Re: [gentoo-user] What magic does portage use?

[Dale]

Alan McKinnon wrote:
> On Saturday 12 December 2009 21:42:13 Dale wrote:
>
>> And some would also argue that cycling power on and off is actually bad
>> for the rig as well.  Keeping things at a constant temp is better than
>> fluctuating temps.  The old expanding and contracting of material
>> argument.  Sort of strange that computers that run a lot last a loooong
>> time.
>>
>>
>
> This is perfectly true and a well-proven fact. Thermal recycling is not good
> for electronics. It is good for your electricity bill though....
>
> Tektronix did some proper lab tests many many years ago on their top-of-the-
> line oscilloscopes. They found that the calibration interval could be tripled
> if the rig was never switched off (just turn down the brightness overnight)
>

I know I have read that several times but I didn't know someone actually 
tested the thing.  I know my BBQ grill would be better off if I could 
run it all the time.  You have to understand, I had this little table 
top grill that was stainless steel.  I have had that thing for ages and 
I loved it.  I could cook some mean steaks and burgers on it.  Anyway, 
it didn't rust through but it just flaked off on the bottom.  It is the 
heating and cooling cycles that does this.  I had the same thing happen 
to a old wood burning heater we had ages ago.  It just got old and the 
metal was thin even tho it wasn't rusted or anything.  It sure was 
lighter going out of the house than it was coming in.  It took six to 
get it in but only two to take it out. 

Isn't there metal in CPUs, memory chips and stuff?  I know there is 
silicone but I assume there is metal like copper or something in there 
too.  They can't like heat cycles either.  They are so small nowadays.

Dale

:-)  :-)