|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687 |
I worked for a large company. They updated all of their computers, numbers in the thousands, a number of years ago. According to our government rules in order to declare them as a tax right off they had to destroy all of them, including the monitors. Such as waste! Many schools systems as well as employees could have used them and all they would have to purchase were hard drives, i.e they were destroyed in house. Government rules also allow companies to donate whatever they want and get a charitable contribution deduction for it. My guess is they ran both sets of numbers and they got a bigger deduction by destroying them. The reason for destroying them btw, is the IRS "salvage" rules. If the numbers are large, this could trigger an audit if they don't have proof of that. This is an area where it's easy for a company to cheat by not destroying them but taking the depreciation anyway. Things like this are not as obvious or as simple as it at first appears. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687 |
It is unfortunate that laptops are not built for upgrades, at least not very many are. Not many, if you're talking PC laptops, and approximately 0% if you're talking Mac or tablets. Which is quite sad, as it generates a large amount of e-waste that fills up our oceans. Unfortunately the corporate business model makes disposal more profitable for the corporation than repair. It's easier to make a disposable product, and when it wears out, you have to buy an entire new one. That keeps the current corporate quarter bottom line up and the stockholders happy. Capitalism does have many great features, but it also has a few flaws. I don't know how to fix those flaws. Notes This is another of those more complex that it looks things. There certainly could be an element of planned obsolescence going on but I'll take the more obvious view. Everybody including you will price shop items to death, right? I know I do. If I can get something for $20 less I will. To make these things easily upgradable and serviceable would drastically raise the price. Would you or any of us pay it when both machines have the same performance? Here's an upgradable laptop for $2500, here's a standard one where all the components are jammed in and it's not feasable to swap out the mobo for $1800. Both have the same components and performance but one is easy to open up and upgrade and the other is what he all have now. Would you or the general public pay the extra? This is the same equation with the gazillions of items made in China and sold here. People yell buy "made in America" to keep our jobs here yet go online and find the cheapest price for socks, snowblowers, solar panels, whatever and the cheapest ones are all made in China. Where's the buy American/Canadian mantra then? Nowhere. Price always wins out. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,767
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,767 |
Government rules also allow companies to donate whatever they want and get a charitable contribution deduction for it. My guess is they ran both sets of numbers and they got a bigger deduction by destroying them. The reason for destroying them btw, is the IRS "salvage" rules. If the numbers are large, this could trigger an audit if they don't have proof of that. This is an area where it's easy for a company to cheat by not destroying them but taking the depreciation anyway.
Thanx for the explanation. I had no idea.Things like this are not as obvious or as simple as it at first appears.
Bob
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092 |
I suppose some things are better disposable than others. With huge 'landfill' mountains and disposed plastic everywhere, it seems to me, we need a better way than use, toss, and replace.
When I was a kid, the landfill was called a dump, and it was spread out, not even a hill. Now the landfill mountain is so high the tractor on top looks like a toy.
Before COVID Leilani and I would take a 2-mile (and back) walk on the beach. The trash we pick up is truly staggering. Sometimes more than we can carry in the net bags we take with us.
I'm just at odds with a disposable society. I try to consume less, make better choices, and dispose of properly.
To get rid of a computer properly here, it takes driving to the dump (oops! Landfill), getting in line behind idling garbage trucks, going through the gate, finding the place they move every time, and off-loading it myself. That wouldn't be so bad, but from the mouth of an ex-employee, it ends up in the landfill anyway because nobody wants it.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,767
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,767 |
Up here we have SunnKing, an end of life electric recycling company. They have a large warehouse factory were you drop off your electric items and they strip it of every that can be either reused or safely recycled.
As a contrast a very large portion of the paper, glass, metal, and plastic we place in out recycling bins goes to the landfills. That is information I obtained by the truck drivers handling the hauling.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 730
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 730 |
I worked at a university and by the time we took out the parts that were usable there was almost nothing left.
Full time faculty computers were given to part time faculty for work use only.
Administration computers were given to support staff for work use only.
And, some were sold very cheaply to students in need.
Pieces and parts were used to keep the above computers working.
Wasn't much left after that.
...Deb Bought a couple of old Dell's from University of Miami a few years ago. They were very serviceable as they were but with a few bucks brought them up to the current standard at the time. Very cheap, like less than 100 bucks apiece to buy.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 730
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 730 |
Up here we have SunnKing, an end of life electric recycling company. They have a large warehouse factory were you drop off your electric items and they strip it of every that can be either reused or safely recycled.
As a contrast a very large portion of the paper, glass, metal, and plastic we place in out recycling bins goes to the landfills. That is information I obtained by the truck drivers handling the hauling. I think the amount of recycling outpaced the recyclers a while back. I watched a hotel house cleaner pick up the recycling bin and throw everything into the one garbage bag she had and move on. I keep trying though.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,120
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,120 |
The local Goodwill refurbishes desktops, laptops, printers and accessories. Goodwill offers computer hardware training and certified Microsoft software training. It's also a great place to obtain components.
Winston-Salem has seen a large turnover in corporations over the last decade so Goodwill has a huge stock of computers and accessories to choose from.
The North Carolina School of the Arts is also in Winston-Salem. They generously support Goodwill with mixers, power amps and other gear that gets replaced a lot so students can learn on the latest equipment.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,629
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,629 |
Unfortunately the corporate business model makes disposal more profitable for the corporation than repair.
It's easier to make a disposable product, and when it wears out, you have to buy an entire new one. That keeps the current corporate quarter bottom line up and the stockholders happy.
Yes, definitely cheaper to make something that's uneconomic to repair, but there's something to be said for companies that actively make things harder to repair than they should be, like using custom screws that require a special screwdriver (or even one-way screws that can't unscrew), or gluing everything together so it can't be disassembled without destroying everything. It makes recycling much more difficult too, especially when integrated batteries are involved. I'm glad that at least some parts of the world (Europe I think) are rolling out laws on reparability to try and combat the environmental issues of disposal.
Last edited by Simon - PG Music; 01/22/21 11:12 AM.
I work here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,352
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,352 |
I'm glad that at least some parts of the world (Europe I think) are rolling out laws on reparability to try and combat the environmental issues of disposal. Although slightly off-topic from the O/P's original request, Europe has had extremely strict laws on proper recycling management and regulated disposal of goods for many, many years. They may have lead the way in regulatory processes for effective waste management.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092 |
We reuse what we can (thus the original post), recycle what we can (although the county always doesn't do its part), reduce what we can (do we want or need this), and refuse to buy what harms the environment if there is a better choice.
It seems the car companies found out that selling repair parts is profitable. I went to a local dealer for a recall and the parts department had an award for selling the most parts.
I don't have a lawn. Everything in my half acre is either a native plant or doesn't need irrigation or fertilizer. I mow around the house a bit, but the ground cover is native and not lawn. It's all xeriscape vegetation.
When I moved here in 1990 I planted over 2 dozen trees, mostly Live Oak plus a few Royal Poinciana, Sabal Palm, Neem, Sea Grape, and Gumbo Limbo trees. I live in a green canopy now except for directly over the roof.
I painted my roof white to reflect heat out of the atmosphere.
Everything that is allowed goes in the recycle bin if it can't be reused. I take cardboard boxes to a local pack-and-ship business who appreciates reusing them instead of buying new ones.
I learned how to drive my car to get 100 extra miles on each tank of gas over the EPA rating. That means much less gas used and much less polluting exhaust in the atmosphere.
I figure if we all do what we can, we can make a change.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,352
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,352 |
Insights and incites by Notes In this case, "Insights and incites by Notes" 
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,120
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,120 |
Have any of you signed up for the +++ Repair.Org +++ newsletter? The newsletter is a good way to find out about which representatives support right to repair legislation, which one don't, what gets said at congressional hearings and more. Another great organization to know about is +++ I Fix It +++ They create service manuals, tear down guides and sell tool kits and parts for electronic consumables.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,092 |
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
I just donated my 2003(?) IBM/Lenovo Think Pad to a friend on fixed income whose Dell was dropped into water. It has a new SSD and battery with two whole hours capacity!!!! Runs Windows 7 Professional just fine.
My company told me to recycle it 10 years ago. When I retired recently, I let them know I still had it but when IT asked if I would send it back, I said, Ok, reimburse me for the battery and SSD. "Keep it"
Although I used to work in Windows support for a local Silicon Valley employer, I've not used a Win computer for a decade — or wanted to.
So can a Think Pad be upgraded and repurposed? Sure. Is it worth it? Ya gotta think hard about that one.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,565
Posts734,481
Members38,493
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean