51F and wet. Better than 42F I guess. It would be nice to have everything really dry out though.
Yesterday’s rat corpse hunt ate up all my time. Had to be done, but the list pushed back. Now we are on the downward slope to the end of the year. Just a couple of weeks left in ’18. Here I am, living in the future, and bitching about it. It still seems weird to sign and date with a 20xx, which shows how unimaginative and inflexible I am, I guess. So much left to do….
n
Hmmm, ya think? We’ve only been saying this for at least 3 years…
“Analysts anticipate a HUGE ‘financial wipeout’ is coming as major hedge funds close or report losses this quarter”
n
37º and cloudy in the optimistic part of town. I have to be optimistic. I have kids to feed.
Came into a print server that was down, after being updated & tested yesterday. It’s a machine I’m planning to replace, but haven’t got to yet. 3 phone calls, but only two trouble tickets. Gaah. If it doesn’t get a service request, there’s NO RECORD OF THE PROBLEM.
The Pitts beat the Patsies yesterday in Sportsball. Makes me (and the family) happy – they’re not living rent-free in our heads anymore. Good game. In other news, the Raptors beat the Male Goats, which was a bit of a surprise, as the Raptors 2-bit starter was out and the backup was in. Gaah!
Went in to work for a little bit on Saturday. Me and one of my guys installed windows updates on all our machines manually. Our WSUS server is down at the moment and we have to have updates applied monthly. Wasn’t too bad, and I needed the extra hours to flex to this week anyways since I have early school pickups this week.
Updates are one of the areas where Linux kicks Windows ass. I would pay good money for a repository solution for Windows.
Hmmm, ya think? We’ve only been saying this for at least 3 years…
Three? I’ve been saying it for at least ten.
3-4% mortgages, 84 month car loans, and negative Fed rates (adjusted for *real* inflation) are not a good thing long term.
“It still seems weird to sign and date with a 20xx, which shows how unimaginative and inflexible I am, I guess.”
I hear you. A couple of days ago, someone was talking about the way things were in “the last century”, and I’m thinking…19th century. But they meant the 20th century, of course.
We are become our own grandparents…
@ITGuy1998: “Updates are one of the areas where Linux kicks Windows ass. I would pay good money for a repository solution for Windows.”
Yes, but…
Linux works because it’s a small community, and people can pretty much trust each other. I have added all sorts of 3rd party repositories to my main workstation. I’m not (too) worried about any of them suddenly installing malware on my machine.
Imagine the windows world, with script-kiddies everywhere. Then consider that the main Linux Kernel website was recently hacked with social engineering. How much easier to hack some popular repository site, if Linux were a more interesting target?
tl;dr: I’m not sure the Linux model would work for Windows, because of security issues…
I don’t think you know what those words mean…..
“Newly-sober HQ Trivia founder found dead of ‘heroin and cocaine overdose’”
Any excuse to get your t!ts out- keep it classy ladies…. [keep in mind, men would be sent to prison for this, and required to register as sex offenders for exposing themselves in public]
“Naked protesters covered in fake blood lie piled on top of one another in the center of Barcelona to demand an end to the fur industry” Oh yeah, and they DEMAND. Like toddlers.
More horse cr@p from Hillarity — cuz no female ever ran for office ever before
“‘It’s not easy going for a role that has only been sought by boys’: 2016 loser Hillary sends a touching letter to an eight-year-old girl who lost her class election by a single vote” — I guess her disease riddled brain just forgot about Victoria Woodhull running in 1872.
More BS from the diseased old hag–
“Gun deaths in the US rise to the highest level for almost 40 years – and they now kill more people than auto accidents
New figures from the Centers for Disease Control showed a huge increase
There were more than 40,000 deaths from gunshot wounds in the US last year
Of that number, 14,542 were murders and 23,854 were ruled a suicide
In 1999 there were 29,000 deaths amounting to an increase of 11,000 ”
–snip —
“Shortly after the CDC’s data was released, former Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted on Sunday that the problem is ‘not one we should have at all’.
‘There’s new CDC data out about gun deaths in America,’ Clinton told her 24million followers.
‘Last year saw the most gun deaths in 40 years, nearly 40,000 people. What is wrong with us? This is not a problem we should have at all, let alone one that’s getting worse.’ ”
no mention at all that the population increased from 280MM to 323MM during that time, or that black and hispanic GANG VIOLENCE increased dramatically during that time. Or that traffic fatalities decreased due mainly to safer vehicles and improved trauma care.
n
Linux works because it’s a small community, and people can pretty much trust each other. I have added all sorts of 3rd party repositories to my main workstation. I’m not (too) worried about any of them suddenly installing malware on my machine.
I’m wary of the Node.js community. Over the last few years, several incidents have surfaced in poorly-reviewed code which was rapidly adopted. Too rapidly.
I worry about Docker for similar reasons. What do you know about the person who put together that runtime image upon which your whole business depends.
I should clarify, I was complaining more about the delivery system for updates. WSUS for windows is ok (barely) on a connected network. On an isolated networked with no internet access, it’s a nightmare to maintain.
Linux is much easier. Rsync the latest updates, burn to a disc, copy into your repository, run yum createrepo to update the database, and you are done.
“Naked protesters covered in fake blood lie piled on top of one another in the center of Barcelona to demand an end to the fur industry” Oh yeah, and they DEMAND. Like toddlers.
Ironically, the only people I know who either quietly own real fur or have a secret interest in owning such an item are Progs.
Linux is much easier. Rsync the latest updates, burn to a disc, copy into your repository, run yum createrepo to update the database, and you are done.
On RHEL and related Red Hat systems such as Fedora, all owned by IBM now.
Red Hat was content with the “rpm” utility. Yellow Dog Linux developed yum, IIRC, as part of a Pentagon contract for their platform, a port of Red Hat to PowerPC systems.
I spent yesterday recovering from a “transparent” EMC SAN data migration that wasn’t quite as transparent as advertised. This after rebuilding the rpm database on one of the servers. I don’t know what’s causing it, but linux server patching is turning into an adventure. At least we don’t boot from SAN around here, so we can fix things when they break.
On the home front, we’ve got my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters for a week from Korea. One of the granddaughter’s friends is in Germany for a few weeks, and my other daughter just got back from a business trip to Ireland. I’m struck by how normal it is for these kids to be all over the world.
Hmmm, ya think? We’ve only been saying this for at least 3 years…
“Analysts anticipate a HUGE ‘financial wipeout’ is coming as major hedge funds close or report losses this quarter”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6503021/Hedge-fund-analysts-anticipate-large-financial-wipeout-major-hedge-funds-close-report-losses.html
This is why I refinanced my office property mortgage to a new loan with a fixed 15 year interest rate. The idiots at the Fed are going to keep on raising rates until somebody hits them upside the head with a two by four.
Hmmm, ya think? We’ve only been saying this for at least 3 years…
Three? I’ve been saying it for at least ten.
3-4% mortgages, 84 month car loans, and negative Fed rates (adjusted for *real* inflation) are not a good thing long term.
Why not ?
Went in to work for a little bit on Saturday. Me and one of my guys installed windows updates on all our machines manually. Our WSUS server is down at the moment and we have to have updates applied monthly.
I don’t even have a clue what a WSUS server is.
Windows 7 or Windows 10 ?
WSUS – Windows Software Update Services. It runs on Windows Server and is a way to manage updates for multiple computers. Configure it to download updates from Microsoft, and local computers then get their updates from that server. Saves bandwidth, and you can see reports on what is installed/needed. You also have central control on what updates to push out to clients.
It works ok, but like I said, when you have to have it on an isolated network, it becomes a serious nightmare.
On the home front, we’ve got my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters for a week from Korea. One of the granddaughter’s friends is in Germany for a few weeks, and my other daughter just got back from a business trip to Ireland. I’m struck by how normal it is for these kids to be all over the world.
If the people who want to control fire (the global warming fake scientists) succeed, we, the plebs, will not be allowed to travel throughout our countries and the world anymore. Only the special people will be allowed to travel since it is oh so important for them to attend their global warming conferences in five star hotels at government expense. Trip allowances will be handed out by politicians for favors. Significant favors.
If the people who want to control fire (the global warming fake scientists) succeed, we, the plebs, will not be allowed to travel throughout our countries and the world anymore
The “collision avoidance” system on my new car pumped the brakes for the first time the other night when it thought I was too close to the vehicle in front of me. Kinda creepy.
I can turn off the system temporarily, but a big obnoxious icon lights up on the dash, and the system reactivates the next time I start the car.
That kind of makes me wonder. I can get a DEF Delete for a new diesel truck (though it doesn’t remove the computer completely). I wonder if it will be possible to buy new computers for the cars that have that crap deleted?
That kind of makes me wonder. I can get a DEF Delete for a new diesel truck (though it doesn’t remove the computer completely). I wonder if it will be possible to buy new computers for the cars that have that crap deleted?
I doubt it. Volkswagen was a message to the rest of the industry about diesels. You might be in luck with the “old” Ram diesel design which Chrysler still sells to people who can’t afford $60,000 vehicles and actually need a truck for *work*, however. The computer may be fairly basic.
(With Sergio gone, I doubt those will last into another model year.)
@JimL
What is a “DEF Delete” for a new diesel truck? Do you mean that it does not require the Blue DEF fluid? If so, what size truck does this apply to? I am all diesel, having a 2014 Silverado 2500 diesel as well as a 2015 VW Passat diesel. Both require DEF. My last VW diesel, a 2009 Jetta, did not use DEF.
I sort of think the Dodge computers are now the same from truck to truck. A computer from a ’90’s 318 works fine on a 360. The spark advance might be a bit off… not sure.
I do know the the Yamaha dealer wanted $300 for the computer thing for my motorcycle. Twenty five years ago. Junk yard? Ignition module from an old 6 cylinder Plymouth? Five bucks? It’s just four wires. Ok, so the bike can’t go 70 MPH. Spark curve.
For example, if I had the tool that connected to the OBDI whatever La La La! port, I can tell my computer “we are in Canada!” and that’s how you turn on the DRLs.
There are days I would like to have DRLs. A button on the dash would be nice. Then again, turning on the running lights and the fog lights isn’t that much effort.
I’m not an expert. I’m just reading the shop manual for a 2002 Dodge Ram.
That kind of makes me wonder. I can get a DEF Delete for a new diesel truck (though it doesn’t remove the computer completely). I wonder if it will be possible to buy new computers for the cars that have that crap deleted?
Aftermarket, right ? For off-road use only ? It used to be the EPA chased those aftermarket emission modification guys into the ground. I wonder what they do now ?
“3-4% mortgages, 84 month car loans, and negative Fed rates (adjusted for *real* inflation) are not a good thing long term.”
Why not ?
Those things are possible only because the government buys the paper, in one way or another, using printed money.
I’m not an expert. I’m just reading the shop manual for a 2002 Dodge Ram.
Car designs are often done 5-6 years out so, at a minimum, you’re looking at mid 90s microcontroller tech. Still pretty basic stuff, 8/16 bit, primitive development tools using assembly only.
You might luck out in that the Germans strip mined Chrysler for everything decent in the design pipeline in the mid-2000s before abandoning Auburn Hills to Fiat. Most of the current US DCA product line is based on tech which is 15 years old or older — pretty solid, but nothing that will survive 54 MPG CAFE when the next prog President reinstates the insanity.
@Greg, trying to buy a 2019 Toyota Highlander V6 LE this week or next for the wife. I have a MSRP of $35,682 and I have gotten the dealer down to $30,884 plus TT&L. Just the plain jane model, no leather, no automatic a/c, not all of the automatic driving features. Now we have to decide. And of course the sales dude is going nuts. “My manager has only ok’d that price until 8pm today so we gotta do it today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Most of the current US DCA product line is based on tech which is 15 years old or older — pretty solid, but nothing that will survive 54 MPG CAFE when the next prog President reinstates the insanity.
The only thing that will pass that 54 mpg CAFE are plugin hybrids or total electric vehicles. Especially suvs and trucks.
Fun junk mail!
From “Dr. D. Duke” in Louisiana. Christmas Greetings and all very nicely printed. With an order form for his books. Even has an addressed envelope!
The really weird part is that it was addressed to Ms Alice “My last name”. I think, not sure, Dad didn’t talk about his family very much, but he might have had a sister named Alice. He had a younger sister named Irene, so do I. 🙂
Anyway. Dad died 8/9/10 and they found him at lunch time…. so make it 8/9/10/11am. Just old, 86.
He was one of many, in the middle of the pack. Which would make Alice about 103. I’m guessing. I never met any of Dad’s family. I don’t know what happened there.
I do know Dad lied about his age and joined the Marines for WW2. Some time in China, some mention that I might have a half Chinese brother, and then to Iwo Jima. He always said the flag raising was re-staged the next day for the press with guys that were not covered with a month of mud and stink.
Then Korea. A Purple Heart, a Silver Star, no big deal to him. One of his siblings told him mom died. So he never went back to Wisconsin.
Then ‘Nam. Another Purple Heart. Someone that looked like my Daddy came home in ’65. Not a nice person. And about a year later he somehow found out his mom died in ’66. Not in ’51. Who the heck does that to their brother?
I’m pretty sure Alice never left Wisconsin. I find the data collection stuff interesting. A woman I never met, who never lived in Texas, and getting mail at my address from the KKK.
What a strange world.
And about a year later he somehow found out his mom died in ’66. Not in ’51. Who the heck does that to their brother?
Siblings are strange. Especially when mom is slipping them a few bucks here and there. Now I’m not saying that they are living off mom but … And then when mom passes on you find out that all of her property is in their names already. And mortgaged to the hilt.
BTW, this did not happen in my family. No sirree, when my grandfather’s mother passed on in 1968, this did not happen at all. And her 4,000 acres about 30 miles west of here was mostly gone or else mortgaged to the hilt. No, that did not happen.
From “Dr. D. Duke” in Louisiana. Christmas Greetings and all very nicely printed. With an order form for his books. Even has an addressed envelope!
Well, you are now on the FBI watch list.
And of course the sales dude is going nuts. “My manager has only ok’d that price until 8pm today so we gotta do it today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Gawd.
Tough call with the sales games. This is a really bad December for them in that the month is effectively over on 12/29 if they’re open Saturdays, and they lose a Monday to Christmas. OTOH, the RAV is one of the best selling vehicles in the US period, and you’re looking at a 2019 with the TNGA update *minus* the 8AT transmission — a more attractive vehicle to Toyota faithful than even the Camry.
Really tough call. What did your credit union say about loan amounts and percentages?
She’ll definitely dig the vehicle. I like everything about my Camry except the 8AT. TNGA is Toyota’s answer to the last Mazda update to their similar-sized cars.
BTW — If they’ve nixed the CD player, I’ve worked out the recipe for the USB drive and Etune. Though, I swear the RAV was due for Apple CarPlay.
(Regardless of how you feel about Apple, I’d take CarPlay over Etune if the cost wasn’t a factor.)
Tough call with the sales games. This is a really bad December for them in that the month is effectively over on 12/29 if they’re open Saturdays, and they lose a Monday to Christmas. OTOH, the RAV is one of the best selling vehicles in the US period, and you’re looking at a 2019 with the TNGA update *minus* the 8AT transmission — a more attractive vehicle to Toyota faithful than even the Camry.
Highlander, not the RAV4. And it is the V6 with the 8 speed auto, pretty smooth tranny too, no hunting. We drove one last August.
What is TNGA ? And it has the CD player with the 6 inch screen. Pay another $3,000 and you get the auto a/c and the 8 inc radio screen (bigger backup screen !) and leatherette seats / steering wheel.
And about a year later he somehow found out his mom died in ’66. Not in ’51. Who the heck does that to their brother?
My father and I were estranged for over 15 years when he passed, but no one told me until a week after it happened. Even my mother, his ex-, didn’t say a word.
I honestly think my hillbilly siblings and mother were worried about what I was doing in Portland and whether I would show up at the funeral in my best black dress.
Wow, here is one of my great-grandmothers, Eudoxie Bocanegra Kershieter Pyssen. I have no idea how to pronounce her name, my mom calls her poppamomma which is probably something in Flemish (some of my cousins still speak Flemish over in Beaumont !). She and my great-grandfather left Belgium in 1902 or so, right before the Kaiser came for an extended visit. It is best to get out early.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91941429/eudoxie-bocanegra-pyssen
Highlander, not the RAV4. And it is the V6 with the 8 speed auto, pretty smooth tranny too, no hunting.
Oh, sorry. I have work things going on another laptop and didn’t catch the name.
I knew she looked at the RAV4 due to the CD player issue. The Highlander is still popular, and getting a deal will be challenging.
TNGA = Toyota Next Generation Architecture. Their new design philosophy for the Camry-size vehicles. The handling is noticeably better than previous generation Camrys, especially the feel coming from the rear wheels.
As for the 8AT, before you sign, go for one last test drive, wife at the wheel, in a residential area, and have her take the car up to ~ 20 MPH then back off on the gas to ease back to 15, without braking, then slowly accelerate back up to 20. If the transmission doesn’t hunt for a suitable gear across that speed range in a way that bothers your wife, she’ll be fine long term, especially after the 1500 mile break-in period.
The upside of the 8AT is that I rocked 46 MPG heading to work this morning, and I have the 2.5 L I4, a bigger engine than my Solara which, at best manages 34 highway. My manual calculation from the last fill up using the trip odometer indicated that I was averaging 36 in the Camry just running around town.
Poppamomma is like just what it sounds like: her father’s mother. It’s fairly common in older generations in (some parts of) Europe, to distinguish between grandmothers that way. Oddly, I’ve not heard it done with grandfathers, though maybe that’s on me…
Poppamomma is like just what it sounds like: her father’s mother. It’s fairly common in older generations in (some parts of) Europe, to distinguish between grandmothers that way. Oddly, I’ve not heard it done with grandfathers, though maybe that’s on me…
Huh. She was my mother’s mother’s mother.