I use candles in the evening to get more pleasant, soothing light in my apartment. Much better for the mood than LEDs. Does Aeropress still count?
Candles are a no go in our house after a fire that almost claimed a life, started by a candle.
Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
121–130 of 171 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#122I got a mechanical automatic watch with a day and date window (Seiko 5, affordable and well featured). It was a direct result of a few days with a soft bricked phone due to Lineage OS issues, I realized the thing I missed the most was knowing the time and everything else was replaceable (texting too due to Google voice).
Also I've found a wall mounted white board with colored markers to be quite helpful for personal organization and brainstorming. It's also great for leaving messages and pictionary.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#123I recently got my first multitool and it has sort of changed something fundamental about how I view the world to have a small, basic toolkit in the bottom of my bag at all times. I live a life where cycling everywhere is very feasible. My bike is cheap, I get exercise. I made a sunscreen for my laptop out of illustration board, drafting tape, and some magnets. When the weather's nice (and I live somewhere where it's…
Is sticking magnets close to your laptop screen a good idea?
Otherwise, nice. I am still waiting for the eink screen laptop that works in daylight.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#124I got one of those old-school double edge razors. Blades are essentially free (bought a 100 pack 5 years ago for 15$, and half of them are still there), and it doesn't terribly clog like a cartridge would even if you have a longer beard.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#125At night, I plug my phone in across the room from my bed, turn it on airplane mode, then power it down. It's a wonderful moment that marks a healthy "disconnection" from the outside world, allowing me to have some quiet time with myself (or my partner). Airplane mode ensures sure I'm not flooded with notifications first thing upon turning on my phone in the morning. Even if I need to use an app in the morning, I can…
I do the same, but I just turn WiFi and mobile data off. Nobody calls me anyway, especially not in the middle of the night, so it's still available for emergencies. Also I still use the phones alarm clock, that ensures that I really have to get out of bed to turn it off.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#126When my Apple Watch battery broke I bought, with the little money I received from selling it for spare parts, a cheap CASIO G-Shock. This low-tech CASIO does all I needed from my smart watch: shows time and date and gives me a timer for cooking. I never have to charge it or take it off and I can even shower with it. Added advantage is that it doesn't constantly radiate on the WiFi / Bluetooth spectrum.
I still don't understand what drove me to buying an Apple Watch years ago, I had to force myself to wear it, and it only brought more distractions. I ended up muting all notifications, so eventually it was just a dumb piece of tech on my wrist, especially since it only showed me the time when I twisted my arm (which didn't work like 25% of the time). I was told it would improve my health, but I never felt the effect.…
I've been noticing the same thing. I mute all notifications since it was too distracting.
I do really like having it to track runs, but I'm considering purchasing a dumb watch for everything else.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#127I recently got my first multitool and it has sort of changed something fundamental about how I view the world to have a small, basic toolkit in the bottom of my bag at all times. I live a life where cycling everywhere is very feasible. My bike is cheap, I get exercise. I made a sunscreen for my laptop out of illustration board, drafting tape, and some magnets. When the weather's nice (and I live somewhere where it's…
"sitting quietly in one place for a while". One of the hard thing to do in today's times. I am also planning to do same every morning :)
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#1281. A powered height-adjustable table. Now when I work I stand more often, and sit less. It has a 4 position memory, which makes changing the height as simple as a button push, so I switch between standing and sitting as frequently as I wish.
2. An oven with electric grill and a timer. It makes cooking healthy whole food so easy. Just throw it in, set the timer, pull it out, and eat. I use the oven to cook chicken, fish, beets, carrots, potatoes, sweet pepper, zucchinis, and eggplants. It's low-effort, requires little time, and tastes great. The timer is important for someone whose work requires a lot of focus concentration. The louder, the better :)
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#1291. A powered height-adjustable table. Now when I work I stand more often, and sit less. It has a 4 position memory, which makes changing the height as simple as a button push, so I switch between standing and sitting as frequently as I wish. 2. An oven with electric grill and a timer. It makes cooking healthy whole food so easy. Just throw it in, set the timer, pull it out, and eat. I use the oven to cook chicken, fi…
So many ovens come with timers that just beep - yet they keep on cooking.
Who on earth thought that was a good plan? If I wanted a timer, I'd have used my phone.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#130buy albums on cd/lp/cassette/mp3.