sort of OT - some tips for DIYers

This has nothing particular to do with fixing Toyotas, but I think that if you haven't already thought of the following idea, it may help you out. When you're disassembling something, whether it be an automotive assembly or piece of electronic hardware, or anything with a number of parts, which you're going to have to reassemble when you fix it, get out your digital camera and keep it at your elbow as you disassemble the item. Keep taking as many photos as you need as you take the item apart, and if it's a small assembly, use the closeup arrangement on the camera. When you reverse the process, simply look at your last photo and go backwards. and when you're done, simply delete all the pictures and it will have cost you nothing but a couple of minutes' time. Same goes for connections of electronic equipment. If (for example) you're moving and have to take apart the connections for your tv, vcr, dvd player and cassette deck (and turntable if you still have one) the connections will probably be color coded terminals, but even if they're not, just record with your camera all the rear ends of the appliances with the wires, and again, take as many photos as you need to thoroughly understand how the wires connect. Then, after getting to your new house or apartment....maybe weeks later if it's a long distance move, and after you've long since forgotten where everything connects, you can review the photos and see in a moment where they should go. A whole lot easier and more accurate than trying to draw all the connections on a sheet of paper while you're getting packed to leave. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another tip which I just found out about. Let's say you have a remote control for a piece of electronic hardware, whether it's a receiver, cd or dvd player, tv, cable or satellite box or even an air conditioner control. You can't seem to make the unit operate using the remote, so you attempt to troubleshoot the remote. How can you tell whether it's emitting infrared signals to your unit? You can't, because your eyes don't recognize infrared light. BUT! Your digital camera recognizes infrared light, so just turn on the camera, point the remote at the lens, and push an appropriate button (actually any one button) on the remote, and if it's working, you'll see it light up in the viewfinder or LCD display of the camera. You don't even need to take a picture, just look at the LCD display, and if there's a little round light on the front of the remote, (rather like a penlite's light) you'll know that it's operating. Cute trick, eh?