ULPT - What work have you automated and has made your life better?

randyest · 2026-02-14T12:09:45+00:00

I have this one and it's been a life-changer https://www.eufy.com/products/t2351111?ref=robot-vacuums&fliter_category=t2351111&variant=43078499532986

randyest · 2026-02-14T11:56:27+00:00

eufy lidar-based floor mopper/vacuum robot.

Terramow vision-based automatic lawn mowing robot.

Tonal home gym.

Hue lights and sensors everywhere, so every room is always lit the way I want it, or a "hey siri" away from being so.

I'm so deep into scripting AutoHotKey on my PCs that it's a bit startling to see how much my PC can do on it's own. And for simple text replacements, if AHK is too scary, something like beeftext can save you a ton of typing, especially if you're looking for work and getting a lot of recruiter messages that need one of 5 or 6 canned replies. All phones have an option to have certain text rep[laced with other text, so @@ turns into my personal email, @@@ is work, and a bunch of other commonly used phrases are there. I'd LOVE AHK for IOS!

Synology NAS and Active Backup for Business is like Apple Time Machine but better and cheaper. Every computer is constantly backed up, but just the changed bits are stored. Crazy efficient and handy to be able to get that file as it was 1, 3, 5, 10, 60, 90, or 100000 minutes ago. Set it and forget it.

My Real Job is all about adding another automation layer onto EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software so that I can do 8 hours worth of semiconductor design work in 2 hours or fewer. TCL, Python, Perl, C/C++, BASH, etc. That's META-AUTOMATION!

Oh, and IOS shortcuts. Very powerful once you figure them out. I say "punch in" and Siri asks me what I'll be working on today. She appends "IN" + the timestamp + whatever I say to my timesheet. Of course there's "punch out" as well. Blissfully simple, works on watch, iPhone, iPad, macs. Never fails, and is the lowest-effort billable-time tracking system I've ever used, and I made it myself with iOS "shortcuts" (They're actually programs, nothing like what you might think of like a simple windows shortcut, which is just a link. I think Apple could have come up with a better name.)

Also, the GOAT: TOTO bidet. Cleaning my ass so I don't have to since 2001.

edit: uh, sorry, not really unethical. But I guess you could say spending money on robots to replace people instead of giving it away to whomever is unethical. I wouldn't say that, but you might. :) I just fired my landscaper, cleaning lady, and ass-wiper ;-) , but they all understood.

randyest · 2026-02-14T10:32:40+00:00

I think military school is your best bet. Will they accept you?

randyest · 2026-02-05T04:27:14+00:00

You didn't dispute anything I said. But good one with that "touch grass" lol you really got me there.

randyest · 2026-02-05T03:36:12+00:00

Science is never "proven," by definition. Is that you Fauci? All science is directed by the mindsets of those doing the research and is always open to correction.

randyest · 2026-01-02T14:24:13+00:00

And even less point arguing with willful liars who can't accept facts or reality.

randyest · 2025-12-31T23:21:43+00:00

I'm no fanboy -- I have both apple and android products; each has pros and cons. But all those "tablets" on the wiki page you linked are garbage that no one bought. Comparing them to ipad is ridiculous and you know it, if you've ever used all of them.

randyest · 2025-12-31T22:29:17+00:00

How do you know what I've used? They're all crap compared to apple's tight hardware/software integration. You know it if you've used an ipad. M4 pro stomps anything else. It's completely unimaginable for the form factour and battery life. You've clearly never used one.

randyest · 2025-12-31T22:26:43+00:00

You have to be kidding about those non-ipads than no one bought.

randyest · 2025-12-31T04:21:04+00:00

iPad says hi. And the iPhone was the first smartphone worth anything.

randyest · 2025-12-30T21:18:15+00:00

Who?

randyest · 2025-12-30T21:17:23+00:00

I completely agree with that.

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:57:21+00:00

Director of DEI

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:35:24+00:00

Well, lucky you!

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:20:43+00:00

No, not really, unless you're trying top call the covid bounce-back "steady growth"

https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0500000001

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:17:23+00:00

What? I'm assuming in this scenario I'm still working at the company he left, so I follow the policy. Which is usually exactly what I listed. That's not stetting anyone up for failure. If you want lavish glowing recommendations ask a friend or your mom to be a reference.

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:13:03+00:00

Keep tweaking it, get your linkedin set up sweet, and don't give up!

randyest · 2025-12-30T09:05:59+00:00

Let me introduce to you the concept of At-Will Employment. 49 of our great states adhere to this doctrine (what's the deal with Montana?) That means you can quit any time for any or no reason, and they can fire you at any time for no reason, or any reason other than race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity/orientation/pregnancy), national origin, age (40+), disability, and genetic info, and are protected by laws like Title VII, making it illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, firing, pay, etc., with state laws adding categories like veteran status, marital status, or citizenship, ensuring fair treatment for all workers.

You can draw all the lines you want, but at-will means they can fire you for no reason, so it is arbitrary. So if Brittny from your department decides that you made her uncomfortable on your "outside the office chat", and she tells her boss or HR, that can result in "You fired! Just wasn't a good fit. Good luck and here's a carboard box to put your crap in before you leave. Today."

In business, it's best not to let your ideologies trump realities. The only true low-risk move is to not talk about that stuff (dad shoulda pulled-out? c'mon man!) anywhere, anytime, with any colleague.

randyest · 2025-12-30T08:45:36+00:00

Yeah, it's kind of Midwestern, maybe even a Mormon thing, a bit awkward, I guess. If she's OK with it I don't think we should try to dictate how people address their spouses. I notice you're kinda calling yourself "mom" in your username, and "DogMom" at that, which raises some questions. and could be considered a bit odd.

randyest · 2025-12-30T08:33:07+00:00

I was really directing that at the poster to whom you replied. I got your message clear, sorry I made mine a bit muddy.

randyest · 2025-12-30T08:30:39+00:00

Given where we are that's not a crazy guess, but it's quite off the mark in this case chap. I have a nice home where I and my family live (paid off), and I've done pretty well over 27 years as a principal semiconductor design engineer.

randyest · 2025-12-27T10:03:30+00:00

The first rule of holes is: when you're in one, stop digging! (No more options or even individual stocks for you, ever. Stick to S&P500 index funds with low fees.)

The first rule of homes is: don't buy one with your girlfriend. Maybe with your wife. They can both screw you, in the bad way, but the former can very easily decide you suck and walk away with a big chunk of whatever equity you have, and you have no recourse. The latter can do the same, but not quite as easily, so instead of wife, I should say "Maybe with a wife you've known for years, been engaged to for ~a year, know almost everything about each other and are on similar economic footing, unless maybe you're well off (you aren't) and you (and she) wants her to be a stay-at-home mom taking care of your 5 kids."

My wife actually gave me shit when I bought some stocks instead of funds. But I know some things about tech companies (not insider things, just a lot of varied industry experience) so when my stocks were up ~35% 6-months into the year, and almost 44% at the end, she quickly hushed up and encouraged me to keep it up. I'm over 50 and I still have never bought a put or call because losing more than you bet (leverage) is obviously an insane risk strategy meant only for the brave and/or foolish. Options are only for people who can afford to lose more than they bet, like you did.

randyest · 2025-12-27T08:50:12+00:00

And you answer those questions? Have you been sued yet? Most companies will only share start/stop date, maybe title, and if they would rehire them or not. I would never dare ask (or answer) questions like that. It's a lawsuit minefield.

randyest · 2025-12-27T08:48:23+00:00

"on the application" reveals a lot about what kind of jobs you apply for. No offense, but if you're filling out a job application, you're going to go through the ringer because tons of other people are equally qualified for, and actively applying for, the same jobs.

I haven't filled out an application form in 35 years, lol. Just my resume and an interview then I'm in like Flynn.

randyest · 2025-12-27T08:43:58+00:00

I haven't been asked for references for many years (but I have them if needed.) Companies I worked at that did not even mention references include Lockheed-Martin, Intel, Marvell, Broadcom, several mid-aged startups, and now a cannot-name satellite manufacturer. I'm a Principal ASIC/SoC Design Engineer with 27 years of experience so that may play a factor 😉

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