So I've got an older Macbook with a broken optical drive (it takes heroic measures to get it to eject discs), and I'm trying to figure out the best way to replace it. [more inside]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick on Jun 14, 2009 - 5 answers

How do I get better at using an binocular compound optical microscope? I'd like to hear hints and tips I'm also interested in theories as to why I find this such a challenge, as it seems to come naturally to most people. [more inside]
posted by Tapioca on May 11, 2009 - 12 answers

Using optical audio input on Macbookpro 15" and Edirol m10dx, but when I open garage band and arm the tracks it arms for .5 seconds ... then disarms. [more inside]
posted by acro on Apr 22, 2009 - 6 answers

Where in Los Angeles can I get eyeglasses lenses (a fairly difficult perscription, at that) in an hour, or a day? [more inside]
posted by seeka on Apr 7, 2009 - 3 answers

Help me reconnect with my wireless optical mouse. [more inside]
posted by ubiquity on Mar 2, 2009 - 4 answers

Is there a way to selectively disable the CD/DVD drive in my computer? [more inside]
posted by brandman on Feb 22, 2009 - 8 answers

My surround sound system keeps cutting out at higher volumes. Please help me find a way to stop it happening. [more inside]
posted by Beep on Jan 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Find-that-website filter: Website with a unique explanation of lens focal length with respect to photography and zoom lenses. [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Dec 24, 2008 - 7 answers

I ruined a valuable DVD-R with scratches and need to fix it, pronto. Help!! Time issue as family wants to watch it on Christmas. [more inside]
posted by arniec on Dec 19, 2008 - 14 answers

Glass desk from Staples; Microsoft Intellimouse; Horrible mouse tracking -- how to fix? [more inside]
posted by SirStan on Sep 18, 2008 - 27 answers

I've just bought a second-hand Shuttle XPC computer with an Nvidia sound card. One fault is bugging me: no sound through the analogue audio outs or headphone sockets on the front or back, even when the operating system volumes are set to maximum. However, I have been told that the previous owner used the optical audio out. Is it possible that he could have disabled the analogue sound somehow? If so how might I re-enable it?
posted by skylar on Jun 20, 2008 - 8 answers

Glasses filter. I bought my frames at Lenscrafters, but had the prescription filled, and the lenses put in the frames, by a doctor in my hometown. The lenses are the progressive type. My doctor mailed the finished glasses back, and left the markings on the lenses which help with adjusting and fitting the lenses the first time. After the first time fitting you erase the markings with acetone. Can I trust Lenscrafters to fit and adjust these? [more inside]
posted by lockedroomguy on May 20, 2008 - 10 answers

Tips for working with optical fibers (stripping, cleaving, aligning, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by Mapes on Apr 3, 2008 - 3 answers

Trying to install a new optical drive in an old laptop. Windows recognises it, but the BIOS does not! [more inside]
posted by edbyford on Feb 9, 2008 - 8 answers

The CD/DVD drive in this Mini is dead. What's the best place to buy a replacement Mac Mini optical drive? [more inside]
posted by GS1977 on Jan 22, 2008 - 8 answers

Does anyone know what's going on with Zenni Optical's website? I found that site from a Metafilter post a while back. I've been trying to access it for a few days now to check on my order and it's borked.
posted by ramix on Oct 31, 2007 - 3 answers

Looking for a basket of doctor/dentist/optical recommendations in Philly's main line. [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful on Oct 2, 2007 - 6 answers

When I look at an image (on my LCD computer screen) that is composed of a combination of solid colors separated by black borders, I perceive the colors as appearing on different planes of depth, as if the image were three-dimensional. If I close either eye, the illusion collapses. Am I the only one affected by this, or is it a consequence of the way LCDs display color? [more inside]
posted by pmbuko on Apr 25, 2007 - 15 answers

This may be an easy one (at least I hope so - and no, it hasn't been easy for me). Is there a site, or more than one site, that is somewhat devoted to compatibilities in hardware? I'm looking at notebook cdrw/dvd-rom (slim) drives and it would be nice to know which models will - ostensibly, anyway - work with which laptops. Help if you can. Thanks.
posted by zephyrbill on Mar 29, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm about to buy a new pair of eyeglasses. For my prescription I want high index progressive lenses. I want the high index so the lenses will be as thin as possible. I keep hearing that Zeiss lenses are better than other brands and would like to know if this is true before I spend my money. Costco does not sell Zeiss. Is whatever Coscto sells as good optically?
posted by dclawyer on Nov 17, 2006 - 8 answers

Is there any sort of recognised optical illusion or visual deficit that can make it hard to realize that a vehicle is stationary? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 16, 2006 - 17 answers

I need help 'seeing' an optical illusion. Picture is inside. [more inside]
posted by bchaplin on Oct 16, 2006 - 19 answers

Should I have my eyes lasered again? [more inside]
posted by TrashyRambo on Sep 20, 2006 - 9 answers

I'm looking for this optical illusion image. It's the one where you stare at the center of the image for 30 seconds then close your eyes and an after image of the Mona Lisa will magically appear to you. Does anyone have a link to this image? [more inside]
posted by SDAnder on Apr 13, 2006 - 6 answers

Is the atom chip vaporware? [more inside]
posted by blueyellow on Jan 6, 2006 - 4 answers

royalty free optical illusions? [more inside]
posted by ransom on Nov 28, 2005 - 2 answers

Making an "updatable" CD-Rom (lots of linked, searchable pdfs/ docs) that needs to check the web for updated documents and download them to user's hard-drive, subsequently seamlessly showing data from HD/ CD as necessary. Any resources on coding said beast? Google-fu fails me. [more inside]
posted by Pericles on Dec 14, 2004 - 7 answers

Slightly bent CD: I have a CD that's (somehow) become slightly bent; you wouldn't notice when you picked it up, but one side is bent downward just enough that it scrapes in my CD-ROM drive. I've had it under a stack of books for the last couple days, thinking that might straighten it, but it doesn't seem to have worked thus far. Is there anything else I can try?
posted by Yelling At Nothing on Aug 5, 2004 - 6 answers

Have we always had poor eyesight? I know, of course you are going to exclaim "yes!", but in the days of people not having glasses, shouldn't natural selection have weeded out people like me? How did we cope without vision correction, from an objective viewpoint?
posted by Keyser Soze on May 28, 2004 - 30 answers

Is it possible to get allergies (or an allergy to dust and pollen in the weather) in just one eye? I have heard it has to be in two, but does that mean both two sides are equally irritated? Has anyone here ever had allergies in just one side of their face?
posted by Peter H on May 25, 2004 - 10 answers

I want to buy these speakers, but it seems they are only available from Japan, and other far-eastern countries. Does anyone know of anywhere I can buy some that will ship to the UK (Amazon JP don't), and have a site in English? (Or be easily decipherable by a stupid Brit?) Alternatively, can anyone recommend any 2.0 or 2.1 speakers available to the UK that have optical digital input? [more inside]
posted by Mwongozi on Apr 22, 2004 - 5 answers

I've just bought a CD-Burner from ebay. No maker's mark on it, so how can I tell what model it is? (lots of serial numbers all over it). Also, I need a good CD burning program. Can anyone recommend any free applications? [more inside]
posted by Frasermoo on Mar 31, 2004 - 11 answers

What are the practical uses of a DVD-RW drive? [MI] [more inside]
posted by Seth on Jan 16, 2004 - 19 answers