Mobility and Life

[iansp]

Hello, my name is Ian I’m 68 and I live in Norfolk UK (born and bred) and I am a mobility scooter user. My first memory of a mobility vehicle was when I was very young. It belonged to an elderly man with one leg in the village I grew up in. It had three wheels and was hand powered by a crank and chain to the front wheel, looking back it seemed not the easiest of things to use but he must have had strong arms.

I would like to tell you about myself first and hope you will continue to read this post. I was born and raised on a farm, my working career was in a Bank and although being regarded as a pen pusher could always turn my hand to most things. Hobbies have included water skiing, raising horses, restoring classic and vintage cars together with repairing laptops and desktop computers. I currently have approximately 30 laptops and 4 desktops running a variety of operating systems depending on the project in hand. So that’s me, as we all know life can throw us a curved ball in a split second, my first one regarding health happened about 14 years ago. While doing renovation work at home a large pane of glass broke and cut into my left forearm, after rushing to a@e was admitted for reconstructive plastic surgery. This left me with a numb forearm and hand which is also weak and clumsy plus shocks shooting though it at random as though I’ve just put my finger in an electric socket, I’m left handed so has had a dramatic impact. I could no longer maintain or drive my beloved vintage cars, a 1933 Austin 7, a 1933 Austin 10 and a 1931 Austin 7 Ulster special and they were sadly sold. Some three years ago the second health issue happened after a serious lung infection and medical tests, I had been left with only 24% lung capacity being unable to walk any distance I purchased a mobility scooter and after realising I had bought the wrong one I replaced it with a larger one with more comfort and range. I had spent a lot of time trying to find information and help regarding mobility scooters with no real luck, then by chance I stumbled across this website/forum and became a member, absolutely great, I have spent many hours reading the articles and posts, so much help and information provided by users of mobility, reading between the lines the members are of a mix of characters with skills of a greater or lesser ability but no matter what help for all. For me two members stand out WoodyGB who sadly died earlier this year and Burgerman who I pm rightly or wrongly to thank him regarding his numerous articles and posts which I have found thoroughly fascinating and also for his help.

MY POINT FOR THIS POST.

We all need help from time to time and I hope the members and guests who visit this website/forum spread the word about it. Servicing, repairs and dealers can take advantage,as we all know anything that encompasses mobility comes at a price, to help ourselves even if you or someone you know don’t have the skills or ability to maintain or diagnose what a problem is then at least they can search the forums for help and information.

I hope that this post doesn’t offend anyone I’m just trying to help and wanted to be more that a login name and offer my story to everyone.

[Burgerman]

Interesting story.

[LROBBINS]

Excellent post. That's what this forum is all about and Burgerman gets my (usually silent) thank you every day.

Here in Italy there seems to be an nearly insurmountable barrier: at least in the cities there is no tradition of fai da te (do it yourself), but an addiction to fa fare (pay someone to do it for you). It's discouraging, especially when the people you get to fa fare really haven't a clue.

[martin007]

Here in Italy there seems to be an nearly insurmountable barrier: at least in the cities there is no tradition of fai da te (do it yourself), but an addiction to fa fare (pay someone to do it for you). It's discouraging, especially when the people you get to fa fare really haven't a clue.

Spain is exactly the same.

[Burgerman]

Drives you mental doesent it.

I always said from early on in my life that I do not mind spending big on good tools. Eventually that pays you back over and over. And that knowledge is power. And so I always had a thirst to know how everything works. I actually bought stuff because I didnt know how it works just to find out! Theres literally nothing I ever owned that I didnt take apart. Or build or design. From hobby stuff to air conditioners, lawn mowers, computers, (a lot) engines, gearboxes, and so on. Theres nothing that fails that I cant fix. Seen it all before.
In the end that time and money and thirst for knowledge ends up helping you much more than any other person, or expert, or system ever can. It enables you to plan your life better, know what will work, understand how the world works and what best fits together, to give you more freedoms, and less waste, and a better outcome with everything in your life lIfe. You see better solutions. And the ability to help and fix stuff yourself. Independence from £xperts.

[iansp]

Thanks for the replies and comments. I’ve built up an extensive workshop and range of tools that sadly much of which I’m selling off. I have been the same always taking things apart to see how they work since a boy, didn’t always go back together though.

I agree with Burgerman it’s always done my head in when people don’t want to help themselves and then moan at how much things cost.

While I’m on here if anyone has a spare left arm lying about please let me know! Thinking about it I would settle for a right arm as long as it is fully working.

[martin007]

You have many computers.
What do you use them for?

[iansp]

Yes I do, I tend to buy ones as spares or repair and dead. One cost me under £30 from a tech company as dead, easy fix, then removed bios password and set it up. The average price at the time for that model was £675, to many laptops and desktops are scrapped such a waste. I edit iso images and integrate various software, recover hard drives, reinstall and restore os, software, files. As I mentioned I run machines on various operating systems depending on the task in hand, I have a core of 7 or 8 pc’s/laptops that I use, one thing I don’t do is gaming.

[martin007]

Windows, Linux, etc?
I'm interested in editing ISO images.

[iansp]

Can you tell me what for. I have obtained a large collection of software to allow me to fulfill my projects.

[martin007]

Integrate software into custom ISO images.
Be independent and self-sufficient.
Do you edit Linux ISO images?

[iansp]

Linux is open source and has such a range of os available to cover various needs. I don’t know how computer savvy you are and if you aren’t aware or careful you can end up in a big muddle.

[martin007]

I'm conscious and careful.
I'm overly careful...
What software do you use to edit ISO images?

[iansp]

In that case I’m sorry I can’t help any further. This is mobility site and it’s not right to use it as a computer forum. You can always search the internet regarding required software.

[martin007]

A couple of names never hurt anyone.

[iansp]

Look at NTlite

[martin007]

OK.

Thanks.