Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
Whenever I have problems I never suspect the cables. Never.
Why should I? What is a fucking cable? It is copper or aluminum
strands soldered to a connector. What could be fucking simpler?
Metal strands don't break under ordinary use. Soldered connections
should never break either -- if done even remotely properly.
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
The problem disappeared.
Unbelievable! Why can't these fucking cable manufacturers produce
a simple cable that will last forever? Technically, it is a fucking
no brainer.
A check of Amazon (not that I would ever buy from them) reveals at
least 500 fucking pages of USB extension cables. 500 fucking pages!
So which one to buy? They're likely all made in the same Chinese
factory.
A simple wire will last forever. The same should be true for cables.
I make my own audio cables because I don't trust the Chinese junk.
My audio cables will last forever.
Unfortunately, I cannot make USB cables because the soldering is
too fine. Therefore I must rely on these global (mainly Chinese) manufacturers.
Which USB extension cables do you purchase?
On Jun 19, 2025 at 3:24:42 PM EDT, "Farley Flud" <[email protected]> wrote:
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
Maybe if you stopped ripping and yanking cables, they would last longer. I have MANY 40 year old audio cables that still work fine. I have 10 year old USB extension cables that still work fine.
I have a 90 year old E. H. Scott radio (that I have owned for 53 years) that has the original AC cord and plug.
When ARE you going to grow up?
If you *never* moved the the extension cable and lived in a [vacuum]
it would last forever.
On Jun 19, 2025 at 3:24:42 PM EDT, "Farley Flud" <[email protected]> wrote:
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
Maybe if you stopped ripping and yanking cables, they would last longer. I have MANY 40 year old audio cables that still work fine. I have 10 year old USB extension cables that still work fine.
I have a 90 year old E. H. Scott radio (that I have owned for 53 years) that has the original AC cord and plug.
When ARE you going to grow up?
when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my GNU/Linux machines
I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out and replace it with
another. But the problem recurred.
Metal fatigues. And in a damp and oxygen rich atmosphere (eg the atmosphere you are breathing right now) it oxidies [rusts] (unless it is solid gold or heavily gold plated). If you *never* moved the the extension cable and lived in a vacume it would last forever. Unfortunately, you probably moved you keyboard from time to time or otherwise moved the extension cable. And unless it was a truely gold or gold plated cable (in which case it would have more than $1k), it oxidied (rusted). (Yes, NASA does routine use gold plated cables
for space craft, which is why spacecraft cost millions and millions of dollars. And yes the electronics are in a vacume or in an inert gas "atmosphere".)
Whenever I have problems I never suspect the cables. Never.
Why should I? What is a fucking cable? It is copper or aluminum
strands soldered to a connector. What could be fucking simpler?
Metal strands don't break under ordinary use. Soldered connections
should never break either -- if done even remotely properly.
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
The problem disappeared.
Unbelievable! Why can't these fucking cable manufacturers produce
a simple cable that will last forever? Technically, it is a fucking
no brainer.
Alan wrote:
On 2025-06-19 14:02, Tyrone wrote:
On Jun 19, 2025 at 3:24:42 PM EDT, "Farley Flud" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
Maybe if you stopped ripping and yanking cables, they would last
longer. I
have MANY 40 year old audio cables that still work fine. I have 10
year old
USB extension cables that still work fine.
I have a 90 year old E. H. Scott radio (that I have owned for 53
years) that
has the original AC cord and plug.
When ARE you going to grow up?
I do tech support for a living, and consequently, I see a lot of other
people's tech; computers, peripherals, cables.
And so many of them are so badly treated.
I've got cables I've had for literally decades, and they're clean and
perfect.
you eat cheese sticks for a living and ,
you only leave that chair to piss or go to bed ,
and i'm not sure you leave it to piss
He just shouldn't buy the 2-star rated, cheapest,
stuff from Amazon.
Whenever I have problems I never suspect the cables. Never.
Why should I? What is a fucking cable? It is copper or aluminum
strands soldered to a connector. What could be fucking simpler?
Metal strands don't break under ordinary use. Soldered connections
should never break either -- if done even remotely properly.
Consequently, when my USB keyboard kept disconnecting on one of my
GNU/Linux machines I suspected only the keyboard. I ripped it out
and replace it with another. But the problem recurred.
So I yanked out the USB extension cable and plugged the keyboard
directly, i.e. with no extension.
The problem disappeared.
<snip>
Unfortunately, I cannot make USB cables because the soldering is
too fine. Therefore I must rely on these global (mainly Chinese) manufacturers.
Which USB extension cables do you purchase?
A cable is a copper or aluminum stranded wire that is soldered to
a connector at each end.
On 20/06/2025 12:25, Farley Flud wrote:
A cable is a copper or aluminum stranded wire that is soldered to
a connector at each end.
No. It isn't. I cannot recall ANY commercial cables that are *soldered*.
Nor any that would be so stupid as to use aluminium
It's tinplated copper and its crimped or IDC.
No. It isn't. I cannot recall ANY commercial cables that are *soldered*.
Nor any that would be so stupid as to use aluminium
It's tinplated copper and its crimped or IDC.
My mini-PC's cables had grown into a rat's nest. So I unplugged
everything, got rid of a few data and power cables, rerouted them,
and then...
... no network.
Buying "Amazon" brand ?
On Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:13:25 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
No. It isn't. I cannot recall ANY commercial cables that are *soldered*.
Nor any that would be so stupid as to use aluminium
It's tinplated copper and its crimped or IDC.
Copper is expensive. That's why most cables in power supplies are
aluminum. Just strip the insulation on one and find out.
Regarding data cables I wouldn't think that there would be any
difference between copper and aluminum for handling digital
signals. Manufacturers are controlled by bean counters who
will always go the cheapest route.
Regarding crimped/IDC connections I would say that is the likeliest
source of failure.
Copper is expensive. That's why most cables in power supplies are
aluminum. Just strip the insulation on one and find out.
Buying "Amazon" brand ?
Look, 'cheap' DOES have a price. Nothing new.
Cables - mostly the connectors - can and DO go wrong.
There are makers with better reps. Read the reviews,
insist on 4+ stars. Even a 20% higher price can buy
you a LOT more reliability.
Never seen one yet.
But there is a reason why aluminium is avoided at all costs
Farley Flud wrote:
Copper is expensive. That's why most cables in power supplies are
aluminum. Just strip the insulation on one and find out.
Nonsense.
On Sat, 21 Jun 2025 01:04:34 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Never seen one yet.
You haven't stripped enough cables.
Odd that your chosen reference makes no mention of the thing you claim, huh?
But there is a reason why aluminium is avoided at all costs
Did you ever hear of Copper Coated Aluminum?
Many consumer "budget" cables use this material. As I said,
the bean counters always trump the engineers.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-clad_aluminium_wire>
Odd that your chosen reference makes no mention of the thing you claim, huh?
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-clad_aluminium_wire>
On Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:22:31 -0700, Alan wrote:I will simply note that you've now carefully snipped the claim you made.
Odd that your chosen reference makes no mention of the thing you claim, huh? >>
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-clad_aluminium_wire>
My reference is a wire stripper that should be available at the
local hardware store.
On 2025-06-23 14:42, Farley Flud wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:22:31 -0700, Alan wrote:
Odd that your chosen reference makes no mention of the thing you
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-clad_aluminium_wire>
claim, huh?
My reference is a wire stripper that should be available at the
local hardware store.
I will simply note that you've now carefully snipped the claim you made.
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