There is nothing like having the service manual around...

I've been having trouble with the fan in my Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop. This is the one that I normally use when training, as it's one of those workhorses that usually just keeps on ticking, à la Timex. But the fan started to intermittently sound like a race car gunning its engines, and I discovered that this is endemic to this model. So, I got a new fan from eBay, and decided to install it myself. Here's a picture of someone else's disemboweling of their 8200. Pretty snazzy.

I am absolutely impressed to no end by Dell's service manual. The step-by-step instructions for disassembling and reassembling the computer included a placemat with all the screws indicated by little boxes. You just place the screws on the placemat in the area pertaining to them. Then, when reassembling, you can pick them right out. What a winning idea.

So, don't do this at home if you're still within warranty. However, if you're out of warranty, then go to it if you need to. Lots of fun, girls and boys!

Today's Hymn

...well, actually Palm Sunday's hymn, is "All Glory, Laud, and Honour". This hymn was written by Theodolph of Orleans, who lived from 760-821. I have recently discovered that there is a verse that we never sing, the last one below.

All Glory, Laud and Honour

Refrain
All glory, laud and honour,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessed One. Refrain

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply. Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present. Refrain

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise. Refrain

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King. Refrain

Be Thou, O Lord, the Rider,
And we the little ass,
That to God’s holy city
Together we may pass. Refrain

If that isn't soft pornography, I don't know what is. Thanks to Lightspeed, where this verse was referenced.

Today's humourist URL

...is here--our lives will be all the poorer for their loss.