Spy Journal 3.0 Filtering the web for you

Did you know that a simple piece of paper fixes 70% of failed iPods? Stephen Ironside, a student at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville once faced a modern problem that his iPod that had filled his life with music had stopped working. As it was out of warranty he put it away until one day he read on a blog that it could be fixed with a small folded piece of paper.
As neighbourhood repair shops have disappeared, fixit websites have developed to fill this gap. Peter Wayner has written an article on this phenomenon. Some of these websites focus around questions that are answered by anyone who has faced a similar problem, those who offer advice are rated on the quality of that advice. Other sites offer repair services and sell replacement parts.
It is difficult to find a site that will tell you it makes economic sense to pay for repairs. When repairing the $300 camera you bought costs $80 and you can buy the same one now for $100. I guess it depends on how much data you have on a device, how much personalisation and what it means to you.