Search found 179 matches

by Dakotah
Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hybrid/PHEV/Electric SUV for a 50 mile/day commute?
Replies: 92
Views: 11207

Re: Hybrid/PHEV/Electric SUV for a 50 mile/day commute?

Rav4 Prime owner here. I love it for my situation, but I don't think your scenario is ideal for a PHEV. At 50 miles, you're going to be at a range where you'll be using the engine for only a few miles per day. Short-tripping an ICE inflicts accelerated wear and tear and reduced efficiency. If your daily commute was 20-30 miles, I'd say to absolutely get a PHEV, but at 50 miles/day a regular hybrid or a BEV makes more sense.
by Dakotah
Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thermostat - Ecobee vs. Nest vs. Others?
Replies: 49
Views: 5746

Re: Thermostat - Ecobee vs. Nest vs. Others?

With Ecobee you can target the remote sensors in specific locations. We do this every night in our bedrooms which are typically a few degrees off from the main floor where the main Thermostat resides. It works well, but keep in mind that the rest of the home will be cooler/warmer than it normally would be in order to target a specific sensor location. I don't own a Nest, but my perception is that their thermostat functionality has stagnated since Google acquired them.
by Dakotah
Tue Apr 11, 2023 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me decide when to go EV
Replies: 145
Views: 12812

Re: Help me decide when to go EV

I mean...it's a lifestyle choice. It's kind of up to you.

Just a thought, though...Have you looked at the new Prius Prime coming out? It looks nice, would still allow you to leverage your solar and free charging, be quite a bit more performant than your current Prius, and negate a lot of the things on your cons-list. It would also cost you less, even considering credits.
by Dakotah
Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?
Replies: 83
Views: 4990

Re: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?

TheGreyingDuke wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:22 am to add...

Charging at home with a 110 outlet would not be viable, in my experience. It would take a Tesla nearly two days to go from 20-80% (roughly calculated)
But you don't need to charge it to 80% before using it. Only drivable range matters...and if you average less than ~50 miles per day, you'll never exhaust your range with trickle charging overnight. Even if you periodically diverge to the high side of that...a single visit to a supercharger will replenish your range buffer. You can do a lot of supercharger visits for the cost of a panel upgrade.

Yes, a L2 is beneficial...but living with only a trickle charger is quite feasible for a lot of people.
by Dakotah
Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?
Replies: 83
Views: 4990

Re: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?

There are some solutions out there that are intended to bypass the need for a panel upgrade by connecting directly through the meter socket.
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/360 ... -upgrades/

Generally speaking, however, I think people overestimate the necessity of a L2 charger. There are plenty of people that we be just fine using only a trickle charger. You can add 50+ miles by trickle charging over night. If you don't go anywhere for a day, you can add 100+ miles. That'll satisfy the need for most people in my estimation...but you can always use public charging to supplement should the need arise.
by Dakotah
Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - LastPass breach!
Replies: 718
Views: 65051

Re: PSA - LastPass breach!

Just another example of why you should keep your software updated... PCMag has since learned the hacker targeted the Plex Media Server software to load the malware on the LastPass employee's home computer. But interestingly, the exploited flaw was nothing new. According to Plex, the vulnerability is nearly three years old and was patched long ago. Plex told PCMag the vulnerability is CVE-2020-5741, which the company publicly disclosed to users in May 2020. “An attacker who already had admin access to a Plex Media Server could abuse the Camera Upload feature to make the server execute malicious code,” the company said back then. “At the time, as noted in that post, an updated version of the Plex Media Server was made available to all (7-MAY-...
by Dakotah
Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - LastPass breach!
Replies: 718
Views: 65051

Re: PSA - LastPass breach!

Not to throw even more dirt on LastPass...but the fact that information continues to drip-drip-drip out regarding an event about 6 months ago is highly concerning. LastPass says employee’s home computer was hacked and corporate vault taken Already smarting from a breach that put partially encrypted login data into a threat actor’s hands, LastPass on Monday said that the same attacker hacked an employee’s home computer and obtained a decrypted vault available to only a handful of company developers. Although an initial intrusion into LastPass ended on August 12, officials with the leading password manager said the threat actor “was actively engaged in a new series of reconnaissance, enumeration, and exfiltration activity” from August 12 to A...
by Dakotah
Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another Heat pump water heater recommendations
Replies: 24
Views: 2673

Re: Another Heat pump water heater recommendations

I've had my HPWH for over 6 years now. Zero complaints. There was an immediate reduction in my electricity consumption, and it has the side benefit of dehumidifying my unfinished basement. The primary thing to be aware of is that it is much slower to heat the water. Depending on your usage pattern/level, you may want to consider getting a larger tank. That larger capacity will give you some buffer. Our 65 gal HPWH (always in Heatpump-only mode) is about the right size for my 3-person household.
by Dakotah
Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replace Wife's 10 Year Old Hybrid - Seeking Unbiased Input
Replies: 61
Views: 7435

Re: Replace Wife's 10 Year Old Hybrid - Seeking Unbiased Input

The safety features of the new vehicles is great, no doubt about that...but considering that you primarily drive for your long-distance travels, you'll also benefit from the modern driver-assist tech. The radar-assisted cruise control, for example, is great at taking some of the load off of the driver.

I have a lot of experience in the Rav4 Hybrid. It's a good vehicle. The only downside is that it's a bit growly and noisy at times. I haven't been in one of the new Venzas, but they are very highly regarded and considered more "upscale" than the Rav. I'd start my search with the Venza if I were you.
by Dakotah
Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort
Replies: 42
Views: 4800

Re: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort

I'm just across the border in Maryland, with a 3 Ton Trane Heatpump w/resistance heat backup. We've been happy with it. Heatpumps are a different beast that requires some trade-offs and mind-shifts to really take advantage of them. A properly-sized heatpump will run 24/7 on the coldest days of the year. You should let it continue to run non-stop, even if the heatpump itself is not keeping your set temperature. Every cheap BTU that the heatpump generates is going to be cheaper than resistance heat (this might be different for other supplement sources). You'll need to become accustomed to the supply vents not feeling as toasty-warm as you are accustomed to. Before you make the transition, ensure that you get a good handle on your air-sealing ...
by Dakotah
Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gigabit Switch Issue
Replies: 16
Views: 1384

Re: Gigabit Switch Issue

Even if you connect a gigabit ethernet port to another gigabit ethernet port, it can still fall back to 100mbs connections if the endpoints don't negotiate the connection properly for whatever reason. For that reason, one thing to check is the speed that your computer's ethernet port is actually negotiating with the switch. Google "how to check ethernet port speed". It'll show you how to check if it is actually operating in gigabit mode. If not, you may need to make sure that your computer's ethernet port isn't set to operate in 100mbs only...or if it is set to automatic, you may need to set it to operate in gigabit mode only.
by Dakotah
Mon Nov 28, 2022 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25701

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

And I can state categorically that 120V is not the answer, we do disagree on that point. Not now, and not in the future, not with today's increasingly large batteries. Heck, even my dryer and stove take 240V, and many if not most European countries run on 240V as their household voltage. You have to offer up 240V at least! I'll have to disagree here. The larger batteries actually make 120V charging more feasible...not less. The larger capacity allows you to accumulate range during low-usage periods and utilize it during high-usage periods without having to resort to public charging. Your overall driving habits are the overwhelming determinant of your charging requirements, not the size of the battery. If you average less than 15k-20k miles...
by Dakotah
Mon Nov 28, 2022 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25701

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

And I can state categorically that 120V is not the answer, we do disagree on that point. Not now, and not in the future, not with today's increasingly large batteries. Heck, even my dryer and stove take 240V, and many if not most European countries run on 240V as their household voltage. You have to offer up 240V at least! I'll have to disagree here. The larger batteries actually make 120V charging more feasible...not less. The larger capacity allows you to accumulate range during low-usage periods and utilize it during high-usage periods without having to resort to public charging. Your overall driving habits are the overwhelming determinant of your charging requirements, not the size of the battery. If you average less than 15k-20k miles...
by Dakotah
Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Infected by Ransomware
Replies: 16
Views: 3699

Re: Infected by Ransomware

Yes! I've got a QNAP, and there are some directories on there on I don't recognize! UGH directly related, though not sure this is the best forum for this... it is a dual drive, and I think I configured it in RAID with a redundant drive... but can't figure out how to get to that second drive now, to determine if it is clean, or not. And what software will scan a NAS? malwarebytes I dont think will. If it is set up for redundancy, the two drives will mirror each other. RAID is not going to serve as a back-up in the event of ransomware. Some NAS's have packages that you can download to conduct antivirus scans...but they are not nearly as capable as security software found on windows, for example. That lack of security capabilities paired with...
by Dakotah
Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Infected by Ransomware
Replies: 16
Views: 3699

Re: Infected by Ransomware

Based on the timing, it would seem likely that it was Deadbolt Ransomware. Sorry you're having to deal with this. :-/

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/09 ... 022-27593/
by Dakotah
Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Infected by Ransomware
Replies: 16
Views: 3699

Re: Infected by Ransomware

Without knowing what exactly you are looking at, are you sure that the Ransomware was on your computer...and not actually on your NAS? NAS's have been a common ransomware vector over the past few years. QNAP has been especially hard hit over the last year or so.
by Dakotah
Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25701

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I've had my Rav4 Prime for about 18 months now. I love it. Good EV range, good MPG in hybrid mode, good power...and still has good ground clearance (which was a concern I had with most EVs). I had a Prius prior to this, and this was certainly a great upgrade on all fronts...but PHEVs are a strange beast overall. You really need to know what you're getting into, how it fits your potentially use-case, and how to maximize it. If you are unable/unwilling to plug it in every day, it's probably not for you. If most of your driving is long-distance, it's probably not for you. Public-charging typically doesn't make sense...since PHEVs usually don't have fast-charging abilities, and the cost of driving on public-charging derived EV range is often mo...
by Dakotah
Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question
Replies: 52
Views: 4266

Re: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question

Smart thermostats are, generally speaking, more aptly described as comfort and convenience items rather than energy saving items. Sure, energy can be saved by modifying some of the settings such as aux-lockout and staging behavior, but these can be done in more traditional programmable thermostats just as effectively. Even the away-settings and fencing are of questionable value because they really only make a difference after the temperature rises/cools enough to slow thermal transfer. That can take many hours. Having it adjust the set-temperature while you go to the store isn't going to make a measurable difference. I've sometimes wondered if the energy-savings hype surrounding these thermostats is doing more harm than good. Installing a ...
by Dakotah
Wed Oct 05, 2022 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question
Replies: 52
Views: 4266

Re: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question

Honestly, a homeowner just getting a thermostat they can operate on their phone is probably a bigger utility saver then moving up a few SEER. The ability for me to just bump the thermostat up a degree or two on the fly outside my normal schedule is a game changer. I agree that changing the thermostat setting is helpful, but one has been able to do that for decades by just walking up to it and using a finger or two to change the setting, right? Our 1993 programmable thermostats certainly allow that override (both up and down). That's why I said "on the fly". If you can perfectly plan things out, it's a non-factor. But say you're unexpectedly out of the house for most of the day, being able to change it remotely makes a difference....
by Dakotah
Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ways to lower electricity costs?
Replies: 94
Views: 8404

Re: Ways to lower electricity costs?

When we moved into my house back in 2016, we found ourselves in a similar situation. Our first bills were ~2500kwh/mo...resulting in ~$300 bills in the fall. That first winter had multiple $500 bills. Our utility's "neighbor comparison" calculations showed that we were using 40-60% more than our average neighbor. It's been several years now, and a lot of DIY work and investments, but we're now using ~25% less than our average neighbor despite having added a plug-in hybrid vehicle to the house. Our average bill last year was 1350kwh and $170. I've done pretty much everything listed below...but I've tried to prioritize them a bit. YMMV, of course. Too easy, have-to-do-it item: -Replace all incandecent/CFL lights with LED. There's re...
by Dakotah
Wed Oct 05, 2022 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question
Replies: 52
Views: 4266

Re: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question

Honestly, a homeowner just getting a thermostat they can operate on their phone is probably a bigger utility saver then moving up a few SEER. The ability for me to just bump the thermostat up a degree or two on the fly outside my normal schedule is a game changer. I agree that changing the thermostat setting is helpful, but one has been able to do that for decades by just walking up to it and using a finger or two to change the setting, right? Our 1993 programmable thermostats certainly allow that override (both up and down). That's why I said "on the fly". If you can perfectly plan things out, it's a non-factor. But say you're unexpectedly out of the house for most of the day, being able to change it remotely makes a difference....
by Dakotah
Wed Oct 05, 2022 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question
Replies: 52
Views: 4266

Re: Calling all HVAC experts! SEER question

All things being equal, the cost of going from 14 to 16 SEER will probably never be recouped at that cost. There are almost certainly far more cost-efficient ways to use that extra $2700 to reduce your electricity consumption. Air sealing, additional insulation, hybrid water heater, etc...all of these things will provide much shorter pay-off periods for that level of investment. If the 14 SEER is a single-stage system and the 16 SEER unit is a 2-stage system, however, I would consider the upgrade. A 2-stage system provides a significant comfort-level improvement. Is this going to be your first experience with a heat pump? If so, I would strongly advise having your air sealing and insulation status assessed to ensure you can really benefit f...
by Dakotah
Tue Aug 23, 2022 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ecobee
Replies: 20
Views: 1745

Re: Ecobee

I've had an Ecobee3 for almost 6 years now. What features each user gets the most benefit from will certainly vary...but for me, the main benefit has been the remote sensors. My home has significant temperature variance across floors/rooms. Using the remote sensors, I'm able to use only those sensors where people are typically at during that time of day. At night, for example, the thermostat's temperature is calculated by only using the sensors in the bedrooms. During the day, it's primarily calculated by using the sensors in the living room/office/etc. This really helps to maintain comfort. I've gained quite a bit of energy efficiency as well. Using the Ecobee's data displays, I was able to determine that my Heat Pump's cross-over point wa...
by Dakotah
Mon Jul 25, 2022 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why is Google Voice a Safe Option for SMS codes?
Replies: 31
Views: 4257

Re: Why is Google Voice a Safe Option for SMS codes?

I think there's also another consideration besides intercepting SMS messages. I believe it's called a number-porting scam or something like that. Essentially, if you give out your cell phone number, a malicious person can call your cell phone company, pretend to be you, say you lost your phone, and ask to port your number to a new phone, thereby allowing them to receive all of your account recovery messages. A few years ago, this scam got a lot of media attention because people were so used to giving out their phone number assuming it was public information. People would give it out to strangers on Craigslist, outside of clubs, etc., and suddenly lose access to their phone number overnight. I believe the situation has improved since then w...
by Dakotah
Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Issue: Upstairs is significantly warmer. Will a 2-stage A/C make this worse?
Replies: 65
Views: 6926

Re: HVAC Issue: Upstairs is significantly warmer. Will a 2-stage A/C make this worse?

I had/have a very similar situation as you do. When we first moved into our house, it was as much as a 10 degrees warmer upstairs than downstairs. The problem was worse in the summer than the winter. With all of our bedrooms being upstairs, sleeping in the summer was an issue. Even reducing the set temperature on the thermostat didn't really fix the issue...since the thermostat was downstairs where there was better HVAC flow, it would reach the set temperature much more quickly than the upstairs bedrooms. Adding insulation in the attic certainly helped. It was under-insulated previously...and added insulation reduced the heat build-up upstairs. What really helped our comfort was installing an Ecobee3 thermostat with remote sensors. This ena...
by Dakotah
Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a VPN?
Replies: 82
Views: 7728

Re: Do you use a VPN?

It depends on your reason for using one. If you're hoping to increase your security/privacy while surfing and doing your day-to-day internet activities...the benefit is questionable at best. You are simply exchanging one current threat (your ISP/threats on your network) for a different threat (your VPN provider). The ubiquitous nature of HTTPS nowadays makes VPN usage even less necessary than in years past. If you are hoping to bypass geographic restrictions in order to access a service/website...it may be of use, or it may not...it just depends on how diligent the target service is at blocking known VPN endpoints. The primary usage for VPN nowadays is to remotely and securely access a private network. Your employers network or resources on...
by Dakotah
Fri Jun 17, 2022 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cash Back/Points Credit Card
Replies: 15
Views: 2166

Re: Cash Back/Points Credit Card

There are lots of cards out there that would get you more points...but the problem, of course, is how you value those points. The Hilton Honors Amex card pays a minimum of 3x Hilton Points...but each Hilton point isn't worth as much as most other points. The Amex Blue Business Plus is worth a look if you want transferable points...it pays 2x Amex Points on everything with no annual fee.
by Dakotah
Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend PHEV or EV Commuter
Replies: 49
Views: 5112

Re: Recommend PHEV or EV Commuter

I've never found the answer to this---what about the gas that sits in a PHEV? I'll be driving short distances, like the OP, so won't the gas have gone bad by the time it is used? Do people add STA-BIL to every tank, and if so is that enough? I've read that non-ethanol gas is best for long life, but that simply isn't available in my area. It usually works fine upto 6 months or even an year. Both clarity and volt have fuel burn mode once it detects we went beyond few months of usage with out using gas engine. It burns gas for few miles and stops(also help with heating and moves the oil). In Honda clarity, the tank is also vacuumed as soon as car detects fuel was added. This increases gas life further. I do use Stabil 360...but it's probably ...
by Dakotah
Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend PHEV or EV Commuter
Replies: 49
Views: 5112

Re: Recommend PHEV or EV Commuter

To me, PHEV are an obsolete product with a fatal flaw- both and engine and a motor. The benefit of an electric motor is lack of maintenance, so why have an engine that needs oil changes, tunes, etc. If you want an internal combustion engine, the Prius is hard to beat. For a battery powered vehicle, your ideas of a BMW i3 or Leaf for $25k are fine if you can find one. I have a 2020 Leaf SV and previously owned a 2013 Leaf, the battery degradation is overstated with the exception of some early Leafs in very hot climates. Nissan replaced the batteries for those with legitimate claims. $25k probably gets you a 2020 or 2019 Leaf or maybe a 2018 i3. As you are aware used prices are up now. If you enjoy being a little nerdy, there is an app calle...
by Dakotah
Fri May 27, 2022 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help us select a car to buy...
Replies: 35
Views: 4522

Re: Help us select a car to buy...

I have a Rav4 Prime, and it would fit your needs. They are extremely difficult to acquire right now with everyone trying to get one before the tax-credit expires.

Although I think that a Prius Prime may be a better fit for you. It has *zero* cool-factor, but is incredibly efficient and may be easier to acquire. The interior room may surprise you.
by Dakotah
Thu Apr 07, 2022 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Locked out of Gmail acct but did not violate TOS that I can tell
Replies: 13
Views: 2684

Re: Locked out of Gmail acct but did not violate TOS that I can tell

Due to their potential ephemeral nature, Google Voice numbers are often used in Scam/Spam operations. What you did would seem unusual, and I highly suspect that something about the process you conducted is similar to what Google typically sees when these Google Voice numbers are used for Scams...thus probably triggering an automated disablement. You should request a review as mentioned in the notification you received.
by Dakotah
Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it crazy to buy a car right now if I don't *need* to?
Replies: 36
Views: 4448

Re: Is it crazy to buy a car right now if I don't *need* to?

Rav4 Prime owner here (XSE w/Premium Package). I love it so far. I'm averaging almost 150mpg over the past 9 months. Early indications are that Toyota hit the 200k-sales threshold in the quarter that just ended. I believe that means that the phase-out of the credit for Toyota vehicles will begin on 1 July. Primes have been difficult to acquire since they were released. I spent almost 8 months on a waitlist before I got mine. The bottom line is that it's going to be difficult to find one...especially if you are particular as to what package/color you receive. As is the case with many vehicles right now, "Market adjustments" are rampant. Most often ~$5k mark-up over MSRP, but some >$10k. With the tax-credit phasing out, I would anti...
by Dakotah
Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to retire?
Replies: 168
Views: 24278

Re: Where to retire?

A few that come to mind for me:

Tucson, AZ
St George, UT
Boise, ID
by Dakotah
Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I install 5.1 or something more complex (7.1, 7.2.4) for my home theater?
Replies: 22
Views: 2334

Re: Should I install 5.1 or something more complex (7.1, 7.2.4) for my home theater?

As I mentioned in the other thread, I'd recommend overhead speakers for the spatial audio formats (Atmos, DTS-X). The costs really begin to ramp-up when you go beyond the 7-channel receivers, which is why I typically recommend a 5.1.2 or 5.2.2 system. My set-up is 5.2.2. I previously had it set up as a 7.2 system, but the additional surround channels really aren't particularly noticeable in my experience. Adding the third dimension with overhead speakers is far more noticeable and enveloping when combined with supporting media...which brings up another point I'd like to make: your home theater experience is only going to be as good as the media source that is being played on it. If you are strictly going to be streaming things from online.....
by Dakotah
Fri Jan 28, 2022 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I accept this proposal for installing a home theater?
Replies: 21
Views: 2035

Re: Should I accept this proposal for installing a home theater?

I'm not sure on the price...but it sounds reasonable.

The one thing that jumped out at me, however, is the "5 speaker jacks". With spatial formats (Atmos and DTS-X) becoming common-place now, a 7-speaker arrangement (with 2 being in the ceiling) is kind of the home-theater baseline right now.
by Dakotah
Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help Needed: Website Server Capacity Options
Replies: 6
Views: 1051

Re: Help Needed: Website Server Capacity Options

I'm sure other services can do similar...but AWS can certainly help in your scenario. Auto-scaling can help you minimize the cost while also scaling out when the need arises. Are your "spikes" predictable? If so, that will make it easier to ensure enough instances are available to meet demand ahead of time.
by Dakotah
Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are 4 days and nights enough to explore Oahu, Hawaii?
Replies: 42
Views: 4926

Re: Are 4 days and nights enough to explore Oahu, Hawaii?

I actually just returned this morning from a trip to Oahu. We spent 7 days there, which I think was about the right amount of time. We stayed in the Hale Koa on Waikiki Beach...which was fantastic (note: Hale Koa is a military resort). A few things we did, with notes... 1. Diamond Head was really nice. As someone else mentioned...do that hike in the early morning. Ideally, you want to be there at 6am when the gates open and start your climb immediately. That way you'll be able to use one of the limited number of parking spaces inside the crater. It'll also be cooler temperature-wise...and you won't be sharing the pathway with people who are already coming back down. 2. Pearl Harbor tour. This was my second time in Oahu (my family's first, h...
by Dakotah
Sat Oct 30, 2021 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Post military planning: Best US city…in 5-10 years?
Replies: 36
Views: 5491

Re: Post military planning: Best US city…in 5-10 years?

34 years AD Navy for me. Retired in 2015. Work in defense now. Some recs - Work with good rep for your VA disability rating. You should be much higher than 30%. - Update your clearance before you get out if you can. Much more painful on the other side. - BD is challenging and not a long-term solution as a job. Good place to start if nothing else avail but then look to get over to the program side if possible. More upward mobility there. - Lots of companies are letting people work from home now, so do not confine your search to just local. - My state offers free tuition to veteran kids - a good deal. Do some research on what your state offers. States vary widely in what they tax, etc. Take all that into consideration when looking at compens...
by Dakotah
Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1081803

Re: Share your net worth progression

I feel compelled to share...partially because my path is so unusual...and partially to hold myself accountable for the next few years. 2000: -$12,000 ("dropped" out of college and joined the military with car debt and student loans. Income ~$13k + benefits) 2001: -$10,000 (nibbling away at debts...and had my first "investing" experience with First Command, which bilked me for 50% of my first years' deposits. This bad experience really is what drove me to start learning about investing and personal finance) 2003: +$2000 (paid off car/loans prior to being stationed overseas. Truly living hand-to-mouth on $20k income + benefits) 2004: +$18,000 (Income ~$25k...First began investing in TSP and Roth IRA w/Vanguard) 2006: +$60...
by Dakotah
Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1081803

Re: Share your net worth progression

I feel compelled to share...partially because my path is so unusual...and partially to hold myself accountable for the next few years. 2000: -$12,000 ("dropped" out of college and joined the military with car debt and student loans. Income ~$13k + benefits) 2001: -$10,000 (nibbling away at debts...and had my first "investing" experience with First Command, which bilked me for 50% of my first years' deposits. This bad experience really is what drove me to start learning about investing and personal finance) 2003: +$2000 (paid off car/loans prior to being stationed overseas. Truly living hand-to-mouth on $20k income + benefits) 2004: +$18,000 (Income ~$25k...First began investing in TSP and Roth IRA w/Vanguard) 2006: +$60...
by Dakotah
Mon May 17, 2021 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roku - Last Ditch Effort
Replies: 23
Views: 3434

Re: Roku - Last Ditch Effort

A Roku with an ethernet port would be the easiest solution.

Regarding your current issue, though...I've seen similar issues caused by a router transmitting on non-US channels. The 2.4 Wifi standard technically has 14 channels, but here in the US we only use channels 1-11. If a router is transmitting on channels 12-14, some US-built devices may not see it because they may only bother to look at channels 1-11.

I'd recommend downloading a WiFi analyzer app on your phone. Use that to see what channel the router is operating on.
by Dakotah
Sat May 15, 2021 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?
Replies: 25
Views: 2816

Re: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?

I'm really skeptical on the value proposition of ceramic coatings for most people. They are expensive and/or labor-intensive upfront...and more expensive/labor-intensive to maintain. Are they more durable and long-lasting than other alternatives? Yes...they absolutely are. In order to maximize that durability, however, you are encouraged to "top" them with another product...which is more money...and more time. Often times, those "topper" products end up masking the hydrophobics and gloss of that ceramic coating that you are trying to protect in the first place! You then should use ph-neutral and special-formulated soaps to clean your ceramic coatings. These soaps simply aren't as effective at cleaning as some of the chea...
by Dakotah
Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ski Resort Recommendations for the first-timers? (emphasis on resort)
Replies: 82
Views: 7435

Re: Ski Resort Recommendations for the first-timers? (emphasis on resort)

About us: 43M (me), 43F (wife), 12F (daughter) ...... My wife and I both have degenerative joint conditions that will probably limit our ability to ski a lot...but I want to ensure that we experience it while we are physically able to do so. I really don't mean for this to sound snarky but you may have missed the opportunity to have a good skiing experience. If I was in your situation I would consider something like a snorkeling or scuba diving trip instead if you want to take a big trip that involves a new activity. That's not snarky at all...I appreciate the input. I agree that we may very well get out on the slopes and realize that it's a bit much for us. That scenario is exactly why I want to go somewhere that offers plenty of alternat...
by Dakotah
Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ski Resort Recommendations for the first-timers? (emphasis on resort)
Replies: 82
Views: 7435

Ski Resort Recommendations for the first-timers? (emphasis on resort)

Hey All, I'm hoping to take my family on our first "ski vacation" in early 2023. I've seen several recommendations for beginners as far as the skiing aspect of it (ex: Sun Valley, Buttermilk, Beaver Creek)...but considering my (and my wife's) physical limitations, I want to make sure we go to an area where there are other things to do in case we are unable to ski every day. I guess I'm looking for more of a "Resort w/Skiing opportunities" experience rather than a pure skiing experience. What would y'all recommend? About us: 43M (me), 43F (wife), 12F (daughter) Experience: Wife and I last skied 20+ years ago...and we were beginners at that time. So, we're all essentially first-timers. My wife and I both have degenerative ...
by Dakotah
Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Thermostat: Fan-only every X minutes
Replies: 6
Views: 720

Re: HVAC Thermostat: Fan-only every X minutes

Depending on the quality and sealing of your ductwork, humidity can become an issue. Leaks in the ducts can intake air from the basement/attic or outdoors...and without the cold coil to pull that humidity out as the air passes through, the humidity of the living spaces can increase.
by Dakotah
Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New grill: gas vs. pellet
Replies: 50
Views: 5728

Re: New grill: gas vs. pellet

I've had a Traeger Pellet grill for about a year now. I like it a lot. It does have downsides though. It requires more routine cleaning than a gas grill, and it's more expensive to run...but man, I sure do love taking in the smoke aroma when it is running. The food is great, and experimenting with different pellets "flavors" can really add a new twist to your food.
by Dakotah
Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military home buying opportunity in Portugal
Replies: 13
Views: 2079

Re: Military home buying opportunity in Portugal

When I PCS'd from Ft Bragg up to the beltway, we had a hard time selling our house and ended up having to rent it for a few years. The renters were fine...but it was still a major pain the the backside and a source of financial risk. Being a long-distance landlord is no walk in the park and that was only a 6 hour drive away for us. Owning an overseas rental? With the tax/law concerns? I wouldn't even consider it...
by Dakotah
Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Combination of Travel Cards?
Replies: 87
Views: 7778

Re: Best Combination of Travel Cards?

I just finished acquiring the Amex "Trifecta" (Platinum/Gold/Blue Business Plus). I expect I should be able to generate ~150k in points per year with my typical spend. I intend to pile-up Amex points for aspiration overseas travel that I wouldn't pay cash for. I'm hoping to fly my family of 3 to Paris business-class in 2022-2023, for example. My closest airport is a major Southwest hub...so I intend to get one of their cards, too. Seems as though the annual fee is easily covered by the travel credit, anniversary points, and free upgraded boardings. I don't know if I'll ever make it to the companion pass, though. I'm also interested in the Hilton Diamond Status and the annual free weekend-night that comes with the Amex Hilton Aspir...
by Dakotah
Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard security codes via Google Voice
Replies: 80
Views: 9353

Re: Vanguard security codes via Google Voice

I've been having several issues with receiving SMS messages via Google Voice the last couple of weeks...particularly when using it through Hangouts. I've found that texts are not reliably being forwarded from GV to Hangouts. If you think you are not receiving texts because it's not showing in Hangouts...you may want to go directly to your GV app. I had several texts in there that I didn't realize that I had received.

I thought I had the issue fixed...but then the issues returned after a phone reset. I suspect that some of the settings are returning to default after the reset, but haven't been able to isolate it just yet.