Printer Update

I printed hundreds of pages for an organization to which I belong, and I killed my 4550! It had a carusel error, which it seems is common on this type of printer. I looked at repair, and even got one new part, but it sounds like it needs a complete teardown and rebuild. No time for that, so I found another good used one, this time an HP4600. No duplex on this, but not a big deal. Toner cartridges are more expensive on this one, but still way cheaper per page than an inkjet. I went through some shipping damage after it arrived. It wasn't clear whether the freight company or the seller damaged it, but the seller was super cooperative about sending all the "new" used parts I needed. End result is a great printer that starts up way faster than my 4550. I think now I'll rebuild the 4550 and sell it here locally!

Printer Idea

Just a quick plug for buying an older model color laser printer from an online auction, and using it instead of a cheap inkjet. I bought an HP 4550 over a year ago, and even though I print mor than the average person, I have yet to put in a new toner cartridge. I bought a set of replacements online for about $15 each, but the partially used one's that were in it when I bought it haven't died yet. My total cost to get it here was about $300, since half of the cost was freight. It takes longer to print the first page than most inkjets, but I've printed several runs of 50+ pages of photos on it. I'm nearing the end of the black cartridge now, but that's all the money I've spent on it, besides electricity!

New Car?

Looked into trading my old truck in under the new "Cash for Clunkers" program. Too bad I bought a fuel efficient truck when I purchased in 1994. Even now, it's not eligible. As I looked at the program, it stikes me that this is mostly a subsidy to help out car dealers and move old inventory. Since the program requires the car be scrapped, it makes no sense to trade a vehicle with a trade value of more than the allowance. Thus, this is a bit like the "Push, Pull, or Drive" promotions that car dealers run sometimes. It's just funded by the government instead of by dealers looking to move cars. These are strange times.

First

Thought it'd be good to be first once. I'll have some worthwhile content every few days, but nothing today.