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Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by teucris on Sunday March 23, 2025 @12:01PM (#43453788)
I have four books that I got from my dad - one for construction and repairs, one for electrical, one for plumbing, and one for landscaping. They’re in simple English with excellent illustrations. Using those books, I’ve been able to fix/improve pretty much everything in my house for ten years.
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by bennettnate5 on Sunday March 23, 2025 @12:30PM (#43453938)
Could you list the titles/author of these books? I'd actually really like to get more into DIY home improvement, and having a starting reference like this would be really valuable
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by codpiece on Sunday March 23, 2025 @06:09PM (#43456284)
I know of a couple: - How to fix damned near everything [1] - Reader's Digest Fix it yourself [2] - Audel's Carpenters and Builders guide [3]

That Audel's, my wife got me for Christmas a few years back at Lee Valley Tools, I think. Was about 1/3 of what the listed price is here.

[1] https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?ds=20&kn=how%...

[2] https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?ds=20&kn=read...

[3] https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/audels-carpenters...

Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by teucris on Sunday March 23, 2025 @10:54PM (#43457482)
The electrical and plumbing books are from a series from Home Depot called "1-2-3": "Plumbing 1-2-3" and "Wiring 1-2-3". I love them but some other posters have shared books that look even better; I plan to check them out. The construction book is "Modern Carpentry" by Willis H. Wagner. I can't find the landscaping book - haven't needed that one as much - but in my stack I noticed Reader's Digest's "Home Improvements Manual" which I've also used quite a bit.
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by bennettnate5 on Monday March 24, 2025 @10:41AM (#43461656)
Thanks!
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by ryandrake on Sunday March 23, 2025 @12:31PM (#43453943)
It's still a human doing it and not an AI or robot. All of these jobs are not uniform enough for a robot or AI to be able to handle everyone's uniquely built house.
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by mistrial9 on Sunday March 23, 2025 @12:57PM (#43454130)
you also got standardized parts and plug-in systems that use them; standardized tools that were available for a reasonable cost; and you have basic health and mobility
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by teucris on Sunday March 23, 2025 @06:56PM (#43456565)
You’re absolutely correct. The point was that I don’t need AI.
Re:Most AI value will come from broad automation, not from R&D by paulmakl on Sunday March 23, 2025 @01:31PM (#43454380)
Would love to know what these books are.