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I have an old David White level transit labeled as a Meridian LT6-900 (although the manual that comes with it says it is a Meridian 8830, which is what the level looks like). The focus knob suddenly will not turn. [more inside]
posted by Jackson at 4:30 PM - 2 answers

I have an iPad that I’ve resisted updating (iOS 10) because I don’t want to lose some 32-bit apps that no longer exist in the App Store. I also have an iPhone that is fully updated (iOS 12). After updating the phone, I have found that the two have iCloud communication issues (on the tablet I get “locked” out of certain documents, can’t see tabs open on the phone, etc.). What can I do to resolve this situation? [more inside]
posted by Sakura3210 at 10:08 AM - 7 answers

Please recommend me a photo printer that isn't a frustrating hunk of ink-sucking plastic garbage. [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 5:40 AM - 16 answers

I am interested in obtaining an E-Ink e-reader. I currently do my e-reading on an iPad Mini, upon which I have the Kindle app and Books. People tell me that e-Ink is the way to go, but it's hard to find the information I want. Everything is all "do this online! use the cloud!", but I don't want to. I want to read books offline. I want to transfer books onto the device offline. [more inside]
posted by jlkr at 7:59 AM - 26 answers

I'm looking for a small device that I can use exclusively for writing (paired with a bluetooth keyboard). I know someone selling a brand new, sealed Google Nexus 7 (2nd Gen), a device with a form factor I love (used to have one). Will this older device (running Android 6, I believe), experience lag or any other issues when paired with a bluetooth keyboard? Both have Bluetooth 4.
posted by dobbs at 9:22 AM - 9 answers

When I receive phone calls to my Google Voice number via Google Hangouts, I cannot hear the caller, nor can they hear me. I have no problems with outbound calls. Help? [more inside]
posted by chara at 7:37 AM - 0 answers

I use Google calendar and would like to have certain things (like "work out") on my calendar every day, so that each day I can just change the time to when I'm going to do them rather than create a new event every day. But I want these items to only show a week in advance so I don't look at my long range calendar it doesn't look filled up. I'm pretty sure there's no way to do this within Google Calendar itself, but I imagine there must be some hack or third-party solution (like IFTTT) that I could use. [more inside]
posted by robverb at 5:14 AM - 2 answers

I have never bought a TV before. Now I want to buy a TV for less than £350, hopefully taking advantage of the sales. I'm in the UK. Cheaper is better, but not vital. Sound quality is important. I would like something with Wi-Fi and the best possible "smart" features I can get, both in terms of interface and services. Screen dimensions are not particularly important. I'm getting very confused between brands and reviews, so your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
posted by howfar at 1:11 AM - 9 answers

I love reading and listening to blogs and podcasts but I'm only familiar with the big ones. Are there aggregators I can use to specifically sort by size/reach to find the little blogs and podcasts that deserve some love? [more inside]
posted by hotchocolate at 12:47 PM - 3 answers

I would like to buy a switch for industrial applications which, when pressed, sends a radio signal to a receiver up to 50' away. This switch would be a small button, no larger than an inch or two in any dimension. I would attach it to a torch head of a TIG welder. The dimensions of the receiver would be less important. I'll explain more inside. [more inside]
posted by jwhite1979 at 6:26 AM - 15 answers

My daughter has expressed a desire for a 'Polaroid camera' for Christmas. This technology must have moved on a great deal since the days of real Polaroids, but what are the options and does anyone have any commendations? [more inside]
posted by srednivashtar at 3:37 AM - 12 answers

I just moved into an apartment that has a hookup for an electric clothes dryer. However, I've been told that the outlet, an old-style 3-prong (Pic1; Pic2) was made obsolete about 15 years ago in favor of a four-prong outlet. Three-prong dryers are not made anymore. I need help in solving this puzzle. [more inside]
posted by not_on_display at 5:57 PM - 17 answers

What is the cheapest solution for (temporarily--like just for a couple of days) remotely monitoring my dog? What I already possess: a MacBook, an iPad, and an iPhone. Can I use some combination of these to watch him? If not, what cheapo thing can I buy to make this happen?
posted by HotToddy at 12:55 PM - 17 answers

My phone just updated and now there's a big google search bar at the bottom on my screen and I can't get rid of it. I'm on a Nokia 6.1, current Android version 9, latest patch 10/1/18. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 10:22 AM - 5 answers

I'm overseas and I bought a local SIM card which I am using. My current WhatsApp contacts still seem to be able to contact me. But if I want a new contact to be able to find me on WhatsApp, should I give them my Australian number or my current local number? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 7:31 AM - 6 answers

I'm looking for books, papers, blog posts or anything else that deals with measurement in an environment where the data sources are not simply biased, but actively try to deceive the observer. Is there research into this? If so, what are the key terms to look for? Details, examples below the fold. [more inside]
posted by kmt at 6:02 AM - 7 answers

I'm looking for an exercise tracking application that (1) runs on Android, (2) doesn't request bizarre permissions (no location, no identity, no contacts, definitely no microphone), and (3) can record complexes, where a single rep is a sequence of several lifts (e.g., 1 snatch + 1 overhead squat, or 1 clean + 1 front squat + 1 jerk). Any ideas?
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 9:12 PM - 1 answers

I currently have this one which is perfect in every way except one. The case has room for 3 cards, it's got a nifty folding bit that you can use to angle it up, it's super-strong with great protection but not gigantic. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 7:14 PM - 6 answers

I'd like to to exhaustively explore some neighborhoods by walking down every street. I could print out a map and mark my progress by hand, but are there any iOS apps or other tools that could more effectively facilitate this? [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 5:45 AM - 6 answers

Oh gosh, why does Apple make iCloud so confusing? Help, please. Many, many details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:45 AM - 4 answers