this post was submitted on 29 Feb 2024
126 points (95.0% liked)

Asklemmy

43782 readers
893 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy πŸ”

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_[email protected]~

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Had someone contact me because a browser interface was 'down' and it was actually a cert issue. It surprised me that in an IT context, this person didn't have a basic understanding of SSL certs. They didn't even know how to add a cert exception.

It got me thinking, what basic ubiquitous things am I a dumbass about outside of IT?

Ive seen lots of 'fun facts' compilations, but it would be better to get a wide range of subject suggestions that I can spend 30 minutes each or less on, and become a more capable human.

Like what subjects would plumbers consider basic knowledge? Chemical interactions between cleaning products and PVC pipes?

What would an accountant or a landscaper consider to be so basic its shocking people can live their lives without knowing any of it?

For most areas of expertise, its difficult to know even what the basics are to start with.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago (4 children)

A lot of the IT guys I know have little to no knowledge of mechanical stuff. Learn to fix your car

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

My car is electric. The repairs I've done to it have required almost zero car-fixing-skills.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Could you please go into detail?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Apart from tire changes, electric cars have few typical car problems.

There's no oil to change, a lot of the braking is regenerative so the brakes last a LONG time, they have very few pumps, hoses, filters and pipes just cables that don't really wear out. No cam belts or spark plugs.

Basically all I do is swap the pollen filter and wiper blades. There's an occasional brake fluid check (not really a DIY thing for me) and I've had damages (busted mirror, broken charging cable).

I've also done a battery swap myself, which does require a garage, but only because you can't lift the thing by hand.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Which car is it? How many km on the odometer?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

2013 Nissan Leaf, and coming up om 260k km.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Lawnmower, whatever. Learn how to fix a tap / toilet / anything a round the house.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook.

It will tell you how to iron your clothes, pick table linens, care for paintings, deal with water damage after a natural disaster, pick between a laser and inkjet printer, fix a cartridge faucet, and install a dimmer switch.

The Army should issue it to new recruits.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Learning to blacksmith is fun as well

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

This is definitely a weak spot of mine although at this point it is somewhat willful. I can do some very basics like swap filters or change a tire but I've never found a need to grow beyond that considering my vehicle is reliable and regular maintenance like oil changes are so cheap and accessible.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I don't trust the minimum wage oil change folks with my $40k vehicle. I would trust a mechanic but it's cheaper and easier to DIY and I trust myself to do it correctly.