@gigawatts and bob: the article says he failed. I did this long ago with records left in the car on their edges on a hot summer day. I ended up laying them flat in their sleeves with a heavy book on each one. Left them out in the car the next day and they were fine, albeit a touch wobbly on playback.

I think jews have prior claim on this one (from wikipedia):

Etymology

The word “ghetto” actually comes from the word “getto” or “gheto”, which means slag in Venetian, and was used in this sense in a reference to a foundry where slag was stored located on the same island as the area of Jewish confinement.[2] An alternative etymology is from Italian borghetto, diminutive of borgo ‘borough’.

The corresponding German term was Judengasse (lit. Jew’s Lane) known as the Jewish Quarter.

History

The term came into widespread use in Ghettos in occupied Europe 1939-1944 where the Jews were required to live prior to their transportation to concentration and death camps.

The definition of “ghetto” still has a similar meaning, but referring to broader range of social situations, such as any poverty-stricken urban area.

A ghetto is formed in three ways:

* As ports of entry for racial minorities, and immigrant racial minorities.
* When the majority uses compulsion (typically violence, hostility, or legal barriers) to force minorities into particular areas.
* When economic conditions make it difficult for minority members to live in non-minority areas.

Who cares? What is really important is that no one bails his dumb arse out by sending him another record. It is the only way he’ll learn. Oh boo hoo I draw tits but can’t figure out that I’ll melt a record that is so valuable I put it in the oven instead of taking/sending it to a reputable person that is a professional in these matters. And besides, he has TONS of other records. Tell him to stop using his waning notariety and eccentricity and get on some meds and take care of his own stuff. Enough people have been enabling this “delicate genius” for years. He is a big boy now and should have to solve his own problems in between bouts of drawing overly shadowed, veiny eyed, rat fink rip offs.
Sorry, but I have issues with this guy after a former roommate decided he was God. Read a biography book and watched a couple of docs to try and get into this weird-o and figure out what makes him so special and found there are many better, more sane, less obnoxious, and generally more talented people out there. Oh well to each their own I guess. Just had to rant.

I often fix electronic devices in general I could easily afford to replace (cheap mp3 players, cheap picture frames, $1 headphones, etc). I think most people here do, it just seems wrong somehow to fork up for a new one even when it’ll take an hour to fix an item that costs much less then you’d invoice your employer for an hour of your time.

I think “hack” has a very zen kind of meaning that kind of spans all of the above – something clever, useful, productive (to your side) that isn’t standard. “Ghetto” has taken on it’s own meaning since WW2 and I think it’s a nice prefix for “cheap, sloppy and very functional”. Yesterday I ripped the cover off the grass exit to my sons lawnmower, flipped it over and rigged it with a clothes hanger and a piece of fishing line so that it would blow grass out (rather then jam) but not straight up at the user as he had rigged it. That’s considered “Ghetto” – using crap that’s around for free anyway to accomplish a goal when combined with some brains that otherwise would require more. “Hack” certainly has an air of this and respect it, but extends the same principle to levels that can involve more complex equipment.

Of all the comments on this post only 3 are actually ‘ghetto hacks’. Everybody else is just bitching about this or that.

shall i save you all the effort in arguing about definitions and just post this for you all?

http://dictionary.reference.com/

there. if you need help figuring out what a word means go there. if not, let talk about doing some sweet stuff that is either done without the correct tools/parts/tech, in a new and/or innovative way/shape/form, or is just plain awesome/sweet/hilarious.

I am surprised. All comments seem to be well thought out (with each individual’s personal bias). Some (not-so-hackerly people) will contend that a “hack” MUST include an arduino.

The comments here are the best.

I am an actual fan of Crumb and I know him in real life also, As i am also a snail mail pen pal of this awesome man. I am looking to find him that record! Rich wealthy people are just like us, if not ever more alienated by there wealth.
Its not that great to have alot of popularity, it sucks when your hobbie becomes your job. doesnt make it much fun, Hes a genius and i wish him years more of health.

Wow, erm, I thought the title said,

rubarb crumble ghetto hack.. i got excited. sigh.