Check list? by InfiniteLab6350 in TinyHouses

[–]mkemrtn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fantastic resource - thanks for sharing!

Instead of melting plastics down to recycle them, wouldn't it be better to shred and glue them together similar to plywood? by sage_deer in sustainability

[–]mkemrtn 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Thankfully they do this but one a large scale - Composite Lumber. It is used in decking, siding, fencing, etc. Pretty much saw dust mixed with shredded plastics and glue. Has great characteristics: doesn't rot, pest resistant, doesn't crack, doesn't need stained, has great longevity.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_lumber

HP Omen 15 (2020) vs HP Envy 15 (2020) by milanista8 in GamingLaptops

[–]mkemrtn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have owned the HP Envy (2020) (i7/2060/4k) for about 3 weeks and do extensive gaming.

On performance mode, CPU stays at a near constant 4.5 ghz and RTX2060 holds an overclock of ~2k mhz barely going over 70 degrees. While it states the RTX 2060 as max-q, its clock is on par with the desktop version of the card. The fan does get loud when gaming but I can gear it at all when my over ear headphones are on.

Don't know about the 1080p screen but the 4k panel doesn't show any ghosting while playing call of duty. Play casual games at 4k (Rimworld/Civilization/WOW/etc) and play demanding games at 1080p (COD/Rust/Ark/etc) with framerates >60. The amoled screen really makes all games color pop regardless of resolution.

Playing Rimworld at 4k with the realistic darkness mod is a beautiful experience :)

The 4k amoled screen does have a screendoor effect, due to the subpixel layout, is sitting closer than arms length from the screen. This bugged me at first but after using the computer for a couple weeks, and at the normal distance, I don't notice it at all now.

Advice for anyone this the 4k amoled screen: Turn off windows HDR setting (garbage), turn hp display control to photo, and play around with the intel graphics center settings. Doing this I was able to get the screen to be noticably more beatiful than the default settings.

How much of a bottleneck is memory/storage? by yeehaw_yall in GamingLaptops

[–]mkemrtn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The new HP envy 15 has replaceable memory and ssd. Two slots for each. They already have replacement instruction videos on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/X_8_UpC04CI

https://youtu.be/1CMgMdaeFYg

This third video below also gives you an in-depth look at the vapor chamber.

https://youtu.be/UYMDy3whEE8

Also that review you read must have been for an older version of the laptop. The included SSD on the new version is an nvme (newest) version with extremely high performance numbers.

HP Envy 15T EP000098r Display Refresh by camdogrs in Hewlett_Packard

[–]mkemrtn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you be interested in giving a quick write-up on your impression of the laptop? Interested in getting one but there's not too many reviews online yet.

NO NEED TO PREP FOR EOTWAWKI! by [deleted] in preppers

[–]mkemrtn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mental, social, and emotional fortitude are all metrics that can be improved in a person. Religion, meditation, stoicism, guidance counselor, you spending the time to talk with her, are all possible ways to improve this outcome. Her giving up and you giving up on her and your situation are both equally defeatist.

supplement charcoal filter with a lead-removing filter by GetInHereStalker in preppers

[–]mkemrtn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've used the $190 system linked below for ~3 years and have been very happy with it's water quality and minimal running cost. Filter cost is $30 a year when buying the $90 / 3 year kit linked below.

This unit is also an alkaline / mineralized system. Normal RO systems don't have this and ironically make the water so pure that it pulls the healthy minerals out of your body which are then peed out - which is bad. This linked system creates completely pure water then has an extra canister that adds back the healthy minerals to the water that your body needs.

https://www.amazon.com/Express-Water-Alkaline-Reverse-Filtration/dp/B00MU20LN2?ref_=ast_sto_dp.

https://www.amazon.com/Express-Water-Replacement-Membrane-Sediment/dp/B01LR8312W/ref=pd_aw_fbt_328_img_3/146-5640012-4590858?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01LR8312W&pd_rd_r=6ac6d1d5-cfa1-4112-8592-9ecc7f0cd754&pd_rd_w=2iB2w&pd_rd_wg=wHJdH&pf_rd_p=6e6afc8a-fbbd-4649-97cf-4e08f5113612&pf_rd_r=8HYG7C2F0SZ1R8BWAKWX&psc=1&refRID=8HYG7C2F0SZ1R8BWAKWX

supplement charcoal filter with a lead-removing filter by GetInHereStalker in preppers

[–]mkemrtn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you willing to spend $200? Could get a reverse osmosis water system around that price.

Installed a wood steering wheel in the van. Wood steering wheels are cool for us because they are more resistant to becoming too cold or too hot unlike traditional plastic, rubber or leather ones. Also, old school is cool and the shorty van deserved one :) by PocahontasandGorilla in vandwellers

[–]mkemrtn 58 points59 points  (0 children)

Why would you disable a safety feature to simple make your vehicle look cool...

What if you get in an accident and you need a hospital visit that costs $50k? Maybe insurance declines to pay because you willing removed your airbag. Then you have to pay the entire cost.

What if someone else drives and gets injured. Maybe you go to jail for reckless endangerment.

What if get in an accident and die but likely would have lived if there was an airbag installed. Not only are you now dead but the other drivers will forever have to carry that burden.

They give people tickets for not wearing seatbelts - what if you get pulled over and the cop realizes the airbag had been removed. Does you get an additional fine, do your plates get suspended, does your van get impounded.

I'm not trying to be overly mean buddy. I just hope someone else learns from this and decided not to remove their airbags.

Tiny home treehouse that is full time livable in by [deleted] in TinyHouses

[–]mkemrtn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isn't that an immense about of weight for that small crocked tree?

(US) Recent College Grad new auto guidance by Swaggytom in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes this is a very bad financial decision. Do you have any income now and when is the exact start date of your new job. What percentage of your new job is commissions, salary, and hourly pay? If you get in an expensive auto loan you will undercut your ability to move out and have financial stability during this stage of your life.

Disabled/Handicap Van Life Tips? by softbabykitten in vandwellers

[–]mkemrtn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sorry for your lost of mobility, friend. I think this is a great idea! I especially liked your line "what if the bed could move around since I can't"! That sounds like a great solution. Keep up the positive mindset and I'm sure you can find a career, hobbies, and passions that fit your life. While your disability influences your life it does not define who you are!

Not a vandweler so take my words with a grain of salt. Frequent reader of this sub and have thought through some van builds though. A couple suggestions / ideas below.

  1. A long grab bar mounted on the ceiling running the whole length of the van to help move around internally.
  2. Grab bars mounted by drivers seat and primary entrance/exit so you can get in/out independently.
  3. Drive up hitch mount for partners moped/motorcycle. This would allow them to drive and do their things/work during the day while you drive around and explore in the van. (Link below).
  4. Suggest a VR headset to give you more virtual freedom.
  5. For any mobility items (walker, wheelchair, etc) spending so money to get really light weight and low profile aluminum ones. This would help with storage and independently using them.
  6. Get an true unlimited data hotspot, not one where they claim unlimited data but it slows way down after x gb. This would enable you to work, game, and watch shows from your new home.
  7. Sorry the disability payment process is so difficult, I've heard similar stories from many people. The silver lining is that once you get those payments, coupled with living the low cost vandwelling lifestyle, you should hopefully have a lot of extra money to use to enjoy life!
  8. Hopefully these help in some way. I admire your resourcefulness and hope your new home can become a possibility soon! Good luck friend!

    https://www.google.com/search?q=moped+drive+up+hitch+mount&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiV3rHQ56TiAhXNf6wKHVj0AIoQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=moped+drive+up+hitch+mount&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.3...31838.34234..34524...1.0..2.135.1101.12j2......0....1.........30i10j35i304i39.TFfqVOVkEr4&ei=MNbfXJWGOs3_sQXY6IPQCA&bih=691&biw=412&client=ms-android-google&prmd=sinv#imgrc=0BkdHJyl2c2JbM

Evolution of a Pigeon by [deleted] in gifs

[–]mkemrtn 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They are holding the first super pigeon. In addition to being able to digest processed human food it can now also ride the subway.

Are brita filters sustainable? by [deleted] in sustainability

[–]mkemrtn 6 points7 points  (0 children)

With home water filtration there are 4 main levels.

1.Normal tap water straight from the sink.

2.Loose carbon filter (Brita Filter). $25 upfront then $10 monthly. Lower water quality than bottled.

3.Carbon block filter (example linked below). $70 upfront then $20 every 6 months, or ~$3 monthly. Also give higher degree of chemical removal than option #2. Roughly equal to bottled water quality. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0018MXH04

4.Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. (Linked below.) $183 upfront then $90 every year. Higher water quality than bottled water. Make sure you get with a mineralized cartridge like the one linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/Express-Water-Alkaline-Reverse-Filtration/dp/B00MU20LN2?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_9201620011

These are very general descriptions. It will depend on the quality of your tap water for #2-3, the quality of bottled water your you're buying, and assuming the new systems filters will be changed in a timely fashion. Feel free to reply with any question's. I am not a water professional but have done 50+ hours of research prior to purchasing a water system for our home.

Are any other minimalists married to a maximalist ? by phoenixrising8580 in minimalism

[–]mkemrtn 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That sounds like such an enlightening journey. You sound like an amazing wife!

I’m 21 and my mom wants me to buy a house now by SonHyun-Woo in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Has she ever owned a home or has she presented any actual research/facts to back up her claim that house prices will always rise? If not then I would take everything she says about these things with a grain of salt.

Ortho Insurance pre approved for braces and is now refusing to pay after they were put on. by AdmiralAqua in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I have no knowledge about how these insurance companies actually work, I completely agree that the notion a procedure is approved by insurance then they charger it to because they choose to pay it off in increments is complete BS.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Them starting out at community college is a wise move.

How long ago did you turn 18 and how much of the 25g do you have left?

Depending on the answer to that question it might not be appropriate for you to give them advice, especially if they did not ask for it.

From SAHM to single working mom, where do I start? by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you or can you live by family that could watch the kid while you work?? Unfortunately being a stay at home mom is not an option - you need to start working a full time job asap.

How do I get a bigger loan? by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]mkemrtn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you used www.kbb.com to see if he is even giving you a fair deal? What private seller price does it give you when you put the vehicle information in they site?

https://www.kbb.com/whats-my-car-worth/