation he is paid to protect.

This series has twists and turns that hold interest with great performances with Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, BD Wong, Bobby Cannavale among the stellar cast. A cerebral drama that explores various psychopathies, modern business and government

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Monk

He’s ingenious, he’s phobic, he’s obsessive-compulsive. Two-time Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Tony Shalhoub is former police detective Adrian Monk. The brilliant Monk is now back fighting crime and his abnormal fears of germs, cars, heights, crowds and virtually everything else known to man.

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House

Dr. Gregory House is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn’t even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. Dealing with his own constant physical pain, he uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor while his unconventional thinking and flawless instincts have afforded him a great deal of respect.

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The Andy Griffith Show

A bona fide television classic, “The Andy Griffith Show” follows the gentle give and take of small-town Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his son, Opie (Ron Howard), and all the other colorful characters who inhabit bucolic Mayberry, N.C.

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Bosch

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I Roomba

Posted on November 16, 2023 by admin

Roomba not charging – Roomba 960 diagram

When I first saw a Roomba®, I was not impressed, but I changed my mind after owning one for almost ten years. At first I thought it was a frivolous plaything that would be inadequate for cleaning and it was expensive. Now after years of use, I am convinced of its worth and I am impressed with its engineering.

Roomba 960

In 2016, after my spouse had heart surgery, I bought a Roomba® 960. Now seven years later, I have to say it was great investment freeing us from vacuuming. We also have pets and this machine is great at picking up hair . It navigates furniture and vacuums beneath sofas and beds in multiple rooms on a single charge.

The roomba is compatible with smart devices such as phones, Alexa® and Google Home®. It is incredibly easy to operate. The newer models are less expensive with more features and offer even more functionality.

Roombas make great practical gifts for working families and elderly relatives.

Roombas® make great practical gifts for working families and elderly relatives. There are many models to choose from with different features.

Care and Feeding of Your Roomba®

Over the years of owning a roomba, i learned a things or two that I would like to share. I have used these methods and they worked for me.

My Roomba® Is Not Charging Correctly…

Roomba® not Charging…

Probably the most common problem is charging which maybe an easy fix. Most likely this problem is caused by dirty charging contacts on base or vacuum. Using a pencil eraser to rub/polish contact. Another method is using a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol (IPA, isopropyl alcohol) to clean contacts.

Next steps

If the roomba® still isn’t charging or performing well after cleaning the charging contacts, maybe the battery needs to be replaced. My roomba was seven years old and I decided to replace it. Its very easy to replace the battery with just a screwdriver. On the 960, there are four screws in a rectangular pattern on the bottom of the unit. Removing these screws reveals the battery compartment. The battery isn’t connected to the roomba and is easily removed and replaced.

After seven years, I replaced my roomba battery with a TATTU 4500mAh XLife Extended Life Replacement Battery. It works quite well with almost 2 hours of cleaning time per charge. It didn’t catch on fire so far though my roomba is docked most of the time. All good. But there is an alternative to aftermarket batteries, but at twice the price.

see diagram

Maintenance and Care

Besides emptying the lint bin, there are a few other simple things I have done to keep my roomba® healthy.

  • Check the extractors (multi-surface brushes: tubular rollers on the bottom of the unit). The roller ends can get clogged with hair and debris. Easily cleaned!
  • Check the HEPA filter in the dust bin/filter unit. I will usually just tap the filter on a hard surface OUTSIDE THE HOUSE and maybe lightly brush with a small fine brush. If the filter bad condition or every few months, I will replace it.
  • Check the dirt disposal port after removing the dust bin.
  • Check ball wheel at front, easily detached, check for lint build-up

900 Series Service Diagram

This is a diagram of a 900 series roomba® layout generally similar to most iRobot vacuums.

  1. Bin
  2. Debris extractors
  3. Battery door
  4. Cliff sensors
  1. Front caster wheel
  2. Side brush
  3. Right wheel
  4. Floor tracking sensor
  5. Charging contacts
  6. Left wheel
  1. Room confinement sensor
  2. Handle
  3. User interface
  4. Localization camera
  5. Bin release
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Radio Radio

Posted on August 18, 2023 by admin

Radios seem an antiquated technology in an era of iPads and smart watches.   But there are still local radio stations broadcasting local news, sports and traffic.  A few years back i found a local AM station that played classic rock selections.  I bought a small AM/FM pocket radio to tune in. It was just a basic radio powered by  a rectangular 9 volt battery like the trnaradios i remembered from my youth.

But, time marches on and I found rechargeable pocket radios as a good replacement for standard battery models. This Leting Radios Portable FM radio is a convenient size and has good reception ( I live in a valley with poor radio reception). I also like buying red as opposed to black, easier to see and find :). The audio quality is pretty good also.

I have a few of these PRUNUS J-189 Bluetooth AM FM Radios which include AM as well as FM bands. The sound quality is also good. THe small form factor is an advantage. The antenna is a wire attached to the wrist strap which is somewhat fragile, but otherwise a good radio.

This is a nice table radio with AM/FM/SW and also functions as a bluetooth speaker. The larger case gives it better sound quality. The telescoping antenna provides good reception. The bluetooth pairing is easily achieved.

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Select Books!

Posted on January 23, 2023 by admin

Our curated list of recommended books

Essays in Idleness and Hojoki

Both of these works on life’s fleeting pleasures are by Buddhist monks from medieval Japan, but each represents a different worldview. In Essays in Idleness, his lively and sometimes ribald collection of anecdotes, advice, and observations, Kenko displays his fascination with earthly matters. In the short memoir Hojoki, or The Ten Foot Square Hut, however, Chomei recounts his decision to withdraw from worldly affairs and live as a hermit.

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