Author Topic: Anybody got the straight-scoop?  (Read 3212 times)

Offline RHPConsult

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Anybody got the straight-scoop?
« on: October 12, 2007, 11:28:54 AM »
I'm gradually collecting quite an inventory of these puppies.

Can anyone tell me if, as long as the "plugs" at each end are identical, if what connects those plugs is equivalent?

Or, can I use them interchangeably, so I don't have to carry more than one when traveling?

There is one easily recognizable difference between some and the rest,  in my center drawer: some have a small cylinder surrounding the conductor a few inches from the "USB-end". The others: no such embellishment.

Is that anything other than some kind of overload protector, err sumthin'?

What does it "mean".

Many thanks

Offline FLASH1296

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« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2007, 12:05:11 PM »
Years ago I had found a website for an outfit that sold cables and adapters of all kinds.
It had nice photographs and charts - which is what I think that you (and I) need.

Offline Paddy

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« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2007, 12:30:38 PM »
My understanding from reading here and there is that the bump in the middle is for noise suppression.

Discussion of the "bump" and all sorts of info here:

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t245...erent-uses.html

Some more general info here, RHP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB

This might help too:

http://www.datapro.net/catalog/usb-cables.html

I've always operated on the principal that if the end fits, we're good to go. wink.gif Seems to have worked so far. Though I should note that a USB 1.1 cable did NOT work with our USB 2.0 scanner - the Mac saw the scanner, it made it do it's first little burps and blips, but then the scanner just sat there with the "warmup lamp 1%" and completely froze VueScan and the Epson software. Switched to a USB 2.0 cable and voila! No problems at all. smile.gif
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2007, 03:41:20 PM »
Wonderful. Thanks.

I see that those "bump" queries were started back in 2004. Ithink I started wondering about them about that time. It's just taken awhile to realize that, as usual, the answers are on TeeEss.

Buried in that range of answers over there (Velocity Reviews) was this link . . .Lotsa USB info here which I found interesting even those some of it was in Windozspeak.

• • • •


Amended Operating Principles for the Semi-Clueless:
  1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  2. If the connector(s) fit, you're good to go.
  3. Some things that taste bitter are poisonous; nothing that tastes sweet is poisonous.
  4. Don't ever try to eat anything bigger than your head.
  5. The mind as actual is immediately phenomenal, hence not substantial
« Last Edit: October 13, 2007, 02:29:26 PM by RHPConsult »

MamaMoose

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« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2007, 12:13:32 AM »
Dick,

1) I understand the bump to be a way to grab hold of the cable and disconnect it from its socket.

2) There are two types of plug-socket combinations. a) the flat end that has six contacts, two for power. b) the square end kind which has only four contacts for devices tat need no power.

3) USB 1.1 cables used in a USB 2.0 environment will drop the USB 2.0 speed to that of USB 1.1. The cables are made differently and the USB 2.0 cable can handle higher speed (higher frequency) without loss.

MamaMoose

Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2007, 01:36:41 PM »
QUOTE(MamaMoose @ Oct 12 2007, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dick,

1) I understand the bump to be a way to grab hold of the cable and disconnect it from its socket.

MamaMoose
You jest of course, Herr Dr. Professor.

The "stuff" (technical term) I read made references to "noise" control/reduction, ferrite cores to reduce "ringing", RFI "blobs", shielding, amplification, hi/low quality of cables . . . all separate from USB 1 vs 2 (which I see as irrelevant because they have, as far as I can see, quite different connectors.)

The question was "Are the cables with the can/bump/cylinder/whathaveyou and those that do not sport such an embellishment interchangeable?

I wish to carry one, only, if possible when I travel.

I'm satisfied that the answer is "Yes". but it's also now so very nice to know that it's for pulling out the connection. Not!

Offline gunug

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« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2007, 02:17:02 PM »
QUOTE
"bump" queries. . .

:Rolling on the ground, giggling beyond hope of recovery:

There has been a nice set of USB adapters and such in the Cyberguys catalog; although I don't have it here to look at and the website doesn't seem to have it!
"If there really is no beer in heaven then maybe at least the
computers will work all of the time!"

Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2007, 02:31:59 PM »
"Adapting" has never been my concern.

Equivalence or substitutability (is that a word?) is/has been. I'm satisfied.

Offline kimmer

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« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2007, 09:20:11 PM »
Most timely thread and I'm thankful for the info. smile.gif

Offline krissel

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« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2007, 10:40:02 PM »
QUOTE(RHPConsult @ Oct 12 2007, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Amended Operating Principles for the Semi-Clueless:
  1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  2. If the connector(s) fit, you're good to go.
  3. Some things that taste bitter are poisonous; nothing that tastes sweet is poisonous.
  4. Don't ever try to eat anything bigger than your head.
  5. The mind as actual is immediately phenomenal, hence not substantial


Interesting collection of aphorisms...adages...maxims?

Observations:

1. That's why I'm still running 7, 8 and 9 year old computers. smile.gif

2. Well, I once put a USB 2.0 PCI  card into my 9600 and it fit just fine. Only problem, USB 2.0 wasn't supported by that machine.

3.
  • ethylene glycol (antifreeze) is very sweet but deadly
  • honey can be contaminated with botulism
4. Cotton candy   yum.gif

5. In other words, the thing seen, felt, heard, tasted, etc. is the substance, not the thing that recognizes same? Most would agree.
Then again..."that mind receives in its inner life its truth and concrete essence, while in objectivity it is at home and reconciled with itself. The mind which has thus reverted to the substantiality with which it began is the mind which has returned out of the infinite opposition, and which consequently engenders and knows this its truth as thought and as a world of actual laws."  Hegel

This is fun. smile.gif


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Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2007, 01:10:14 AM »
No one I know has ever accused you, Krissel, of being any variety of clueless!   Devilish2.gif

Offline krissel

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« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2007, 01:45:56 AM »
That's because the 'blond' in my hair t'aint exactly natural. wink2.gif
« Last Edit: October 14, 2007, 01:46:16 AM by krissel »


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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2007, 09:37:11 PM »
Do we need to start a "Philosophy" division?! eek2.gif

Whut y'all talkin' 'bout?! Thinking.gif wallbash.gif
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
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Offline krissel

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« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2007, 10:44:56 PM »


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Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2007, 12:09:20 AM »
Cool it, ABD. After all Elle Woods did spend most her time in this movie art UCLA and Harvard Law . . . so what if it was such a hoot! She won her first case on much more than a Technical-ity! whistling.gif

Now hie thyself over to Belbram 's keyboard thread and tell me what might be wrong with my wireless KB.