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  • Member Type: Mugger
  • Profile Views: 3,999 views
  • Friends: 15 friends
  • Last Update: Fri at 3:11 AM
  • Joined: April 11, 2016
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  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to What would the world be like today if no one had ever asked "WHAT IF"?:
    Real science is based on "What If?", too, but is based on curiosity about real, observable things and testable evidence.The difference is that science fiction is a flight of imagination although it is better if the science and  engineering repre...  moreReal science is based on "What If?", too, but is based on curiosity about real, observable things and testable evidence.The difference is that science fiction is a flight of imagination although it is better if the science and  engineering represented at least seems a credible projection of current knowledge. It is intriguing that lot of things in past science-fiction have become more or less real, at least in principle or similarity. That's where the authors have not tried to break the Laws of Physics; or have written a story that is not science-fiction as such but is set in a future that has developed something already known. A classic example of the latter is from George Orwell's 1984. Although we do not (yet...) have the compulsory two-way television in our homes, with its ability for the sort of conversation Winston Smith has with a bureaucrat criticising him, we  now have the eavesdropping carried out by so-called "smart speakers" like Alexa. I have recently read a far-fu...    less
    • Fri at 3:11 AM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to 1.8 million years ago Homo Erectus spoke a language they invented. 300,000 years ago HOMO SAPIENS showed up. What's the point of this?:
    I've tried establishing why creationists and  bible-literalists are so aggressively against learning anything else; some to the extent of mounting concerted campaigns to control education in their favour. They can't or won't answer that question...
    • Fri at 2:52 AM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Earth's crust and mantle is mineral-rich. It's core is almost entirely made up of iron and nickel...NiFe. What if earth had no core?:
    Well, science is very much a "What If?", or "How"? matter.A planet could not be hollow, because it forms by matter coalescing and compressing itself around a central point. So it has a "core" of some sort, but ours happens to be of metal. &...  moreWell, science is very much a "What If?", or "How"? matter.A planet could not be hollow, because it forms by matter coalescing and compressing itself around a central point. So it has a "core" of some sort, but ours happens to be of metal.     
    • Fri at 2:46 AM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to I don't know if this is true since I never watch it. Allegedly the Faux News Fause are talking about Dr. Seuss and Cancel Culture. Why?:
    That's a great poem, Shuhak!Of course we shouldn't go around gratuitously offending or hurting people, but I think society is becoming too self-virtuous and humourless.
    • Fri at 2:40 AM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Any of you stopped using a computer and rely on your SMART PHONE to do everything your computer used to do?:
    I don't mind you asking. It's a rude question though I don't actually believe in astrology.I'm a Leo, though I am more like a domestic pussy-cat than a big predator on the African grass-lands! :-) Looking at your reply to Malizz, yes, there are appli...  moreI don't mind you asking. It's a rude question though I don't actually believe in astrology.I'm a Leo, though I am more like a domestic pussy-cat than a big predator on the African grass-lands! :-) Looking at your reply to Malizz, yes, there are appliances now available that you can control remotely,  but to be honest I can't see the point of that for kitchen appliances. Especially a microwave! It looks more like a case of "because it can" than because it needs to. Even so, it is possible to monitor your home while you are away, and a few years ago it hit the news in Britain when a man on holiday in Spain or France was able to call the police while it was being burgled, and could even tell them which room the burglars were in.   less
    • Fri at 2:36 AM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to B.1.427/B.1.429 or CAL.20C.VASS ISS DISS? The California COVID 19 variant. How cute is that? How d'ya pronounce it?:
    You'd pronounce it as written - the first two as if you were reciting the number-plate on a car, the third as "Cal-Twenty-Cee". :-)
    • Wed at 3:30 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Ever hear of ROUNDUP? It's a glyphosate weed killer that is used by farmers and is carcinogenic. Do YOU eat organic foods?:
    Roundup, and quite a number of other pesticides, have been banned in some countries due to their health or environmental hazards.
    • Wed at 3:28 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Is all that we can or will ever be decided at the moment of conception?:
    No, of course not. Conception merely fuses two unicellular, practically non-sentient organisms into one. It is a long way from developing anything that could be said to "decide" anything.
    • Wed at 3:16 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Some Russians allgedly believe that COVID 19 was created to be a biological weapon. Do you? Is it possible probable likely?:
    No I don't; but all manner of rubbish is circulating among the Russians, so I  can believe they believe their allegation against China.
    • Wed at 3:10 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to A 9-year-old girl in Sri Lanka was caned to death to drive out an evil spirit. Being dead would likely do it. Do you support EXORCISM?:
    I don't believe in exorcism because I don't believe in the things supposedly being exorcised. Even before it leads to that sort of twisted savagery.That poor child was not the first though. A Swiss girl was murdered in a similarly foul way some ...  moreI don't believe in exorcism because I don't believe in the things supposedly being exorcised. Even before it leads to that sort of twisted savagery.That poor child was not the first though. A Swiss girl was murdered in a similarly foul way some time back in I think the middle of the last century.  
    • Wed at 3:09 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to On a remote peninsula in northwest Russia is the world's deepest hole. Drilled down 40,000 feet. Now it's capped. Didja know?:
    King Canute was far brighter than the Politburo. He was trying to prove to fawning nobles that even kings do have limits to their powers.
    • Wed at 3:05 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Earth's crust and mantle is mineral-rich. It's core is almost entirely made up of iron and nickel...NiFe. What if earth had no core?:
    It would have a "Core" of some sort,  but presumably rock rather than metal, and might well not have a magnetic field. (Actually most of the planet's primary rocks are mixtures of silica and complex compounds of metals.)I think it would sti...  moreIt would have a "Core" of some sort,  but presumably rock rather than metal, and might well not have a magnetic field. (Actually most of the planet's primary rocks are mixtures of silica and complex compounds of metals.)I think it would still have a sizeable force of gravity, maybe not as much as it does have, because those rocks are themselves very dense. Given the appropriate dimensions and densities it would be possible to estimate the difference if we assumed the interior is all basalt.Would it still be hot? I think so because its internal heat is not from the nickel-iron but from the radioactive decay of uranium.    less
    • Wed at 2:59 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Any of you stopped using a computer and rely on your SMART PHONE to do everything your computer used to do?:
    I have no so-called "smart" 'phone - just a basic portable 'phone and land-line.I need a proper PC with decently-sized monitor for most of the software I use; also because I need a proper-size keyboard. My telephones are just that - telephones. The portab...  moreI have no so-called "smart" 'phone - just a basic portable 'phone and land-line.I need a proper PC with decently-sized monitor for most of the software I use; also because I need a proper-size keyboard. My telephones are just that - telephones. The portable one, PAYG, will handle text messages but only very awkwardly. I believe it can be linked to the Internet,  but would need a contract, and its screen smaller than a playing-card is no use for looking at web-sites.I did have a "smart"-'phone for a while but found it very difficult to use, physically bulky and surprisingly heavy, did nothing I needed extra to a simple 'phone. So I paid off the 2-year contract and sold it to my sister after only about 6 months. My ISP (BT Broadband) keeps trying to sell me a "smart"-phone but I won't play ball, at least not until Big Business has finally forced all of us into bowing to their commands.  less
    • Wed at 2:52 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to I don't know if this is true since I never watch it. Allegedly the Faux News Fause are talking about Dr. Seuss and Cancel Culture. Why?:
    It seems the books' publishers have become sensitive about allegedly "racist" material in some of them - but I have no idea of the details.
    • Wed at 2:40 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to BAIT AND SWITCH? The FOOTOO boys are at it again. A planned attack on the Capitol for March 4. Then they attack elsewhere and celebrate?:
    That, or more accurately the security forces having uncovered a plot to attack, was reported on the News over here. Let's hope it doesn't happen - no-one needs that.
    • Wed at 2:37 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Get what you want by issuing a voice command or pushing a button on an electronic thingy that will answer back and do your bidding. Right?:
    Mmmm. I think you are right there.My brother-in-law has one of these gadgets for finding things on-line. It has a female name, and my sister reckons it's his girlfriend!Well, I have a computer (using it  now!), and land-line 'phone.  I have a ba...  moreMmmm. I think you are right there.My brother-in-law has one of these gadgets for finding things on-line. It has a female name, and my sister reckons it's his girlfriend!Well, I have a computer (using it  now!), and land-line 'phone.  I have a basic portable 'phone, not internet-linked. A few radios. No wire-less (Bluetooth etc.) gadgets.And no television!    
    • Wed at 2:35 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to One thing led to another as things often do and here I am back from having researched CRYONICS. Ready to share what I found?:
    So far at least the Covid variants have not been too difficult to deal with, but the British authorities are busily trying to trace those who brought the so-called Brazilian one home. This one does seem tougher and more dangerous. These things c...  moreSo far at least the Covid variants have not been too difficult to deal with, but the British authorities are busily trying to trace those who brought the so-called Brazilian one home. This one does seem tougher and more dangerous. These things can mutate fairly easily, so because the disease is world-wide it is very possible there are other strains yet to be identified , already around.The side-effects only lasted a couple of days. I was still a bit weak on the second day but definitely better than on the night of the vaccination.Good lick with yours!   less
    • Wed at 2:31 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Dihydrogen Monoxide? Do all oxides have the potential to kill you and other living things?:
    Thank you. I recall reading passing references to it in accounts by cave-divers. Yes - it would be low pressure, only 1 Bar at 10m. I think they mentioned times like 10 minutes.
    • Wed at 2:25 PM
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to When the widespread use of plastic and plastics blossomed into several products and packaging, few people foresaw the corresponding:
    Oh, I agree.Further, I think what's happened alongside that dependence is a growing ignorance about the materials - indeed about anything engineering-related - so if some campaign groups say to them "Plastic - wrong" they accept it without think...  moreOh, I agree.Further, I think what's happened alongside that dependence is a growing ignorance about the materials - indeed about anything engineering-related - so if some campaign groups say to them "Plastic - wrong" they accept it without thinking.You and I know the basic differences between thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics and synthetic-resin products, can name common uses for each, their disposal problems and their likely environmental effects if not disposed of properly - but do they?    less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Poll: for those of you who own a smartphone, cell phone, mobile phone, how often do you shut it off completely or shut it down completely?:
    Yes - a good point. I would not be surprised if there are people here who have only ever known "smart" phones, too!
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to When plugging in a smartphone’s USB charging cable in a public place, can one be sure that data is NOT being accessed?:
    A cable for dual use presumably contains 2 separate wire pairs, one for the data, one for the 5V d.c. charging supply, or perhaps just 3 wires (data, charger, common 0V);  but I would ask:a) does the charger itself contain any for...  moreA cable for dual use presumably contains 2 separate wire pairs, one for the data, one for the 5V d.c. charging supply, or perhaps just 3 wires (data, charger, common 0V);  but I would ask:a) does the charger itself contain any form of further data connection? If the appropriate socket pins in the charger are not connected to anything, no data can flow through the cable.b) is the charger lead screened, perhaps with the screen earthed, to shield it from incoming radio interference hence also preventing it acting as a transmitting aerial?  c) do you leave the phone switched on while charging it?  less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to It’s 2021. Why do some people STILL say “www” at the beginning when giving a website address? Grrrrrrrr. :
    Habit, probably;  but most organisations still quote the prefix.
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Poll: for those of you who own a smartphone, cell phone, mobile phone, how often do you shut it off completely or shut it down completely?:
    All the same instruments except the so-called "smart"-phone has more functions and processing-power than the plain cell / mobile ' phone. They are all portable not mobile too - the latter adjective was applied in the UK by advertisers not knowing the...  moreAll the same instruments except the so-called "smart"-phone has more functions and processing-power than the plain cell / mobile ' phone. They are all portable not mobile too - the latter adjective was applied in the UK by advertisers not knowing the difference, and soon adopted by sellers and customers ignorant of the difference too.My portable 'phone augments my broadband phone and spends more time off than on. It is always off when I am - - In bed, - Driving (it's dangerous and a serious traffic offence to use them for calls or text when actually driving), - At an entertainment event or something like a church service (the latter's only funerals), - In social company (simple etiquette). Usually too if I am out simply shopping or going for a walk; and I usually leave it at home then, as well.I have not connected it to the Internet, but I doubt a screen only 57 X 42mm could display a web-site in any useful way anyway. Besides, it helps keep&n...    less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to AT&T, Cricket, LG, Sprint, T-Mobile, Net10, Verizon, V*s*ble, Xfinity, etc. :
    LG? The 'phones themselves are still made even if it no longer has its own network. A quick look on-line revealed its 2021 catalogue.I don't know about the other companies you list, but LG caught my attention because I had one of their LG20...  moreLG? The 'phones themselves are still made even if it no longer has its own network. A quick look on-line revealed its 2021 catalogue.I don't know about the other companies you list, but LG caught my attention because I had one of their LG2017 so-called "smart"-'phones on EE (now part of BT) in 2017. I sold it a few months later, paid off the rest of the 2-year contract, and stayed with BT Broadband augmented by a basic DORO 'phone on PAYG - and I can't remember its network.  less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to When the widespread use of plastic and plastics blossomed into several products and packaging, few people foresaw the corresponding:
    Battery-powered cars.They are not as "environmentally friendly" (or grammar-friendly) as often thought - they risk basically swapping one lot of problems for another. Nor are they new. Battery-powered cars, small lorries and even motor-cycles were common ...  moreBattery-powered cars.They are not as "environmentally friendly" (or grammar-friendly) as often thought - they risk basically swapping one lot of problems for another. Nor are they new. Battery-powered cars, small lorries and even motor-cycles were common 100 years ago - but battery and motor designs had not advanced very much yet, and they were soon supplanted by the increasingly greater range and convenience of the internal-combustion engine that was advancing rapidly at the same time.  There is no such thing as a "free lunch"...+==We have to be careful when talking about "plastic" though. Tell me "plastic is bad" and will I ask you what is the class of plastic, specific plastic, and physical forms of its end-products you mean; what are its specific problems, and what constructive solutions including viable alternatives can you suggest that do not bring other problems of their own.  less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Is recycled aluminum just as good in quality as freshly smelted aluminum from ore? Is it ok to build aircraft from recycled aluminum?:
    Yes. Aluminium is aluminium.Recovered metals are purified then their various alloys are made from that to give materials suitable for particular classes of use. Pure aluminium is very soft and very weak; pure iron is suitable for only a few spec...  moreYes. Aluminium is aluminium.Recovered metals are purified then their various alloys are made from that to give materials suitable for particular classes of use. Pure aluminium is very soft and very weak; pure iron is suitable for only a few special purposes.The aluminium of a drinks-can might be practically pure, but what is used for aircraft and indeed most other applications is an alloy of aluminium and traces of other metals such as copper to increase its strength.All of the materials and parts used for critical structures like air-frames also have to meet very stringent, traceable quality standards, irrespective of the raw-material form and source.  less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Some automakers have selected a silly or inappropriate name for a new model. What is a good name that hasn't been used yet? :
    And competing with the Ford Phallopian is the Toyota Priapus and the Renault Coil.It's said that Rolls-Royce were going to call one model the Silver Mist.... until they found what 'mist' is in German.
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to How might your life be different if you were to move 100 miles* from where you currently live?:
    100 miles South: just about in France. So a big change (different country, different language and culture.) I am not good at learning languages.Or maybe the Channel islands -  very attractive way of life but you have to be rich!100 miles East: poorer...  more100 miles South: just about in France. So a big change (different country, different language and culture.) I am not good at learning languages.Or maybe the Channel islands -  very attractive way of life but you have to be rich!100 miles East: poorer. Too close to London and the Home Counties - higher cost of living.100 miles North: South Wales. Probably not very much change to my life. Learning Welsh would be a challenge!100 miles West - in Devon or Cornwall, very attractive but a long way from the rest of the country, rather deprived and with high house-prices due to wealthy Londoners buying second-homes there.   less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Get what you want by issuing a voice command or pushing a button on an electronic thingy that will answer back and do your bidding. Right?:
    To be honest things like Alexa and Siri are not much less energy-using than taking two steps across the room to switch the TV on, or to use a computer.We can be couch-potatoes without electronic aids, because those are not stopping us keeping ourselv...  moreTo be honest things like Alexa and Siri are not much less energy-using than taking two steps across the room to switch the TV on, or to use a computer.We can be couch-potatoes without electronic aids, because those are not stopping us keeping ourselves fit and healthy physically and mentally anyway. They bring problems of their own, and can be used as an excuse for being lazy; but our human qualities are still under our own control.  
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Say CRYONICS works perfectly. How many times can you die, get frozen, get defrosted and brought back? One time only or unlimited?:
    Interesting question I don't suppose anyone can answer, and of course we cannot know if it would be allowed in the future society. If we think of your other question, relating to age, we might ask if it would become a law of diminishing returns. It w...  moreInteresting question I don't suppose anyone can answer, and of course we cannot know if it would be allowed in the future society. If we think of your other question, relating to age, we might ask if it would become a law of diminishing returns. It would also assume having the funds available.  
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to One thing led to another as things often do and here I am back from having researched CRYONICS. Ready to share what I found?:
    I can't understand it either, but the idea of such preservation obviously appeals to enough people for the cryonics companies to invest in very expensive facilities while still looking forwards to handsome profits and dividends.I wonder how many of t...  moreI can't understand it either, but the idea of such preservation obviously appeals to enough people for the cryonics companies to invest in very expensive facilities while still looking forwards to handsome profits and dividends.I wonder how many of the owners will have their bodies "preserved" ?====I'm feeling very un-preserved today. First Covid vaccination yesterday, and I had a sleepless night and am now feeling utterly washed-out! I did know something like this might happen, and the centre gave me the medical-information slip that comes with each dose.   less
    • February 25
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Dihydrogen Monoxide? Do all oxides have the potential to kill you and other living things?:
    Isn't pure oxygen used as a nitrogen-scavenger in late-stage decompression from very deep dives, having risen to about 10m from the surface?
    • February 24
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to The day arrives. Charlie Brown has had it with Lucy. He plans to smack the crap outta her. How would YOU do it?:
    Take an eraser to the original art-work.....
    • February 24
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Would you like something new to worry about? Ever hear of NDMA? Nitrosodimethylamine?:
    Wasn't there even a senior politician who was so taken in by the joke that he called for this mysterious DHMO to be banned? I think that's how it became widely-known.On a planet covered naturally over much of its area with the stuff: DiHydrogen  Mono...  moreWasn't there even a senior politician who was so taken in by the joke that he called for this mysterious DHMO to be banned? I think that's how it became widely-known.On a planet covered naturally over much of its area with the stuff: DiHydrogen  Monoxide, or H2O, or Water.  
    • February 24
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to One thing led to another as things often do and here I am back from having researched CRYONICS. Ready to share what I found?:
    Yes - those are all questions the cryonics companies would not want you to ask.
    They cannot honestly guarantee anyone would "wake up" at all because even if it proved medically possible, it is impossible to guarantee that the facilities would be...  more
    Yes - those are all questions the cryonics companies would not want you to ask.
    They cannot honestly guarantee anyone would "wake up" at all because even if it proved medically possible, it is impossible to guarantee that the facilities would be operating for long enough. Though how would anyone prove it would work, is anyone's guess... Allegedly one of the leaders in this has received an award for managing to revive rabbits, but that's a small animal and the time involved would have been fairly short - and the award was within the trade, not from a recognised scientific or medical advancement organisation. I think it foolish to pay good money for this "service",  but I do not associate silly decisions with a "mental defect". Perhaps it exploits a mixture of natural fear of being dead, vanity and possibly curiosity. One of the primary reasons for religion was to offer some sort of continuing life, but at least religions define that as existing as a "soul" and rec...    less
    • February 24
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to One thing led to another as things often do and here I am back from having researched CRYONICS. Ready to share what I found?:
    I'm with Spunky on that one.I think it a very cynical and frankly very unethical, commercial experiment with absolutely no guarantee of physical, psychological and social success, but a good guarantee of the proprietors' bank-balances. I believe...  moreI'm with Spunky on that one.I think it a very cynical and frankly very unethical, commercial experiment with absolutely no guarantee of physical, psychological and social success, but a good guarantee of the proprietors' bank-balances. I believe in some forms it's not the entire body that is preserved but just the head, hoping that it will become possible to regenerate the body. (Or give a head a donated body, the body being the transplant "organ"?)'There are points the cryonics companies and their customers don't seem to consider. Or they do but they ignore. Let's stick to the whole-body preservation.... That's bad enough, but the idea of heads-only is too much.  The person has to be clinically dead but whisked off for processing extremely rapidly after death because the first part to deteriorate irreparably is the brain, and that happens very quickly. So no time for sitting at the hospital bed-side for a while to say goodbye; but that time-limit also places one huge and very ...    less
    • February 23
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Would you like something new to worry about? Ever hear of NDMA? Nitrosodimethylamine?:
    Rosie - ever been had? If that DHMO is what I am pretty sure he means....   :-)Surely this NDMA though can only form from the right compounds containing the appropriate elements, and in the right conditions. If it's in water it might b...  moreRosie - ever been had? If that DHMO is what I am pretty sure he means....   :-)Surely this NDMA though can only form from the right compounds containing the appropriate elements, and in the right conditions. If it's in water it might be something that occurs naturally and not related to chlorinating the water (it has no chlorine in its name), but otherwise I take it that it's a breakdown product or impurity that occurs only in certain medicines.Shuhak mentions asbestos in the rocks. Well, certain rocks, that is; by no means all. It is a naturally-occurring mineral particularly associated with igneous rocks like granite. Same with radon gas, emitted by the breakdown of trace uranium in igneous rocks especially. It can drift through fissures in overlying rocks and sometimes accumulates in cavities like caves, mines and cellars to potentially hazardous levels, but is easily warded off by barriers or ventilation.The one hazard Shuhak omits is....  existing.  less
    • February 23
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Mt Everest at 29,029 feet high (5.4979166 miles) is the highest point. Mariana Trench at 35,814 feet (6.7529545 miles) the DEEPEST. SO?:
    Sunlight can only reach a few hundred feet down into the ocean, and below that is completely dark. The water is not as clear as you might think, either, but contains a lot of fine sediment - a lot of it is fish poo! - slowly setting to the botto...  moreSunlight can only reach a few hundred feet down into the ocean, and below that is completely dark. The water is not as clear as you might think, either, but contains a lot of fine sediment - a lot of it is fish poo! - slowly setting to the bottom. That helps to scatter the light from the flood-lamps, reducing their range.From what little I know about them, the only submarines that give you a first-hand knowledge of being underwater are the small research ones with viewing-ports. I think there are some tourist versions too, that take you on trips in fairly shallow waters close inshore or along coral reefs. The nearest I've been to anything like that was a glass-bottomed boat operating near my home. Naval submarines are not noted for luxury, but the modern ones have comfortable mess-rooms that give the crew a bit of off-duty respite from working inside a big steel tube crammed with machinery and electronics. I read once that because there is nowhere inside one of those givin...    less
    • February 23
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Allegedly someone planted a pipe bomb at the DNC and RNC headquarters the night of January 5. What IS a pipe bomb?:
    Unfortunately perhaps, intelligence does not come into it for most terrorists, and certainly not those behind them who know exactly what they are doing, and are very cunning. I  can't remember his name,  but the man who organised the World Trade...  moreUnfortunately perhaps, intelligence does not come into it for most terrorists, and certainly not those behind them who know exactly what they are doing, and are very cunning. I  can't remember his name,  but the man who organised the World Trade Center destruction was university-educated, and I think he did qualify in civil-engineering - knowledge that would have helped him plan the attack. Pol Pot held a degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris, and though not a "terrorist" he was clever enough to organise and lead one of the vilest, and anti-education, regimes in the 20th Century. Terrorists are no more or less bright than anyone else; but usually have little knowledge or understanding of the ideas and people they think are their enemies, and are unable or refuse to see things from the others' perspective. The brighter ones may even be more dangerous because they can plan their attacks and cover their tracks more effectivelyThey are emotionally weak though, ...    less
    • February 23
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Mt Everest at 29,029 feet high (5.4979166 miles) is the highest point. Mariana Trench at 35,814 feet (6.7529545 miles) the DEEPEST. SO?:
    Well, that' neither you nor I reaching the summit of Everest then.I  certainly could not climb it, and helicopters can't fly high enough! Even so it must a wonderful experience, as you say.The craft they use for exploring the oceans is a bit more sop...  moreWell, that' neither you nor I reaching the summit of Everest then.I  certainly could not climb it, and helicopters can't fly high enough! Even so it must a wonderful experience, as you say.The craft they use for exploring the oceans is a bit more sophisticated than a bathysphere, but they certainly would not suit anyone with claustrophobia. Bends is not a problem though as the air inside them is at normal atmospheric pressure.  I think they do take a long time on both the descent and ascent so the structure takes the pressure changes gradually, but I don't know how long. The craft is fitted with a depth-gauge but I don't think you'd have any sensation of depth once you are out of daylight. It imagine it's bit like being a cave where you know your are underground but there's no sensation of the thickness of rock above the passage roof - though you are aware of having gone in for a long distance, or downwards to a considerable depth. A lot of oceanic work is now done with un-manned, remotely-controlled s...    less
    • February 23
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Allegedly someone planted a pipe bomb at the DNC and RNC headquarters the night of January 5. What IS a pipe bomb?:
    They'll turn him down. They'll want only intelligent men.
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to The most distant object in our solar system is temporarily titled FARFAROUT. It is 132 Astronomincal Units (Au) from the Sun. WHAT?:
    They are not important in a practical, everyday sense, no; but we are an inquisitive species, and research like that is as important and enriching to us culturally, aesthetically, philosophically and intellectually as for example, great wor...  moreThey are not important in a practical, everyday sense, no; but we are an inquisitive species, and research like that is as important and enriching to us culturally, aesthetically, philosophically and intellectually as for example, great works of art.  Naming astronomical objects is not easy. There are fine points of etiquette involved, but there are also so many things out there that names are best left for really significant things. Even galaxies are normally just numbered, but some have names as well; rather like the nick-names given to some orchestral music formally listed as things like Blogg's Violin Concerto in A Minor, K123. So astronomers prefer formal designations as an international cataloguing system for their serious work, but they also have a normal sense of wonder and romance  - otherwise they might not have become astronomers.I  think I've recounted the story I was told of a Canadian radio-astronomer who visited a rural area of ...    less
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Did you know that Shirley Temple Black was the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Czechoslovakia and also Chief of Protocol?:
    They are very important, the primary representatives at national level of one country to another.
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to A Mug friend mentioned two things I'd never even heard about. OORT CLOUD and KUIPER BELT. Know what they are?:
    The more they find, the  more wonderful it is.Calculating orbits is a lot simpler than we might think. It might be beyond my mathematical skill but the laws governing them have been known for nearly 400 years. The more difficult part is making the ne...  moreThe more they find, the  more wonderful it is.Calculating orbits is a lot simpler than we might think. It might be beyond my mathematical skill but the laws governing them have been known for nearly 400 years. The more difficult part is making the necessary measurements from observations. The planetary laws of motion were established by the German astronomer Johannes Kepler as far back as the 17C. This is one of his remarks:"I demonstrate by means of philosophy that the earth is round, and is inhabited on all sides; that it is insignificantly small, and is borne through the stars."(The study of nature was called "philosophy" then. The word "science" was not yet invented.) I wonder what Kepler would say if he could come back now and see that recent photo a NASA probe took from somewhere far out in the Solar System, looking back towards the Sun. It was just an engineering test but the NASA staff published it because they were so startled and impressed by what it shows - they real...    less
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Tesla or Edison? Which one would you rather have been? Why?:
    Tesla, I think. I don't know a great deal about either, but I think Tesla's research was the more original and far-reaching than Edison's inventions and developments.
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to If you're very rich your skin color doesn't matter. Everyone will kiss your a** including racists. The great equalizer?:
    No, not an equaliser at all. It might even be the opposite.The ones wanting to kiss your arse are trying to curry favours or scrounge from you; others would want to give you a bloomin' great kick there.And would you want to be adored by extremists of any ...  moreNo, not an equaliser at all. It might even be the opposite.The ones wanting to kiss your arse are trying to curry favours or scrounge from you; others would want to give you a bloomin' great kick there.And would you want to be adored by extremists of any colour? No? Nor would I!  
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Mt Everest at 29,029 feet high (5.4979166 miles) is the highest point. Mariana Trench at 35,814 feet (6.7529545 miles) the DEEPEST. SO?:
    I think one has more chance to climb Mt. Everest than to take a trip into the Challenger Deep (the deepest part of the Marianas Trench) but climbing and mountaineering were never for me even at my fittest.  No head for heights. I might have managed t...  moreI think one has more chance to climb Mt. Everest than to take a trip into the Challenger Deep (the deepest part of the Marianas Trench) but climbing and mountaineering were never for me even at my fittest.  No head for heights. I might have managed the trek to Everest Base Camp I suppose. Magnificent scenery and challenges though.I suspect the Challenger Deep might be a bit of an anti-climax because your submersible's flood-lamp range would quite short, and although there is life down there, it is not very spectacular or populous. I don't know if the geology and geomorphology would be visible either. The Trench slopes are probably not steep enough to keep them clear of silt. The steeper landward one might be, the gentle seaward slope not; but anyway they'd be very uniform rock, granite and basalt respectively. I think it's too wide to see both walls at once though. It's not shaped like a submarine version of the Grand Canyon, and is much wider. There are more interesting and sp...    less
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Is the Astro Zeneca vaccine DOA? Why would I ask such a question?:
    I don't know how effective or otherwise it actually is against particular strains, but that doesn't make it completely useless.It is not only the Oxford / Astra-Zeneca vaccine either. The new strains are resistant to other vaccines too. Unfortun...  moreI don't know how effective or otherwise it actually is against particular strains, but that doesn't make it completely useless.It is not only the Oxford / Astra-Zeneca vaccine either. The new strains are resistant to other vaccines too. Unfortunately it's how virii survive.    
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to Allegedly someone planted a pipe bomb at the DNC and RNC headquarters the night of January 5. What IS a pipe bomb?:
    It makes no sense to me, too; but sadly we seem to be seeing a rise in all sorts of offence-taking, censorship attempts, intolerance, death-threats and actual violence.Whether there really is any more than there used to be I have no idea, but so-call...  moreIt makes no sense to me, too; but sadly we seem to be seeing a rise in all sorts of offence-taking, censorship attempts, intolerance, death-threats and actual violence.Whether there really is any more than there used to be I have no idea, but so-called "social media" has made it far easier for such people. Maybe the sites they create and infest ought be called "antisocial media".'I have the News on at the moment.  Just as I typed the above it announced that an ISIS suicide-bomber killed himself and about 20 of his comrades in one go. It seems as he drove away he sounded the horn as a farewell to them, forgetting it was wired to the car-bomb.  less
    • February 13
  • Durdle
    Durdle replied to What else? We are dealing with an ever-changing virus pandemic. FOOTOO-loving white supremacist domestic terrorists. AND?:
    The chemical involved was Sodium Hydroxide, colloquially Caustic Soda. It is an alkali used to adjust the pH of the water, in very low concentrations. In high concentrations it will corrode the skin and eyes, but I think (without experimenting) you'd noti...  moreThe chemical involved was Sodium Hydroxide, colloquially Caustic Soda. It is an alkali used to adjust the pH of the water, in very low concentrations. In high concentrations it will corrode the skin and eyes, but I think (without experimenting) you'd notice an odd taste before drinking much. The reported concentration the hacker set would not be as dangerous, but still enough to be an irritant. I don't think it's absorbed through the skin;  but it makes the skin feel soapy - in fact soap is or used to be, fat dissolved in caustic soda - so you would soon notice it. The problem of course is that the quickest and most effective remedy is washing it away with lots of water. OH...Washing dishes and clothes with it? Well, detergents and water-softeners are alkalis too. Who may have done it and why? One possibility is somebody with a grudge against the water-company, perhaps a disaffected former employee.For the News reports I heard commented that the method of attack may have been a...    less
    • February 10
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  • Screen Name* Durdle
  • Gender* Male
  • Where do you live? Southern England
  • 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 & &q­uot;so-cal­led celebr­ities!

    Was on EP,­ but left ­it long be­fore it cl­osed. Won'­t touch Fa­cebook &am­p; its ilk­.

    "Adul­t" th­emes: quit­e broad-mi­nded, like­ nudity bu­t not porn­ography. A­gainst cru­elty, and ­consider s­panking as­ a game fo­r consenti­ng adults ­only.
  • We Can't Say We Didn't Know....

    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
    Last post by Durdle - July 15, 2020
    102 views 0 likes
    0
  • A Science Self-Test - Just For Interest

    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
    Last post by Durdle - January 12, 2020
    449 views 3 likes
    34
  • How Well Do You Know Your Ghosts, Mysteries and Myths, Old And New?

    '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
    Last post by Durdle - January 4, 2020
    225 views 2 likes
    4
  • Is This how To Exploit Fear and Ignorance?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - December 19, 2019
    399 views 2 likes
    12
  • Reason & Solution for Strange Strike-through Problem.

    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!)  
    Last post by Just Asking - September 6, 2019
    291 views 1 like
    6
  • Where's The Sense In The Destruction? (iPhones &c)

    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
    Last post by Durdle - September 15, 2018
    268 views 0 likes
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  • Irresopnsible Or What - How To Put Mineral Oil In Sewers?

    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
    Last post by Not Sure - June 18, 2018
    391 views 2 likes
    11
  • Why Are Inbstruments Designed To Make Life Easy, Becoming Ever Harder To Use?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - April 17, 2018
    422 views 0 likes
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  • Anyone Seriously Believe This Rhubarb? (The message, not numbers.)

    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.  
    Last post by Benedict Arnold - March 3, 2018
    348 views 0 likes
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  • A Board Game Problem - How Many Possible Playing Routes?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - January 8, 2018
    323 views 0 likes
    2
  • Has Microsoft Dropped A Clanger With WIN-10?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - December 27, 2017
    382 views 2 likes
    8
  • The Internet - Developed To Allow Companies To Refuse Enquiries?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - December 14, 2017
    252 views 0 likes
    0
  • Why Does Mickeysoft Insist on Making Life Difficult?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - November 10, 2017
    398 views 0 likes
    5
  • What's The Daftest Side-Bar Ad You've Seen When Using AnswerMug?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - August 8, 2017
    359 views 2 likes
    3
  • Who Owns Breitbart and What Are Its Aims?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - February 7, 2017
    537 views 0 likes
    6
  • Why Are Software Publishers So Shy?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - January 5, 2017
    462 views 2 likes
    4
  • What are Microsoft and Adobe Up To?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - January 2, 2017
    530 views 0 likes
    7
  • Heading Cartoon: Am I Missing The Joke??

    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
    Last post by Just Asking - December 3, 2016
    508 views 0 likes
    7
  • Scams Masquerading as Genuine Advertisements?

    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
    Last post by Durdle - October 15, 2016
    683 views 0 likes
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  • Locations?

    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?  
    Last post by Durdle - October 10, 2016
    419 views 0 likes
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  • Lost Features

    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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    Last post by Just Asking - October 4, 2016
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  • StrictChristianParenting
    StrictChristianParenting
    Why does correcting have to be by violence? And if that's a quote, no, I don't accept the say-so of unknown Late Bronze Age tribal elders! :-)
    September 1, 2016

  • tate99
    tate99
    Greetings Tate99 from a fellow Briton (S> Dorset) and nudist! Best Wishes, Durdle.
    July 29, 2016

  • MistyGoddess
    MistyGoddess
    Welcome to AM - and to a goodly number of us interested in spanking whether we advocate or oppose it in reality or think it best kept as a game for consenting adults! Best Wishes, Durdle (also in UK) 
    July 29, 2016

  • timothy in London
    timothy in London
    Thank you for the compliment, Timothys Knickers. I should say I am not a full cross-dresser but like occasionally to wear a nightdress or miniskirt, at home only. Much of the time, if warm enough, I like to be nude or nearly so.  Best Wishes, Durdle.
    May 17, 2016

  • Capes
    Capes
    Hello Capes. Welcome to Answer Mug! Durdle here: 64 nearly, also a Briton (in Dorset), here similarly. My profile groups list gives you some idea of me but I am happy to chat on many other topics too if they interest me and I feel I know enough about the topic. I will add that despite the implications I don't like the idea of spanking children, especially with any weapon, but feel the traditional spanking has a place for adults, as long as it's consensual! Best Wishes, Durdle. 
    July 30, 2016

  • VPLUK
    VPLUK
    I don't even try to look convincing - I don't cross-dress often and than only partly, in the home. liking the feel of the garments. Sometimes sleep in a nightie.
    July 29, 2016

  • Marc
    Marc
    Not so much a comment as a question, Marc. I am uneasy to say the least about spanking children but what of adults feeling they need similar punishments in a therapeutic way?
    July 29, 2016

  • harbourboy
    harbourboy
    Hi Harbourboy. Welcome... come on then, elucidate on your specialist subjects! Best Wishes, Durdle.
    July 30, 2016

  • Steve Tomms
    Steve Tomms
    Hello Steve. UK too - Dorset in fact. And like to be nude or, occasionally, in panties. As for human behaviour - yes, I agree it is fascinating... and bewildering at times, frustrating at others, but never the same twice! Best Wishes, Durdle.
    September 16, 2016

  • Uncle UK
    Uncle UK
    Welcome to AM, Dominic, as one of the rather few fellow-Britons on here (I live in South of England). I am not sure about the spanking of children, though I've nothing against adults being spanked if they wish, erotically or as therapeutic punishment. Regards, Durdle.
    September 6, 2016

  • NudiSuzie
    NudiSuzie
    Hello NudieSuzie. Thankyou - would love to be your friend! Best Wishes, Durdle.
    August 31, 2016

  • Tawser22
    Tawser22
    What's your take on adult, consensual, spanking?
    September 9, 2016

  • RB1954
    RB1954
    May I ask, what is your take on adult, consensual spanking, e.g. in a "DD" relationship or as a sort of punitive therapy?
    September 9, 2016

  • harry
    harry
    Hello Harry. Greetings from Dorset! Lubrication by Beer - definitely. Naturism - Oh yes. Spanking - well, I don't support genuine CP but have been fascinated by it since boyhood, and later by the adult-fun variety. Chatting - I can be chatty! Best Wishes, Durdle  
    July 28, 2016

  • french_delph
    french_delph
    Hello French_Delph. I don't favour spanking children but if it must be done I think it must be by hand only, and only enough to make the point. Am interested in spanking generally and think it has a place for adults who feel they need a little discipline and punishment. Best Wishes, Durdle.
    July 30, 2016

  • fatherfigure
    fatherfigure
    I'm probably of similar age to you then, my fascination with spanking goes back to boyhood but no I don't think the world would be better for beating children! And yet... Adult, consensual spanking - fine, and it's odd that now I feel I ought receive the occasional, belated spanking, firm hand not weapon, I did not receive and would not have wanted in boyhood, for immature failings I believe originated at that time! Best Wishes, Durdle
    July 29, 2016

  • Legion
    Legion
    Hi Legion! I reckon your Miss Hamilton might have done me some good! :-) (Doubtless others too!) Cheers, Durdle 
    July 30, 2016

  • Michael
    Michael
    18 and 20. Adults, with the full choice of protection from assault by law.
    September 1, 2016

  • Stonehenge43
    Stonehenge43
    Hello Stonehenge. Welcome! I'm 64 and an ex-EP user but left it when parts of it started to become really sleazy or stupid. My profile gives a fir idea but I'm happy to chat about a wide range of subjects in which I am interested or can give reasonably knowledgeable facts or opinions. You mention Adultmug. I know what you mean. I ignore the worst, some of which I find unpleasant, but do dip into some of the other threads on it. I'm slightly bi and interested in nudity and adult-consensual spanking, so am not quite a shrinking violet. I did make one or two penfriendships (e-mail) from EP but they've fizzled out, thanks to losses in house moves, changes of computer and perhaps laziness by me! How about you? Your interests, music etc? Best Wishes, Durdle. (after Durdle Door).
    July 30, 2016

  • Eva amirhom
    Eva amirhom
    A sad story, Eva. Yes, you were wrong to do what you did but you have realised that, not everyone in the world will hate you, and I hope you will find forgiveness and happiness. Durdle.
    July 29, 2016

  • Stonehenge43
    Stonehenge43
    I would be very happy to chat about whatever we find of mutual interest, but I can't send a private message unless I add you as a friend first. may I do so, please? regards, Durdle 
    September 9, 2016

  • sjf47
    sjf47
    welcome to AM and its Naturist section! AM Male, 63 and live in Dorset. Cheers, Durdle
    July 28, 2016

  • Pofan1201
    Pofan1201
    That's not "spanking" , that's whipping, and cruel! What effect did it have on you in adult life?
    August 14, 2016

  • Pofan1201
    Pofan1201
    Hi Pofan. Interesting: many people who admit they were beaten severely as children become adults either wanting to give or receive similar in games between consenting adults, or are turned off spanking and CP entirely. You evidently became sexually submissive, but were you aroused by either the whipping or the submission at the time or in remembering it later? Sorry, I'm not quite clear by what you mean as a "switcher" - switching between what? I appreciate bare bottoms including my own as well, but unfortunately mine has aged with me and is now a bit soft and sagging.   Regards, Durdle
    August 15, 2016

  • Pofan1201
    Pofan1201
    Thank you very much Pofan. Would love to be friends with you! Best Wishes, Durdle.
    August 15, 2016

  • Elshara Silverheart
    Elshara Silverheart
    Thank you for the compliment Elashara. I'm not sure what it means, but please do tell me what in particular influenced you. Best Wishes, Durdle.
    June 9, 2016

  • sp4sp4
    sp4sp4
    Hello Sp4sp4. I too was on EP, though I left it well before it folded. "Drawn too deeply." I know the feeling. I think I was tempted too far into some EP fora, so am becoming fairly selective on what I view on here and chosen "stop following" on some already.  Is this why you've not listed any groups? You have a point, using private e-mails. Best Wishes, Durdle.
    September 16, 2016

  • Stuart
    Stuart
    Hi Stuart. Thank you very much for your greetings, and have mine to you! I oppose real CP but have been interested in spanking since boyhood, and have enjoyed quite a few gentle, erotic, spanking games. Best Wishes, Durdle.
    September 16, 2016

  • Aaron
    Aaron
    I couldn't agree more about being naked, Aaron!
    September 9, 2016

  • Solopleasure
    Solopleasure
    Hi Solopleasure. Best Wishes, Durdle
    July 30, 2016

  • Sophronius Pupoid
    Sophronius Pupoid
    I hope you didn't damage the jerboa embryos....
    September 21, 2016

  • Joanne1966
    Joanne1966
    Love to be in a night-dress or nude. I like Sharon1717's comment too!
    September 9, 2016

  • Sophronius Pupoid
    Sophronius Pupoid
    Thank you very much for your comment! Sophronius. Yes, my nickname is from Durdle Door. One of my sisters held her wedding-reception at Pennsylvania Castle, well before it reverted to a private house. The new owners have hosted garden fetes there though. 'Moonfleet' was one of our set books at school, and I remember the passage about the two leading characters escaping from Ringstead (I can't remember if that name was used in the book) by using a very steep cliff path. That path, or an equivalent, exists, up White Nothe, some 400 feet high, and someone showed it me a few years ago. I was glad to have climbed it, but I found it frightening and would not care to try it again! The normal path from the car-park to that area of beach is gentler and not at all exposed. I suppose I'm nearly local! Our family moved to Weymouth in 1959, when I was 7, when Dad's work was moved.
    September 22, 2016

  • Nudistdad
    Nudistdad
    Hello and Welcome, Nudistdad. I'm single but not a father (seem to be collecting quite a tribe of first and grand nephews & nieces though!); but like you enjoy being nude around the home. There is a naturist beach not far from me, and I used to visit it fairly often, but I have leg problems now that make the long, steep path to it a bit too much. Can still be undressed at home, as I am now, though!   Best Wishes, Durdle
    August 14, 2016

  • Donny
    Donny
    I oppose using CP on children - especially the sort of gratuitous violence with assorted weapons described on the site - but what is your take on adult-only, consensual spanking, be it erotic, for some sort of punitive therapy or stress-relieving, curiosity or indeed to reprise personal or vicarious past experiences? Regards, Durdle. 
    September 9, 2016

  • caned4doz
    caned4doz
    Hello Caned4doz. Overlapping (!) interests. I'm not as educated as you. Don't smoke, but do drink (moderately) and not religious. Am interested in science and have a wide range of musical tastes though can't play an instrument. Fitness more by walking and manual work and play than by speed! I too am interested in discipline and do have regressive tendencies and sometimes feel I ought to be spanked for my immature faults.
    July 29, 2016

  • caned4doz
    caned4doz
    Hello Caned4Dozen. Thank you for the Friend request - certainly! This site is confusing - I've not managed to work out how the Friends and Messages parts work! Anyway I think this part is public. For example I can see the messages between you and Forever shorts, on this page. AM does not seem to have a private-message system, at least not obviously so. All it does it let you separate individual conversations from the forum section. I will say I oppose genuine CP - some of the accounts on this site are of frankly appalling cruelty. Yet it was seeing one or two real instances at school, and finding descriptions and images in history-books, that nurtured my interest. The regressive streak I said I have surfaced really quite recently, in my 50s I think, although I had experimented with self-spanking since "discovering" it in my teens - when no doubt I had a rather more smackable bottom than now, had the right circumstances to introduce me to spanking fun, come along!
    August 1, 2016

  • caned4doz
    caned4doz
    I advocate discipline - a system of behaviour - but not in its euphemistic malapropism for corporal punishment of children. However I believe for a consenting adult, there need be no bar beyond sensible, individual boundaries to being spanked ( or slippered or caned) appropriately in a therapeutic or punitive sense, as well obviously as purely erotically. In the last situation it might even be a foreplay activity. Similarly, some adults find release in being under regressive discipline, with or without physical punishment. (Discipline and punishment are NOT synonyms: the latter is for wilful breaking of the former.) 
    September 7, 2016

  • Cravingyourtouch
    Cravingyourtouch
    Welcome Cravingyourtouch. Mot only the women of the household who would benefit from a little suitable discipline at times! Regards, Durdle (in Dorset) 
    July 29, 2016

  • spanko28
    spanko28
    Do you like adult (consensual) spanking too?
    September 9, 2016

  • NaughtyNicola
    NaughtyNicola
    About You: sexiest lingerie a gurl can find - indeed, and very nice too!  
    September 1, 2016

  • NaughtyNicola
    NaughtyNicola
    A pleasure Nicola - and I like your profile picture too!
    September 7, 2016

  • NaughtyNicola
    NaughtyNicola
    Not a full cross-dresser myself and I've few femme clothes, but I like to sleep in a nightie now and then, or wear something at least like a loose-fitting miniskirt. Love to be nude, too! The long-legged lass in that Timothy's Knickers pic fg5 you've commented on, looks as if she's about to be spanked!
    September 7, 2016

  • Killkenny11
    Killkenny11
    That's two of us from Dorset , then, Kilkenny! Welcome to AnswerMug! Cheers, Durdle - and I won't need to explain my inspiration for that nick-name.
    July 29, 2016

  • SJS
    SJS
    Hello SJS I'm uneasy about the idea of spanking children - discipline yes, punishment or at least a reprimand if they break that discipline yes, but need it be physical punishment? If it does I would hope it be by hand only, not weapons as some parents seem to think clever, and only enough to make the point. What of adult, consensual spanking though! I can see that as therapeutic or stress-relief, and eminently suitable for someone who is of middle-age upwards but rather immature or regressive. Regards, Durdle (Dorset - as the nickname may have suggested!)  
    July 30, 2016

  • tonyparker1
    tonyparker1
    Hello Tonyparker1  Thank you for the invitation. I too was on EP but abandoned it a few years ago. I'm a little older at nearly 64, also short and slim, well, nearly slim. Slightly bi, and enjoy being nude though knee troubles limit my excursions such as to an unofficial naturist beach not far from my South Dorset home. Also interested in spanking fun. Various interests and fair range of musical tastes. Best Wishes, Durdle (my nickname is from a feature on the Dorset coast.)
    July 29, 2016

  • tonyparker1
    tonyparker1
    Hello Tonyparker. I thought I'd left a message but it doesn't appear here so perhaps I didn't. Anyway your Profile Information describes me too, almost exactly - I am 64, and with a  slight tummy. I live in S.Dorset - hence my nick-name (from famous coastal feature). Welcome to AM!   Best Wishes, Durdle
    July 30, 2016

  • softlywaking
    softlywaking
    Thank you for the compliment, Softlywaking. Regards, Durdle.
    June 14, 2016

  • missspanking
    missspanking
    Welcome to AmswerMug, Missspanking. No shortage of people here interested in spanking, whether approving or not of beating children, or are like me, approving only of adult consensual spanking. Best Wishes, Durdle
    July 29, 2016

  • 2Pink1s
    2Pink1s
    Thank you for that brief private chat this afternoon. It was unexpected and I enjoyed it though I don't really understand how to use it. Best Wishes, Durdle.
    September 20, 2016

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