Live data from Hacker News

The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

thebroadcastbridge.com

61–70 of 156 posts

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#61
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is wild. It's perfectly logical what they're doing but I'm used to seeing this kinda thing after the trademark has lapsed (Kleenex, Xerox, etc). But to see a company release a pretty funny youtube video begging you to say their name less, well, it's just a weird thing to see.

I don't think trademarks can lapse in the US and many other countries (copyright can; which is a huge debate in an of itself: see Disney). I actually use "tissue" and "copy", but those kinda make sense. Personally I hate it when people keep saying "I Googled..." because it reminds me of this bullshit search engine monoculture we have right now (I try to use DuckDuckGo more, but I miss the days of Yahoo, Lycos, Hotbot…

I don't think trademarks can lapse

I think the original poster meant "genericized" instead of "lapsed". But Velcro is clearly already genericized, as you note.

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#62
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is it a negative consequence that the replacement requires no skill? Turning on a light switch requires far less skill than trimming wicks for oil lamps, but I'd consider that a feature not a bug.

Creating a wiring loom is a skilled task. If you keep those same skilled workers and make part of the job easier that's probably a good thing. What sometimes happens is that a PHB will see the switch away from lacing and to cable ties and think that the rest of the job is now lower skilled, and they put lower skilled workers on that job. This is bad, because wiring looms are tedious to inspect and test, and we now ne…

Panduit has an even nicer, more ergonomic one- I use a Panduit GTS at work, and I love it.

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#64
Speaking as an automotive engine mechanic, sometimes we use lacing in long-haul tractor trailers.

Wiring for sensor modules along the air-slide fifth wheel, near the attic, or especially around the air brake dryer are always laced. The reason for this is zip ties will quickly fail after freeze-thaw cycles. professional drivers in wisconsin or Minnesota cannot get stuck due to an electrical failure on the side of a remote road, as it can prove fatal.

The same goes for heat. sensors near the differential or aux transmission MUST be laced. Climates like Arizona and Texas can cause zip ties to bite into soft wire insulation or vice versa, causing the harness failures.

Then theres manufacturer recommendations. Zip tie plastic can contain additives that bugs or rodents find quite delicious, which cause nesting issues and failures. kevlar twine or lacing cord can be dipped in bitrex or other chemicals to prevent this.

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#65
post #63

I use pipe cleaners as my cable ties. Color coded, soft and flexible, strong, easy to remove, doesn't hurt your fingers. Here's[0] the last one I did, reddit's last datacenter before we moved to EC2. [0] https://i.imgur.com/DlaX4.png

Very cool. I love the color-coding idea. Speaking of alternative materials, the article notes "traditionally made of waxed linen", so I wonder how dental floss would work for small home projects (like under my home-workstation desk).

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think trademarks can lapse in the US and many other countries (copyright can; which is a huge debate in an of itself: see Disney). I actually use "tissue" and "copy", but those kinda make sense. Personally I hate it when people keep saying "I Googled..." because it reminds me of this bullshit search engine monoculture we have right now (I try to use DuckDuckGo more, but I miss the days of Yahoo, Lycos, Hotbot…

I don't think trademarks can lapse I think the original poster meant "genericized" instead of "lapsed". But Velcro is clearly already genericized, as you note.

No, "velcro" is genericized. The capitalized word "Velcro" is still a trademark.

As such, you can buy "Velcro [BVBA] velcro", or you can call 3M's hook-and-loop fasteners "3M velcro". 3M, naturally, avoids using the term "velcro" in its packaging and marketing, and would never use "Velcro", because even though they could, because the term is genericized, it would still be free advertising for a competitor.

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#67
post #63

I use pipe cleaners as my cable ties. Color coded, soft and flexible, strong, easy to remove, doesn't hurt your fingers. Here's[0] the last one I did, reddit's last datacenter before we moved to EC2. [0] https://i.imgur.com/DlaX4.png

A telephone technician that I worked with warned me against using these, saying that they are "lightning magnets." I don't know if this is true or not, would love to hear from someone else.

Re: The Lost Art of Lacing Cable (2018)

#69
post #64

Speaking as an automotive engine mechanic, sometimes we use lacing in long-haul tractor trailers. Wiring for sensor modules along the air-slide fifth wheel, near the attic, or especially around the air brake dryer are always laced. The reason for this is zip ties will quickly fail after freeze-thaw cycles. professional drivers in wisconsin or Minnesota cannot get stuck due to an electrical failure on the side of a re…

I had a rodent problem in my garage where rats and mice ate through wiring in my motorcycle and garage door wires. When I had them repaired after eradicating the problem, both my motorcycle mechanic and garage door repairman said that ya the wires they are making in china are made with something especially tasty for rodents.
Post reply on HN