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Hardware Hacks... what qualifies?

Submitted by Ex-parrot on January 25, 2006 - 2:48am. Af Architects

Do we need a clearer definition of what goes in to the "hardware hacks" forum as opposed to e.g the "PPC Macs and Software" forum?

Where should the line between "Hardware Hack" and "I have some problem with my Mac that might require clever hackery to fix" sit?

I thought I'd ask for everyone's opinion before I go moving posts around and upsetting people...

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coius's picture

to be honest

Submitted by coius on January 25, 2006 - 3:33am.

I consider hardware hacks as a physical rearrangement of atoms in a creative manner to come up with something totally unique. Not a rubber band used as a spring type thing to hold a door open/shut

» troubleshootnow.com. When you need to troubleshoot NOW! Forum site for macs and PCs. We are happy to help you troubleshoot. Home WebPage: coius.info <-Served off an iMac in my roo

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Hey, you shut up!

Submitted by TylerS on January 25, 2006 - 5:39am.

When my über rubber-band and spring door open/shut hack finally gets released, YOU CAN'T COME TO THE RELEASE PARTY.

YA LIKE APPLES? HOW 'BOUT 'DEM APPLES?

;-)

+1 for unique. I think that you could cover most (but not all, obviously) hardware hacks with a simple "Will the readers of the Hardware Hacks forum appreciate this more than readers of the appropriate mac model forum?"

» http://www.fenestrated.net/~macman/mac.html
http://www.lowendmac.com/sable/

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BDub's picture

If it worked before you start

Submitted by BDub on January 25, 2006 - 5:44am.

If it worked before you started on it, it's a hack. If it didn't, it's a repair.

» "There is going to be a future: let's chase it until it kills us." - Spider Robinson
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eeun's picture

Tough call...

Submitted by eeun on January 25, 2006 - 5:53am.

There's probably going to be some overlap no matter how you define it. A "problem" with a Mac could be it's too small to fit in my desk, or I've only got an ATX power supply.

Best I can suggest for defining where a post goes...

Hacks: I want to modify this

PPC: I need to fix this

So, if I wanted to put my G3 in a PC case and attach a new power supply, it'd go in hacks. If my power supply died, and all I had was an ATX for which I need pinouts, etc. (well, let's pretend it's something I couldn't find on Google Eye-wink ) it'd go in PPC.

» It's all pants.
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themike's picture

Re: If it worked before you start

Submitted by themike on January 25, 2006 - 5:55am.
BDub wrote:
If it worked before you started on it, it's a hack. If it didn't, it's a repair.

What about a power supply mod? IE iMac to ATX? I'd consider that more of a hack than a repair.

» .peace.love.harmony.

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Whosawhatsis's picture

Re: If it worked before you start

Submitted by Whosawhatsis on January 25, 2006 - 6:51am.
themike wrote:
BDub wrote:
If it worked before you started on it, it's a hack. If it didn't, it's a repair.

What about a power supply mod? IE iMac to ATX? I'd consider that more of a hack than a repair.

Sounds like the distinction there is whether or not your original iMac power supply works Sticking out tongue

Seriously though, I would define a hack as coming up with a way to make something do something it wasn't intended to be able to do. An iMac LB wasn't intended to be able to be powered by a standard ATX power supply, so I'd consider that a hack. Of course, if there's a commercially available adapter, then designing the adapter is a hack, using it is not.

» I was offered a penny for my thoughts, so I gave my two cents. I got ripped off.
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Ex-parrot's picture

Thanks for the comments. I th

Submitted by Ex-parrot on January 25, 2006 - 8:09am.

Thanks for the comments. I think BDub put it most succinctly, and that's probably the guideline I'll be working on.

» - Michael "trouble at the mill" Fincham
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