Raining and COLD if the station can be believed. 0.75 inch since midnight, and 39F. Anywhere else I’d be worried about the temp dropping and getting freezing rain.
I think I’m going to huddle inside today. No reason to go out.
I’ve certainly got stuff I can do.
n
37º and raining here. It will get into the 40s today, and slowly drop down tonight into tomorrow. Tonight I’ll get to scrape the slush out of the walkways so we don’t wind up with frozen slush, which just sucks.
Winds started gusting out of the south yesterday afternoon, while warming, so we had drifting snow that started to melt. It blew so much that my Mother in law didn’t see my wife’s tracks from 15 minutes before. When I got home, all of their tracks were filled in, so I made my own.
My snow fencing worked very well. Where I had it, it didn’t drift into the driveway. My mistake was not putting in 20′ south of our doors (our doors face west). That little hill where our walkway is got about 2′ of very heavy, wet snow. I had to clear about 20′ of it. Ick. Tonight I’ll remedy that. The snow fence DOES work well if you get it in the right places.
Fourghty Two and rain on the commute. This is the high for the day with possibility of snow by the afternoon. Oh Joy. Memphis drivers panic at the first sign of flakes and drive into the nearest ditch.
I went to our local (45 minute drive) Dept. of the Highway Patrol yesterday to get my Concealed Carry permit endorsed with the ENHANCED option. I passed the extra training last October but with the wifes health issues haven’t had the time to get it done. As always, it’s a 2 hour wait for a 2 minute process. Now I can legally carry anywhere in MS except for places prohibited by Federal law, Airport secure areas and Federal courthouses mostly.
Given that I haven’t have any free time for the range, I ordered an electronic dry-fire practice device. It uses a lase cartridge and your smart phone to simulate real shots. I am hoping it will allow me to get in practice at home where I am spending all my free time. I will post a review when I get it.
We will be driving to OK in a couple of weeks to look at prospective retirement homes. With just over a year to go it’s time to get serious.
The worst part of this sort of weather is how bad the collected damage to my body HURTS. My back aches. My hands are stiff and sore. Neck gets crunchy. Knees ache…
Getting old is not for the faint of heart.
n
Separate from the other things, one of our co-presidents wants to store 90 days of video (3 months). Our current security camera setup has a 6 TB drive for 16 cameras and gets about 16 days. For the whole system, I’m looking at 36 TBytes of storage. Why? Because they want to look at a load (heat-treated parts loaded in a basket) up to 3 months after the fact.
[Rant]
They need to get pictures of loaded baskets. Pictures that would be (maybe) 3 MBytes each. Call it 5. They need 50-100 pictures/day, so call it 100. That’s 500 MBytes/day, max. For 90 days, that would be 45 GBytes. I have micro SD cards that can handle that. But that’s 4 locations, meaning an average of 11, and a max of 20 GBytes per location. 32 GByte cards are REALLY cheap. We need never reuse them.
Why not just put a camera at each load station? Because they can’t count on the employees to do their jobs. So they want to check on them after the fact.
[/Rant]
So, how many ways are there to take pictures of a basket? I can think of a trail cam (1 every 15 seconds while in motion), a camera (pick the doggone thing up & take a picture), like a smartphone (same as a camera). There are even wifi cameras that will offload the pics to central storage. What other options are there? They JUST need pictures stored. Something that won’t take up 12 TBytes every month.
What other options are there?
Not knowing your physical plant but falling back on my warehouse automation days, I would think a trigger mechanisim, mechanical or laser, to detect the presence of a basket, would do the trick. There are many cameras that can take a trigger to take a high quality photo. You can use IP cameras or digital cameras with WiFi cards to upload the images to secure cloud storage. There are many options.
So, how many ways are there to take pictures of a basket? I can think of a trail cam (1 every 15 seconds while in motion), a camera (pick the doggone thing up & take a picture), like a smartphone (same as a camera). There are even wifi cameras that will offload the pics to central storage. What other options are there? They JUST need pictures stored. Something that won’t take up 12 TBytes every month.
If you don’t need MD5 hashes to match for legal purpuses, you can resample images for a more reasonable storage size after, say, a day. If your cameras write to an SMB share from a Linux machine, a cron process would take care of it.
We take pics of loaded trailers. Pick up a cam and take a picture. Drop the cam, buy a new one. Actually I keep up to four extras on hand. Cheap Kodak point and shoot have proven best. No need for extra features and runs on AA batteries (can’t use rechargeable – they toss them out). Reduce the resolution to VGA as pics get emailed to customers often. Good enough.
Both good suggestions. I’ll add them to the list. Thanks.
Your security cams might already do this, if not, many very affordable ones do.
I have two new IP cams from speco at my house. They are very high rez. You can set them to alarm on many video events- motion, line cross, object removal, etc. Or you can connect a motion sensor to the cam, which can trigger events. Events include snapshot (to remote storage), vid recording to sd card, email, or ftp. Cam is speco O8D6M. You don’t need an NVR, you can see the cams over IP and set them up to just send snapshots, but I’d put a cam everywhere you wanted one, a speco NVR (~$1200- more with more storage), and config to just save vid on motion or one of the events, or just save snapshots. Then you have a separate system to watch your baskets from your security cams. You also get a better idea of your storage requirements after a while.
n
FYI: The WYZE camera (~$26 each from Amazon) have motion triggered recording (12 sec 1080P) to SD card or the cloud. I use these for internal home security.
Whoops.
Fake.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1088082288062148609
Gotta distract from the inability to deliver the $35k Model 3 and Bezos flying a real spaceship this week. Again, I thought Gwynne Shotwell (the adult actually running SpaceX) was smarter than this.
So it’s really just a prop?
n
So it’s really just a prop?
I thought Musk had the real rocket hidden under all the foil, but maybe not.
My long-held theory on Musk is that people want a real-life Tony Stark, just like on TV, preferably as quick with the one liners (cough … “420” … cough) as Robert Downey Jr. Maybe I don’t understand because I only watch the movies long enough to see Cobie Smulders’ cameo appearances.
Well we were discussing this the other day…
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/big-data-meets-big-govt-new-irs-spy-software/#QIyg7DrSEV1mPQ4T.99
Wife had surgery on her back today. Needed to remove some bone that was pressing on her spine and causing pain when she walked. Her tolerance for any discomfort is very low. The surgery was needed but now I will start suffering for the next 14 days as she cannot drive for that time period and she tends to make it drama theater whenever she has surgery. But I don’t get the drugs and cannot get a surgeon to cure the problem.
@ray, I hope it’s a success and BOTH of you are feeling better quickly.
n
Under that system, the taxpayer is essentially removed from the tax preparation process because the IRS knows everything there is to know about your personal, business and financial affairs to the point where the agency prepares the return for you. How’s that for tax simplification?
Most people wouldn’t care. Half of the country doesn’t pay taxes after the credits and standard deductions get applied in the return process.
“Saudi Aramco eyes multi-billion-dollar US gas acquisitions”
http://www.gasprocessingnews.com/news/saudi-aramco-eyes-multi-billion-dollar-us-gas-acquisitions.aspx
The House of Saud is still getting ready for the day when it moves to the USA.
If the IRS knew so much, how long before that half had to contribute their “fair share”? Bake sales, lotteries and sin taxes would pay for all the government we actually need. And you can argue with me about the sin taxes. 🙂
Added: Ron Paul had it right. We’re half way to getting it right, right now!
The House of Saud is still getting ready for the day when it moves to the USA.
“Moves”? Please. They moved here years ago.
Florida has subdivisions with private airstrips capable of handling large aircraft, fly in and out without any questions asked. John Travolta parks his 707 at one near Ocala, about three hours from Clearwater.
https://www.aviationcv.com/aviation-blog/2016/john-travoltas-house
IIRC, the Nautilus founder built Jumbolair.
The House of Saud is still getting ready for the day when it moves to the USA.
“Moves”? Please. They moved here years ago.
Nah, not yet. They’ve got to get the rules changed so the the crown prince can hang his fellow prince cousins from the ceiling and use a cricket bat on their feet to get them to pay a ransom. When they have turned half of Nevada into a embassy, then they will have it made.
Why Nevada ? The crown prince likes his high stakes gambling at 3 am in the morning.
Wife had surgery on her back today. Needed to remove some bone that was pressing on her spine and causing pain when she walked. Her tolerance for any discomfort is very low. The surgery was needed but now I will start suffering for the next 14 days as she cannot drive for that time period and she tends to make it drama theater whenever she has surgery. But I don’t get the drugs and cannot get a surgeon to cure the problem.
Praying for success and cessation of the pain.
Vantucky in the national news!
My wife worked for The Vancouver Clinic, and two of their larger facilities are listed as hot spots for potential measles exposure.
Vancouver is home to a large number of Apostolic Lutherans, a kind of cult branch of the church dominated by immigrants from Eastern Europe. They’re rabid anti vaxers.
Toss in the hypocrite Progs across the river who are suspicious of Thimerosol in the vaccines (but everyone else’s kid had better be vaccinated), and you have a mix for quite an epidemic.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/emergency-declared-in-oregon-for-measles-outbreak-in-anti-vaccine-hotspot/
The Vancouver Clnic never adequately replaced my wife. We’re probably going to see an increase in the number of calls from recruiters wanting to place someone … anyone … up there.
Practice using cash NOW. Have some at home for emergencies, carry some, and learn where you can spend it. After years of using nothing but cards, it will feel illicit. Like carrying concealed in the beginning. Get used to it!
n
I really hope President tRump holds his ground on the shutdown. Wouldn’t it be glorious if all the “non-essential” personnel were permanently furloughed. Stretch’s negotiating technique of “NO!” is what might cook her goose. I hope tRump holds the SOTU in some giant stadium and invites the public. Any network that didn’t cover it would lose big time.
Practice using cash NOW. Have some at home for emergencies, carry some, and learn where you can spend it. After years of using nothing but cards, it will feel illicit. Like carrying concealed in the beginning. Get used to it!
I never stopped using cash. BTW, Wells Fargo ATMs now hand out combinations of 20s and 50s instead of just 20s. Makes for a thinner wallet. And people do not seem to freak out on the 50s like they did a decade ago.
I also make my check deposits at my Wells Fargo ATM since it is so convenient plus it gives me a printed copy of the check(s) for my records.
Just got some more info about that Act! installation problem.
Zach told me that every machine he had a problem on was Windows 10, and the one that I had a problem with had Windows 10. There’s a folder with the computer name under “users” dated when we joined the machines to the domain. So your luddite-ism about Win10 is probably going to save you a good bit of work.
I really hope President tRump holds his ground on the shutdown. Wouldn’t it be glorious if all the “non-essential” personnel were permanently furloughed. Stretch’s negotiating technique of “NO!” is what might cook her goose. I hope tRump holds the SOTU in some giant stadium and invites the public. Any network that didn’t cover it would lose big time.
I doubt the shutdown will go beyond the Super Bowl. Big donors on both sides will get revved up next week if it looks like their party is in jeopardy, and, forget the bodegas, we’re all in trouble the moment the SNAP cards stop working at Papa Murphy’s.
Practice using cash NOW.
When the lottery got up to ~$500 Million I ran the lottery pool at work. Learned 2 things: 1) about 1/4 of the company can’t easily follow instructions (put your name on the sign up sheet and put your money in the envelope) and 2) about 1/2 of the company does not even have $2 with them ever.
Even when something happens, they don’t learn. Sometimes the credit card machine in the cafeteria stops working. Each time the same people are hungry. Again.
I doubt the shutdown will go beyond the Super Bowl. Big donors on both sides will get revved up next week if it looks like their party is in jeopardy, and, forget the bodegas, we’re all in trouble the moment the SNAP cards stop working at Papa Murphy’s.
OK, @Greg is down for Sunday, Feb 3.
I am down for … Monday, April 15.
Any other takers ?
BTW, there was a big sign at HEB last Sunday that the SNAP cards were going to be loaded on Jan 29 for the Feb money. This says Jan 20 for Feb benefits, maybe I misremember the sign.
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2019/01/08/usda-announces-plan-protect-snap-participants-access-snap-february
Just got some more info about that Act! installation problem.
Zach told me that every machine he had a problem on was Windows 10, and the one that I had a problem with had Windows 10. There’s a folder with the computer name under “users” dated when we joined the machines to the domain. So your luddite-ism about Win10 is probably going to save you a good bit of work.
Heh, I am a Luddite ™.
Actually, this is somewhat true. I have been burned so many times that I have become a late adopter. My 80 year father is an early adopter and has been burned many times by immature technology. He is even dabbling in the funding website to get some camera technology that he wants.
I was an alpha tester for Windows 92, 93 and 95. Some months I would get a CD every week as the MS people fought the Win32 on Win16 battle. Never again for me ! I was a beta tester for Windows 2000 and XP. That was OK.
BTW, we do have a Windows 10 demo laptop.
Gotta have the Wall to protect Food Stamps !
Gotta have the Wall to protect Food Stamps !
“Donald Trump: ‘Build a Wall & Crime Will Fall!’”
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/23/donald-trump-build-wall-crime-fall/
Hat tip to:
https://drudgereport.com/
I’d even go so far as to say, you should establish a pattern of cash withdrawals. I’d def be skimming off my weekly cash to build up a reserve that is ‘off books’ too. But then I’m
paranoidprudent.I haven’t given much thought to when the shutdown ends. I’m kinda liking it atm, but then I don’t get any money from them.
The point has been raised elsewhere that this demonstrates the FEDGOV is way too involved in people’s lives and in the daily economy. Like ‘too big to fail’ banks, it’s a clear chokepoint.
n
Even the Big Boys are failing out of the markets. Another fund almost wiped out:
n
And It’s On ™ in Venezuela —
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-23/maduro-tells-us-diplomats-leave-video-live-ammo-clashes-emerge-internet-blackout
n
And in Sweden
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/01/sweden-bombing-crisis-four-explosions-in-24-hours/
And It’s On ™ in Venezuela —
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-23/maduro-tells-us-diplomats-leave-video-live-ammo-clashes-emerge-internet-blackout
Things are deteriorating rapidly — or rather Nicholas Maduro’s prospects of remaining in power are — in Venezuela following Monday’s mutiny of military officers in an anti-Maduro neighborhood of Caracas leading to nation-wide opposition sponsored anti-regime protests Wednesday, and following President Trump’s shock declaration bestowing sole legitimacy on “the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela.” A senior Trump administration official followed by saying “all options are on the table”.
So if the shutdown ™ lasts six months here in the USA, is it going to be It’s On ™ here too ?
FLA too.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6624915/Five-people-shot-dead-hostage-situation-gunman-opened-fire-inside-bank.html
“World War 3: ‘Rapid military escalation’ occurring between Iran and Israel”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1076129/World-War-3-news-2019-latest-Iran-Israel-Syria-countries-date-Russia-military-warning
“World War 3 fears were sparked this week after Israel hit the Syrian capital of Damascus early on Monday as part of its increasingly open assault on Iran’s presence there. In response, Iran issued a chilling message to arch-enemy Israel – warning it is “impatient” and ready to confront and destroy the nation in a statement issued just hours after Israel launched the air raids in Syria.”
“The raid shook the night sky over Damascus with an hour of loud explosions in a second consecutive night of military action.”
“Israel, which regards Iran as its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, in Syria, aiming to push them far from its frontier.”
Uh, that is beyond getting sporty.
Hat tip to:
https://drudgereport.com/
“Learned 2 things: 1) about 1/4 of the company can’t easily follow instructions
Wow, you worked for a good company. I’d have expected maybe 3/4 of people can’t follow simple directions.
On a completely different topic: It’s a shame that Trump gave in to Pelosi. Seems to me that he should hold his speech as planned, but in the Senate rather than the House. Unless the Senate cucked out as well? He has let Pelosi win this round – cancelling the SOU is a lot worse than cancelling a plane flight.
Trump has chosen this hill, and he’s going to live or die on it. Congress, for better or worse, has chosen the exact same hill. It’s hard to see how any compromise or face-saving is possible – someone is going down in serious defeat.
Re Venezuela: Why, exactly, should the US get involved – yet again – in a South American country? Maybe time to stay home and let the locals sort things out?
– – – – –
Closer to home, for me: Sweden. Thanks for the link to the Gateway Pundit. What’s remarkable is that I find zero references to these attacks in the mainstream German-language news. There’s one fruitcake site that says the Russians are attacking, otherwise…I’m still looking… Ah, I found an article in the secondary press, mentioning two “failed” attacks. I assume these are the two in the GP article that occurred in private houses.
While it looks a lot less dramatic that the GP article portrays it, the scary thing is that explosions have become nothing special. Sweden’s lovely immigrants are blowing things up all the time, so that it barely makes the news any more.
– – – – –
Israel = WW3? Only if other countries get involved. Israel is perfectly capable of looking after themselves. So is Iran. Let them…
The neurosurgeon prescribed OxyContin for my wife for pain, 30 day supply. Nope, cannot get it filled. State law only allows pharmacies to dispense 5 days. No refills. Have to get a new prescription every 5 days. And the state knows who got the medicine, how much, and when.
I would not surprised to get a knock on the door after the third refill by the state police. Maybe I will be lucky and they will knock with their hands and not a door busting ram.
And I just found out insurance will not cover anymore than the third refill. According to them it is an attempt to control substance abuse. Seriously? I suspect those abusing do not have commercial insurance but are on the public dole and getting Medicaid.
Wife is trying to avoid using the OxyContin. I feel the same way. VA offered a prescription of the same for my back and I refused. I guess I could sell the excess pills on the street, maybe put a sign in the yard “OxyContin For Sale”. But I suspect that would surely get me a greeting from a SWAT assault team. Thus I will take the excess back to the pharmacy for disposal the proper way.
So if the shutdown ™ lasts six months here in the USA, is it going to be It’s On ™ here too ?
If it lasts six months here, then some funny business will definitely be involved with keeping SNAP flowing to quell the population.
In the Portland Metro, 25% of the population depended on SNAP, and Obama-era growth charts for companies like Whole Foods and Papa Murphy’s mirror the charts showing the expansion of the food stamp program. Way too many grocery-related businesses depend on that money flowing.
In the Portland Metro, 25% of the population depended on SNAP, and Obama-era growth charts for companies like Whole Foods and Papa Murphy’s mirror the charts showing the expansion of the food stamp program. Way too many grocery-related businesses depend on that money flowing.
Including Walmart.