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Ian Soady¹ said :-
Totally off topic but why the mania for fibre connections with gigabyte speeds?* Apparently it's possible to download a 2 hour move in a minute. But as it takes 2 hours to watch it, any time less than that would be fine. We have an 18Mb copper connection which is easily fast enough to cope with everything we use.
*The simple answer of course is that it means more profit for the suppliers.
09/01/2025 13:51:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
"My willy is bigger than your willy". Why have 18mb when you can have 70mb. Why have 70mb when you can have 200mb. Why have 200mb when you can have 1gb. And so on.
I can understand if perchance you live with a modern family. While parent A is streaming the latest Sci-Fi show on Netflix, parent b is watching you-tube, and 2 small persons are gaming, grandparents are WhatsApping to their other offspring's family... However even as someone working in the IT industry I was quite happy with my 17mb connection. I had to upgrade as that type of service was being superseded in my area, I now have 70mb which is the lowest I can get.
Mother, who could barely manage online banking but seemed to have mastered QVC, had a 160mb connection.
09/01/2025 14:04:59 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
My son assured me that you need these super fast connections to download games in two hours, which take over twenty hours to download on a normal connection???
09/01/2025 15:52:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
So at say 1gb that's (2*60*60) = 7200 gb. Far more than the disc capacity of most PCs. I think Ren nailed it in his first comment.
09/01/2025 17:17:54 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Your maths ain't quite there Ian...
MegaBITS versus MegaBytes. Hard drives are usually measured in Bytes and internet connections in Bits. Why? Marketing of course - and history. Remember there's 8 bits in a byte... normally. Plus there's an overhead with TCP/IP. I'm 100% sure Ian knows this but for the rest - data is sent in packets.
Imagine you wanna post a BIG HUGE ENORMOUS filing cabinet of paper records. But you can only post one set of records at a time. You have to get each record, put it in an envelope with a name and address and return name and address. THEN you have to encrypt the envelope so you chop up the envelope and muddle the bits up and put them in another envelope. THAT envelope also has a name and address and return name and address on it.
By the time you've sent the filing cabinet of paper records through the post you've added around 8% more paper than you started with.
10/01/2025 08:04:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh and there's latency. Each time a packet is sent it takes a few milliseconds to reach the other end. Then the other end replies with a "yeah, got #223445645". This happens asynchronously, you can send lots of packets and the replies don't need to return before you send the next ones although some algorithms set limits on how many can be sent before replies start to come back. But a lot of time is used sending and receiving replies.
10/01/2025 08:11:43 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I take your points (and I did say 7200gb eg gigabits). But even so I still can't fathom it. Our copper connection supports 2 pcs as well as TV and set-top box. We never have any problem watching streaming services eg iplayer - no dropouts or buffering problems. But I accept we're probably classed as light users.
Anyway enough of this. Too cold to go in the garage to make cables for the little Norton and rejig the gear arrangement on the BSA/Zuki so will just think of silly things to say on forums.
10/01/2025 10:36:04 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
It's a complicated world innit?
Or am I simple?
Which reminds me, I had a moment this week when I was reminded how ignorant and uneducated I am in all things "modern automotives". Er'Indoors EML refuses to be extinguished. I don't even notice it's on anymore.
I spoke to a "diagnostics expert" in hope of a possible fix for the "Bank 1" lambda light.
It went a bit like this,
Me, I've changed the sensor twice.
Him, that won't fix it.
Me, but that's the fault code.
Him, yes, but, no, but.....etc.
Me, so can you fix it.
Him, yes but it could be a lot of things, have you checked the fuel cap, oil cap filler, dipstick rubber, EVAC valve, inlet manifold, etc....
Me, but it says Bank 1.
Him, oh they all do that.
Pffffffftttttt.
I'm going back to school, but obviously only for what goes on behind the bike shed, is that where I went wrong?
10/01/2025 13:38:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
If you had to ask you wouldn't understand. Clearly.
Smile and nod and give someone the money to fix it. Or you could spend endless hours trawling the internet and trying out multiple options (opinions) and prey that you stumble upon the right option for your until then unknown problem. Once this is finally achieved sit there with the smug satisfaction that you've spent 80 hours surfing, 35 hours tinkering and £346 on parts (of which the only required part cost £35).
Progress innit.
This is what happens when you take something already quite complex (the infernal combustion engine) and make it super duper extra complex with emissions regulations, electronic self sensing AI cabin temperature climate control systems, AI cruise control and collision avoidance systems and 1024 programmable seating positions with massage. But no cigarette lighter any more because it's bad for you.
10/01/2025 16:17:24 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Earlier generations of computer controlled cars did seem to be easier to use diagnostics on - eg the LR Discovery TD5 I had for a few years. I had a black box that plugged into it and was great for identifying dodgy components. But lately it seems we're back to swapping bits out which seems to defeatthe object.
11/01/2025 11:03:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Nothing is perfect Ian, except me of course.
It is my understanding that all the manufacturers are supposed to follow a fixed protocol for the absolute basics in their computers. This is what allows these cheap OBD2 readers to provide BASIC diagnostic codes. These are typically the emission codes ie Lambda sensor error or MAF sensor error. I hope most manufacturers follow this protocol but they then make EVERYTHING else as complex as humanly possible.
We bring it on ourselves. I hear people complain that cars are too complicated then they go out and spend a fortune buying a car BECAUSE it has central locking electric windows Bluetooth connectivity tyre pressure monitors lane control heated seats... People like their gadgets so the manufacturers fit the gadgets. None of the car adverts claim "comes with hand cranked windows and a key for the door - all mechanical so you can fix it yourself".
13/01/2025 07:55:11 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
JUST IN CASE.....
Bargain Bike Brands in Newcastle under Lyme are closing down and they really want to see the stock gone.
If you're in the market take a look online or in the shop, it's actually in Chesterton just off the A34.
I've just bought some replacement cheek pads for Er'Indoors helmet, they were starting to fail, BBB were way cheaper than the rest and free p and p.
Upt.
https://bargainbikerbrands.com/index.php/...
14/01/2025 17:43:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Anybody got a pair of Weise Hydra troosers or know someone who has?
Are they warm, waterproof, quality, or not etc.
Ta me ducks.
17/01/2025 18:03:08 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I can't speak of the Hydra pants but I've had Weise kit in the past and it's "fine".
Are they the tooooooosers as in the link below? Seems like an awful lot of money to me. Either Weise have gone upmarket since I bought their kit or they're gold lined. What also troubles me is the lack of detail on the waterproofing. I'd expect "GoreTex" or similar plastered across the screen - the page below barely mentions "complete weather protection".
https://www.weiseclothing.com/product/weise/leather_jeans/wphyd0414/?c=712...
20/01/2025 07:55:21 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
That's them Ed, but presently on offer at a lot off. Going to order two pairs today of different waist sizes to give em a go. Your recent write up of should we or shouldn't we with the donning of waterproof boil in the bag suits convinced me to spend some money.
I can't get on with textiles, so waterproof leather may be the way.
We'll see I spose.
When it comes to oversuits, I either wear them all day and it never rains or I don't bother and get soaked. Plus you've got to carry the damn things. It's me isn't it.
Thanks for the response, "fine" should be just dandy.
Upt.
20/01/2025 09:29:40 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Upt', In my experience anything that is properly waterproof has the boil in the bag experience. In the past I worked with GoreTex and they claim that the membrane will let body perspiration through and keep water out. On their show stand they would show a GoreTex bag that they filled with boiling water and the steam would pass through the material, so the theory works.
However when the membrane is buried in clothing the materials next to the membrane can stop it working effectively, and many applications are bonded to a material so the adhesive can block the breathability of the membrane. Of course the biggest problem with the steam passing through the membrane is that perspiration is not at boiling point!!!
So the waterproof claim I will take as true, but I am sceptical of the breathability claim when used in clothing.
20/01/2025 09:52:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Your experience is mine Rod.
Upt.
20/01/2025 11:12:47 UTC
nab301 said :-
I am generally a fan of Goretex but unfortunately it can leak in some conditions , it does generally gives all year round flexibility in terms of not having to stop in a rain shower to don extra waterproofs although as already mentioned on here when winter arrives I tend to wear a lightweight nylon jacket permanently over my heavy jacket which keeps it clean and the lightweight jacket is easily washable..
@ UPt , re your car EML light , if your diagnostics expert is suggesting inlet manifold and the like I'd imagine the ecu is struggling to keep control of the mixture so possibly an air leak (plastic manifold?) or maybe some random vacuum pipe is perished , again in theory someone with a proper subscription paid scan tool should be able to read for example long and short term fuel trims as a positive or negative value ( lean or rich ) which would help the diagnosis , the live lambda voltages with the engine running would also help the diagnosis. Years ago a relative had a '98 VW polo 1.4 which kept throwing up an engine light , while doing routine maintenance and with no scan tool I had removed the air filter housing and found a couple of perished hoses , these were replaced and the fault didn't reappear.
Nigel
20/01/2025 12:24:59 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nidger
Thanks for that, I have checked hose condition, security, hose clips, oil filler seals, dip stick seals, fuel cap seals, air filter housing seal, etc. One suspect item recommended by the "expert" was the Evap Purge / Breather Valve, I've obtained one of them from a breakers and will have it ready at mot time which is next month.
If it passes I'll change the valve afterwards.
If it fails I'll change it and retest.
After that, we'll wait and see. The "expert"-"has been drip under pressure", did recommended recording the items you mention together with the fault code specifics.
Thanks for your help fella.
Upt.
20/01/2025 12:40:06 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
With regards the troosers I'm just hoping they are the answer to.
1. Stupidity.
2. Getting caught in the shower from hell.
3. Keeping armour in place.
4. Stupidity.
My own experience of goretex is not as simple as it does or doesn't work. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, but I don't expect to be at a constant temperature and comfort level whilst riding the bike. Are waterproofs any good in hot weather, no.
But modern garments with the venting etc are OK within realistic expectations. The troosers ordered do have zippy vents in them which should help in the heat.
I have no choice anyway as my 25 year old leathers are tired. It's time to move on. I tried a pair of Oxford Continental 2.0's, they're on ebay, nuff said.
Upt.
20/01/2025 12:47:01 UTC
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