3D Printed Hard Drive mount for 27″ iMac

March 3, 2017March 3, 2017 Doc

One of my delightful neuroses is collecting abandoned non-functioning macs and fixing them. Last week I managed to pick up a completely dead 2010 one for $174, all parts included, just totally dead. Today I got the carcus of another for $51 (no screen, no memory, no motherboard, no glass). The carcus’ power supply happens to work and the $174 unit’s problem was exactly that – a dead PSU.

I needed a hard drive bracket/strap/clamp and had none. I measured as best I could with my plastic callipers (seriously the most useful tool of all time, maybe more useful than computers themselves). I used Sketchup to CAD a little hack to do the job. It’s not pretty and I’m a bit concerned about how hot these things can get, but I figure “meh, fuck it”.

I’ve published the file for the mount on thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2152134

PS – these open and exposed PSU-guts have taught me a little about AC shocks. As a Computer Engineer, my preferred domain is low-voltage DC. Frick. AC makes me a little twitchy now. 😉

Learn from Seymour & Get Smarter

June 23, 2010June 24, 2010 Doc

Upon graduating recently, I found the Engineering group had a special treat – a copy of Seymour Schulich’s “Get Smarter” was given to each grad. In an atypical move, I decided to read this non-textbook source of information.

Worth Reading

I quite enjoyed it, Schulich has arranged the book in to a ton of tiny chapters. In each, he quickly and effectively conveys an opinion or experience of his. If you’re not interested in something, it’s easy to skip on (granted I never did) and the rest of the book will still make sense. Given Schulich’s history, this is a man with some neat concepts to convey. He discusses a vast range of topics from his opinions about assessing career options to finding meaning in life.

8 Years, 2 Degrees, 1 Internship & 0 Regrets

June 18, 2010 Doc

Well, for those that know, it’s been a damned long time in coming, but I have finally fully graduated as of June 7th and 8th 2010.

The tale of my 8 year tenor at the University of Calgary is somewhat of a unique animal, there was a lot of pain and a great deal of fun. As I look back after just completing that journey I am delighted to be through it and I’m keen to move on in to new areas of life. But I also know that these years were great and I’ll happily reflect upon them as I drift away from this phase.