Oof. Apple servers must be slammed today. I'm unable to install software updates on my Mac laptops (the server keeps resetting the connections).

Maybe I'll install Mountain Lion some other day.

eta: Never mind. Our stupid WiFi was down. Just had to restart it.

Question for the hivemind from technological semi-literate:

On Tuesday, my iPad got wet and stopped working. (iPad on counter, cat knocked it into sink, faucet dripping -- you get the idea) I've been letting it sit to dry out, but it still isn't working.

So, really, two questions -- Should I be doing something else to dry out the iPad? When should I give up and replace the iPad?

I seem to recall putting water-logged electronics into a bin of uncooked rice as a way to help the drying out process, Fred. Not sure if it'll help in this specific instance, but as fixes go it's relatively cheap.

I don't know what else to do to dry out an iPad. I'd take it apart if possible, but is that doable on an iPad?

Maybe seal it up in a container with some sort of desiccant?

This: How to fix an iPad if it gets wet recommends the desiccant approach.

You might want to have Apple fix it but I have no idea if that'd be worth the cost.

If it's still under warranty, getting it wet would void the warranty. They have ways to determine this.

eta: Yeah, rice can act as a desiccant. It sounds like silica gel is better.

Thanks for the ideas!

They have ways to determine this.

Specifically, moisture sensors that change color. So if leaving it in a tightly sealed bag/container of rice or other desiccant for a couple of days doesn't work, you may as well try taking it apart because the warranty is void anyway.

Sadly, my blank screen was due to a dead hard drive. My data is backed up, but I'm going to be reloading software until the end of time.

I was impressed with the computer repair shop. He charged me $80 for the new hard drive and $80 to install it and load Windows and Office 2007. I had Office 2003 and it takes forever to reload because the updates go back to a very primitive version. I mentioned I use AVG and I see that he installed it. It took an hour.

Grrr. My HDMI slot on the Tivo is kaput. So, Tivo wants me to either pay $79 for a new box PLUS $200 to transfer the lifetime subscription or upgrade for $99 plus $398 for a new lifetime subscription. I'm livid. I've been a loyal tivo customer for 8-10 years. This is BULLSHIT. Bet your ass I'm calling tomorrow and asking them to give me a good reason not to switch to the Comcast DVR that I have sitting in my fucking bedroom right now.

That lifetime subscription transfer thing is not good customer relations. It's not really effectively a lifetime subscription if you have to pay a reasonable portion of it again in that same lifetime for circumstances totally beyond your control (and likely to boot).

My, god, talk about irritating skeuomorphism in OS X Lion--I just fired up the full screen version of Photo Booth. Is this not a clear step backwards? I don't know how to operate a "real" photo booth, and there's no obvious indication of how to get the standard OS X controls back--what is the gain from the cutesy curtain metaphor?

Their bullshit excuse is that it was more than 3 years into the lifetime, had it been less, they would have waived the transfer fee. The tech on the phone suggested that I call back and escalate. Given that I've been a tivo customer for umpteen years, own three tivos, and in fact, still pay for a sub to the old Humax box will hopefully get them to waive the lifetime fee. I'm okay with paying $79 for a refurbished box. Or even $99 for the upgrade.