Articles On Information

Sansa Clip+ Digital Audio Player

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwATu7G-drMB7tVdirYIoQl8aVguluLc_eUTq-Fpl8kBSEJ_45jbGFbm2_g9RRI1OZj91InhyaOovTyipQBXRsBQ3o7UMyOfEzZ69KlsnG9BBIyIf7F7ZhVnHrgG7ToxF5wxX-dHu1E4/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwATu7G-drMB7tVdirYIoQl8aVguluLc_eUTq-Fpl8kBSEJ_45jbGFbm2_g9RRI1OZj91InhyaOovTyipQBXRsBQ3o7UMyOfEzZ69KlsnG9BBIyIf7F7ZhVnHrgG7ToxF5wxX-dHu1E4/s200/IMG_5719.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>I just picked up another Digital Audio Player (DAP): the Sansa Clip+ by Sandisk. I like to use the term "DAP" for a couple of reasons. First, all of my digital music is in the FLAC format, so technically my devices are not "MP3" players. Second, I don't like to use the word "iPod" generically when referring to a digital music device (unless, of course, the device happens to be an iPod branded device by Apple). Getting back to the Clip+, I can't give it enough praise. In fact, this is my second Sansa Clip; I also have a first generation Clip (without the "+") that still works perfectly. So why buy another one?<br /><br />Well, the first generation Clip only has 4 GB of memory, whereas the Clip+ has an expansion slot for a micro flash memory card. The Clip+ also has 4 GB of internal memory, but I added a 32 GB card for a total of 36 GB, which is more than enough for my needs. The Clip+ also comes in an 8 GB version, but the additional cost didn't make sense to me when those micro cards are so cheap (the 32 GB card was about $20.00). I still can't believe that twenty bucks can buy 32 GB of storage . . . this is simply amazing.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nBdEovbXoZ1ysGoApQjiaiitIM4cVvCznQUvUTrrYjSu8YbjFERJvCFZ5KRPWyIvUMGts0eq-YV2ZpGYDUVjJ10iP584aZ153HWA5SE2pWXO-StIyai6RPTqK6VFOpdfyLrGDs0F_GI/s1600/IMG_5717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nBdEovbXoZ1ysGoApQjiaiitIM4cVvCznQUvUTrrYjSu8YbjFERJvCFZ5KRPWyIvUMGts0eq-YV2ZpGYDUVjJ10iP584aZ153HWA5SE2pWXO-StIyai6RPTqK6VFOpdfyLrGDs0F_GI/s200/IMG_5717.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36 Gigabytes of Music!</td></tr></tbody></table>I realize that iPhones and Android phones are making stand-alone DAPs unnecessary and on the verge of extinction. I get it. However, simple and compact DAPs are still very useful in certain situations. This little gem is very well known for its audiophile quality sound, decent output power, great battery life, and outstanding feature set (e.g., native support of FLAC, WMA, and Ogg Vorbis formats, ReplayGain support, a voice recorder, and FM radio). If you say "dude, it doesn't show cover art" or "I want a touch screen UI" then just move right along and go iPad yourself. I use the Clip+ to LISTEN TO MUSIC, and the tactile buttons are great for executing basic controls without having to look at the screen. In fact, I intentionally got the Clip+ (an old model) rather than the newer Clip Zip model, which has a tiny color display that accommodates cover art. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate color displays or touch screens. I realize that touch screen DAPs and phones have their place and are a treat to use and stare at from time to time (indeed, I have a Cowon J3, which is a DAP with a touch screen; see below).<br /><br />The Sansa Clip+ is my newest DAP and it will get a lot of use, especially when I'm exercising or traveling. I guess my first generation Clip will be moved to the bench for the time being, along with some of my older DAPs and iPods. Speaking of which, the following picture shows all of the DAPs and iPods in my house:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRkxum8AvZ-UU-uBM2rKw6dpAsGBTyKfqEUhKhJeKWnld6UE6E0eaQu4iHYWIqMGu_3p4PkUDGzL4v3ApiktV7x6v-tbj-OaCEl7kjuVNrc8RCfIH30clXTzR5ypR9LEVC3o25LXm1Bk/s1600/IMG_5715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRkxum8AvZ-UU-uBM2rKw6dpAsGBTyKfqEUhKhJeKWnld6UE6E0eaQu4iHYWIqMGu_3p4PkUDGzL4v3ApiktV7x6v-tbj-OaCEl7kjuVNrc8RCfIH30clXTzR5ypR9LEVC3o25LXm1Bk/s200/IMG_5715.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />The devices are arranged in chronological order of acquisition, beginning at the top left. Regretfully, I did not keep my first two DAPs: a Sony MiniDisc player (circa 1998); and the first generation iPod Mini (early 2004). Yes, I consider the MiniDisc player to be a DAP because the music was stored in digital form. Anyway, at the top left is my first generation iPod Shuffle (2005). That sucker is still in pristine shape, and I even have the stupid necklace lanyard thing (never used). Some folks still insist that the first generation Shuffle sounds better than ANY other iPod model. Next is my third generation iPod Nano (2007). I'd still be using this if Apple would pull its head out and support the FLAC format. Perhaps I could Rockbox my Nano (Rockbox is replacement firmware that is universally considered to be a huge upgrade to OEM firmware), but meh whatever.<br /><br />I'll never buy another iPod device unless it supports FLAC (as an aside, if you are interested in non-iPod music players, then you ought to check out <a href="http://anythingbutipod.com/" target="_blank">Anything But iPod</a>. I did). Indeed, FLAC support is one of the reasons why I bought the first generation Sansa Clip (2008) and its big brother, the Sansa Fuze (2009). These two appear at the top right of the picture. The Fuze has all of the benefits of the Clip, along with a nice color screen and a memory expansion slot. My Cowon J3 is in the bottom left position (I got this in 2010). The J3 has an awesome color touch screen, audiophile sound quality, a memory expansion slot, and many other cool features. I really should watch videos on the J3 to take advantage of its screen, but I only play music and an occasional flash game on it. Next to the J3 is a fourth generation iPod Touch (2012). In a moment of weakness I allowed another Apple device into my house. It is not mine, I don't listen to music on it, and in my opinion it's only good for playing Angry Birds and Doodle Jump. Lastly, we have my new Sansa Clip+, as described above.<br /><br />Getting back to the Clip+, all of the positive reviews you read online are true. There is no better DAP for the money, from both a feature set and sound quality perspective. If you need something inexpensive for the gym, for biking, running, skateboarding, or hiking, you really should get one. If you want audiophile sound and features, then install the Rockbox firmware, get some decent replacement headphones or IEMs (see <a href="http://dailyacquisition.blogspot.com/2012/08/headphones-iems.html" target="_blank">this post</a>), load up the Clip+ with some lossless FLAC files, and enjoy the music.

Sansa Clip+ Digital Audio Player

I just picked up another Digital Audio Player (DAP): the Sansa Clip+ by Sandisk. I like to use the term "DAP" for a couple of reas...

4:11 PM

Wajib Tahu! 7 Makanan yang Jangan Dimakan Sebelum Naik Pesawat

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apa yang Anda makan sebelum terbang, ternyata berpengaruh besar dengan apa yang akan dirasakan saat terbang. Salah-salah, bisa jadi mabuk darat atau sakit lain yang Anda alami.<br /><br />Dilongok dari Smarter Travel, inilah 7 jenis makanan yang sebaiknya Anda hindari untuk dikonsumsi sebelum terbang dengan pesawat:<br /><br />1. Aneka fast food<br /><br />Restoran cepat saji atau fast food banyak tersedia di bandara. Tapi sebaiknya, makanan dari restoran ini tidak Anda konsumsi, terutama sebelum penerbangan. Kenapa? Karena sistem pencernaan tubuh akan bekerja lebih keras ketika kita berada di ketinggian lebih dari 35.000 kaki. Sedangkan, makanan yang disediakan restoran cepat saji biasanya mengandung lemak, yang membutuhkan waktu lama untuk dicerna.<br /><br />Belum lagi jenis minyak yang digunakan biasanya jenuh. Hasilnya, Anda bisa terkena sakit perut. Yang lebih parah lagi, ini bisa mengakibatkan penyempitan pembuluh darah.<br /><br />2. Alkohol<br /><br />Oke, ini memang bukan makanan, tapi Anda tetap harus tahu kalau sebaiknya tidak mengonsumsi ini sebelum penerbangan. Baik bir atau pun vodka bisa menyebabkan dehidrasi.<br /><br />Yang lebih buruk lagi, udara yang dihirup selama penerbangan tidaklah lembab, dan bisa menyebabkan dehidrasi. Tenggorakan pun bisa menjadi kering.<br /><br />3. Sayuran<br /><br />Ketika lepas landas, tekanan udara di kabin berkurang. Ini menyebabkan udara di dalam pesawat bertambah hingga 30%. Akibatnya, udara yang masuk ke dalam tubuh, khususnya lambung dan usus kecil pun bertambah. Dengan mudah Anda bisa merasa kembung dan tidak nyaman.<br /><br />Agar tidak semakin bertambah kembung, sebaiknya hindari menyantap sayuran, seperti brokoli dan kembang kol sebelum terbang. Keduanya bisa meningkatkan gas di dalam lambung. Jika masih mengonsumsinya, alhasil perut Anda akan semakin kembung karena dipenuhi gas.<br /><br />4. Minuman bersoda<br /><br />Selain bir, masih adalagi minuman lain yang sebaiknya tidak dikonsumsi sebelum terbang, yaitu minuman bersoda. Sama seperti bir, minuman bersoda bisa menyebabkan Anda dehidrasi. Tidak hanya itu, minuman bersoda juga bisa menyebabkan perut kembung karena dipenuhi gas. Pasti tidak nyaman!<br /><br />5. Permen bebas gula dan permen karet<br /><br />Permen bebas gula biasanya diperuntukkan orang-orang sedang menjalani diet atau yang mengalami diabetes. Meski bebas gula, biasanya permen ini tetap mengandung pemanis buatan yang juga ada di permen karet. Sayangnya, tubuh manusia tidak didesain untuk mencerna gula dengan baik, dan ini bisa menyebabkan kembung.<br /><br />6. Kacang-kacangan<br /><br />Kacang-kacangan ternyata juga tidak cukup baik untuk dikonsumsi sebelum penerbangan. Makanan ini secara alami mengandung gula yang cukup kompleks untuk dicerna. Hasilnya, begitu berada di atas pesawat, Anda bisa mengalami kembung.<br /><br />Namun, jika tetap ingin mengonsumsi kacang demi mendapat proteinnya, Anda bisa merendam kacang semalaman unutuk menghilangkan gula. Baru kemudian diolah untuk dikonsumsi.<br /><br />7. Bawang putih<br /><br />Banyak orang yang bilang bawang putih itu sangat lezat, tapi mengonsumsi makanan ini membuat pernapasan Anda sedikit bau. Selain itu, bawang putih juga mengandung sulfur yang bisa diserap oleh darah dan paru-paru.<br /><br />Ini berarti, secara langsung bau bawang putih yang Anda konsumsi akan tersebar dengan mudah melalui pernapasan Anda. Baik itu ketika berbicara atau pun bernapas lewat hidung. Otomatis, teman sebelah Anda akan terganggu dengan ini.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://travel.detik.com/read/2012/12/07/073749/2111799/1382/wajib-tahu-7-makanan-yang-jangan-dimakan-sebelum-naik-pesawat</span></div>

Wajib Tahu! 7 Makanan yang Jangan Dimakan Sebelum Naik Pesawat

Apa yang Anda makan sebelum terbang, ternyata berpengaruh besar dengan apa yang akan dirasakan saat terbang. Salah-salah, bisa jadi mabuk da...

6:07 PM

7 Makanan yang Harus Dimakan Sebelum Naik Pesawat

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terbang dengan pesawat di atas ketinggian lebih dari 10.000 kaki, kadang membuat penumpang mual, kembung dan ketidaknyamanan lain. Untuk itu, sejumlah persiapan harus dilakukan, termasuk soal makanan.<br /><br />Gangguan saat terbang bukan cuma mabuk udara, masih ada lagi yang tak kalah menyebalkan seperti perut kembung atau dehidrasi. Beberapa langkah pun harus Anda lakukan agar terhindar dari ketidaknyamanan saat terbang.<br /><br />Salah satu cara yang bisa Anda lakukan sebelum terbang adalah dengan mengonsumsi makanan yang tepat. Dilongok dari Smarter Travel, Rabu (6/12/2012) inilah 7 makanan yang sebaiknya Anda konsumsi sebelum terbang:<br /><br />1. Makanan rendah garam<br /><br />Sebelum terbang, sebaiknya Anda tidak terlalu banyak mengonsumsi makanan yang mengandung banyak garam. Mengonsumsi terlalu banyak makanan mengandung garam bisa membuat perut mual, akibat terlalu banyak gas di dalam tubuh. Tentu rasa seperti ini sangat menganggu perjalanan. Untuk itu, konsumsilah makanan rendah garam sebelum terbang dengan pesawat.<br /><br />2. Jeruk<br /><br />Siapa sih yang mau jalan-jalan dalam kondisi sakit? Pasti tidak ada yang mau. Sayangnya, peluang traveler terjangkit penyakit justru besar. Bandara dan pesawat adalah salah satu tempat publik tempat berkembangnya banyak bakteri. Anda bisa terpapar kuman dengan mudah saat berada di sana.<br /><br />Untuk mencegah sakit, sebaiknya konsumsi jeruk yang banyak. Selain mendapatkan vitamin C yang bisa meningkatkan sistem imun, jeruk juga mencegah Anda dari dehidrasi.<br /><br />3. Teh herbal<br /><br />Sebelum terbang dengan pesawat, banyak turis yang mengonsumsi kafein, seperti kopi. Sayangnya, terlalu banyak kafein bisa membuat Anda dehidrasi. Untuk itu, gantilah kopi dengan teh herbal. Teh herbal secara alami tidak mengandung kafein, jadi bisa menghindari Anda dari dehidrasi. Agar perut terus terasa nyaman, teh herbal dengan peppermint bisa menjadi pilihan.<br /><br />4. Yogurt<br /><br />Terbang tinggi bisa membuat perut terasa tak nyaman. Ini karena sistem pencernaan manusia tidak dirancang untuk bekerja di atas ketinggian 7 mil atau 11 km di atas permukaan laut. Untuk mencegah gangguan pencernaan, Anda bisa mengonsumsi yogurt dengan probiotik yang bisa mengatur sistem pencernaan.<br /><br />5. Air dengan potongan lemon<br /><br />Sering merasa lelah dan mengantuk setelah traveling menggunakan pesawat? Ini bisa terjadi karena Anda mengalami dehidrasi. Salah satu cara untuk mengembalikan cairan tubuh adalah dengan mengonsumsi banyak air. Jangan lupa untuk menambahkan potongan tipis jeruk lemon. Selain itu, jeruk juga mengandung antibakteri yang bisa mencegah sakit tenggorokan.<br /><br />6. Konsumsi banyak protein<br /><br />Protein akan memberikan Anda lebih banyak energi dan rasa kenyang. Beberapa protein yang bisa dipilih adalah kacang. Janganlah pilih makanan berprotein yang digoreng, terutama jika Anda sedang berada dalam penerbangan panjang. Ini karena tubuh Anda tidak memiliki banyak waktu untuk mencerna lemak menjadi energi.<br /><br />7. Smoothies<br /><br />Menikmati makanan yang lembut dan manis sangat baik. Salah satunya adalah smoothies, kombinasi antara yogurt dan buah segar. Keduanya dipercaya bisa mencegah dehidrasi.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://travel.detik.com/read/2012/12/05/163755/2110258/1382/7-makanan-yang-harus-dimakan-sebelum-naik-pesawat</span></div>

7 Makanan yang Harus Dimakan Sebelum Naik Pesawat

Terbang dengan pesawat di atas ketinggian lebih dari 10.000 kaki, kadang membuat penumpang mual, kembung dan ketidaknyamanan lain. Untuk itu...

6:05 PM

Uni-Ball E-Knock Eraser

This is a post about a pencil eraser.<br /><br />I wrote that first sentence to allow disinterested readers to hit another URL immediately. I mean, does anyone really want to spend more than two seconds reading about an eraser? I hope so, because I'll probably spend two seconds times 1000 preparing this post.<br /><br />For anyone who is still reading . . . I recently acquired a Uni-Ball E-Knock eraser, and I'm quite pleased with my purchase. The E-Knock is basically a 5 mm diameter retractable eraser stick housed in a plastic body. It is shaped and sized to resemble a retractable pen, the body is clear, it has a nerd clip, and it has little indentations that are designed to enhance your grip during extreme erasing activity that might result in sweaty fingers. The overall design is very slick, and the build quality is impressive for something that costs less than two bucks. Not only is this thing super cheap, but eraser refills are available (the environment says "thank you"). The E-Knock is available in different colors (clear, blue, pink, and black), and I got the black version because it looks really menacing when I'm attacking renegade pencil marks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHa8alEsiSTHjpNW__isC-E8CmWaKC5uCYs5gvDNOwkyXfjviKlJyqZX9foEB2VcbSFHsCTtHvOsR1s2cZ35GRSsQSfhB7prs_lgXAqlcP5CtP2osYKwZftG2qWfZG9Y3YpjrfXnTDQM/s1600/IMG_5610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHa8alEsiSTHjpNW__isC-E8CmWaKC5uCYs5gvDNOwkyXfjviKlJyqZX9foEB2VcbSFHsCTtHvOsR1s2cZ35GRSsQSfhB7prs_lgXAqlcP5CtP2osYKwZftG2qWfZG9Y3YpjrfXnTDQM/s200/IMG_5610.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />But how does it work? Well, I don't have a performance scale or an evaluation tool for erasing technology, but I can say with some confidence that it can erase a pencil mark effectively and efficiently. The end result is about the same as the only eraser I've used for most of my life: the Staedtler Mars Plastic. However, compared to the Mars Plastic, the E-Knock leaves more post-erasing dust and plastic remnants on the paper. I can live with extra eraser fragments because the 5 mm tip of the E-Knock is much better for precise and accurate erasing.<br /><br />The actuation mechanism works well, with good tactile feedback and a satisfying "click" when advancing the eraser stick. I dig the see-through body, which makes it easy to determine when a refill is needed. Although I don't intend to attach this eraser to anything, the pocket clip seems rugged enough for those who feel the urge to nerd out and actually use it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ui7p_Gv0KD7c3PuiSecB6G8LRPuzZZdPSF3jEWtwWTxKw4uu-JQhbOY__CgJerBk22kmOJqBJ7zKsUIT5lc4ysUVkwEk0OsgMGsTvggeQtpbM7xEqLimzg22wMorY4xocfXJVfRDOK0/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ui7p_Gv0KD7c3PuiSecB6G8LRPuzZZdPSF3jEWtwWTxKw4uu-JQhbOY__CgJerBk22kmOJqBJ7zKsUIT5lc4ysUVkwEk0OsgMGsTvggeQtpbM7xEqLimzg22wMorY4xocfXJVfRDOK0/s200/IMG_5611.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />By the way, although sold as a Uni-Ball product, the E-Knock eraser says "Mitsubishi" on it (along with the standard Mitsubishi logo). Now there's some useless trivia for you.<br /><br />To summarize: the Uni-Ball E-Knock eraser is inexpensive, well-built, and refillable, it removes erroneous pencil marks as intended. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

Uni-Ball E-Knock Eraser

This is a post about a pencil eraser. I wrote that first sentence to allow disinterested readers to hit another URL immediately. I mean, doe...

2:38 PM

My Two Cents on the Gerber Dime

<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwHI9uTRQiv7T0mDOujC43TRXFzuRRwfMxRm13dmJfaPlfQvsqF8weHKf_kvpmO32NkKGzBMwmnKsurkbldkWUFr5LosB7ejg6C9BoxcmKkbd5CKM7vFvjvHfyKP2T7LdniZ9JhnphZ0/s1600/IMG_5720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwHI9uTRQiv7T0mDOujC43TRXFzuRRwfMxRm13dmJfaPlfQvsqF8weHKf_kvpmO32NkKGzBMwmnKsurkbldkWUFr5LosB7ejg6C9BoxcmKkbd5CKM7vFvjvHfyKP2T7LdniZ9JhnphZ0/s200/IMG_5720.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div>I've wanted a Leatherman multitool thingy for many years, but never pulled the trigger on one because my desire to own one had been driven primarily by the "cool factor" more than the "hey, I could really use a multitool on a daily basis" factor. That said, I've recently changed my attitude about multitools and I convinced myself to buy one for the "just in case you need pliers or a screwdriver in an emergency" factor. That fresh outlook ultimately led me to the Gerber Dime keychain sized multitool.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I convinced myself that a multitool must be acquired, I did some research and price comparisons. I was browsing the offerings on the <a href="http://www.leatherman.com/category/multi-tools" target="_blank">Leatherman website</a> and got a little overwhelmed with all of the different models. So I did what I always do: checked out some online multitool reviews. I went straight to the reviews posted on the awesome Everyday Commentary blog, focused on the highest rated products, and was impressed with <a href="http://www.everydaycommentary.com/2012/11/gerber-dime-review_10.html" target="_blank">this stellar review</a> of the Gerber Dime. Once I saw the 20/20 score, I was sold.<br /><br />I purchased the Dime from the evil empire known as Amazon (free shipping with my Prime status) for less than $17.00 . . . "not bad" I thought. When I received it a few days later, I was surprised at its tiny size. The Dime truly is an EDC keychain-carry item. I was also surprised that the product looked like a pre-owned item. For example, the printed lettering on the scales was scuffed up and shoddy looking out of the box. Not really a deal breaker, but also not a great first impression.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I immediately started to fiddle with the Dime in an attempt to discover all of its useful features. Scissors: check (easy to deploy, well made, cuts paper). Knife: check (easy to deploy, sharp enough, interesting blade shape). Flat screwdriver: damn, that thing is jammed in there, let me try again; damn, I just chipped off my thumbnail, let me try again; WTF this thing sucks, does anyone have a Leatherman that I can use to open this screwdriver? Package opener tool: ditto (now there are two shards of thumbnail on the table next to the Dime). File: check (somewhat easy to deploy, and it came in handy to tune up my jagged and severed thumbnail).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyVV1ySn0DxIXN_bhzWFCpmMIv6VHCDMefNjvw58IpCLp3KA3FuM1xy1EpyH7qxCCln_C6LIh9sVVolP_E7tCy3gTa7rtOcZ1sG4daPAqoCUkcjgIJDRz5BqM8mwivmJ-ha-M0szxQjE/s1600/IMG_5721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyVV1ySn0DxIXN_bhzWFCpmMIv6VHCDMefNjvw58IpCLp3KA3FuM1xy1EpyH7qxCCln_C6LIh9sVVolP_E7tCy3gTa7rtOcZ1sG4daPAqoCUkcjgIJDRz5BqM8mwivmJ-ha-M0szxQjE/s200/IMG_5721.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Used This! Twice!</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The Dime also has something that is advertised as tweezers. Unfortunately, the tweezers are not very useful because they are biased in the closed position. Fortunately, I was able to use the end of the file as a pry bar to tweak and bend the tweezers open. After performing this tweezers mod, I used them to pick up and discard my thumbnail shards. Alas, the mod was only temporary; the tweezers returned to the closed position after I slid them back into their retaining slot. The tweezers in my little Swiss Army Knife are much better, and they work as intended without modification.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>The pliers are well-designed, easy to deploy and fold, and have a nice spring action to them. I can't really complain about the pliers, and I'm tempted to keep the Dime simply for this nice feature. Tempted, but not convinced.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TmgbPR_DCENHKePCKhuHcrXDOOsA5HGCsptxIxeWYc0DK0KFWxnx_0trYJXIyihjbq2Uk8XOhtXV8FmIGym7tn2BBDmN9R7oLWt2cJWoOFODNM3yRNBKPXK_PbIXIx8qXsNu2zP6TuE/s1600/IMG_5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TmgbPR_DCENHKePCKhuHcrXDOOsA5HGCsptxIxeWYc0DK0KFWxnx_0trYJXIyihjbq2Uk8XOhtXV8FmIGym7tn2BBDmN9R7oLWt2cJWoOFODNM3yRNBKPXK_PbIXIx8qXsNu2zP6TuE/s200/IMG_5726.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dime also has an exposed bottle opener and a split ring for a keychain. I didn't use either of them, but I assume that they work fine. Here's a picture of the Dime in all of its glory:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedDkfy3MLf3fOtREUtSDYUtSiv5usVm1aTh6wPFOXB-KfgOjGjuiQ7cVMPAE09Tt2Jj53M5vSZrDhQoDpxRILagDcEsoMicSsqTxYdxq9uaPxTu3VmWFiY6mh2wlMyzk3WnAWhMLyyyY/s1600/IMG_5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedDkfy3MLf3fOtREUtSDYUtSiv5usVm1aTh6wPFOXB-KfgOjGjuiQ7cVMPAE09Tt2Jj53M5vSZrDhQoDpxRILagDcEsoMicSsqTxYdxq9uaPxTu3VmWFiY6mh2wlMyzk3WnAWhMLyyyY/s200/IMG_5723.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I honestly think that I may have gotten a unit that was made on a Monday or a Friday, because I refuse to believe that every Dime has tools that are virtually impossible to deploy and/or use properly. It's a shame, because this multitool has an impressive set of features, it looks great, and it seems to be solidly built (other than the tweezers).</div><div><br /></div><div>These pictures will be saved, but the Dime is going back to Amazon. First impressions go a long way with me, and the Dime just doesn't make the cut. I still want to get a multitool to keep in my car, so it looks like I'll be navigating the Leatherman website again real soon.</div>