Unchain.Me ლ(˘⌣˘ლ)

Surprisingly, seldom see this anymore. (image: Justin Marty)

One of the realities of using a Windows-based machine is the need for periodic tune-ups. In order to simplify this procedure and protect against catastrophic failure, consider treating your computer like a thin client.

This simply means that rather than spending time personalizing your computer to your exact specifications, instead standardize and streamline it for maximum usability. Keep your personal data separate and focus on security and ease of use.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

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What’s in your wallet? (image: Andres Rueda)

If you’re disciplined, credit cards are generally better than debit cards.

Debit card pros:

• Buying from places that don’t accept credit (often immigrant-run places with cheap prices; they don’t want to pay the extra fees associated with credit due to their competitive prices and low profit margins).
• Getting cash from an ATM (this doesn’t really count… it’s not a debit purchase, just a logical reason to have a bank card on you).

Debit card cons:

• Liability: if you get defrauded (someone double-swipes your card, has a card reader in the terminal, etc) then they take your money directly out of your account. Even if you get your money back, it’ll only be after the bank does their investigation, and in the mean time maybe you couldn’t pay your rent, maybe you got your account overdrawn and had to pay hefty fees, maybe the thief emptied your entire account.

Credit card pros:

• Deferred payment: you can pay it off later when it’s more convenient.
• Rewards: you can get free extended warranties, free travel insurance, money back on stuff you’re already buying (gas/groceries).
• Limited liability: if you get defrauded, the bank takes the hit, not you. You never had that money taken out of your account, and you can only possibly be held liable up to $50 (and generally, they don’t make you pay anything).

Credit card cons:

• You have another monthly bill to pay, and if you don’t pay it on time you get hit with fees and dings to your credit score.
• When you use a credit card, you’re promising to pay it off over the next little while. Some people see this as an easy way to “finance” the high life, but they’re really just enslaving themselves to the banks, then complaining about it to the rest of us.
• If you make a cash withdrawal from an ATM or bank teller, or get money at a casino or lottery ticket booth, it will be treated as a cash advance. This likely includes a fee ($2.00-7.50 in some cases) along with charging you interest from day one.

More on Credit vs Debit: http://banking.about.com/od/checkingaccounts/p/debitvscredit.htm

More on Liability: http://banking.about.com/od/checkingaccounts/a/stolendebitcard.htm

Plato and Aristotle (image: Image Editor)

In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.

- Plato, 424 - 348 B.C.

The purpose of this website is to find solutions for many of life’s problems.

Key philosophies to live by:

• Self-Sufficiency - being able to take care of yourself
• Frugality - being mindful of how you allocate resources
• Mobility - being flexible and in control of your circumstances

The eventual goal is to document methods to streamline all of life’s nitty gritty details in order to enable the pursuit of whatever it is you want to do. By cutting out unnecessary things, you can focus on what is truly important.

Topics are listed along the left hand side in order of necessity. There will be issues of overlap that will need to be dealt with in due time.

This is a work in progress… Kaizen continuous improvement etc. Currently envisioned for this website are different categories for posts: “How to” which is more reference material, “Progress Report” to cover ongoing projects, “Gear Review” to analyze equipment, and “Thoughts on” to explore conceptual ideas. Expect periodic updates to posts as information changes and new insights are reached.

I hope you find value in the knowledge shared on this website. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions where you see fit.

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects.

Robert Heinlein, 1973