别人经验变自己的¶
How to incorporate other people's experiences into your own?
Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of things, so I humbly seek advice and take the opportunity to learn from others' practical experiences.
Typically, I try to solve problems on my own and avoid bothering others. However, if there are issues I cannot resolve myself, I am willing to pay professionals to help me. For more common problems, I usually learn while paying for the service.
For example:
1、
Replacing light bulbs.
Well, the phrase "replacing light bulbs" may seem easy, but in reality, it can be quite tricky. This is because the process of changing these particular light bulbs is different from the usual ones.
Firstly, the light bulbs in my home are positioned at a higher height, around 3-5 meters, and they are called "cylinder lights" or commonly referred to as "spotlights." Initially, the older version of these lights allowed for easy removal and replacement of the bulbs, which was very simple. However, the older models were discontinued, and they were all replaced with newer integrated embedded lights, which I didn't know how to replace.
A little anecdote: I bought a ladder to change the light bulbs, but it turned out to be too short. Unfortunately, I couldn't return it, so I purchased a taller ladder, which was just the right fit. So, when buying a ladder, it's important to consider the height of your own home and get a ladder that is relatively taller.
Since I didn't know how to replace the newer integrated cylinder lights, I started a long wait until several bulbs burned out so that I could hire a professional to replace them. In the meantime, I bought a floor lamp to use. Eventually, after around 15 bulbs had burned out, I called for a professional.
Once the professional arrived, I accompanied them throughout the entire process and entered learning mode. The professionals were quite fearless, not bothering to turn off the power or wear gloves while replacing the bulbs. In reality, changing the cylinder lights is relatively simple; the challenging part is removing the old ones, which requires significant force and the use of tools.
So, while watching the professional replace more than ten bulbs, I asked questions and learned the process. I even tried replacing one by myself. This way, in the future, if one or two cylinder lights burn out, I can replace them on my own. Since the number of bulbs to be replaced is small, the professional may not come for installation. Of course, if you are willing to pay an additional installation fee for each light, the professional would still be willing to help.
2、
Glass glue, sealant.
Over time, kitchen sinks, basins, and glass surfaces tend to develop black stains that are difficult to clean. They may also turn yellow, crack, or even break when wiped.
So, I hired a professional to handle the issue. The professional was very efficient, first cleaning the old adhesive and then using a tool called a "caulking gun" to quickly apply the new adhesive. Once applied, they used a scraper to level the surface and smooth out any rough edges, completing the task.
While observing and asking questions, I also learned how to apply adhesive. I started by practicing in less important areas, experimenting with different techniques. After gaining some experience, I continued applying adhesive on other surfaces, and I felt quite satisfied with the results.
3、
Door locks.
Sometimes it can be difficult and inflexible to insert the key into the lock. Initially, I hired a locksmith who taught me to apply graphite from a pencil to the key, lock cylinder, and the lock itself, which made it much smoother.
Later, another locksmith taught me to use a specialized door lock spray, which can be applied to the entire door and last for many years.
4、
Toilet plunger.
The toilet plunger is truly a magical tool. For many years, I had only heard of toilet plungers and seen funny stories about people accidentally getting them stuck to their faces. However, I had never imagined that I would need to buy one or even know its purpose.
Finally, one day during daylight hours, my toilet got clogged. I thought I could just press the flush button a few more times and it would be fine. But every time I pressed it, the water level in the toilet bowl would rise. In the end, it almost overflowed. The situation was simply unbearable.
So, I immediately called a professional to help me unclog the toilet. The professional's method was incredibly simple. They took a toilet plunger, pressed it down into the bowl, and pulled it out. Just like that, the clog was cleared. It was truly magical. Afterward, I immediately went to the market and bought a toilet plunger, just in case.
5、
Installing window locks.
After visiting numerous hardware stores, I couldn't find any professional willing to help me install glass locks on my balcony. These locks include bolt locks, chain locks, limit locks, crescent locks, and sliding locks.
Since I had purchased five types of locks in small quantities, no professional was willing to come and install them for a fee. Therefore, I had no choice but to install them myself.
Since the material was uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride), all I needed to do was drill holes for installation. It was actually quite simple. So, I bought a household Bosch electric drill, which worked really well. It can drill through anything.
However, during my first attempt at drilling, I forgot to measure the hole distance with a pencil, resulting in the lock not fitting properly. I had to drill new holes, which meant drilling multiple holes.
On my second attempt, after drilling and installing the locks, when I tried to open the door, I realized it was stuck. The locks were too close together, causing the protruding parts to get jammed, making it impossible to open the door. I had to remove all the locks and reinstall them again.
While drilling the initial holes, I also discovered that I had used the wrong drill bit. I was supposed to use a smaller size, as using a larger size made the screws less secure. So, I had to redo the drilling once again.
With the experience gained from the previous mistakes, I became more proficient later on, and I quickly managed to install all the locks.
6、
Belt hole punch.
When a purchased belt is too big or too small, and the existing belt holes are not enough, it requires creating new holes. In reality, many physical stores that sell belts are often willing to help punch new holes in their own belts for free. However, if the belt has been used for some time and has either become loose or tight, or if it was purchased online, there is no option to have it done by the store. At this point, the belt is still relatively new, so I bought a hole puncher.
A belt hole puncher is a tool equipped with various shapes and sizes of hole punches, allowing individuals to select according to their preferences when purchasing a belt hole puncher.
7、
Balcony water pipe blocked.
After several days of heavy rain, water accumulated on the balcony and couldn't drain away. I had to call a professional who used an electric tool to clear the blockage. Later, the professional suggested that when the blockage is relatively small at the beginning, it can be cleared using a steel wire rope. Whenever there's spare time, I could try clearing it myself and clean the surrounding area. This method can work for a long time, but if it doesn't work, then it's advisable to seek professional help again.
8、
All program icons on the computer desktop have turned into Notepad format and cannot be opened.
At that time, I didn't know what I had downloaded, but once I opened it, my entire computer desktop turned into Notepad format. This included program icons like QQ, WeChat, browsers, and more, all transformed into Notepad format. Even Word documents and Excel files became Notepad format and couldn't be opened. Eventually, following someone else's advice and step-by-step instructions, I was able to restore everything.
So, what should you do if you open an LNK file and all the icons on your computer desktop change to Notepad format, including the programs? Here's how to restore the LNK file opening method in Windows, specifically for Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
Manual Repair Method:
Press WIN + R simultaneously.
Open the Run program.
Enter: regedit.
Locate: Computer -> HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> SOFTWARE -> MICROSOFT -> WINDOWS -> currentversion -> Explorer -> FileExts.lnk.
Please note that the instructions provided are only for Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
You will find two entries: "openwithlist" and "openwithprogids." If there are other options, delete them.
Delete all key values within "openwithlist" except for the default.
Delete all key values within "openwithprogids" except for the default and "lnkfile."
Save and exit.
If there are still icons that cannot be restored, you can try the following steps: Go to Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Personalization. Click on the "Change desktop icons" button and in the panel that appears, click on the "Restore Default" button. If the icons still don't revert back, please restart your computer. This is because the Windows Explorer needs to be restarted. Alternatively, you can use optimization software like "优化大师" (Optimization Master) to restart the Windows Explorer.
Well, for now, let's pause the instructions. The general idea is that in life, many experiences can be resolved on our own or by learning from others' experiences and techniques. By learning and summarizing these experiences, we can apply them practically. I hope everyone becomes adept at learning and applying knowledge.