Early on in life, I embraced my DCS, and became an engineer. This has on numerous occasions been a blessing or a curse.
I believe Ars Technica has many of your kindred spirits in residence.
If it has screws, then the designer wanted someone to unscrew them, right? Torx or “security” screws are just meant stop the easily discouraged.
For the most part, I avoid taking apart particularly delicate and valuable gadgets. Unless I have an excuse. Or I’m bored. Or I just feel like it…
For example, I had to replace the hard drive in my laptop, so, y’know, while I was there… might as well dig out the heatsinks and clean them off… get all the dust out of there… apply some fresh thermal grease… replace that keyboard… can I mod this in any way?
Right. Anyways.
There is a related disease.
Intoxicated Need to Fix Stuff.
I and many of my friends have this disorder. When drunk or stoned there is the need to re-cable the stereo/TV system, or perhaps replace the light fixture with one that better focuses the dartboard, or plan the next home improvement project, and all too often attempt to start.
Although, this usually means we can’t get into too much trouble, because the fix stuff urge also applies to keeping everyone happy and not fighting.
I love my security bit set. If ever I lost my security bit set, I think I would be terribly upset.
On second thought, maybe I’m a little more diseased than I thought.
What, you don’t have a backup set of Torx drivers?, Inconceivable!
No, emotions are illogical, after all, however, when the Galactica’s computers were fighting off the downloaded Cylon virus, in the “Cylon Virus Infects Galactica’s computers” episode, i may have yelled at the screen JUST WIPE THE DRIVES AND RESTORE FROM THE LAST BACKUP, GEEZ!!!…
Same here.
I’m still waiting for something to use the tri-wing bits on. I don’t generally get very close to airplanes, so I guess it’s going to be a while…
Oh, I’ve also got a set of Universal Screwdrivers for when things really go south and you’re not planning on putting the same screw back in. About the only thing these don’t work on is spanner-heads, but I’ve got proper spanner bits anyway.
Got plenty of standard Torx. Only one set of security torx, reverse-torx, tri-wing, and bi-wing. Maybe I should get another set. Just in case. You never know, right?
Applica small appliances (who make, among other brands, Black & Decker small appliances) use tri-wings. Not that these are particularly exciting to take apart, but y’know … if desperation strikes.
I’m sorry. Did you just tell me to go out to the shop and play with the milling machine?
This reminds of me of one of the questions from Dave Barry’s quiz to determine whether or not you are a “guy” (paraphrased):
An alien race visits Earth and presents you with a device that is capable of curing all known diseases, can eliminate world hunger, and provides an infinite source of clean energy. Do you:
A. Give it to the President of the United States.
B. Give it to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
C. Take it apart to see how it works.