Once again, the labeling plug boxes aren’t exactly helping the confusion. Are they inductors, ballasts, transformers? Let’s just write it differently on every model!

So I really appreciate everybody’s help in sorting things out. By now I realise I definitely failed to phrase my first post clearly (or even correctly).

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your correction re inductors vs transformers. As I’ve written elsewhere, all I have to go on is what they’re labeled. Different blocks for the same lamps say one, some say the other. Some just go with “plugin” to add to the confusion.

As the lamps haven’t been working beforehand

The lamps do work, I tested them with modern, compatible energy saving LED tubes before cutting the wall plugs off. See my other reply with an image of the new tube’s specs.

Sorry, I can’t seem to add more than one image per reply. The above is one of my original warts. Attached here is a close up of another variant, found online:

Used to be fluorescent tubes when the lamps were made, yeah. Now they’re replaced with low energy compact tubes that are labeled and sold as LED.

Just be careful. I do not mean to sound condescending, but it seems you lack basic understanding of electronics. That combined with mains power is deadly. Don’t do it unless you’re sure.

Well, I know not to mess with live wires, so that’s one basic rule down. But you’re right, and I appreciate the warning.

Edit: fwiw, I’m trying to get a better grasp of electronics and electrics repair. If you have good basic learning resources you can share, I’d love to hear them.

I’d be surprised if the wall wart didn’t list both input and output voltage and current.

Yeah, me too. Hence my confusion at the labels:

Thanks for the reply!

The info missing from your post was the output voltage.

Yeah, the info I gave is all that’s offered on the transformer… LED driver… whatever. That’s why I interpreted the voltage as unchanged from input to output. If that’s even possible.

closer to Drupal than it is to WordPress

Ouch! Thanks for that assessment. As much as I’ve favoured Hubzilla in my considerations lately, I’ve gotten a similar impression going over their docs. I just needed someone else to put their finger on it.

Bonfire — yeah, our timing is off as far as their development goes 🙂 But I think/hope we have time to wait it out before Wordpress realises their “AI” plans(?)

I could reach out to Bonfire, but imagine someone like you would have more cachet with them? Plus, knowing open source development, users asking for/wanting a thing doesn’t necessarily translate into developers changing their focus to that. But it’s worth a try!

Thanks for the heads up! It’s a rollercoaster with Classicpress, but good to have it back in the race.

Boosted because I’m curious about the same thing.

The Czar family would have a word about that.

People who do calligraphy or draw (professionally as well as recreationally), you can also make your own pen nibs from soda or beer cans 👍

Granted, a mammoth’s tusk shoots out of your jaw, filling your mouth to the point of almost choking you. What kills you is the sudden weight of the giant ivory loop that snaps your neck.

Oh, that’s a lovely easter egg for those who read through to the footer. And if the Internet Explorer banner wasn’t obviously sarcastic before, it sure is now, three years after the browser reached end of support 🤣

I mean, good for them. Now, if anyone has actual mental health issues, please get in touch with a trained, human therapist.

Then you’ll love being able to read a description of Android Authority at the same time.

I’ve only used Newpipe, and I’m quite happy with it. Saved me so many commercials, tracking, and probably rage baiting recommendations as well. TBH I just turn off recommendations and comments, I’m only there to watch the videos.

That actually sounds interesting, yeah. Thanks for clearing it up, I was obviously out of that particular loop 👍

Okay, I’ll stop (what even is it?)

Edit: if you’re at all concerned about privacy, maybe provide something else than Play Store link for alternatives. Google bad.

While a fully functional version is available on F-Droid, the Play Store edition is subject to Google’s imposed limitations.

I think that’s the cause and solution rolled into one sentence right there. Use F-droid instead of Play Store.