Thread

1. diskzero · 1790171248 · focus · HN ↗

   We ended up with a Samsung fridge in our new home. It has no external display or any other indication that it is a "smart" fridge. I only found out when a friend visited who has a Samsung phone and the phone offered to connect to the fridge. We spent the next 30 minutes removing panels from the fridge and found the wifi/bluetooth antenna on a small board under the top-right hinge cover. The board was disconnected and the fridge continues to operate normally.

   I am now eyeing my dishwasher very suspiciously.

   1. hansvm · 1790172929 · focus · HN ↗

      There's an old joke floating around if anyone remembers where it's from:

      A tech enthusiast has the latest and greatest smartphones, voice assistants, and everything else cool and flashy. A programmer has a single inkjet printer from the 90s, and they keep a shotgun by their bedside in case it makes a noise.

      1. wolfi1 · 1790173128 · focus · HN ↗

         if it makes an unexpected noise, to be precise
      2. jonah · 1790173208 · focus · HN ↗

         I'd go with an ancient boat anchor LaserJet but, otherwise, yep.
      3. fg137 · 1790173611 · focus · HN ↗

         The earliest that I can track down is <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.tumblr.com&#x2F;michaelblume&#x2F;169525456166&#x2F;tech-enthusiasts-everything-in-my-house-is-wired" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.tumblr.com&#x2F;michaelblume&#x2F;169525456166&#x2F;tech-enthus...

         1. six_seven · 1790176860 · focus · HN ↗

            What was your process to find the oldest reference?

            1. fg137 · 1790182474 · focus · HN ↗

               Google search.

               P.S. only the oldest that I can track down.

      4. BLKNSLVR · 1790175756 · focus · HN ↗

         Real tech people don&#x27;t own printers.

         (to ruin an otherwise good joke)

      5. jjice · 1790175857 · focus · HN ↗

         I always joke with people that I hate software in anything but a traditional computers _because_ I&#x27;m a software engineer. I want the car with the fewest smart features, a normal door bell, a non-smart washing machine.

         Software sucks a lot of the time and it often gets in the way, at least the way it&#x27;s deployed over the last decade. Very few things in my home should connect to the internet. My phone and computers. Begrudgingly my TV now.

         Also, those things that connect to the internet but don&#x27;t let you have control? They get EOL&#x27;d, despite having paid a premium for them. I&#x27;ve never had a stove from this century and they all work fine, because why the hell wouldn&#x27;t they?

         1. robocat · 1790181623 · focus · HN ↗

            I&#x27;ve become oversensitive to UI problems and bugs.

            I get triggered when watching my family or friends struggle with egregiously poor design.

            I have avoidance techniques, so I can avoid facing the most anger inducing software.

            I just feel lucky I&#x27;m not a graphic designer or architect or writer. How does someone with good taste even survive facing the outside world?

            1. joquarky · 1790189980 · focus · HN ↗

               I did UX for over 20 years, and the profession is now cooked. Nobody cares about quality anymore. I&#x27;m angry and bitter.

               If you have any avoidance techniques that are easy to articulate, please share them.

               1. robocat · 1790192790 · focus · HN ↗

                  Quitting work years ago helped, even though I still enjoyed software development. I had intended to instead work on my own investments, but I stopped that after I figured out money is a joyless and meaningless motivator.

                  Mostly just saying no to helping anyone with computer problems. Fortunately changed from Windows 7 to Linux, so I can be mostly honest when I tell people I don&#x27;t understand their laptop problems.

                  Said no to helping family with with any printer issues after ~2005. I often print stuff, but I use the printer at my local library or printshop.

                  I still occasionally dabble, but only for those people I dearly love. I&#x27;m still very good at tech support, I just don&#x27;t do it.

                  I&#x27;ve got my tech frustration level down to about the background radiation level (as politics or taxes).

            2. Izkata · 1790267099 · focus · HN ↗

               &gt; I just feel lucky I&#x27;m not a graphic designer

               &quot;If you really hate someone, teach them to recognize bad kerning.&quot;

               <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;xkcd.com&#x2F;1015&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;xkcd.com&#x2F;1015&#x2F;

               1. robocat · 1790307638 · focus · HN ↗

                  If you really hate someone: mention small randomly intermittent noises. Or other minor niggles that you never would have noticed unless the niggles were pointed out to you.

                  If you want to be nice to yourself, don&#x27;t train yourself to notice small annoying common problems.

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