" 'It may be that if it wasn't for Facebook, some students would still find other ways to avoid studying, and would still get lower grades."
Yep, this has been happening since there were college.
I remember during one semester my roomie and I were looking for anything to distract us from studying organic chemistry. That semester, I learned to juggle. We'd study a bit, then someone would reach for the oranges..and we'd start trying to juggle, throwing oranges to each other while doing it.
Hell...when it came time to study, even housecleaning seemed a better alternative at times.
"It's the private retirement funds that are screwed, that's why a govt funded one is vital. Maybe it's different where you live but here everybody votes and if the govt ever tried to stop pension payments they'd be out on their arse before the ink was dry on the bill."
With the usage of the word "arse", I'd have to guess you are not an American.
I'm guessing Europe, UK?
It is just a different mentality, you are used to thinking of the large government 'nanny' state, where the state takes care of you from birth to death. Over here, we (at least we did) believe in personal resposibility, the individual, and taking care of your own.
During your working life, you are supposed to save for 'rainy' days, and retirement. In the constitution, the federal government, over here, is pretty much only supposed to be there for defense, and to be more or less, a mediation between the states, where the real power is supposed to reside.
However, that balance of power has slowly eroded over the years, and national programs and the like have come from the feds, which they really should not have the power to do or force upon citizens of each state. That's what myself and others are generally complaining about.
Many of us want to get back to the 'roots' of the US, and get rid of government mandated ponzi schemes (like SS). We don't want to go the way of Europe, and have a large, overbearing nanny state. As it has been said before, a government that is big and strong enough to give you everthing, is also big and strong enough to take everything from you too.
I'd rather be left to struggle more on my own, and be more free of govt. entanglements.
"The answer is: You have to start it yourself. Of course, this requires a whole lot of sleaziness, excellent people manipulation skills, and a complete lack of any ethics whatsoever."
Sounds like I have some research to do. Hey, as long as I don't do anything that will land me in jail, I'm game. Stupid people and money are always going to be separated, so, why not enrich myself a little, eh?
I think my biggest question is: "How do I get in at the top of one of these schemes???"
Also, is it that they are able to somehow do these schemes in a way that skirts the laws against them? Is there a 'legal' way to set one of these up?
Hey, if people out there are willing to let go of their hard earned money for less than optimal possible results, who am I not to be willing to collect it?
"Well the population will surely stop growing if you let people die in the street won't it? Good alternative plan you have there."
Well, considering that most people on Social Security are well past their reproductive years, it won't keep them from adding to the population.
I'm heavily against govt. (especially the feds) spending on things which it is not constitutionally mandated to do, but, even I see some need for a very, very basic social safety net for the elderly and infirmed. However, the ponzi scheme that is the SS program, isn't what I'd like to see. It is going to go bankrupt in a few years. Likely when I retire, it will not exist I fear. It really sucks that I have paid all this fuckin' money into a black hole, which will not come back to me. Frankly, even at this last point, if the govt. would let me, I'd sign away any 'rights' I have to collect SS, if they'd let me OUT of the program at this point, and let me keep and invest my money on my own.
I think you mis-read me. I think the Tesla looks GREAT
I think you mis-wrote;)"
Shit!! You're right...gotta start reading closer before I hit send. I meant that Unlike other manufactures of alternate energy that are fugly...Tesla is the first one out that looks GREAT.
"- but don't let that stop you thinking you're so cool for dropping $100k on it."
There are plenty of people out there, that to them, $100K isn't an annual salary, it isn't that much money to them. Nothing wrong with that, and just because $100K to them is like $100 to you, doesn't make them any more or less cool.
When $100K is pocket change to a person, buying a car like the Tesla isn't that big a deal.
"Oil is going to run out folks. What are we going to do? "
Not any time soon...at least not in my lifetime. While I'm all for starting NOW to look for new sources of energy, I'm not worried about fueling my car and bike for the rest of my life.
Well, when I went to XP...and whenever I get a new XP box, I immediately change everything to 'classic' look. I have to go in and set the windows explorer (why do they keep trying to hide this? ) to where it shows file extensions, file pathes....and usually the detailed view. I personally like to see my file types, I like to see system files, etc.
I also have to set the start menu to show ALL my programs...I hate the 'personalized' menus. I like to see everything I have on there.
I've heard it is difficult to get this 'look' in Vista and I'm guessing on Win7....how about those items?
I like to see the tree view of my file system, I work from that to find my files, etc. I try to organize my files on that tree, so if I have that view, I can easily find what I'm needing at any given time.
"Uhh, the Roadster is built on a Lotus Elise body and frame. If you are looking at a $50+k road hugging high performance vehicle full of win and awesome, the Lotus Esprit screams it at 8000 RPMs. It is a sexy looking beast that will bruise your kidneys with it's exceptionally stiff and race worthy suspension. To call it an ugly car is purely delusional. It is functional. Exceptionally so. To the extent that the pureness of it's function becomes its beauty."
I think you mis-read me. I think the Tesla looks GREAT...compared to other alternate energy cars out there, to me the Prius is about as fugly as they get.
No, I love the Lotus and the Tesla. I considered the Lotus for a bit, but, where I live, I couldn't well find any place to service it close by (New Orleans)...this was especially true in the couple years post Katrina (although I saw a couple of them around town here).
If they ever got the Tesla down to near Vette prices ($50-$60K range), AND I could get it serviced reasonably locally...I'd be very interested in one.
But, no, my comment was that the Tesla was about the first decent looking, sporty alternate energy car I've seen so far...
"Does anyone else think that $50,000 is a hell of a lot of money to pay for a car? "
No, not really. Not for a cutting edge...early adopter technology no. I mean, you see lots of Joe sixpacks getting LCD HDTV's today, which a few years ago, were much too $$$ for them, and only for the 'rich'.
You gotta start somewhere man...no, not everyone can afford the first things out the door. It takes time, those early adopters, that can afford them...pave the way for Joe and Sall Sixpack later down the road.
Geez, for some reason....there seems to be an almost inherit distaste for anyone with any type of wealth in this country these days. You almost seem to feel some level of vitriol anytime someone mentions people who make over $100K/yr and can afford something slightly 'nicer' than the people living in the projects.
Are we at the beginning of a race to the bottom...where no one can have an advantage no matter how hard they try?
"No, they are not. Even my wife was able to sit down and continue working as usual.. she required no new training to use Vista after we left XP. It's not identical, but it's no different than going from 95 to 98, or 98 to 2000."
I dunno about how different the GUI in general for Vista is over XP, but, I gotta say if it is at all like the major changes they did to the menu system on the MS office products (word and excel for instance), then there IS a big difference and I could see where retraining would be needed.
Man...when I got to this new gig, and opened up the latest versions of Word and excel for the first time, I was totally lost. I swear I was embarrassed that I could not find the Save As option. Clicking that 'button' on the top left of the screen (I didn't originally think it was a button from first looking at it) was not intuitive. I've not had to look up on the web or use MS Help in years for anything office related, but, I just could not find shit on that application. The ribbon thing is just such a new paradigm, a huge break from anything I'd seen in the past with MS office tools.
I'm sure with time, like anything, one can pick up on this stuff pretty quick, but, if the interface to Vista or Win 7 is as a drastic change at the Office tool set was, I can see how it would confuse and piss off a lot of people...and require a good bit of retraining from the less tech people at a company.
I think that shows how political correctness and lawyers have largely killed 'fun' in the US over the past couple decades.
You now have companies afraid of throwing Xmas parties, kids for years haven't known what fun it is to jump off a diving board into the swimming pool (you hardly see them on private pools for goodness sake).
It just sucks. So many fun things we used to take for granted, are now 'lawyered' or 'insuranced' out of existance...it seems as the years go by, as a society we are more and more limited in what we can do legally or without fear of some asshole bringing on litigation. Things that were freely done just a few years back, and frankly are NOT harmful to adults. It didnt' kill us years ago, but, just enough prickish, prudish people got their panties in wad and sued to hell, or got new regulations.
Geez, I wonder in a couple decades, will people have anything left to do that is fun, that might be even remotely 'risky'.
"Why didn't they just go for a coffee house in the first place as it's a standard business friendly place, "
Yeah, after a LONG day of work, in the afternoon/early evening, coffee is *just* the thing people want. Hehehe.
I think most people would want to go there after work for a beer or two to relax and chill with co-workers/friends, rather than get wired and stay up all night after work.
Makes perfect sense for a bar to me. Besides, I"m sure they already have coffee and other soft drinks on MS campus already....this would be a nice extra choice.
"The real evil is the point being kept relatively quiet. It is no secret that the Mormon Church has been leaning very heavily on Microsoft (already mentioned later in this thread) to remove the pub."
Why would the Mormons pressure MS? I mean, this is not in Utah?!?!?
I got the mazdaspeed turbo miata ('05)...I had to get something quick after Katrina, and I got a good deal on this thing. It is the most underpowered car I've ever had, even with the turbo, but, man...what a FUN little car! I love it.
I'm currently planning to replace and upgrade the air intake and exhaust system, and maybe upgrade the injectors, new intercooler and maybe engine management....which will take the thing to close to 220 HP true at the rear wheels (www.flyinmiata.com). I've been in a 220HP miata, supercharged and turbo'ed...and WOW...those cars can really scream!!
And a rag top is so much fun, like riding a motorcycle with 4 wheels.
Do you by chance know of a miata club where you live? I found one in this area, and we have some great drives....around neat areas, with about 50-100 cars at a time, it is a blast.
Tell me about yours. You a big fan of them?
At some point here after I buy a house, I'm wanting to maybe get something with a bit more muscle and room (my 'sensible' car) and get a used Z06 vette. But, even with that..I'll keep the miata. It is just such a fun little car.
"(And, dude! Your username is Cayenne8 and you're bagging on sports sedans? Come on.)"
The cayenne in the name is for the chile pepper, I've been using 'cause I like cooking hot foods. I've had that moniker WAY before Porsche went out and made a damned SUV. I still shudder at the thought of them doing that....
"Who wants a sedan/family car? Yeah, nobody buys four-door sports sedans. You're right. Their business model is clearly written by crazy people."
LOL...well, as you can tell, I'm a bit biased when it comes to cars.
I know where the real market is in real life....mostly for boring 'family' cars.
I just can't see how anyone could get excited over one though.
The Tesla, now that is about the only vehicle out there that gets me even remotely excited about a non-combustion powered vehicle.
If it isn't fast, look like a cool sports car...I'm not interested in it. But, I know I'm a niche market. Thankfully, you can still get a fun car, something that makes you excited to drive every time you get in it, and turn it on.
"This is the problem with performance vehicles - they put stupid ideas in people's heads. Just because you might be able to pull off some sort of reckless stunt that you certainly couldn't in a normal vehicle doesn't mean you should."
What might be a stupid maneuver in a low performance car, is often NOT a reckless one in a performance car with someone that knows the power and limitations of it.
If you're in a Yugo on a two lane highway, you have a lot of trouble passing people, and have to wait till there is a LONG stretch of clear road you can see. In a performance car, you can often easily pass multiple people in a shorter distance and get back over safely with a lot of room to spare.
If you are in a car that can move faster and stop quicker, you can safely do things other cars cannot do.
An unsafe idiot can drive stupidly in either car, but, a good driver knows his and the vehicles limitations...and can quite safely drive accordingly.
Slashdot Mirror
I've been kinda surprised that with all the tech and science they throw around on that show, that they don't ever mention Linux.
" 'It may be that if it wasn't for Facebook, some students would still find other ways to avoid studying, and would still get lower grades."
Yep, this has been happening since there were college.
I remember during one semester my roomie and I were looking for anything to distract us from studying organic chemistry. That semester, I learned to juggle. We'd study a bit, then someone would reach for the oranges..and we'd start trying to juggle, throwing oranges to each other while doing it.
Hell...when it came time to study, even housecleaning seemed a better alternative at times.
With the usage of the word "arse", I'd have to guess you are not an American.
I'm guessing Europe, UK?
It is just a different mentality, you are used to thinking of the large government 'nanny' state, where the state takes care of you from birth to death. Over here, we (at least we did) believe in personal resposibility, the individual, and taking care of your own.
During your working life, you are supposed to save for 'rainy' days, and retirement. In the constitution, the federal government, over here, is pretty much only supposed to be there for defense, and to be more or less, a mediation between the states, where the real power is supposed to reside.
However, that balance of power has slowly eroded over the years, and national programs and the like have come from the feds, which they really should not have the power to do or force upon citizens of each state. That's what myself and others are generally complaining about.
Many of us want to get back to the 'roots' of the US, and get rid of government mandated ponzi schemes (like SS). We don't want to go the way of Europe, and have a large, overbearing nanny state. As it has been said before, a government that is big and strong enough to give you everthing, is also big and strong enough to take everything from you too.
I'd rather be left to struggle more on my own, and be more free of govt. entanglements.
Sounds like I have some research to do. Hey, as long as I don't do anything that will land me in jail, I'm game. Stupid people and money are always going to be separated, so, why not enrich myself a little, eh?
Also, is it that they are able to somehow do these schemes in a way that skirts the laws against them? Is there a 'legal' way to set one of these up?
Hey, if people out there are willing to let go of their hard earned money for less than optimal possible results, who am I not to be willing to collect it?
Well, considering that most people on Social Security are well past their reproductive years, it won't keep them from adding to the population.
I'm heavily against govt. (especially the feds) spending on things which it is not constitutionally mandated to do, but, even I see some need for a very, very basic social safety net for the elderly and infirmed. However, the ponzi scheme that is the SS program, isn't what I'd like to see. It is going to go bankrupt in a few years. Likely when I retire, it will not exist I fear. It really sucks that I have paid all this fuckin' money into a black hole, which will not come back to me. Frankly, even at this last point, if the govt. would let me, I'd sign away any 'rights' I have to collect SS, if they'd let me OUT of the program at this point, and let me keep and invest my money on my own.
I take it you've not driven by the projects that often...
I think you mis-read me. I think the Tesla looks GREAT
I think you mis-wrote ;)"
Shit!! You're right...gotta start reading closer before I hit send. I meant that Unlike other manufactures of alternate energy that are fugly...Tesla is the first one out that looks GREAT.
There are plenty of people out there, that to them, $100K isn't an annual salary, it isn't that much money to them. Nothing wrong with that, and just because $100K to them is like $100 to you, doesn't make them any more or less cool.
When $100K is pocket change to a person, buying a car like the Tesla isn't that big a deal.
Not any time soon...at least not in my lifetime. While I'm all for starting NOW to look for new sources of energy, I'm not worried about fueling my car and bike for the rest of my life.
I also have to set the start menu to show ALL my programs...I hate the 'personalized' menus. I like to see everything I have on there.
I've heard it is difficult to get this 'look' in Vista and I'm guessing on Win7....how about those items?
I like to see the tree view of my file system, I work from that to find my files, etc. I try to organize my files on that tree, so if I have that view, I can easily find what I'm needing at any given time.
Read the thing again...they're asking for a loan, to be repaid...not a bailout.
I think you mis-read me. I think the Tesla looks GREAT...compared to other alternate energy cars out there, to me the Prius is about as fugly as they get.
No, I love the Lotus and the Tesla. I considered the Lotus for a bit, but, where I live, I couldn't well find any place to service it close by (New Orleans)...this was especially true in the couple years post Katrina (although I saw a couple of them around town here).
If they ever got the Tesla down to near Vette prices ($50-$60K range), AND I could get it serviced reasonably locally...I'd be very interested in one.
But, no, my comment was that the Tesla was about the first decent looking, sporty alternate energy car I've seen so far...
No, not really. Not for a cutting edge...early adopter technology no. I mean, you see lots of Joe sixpacks getting LCD HDTV's today, which a few years ago, were much too $$$ for them, and only for the 'rich'.
You gotta start somewhere man...no, not everyone can afford the first things out the door. It takes time, those early adopters, that can afford them...pave the way for Joe and Sall Sixpack later down the road.
Geez, for some reason....there seems to be an almost inherit distaste for anyone with any type of wealth in this country these days. You almost seem to feel some level of vitriol anytime someone mentions people who make over $100K/yr and can afford something slightly 'nicer' than the people living in the projects.
Are we at the beginning of a race to the bottom...where no one can have an advantage no matter how hard they try?
Not to mention, Tesla makes cars that are fugly like most of the current offerings out there today.
I dunno about how different the GUI in general for Vista is over XP, but, I gotta say if it is at all like the major changes they did to the menu system on the MS office products (word and excel for instance), then there IS a big difference and I could see where retraining would be needed.
Man...when I got to this new gig, and opened up the latest versions of Word and excel for the first time, I was totally lost. I swear I was embarrassed that I could not find the Save As option. Clicking that 'button' on the top left of the screen (I didn't originally think it was a button from first looking at it) was not intuitive. I've not had to look up on the web or use MS Help in years for anything office related, but, I just could not find shit on that application. The ribbon thing is just such a new paradigm, a huge break from anything I'd seen in the past with MS office tools.
I'm sure with time, like anything, one can pick up on this stuff pretty quick, but, if the interface to Vista or Win 7 is as a drastic change at the Office tool set was, I can see how it would confuse and piss off a lot of people...and require a good bit of retraining from the less tech people at a company.
You now have companies afraid of throwing Xmas parties, kids for years haven't known what fun it is to jump off a diving board into the swimming pool (you hardly see them on private pools for goodness sake).
It just sucks. So many fun things we used to take for granted, are now 'lawyered' or 'insuranced' out of existance...it seems as the years go by, as a society we are more and more limited in what we can do legally or without fear of some asshole bringing on litigation. Things that were freely done just a few years back, and frankly are NOT harmful to adults. It didnt' kill us years ago, but, just enough prickish, prudish people got their panties in wad and sued to hell, or got new regulations.
Geez, I wonder in a couple decades, will people have anything left to do that is fun, that might be even remotely 'risky'.
Yeah, after a LONG day of work, in the afternoon/early evening, coffee is *just* the thing people want. Hehehe.
I think most people would want to go there after work for a beer or two to relax and chill with co-workers/friends, rather than get wired and stay up all night after work.
Makes perfect sense for a bar to me. Besides, I"m sure they already have coffee and other soft drinks on MS campus already....this would be a nice extra choice.
Why would the Mormons pressure MS? I mean, this is not in Utah?!?!?
You do? Cool.....I currently am too!
I got the mazdaspeed turbo miata ('05)...I had to get something quick after Katrina, and I got a good deal on this thing. It is the most underpowered car I've ever had, even with the turbo, but, man...what a FUN little car! I love it.
I'm currently planning to replace and upgrade the air intake and exhaust system, and maybe upgrade the injectors, new intercooler and maybe engine management....which will take the thing to close to 220 HP true at the rear wheels (www.flyinmiata.com). I've been in a 220HP miata, supercharged and turbo'ed...and WOW...those cars can really scream!!
And a rag top is so much fun, like riding a motorcycle with 4 wheels.
Do you by chance know of a miata club where you live? I found one in this area, and we have some great drives....around neat areas, with about 50-100 cars at a time, it is a blast.
Tell me about yours. You a big fan of them?
At some point here after I buy a house, I'm wanting to maybe get something with a bit more muscle and room (my 'sensible' car) and get a used Z06 vette. But, even with that..I'll keep the miata. It is just such a fun little car.
Wow...where do you live?
I don't know any 'family' that only owns one car?!?!
The cayenne in the name is for the chile pepper, I've been using 'cause I like cooking hot foods. I've had that moniker WAY before Porsche went out and made a damned SUV. I still shudder at the thought of them doing that....
There are definite advantages of incorporating. Do look into it before making a decision.
LOL...well, as you can tell, I'm a bit biased when it comes to cars.
I know where the real market is in real life....mostly for boring 'family' cars.
I just can't see how anyone could get excited over one though.
The Tesla, now that is about the only vehicle out there that gets me even remotely excited about a non-combustion powered vehicle.
If it isn't fast, look like a cool sports car...I'm not interested in it. But, I know I'm a niche market. Thankfully, you can still get a fun car, something that makes you excited to drive every time you get in it, and turn it on.
What might be a stupid maneuver in a low performance car, is often NOT a reckless one in a performance car with someone that knows the power and limitations of it.
If you're in a Yugo on a two lane highway, you have a lot of trouble passing people, and have to wait till there is a LONG stretch of clear road you can see. In a performance car, you can often easily pass multiple people in a shorter distance and get back over safely with a lot of room to spare.
If you are in a car that can move faster and stop quicker, you can safely do things other cars cannot do.
An unsafe idiot can drive stupidly in either car, but, a good driver knows his and the vehicles limitations...and can quite safely drive accordingly.