Main Page: Difference between revisions

m (Removed unsightly underscores in Restarter_Safety_Guidelines)
(Updated the Intro. Err, I think I've made it far too long. Anyone got a red pencil? Keep the good bits (if any) and cross out the waffle.)
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'''We're happy to announce we have a working wiki installed.'''
'''We're happy to announce the creation of a Restart Wiki!'''


We should try to concentrate on creating a series of "meta-resources", in line with the articles we're publishing on the Guardian "How to Mend". So, we're not even pretending to be competing with iFixit or similar make/model-based resources, but instead providing useful information, ie. how to search for a user manual, what to do when searching for a spare part, how to speed up a laptop, etc


Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
'''What this is'''
 
Many experienced Restarters have built up considerable knowledge and experience, sometimes over a period of many years. This comprises on the one hand a knowledge of electrical, electronic and mechanical principles and theory, and on the other, experience of working with different types of gadgets and appliance, with the tips and tricks associated with each. In addition to all that, a Restarter may have a range of online resources and supliers of spare parts at his or her fingertips.
 
Other would-be Restarters have little or none of that but have a curiosity about how things work and why they fail, and are keen to learn.
 
Those of us with knowledge or experience always enjoy sharing it, and even the most experienced Restarters are aware of types of device or appliance of which they know little but would like to learn more.
 
Restart parties are a great opportunity to share our knowledge and experience, not only between Restarters but also with the general public who attend our events. However, there is not always time to fully explain something, or the best way of explaining it eludes one at the time, or the Restarter who is expert in a particular skill may not be present.
 
This is where the wiki comes in. In the course of time it is hoped to include all the basic theory a new Restarter needs, and a wide range of articles on fault-finding and repair of different types of device, as well as a list of resources for further information, tools or supplies.
 
'''What this is not'''
 
If you want to know how to fix your particular brand and model of device, you won't find it here. But hopefully you might find some tips on fixing that class of device. There are online sites containing much information on specific devices
 
If you're looking for in-depth electronics theory and how to design circuits, you won't find it here. But hopefully you'll find enough on basic circuit principles to have a good stab at fault-finding at a general level. There are online courses and reference sites which will take you as far as you want to go and further.
 
If you want to know where to get a specific spare part, you won't find it here. But hopefully you might get some clues as to how to find a supplier.
 
'''Who this is for'''
 
In the spirit of sharing knowledge as widely as possible, everyone is welcome to read what's here, and gain from it whatever they can. (Access may be restricted until a basic range of information has been assembled.)
 
If you wish to reuse anything here, please do so under the terms of the Creative Commons ShareAlike Licence 3.0.
 
In order to maintain reasonable quality and because we don't have the resources to moderate updates, editing is restricted to Restart Project members known personally  to the organisers. (If you qualify, contact the organisers for an account. If you're not familiar with editing a wiki, see [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.


== Getting started ==
== Getting started ==

Revision as of 11:04, 5 December 2014

We're happy to announce the creation of a Restart Wiki!


What this is

Many experienced Restarters have built up considerable knowledge and experience, sometimes over a period of many years. This comprises on the one hand a knowledge of electrical, electronic and mechanical principles and theory, and on the other, experience of working with different types of gadgets and appliance, with the tips and tricks associated with each. In addition to all that, a Restarter may have a range of online resources and supliers of spare parts at his or her fingertips.

Other would-be Restarters have little or none of that but have a curiosity about how things work and why they fail, and are keen to learn.

Those of us with knowledge or experience always enjoy sharing it, and even the most experienced Restarters are aware of types of device or appliance of which they know little but would like to learn more.

Restart parties are a great opportunity to share our knowledge and experience, not only between Restarters but also with the general public who attend our events. However, there is not always time to fully explain something, or the best way of explaining it eludes one at the time, or the Restarter who is expert in a particular skill may not be present.

This is where the wiki comes in. In the course of time it is hoped to include all the basic theory a new Restarter needs, and a wide range of articles on fault-finding and repair of different types of device, as well as a list of resources for further information, tools or supplies.

What this is not

If you want to know how to fix your particular brand and model of device, you won't find it here. But hopefully you might find some tips on fixing that class of device. There are online sites containing much information on specific devices

If you're looking for in-depth electronics theory and how to design circuits, you won't find it here. But hopefully you'll find enough on basic circuit principles to have a good stab at fault-finding at a general level. There are online courses and reference sites which will take you as far as you want to go and further.

If you want to know where to get a specific spare part, you won't find it here. But hopefully you might get some clues as to how to find a supplier.

Who this is for

In the spirit of sharing knowledge as widely as possible, everyone is welcome to read what's here, and gain from it whatever they can. (Access may be restricted until a basic range of information has been assembled.)

If you wish to reuse anything here, please do so under the terms of the Creative Commons ShareAlike Licence 3.0.

In order to maintain reasonable quality and because we don't have the resources to moderate updates, editing is restricted to Restart Project members known personally to the organisers. (If you qualify, contact the organisers for an account. If you're not familiar with editing a wiki, see User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.

Getting started

List of pages

The following pages currently exist. (Those in red don't yet exist but are projected.)

General

  • Style guide - Let's give this wiki a reasonably consistent look and feel.
  • Tools - Our list of useful tools for community electronics repair.
  • Restarter Safety Guidelines - Safety instructions to be adhered to at all Restart Parties.
  • How to search - Tips on how to search for useful material.
  • Resources - Good sites for fixit or disassemble guides, service manuals etc.

Basic electrics and electronics

Mobile electronic devices

Feature phones

Smart phones (except Apple)

iPods, iPhones, iPads

Cameras

Satnavs

Audio/visual

Computers (desktop and laptop)

Computer peripherals and networking

Domestic appliances

Scratch Pad

Unfinished articles