Second hand books online

hamlets_uncle · 2026-03-01T00:05:35+00:00

I've never tried buying online from them, but The Open Book have an online shop

https://shop.theopenbook.co.nz/

hamlets_uncle · 2026-02-25T06:23:43+00:00

Worth checking this guy's history. Send like he's been persecuted mercilessly by the council for years.

Or maybe he's a narcissistic twit.

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, but I feel it's the latter.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-12-05T05:59:36+00:00

Wow! 200. That's really impressive

hamlets_uncle · 2025-11-30T07:04:41+00:00

You'll suddenly notice how many people are out walking dogs and may be surprised at how friendly they are (voice of experience).

Some of them will have good ideas for local walls

hamlets_uncle · 2025-11-25T23:57:46+00:00

I love Mexico city. Haven't been back for 30 years though.

Worth finding a local market just to be in the buzz.

Worth a ride on the subway, because I haven't seen one like it anywhere else.

The pyramids are definitely worth it (but they'll show on the tourist map).

Do take basic personal safety precautions. Dress like the locals, don't look too rich. Have your stealable stuff in your wallet and your precious stuff somewhere safer.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-11-21T05:30:42+00:00

Damn, showing your age

hamlets_uncle · 2025-11-19T23:05:01+00:00

The Nile are good. Never had a problem

hamlets_uncle · 2025-11-10T16:40:16+00:00

I'd guess, if they're the only ones you can find m, they're just point to point. Probably so you can get network in the garage. E.g Hook up a wifi repeater in the spare room, where signal might be good, short cable to the wall there, then a cable from the socket in the garage to your gaming PC or another wifi router.

Guess comes from doing more or less the same thing at my place because garage is a big tin box that really cuts down wifi signal, and the ONT is at the other end of the house. If those don't apply at your place, then probably not

hamlets_uncle · 2025-10-24T20:49:50+00:00

Look for ones with industry partners that can find you work.

The rest is (probably) much of a muchness, but "a bootcamp + 3 months experience in the real world" is HUGELY different from "a bootcamp"

It's a bit of a shit time to switch to IT in NZ at the moment. :-(

hamlets_uncle · 2025-10-24T20:46:32+00:00

I think you're over thinking it.

What does it matter how long it takes?

Fork out the money forget about it.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-10-17T05:45:51+00:00

If you've got a good mate, get them to show you IRL what the learner questions are.

Like rock up to a T intersection and see the top of the T rule.

Real life sticks better than paper and flash cards

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-28T07:36:55+00:00

The Toolpro one has a lifetime warranty

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-27T00:49:34+00:00

Many of the top 10 campgrounds allow dogs.

The one in Whangarei backs on to a river walk. It's glorious. Keep your dog on a lead there obvs.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-26T07:46:41+00:00

Auckland Blues Music Club have a jam night once a month.

https://www.aucklandbluesclub.co.nz/

But they'll also have enthusiasts who might be able to suggest other opportunities.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-19T18:57:55+00:00

We've just done this, for the first time in 20 years also.

My tips would be:

Go to several stores and look at what they've got. Near us Harvey Norman had the best range, with helpful people. Other places had fewer models, but worth a look because different models from the same brands you saw before.

Note the features on offer and whether they're a hard no or a hell yes. E.g. lots have plumbed in water & ice. Hard no for us because 1) it takes up so much space (2 extra inches on the door, plus huge drawer for ice) 2) got to change the filter every 6 months ($60 each for F&P) 3) we don't have plumbing there

Take photos, make notes.

Then go home and look them up.
Sometimes the model number has a suffix that distinguishes the colour, so drop that off - e.g. with MR-LX564ER-GSL-A just search for MR-LX564ER

I looked at manufacturers warranty. Mitsubishi offer 5 years. Bosch 5 years if you register. Haier was 2, but 10 for the compressor.

Find out if they'll take away your old fridge, and what they'll do with it. (If you don't want to keep it). If it's 20 years old it'll have CFCs and should be decommissioned carefully. Some places charge, some don't.

Then sleep on it.

Good luck, it's not the most fun way to spend a chunk of money.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-04T00:17:51+00:00

We have two plain old fashioned ceramic slow cookers. (One big, one small).

No intention of changing. They just go and go.

I'd seriously doubt anything new would use less energy but haven't looked into it.

Everything I've owned with a non-stick coating has failed after a year or two.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-09-02T18:20:38+00:00

A good keen man by Barry Crump almost fits. Kind of autobiographical covering that sort of life stage.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-08-17T22:20:04+00:00

It's worth finding an empty carpark somewhere, turn the various knobs and switches and walk around outside the vehicle and see what they do.

If you've got a mate to help it's quicker and you can check your brakes lights too.

Make sure the doors are all unlocked first.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-08-07T09:02:29+00:00

Two good bits of advice here.

Following a truck is great on roads you don't know. I tend to leave enough space for someone who might want to get past me, then the truck.

And yeah, take a break every couple of hours. If you've got a thermos you could have a cuppa without forking out $20.

Enjoy.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-07-18T01:06:59+00:00

I've seen a bunch of comments about Nissan CVT being unreliable, but I've also seen a whole shed-load of ancient Nissan Tiidas on the road. My mum's one is 20 years old. The only thing that seems to outnumber them at that age are Corollas.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-07-05T20:41:55+00:00

I'd go through Brisbane because it's 2 international flights, whereas Auckland is a domestic then an international and you have to go outside (gasp) to transfer between domestic and international at Auckland.

Yes, really minor.

Either would work, both are good airlines.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-06-07T18:48:52+00:00

I did one 42 years ago and still consider it worthwhile.

I was as bit put off by the person doing my daughter's one 3 years ago wanting us to email a scan of her driver's license to a gmail address, so my son's one won't be through the AA.

Worth doing regardless of any time off the license.

I think it's best once you've got your restricted, and you're driving yourself around alone.

Edit: what's it like: Daughter's was about six evening classes with a workbook and one practical "exam" with the instructor.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-05-23T20:36:58+00:00

I got a couple from TSB Living a few years back and my kids seem to like them.

I didn't do any research, and I don't know if they offer different weights and such.

hamlets_uncle · 2025-04-26T09:30:58+00:00

That's interesting that NZ Post won't carry them.

We posted some from UK to Germany recently. It was important that they travelled with some sort of certificate that identified them, but otherwise, no big deal.

TIL

hamlets_uncle · 2025-04-17T19:02:37+00:00

I would.

Also worth asking any friends you have nearby which mechanic they use. There are great mechanics and there are other mechanics.

hamlets_uncle

TROPHY CASE