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Well this just utterly sucks ass
2 weeks ago
General
For better part of a year, my HP scanner has been coughing up blood and increasingly difficult to connect and scan. Today I finish up a piece for 
AressFenus and go to scan . Nope, its no longer cooperating at all. No scan what so ever. Murphy is being an utter dick again.
This sucks.
And I have painfully found out those scanner/copier/printer models just don't have the lifespan of the flatbeds. And I'm finding the flatbeds are getting stupidly expensive too. Preferably with bluetooth ability since I don't use a desktop space with added cables. I have one on my Amazon list, but open to suggestions.
And January/February are lean months for me at both jobs and it didn't help this months utility bill was TRIPLE from last months bill. And they read the meter on the 15th and the polar vortex struck on the 16th. Never a good sign hearing the furnace kick on every 5-8 minutes just to keep the place at 65 degrees (Minimal high for the birds comfort). Not looking forward to the February bill.
AressFenus and go to scan . Nope, its no longer cooperating at all. No scan what so ever. Murphy is being an utter dick again.This sucks.
And I have painfully found out those scanner/copier/printer models just don't have the lifespan of the flatbeds. And I'm finding the flatbeds are getting stupidly expensive too. Preferably with bluetooth ability since I don't use a desktop space with added cables. I have one on my Amazon list, but open to suggestions.
And January/February are lean months for me at both jobs and it didn't help this months utility bill was TRIPLE from last months bill. And they read the meter on the 15th and the polar vortex struck on the 16th. Never a good sign hearing the furnace kick on every 5-8 minutes just to keep the place at 65 degrees (Minimal high for the birds comfort). Not looking forward to the February bill.
Most of the "old" models work fine - but recommend VUESCAN - for software as works, cheap and very reliable. They do need USB for power. but that cord could dangle off an edge of the desk. Most of the "bluetooth" ones are unfortunately the multipurpose ones.
But the Chromebook is the tougher nut to crack as not sure the older flatbeds can handle it. And they all tend to be USB powered via the computer.
https://www.amazon.com/Document-Teachers-Foldable-Classroom-Chromebook/dp/B0FPBCGBVL/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?adgrpid=1338106226244391&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gONjZw-g5x0iEaFkgRSUUfoC6ewqERasFQYwdCA4hxuAJZDf0sYiM7G0xAB9gl_gb1HvdHCq4pImydzfNCm_bxabTFLztdad6AtL4KLmWMspeTQSH8oVyaNvd7yncj-KTFwEp3NwihV3yGA0Fd5GFrGNhLsfcqbVp_g7RjDyqRr867IU_yB6nRC5mL8kYfj0shclbcfhr6x6jR8TWl3UYg.dOMy6ci9jBHNGlhevmYXf2ZJd28vfMXLo7ZpN-N20JQ&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83631853431187&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=111594&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83632007779716%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=981_1014950846&keywords=scanner%2Bcompatible%2Bwith%2Bchromebook&mcid=64ed64092c4d36cfa1d1f0e6dea7e5bd&msclkid=4b16e44532e41b30ea038d3ae691dfa6&qid=1769985793&sr=8-17-spons&xpid=rGF4Gkfbfle0c&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1
Go for Canon, or Brother even if more expensive. In the long run they're cheaper; especially for printers of both types. I have 3 brother BW lasers. Runs fine, and dirt cheap. My color lazer (I got at my local Goodwill) Is Epson, just needed a new cartridge about 4 years ago. Still runs wonderfully, and cheap as well.
One example, search "munbyn portable scanner"
I've recently bought Canon G3730 printer/scanner as replacement. Cost me only 200$ with wifi connection, ink tank, replaceable print head and easy maintenance - plus it has 3 years warranty and I have a Canon service center nearby if anything goes wrong.
I considered Epson and Brother too, but my biggest consideration was Canon being well known for its imaging technology (I swear by Canon EOS 450D for my photo works) and the result speaks for itself:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/63130359/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/63581486/
As for power bill spikes... there is blame going towards AI consuming so much that the power companies are justifying the costs. However, I ponder if the need is fanning the bills or if there's another cause. (Can't rule out pure greed. The Great Fleecing of America is going on, after all.)
due to the massive arctic blast, there's a shortage on natural gas for power generation so costs all around are going through the roof, expect to see inflated bills or surcharges for another month.