Regimes like that are normally careful to ensure continuity. The President and top politicians are only caretakers for the time being, but in Iran the real power is by a top cleric and his clique, not political administrators.
The site cannot "accuse" someone of being two people but I take it you mean users affecting two (or more) different personae?That should be spotted by the user's URL, unless he or she is careful to use different ones - and does not slip up and accidentall... moreThe site cannot "accuse" someone of being two people but I take it you mean users affecting two (or more) different personae?That should be spotted by the user's URL, unless he or she is careful to use different ones - and does not slip up and accidentally mix messages. If so then it should be easy to deal with but it need care if the messages are from genuinely different people sharing the sending instrument. Other users might sometimes multiple identities by similarities of topics and style - including common spelling errors. less
That was 4 months ago so have you sorted out the problem now?The appliances you use will (or should!) have their power ratings marked on a label. Although a.c. electricity is not easy when you start diving into such questions as impedance and inductance, ... moreThat was 4 months ago so have you sorted out the problem now?The appliances you use will (or should!) have their power ratings marked on a label. Although a.c. electricity is not easy when you start diving into such questions as impedance and inductance, and I don't pretend to know their mathematics, simply dividing that rated power in Watts by the mains voltage in Volts will at least approximate the current in Amperes; but some appliances can momentarily draw a higher current as they start. Circuit-breakers are not normally made to be adjustable. How is your house wired? Ring-mains or spurs? That may affect the maximum draw in any one room.Do the appliance plugs have their own fuses of appropriate rating as a first-line defence? One of those breaking by overload will not necessarily stop the circuit-breaker tripping as well, but at least it shows the fault is within the appliance it served. less
Those watery precautions are all very well if you can keep them watered, but forest and grass fires are spread by blown embers as well as through contact, and they can be blown for a long way.
No - I have no television.I do though sometimes hurl cries at the radio of "rubbish" or "never mind keeping it under review - what are going to do ?", or, "they don't have the guts!" (to answer the question or defend themselves).
I have enjoyed dancing in the past, long ago leaping about to rock & pop so no set moves, common-time only, no co-ordination or any skill needed at all! Though my opportunities are rare I enjoy folk-dancing, or barn dances, often called "ceilidhs".I think... moreI have enjoyed dancing in the past, long ago leaping about to rock & pop so no set moves, common-time only, no co-ordination or any skill needed at all! Though my opportunities are rare I enjoy folk-dancing, or barn dances, often called "ceilidhs".I think adopting the Gaelic name a rather pretentious recent development if used outside of Scotland. I'm told too, by a folk-music enthusiast, that genuine ceilidhs do not have callers for the steps, either, because everyone is expected to know them for each dance introduced. Presumably you need attend dancing-classes if you want to take part in the events.Whereas at a barn-dance (more likely held in a village-hall or a pub function room than a barn!) you are not expected to be a brilliant dancer, and anyway folk music and dances are very fluid, not rigidly set in books and classes. So each dance is introduced by the caller describing each move, sometimes walking a volunteer couple through it to demonstrate, then calling each move as it comes in the dance itself. I do... less
Graham - that's fairly common.Ross - rarer although I have known two separate people, one with that as surname, the other as Christian name.Jacob - stretching the point somewhat as the surname version normally ends with a 's'.
A few daffodils out. Buds just starting to appear on the two Honeyberry bushes. A frog croaking this evening.I've also seen one or two flies and moths about in recent weeks.Those in my back garden, but further afield the snowdrops are in bloom, while a co... moreA few daffodils out. Buds just starting to appear on the two Honeyberry bushes. A frog croaking this evening.I've also seen one or two flies and moths about in recent weeks.Those in my back garden, but further afield the snowdrops are in bloom, while a couple of weeks ago I saw with a few hundred yards, a patch of snowdrops, a patch of daisies and some elder blossom all out; the last above another shrub still bearing its Autumnal fruit!(Location: Southern England)
I wouldn't touch TockTich or whatever the blasted thing's called, with a barge-mouse!Nor would I be at all "influenced" by so-called "influencers".I gather those types can make quite a lot of money by being ad-hoc advertisers. I don't the situation in oth... moreI wouldn't touch TockTich or whatever the blasted thing's called, with a barge-mouse!Nor would I be at all "influenced" by so-called "influencers".I gather those types can make quite a lot of money by being ad-hoc advertisers. I don't the situation in other countries, but I wonder whp pays any Income Tax and National Insurance due on any earnings by "influencers" based in the UK.
I've never come across "Triscuits" - I don't have a dog and that make might not be sold in Britain anyway. However, a shop-keeper who sold me some seeds and peanuts for my bird feeders told me a former colleague in the shop liked to eat the bird peanuts a... moreI've never come across "Triscuits" - I don't have a dog and that make might not be sold in Britain anyway. However, a shop-keeper who sold me some seeds and peanuts for my bird feeders told me a former colleague in the shop liked to eat the bird peanuts and even the chocolate-flavoured dog biscuits! It didn't seem to do her any harm...
Most likely a poor contact, perhaps by corrosion. If the radio is completely silent suspect the battery contacts first. If touching the one-off switch in the 'on' position produces intermittent action or crackling noises, the fault is probably within the ... moreMost likely a poor contact, perhaps by corrosion. If the radio is completely silent suspect the battery contacts first. If touching the one-off switch in the 'on' position produces intermittent action or crackling noises, the fault is probably within the switch.Also, if the volume-control and on/off switch is combined (a common feature), there may be a wear spot on the volume-control's internal track. I have a radio that behaves in this way.Tuning drift won't have the effect of the radio seeming off when it's on. It will still produce some sound "between" stations. less
Err, I didn't mean them, but yes, you have a point. One reason the authorities chaperone visitors so carefully, I suppose.I once saw a photo of an informal group of N. Korean soldiers, possibly waiting for their transport somewhere. They seemed to be chat... moreErr, I didn't mean them, but yes, you have a point. One reason the authorities chaperone visitors so carefully, I suppose.I once saw a photo of an informal group of N. Korean soldiers, possibly waiting for their transport somewhere. They seemed to be chatting and laughing among themselves quite normally, but they all looked stick-thin and malnourished.That may have been in the same source that held a photograph of a dental surgery, probably in the capital. Oh, it was all bright and modern and clean and everything, but it did seem odd that there were at least two sets of chair, drill, water-fountain etc. in the same room! less
I assume this thread is some sort of in-joke between a couple of the Usual Suspects on this esteemed web-site, but that map intrigued me.Those times for both routes would need a mean speed of almost 70mph non-stop for the entire distance. Really? Photogra... moreI assume this thread is some sort of in-joke between a couple of the Usual Suspects on this esteemed web-site, but that map intrigued me.Those times for both routes would need a mean speed of almost 70mph non-stop for the entire distance. Really? Photographs I've seen suggest much of central USA is pretty well empty country with good roads and very little traffic, but are those times actually possible, or the sort of nonsense that sat-nav systems generate?
"Well, we must admire the other side with playing better than us today."Which is more sportsmanly than,"Well, we have to admit we played badly today."I don't follow competition sports but I think I actually have read real comments a bit like that first ve... more"Well, we must admire the other side with playing better than us today."Which is more sportsmanly than,"Well, we have to admit we played badly today."I don't follow competition sports but I think I actually have read real comments a bit like that first version, in the local paper.Though honest or not, some of them, especially footballers, would still spout the kind of rhubarb that gets quoted - with their names - in the 'Colemanballs' column of Private Eye magazine...
It would not worry me too much as long as the supply of tea & coffee requisites were maintained!. I've only ever stayed in hotels for up to a couple of weeks, within the UK, and in connection with work.I did see in some a message that how you left the tow... moreIt would not worry me too much as long as the supply of tea & coffee requisites were maintained!. I've only ever stayed in hotels for up to a couple of weeks, within the UK, and in connection with work.I did see in some a message that how you left the towels indicated if you wanted clean ones that day. They seemed to change them anyway.I would though treat the place, and its staff, with respect, and keep the room clean and tidy. For example, if I splashed the table when making a cup of tea, I wiped it up. What bothered me more was that I was unable to listen to the radio in my room. If one was provided at all it must have been as some form of extra channels on the televisions, but I could not operate them because the establishments never supplied instructions for those baffling remote-controllers! Those days are over - I have since retired - but I think if I were ever to stop in a hotel again I'd take a small portable wireless. less
Oh yes, I have come across four-legged lumps of claws, teeth and muscle that act as big softies, and a lot does come down to the breeder and owner. The problems come when dogs are bred deliberately to be dangerous, and I think some owners imagine there is... moreOh yes, I have come across four-legged lumps of claws, teeth and muscle that act as big softies, and a lot does come down to the breeder and owner. The problems come when dogs are bred deliberately to be dangerous, and I think some owners imagine there is some sort of kudos in owning such an animal. They won't if it turns on them.A former neighbour used to own a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a large, powerful thing anyway. Theirs though did have something wrong with it. The wife could not go near it, and I think it even became a threat to the husband, and eventually they had to have it put down..Up-dateJust after I posted my original question I heard on the News that the Scottish Parliament has decreed that the XL Bully can only be kept with a licence. Dog licences were abolished in the UK generally, years ago; although much more recently dogs, and cats, now have to be micro-chipped.'''''''''I have been told another side to the story, by a former work colleague. They had two pets; an Alsation dog, and an ex-tom cat. The ... less
Very much so. Reading some car reviews I can't help thinking the makers are angling for the wealthy (over-paid?), gadget-conscious must-haves rather than any ordinary motorist.It's rather timely I saw this only this evening having been talking battery-ele... moreVery much so. Reading some car reviews I can't help thinking the makers are angling for the wealthy (over-paid?), gadget-conscious must-haves rather than any ordinary motorist.It's rather timely I saw this only this evening having been talking battery-electric cars with a friend this morning.He's quite enthusiastic with his (I don't know the model) except for one thing.He'd parked it somewhere, and on returning, found the windows fully open. He took it back to the dealer who said something to the effect that it's not unknown with that model, and it would £x to correct. The owner pointed out, successfully, that the car was still under warranty so it's for the garage to pay, not him.The fault? Apparently, if the interior of the car becomes too hot from the sun on it, the windows open fully to help cool it. Only, that's meant to happen only when you unlock it, not on its own when you are nowhere near it!...While another friend says the one thing she dislikes intensely on her Honda (I think) hybrid is that if ... less
Anyone with high specialist skills is usually on a good salary, but that's only part of the business cost that has to be covered by the invoices; and unlike a supermarket or restaurant, a veterinary practice is the type of business that has a relatively l... moreAnyone with high specialist skills is usually on a good salary, but that's only part of the business cost that has to be covered by the invoices; and unlike a supermarket or restaurant, a veterinary practice is the type of business that has a relatively low flow of invoices to share the costs around. I think if you were to examine many specialist businesses you might find such fee levels by no means unusual - we seldom see them because most serve other specialist trade or governmental customers. A friend who is a self-employed, registered gas-fitter and small works builder won't have the sort of costs (pro-rata for different countries) and probably not the salary of your vet's; but he and I have sometimes discussed the common public misunderstanding of "labour charges", "call-out rates" or similar terms for the same thing.I know my "charge-out" cost per hour as an employee, was a lot more than my nett pay! less
Scotland's devolved government has just announced laws to control the poorly-defined "American XL Bully" breed of dog, England having already done so (I am not sure about Wales and Northern Ireland).This strain, I think still not defined and recognised by... moreScotland's devolved government has just announced laws to control the poorly-defined "American XL Bully" breed of dog, England having already done so (I am not sure about Wales and Northern Ireland).This strain, I think still not defined and recognised by the Kennel Club, was bred to be dangerous by default. With the kindest care and training in the world, any dog can attack other animals including humans; usually unpredictably, but unlike most recognised breeds this is one is specifically aggressive and unstable. Individuals of it have already killed at least two people in England. So it is now illegal to breed new ones, or to import, sell, give away or abandon existing ones. They have to be kept very securely, and must not be un-muzzled and unleashed in public. Predictably Scotland's wish to differ from England created a delay allowing it to become a re-homing destination for the creatures; as its own Parliament has acknowledged.Just why are such animals bred? Obviously money for the breeders, if there is a ma... less
No.Why not?Because it is a form of energy.Electrical energy can be converted into heat energy (and rather less directly, vice-versa); but not generate it.
Was it in your home only?If so the fault is presumably within the home, either with the wiring itself or some appliance or combination of them, overloading it. Possibly a fault within an appliance. Is your home served by underground or overhead cable? An ... moreWas it in your home only?If so the fault is presumably within the home, either with the wiring itself or some appliance or combination of them, overloading it. Possibly a fault within an appliance. Is your home served by underground or overhead cable? An overhead one could be prone to its faults.Really you need this investigated firstly to ascertain if it was from a simple overloading you can correct easily, then if not, by an electrician.
There are still some public payphones scattered round the UK, but most have been closed.BT removes the equipment almost immediately on closure but sells the kiosks either to private buyers or to local groups like village-halls. The latter kiosks become t... moreThere are still some public payphones scattered round the UK, but most have been closed.BT removes the equipment almost immediately on closure but sells the kiosks either to private buyers or to local groups like village-halls. The latter kiosks become turned into little community assets, typically informal lending/exchange libraries, or to house defibrillators. The original use tends to be retained in rural areas with poor radio-telephone coverage; but there are still a few in urban sites.What you also no longer see on British rural roads (unless one or two remain in very remote spots) are the Automobile Association's and Royal Automobile Club's, own, dedicated telephone kiosks linked to these two organisations' breakdown & recovery services. Members of either were issued with keys that would unlock the doors to both. less
Visiting "with"?I visited one of my sisters and her husband for Christmas afternoon.Three days later, I'm yet to meet the other sister and her hubby. We like to spread Christmas out a bit, in our extended family!Since both couples and I all live within wa... moreVisiting "with"?I visited one of my sisters and her husband for Christmas afternoon.Three days later, I'm yet to meet the other sister and her hubby. We like to spread Christmas out a bit, in our extended family!Since both couples and I all live within walking distances of each other, it's not that vital we cram everything into one week....
I used to store them on my PC until someone pointed out that that rather defeats the object!So I printed the list, then overwrote, erased and deleted the spreadsheet.
The only wireless transmitter / receivers in my home are my portable telephone which is not linked to the Internet, portable radios, central-heating thermostat and front door bell. (No television, "smart"-'speaker/microphone, etc.)Everything else is wired... moreThe only wireless transmitter / receivers in my home are my portable telephone which is not linked to the Internet, portable radios, central-heating thermostat and front door bell. (No television, "smart"-'speaker/microphone, etc.)Everything else is wired, including my computer ancillaries.Mr car has a wireless key and the reversing-camera. I fitted the latter, and its camera transmits the signal wirelessly but still needs a wired 12V supply.
Blimey - six months have gone by and no-one has thought of anything good to say about him!Something I did learn only today involved the FBI, but not necessarily J.E.H. personally (though he must have known)..It's become recently revealed that the Spanish ... moreBlimey - six months have gone by and no-one has thought of anything good to say about him!Something I did learn only today involved the FBI, but not necessarily J.E.H. personally (though he must have known)..It's become recently revealed that the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was being courted assiduously for propaganda purposes by both the USSR and the USA; although he did not realise this as it was all back-room manoeuvring. The American art-critic who befriended him was actually working for the CIA. Picasso joined the French Communist Party in 1944, but was not particularly attracted to Moscow and certainly not to its "Socialist Realism" school of poster art which the French Communists probably hoped he'd copy. It even commissioned him to draw a portrait of Josef Stalin for its magazine, but he'd never met the Soviet leader and had only a vague idea of his appearance from newsreels; and his drawing of Stalin showed him as a young man not quite the rugged hero type expected.New York was establishing its Museum ... less
That sent me out into the hall to have a look.....The maximum for the lot is 100A, at 230V, but that allows a margin of safety as the RCD total for the lighting and power ring-mains plus a spur to lights and sockets in the shed is 63A.The individual ring-... moreThat sent me out into the hall to have a look.....The maximum for the lot is 100A, at 230V, but that allows a margin of safety as the RCD total for the lighting and power ring-mains plus a spur to lights and sockets in the shed is 63A.The individual ring-main and spur RCDs are not labelled for current capacity; but the socket ring-circuits, one on each floor, feed twin 13A outlets. So in effect each pair of sockets could draw 26A, but divided into 13A each side of them. I think the shed spur is fused at 13A.So not easy to determine the maximum current per room or floor, only know what is the maximum overall. With only me rattling around the house, I don't enough switched on at once to worry the circuits, only my bank balance! less
The sounds including any music must be either stored in memory or synthesised as necessary, and the title or idling tune called up by a short programme that repeats itself until turned off by a command from the game-starting sequence.The accompanying imag... moreThe sounds including any music must be either stored in memory or synthesised as necessary, and the title or idling tune called up by a short programme that repeats itself until turned off by a command from the game-starting sequence.The accompanying images would be controlled similarly. I don't know if modern video-games live on the publisher's server and your computer calls the images and music over the Internet as necessary, or if you load the whole lot into your own computer beforehand. ------The early games were for very low-powered processors and memories by modern standards, so could play only short sequences of very simple notes. Those are quite easy to programme as a single whistle-like "beep" needs just its frequency and duration to describe it; provided the compiler has a signal-generator for the programme to call. As a very simple example, I once did something similar for alert tones in a BASIC programme controlling a laboratory test-rig. Middle 'A' - 440Hz - told the operator the test sequence had f... less
I've never been on a Carnival float but in many years past used to help run a miniature railway temporarily set up for the town's annual Carnival Day. The whole Carnival was a full day event in Summer, with various activities, air-displays and side-shows ... moreI've never been on a Carnival float but in many years past used to help run a miniature railway temporarily set up for the town's annual Carnival Day. The whole Carnival was a full day event in Summer, with various activities, air-displays and side-shows until the Procession, never called a "parade", in the early evening, and finishing with a fireworks display later, after dark. The railway belonged to a local, amateur model-engineering society. It was not a commercial side-show; but gave rides to paying public passengers, mainly children. less
A couple of years ago. I saw it run across the roof of my garden shed, which is the full width of the garden so something of a highway for animals. Though far worse was finding a young one in the house. It had fallen into the toilet - perhaps trying ... moreA couple of years ago. I saw it run across the roof of my garden shed, which is the full width of the garden so something of a highway for animals. Though far worse was finding a young one in the house. It had fallen into the toilet - perhaps trying to reach the water for a drink - and drowned! (Some people will aver rats can crawl up the drain-pipes from the main sewers, through the w.c. water-trap hence into the house generally, but that's patently nonsense!)Luckily it had not left much damage or raided any food. I found where it had entered the house, through a former tumble-dryer outlet open to the wall cavity, and closed the hole. less
The UK number-plate regulations are quite strict.They specify the overall design of the plate: the character font and size, spacing too I believe, background colour; and illumination of the rear plate at night. The characters are not supposed to be run to... moreThe UK number-plate regulations are quite strict.They specify the overall design of the plate: the character font and size, spacing too I believe, background colour; and illumination of the rear plate at night. The characters are not supposed to be run together to form words, but have prescribed spaces.DVLA will not issue a number that produces a rude "word", except perhaps by accident. Their policy is to avoid it, and the owner cannot invent the number.At one time the number issued to a re-registered or custom-built vehicle also had a "Q" added, but I forget if prefix or suffix. That letter, and I think "Z", are not normally used to avoid confusion with similarly-shaped ones.Note too the plates on battery-electric vehicles: a green rectangle on the end of the plate to show that fact. less
About Me:
Single, over-60, SW England resident, with fairly wide range of interests & musical tastes - but I'd be no good in a pub quiz 'cos I know very little about TV, gadgets called i-something, competitive sports, many entertainments & "so-called celebrities!
Was on EP, but left it long before it closed. Won't touch Facebook & its ilk.
"Adult" themes: quite broad-minded, like nudity but not pornography. Against cruelty, and consider spanking as a game for consenting adults only.
Scotland's devolved government has just announced laws to contro... moreScotland's devolved government has just announced laws to control the poorly-defined "American XL Bully" breed of dog, England having already done so (I am not sure about Wales and Northern Ireland).This strain, I think still not defined and recognised by the Kennel Club, was bred to be dangerous by default. With the kindest care and training in the world, any dog can attack other animals including humans; usually unpredictably, but unlike most recognised breeds this is one is specifically aggressive and unstable. Individuals of it have already killed at least two people in England. So it is now illegal to breed new ones, or to import, sell, give away or abandon existing ones. They have to be kept very securely, and must not be un-muzzled and unleashed in public. Predictably Scotland's wish to differ from England created a delay allowing it to become a re-homing destination for the creatures; as its own Parliament has acknowledged.Just why are such animals bred? Obviously money for the breeders, if there is a ma... less
Model Engineer magazine, originally published with & Electrician... moreModel Engineer magazine, originally published with & Electrician in the title, is as its name implies, for a readership with a lay but reasonably broad grasp of engineering principles and related science.The latest edition (Vol.225 No.4643, 17 July 2020) publishes two extracts from its early-20C predecessor; the first on international affairs, the second on the "Enviroment" as it was not called then.'1) Fulsomely praising the technical inventiveness and ingenuity of what he called the "Chinese race" the editor commented, ".... The prospect of China becoming the workshop of the world is, perhaps, too remote to contemplate, but that China may be someday a formidable competitor in things mechanical is worth a passing thought." The date? 1904. (ref. ME&E Vol.XI No. 179; 29 Sept. 1904.)Particularly prescient for the magazine's modern readers, since most of the small lathes and other machine-tools now sold to model-engineers are made in either Taiwan or the People's Republic... less
Just For Interest. Try it from your existing knowledge. No cheat... moreJust For Interest. Try it from your existing knowledge. No cheating by looking it up! Please: No publishing answers until I have given them in due course, to be fair to anyone else trying seriously to test or extend their own knowledge. 25 Basic Science Questions with an environmental slant, now you have saved the planet and whales, achieved zero-carbon by last Michaelmas, and are walking everywhere with a paper shopping-bag-for-life autographed by Aunty Greta.
No trick questions but some are worded slightly indirectly; most are simple , some obscure; but all are of upper school- or interested lay- level. I am of course aware there are Answermug users with a far deeper, possibly professional, knowledge of these subjects than mine! I would also agree that whatever is or is not happening in the world, we cannot be complacent. World-wide we are heading for very serious difficulties whatever those turn out to be; and as some of these questions suggest, neither the problems nor "ob... less
'Tis the time of year for ghost-stories, real and fictional myst... more'Tis the time of year for ghost-stories, real and fictional mysteries, myths and the like - ancient and right up-to-date. Test your own knowledge with these ten questions, just for fun ! (Hint: not all are "paranormal".1) In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the first manifestation experienced by Ebenezer Scrooge was;
a) Eerie echoes from the cellar, from him slamming his front door,
b) The face of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley,
c) The face of his deceased father.
2) In 1917, two young English girls took photographs of fairies widely acclaimed as genuine by photography experts and others including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Did they?
3) What is so unique about the sea area often called the ‘Bermuda Triangle’, to lead to its reputation?... less
The following are all genuine quotes from a mail-order household... moreThe following are all genuine quotes from a mail-order household gadgets catalogue, dated, "Christmas 2019". The prices are reduced by 20% in that edition, with the full price also given in the booklet, as legally required. See how many flaws you can spot in them, and identify them: none are above school-level physics. One statement is correct but simply a definition, the rest are all dubious to say the least. If you counting, some are repeated from item to item, but I counted around 10 specious statements. 1) and 2) are from the section's introduction.So spend almost £162 and you, your family and your precious electronic equipment will all be safe... won't they? '1) “… noticed your mobile phone gets hot during long calls? The heat is actually thermal radiation… several types of radiation that it emits. …. All … personal electronic devices … emit harmful radiation” '2) The lab-tested shielding membrane built into ... less
Unwanted striking-though of part of message, appearing automatic... moreUnwanted striking-though of part of message, appearing automatically when I press Send: reason and how to remove it, please? (Tried "Help" but that's all artificial FAQs, so no help!)
A review on the radio this morning, of the day's papers, touched... moreA review on the radio this morning, of the day's papers, touched on the tale of a woman who smashed her children's iPhones, with the result that their family became much happier, more cohesive and communicative.It also produced two other, conflicting third-party results; one promoting wanton waste, both sharing a theme of utter childishness and stupidity. One of these results was a (sadly predictable?) barrage of insults and abuse on social media. The other was confessions of similar actions, with some owners admitting to throwing their instruments under vehicle wheels (did they clear up the mess?) or into canals (more litter - a few prosecutions would not come amiss).By all means get rid of the device you felt apparently necessary to own in the first place, but wouldn't it far more constructive to sell it, or at least give it away, than wantonly destroy a costly, perfectly serviceable, instrument someone else could use, and perhaps use rather more sensibly?For the record, I have a basic port... less
Generally I ignore the side-bar ads though I know they pay ... moreGenerally I ignore the side-bar ads though I know they pay for the site. However I couldn't let this go without comment.It was a list of assorted suggested uses for the well-known water-repellent, WD-40, shown by its Material Safety Data Sheet to be a mineral-oil based mixture.As wells as the ingenious and the blindingly obvious ideas, the advertising feature suggested using it as an adjunct to toilet cleaners, and for cleaning shower-heads. In other words, squirt mineral-oils down the drain, despite consistent, highly publicised warnings not to do so at all from chemical manufacturers, regulatory bodies and water companies!Come on AnswerMug, get that nonsense off the site and advise WD-40's manufacturers that some ignorant advertising company is promulgating a highly irresponsible (and in some countries possibly illegal) misuse of their chemicals. less
Such as portable telephones? Bounced into buying a brand new por... moreSuch as portable telephones? Bounced into buying a brand new portable telephone - I need only to make voice calls and text messages, and then briefly and infrequently; I am not one of those teenage girls who spend all day acquiring RSI by tap-tap-tappety-tap on little blocks of plastic. Nor do I believe in walking round supermarkets and into pedestrians by concentrating on shouting at a block of plastic glued to the ear. - I ended up with a nightmarish contraption, an LG something-or-other: the model label is inside, found only by taking the back off and removing the battery.Its text feature is better than the old multi-letter press-buttons, but that's about it....It took me a while to find instructions (see above on identifying it, as I'd lost the packaging), but these revealed the telephone aspect is only peripheral. LG lists it as an application rather than main function.It's also bulky, so less portable than the previous generation, at about twice the area; and surpri... less
I quote from an item on the BT Internet's news service:"Accordin... moreI quote from an item on the BT Internet's news service:"According to NetMarketShare, Windows 7 remains the most popular operating system on PC, with 44.81% of the market share in February 2018. WIndows 10 is slowly increasing but still comes in second with 28.19%. "I do not question the statistics, but does anyone else see the flaw? You will if you are not so taken in by advertising blurb that you fail to realise what is carefully concealed.
A typical board track-game has a single, rigid route of numbered... moreA typical board track-game has a single, rigid route of numbered squares, controlled by die throws, with certain actions given in some squares - e.g. "Snakes & Ladders". One track from start to end even if you must return somewhere, miss a turn or advance N squares, etc. as ordained when landing on those given pointsNow set the game on THREE separate, identically-sized, rectangular boards of 3:2 proportions; EACH marked off into 6 squares by a longitudinal centre-line and two cross-lines at thirds length. Label the boards (for this question on the game's geometry) A, B and C. Label each meeting-point of line and edge, 1 - 6, consistently on all 3 boards so every "port" is unique, A1 to C6.Do that with the individual board in landscape mode; 1 on the left-hand end, number clockwise so the RH end is 4, round to 6 at bottom left. All 3 boards the same apart from identity-letter. The track is drawn on these lines such that when one board is set against the othe... less
I've known MS operating systems since Microsoft-DOS (Disc ... moreI've known MS operating systems since Microsoft-DOS (Disc Operating System) days: I've used DOS, 3.1, 5, NT, XP (I think MS' best), now 7, and have had an unfortunate brush with 10.Also used briefly, a SUN computer giving a half-way house between command-line and windows (not "Windows TM") screens; and my first PC was an Amstrad with CP/M O.S. BTW the windows "graphical user interface" as it was pretentiously called, was IBM's invention, not µSoft's Has MS lost its way with WIN-10 though? -- The home-page of my ISP, BTInternet, always has links to sets of instructions to deal with all sorts of obviously common WIN-10 problems that should be minimal or non-existent if the system was designed, written and tested properly before publication. -- A correspondent on another forum tells me his computer often freezes with the floods of WIN-10 automatic "up-dates" over which the user has no control - to be fair he also said the Internet speed is ver... less
Unless of course you want to buy something!However... Unless&nbs... moreUnless of course you want to buy something!However... Unless the company is Hewlett-Packard and you want to buy their printer cartridges because the blighters have programmed their printers to reject refills and third-party ones. I've tried their sales web-site - it does not work.Definitely though if the printer has suddenly decided to crop randomly, images put into documents; and you'd like the manufacturers' help in putting it right. (This is what inspired me here - I found the HP Printer sites b++++y useless and very patronising, so marked its customer-satisfaction questions one-star only and told 'em so in the 'Comments' box.)Definitely if you wish to solve a service problem with an ISP (BT in my case).Or need help with specialist software that does work, but you can't understand how to use particular features because the officially-written pdf manual doesn't tell you, and the supposed training CD contains curious errors that result in you deleting the exercise it's had yo... less
As a club committee-member preparing for the AGM I took every ca... moreAs a club committee-member preparing for the AGM I took every care to save my Report as a Word document (.doc) so the Secretary and others can collate it with other Officers' Reports. So what did M-Soft do? Only converted it automatically to a b++++y docx image! I can't even edit it, if I wanted to, on my own PC because it's now read-only and in only WordPad. It took me ages to find it because Windows had saved it as a so-called "down-load" even though on the originating PC, and not in my chosen directory and folder. If I want to convert a docx file to a doc format for further editing or collating, I'd have to pay an expensive subscription to Adobe for the converter - I don't trust Adobe anyway because its Flashplayer for a start, never loads properly. Over £30 a month I think, for something I'd need only a few times a year. This was never previously necessary - saved files stayed as you chose, in the folder you chose. It's a scam! less
Answering another question just now, I scrolled down to the ramm... moreAnswering another question just now, I scrolled down to the rammel that infests the bottom of the screen below the AnswerMug window. Among the usual collection of insignificant rhubarb necessary only to fund AM, was this gem I quote as accurately as I can. Below a portrait of a smiling, attractive woman was the caption: "Top Ten Dating Sites In Abbotsbury"Abbotsbury is a village in West Dorset (England), famous for its Swannery; but whether it is the dating capital of Britain, I cannot say.Who the Hell designs these advertisements? less
I'd not heard Breitbart (sounds German) until a guest on today's... moreI'd not heard Breitbart (sounds German) until a guest on today's BBC Radio 3's Private Passions briefly mentioned being viciously attacked by this "outfit" he called it, after he had given a lecture by invitation on the International Law aspects of climate-change, to the UK's Supreme Court.Our Supreme Court is the UK's top appeals court. It is not the same as the US one although misleadingly copying the name, and until recently was The Law Lords, judges also sitting in an advisory capacity in the House of Lords, but separated fairly recently for clearer separation between Parliament and Judiciary. Cases that reach that high, beyond Appeal Court level, may well test the Statute Law as well as the facts of the individual case. Further of course, these lawyers may have to advise Parliament on international law: the UK is a signatory to and active in, an enormous number and range of treaties, organisations and agreements. The guest was the British barrister Philippe Sands, a leading expert o... less
I need to establish if one particular UK agent for a particular ... moreI need to establish if one particular UK agent for a particular software company, is still trading.I tried to e-post to him a simple sales question, but it bounced, and I can't determine if that means the address no longer exists.I need only to ask the software firm itself two basic questions: "Is ...... still one of your UK agents; if so is the e-post address I'd used, current?"You'd think they be pleased to help what might mean another sale, but no... Customers do not matter to the IT trade beyond the purchases. After that you're on your own and if you have problems with the quality of the goods or services, or you need technical advice ... tough.I have tried the publisher's own web-site but it carries no contact details whatsoever. Lots of product ads; but no phone number, no e-mail address, no postal address. Instead, as with so many other IT and telecomms firms, it fobs you off with a list of set technical questions and a supposed "users' forum" (these admit... less
I've had problems with e-posted 'Word' and 'Excel' files being c... moreI've had problems with e-posted 'Word' and 'Excel' files being converted to a strange default file-type signified by an 'x' after the normal suffix. These are locked, un-useable images.I need occasionally to collate reports etc to help me at a club's committee meetings. These arrive as e-post attachments from different people so in a mixture of styles, software editions and files, but I want to put them in one neat style in one document I can print and archive properly. Today I tried to save two, both .pdf files so images unreliable to print, and difficult or impossible to edit, place in or render compatible with, proper documents.However, whatever handles pdf files offers saving them in several other forms including ".doc", even offering British rather than US English, though that would not have mattered there. Only, the "Convert" button merely opens a sales page expecting me to pay £££/month to subscribe to an outfit called Adobe for what should be a basic MS-"Wi... less
Come on someone, put me out of my misery! Well, all right, ... moreCome on someone, put me out of my misery! Well, all right, it's not that dramatic and certainly not serious. I'm just intrigued, in a totally light-hearted way.So:What on Earth is that Sandra & Woo cartoon at the head of the page about?We see a young woman who, to use the correct, modern Claire in the Community lingo, seems to suffer from Acute Species Dysphoria; and her boyfriend, a nut-cake addict who believes he can cast magic spells with ordinary cutlery. I hope the so-called "religious right" don't get him - you know, the supposedly-grown-ups who had severe attacks of the vapours over the children's Harry Potter stories. Go on - I don't get the joke! Does it refer to an American children's game or something?:-)))PS: Claire in the Community: a BBC Radio Four situation-comedy that started as, and still is, a newspaper cartoon strip, about a team of urban social-workers and their own personal problems, sorry, "issues". Claire is the team-leader who prissily spouts all the rig... less
Like many sites this is partly supported by companies placing ad... moreLike many sites this is partly supported by companies placing advertisements in the margins of the Home and other pages. Some are eerily local to you as user: one waffles about " Opticians... " apparently threatened by some technical development in their trade. I saw one regularly on EP, telling me things like "Sarah lives four miles from you" - it was a lie of course, but it opened a dating-site that showed it knew roughly I live, within perhaps 50 miles anyway. The advertising-agencies use your approximate location bought or gleaned from the web-site. One though, advertised a "Simple trick to see if you've ever had PPI" (Payment Protection Insurance, usually for mortgages.) I know I do not, and when I did I was not a victim of a miss-selling racket the banks ran for a while, but I selected it out of curiosity. My security software 'Bulldog' promptly leapt up, snarled at it as dangerous, and blocked it.Possibly, Bulldog is very wary of anything mentioning money on non-https web-sites ev... less
What's happened to the location in the profiles? The profile for... moreWhat's happened to the location in the profiles? The profile form asks for it but it no longer appears on the public information part. Or have I missed something?
E-posted notifications. These used to have direct links to AM - ... moreE-posted notifications. These used to have direct links to AM - you still had to sign in but at least the links worked. They no longer work. The most recent was from Just Asking, and reads "Click here to reply / profile / 145." It is not a link, and I have not been able to find the message on Am itself.The message does not tell me how to find "/profile/145". It does not tell me whose profile. Why have those links been cut and why do notifications still carry an instruction to use them?Member IndexThe list is and always was purely random by default, but offered Aphabetical and Recent sorting options. You could find individuals on the Membership list by choosing "Alphabetical", estimating which page number carrying the name, then homing in from there by the page-number arrows. Why have these index options been removed?
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Regan Porter
Welcome Regan.
Would you like to tell us a little more about yourself - interests etc?
Regards,
Durdle.
July 30, 2016
Regan Porter
Was on EP myself but left it after parts of it became just too sleazy & stupid.
Was blocked by one contributor after I'd revealed his was a front for a commercial alien-and-conspiracy outfit who were so terrified of being exposed as the fraud it pretty obviously was, that most of its web-site home page was an aggressive (and probably meaningless) legal threat notice against attackers etc.!
September 1, 2016
Mukydaz
Welcome Mukydaz!
Curious - I oppose spanking children yet now 64 sometimes desire a traditional OTK, hand spanking (no weapons) as I might have but did not receive (or want!) in boyhood, for failings persisting from that time (1950s-60s).
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 29, 2016
Mukydaz
I regard punishment as a result of being naughty, rude or whatever, i.e breaking the discipline that is the behaviour code designed to help a child grow up decently; and punishment is not necessarily physical. In fact preferably not physical, and certainly not with any sort of weapons others on AM gleefully boast of using on even very young children. Punishment means penalty or sanction of any type, not beating!
I would guess that if you are going to spank someone in punishment the hand should suffice to make the point, especially when combined with the general air of humiliation and powerlessness, even if you don't pull the pants or knickers down.
I imagine too that a spanking would have to be reasonably calm and controlled so it doesn't spill over into a frenzied attack or mere cruelty - but I deplore the practice I have seen described, of delaying the punishment.
I suppose that a traditional spanking is satisfying in being fairly quick and over-&-done with; no dragging on in bitterness for days as might be involved by cancelling some treat or party or day-out.
How does one avoid the risk of becoming aroused by the private prurience of pants-down punishment spankings?
As I say it is odd that I don't like the idea of spanking children but sometimes feel I need to be spanked as a 1960s boy, bottom bared by a sincere disciplinarian, as he or she would have spanked me some 50-odd years ago.
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 29, 2016
Bez
Thank you very much for the compliment of a Friend Request, Andy - I accept!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 29, 2016
Bez
Thank you Andy. Despite a lot of development Weymouth is still generally pleasant, but for the moment at least it's no longer a cross-Channel port. The Council spent a fortune and worked hard to repair the harbour wall for the fast-catamaran ferry that had been operating for quite a long time - then the company bought a new boat to big for Weymouth Harbour, and moved to Poole!
Cheers,
Durdle
July 29, 2016
nmom
Nmom - it's a beautiful country, Norway, especially if you explore both inland and the fjords (most British tourists only go on the coastal cruises and don't see the interior).
Fascinated by spanking since a boy, when I certainly would not have wanted spanking, and oppose beating children... Yet now in early-60s want sometimes to experience the decades-late but appropriate firm hand - not weapon - for failings originating from boyhood; as a sort of therapy or punitive relief,
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 29, 2016
Sprklingwind
You should find friends on here... It helps to join a few groups of interest.