• (cs)

    This story makes me drop a tear everytime. Stupid Short Circuit movie made me love robots.

  • (cs)

    Two hours later and Los Locos hasn't kicked anyone's balls into outer space?

  • aether (unregistered)

    TRWTF is that nobody installs remote power strips in their data centers?

  • (cs) in reply to aether
    aether:
    TRWTF is that nobody installs remote power strips in their data centers?
    I think you missed the part about "budget freeze"...
  • Robert (unregistered) in reply to trtrwtf

    Well, as linux CAN close the CD drive (eject -t) logically even windblows should be able to... and a quick google shows quite a few windows apps that claim that ability. just my $0.02, Robert

  • Sock Puppet #5 (unregistered)

    Why not just use a picture of a desktop with an open drive as the story picture? If I submit such, can I get a free mug?

  • Jupiter (unregistered) in reply to dörte
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO

    If you don't let it open all the way it will bash the button a few times (just to make sure) and then close itself. It's almost like they were designed with this in mind...

  • eVil (unregistered) in reply to frits
    frits:
    eVil:
    Also, we might return this site to something like it was 5 years ago.
    Is it 2012 already?

    I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand that point you have made... slightly TOO succinct for me, I'm afraid.

  • Jürgen (unregistered)

    Where I work, when the server has finally been upgraded, they would have upgraded ITAPPMONROBOT too as an integral system part.

  • ted (unregistered) in reply to dörte
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO

    These drives will all pull themselves back in after an eject fails to extend the drive all the way out. Try it.

  • trtrwtf (unregistered) in reply to Jürgen
    Jürgen:
    Where I work, when the server has finally been upgraded, they would have upgraded ITAPPMONROBOT too as an integral system part.

    You work at a company, too? Get out! I bet you even make a product that involves technology...

  • Owen (unregistered)

    Does it really take two pages of comments to suggest that if there's a command to eject the CD tray, there might be a way to request the tray to close? Is it really that hard to imagine?

  • Calli Arcale (unregistered) in reply to JamesCurran
    JamesCurran:
    I'm not sure I'm buying it. I've used dozens of CDROM drives over the years, and none have come shooting out with enough force to press a button on a CPU (which are usually recessed to prevent accidental pressing)

    Solutions similar to this one have been featured often enough at "There I Fixed It" (one of the Cheezburger sites, dedicated to kludges) that I completely believe it happened. Get a sturdy enough CD drive, a wimpy enough reset button, and something to tape onto the drive tray so it'll poke into recess around the button, and voila. Necessity is the mother of invention, but desperation is the mother of kludges. ;-)

  • (cs) in reply to dörte
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO
    Possible troll food, I suppose... 
    [DllImport("winmm.dll")]
static extern Int32 mciSendString(string command, StringBuilder buffer, int bufferSize, IntPtr hwndCallback);

    static void Main(string[] args)
{
if (args.Length > 0)
{
if (args[0].ToLower() == "eject")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door open", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
else if (args[0].ToLower() == "close")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door closed", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
    
}
    
}
  • (cs) in reply to frits
    frits:
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO
    Possible troll food, I suppose... 
    [DllImport("winmm.dll")]
static extern Int32 mciSendString(string command, StringBuilder buffer, int bufferSize, IntPtr hwndCallback);

    static void Main(string[] args)
{
if (args.Length > 0)
{
if (args[0].ToLower() == "eject")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door open", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
else if (args[0].ToLower() == "close")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door closed", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
    
}
    
}
    inb4 mandatory retarded memes about not enterprisey enough or lack of [xml|wooden table], etc...
  • Jeff (unregistered)

    Oh, come on! My comment was deleted just because he replied to it?

    I'm writing a reply-all script... clean up this board for once and for all.

  • (cs) in reply to ubersoldat
    ubersoldat:
    This story makes me drop a tear everytime. Stupid Short Circuit movie made me love robots.
    NUMBER FIVE ALIVE! NEED INPUT!
  • (cs) in reply to frits
    frits:
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO
    Possible troll food, I suppose... 
    [DllImport("winmm.dll")]
static extern Int32 mciSendString(string command, StringBuilder buffer, int bufferSize, IntPtr hwndCallback);

    static void Main(string[] args)
{
if (args.Length > 0)
{
if (args[0].ToLower() == "eject")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door open", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
else if (args[0].ToLower() == "close")
{
mciSendString("set cdaudio door closed", null, 0, new IntPtr(0));
}
    
}
    
}
    That'll shut him up.
  • (cs) in reply to hoodaticus
    hoodaticus:
    ubersoldat:
    This story makes me drop a tear everytime. Stupid Short Circuit movie made me love robots.
    NUMBER FIVE ALIVE! NEED INPUT!
    Oh man... Low hanging fruit for zunesis...
  • (cs) in reply to Owen
    Owen:
    Does it really take two pages of comments to suggest that if there's a command to eject the CD tray, there might be a way to request the tray to close? Is it really that hard to imagine?
    You obviously haven't seen some of the API's I have to work with...
  • (cs) in reply to hoodaticus
    hoodaticus:
    Owen:
    Does it really take two pages of comments to suggest that if there's a command to eject the CD tray, there might be a way to request the tray to close? Is it really that hard to imagine?
    You obviously haven't seen some of the API's I have to work with...
    Well, when you write them, it's your own fault, really... :)
  • Joe (unregistered)

    I'm surprised nobody suggested a $5 lamp/appliance timer. I mean, sure it'd be a 15-minute downtime every night at midnight while the little wheel clicks from "on" to "off" and back again.

    In a previous life, we had one hooked up to the modem that connected the company to the dialup ISP to make sure it was only active during business hours.

    --Joe

  • Herby (unregistered) in reply to JamesCurran
    JamesCurran:
    I'm not sure I'm buying it. I've used dozens of CDROM drives over the years, and none have come shooting out with enough force to press a button on a CPU (which are usually recessed to prevent accidental pressing)
    It is obvious you have never heard of such items as Duct tape, or pencils. I suspect that both of these were used in some form or another to complete the task mentioned.

    Does EVERYTHING need to be software??

  • (cs) in reply to Herby
    Herby:
    Does EVERYTHING need to be software??

    No more so than EVERYTHING needing to be nails for a hammer. :)

  • (cs) in reply to C-Octothorpe
    C-Octothorpe:
    hoodaticus:
    Owen:
    Does it really take two pages of comments to suggest that if there's a command to eject the CD tray, there might be a way to request the tray to close? Is it really that hard to imagine?
    You obviously haven't seen some of the API's I have to work with...
    Well, when you write them, it's your own fault, really... :)
    Nice! It's like I'm in a grade school for geeks, and this is our schoolyard humor.

    Nerd on, bro!

  • Andrew (unregistered)

    OK, here's mine...

    #!/bin/bash

    SERVER=192.168.1.23 DEVICE=/dev/cdrom1

    while true; do
    STATUS=$(ping -c 1 $SERVER | grep "Unreachable" | gawk '{print $6}') if [ $STATUS = "Unreachable" ]; then eject $DEVICE eject -t $DEVICE fi sleep 2m STATUS="" done

    exit 0

  • (cs) in reply to hoodaticus
    hoodaticus:
    C-Octothorpe:
    hoodaticus:
    Owen:
    Does it really take two pages of comments to suggest that if there's a command to eject the CD tray, there might be a way to request the tray to close? Is it really that hard to imagine?
    You obviously haven't seen some of the API's I have to work with...
    Well, when you write them, it's your own fault, really... :)
    Nice! It's like I'm in a grade school for geeks, and this is our schoolyard humor.

    Nerd on, bro!

    I was going to say frat-house, but that would imply that we're almost adults which is far from the truth...

    Grade school is much more accurate.

  • Matt (unregistered) in reply to dörte
    dörte:
    I did not notice it the first time I read that story, but how did the drive get back in? I think its not possible in software, at least on windows with no additional software? oO

    You don't have to make it close, just put it close enough to the other machine so it only opens a little and it is automatically retracted when it is forced to stop. At least most CD drives work like this, if you block them while opening they just retract the tray. At least while it's blocked by something.

    But why is it important? Most of the great stories aren't 100% accurate with the facts, they may even be completely made up, but it doesn't make them any less enjoyable.

  • Don L (unregistered)

    TRWTF is budget freezes and middle level managers abiding by them.

    Thank God, my current manager fight alongside me all the way when I recommend something.

  • (cs)

    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    Addendum (2011-08-16 14:53): And now it has been! Thanks!

  • (cs)

    The Daily WTF: Living up to its name.

  • (cs) in reply to frits
    frits:
    The Daily WTF: Living up to its name.
    I blame the lack of deeply-fucked WTFs, such as this, which would have provoked a deep and meaningful discussion.
  • trtrwtf (unregistered) in reply to hoodaticus
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...

  • Lucent (unregistered) in reply to trtrwtf
    trtrwtf:
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...

    And you then saw fit to raise it again.

  • (cs) in reply to trtrwtf
    trtrwtf:
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...

    I used to delight in seeing Bert Glanstrom posts being deleted.

  • (cs) in reply to frits
    frits:
    trtrwtf:
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...

    I used to delight in seeing Bert Glanstrom posts being deleted.
    Yeah, it makes me cheer, "So long, troll! 'May flights of demons wing you to your rest.'"

  • Frank (unregistered) in reply to trtrwtf
    trtrwtf:
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.
    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...
    Hope that someone goes back through the last few weeks of posts. That would be the best revenge on the ted-trollers.
  • (cs) in reply to Frank
    Frank:
    trtrwtf:
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.
    And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...
    Hope that someone goes back through the last few weeks of posts. That would be the biggest waste of time known to mankind.
    FTFY

    Also, cue the admins to start deleting the posts talking about the admins deleting the posts...

  • trtrwtf (unregistered) in reply to C-Octothorpe

    [quote user="C-Octothorpe"][quote user="Frank"][quote user="trtrwtf"][quote user="hoodaticus"]Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.[/quote]And someone seems to be working on that... first time I've found myself cheering as the post count goes down...[/quote]Hope that someone goes back through the last few weeks of posts. That would be the biggest waste of time known to mankind.[/quote] BTFY

    A bigger waste of time than Zunesis? I don't think so, friend. [quote]

  • (cs) in reply to trtrwtf
    trtrwtf:
    BTFY

    A bigger waste of time than Zunesis? I don't think so, friend.

    I stand corrected...

    BTW, what the hell is BTFY?

  • (cs) in reply to hoodaticus
    hoodaticus:
    Every single comment on this page could be deleted without damaging any interesting discussion whatsoever.

    Addendum (2011-08-16 14:53): And now it has been! Thanks!

    Awesome! The system works. :)

  • trtrwtf (unregistered) in reply to C-Octothorpe
    C-Octothorpe:
    trtrwtf:
    BTFY

    A bigger waste of time than Zunesis? I don't think so, friend.

    I stand corrected...

    BTW, what the hell is BTFY?

    "Broke that for you"

  • THE zunesis - the one, the only (unregistered) in reply to trtrwtf
    trtrwtf:
    C-Octothorpe:
    trtrwtf:
    BTFY

    A bigger waste of time than Zunesis? I don't think so, friend.

    I stand corrected... BTW, what the hell is BTFY?
    "Bonered that for you"
    FTFY ;)

  • nobodyspecial (unregistered)

    No first 'paid for' consulting gig

    We had a very special piece of custom hardware that used a bunch of i860s to do a particular calculation very very quickly (well quickly for the early 90s)

    Unfortunately the homemade kit used to crash fairly often while a researcher on the other side of the world was using it at 2:00am. It took about an hour to get through security and into the lab at 2:00am. But because this was a super secret advanced special calculation it was behind a vaxstation front end that nobody else was allowed to use, no admin login, no hardware access to wire a reset button.

    Solution was an Epson dot-matrix printer with a plastic rule taped to the paper feed knob. The genius on the other side of the world crashed the HW all they had to do was type a command that printed a blank 20 lines to the printer, rotated the paper feed know 180deg which swept over the reset toggle.

    Total research project cost = $lotsM, special hw cost = $M, fee to grad-student = bottle of wine!

  • Bnon (unregistered) in reply to hoodaticus

    It's called a watchdog.

  • Jay (unregistered) in reply to JamesCurran
    JamesCurran:
    I'm not sure I'm buying it. I've used dozens of CDROM drives over the years, and none have come shooting out with enough force to press a button on a CPU (which are usually recessed to prevent accidental pressing)

    "Shooting out"? You don't need speed to press a reset button.

    As to the amount of force, I don't suppose there's a lot of power behind the motor in a CD tray. But then, it doesn't take a lot of force to push a reset button.

  • (cs)

    TRWTF is using an IP address in the script. It should have been a computer name (DNS).

  • (cs) in reply to Skywings
    Skywings:
    While the concept of using a relay isn't hard I suspect this guy is a software guy and wouldn't know a resistor even you stab one in his eye. It would probably have been beyond his skills to wire one up. Unless you're talking about a industrial solid state relay of sorts. In that case its much easier and is a simple case of connect the wires.

    Maybe. Or just maybe that budget freeze was so cold that they wouldn't spring for a relay...or a resistor.

  • PinkyAndTheBrainFan187 (unregistered)

    I have been feeling pretty melancholic lately but I almost cried at the end. :(

  • TheFritziestNagesh (unregistered) in reply to Jay
    Jay:
    JamesCurran:
    I'm not sure I'm buying it. I've used dozens of CDROM drives over the years, and none have come shooting out with enough force to press a button on a CPU (which are usually recessed to prevent accidental pressing)

    "Shooting out"? You don't need speed to press a reset button.

    As to the amount of force, I don't suppose there's a lot of power behind the motor in a CD tray. But then, it doesn't take a lot of force to push a reset button.

    Dude. Don't feed the troll. He even said "enough force to press a button on a CPU". Have you ever seen a CPU with a reset button? Not me.

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