You need to take very good care of your thingee. Don’t go around inserting random thingees in the thingee of your thingee, because your thingee may get sick. 8^p
Europe organized to one single cable type for now, and even got Apple to cooperate. I wonder when it will make sense to offer the same environment over here. It still won’t help for Arlo’s collection of old cables.
I have cables with 5 different thingees. Then to make it worse you need different thingees on both ends. It is a conspiracy done by cable manufacturers to make you keep buying dozens of cables.
I seem to remember Arlo having been something of a computer nerd back in the day. He would certainly know the parallel evolution of USB and Thunderbolt.
I experienced this recently. My desktop computer is a MinisForum, which is a small but powerful computer that mounts on the back of the monitor. A couple months ago the power cord broke. What happened was the USB type plug that plugs into the computer had somehow separated from the cord. Since it couldn’t easily be fixed I went in search of a replacement.
The problem was that the power cord was so unique that no one locally or on Amazon carried it. My son (who handles all our household computer issues) had to contact the manufacturer in China and order a replacement. So just over 5 weeks and $30 later, my computer is back in business.
Back in my teaching days, I found that the students needed to expand their vocabularies and to begin using more precise words when writing. So, I developed a list of Forbidden Words: get, really, very, good, a lot, stuff, and thing/s.
Each year, the first response was “You just destroyed my whole vocabulary.”
The connections are all defined by Standards. And as standards go, none remain standard long. Hand a standard cable to an engineer, and their first thought is, “I can do this better, faster, simpler.”
For me the nightmare with cables started with communication cables that attached the pc with the external modem. They had a standard db25 shell with rs232 connections, but did anyone follow? Of course some did but with all the variations roll over, null etc I had two drawers at work filled with cables.
A number of nations have stopped that nonsense. For example, all the phone charging cables have to have the same connector to the phone. No more making someone get a different cable for different devices as I understand it.
I use ‘undetermined’ cables by cutting off their connectors. The cable bits are usually pretty strong and can be used as ties – cinching Christmas light sets, for example.
It’s astonishing how many different connections have appeared over the last few decades. (reminds me of projector bulbs (slide and movie) – every projector had a Different bulb. Crazy)
I have long wondered if all the power cord connection designers have made things so nutso might be because an employment eligibility requirement is to complete a course in residential fuse box labeling.
I used to assemble RF connectors for IT data cables. Be extremely grateful we live in a time in which our devices use the few connectors they do. In the IT world, there are hundreds.
sbenton7684 9 days ago
You gotta look for the thing-a-majig.. not the thingee…
Homerville Premium Member 9 days ago
The lost art of verbal communication.
suv2000 9 days ago
Try none of the cables fit
Strod 9 days ago
You need to take very good care of your thingee. Don’t go around inserting random thingees in the thingee of your thingee, because your thingee may get sick. 8^p
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace 9 days ago
Makes perfect sense to me.
He has a unique thingy.
Robin Harwood 9 days ago
Perfectly clear explanation. I understand exactly what he means.
jaydogg187 9 days ago
Sounds like he needs to consult a doctor.
Rhetorical_Question 8 days ago
Dispose mismatch sets and buy a new set of lights?
j_m_kuehl 8 days ago
My ding a ling, my ding a lingI want to play with my ding a lingMy ding a ling, my ding a lingI wanna play with my ding a ling
Ermine Notyours 8 days ago
Europe organized to one single cable type for now, and even got Apple to cooperate. I wonder when it will make sense to offer the same environment over here. It still won’t help for Arlo’s collection of old cables.
Ermine Notyours 8 days ago
Pearls Before Swine is right after this comic for me, and Rat is also having troubles with a cord thingie.
c001 8 days ago
As long as Arlo’s thingee matches Janis’…
My First Premium Member 8 days ago
We need universal size charge cords for anything that needs to be plugged in. I have a similar size collection of useless cords too.
soareyes 8 days ago
One thingee to call them, one thingee to bind them, one thingee to rule them all: USB-C.
A# 466 8 days ago
Engineers LOVE standards. That’s why there are s-o-o-o many of them.
Sephten 8 days ago
Every day a school day …I had no idea the US spelling of ‘thingy’ was different from the British spelling.
AnneFackler 8 days ago
My husbands thingee stays at the farm and my thingee stays at home. This way our thingees don’t get crossed up.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 8 days ago
I have cables with 5 different thingees. Then to make it worse you need different thingees on both ends. It is a conspiracy done by cable manufacturers to make you keep buying dozens of cables.
sarahbowl1 Premium Member 8 days ago
I’ve been there, Arlo! It makes me feel just stupid!
Ignatz Premium Member 8 days ago
What bothers me is when the guy in the store doesn’t know what you mean by “the wide one,” and you can’t open the box and check.
MRBLUESKY529 8 days ago
No one can explain it better than that.
oldchas 8 days ago
I seem to remember Arlo having been something of a computer nerd back in the day. He would certainly know the parallel evolution of USB and Thunderbolt.
Fklimko 8 days ago
I feel Arlo’s pain.
gozirra2 Premium Member 8 days ago
Arlo, you may have to try turning your thingee over to put it in the other thingee! Argh!!
Barnabus Blackoak 8 days ago
carging cables should have been designed to be universal.
wschott 8 days ago
At least he has them organized in piles. I have a group thingy party going on.
rc_stone_1 8 days ago
That’s what adapters are for.
mrblanche 8 days ago
And that is the reason for the EU’s ruling on cable connections.
david_42 8 days ago
All of the rechargeables I have now use USB-C or USB micro and I have micro to USB-C adapters. Still have a drawer of misc cables.
SpacedInvader Premium Member 8 days ago
Actually Arlo, that pretty well sums it up in understandable terms.
serial232 8 days ago
And, that is why you always tag the charging card and power supply, just as soon as you open the box.
Out of the Past 8 days ago
Oddly enough,it’s gotten better. In the 1990s and early 2000s we had a closet full of tangled, unmatchable wires, plugs and adapters.
BJDucer 8 days ago
Understood, Arlo…no further explanation necessary.
rugeirn 8 days ago
It’s one thing not to know where your device is. It’s quite a bit different not to know what your device is.
Hydrohead 8 days ago
It’s time to standardize your thingees.
rgulyash 8 days ago
If it’s too tight, lube.
sloaches 8 days ago
I experienced this recently. My desktop computer is a MinisForum, which is a small but powerful computer that mounts on the back of the monitor. A couple months ago the power cord broke. What happened was the USB type plug that plugs into the computer had somehow separated from the cord. Since it couldn’t easily be fixed I went in search of a replacement.
The problem was that the power cord was so unique that no one locally or on Amazon carried it. My son (who handles all our household computer issues) had to contact the manufacturer in China and order a replacement. So just over 5 weeks and $30 later, my computer is back in business.Cadi Fuhler 8 days ago
You don’t have to explain it any better. We all understand.
jarvisloop 8 days ago
Back in my teaching days, I found that the students needed to expand their vocabularies and to begin using more precise words when writing. So, I developed a list of Forbidden Words: get, really, very, good, a lot, stuff, and thing/s.
Each year, the first response was “You just destroyed my whole vocabulary.”
poppacapsmokeblower 8 days ago
The connections are all defined by Standards. And as standards go, none remain standard long. Hand a standard cable to an engineer, and their first thought is, “I can do this better, faster, simpler.”
Heelboy 12 8 days ago
Maybe Arlo needs to try the Whatchamacallits or the Thingamajigs to see if they insert properly into the thingee….
Grace Premium Member 8 days ago
They sell adapters…
flying spaghetti monster 8 days ago
For me the nightmare with cables started with communication cables that attached the pc with the external modem. They had a standard db25 shell with rs232 connections, but did anyone follow? Of course some did but with all the variations roll over, null etc I had two drawers at work filled with cables.
uniquename 8 days ago
Don’t ask me. I’m still using Betamax.
Just-me 8 days ago
A number of nations have stopped that nonsense. For example, all the phone charging cables have to have the same connector to the phone. No more making someone get a different cable for different devices as I understand it.
elvy 8 days ago
We always called them doohickeys.
j.l.farmer 8 days ago
When you do find it, mark it with a magic marker so you won’t forget it for the next time.
david.reichert 8 days ago
Let Janet handle your thingees if it is too complicated.
Skeptical Meg 8 days ago
It’s called “progress”. It used to be called “planned obsolescence.”
GG_loves_comics Premium Member 8 days ago
Just go to the basement and check the Box-o-Cables. Doesn’t everyone have one of those?
djtenltd 8 days ago
I know exactly how Arlo feels.
LONNYMARQUEZ 8 days ago
sort or get rid of old cables
DaBump Premium Member 8 days ago
Planned obsolescence has become a high artform. Among many sneaky ways of making more money, like “shrinkflation.”
drfhoule 8 days ago
I attached a tag to each cable I could match with an object but I still have lots of leftovers. I do not dare to throw them out yet.
Jeffin Premium Member 8 days ago
Tech wizard.
walt1968pat Premium Member 8 days ago
Such technical talk is over my head.
Thanksfortheinfo2000 8 days ago
I use ‘undetermined’ cables by cutting off their connectors. The cable bits are usually pretty strong and can be used as ties – cinching Christmas light sets, for example.
Nicki's ZoMcYo 8 days ago
Here I was thinking they were doo-dads!
KEA 8 days ago
It’s astonishing how many different connections have appeared over the last few decades. (reminds me of projector bulbs (slide and movie) – every projector had a Different bulb. Crazy)
lsnrchrd.1 Premium Member 8 days ago
I have long wondered if all the power cord connection designers have made things so nutso might be because an employment eligibility requirement is to complete a course in residential fuse box labeling.
cracker65 8 days ago
Good thing Arlos thingy matches Janis thingy lol
SNVBD 8 days ago
USB-C …. hooray for standardised cables
Charlie Fogwhistle 8 days ago
When the Thingee
on your thingee
Starts to go
Ringee, dingee, dingee
That’s Amore . . .
Laurie Stoker Premium Member 8 days ago
That’s me! I have a gym bag chock full of those cables!!!
sincavage05 8 days ago
We have so many cords they decided to declare their own drawer.
Michael Joss 8 days ago
I went through about 8 of those things before I found one that fit the whatumacallet.
DDrazen 8 days ago
I sort mine by color: white cable for the cellphone, black cable for the tablet.
Ron Bauerle 8 days ago
In other words, none of the gazintas match the goesouta (or is it the other way around?)
ms-ss 7 days ago
Charging cables need to be durable. USB-C connectors aren’t.
Jason Allen 5 days ago
I used to assemble RF connectors for IT data cables. Be extremely grateful we live in a time in which our devices use the few connectors they do. In the IT world, there are hundreds.