Ask MetaFilter posts by BuddhaInABucket

Why is my laptop so hot, and what laptop can I buy that won't burn me?

BuddhaInABucket — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:21:22 -0800

Do all laptops get this hot? I currently own a 15" powerbook g4 that gets so hot I can't actually put it on my lap. I had the same problem with my previous computer, a 12" powerbook g4. Does this happen with all Apple laptops, or is it just powerbooks that end up like this? It's bad enough that I'm considering buying a new computer, but I don't want to get burned (no pun intended) again. What's the coolest computer I can get?

What happens to the money from uncashed economic stimulus checks?

BuddhaInABucket — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:11:53 -0800

For whatever reason, some people are going to fail to cash their economic stimulus checks. What happens to the money that was supposed to be given to those people, but which never leaves the IRS' account?

Does anyone remember this "long photo" from SFMOMA?

BuddhaInABucket — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:03:21 -0800

All this talk on flickr lately of "long photos" reminded me of a VERY "long photo" I saw in SFMOMA probably around a year ago... it was a scene at a cafe, with someone at a piano, a man and woman talking, one holding a cigarette, and a couple of other people, all frozen for at least five minutes... the most noticeable movement was cigarette smoke trailing up into the air. Does anyone know who that was by, what it was called, and whether I can find it online?

How do factories deal with eggs?

BuddhaInABucket — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:48:59 -0800

How do factories that make processed foods deal with eggs? I can't think of any way a machine would be able to open up an egg and get the insides out without getting shell everywhere, but there must be a way. Google-fu is failing me. Pics/video of an egg machine operating would be swell!

What takes pharmacists so long?

BuddhaInABucket — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:26:59 -0800

Why does it take 20 minutes for the pharmacy to fill my prescription, even when there's no other people in line? I assume they're doing something, but what else is there besides putting my pills in a bottle?

Where can I take a vacation for epic stargazing?

BuddhaInABucket — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:31:32 -0800

Where can I go for the awesomest stargazing possible? I randomly had the idea to take a vacation for the purpose of going stargazing. I understand that I'm asking for something contradictory, but what are the darkest places on earth that are not extremely difficult to get to? I want to see the milky way like our ancestors saw it before electricity. I've only ever seen the milky way in the sky once, in 1989, and when I visited the same spot in 2003, there wasn't a star in the sky (outer Tehran, for those curious).

Are there tours that cater to this desire? I'm based in Southern California and would prefer to stay in the western hemisphere if possible, but don't let that stop you from making your other suggestions.

Tell me about this harmonica.

BuddhaInABucket — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:50:57 -0800

Tell me about this harmonica. I don't know anything about harmonicas. Can you please tell me everything I'd need to know about this one? What kind is it, what's the model called, what year is it from, how much would it be worth now?
Pics: 1/2/3

How can I get the data off of these iOmega zip disks?

BuddhaInABucket — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:58:09 -0800

I just found a bunch of iOmega zip drive disks (the 100 meg kind) in a closet as I was cleaning it out. Obviously nobody has those drives anymore... is there a cheap, easy way to get that back, or should I just throw them out?

How do I get feeling back in my hand after it fell asleep?

BuddhaInABucket — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:21:35 -0800

My arm fell asleep after I slept on it wrong, and a day later, my hand still feels funny. What do I do? I can't pinpoint what exactly it is- It moves fine, and I can feel hot and cold and SOME pain if I pinch it, but I don't think I can feel pressure right... when I touch it with my other hand it doesn't feel like I'm touching myself. It's been a day. What now?

Are there any weather phenomena that occur in only one location on the entire planet?

BuddhaInABucket — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:05:22 -0800

Are there any weather phenomena that occur in only one location on the entire planet?