Working 9 to 5

[cadman]

I think you're thinking of LP...

Those first machines could only play/record SP (2hr) and LP (4hr). The EP, (6hr) sometimes called SLP, speed came out after that. I do have a later machine, badged as a Panasonic, but basically the same as the RCA (which was made by Matsushita) with the added speed and dressed up case. I believe you can also preset 4 programs on that one rather than the single on the earlier machine.

 

[Maytagluver]

my work number...911

Telecommunications Tech, fancy way to say 911 operator... police/fire/ems dispatch. 25 yrs...retirement now in site!!
Operating my janitorial service, serve as church organist.
Spare time...playing w/ my washers...vacuums...etc...etc.

Al 8^)

 

[parunner58]

I remember those old heavy video tape recorders. I still have a perfectly functioning Sony Betamax HiFi recorder with lots of prerecorded and blank tapes. I still believe that they recorded the best tapes and had the best sound. Too bad they never caught on. I still have it connected to the tv i have in my computer/laundry room

 

[kenmore1978]

Beta vs VHS

Another case where the better system (Beta) lost out due to better marketing (VHS)

 

[appliguy]

According to my 1979 Consumers Digest Buyers Guide...

Beta slightly lost out over VHS only because VHS machines can record on one tape longer than Beta could. In 1979 it was 4 hours max for Beta versus 6 hours for VHS and with what blank tapes cost at the time it does make sense to me to buy the machine that will let you record the most on a tape. Beta did have a better viewing quaility than VHS though and is still in use today in a certain form. I am a volunteer producer at Fairfax Public Access Tv in Fairfax Va and where we know use the DVC tapes at our station there are still some access stations that use the Beta format because of its supirior quality over the old 3/4 inch and HI 8 tapes that used to be used in the industry.

 

[kenmore1978]

VHS

also came out with special effects first. Seems like they were always a little ahead of the curve, Sony would be slow to respond.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Slow to respond?

My Sony 5600 top-loading Betamax circa 1980(mine is badged as a Zenith Video Director) was the first VCR that had "scan" (the ability to fast-forward past commercials while watching). VHS couldn't do that yet.

It still works great as long as I take the little overworked motor out every 3 years or so for cleaning and lube. Not bad for a 25 year old VCR still in regular use.

Ken D.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

9 to 5

I'm a driver.
1979- Pizza Pinto
1982- GE repair van
1984- Checker Taxi
1986- Messenger Van
1988- Truck

I still drive a truck. Well, at least it's honest.

Ken D.

 

[Designgeek]

Ken: Honest labor at a workingman's wage is preferable to a dishonest fortune any day.

I'm a PBX Engineer, which means I design & program office telephone & voicemail systems. Been a phone geek since the days when Strowger (step-by-step) systems were still commonplace; worked on Ericsson crossbar machines in the days when computers used punch cards.

I've designed a bunch of feature packages for telecommuting, which I think will be the next big thing in our industry. Four or five of my ideas have been adopted into the current-generation Panasonic KXTDA and KXTVS products, which is pretty cool.

Phone geeks don't get rich like some of the more glamorous specializations in the information technologies industries, but on the other hand, we don't suffer as badly during recessions. And we do have the benefits of geek culture, which include keeping weird hours, not having to wear a tie, working 70 hours a week (that's a benefit?!), and having conversations with friends about topics such as quantum physics and comparative philosophy.

 

[foraloysius]

I agree, nothing wrong with being a truckdriver. Are you a local, regional or national truckdriver? I admire people who can handle those big trucks!

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Just local, I like being home for dinner.

Ken D.

 

[appliguy]

GO KEN GO KEN!!!!!!

As long as it is good honest lawful work I say GO KEN!!!!!. After all what would the world do if we didn't have truck drivers to deliver all the goods in the world to where they have to go....locally or a long distance??!!!!!!

 

[goatfarmer]

No doubt!

kennyGF

 

[toggleswitch]

career info

After 20 years as an accountant, I changed careers the last time I got "downsized"

Bit the bullet, organized my finances to be able to live on what NY state unemployent had to offer. Was about to start school again part-time anyway. So I just registered full-time.

In NY state unemployemnt benefits last 26 weeks (6 mos) But, if you go to a state a approved "re-training" program they will double the number of outstanding weeks you have at the time you apply. HA! I had 25 weeks left ...so they gave me 25 more.. when they approved more schooling for a 2nd college degree. Wooohooo 50 weeks. Then the big bad unruly Bush-man gave me 13 weeks more (3 mos) So I managed to go to school full-time for 1.5 years courtesy of the state.

At the same time I got the required training to become a NYS real estate appraiser.

....and just to make life more stressful ..sold my apt and bought a house WHILE UNEMPLOYED. BIG BRASS ONES eh? LOL

It all worked out out in that I landed a job in my new career as a commerical real-estate appraiser.

And now my favorite job-related sayings...

"Show me what you have and I'll tell you have it compares to the others".

Or my favorite line is (when appraising a large aparmtent building),,said to the superintendent... "How big is your unit? (Apt.) How can I get access to it? You will have to show it to me. Hmm, that will do. But I do of course need pictures."

And if the residents get nasty or snippy, I diffuse the situation by saying "Hey I gave up accounting for THIS? Now I photograph tiolets for a living." (part of the job requires pics of the kitchens and baths in a building)

It's a living.

At one time I was an accountant by day (in the city) and an appliance saleperson at night for Sears (in the suburbs.)
"Borrowed" plenty of instruction manuals and parts diagrams in my day.

If you think the logic the average person uses in buying a house is screwy... you should see people buying appliances.

Customers have no clue if their current dryer is gas or electric (what do you mean I cant just plug in an electric dryer (when wwhat they have is gas).. to save $50 ectra cost of a gas unit.) Zero concept of operating cost will triple here...

Ditto stoves. "I want a new one." OK... Is yours hard-wiried in (cable shoots directly in) or does it have this 3-prong or 4- prong outlet (Show them the display) "I dont know."

Well why dont you get the $#$% out of here and come back when you figure out what planet this is? LOL

 

[appnut]

My 2nd job is big brass inspector. ;-)

 

[petek]

Me

Well I've been working on the railroad all my live long day. Gonna retire in just a few years now...yay!!!
Had numerous jobs there, starting in a small freight office, displaced to car checker,switchman,brakeman, back to offices doing training on yes...IBM 129 keypunches, TWX and Flexowriters for new hires, now in operations and bored.
BTW if anyones seriously looking for a good job that pays very well, ableit the hours can be tough at first and you don't need a university degree...then apply at the large railroads for train crew on freight trains or in the yards..they are absolutely desparate for new employees in those areas,, desperate. Now is the time, girls too.

 

[toggleswitch]

oh appnut

my hero....