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Activity for Olin Lathropâ€
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Answer | — |
A: Light fixture uses dimmable LEDs and a dimmer switch, but flickers -- how can I fix this? The first thing I would try is to replace the dimmer. New dimmers work differently than old dimmers, at least the right kind of new dimmer. Old dimmers worked by turning on their output for part of each power line cycle. A power line cycle is a sine wave, and these dimmers kept the output at 0 a... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289360 |
I still think the question should be fixed to explain OSB. You've explained it to me, but not to everyone else that sees the question. By the way, the obvious answer is plywood. That's what we used to use before OSB was available. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289372 |
But that's not how people will see it. It comes across as a bit arrogant and elitist.
Beside, if they knew what was meant by and abbreviation, maybe the post would be for them. For example, just because someone doesn't know the abbreviation OSB doesn't mean they don't know what the stuff is or t... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289372 |
Occasionally a new user might feel miffed when asked to define abbreviations. However, that has to be weighed against the many more that read such questions and feel alienated by what appears as elitism and *"If you don't know that, you don't belong here"* attitude. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Edit | Post #289375 |
Post edited: |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Edit | Post #289375 | Initial revision | — | over 1 year ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Home Improvement: Is it necessary to expand acronyms like OSB? Some amount of jargon specific to the site domain is expected and necessary. However, "home improvement" is very broad and not a specialized niche. You don't go to college to get a degree in Home Improvement. People tend to overestimate how universal an acronym is that they happen to be familiar... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289360 |
Maybe I could answer it if I knew what OSB meant. But the broader point is that undefined abbreviations don't belong here unless they are very very common and universal. Specialized jargon is OK on specialized sites. However, "home improvement" is a broad category, and this site is international. ... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289357 |
"OSB" is undefined. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289359 |
"OSB" is undefined. That really should have been obvious. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #289360 |
I have no idea what "OSB" is supposed to mean. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Edit | Post #289102 | Initial revision | — | over 1 year ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Should I buy down my mortgage rate? Do the math! Calculate the present value of each loan. Add the buy down amount to the cost of the loan with the lower interest rate. Whichever is lower wins. That said, there are some additional considerations beyond the simple question you asked: Can you afford the larger up-front payment... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #288865 |
It would be useful to start a new question, then write separate answers for each of your points. That way they can be voted on separately. I agree with some of your points, am on the fence about some, and disagree about others. An upvote to this answer means to me that I agree with everything, so ... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #288881 |
That's a bad tactic. While Outdoors is desperate for traffic and would probably not close such questions, it's not really a good fit. Questions about sprinkler systems, for example, would make sense on DIY/Home Improvement, but certainly not on Outdoors. Just being inside the house isn't a good cr... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Comment | Post #288881 |
@Monica: I don't think we have a site currently where pure gardening questions fit. It's a bit of a stretch for Outdoors. Such questions seem to be tolerated there because the site is desperate for traffic. You really want a separate gardening site. (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Edit | Post #288898 | Initial revision | — | over 1 year ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Home Improvement versus a more general "home stuff" community? "Home Improvement" isn't the most descriptive name, but it is something many people will be familiar with. This site should be about the structure and systems of a residential building. That includes how these things work, details of repairing and maintaining them, and adding/removing/modifying t... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
| Edit | Post #288875 | Initial revision | — | over 1 year ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Electrical switches: Does it matter which wire it's on? Most everyday electrical wiring has two wires Well, no. Nowadays you usually get hot, neutral (or "return"), and ground. At least here in North America where houses get power from the secondary of a center-tapped 240 V transformer. usually one white and one black/red That depends on jurisd... (more) |
— | over 1 year ago |
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