I have received several requests from people asking exactly what I did to being my 1992 Honda Civic back from the dead. I don't think that there could be that many people who have dead cars lying in their drive way, I think it is more of a curiosity thing. We geeks tend to shy away from auto mechanics ... maybe for reasons that I discussed in my article. Never the less, I will outline the procedure in the next several posts. BTW: If you happen to be an auto mechanic living in Massachusetts, and would like to contribute to the LayOffSupport Network by offering your help (and thus freeing up my time to spend on LSN), PLEASE contact me.

To my knowledge, there has never been a scientific study done where cars are left to rot for various periods of time; and then brought back to life. You can speak with dozens of people and everyone has a different opinion on what the process for re-animation should be. The process that I am going to describe here was created by speaking with many people and combining multiple tips. This is my own process and probably not the "best" way to do it. But virtually everyone I consulted gave me their "theory" on what it would take. I say "theory" because none of them actually did it.  Since I am the only one that has personally done it (that I know) there is no way to compare methods. In other words here is my disclaimer: "actual results may vary".

I'll also say that it is one thing re-animating a car because you want another car; or re-animating a car because you have no car and can't afford a car loan (or can't get one because you cannot list permanent employment) and doing it because you have to. I am only doing this because I have to.

For those of you that don't know me, I've mainly been a Software Engineer and Information Security guy for the past 30 years. I am about the most experienced Information Security guy you are going to meet.  My time is normally expensive and performing auto mechanics is not an optimal use of my time. Same thing for you, unless you want to do it; or need to do it; I would recommend getting rid of that clunker and spending your time other ways.

Still, if you have to do it; it's not all that bad.

Here is a link to an article about used cars

and another on important car repairs

Here is a link to an interesting WSJ article

Good News!

I received my tax refund money! Though it was the first time in 30 years I filed before the last possible second, it paid off.

Why is it good news for you? Because it means I can continue paying for LSN (who do you think pays for this site?).

This site is one of the most significant "pay it forward" efforts of all time. Not because of the actual amount of money spent developing it, but more the fraction of available resources that was contributed to the site by its staff.

Many of the "experts" that are responding to posts and contributing advice are not unemployed. Aside from their social conscience, they have no reason to be concerned with what happens here. Though I do it in numerous places on the site, I would again like to thank the people that are adding so much needed information to the LSN.

To those of you that donate to its operation, I would particularly like to thank you as well (every dollar you put in is one dollar less that I have to beg, borrow or steal to keep the LSN going).

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If your company is located in or around Massachusetts; and is in need of a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer, feel free to drop me an email: craig@layoffsupportnetwork.com

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Welcome to the Layoff Support Network (LSN). It is our sincere hope that you will rely on this site to find information that will help you during your period of unemployment. There are many resources at this site that you will not find anywhere else. The combined experience of the LSN Team in layoff limbo is many years. At this site we have tried to address what we consider to be one of the biggest issues with being unemployed. Obviously, money is the number one issue. But what most people don't realize is that the psychological components of being laid off greatly affects ones ability to find a new job. There are forums on this site where you can discuss the issues and concerns you have with people that have been in your situation and survived.

I first had the idea for this website somewhere around November 2008. I was employed, but knew several people that had been laid off. My own previous experience with layoffs made me very sympathetic to the issues I knew my friends would soon face. I started to think about the best way I could help them as well as the thousands of other people that were being laid off every week. At the time, I had a job that I greatly enjoyed. But still, I could feel the pain and anguish of my friends.

After discussing the idea with my business partner, we decided that we would create this site. My partner and I funded all the development as well as the hosting server our selves. Then, in a twist of ironic fate, I was laid off.  Like that guy on TV says,  "I'm not only president of The Layoff Support Network, I am also a customer". Being unemployed has given me the time to get this site into working order. So I guess the “silver lining” to all this is that I have more time to work on the site.

This site will increase in value, as it gets more content. We hope that you will contribute your experiences as they pertain to the various forums and groups on the site. I wish we were not in this situation, but at least we are all in this together. Please feel free to contact us regarding any improvements or suggestions you might have. Also, please share the URL of this website with all your friends that have been laid off as well.

Welcome to the community!

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