Interesting experience

[french frank]

My router was non functioning this am (tried the ON-OFF trick to no avail). An hour later it was still off. I remembered BT had supplied me with a 'minihub' for emergencies. Terric surprise to find the biggest problem was extracting the hub from its little box - which I have now completely vandalised. Once plugged in to the computer I was instantly back on line

Have now texted HELP to BT's number and within minutes they confirmed there was a fault and an engineer would be needed to repair it. Within 10 mins I had indicated which one of two appointments would be acceptable and the engineer was booked for next Tuesday, 8am-1pm. Hope the mini hub lasts out (oh, text has just confirmed the booking). So far it's good service but ... I think I pay more for it! However, many a slip ... Anyway, it's been very interesting fumbling, techie-like, my way through the process, completed within 30 minutes of locating the instruction leaflet.

[Padraig]

Anyway, it's been very interesting fumbling, techie-like, my way through the process, completed within 30 minutes of locating the instruction leaflet.

All the ingredients for a horror story there, f f. But, you survived!

[smittims]

I've had that experience of trying to get into a transparent package to extract a simple object , and ending up with cut fingers, split nails etc. Surgery is the usual way now, the incision made not on me but on the bubble, with a very sharp knife.

[Pulcinella]

I've had that experience of trying to get into a transparent package to extract a simple object , and ending up with cut fingers, split nails etc. Surgery is the usual way now, the incision made not on me but on the bubble, with a very sharp knife.

You need one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slice-00100-Safety-Blister-Ceramic/dp/B002OOVC84/ref=sr_1_6?crid=28HYBAQKLDIKV&keywords=ceramic+slice+package+opener&qid=1683203565&sprefix=ceramic+slice+package+opener%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-6

[vinteuil]

You need one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slice-00100...ps%2C69&sr=8-6

... they do look useful!

One of the best gadgets I ever acquired was in the goody-bag at the reception for the twentieth anniversary of chandos in 1999 - a device for slitting open the plastic packaging of a CD. Something like this :

https://autonomic.guru/found-items-cd-case-opener/

truly life-changing!

.

[Bryn]

... they do look useful!

One of the best gadgets I ever acquired was in the goody-bag at the reception for the twentieth anniversary of chandos in 1999 - a device for slitting open the plastic packaging of a CD. Something like this :

https://autonomic.guru/found-items-cd-case-opener/

truly life-changing!

.

I have CD wrapper slitters growing on the ends of each of my fingers and thumbs.

[vinteuil]

I have CD wrapper slitters growing on the ends of each of my fingers and thumbs.

... slitters (plural) on the end of each finger and thumb? Edwd: Scissorhands look to your laurels!

.

[french frank]

Very grateful for all the hi-tech advice on opening things.** I've been offline again for a while since, but have managed to get online again, seemingly through the agency of my iPhone but that may have been a coincidence. Have a feeling I texted HELP, received a diagnostic (needs engineer), was invited to select a date for booking, date confirmed for a booking - and I don't believe I was connected to a human being at any point I also don't have a landline since, will I or nill I, I was forced to have a digital phone which is linked to the non-functioning router.

** This was the equivalent of opening a somewhat larger matchbox, where the match drawer wouldn't push out of its sleeve until after I pulled down both the box ends and slit the sleeve open with a knife.

PS Yes, my iPhone is set up as personal hotspot/wireless access point so it is the current router.

[oddoneout]

I've had that experience of trying to get into a transparent package to extract a simple object , and ending up with cut fingers, split nails etc. Surgery is the usual way now, the incision made not on me but on the bubble, with a very sharp knife.

I find my garden secateurs are useful, if a package is beyond the heavy duty kitchen scissors which can cope with crunching chicken bones so do for most occasions. I still get lacerations sometimes from the plastic twisting round over my fingers as the blade cuts through, lacking a third hand to hold it out of the way.

[Dave2002]

I remember trying to open a couple of packs of cake on a French TGV. Eventually managed it, and the cake was edible, but somewhat mangled when it finally emerged from each wrapper.

[Serial_Apologist]

I remember trying to open a couple of packs of cake on a French TGV. Eventually managed it, and the cake was edible, but somewhat mangled when it finally emerged from each wrapper.

I do seem to find biscuits at the end of packets fragmenting into crumbs on being (carefully) opened these days rather a lot. Also, bananas transitioning from the inedible green stage to rotting at one end in 3 or so days as they sit patiently in my Chinese fruit bowl. And has anyone else noticed milk going off more quickly than a year or two ago? In previous times I've known pints of semi-skimmed lasting over a week - the time it sometimes takes me to get through a pint (or half litre), living as I do alone; nowadays it goes into a junket-like state on day 5: and I have checked and found the temperature inside my fridge not to have altered.

[Old Grumpy]

I do seem to find biscuits at the end of packets fragmenting into crumbs on being (carefully) opened these days rather a lot. Also, bananas transitioning from the inedible green stage to rotting at one end in 3 or so days as they sit patiently in my Chinese fruit bowl. And has anyone else noticed milk going off more quickly than a year or two ago? In previous times I've known pints of semi-skimmed lasting over a week - the time it sometimes takes me to get through a pint (or half litre), living as I do alone; nowadays it goes into a junket-like state on day 5: and I have checked and found the temperature inside my fridge not to have altered.

I cut across the biscuit packet with a sharp knife a few biscuits in from the end - works a treat (unless he biscuits are already broken, of course!

[vinteuil]

I cut across the biscuit with a sharp knife a few biscuits in from the end - works a treat (unless he biscuits are already broken, of course!

... yes! The discovery that the best way into a packet of ginger biccies was to slice thro' with a knife was a great moment for me too...

.

[cria]

I keep garden shears in a cutlery drawer for when the key tab breaks on a tin of sardines. Useful little gadget.

[Serial_Apologist]

I keep garden shears in a cutlery drawer for when the key tab breaks on a tin of sardines. Useful little gadget.

Cutting off your own head with shears does seem a bit drastic though!