A Danish dough whisk for mixing bread dough. It might not be an actual improvement but at least I feel better, baking bread every week, not having to rely on an electrical mixer.
Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
91–100 of 171 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#92Ever since graduating and getting my own place, I love my dishwasher and laundry machine. I love setting the delay for the dishes to wash at night, and I wake up to clean dishes! It really is robots doing something useful for us There’s some story where they ask 2 very old ladies (100+) what there favorite inventions were of their lifetime, and they both answer laundry and dishwasher, because it saves them so much ti…
I didn't appreciate how big of a deal washing machines were until mine broke down and I had to do all my laundry in the bathtub for a couple of weeks waiting for a replacement. Hand-washing is a lot more of a workout than you'd expect, and getting things dry without a spin-cycle afterwards is a pain too.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
FWIW, I got a decent fountain pen at Daiso for $5. (Shout out for Uni-Ball Deluxe!)
Does it have a refillable reservoir? If so, that's a great bargain if you like the way it writes! Part of what spurred me to try this experiment is the feeling that the quality of the Uni-Ball lineup has been dropping, including the Deluxe. I still have some 10+ year old Uni-Balls (matte black plastic, not sure the real model name) that are better writers than recently purchased Deluxe modules. A true shame :(
> Does it have a refillable reservoir?
No, plastic cartridges, but you can get a refillable cartridge.
I was worried it would be crap, because who makes a good fountain pen for $5, right? But no, it's sturdy and serviceable. You wouldn't write wedding invitations with it, but for day to day handwriting it's fine. (Daiso is a Japanese "dollar store", and everything in there is about $1.50, so $5 is high-end there, eh?)
I know what you mean about Uni-Ball's quality. I had some of the old black ones from my dad (it was his favorite pen as well) and it does feel like the new silver ones aren't quite the same, eh?
https://uniballco.com/uni-products/deluxe/
It might be something as simple and subtle as weight of the plastic.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#94I hiked across the Alps, alone, on foot and camping in the wild for 3 months. I had no phone with me (no GPS) and just paper maps, and a pen to keep notes on paper. It was the best time I ever had my whole life. I thought I might get lonely but being in the flow of walking every day actually created some kind of an internal dialogue in my head which never made me feel lonely. I met others who were on a similar trail…
I did a 10 day trek in Patagonia last year. Best experience of my life. I totally agree. Not having any any tech with me, allowed me to live in the moment. I remember every part vividly, and have some of the best memories spending time with others on the trail, cooking breakfast, setting up and tearing down camp, and enduring crazy weather. Just simple things that we take for granted everyday, just felt rewarding and…
Patagonia is one of my biggest dreams, I envy you!! :)
What you describe about making your day work, e.g. being forced to think about simple things like weather/food was also what took my mind off (and why I never got as bored as I thought I might).
There was some level of alertness in my head all the time (not really adrenaline because it was a much more peaceful feeling) ... something kept me focused even I had not much "to do". I remember every time I came across some cave in the rocks, or some hunters-lookout I took a mental note and checked my time so I would know how far back I'd have to walk back in case the weather turns. I have never done anything this useless that made me this happy. E.g. having a beer and a warm meal in a mountain lodge, or a hot shower after a week in the woods ... impossible to put into words!
Nature is the best really :)
There is a cheesy series on History channel called "Alone" where one season is about Patagonia. I think Patagonia is a lot more difficult than anywhere in the Alps or Western Europe. Check out that season of Alone, you might like it. :)
Also I too can't wait for spring to be here. Then I'll be off again.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#95Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#96When 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 own a not so low-tech Casio Wave Ceptor for more than a decade. It has a solar cell and adjusts itself via radio so I never had to do any maintenance since I own it. I actually fear the day when it breaks down.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have them grind it for me at the store. It's definitely improved my quality of life. I prefer drip to press, but my wife is the other way around, so I deal with it.
The problem with grinding them at the store is you vastly decrease the lifespan of the beans in terms of quality. Whole bean coffee, properly stored, can keep in the pantry for months. Once the coffee is ground, it starts losing its aromatic qualities within hours (even if you are storing it in an airtight, opaque container). It won't go stale or rancid that quickly, but there will be a noticeable drop in quality. So…
This mirrors my own experience. I was grinding a lot at home and storing it, but the next day it just felt flat. I'm one of those people that likes heavy aromatic Konas. Grinding for what you're making now is the way to go for sure.
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#98I 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?
Also maybe consider flameless candles, powered by 2xAA (rechargeable, even). They can turn on/off automatically! Just add candle holders. I suspect they use LEDs, 2xAA lasts maybe 2 months running 5hrs/day (on internal timer).
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
Same. The iPhone is slowly getting there. Latest updates make robo-calling less of a thing. Wish list: allow perm do not disturb, enable whitelisting for allowed callers, allow total removal of phone app.
> allow total removal of phone app Apple still produces the iPod touch, and it runs iOS 13!
iPod touch or like Android product that doesnt have a phone but still has access to mobile data would be killer. I know you could carry a hotspot with you but thats another device...
Re: Ask HN: What are some example of low tech improving your life?
#100I use a pencil to type on the keyboard.