Author Topic: magic PC? (Read 19766 times)

oddpod · **on:** January 16, 2007, 10:59:09 AM

Hi guys
I am working on an Art and design project at the moment based on modern myths, superstitions and rituals, particularly in regards to modern technology

So have you ever come across any weird little rituals or superstitions?
So far I have

Taping the screen of your pc to make it start up quickly.
Opening and closing the printer tray 3 times before printing.
Putting a cloth over the pc when not in use so it can’t "watch" you.

Other non-computer contempory rituals.

Never open a bag of crisps (or chips in the US) up side down.
Taking the first cigarette from a packet and putting it back in up side down.
Making a small scratch on a new car to ward of future crashes.
Leaving a plug socket turned on allows electricity to leak out.

So you guys got any more?
Let me know

Thanks

Russell Nash · **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2007, 11:39:30 AM

Patting the dashboard of the car after a successful trip. Especially a long one.

Bdoomed · **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2007, 07:28:22 PM

hmm... well these are all new to me! im not a superstitious person, ive never done anything like this that i can think of...

FNH · **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2007, 08:52:54 PM

I worked with a guy who insisted on tapping the bottom of any soda-pop can before opening, he insisted it stopped it fizzing over. (Nutter).

Russell Nash · **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2007, 09:41:27 PM

Quote from: FNH on January 16, 2007, 08:52:54 PM

I worked with a guy who insisted on tapping the bottom of any soda-pop can before opening, he insisted it stopped it fizzing over. (Nutter).

The tapping of the top does work. We did a "scientific" study of that in my dorm.

SFEley · **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2007, 09:48:11 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on January 16, 2007, 09:41:27 PM

Quote from: FNH on January 16, 2007, 08:52:54 PM
I worked with a guy who insisted on tapping the bottom of any soda-pop can before opening, he insisted it stopped it fizzing over. (Nutter).
The tapping of the top does work. We did a "scientific" study of that in my dorm.

I've found, based on self-funded longitudinal study, that not shaking the can also prevents it from fizzing over. >8->

Bdoomed · **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2007, 01:05:17 AM

haha. i find that opening the can partially and letting the air escape first also assists in the endeavor.

Coyote · **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2007, 09:02:10 AM

The "three tap method" as I have heard it called has never really worked for me.

I think this clip sums up my experiences with tapping a can to make sure it doesn't fizz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwymKOl-6sM

madjo · **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2007, 09:57:36 AM

Not really superstitious, but I talk to my devices (including my car)... I shout at them when things go wrong, and I say soothing/loving words to them if they've done a good job

I also pet them...

Why is everyone backing away now? Who are all these men in white?

Russell Nash · **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:15:49 AM

Quote from: madjo on January 17, 2007, 09:57:36 AM

Who are all these men in white?

If they're driving a rubber truck, RUN!

Thaurismunths · **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2007, 12:21:44 PM

Does talking to your computer count?
How about the cult-like use of children's toys and small figurines, clustered around computer hardware (especially monitors), to keep glitches away?
Some friends of mine came up with the use of vehicle mascots: A small stuffed animal was selected as their car's guardian and was wedged in to its place of honor: between the dash and the windshield. If the animal was facing forward, its eyes on the road, you would never get lost. If the animal faced you, you'd be safe in an accident.
There's the myth that fanning Polaroid pictures around will make them develop faster.
How about there personification of electronics in terms of one appliance "liking" another?
And don't forget "Three on a match." (ok, so it's not new, but still...)

oddpod · **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2007, 12:45:41 PM

thanks all!

i have found a guy round hear who pays homege to the "green man" at road crosings so he will never be run over

Thaurismunths · **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2007, 12:51:44 PM

How about pushing the "walk" button as a superstition?
Everyone has their own style: Some people push it once and leave it alone. Others push it 5-10 times. Some frantically, some do a push.......... and hold, or push, wait, push, wait, push, push, push, wait, push...etc

oddpod · **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2007, 12:54:20 PM

i push it 3 times

Russell Nash · **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2007, 12:54:46 PM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on January 17, 2007, 12:51:44 PM

How about pushing the "walk" button as a superstition?
Everyone has their own style: Some people push it once and leave it alone. Others push it 5-10 times. Some frantically, some do a push.......... and hold, or push, wait, push, wait, push, push, push, wait, push...etc

It seems that some people are having a little to much fun with that button.

Brian Reilly · **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:20:05 PM

When I was younger, I heard a rumour that there was a secret code that would make the man turn green. But no-one knew what combination of presses and pauses would work...

Also, on a computer-related note, I recall a rather fierce argument I had with a freind when I was younger about the best way to load games onto a ZX Spectrum. This was a home computer that we had when I was young (not like them fancy computers those kids have these days. They don't know how lucky they are...) which required users to connect the box to a cassette player in order to load games. My friend was adamant that games loaded faster if you turned the volume up on the tape player.

Brian Reilly · **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:28:22 PM

Quote from: Bdoomed on January 17, 2007, 01:05:17 AM

haha. i find that opening the can partially and letting the air escape first also assists in the endeavor.

The solution to the problem of drinks cans fizzing over is simple.

The gas they produce is lighter than air. Therefore it rises up when the can is opened, if the can is in an upright position. This effect makes the can fizz over.

The solution? Hold the can upside down then open it. This way, all the gas goes to the bottom of the can and can not escape. For best results, hold the can up high (to take full advantage of the gas's tendency to rise). For some reason, holding the can above your head while opening it upside down is best of all. I am not sure why that is the case, so please experiment with this method and post your results on this thread.

madjo · **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:32:50 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on January 17, 2007, 10:15:49 AM

If they're driving a rubber truck, RUN!

Actually they are in a rubber duck... guess I should take my med's now?

hmm, I press the "walk" button numerous times. Though if it has lights that light up when the button is pressed, I press it only once.

Thaurismunths · **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:43:22 PM

Here in Detroit the city installed a lot of buttons, but didn't have the money connect them to anything. Oddly enough, complaints from pedestrians who were sick of waiting at crosswalks dropped off sharply.
(then again, only 1/4 of the population bothers to use cross walks)

Brian Reilly · **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:55:02 PM

I can't believe I haven't google for this before.

It seems the crosswalk hack is still alive today

Note that the link in the above site doesn't work. Some might say that this is because BBspot is a satire site, but this is a ruse. It's because someone doesn't want us knowing the truth.

Personally, I rarely wait for the green man anyway. Few Brits do, unless the road is incredibly busy or they have young children with them.

FNH · **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2007, 08:31:43 PM

Quote from: Brian Reilly on January 17, 2007, 03:28:22 PM

The solution? Hold the can upside down then open it. This way, all the gas goes to the bottom of the can and can not escape. For best results, hold the can up high (to take full advantage of the gas's tendency to rise). For some reason, holding the can above your head while opening it upside down is best of all. I am not sure why that is the case, so please experiment with this method and post your results on this thread.

The guy I knew that that tapped would not fall for this. I mean he was clever. BUT IN THIS ONE THING HE INSISTED. Remain calm... IT WAS SO AAARRRRGHHH . Tap , tap, tap, open. WHY IT DOESN'T DO ANTHING.

... maybe he just hated me.

Bdoomed · **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2007, 01:32:57 AM

i used to think that my stuffed animals would get mad at me if neglected. like if i put em at the back of the bed, but had one with me while sleepin, the rest of them would get mad at me.

greenpix · **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2007, 12:18:32 AM

blowing in any kind of game cartridge.
Scratching coins if they don't get accepted by vending machines. Which is a really odd one because its has been proofed that it wont help a tidbit and they still installed special metal scratch fields on the vending machines to prevent vandalism on the machines.

Michael · **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2007, 02:19:17 AM

I highly recommend Snopes when researching urban legends.

For example, they come down on the tapping the soda can as a busted myth.

http://www.snopes.com/science/sodacan.htm

***

This is a great resource for myths and superstitions. For example, did you know that the British Government deliberately manufactured the myth that eating carrots would improve your vision? They did it during World War II to fool the Germans about the existance of radar.

http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/carrots.asp

oddpod · **Reply #24 on:** January 23, 2007, 07:41:31 PM

thank, thats ace

scottjanssens · **Reply #25 on:** January 23, 2007, 07:48:55 PM

If I start a game of Solitaire on my computer I must win before I quit playing, otherwise the universe will end. True story.

Planish · **Reply #26 on:** March 16, 2007, 06:14:24 AM

I'm a technician at a transmitter plant with ten 100 and 250 kW short wave transmitters (Radio Canada International). When I stand in front of them and push the button that brings up the RF carrier, I step back and make a "Rise!" gesture with my outstretched hands, as if I was attempting to levitate them. Mostly it just gives me a better view of all the meters and status LEDs as the voltages and relays kick in.

When I approach an automatic door, i like to give it a Jedi wave just before it opens. I'm hoping that some little kid will think I'm a telekinete.

SFEley · **Reply #27 on:** March 16, 2007, 06:40:47 AM

Quote from: Planish on March 16, 2007, 06:14:24 AM

When I approach an automatic door, i like to give it a Jedi wave just before it opens. I'm hoping that some little kid will think I'm a telekinete.

Heh. Your problem will be finding a little kid who doesn't know about automatic doors. My son's not quite two yet, and he's never reacted to such things with any surprise. As far as he's concerned, that's just what doors made of glass do.

slic · **Reply #28 on:** March 16, 2007, 04:32:19 PM

Quote from: Planish

When I approach an automatic door, i like to give it a Jedi wave just before it opens.

I do the same thing, only it's because I walk quickly and I don't want to bash my nose...

Thaurismunths · **Reply #29 on:** March 16, 2007, 04:56:30 PM

How about clicking randomly around the screen, or smacking your keyboard, when your computer locks up?

fiveyearwinter · **Reply #30 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:32:05 PM

I wiggle the mouse around when my computer is hanging. I am aware that this does nothing.

wakela · **Reply #31 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:58:37 PM

The IT guy at my previous company insisted that some people attract computer glitches and some don't. He said that the glitches were not the kind that the user would have caused accidentally.

At the same company we had a content management tool that actually did require bizarre rituals.
"OK, first you write the copy in Word, then paste it into Notepad. Save it in UTF-8 format, then reopen it and save it in PC ANSI. Now cut and paste it into the content management app. OK, delete all you apostrophes and retype them. Now copy the whole thing into the clipboard and paste it over itself. No, don't save it yet! Do not save at the point, we're only halfway done..."

SFEley · **Reply #32 on:** March 17, 2007, 04:01:11 AM

Quote from: wakela on March 16, 2007, 10:58:37 PM

At the same company we had a content management tool that actually did require bizarre rituals.
"OK, first you write the copy in Word, then paste it into Notepad. Save it in UTF-8 format, then reopen it and save it in PC ANSI. Now cut and paste it into the content management app. OK, delete all you apostrophes and retype them. Now copy the whole thing into the clipboard and paste it over itself. No, don't save it yet! Do not save at the point, we're only halfway done..."

The flash contest is over. I'm not doing any of that for any of your e-mail submissions again. >8-P

wakela · **Reply #33 on:** March 19, 2007, 03:54:42 AM

It's not magic, but you have the guys who double click web links. Also people who highlight onscreen text as they're reading it.

fiveyearwinter · **Reply #34 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:04:50 AM

Oh man, I totally highlight text while I'm reading it. I have no idea why.

Swamp · **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:41:16 AM

Quote from: SFEley on March 16, 2007, 06:40:47 AM

Quote from: Planish on March 16, 2007, 06:14:24 AM
When I approach an automatic door, i like to give it a Jedi wave just before it opens. I'm hoping that some little kid will think I'm a telekinete.

Heh. Your problem will be finding a little kid who doesn't know about automatic doors. My son's not quite two yet, and he's never reacted to such things with any surprise. As far as he's concerned, that's just what doors made of glass do.

This made me think about how my kids have no perception of scheduled television. They are just used to everything being on video or DVD. I or my wife will say, "Do you want to watch <we'll use Sesame Street as an example>?" and they will want to do something else, but later in the day will come up and say "Ok I want to watch Sesame Street now." It is hard to convince them that it is over and we can't just start it up. It's kind of funny, and I wonder if this is how my parents felt when they realized I couldn't envisiona world without television. This just proves that on demand media is guaranteed in the future.

lowky · **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2007, 02:02:48 PM

Quote from: SFEley on January 16, 2007, 09:48:11 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on January 16, 2007, 09:41:27 PM
Quote from: FNH on January 16, 2007, 08:52:54 PM
I worked with a guy who insisted on tapping the bottom of any soda-pop can before opening, he insisted it stopped it fizzing over. (Nutter).
The tapping of the top does work. We did a "scientific" study of that in my dorm.

I've found, based on self-funded longitudinal study, that not shaking the can also prevents it from fizzing over. >8->

But then you can't play Beer Hunter