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Currently on a mission to tape a bunch of gear too. Though to cover LEDs. Why does consumer gear meant for houses look like a disco at night?

by Havoc 2y ago

Wowfunhappy 2y ago
When I first moved into my studio apartment, I had a mission—no little lights! When I go to sleep, it should be completely dark. Then I discovered that putting tape on my mouse's USB receiver interfered with the wireless connection. Then I got a USB hard drive which has an LED along the top left corner, where tape won't stick. Then I got a microwave which always displays the time when it's not in use, and if I cover up that display, I can't see the timer for my food. And somewhere around there I gave up. It was impossible to tell before buying these products that they would come with lights, no one talks about this!
- kroltan 2y ago
  That's exactly the advantage of sneakernet shopping, you can ask to see the product in operation.
  - dhosek 2y ago
    I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a microwave offered for sale that was plugged in at the store at any store. Ditto for any consumer electronics other than TVs and computers (and I guess stereos). Maybe at Fry‘s they had the microwaves plugged in? I don’t remember.
    - kroltan 2y ago
      Yeah I don't think I ever saw one either, but at least over here you can bring it over to a counter, or request an employee to turn it on and test. Obviously not viable for evaluating continued operation for something like a fridge, but just turning it on for the panels is usually possible.
spiffytech 2y ago
Let me plug LightDims: They're translucent stickers that keep LEDs from shining into the room, but still let you see the LED status. Be sure to buy from the original family business, not the knockoffs. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLVEQCO/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLVEQCO/
- Tempest1981 2y ago
  I used those to dim the "Passenger" seatbelt light in my old car. Maybe I put my backpack on the seat.
- RunningDroid 2y ago
  Non-Amazon link: https://www.lightdims.com/store.htm https://www.lightdims.com/store.htm
Loughla 2y ago
I learned how to solder small connections just to bypass the LED's that are on every single piece of electronics anymore. I don't need my house to look like a fucking carnival. Who does this appeal to?

Currently on a mission to tape a bunch of gear too. Though to cover LEDs. Why does consumer gear meant for houses look like a disco at night?

by Havoc 2y ago

Currently on a mission to tape a bunch of gear too. Though to cover LEDs. Why does consumer gear meant for houses look like a disco at night?

Wowfunhappy 2y ago

When I first moved into my studio apartment, I had a mission—no little lights! When I go to sleep, it should be completely dark. Then I discovered that putting tape on my mouse's USB receiver interfered with the wireless connection. Then I got a USB hard drive which has an LED along the top left corner, where tape won't stick. Then I got a microwave which always displays the time when it's not in use, and if I cover up that display, I can't see the timer for my food. And somewhere around there I gave up. It was impossible to tell before buying these products that they would come with lights, no one talks about this!

kroltan 2y ago
That's exactly the advantage of sneakernet shopping, you can ask to see the product in operation.
- dhosek 2y ago
  I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a microwave offered for sale that was plugged in at the store at any store. Ditto for any consumer electronics other than TVs and computers (and I guess stereos). Maybe at Fry‘s they had the microwaves plugged in? I don’t remember.
  - kroltan 2y ago
    Yeah I don't think I ever saw one either, but at least over here you can bring it over to a counter, or request an employee to turn it on and test. Obviously not viable for evaluating continued operation for something like a fridge, but just turning it on for the panels is usually possible.

spiffytech 2y ago

Let me plug LightDims: They're translucent stickers that keep LEDs from shining into the room, but still let you see the LED status. Be sure to buy from the original family business, not the knockoffs. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLVEQCO/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLVEQCO/

Tempest1981 2y ago
I used those to dim the "Passenger" seatbelt light in my old car. Maybe I put my backpack on the seat.
RunningDroid 2y ago
Non-Amazon link: https://www.lightdims.com/store.htm https://www.lightdims.com/store.htm

Loughla 2y ago

I learned how to solder small connections just to bypass the LED's that are on every single piece of electronics anymore. I don't need my house to look like a fucking carnival. Who does this appeal to?