Ceramic Industry Blog

Susan Sutton is Editor-in-Chief, Integrated Media of Ceramic Industry magazine. She can be reached at suttons@bnpmedia.com or (330) 336-4098.


Going Low-Tech

February 25, 2009
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I’ve mentioned before that I’m basically functionally illiterate when it comes to just about any mechanical or technological device. I can get by most of the time, but if a problem arises I’m frequently just baffled. That’s why I was thrilled when a colleague sent me a link to an article from The New York Times, “Low-Tech Fixes for High-Tech Problems.” Eureka! Author Paul Boutin discusses tips for cell phones, including how to get around a low battery or what to do if you mistakenly drop the phone in the toilet. (Hint: do not close the lid and hope for the best, or just buy a new phone, as I would have done before reading the article.) He also offers advice on dry ink cartridges, improving remote keyless auto entry, cleaning dirty discs and extending your Wi-Fi reach. Follow the link below to read the full article.

It’s actually really fascinating, and it got me to thinking about maintenance needs that are probably being put off these days. For example, the toilet in my upstairs bathroom “runs” indefinitely every time it’s flushed. Instead of calling a plumber, I wait a few minutes and then turn on the water in the sink for a second or two. I don’t know why this works (it’s like magic as far as I’m concerned), but it saves me from paying for a plumber.

The current status of the economy has led many manufacturers to reduce or even eliminate their budgets for capital spending, which means that a lot of those companies are likely dealing with low-tech fixes for outdated and inefficient equipment. What are some of your quick-fix strategies? Please share your tips (personal or professional; some of us need all the help we can get) by entering a comment below.

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