What if it Snows?

Sad indeed, It was a good run while it lasted.

Last time I was in the Silly-con noticed the store in Campbell had the signs covered and a for Lease sign on the corner. Drove by the one in Sunnyvale and it was trying to do the will-call only thing.

The core business had been deteriorating back in the late '90s as they expanded. The place was set up to appeal to the old hardware hackers and Folks that knew how to flip bits at the Assembly code level. Morphed into the consumer electronics hell it had become.

They had to because the consumer demand was no longer there for the core products of components and junk food to keep the nerds hyped up. The consumers moved on to Software Professionals, and then transitioned to the Dot-Commies, Followed by the Interdweebs. I think the only reason they stayed afloat this long was because they put Cafe's and socializing areas in them so business people could meet up there rather than restaurants and bars.

Most of the stores were huge, the past few years when I would wander through one, I noticed the shelves had very little depth of product. The visible product on the shelf may have 4 or more feet in width, but only a box or 2 deep (low stocked inventory).

Those huge stores were also money pits. Prime retail or commercial properties that they were leasing not owned by them. They were more worried about curb appeal than substance.

 

That would depend on your goals. In a meltdown situation like a massive solar storm electronic equipment we rely on is potentially knocked out in the same fashion as an EMP. Globally we were lucky the last time as most of our technology didn't rely on electrical systems, today most modern farming implements would even be sidelined. The people who have the time for hobbies like reenactments using archaic implements would be the best situated for a situation like that, that and individuals in 3rd world countries where they don't rely heavily on technology.

The upside of knowing how to do things as a 1 off is that you're valuable, the downside of others not knowing how to do things is catastrophic as one person alone can't provide for themselves without the worries of others taking their hard earned resources.

 

Be a hero for a few.

 

It's funny that in the United States those individuals are the ones with the freetime to learn those skills. It's also interesting to me that you're seeing some people wanting to learn anachronistic skills like woodworking and metalworking using older methods. I've toyed with the woodworking myself, and hoping to get into some basic metal workings eventually. Just have to hope "Forged in Fire" lasts a few more years lol.

 

That's kinda funny, That point was brought home blunt force trauma style at a temp agency a couple of weeks back. Was chatting with one of the gals in the office and she inquired if I knew how to run a CNC setup. Had to let her know the CNC setups I ran decades ago are not in the same league as those of today, and that I was more experienced in manual machines. She immediately perked up and grabbed her note book. They had a standing order from a customer for any manual machinist they could find. Told her she would need to market me as someone with some back ground but not competent cause my last time on the lathe was about a quarter century ago. She called the customer and they were interested. She was a bit miffed when I told her I could make more driving a truck than they were offering.

 

This requires more details... Inquiring minds need to know.

 

That’s the place!! Out in the sticks

 

Guy asked Me yesterday, How did I ever find anything before GPS. Lol. It wasn’t always easy. Had a collection of maps. Amazing how many don’t know how to read an Atlas. I honestly haven’t looked at mine in over 2-4 years. But it’s there. I use the app on my iPhone. If this Tech thing ever goes bust. Guys like Me will be back in demand. I’ll admit GPS is the best thing that ever happened to Trucking. I miss being the one the family called when they needed directions.

 

Going to Atlanta, then to Newark NJ. Trying to get out of there on Sunday, before Pa. knows I’m in the area. They don’t like me in Pa.

 

Yes, yet tractors dont have a mind, so the wait time wont matter.
Ok I did get to the garage. Yet not to the tractor yet. It is still buried with lumber