What Are You Thinking? (cont'd)

[kat (1)]

Wondering where everyone from the D..(GN)  is going to be for the eclipse? 

[WhiteLines]

3 minutes ago, kat said:

Wondering where everyone from the D..(GN)  is going to be for the eclipse? 

Naperville, Illinois as for myself lol.

[Scary Guy]

5 minutes ago, kat said:

Wondering where everyone from the D..(GN)  is going to be for the eclipse? 

 

Somewhere in Ohio.  Preferably with these guys but we'll see what my friend wants to do.

[kat (1)]

1 hour ago, Scary Guy said:

 

Somewhere in Ohio.  Preferably with these guys but we'll see what my friend wants to do.

Ohh, that is a perfect idea. 👌 

[kat (1)]

I think I'll be at my apartment,  the view is pretty good but I hope I can get home in time after my PT appointment. 

I'm emotionally drained from my dreams and am not feeling PT though.

Edited April 8 by kat

[TronRP]

14 hours ago, kat said:

Wondering where everyone from the D..(GN)  is going to be for the eclipse? 

~~~~~

I literally stepped out my backdoor and took pictures.  However, the view that my sister was streaming from a vlogger in Ann Arbor was stunning.  My other sister and her husband drove to Toledo, Ohio to view it.

[WhiteLines]

I think events are falling into place like neon signs telling me which direction $h¡†$ going to go. Return to my homeland this weekend for a week off work and now have somewhere I can stay at other than whats left of my house, so... yep.

[TronRP]

Getting an unintentional late start to the day, but hoping I can get something done.  Thinking of yard machine maintenance first then going from there.

[TronRP]

I was originally thinking that I would just head out and work on my machines and test my UV gear.  I actually ended up cutting all the yards in a little over 2 hours.  This is only my second year with this John Deere Zero Turn, but now I don't want anything else.  Of all the types of mowers and tractors I've had, there is just nothing like this one.   If I end up replacing this, it will be with another ZT.

[WhiteLines]

Think mah phone's 'bout T-Totally f¡$†fμ¢ked. It crashed, got stuck in startup boot loop  for 20 minutes, crashed upon startup 4 more times in a row, then suddenly switched to the black android flash mode screen or whatever the $h¡† it is. And then without warning, it just came right back on. Its been alot of crashing leading up to this. And just such great timing personally couldn't've been any more of an F'ed up time to break. This surely will make the ride on my trainwreck much more entertaining now.

[Scary Guy]

On 4/10/2024 at 3:06 AM, TronRP said:

I was originally thinking that I would just head out and work on my machines and test my UV gear.  I actually ended up cutting all the yards in a little over 2 hours.  This is only my second year with this John Deere Zero Turn, but now I don't want anything else.  Of all the types of mowers and tractors I've had, there is just nothing like this one.   If I end up replacing this, it will be with another ZT.

 

I've been boycotting them for a while now because of their DRM policies: 

 

[TronRP]

5 hours ago, Scary Guy said:

 

I've been boycotting them for a while now because of their DRM policies: 

 

~~~~~

I don't understand.  Are you upset at old John Deere Tractors or Emissions or Farmers not being able to maintenance their machines or the fact that I wanted another Zero Turn if this one dies.

 

I just didn't go for the Yellow Club Cadet because that's the one that my neighbor owns and let me borrow which started this entire want for a ZT.

 

They run on a battery and a Briggs and Stratton engine as did my previous riding mower which just happened to be a John Deere that my mother's coworker sold to us because she knew I previously owned a Yardman riding mower that also ran on a battery and a Briggs and Stratton Engine.

 

~~~~~

This clip seems to be about Commercial Grade John Deere Farm Machines which are just a bit outside of my residential needs.  Although the stock company name of John Deere may be the same, these are two totally different genre of machines.

 

And yes, I service all of my own machines.  I do not pay for a service contract.

[Scary Guy]

32 minutes ago, TronRP said:

~~~~~

I don't understand.  Are you upset at old John Deere Tractors or Emissions or Farmers not being able to maintenance their machines or the fact that I wanted another Zero Turn if this one dies.

 

I just didn't go for the Yellow Club Cadet because that's the one that my neighbor owns and let me borrow which started this entire want for a ZT.

 

They run on a battery and a Briggs and Stratton engine as did my previous riding mower which just happened to be a John Deere that my mother's coworker sold to us because she knew I previously owned a Yardman riding mower that also ran on a battery and a Briggs and Stratton Engine.

 

~~~~~

This clip seems to be about Commercial Grade John Deere Farm Machines which are just a bit outside of my residential needs.  Although the stock company name of John Deere may be the same, these are two totally different genre of machines.

 

And yes, I service all of my own machines.  I do not pay for a service contract.

 

Yes, two grades of machines, same shitty manufacturer.  My point is no on should be giving them any money because they genuinely don't want you to be able to fix your own equipment.

Or maybe they don't care so much about the common consumer but rather the commercial contract ones.  Either way DRM sucks and so does John Deere.

Here's another vid, just for fun:

 

[TronRP]

 

6 hours ago, Scary Guy said:

 

I've been boycotting them for a while now because of their DRM policies: 

 

~~~~~

Ok, I had to look up DRM Policy.  Wow, at that rate, you must be boycotting everything tech, engineered and corporate/private owned.

 

As a business owner, you have to figure out how to stay relevant enough to continue to make money or else you would make the "100 Year Lightbulb" and go out of business after everyone has made a purchase.  This is the reason for service contracts and, what I call, the breakdown factor.  Most things with moving parts have a specific piece with a lifespan of about 5 years (or less depending on the use, unit price, manufacturing time, etc. of the product).  This is where the DIYer comes from and smart companies cash in on service part sells to them.

 

Although it is upsetting, it is also understandable from a business point of view.  The consumer can spend upwards of tens of thousands of dollars for a single commercial machine, and in most cases, you are only prepared to have to purchase it once, which is why people go for specific name brands based on product reliability.  Therefore, there is a need for a way to maintain revenue and it is usually done by way of proprietary parts coupled with service contracts.

 

~~~~~

It's almost like what happens when an artist releases a new song, but doesn't want it to be available through unregulated sources...they can't make money off of their work if it is made available to the public then bootlegged through other sources.  Unfortunately, the artist is then seen in a bad light if they stand up for their own sales and boycott pirated products.

 

It's a catch 22 situation.

[Scary Guy]

8 minutes ago, TronRP said:

 

~~~~~

Ok, I had to look up DRM Policy.  Wow, at that rate, you must be boycotting everything tech, engineered and corporate/private owned.

 

As a business owner, you have to figure out how to stay relevant enough to continue to make money or else you would make the "100 Year Lightbulb" and go out of business after everyone has made a purchase.  This is the reason for service contracts and, what I call, the breakdown factor.  Most things with moving parts have a specific piece with a lifespan of about 5 years (or less depending on the use, unit price, manufacturing time, etc. of the product).  This is where the DIYer comes from and smart companies cash in on service part sells to them.

 

Although it is upsetting, it is also understandable from a business point of view.  The consumer can spend upwards of tens of thousands of dollars for a single commercial machine, and in most cases, you are only prepared to have to purchase it once, which is why people go for specific name brands based on product reliability.  Therefore, there is a need for a way to maintain revenue and it is usually done by way of proprietary parts coupled with service contracts.

 

~~~~~

It's almost like what happens when an artist releases a new song, but doesn't want it to be available through unregulated sources...they can't make money off of their work if it is made available to the public then bootlegged through other sources.  Unfortunately, the artist is then seen in a bad light if they stand up for their own sales and boycott pirated products.

 

It's a catch 22 situation.

 

Most of the artists I know are fine with piracy to a degree since it gets their music out there and heard.  People who enjoy it can then buy it if they want to support the band or just donate to their Patreon if they have one.  Once they get larger like Madona or Metallica (two famous examples that got really cunty about it) they start to care more.  But this is apples to oranges.

Take printer ink from HP.  They don't want you using third party cartridges in their printers or refilling them with ink so when that proprietary chip monitoring the levels says it's empty then that cartridge is trash.

Or Kureg's k-cup coffee cartridges that you stick in.  They put in DRM so you couldn't use a third party cup to brew your coffee (they got around this by putting the old lid on top of it.) I think Kureg eventually stopped the practice but I don't know for sure as I've never been a big coffee guy.

Or Apple which is the entire reason Louis started his crusade in the first place.  Even using a third party charger would make some models act weird and not function right.

You're right though I do use very little.  I try to only buy as little as possible, repair what I can, and replace what I must.  My phone is a Pine64 PinePhone and I can not only take out the battery but replace any part of the phone.  It runs my OS and even though it is a bit hard to use right now it's getting worked on all the time with updates and whatnot.  I was at Sam's Club once and an AT&T sales rep thought he had an easy mark.  I showed him my phone and told him to forget about it (also my plan is $15 a month from MintMobile (now part of T-Moblile) and there is no way they could beat that.)

The other thing is if you can't repair something then the only option left is to throw it out.  Which only serves to create more (e-)waste.  I know I'm just one person but if everyone cut down on their waste output then the world would be a much better place.

[TronRP]

17 minutes ago, Scary Guy said:

 

Yes, two grades of machines, same shitty manufacturer.  My point is no on should be giving them any money because they genuinely don't want you to be able to fix your own equipment.

Or maybe they don't care so much about the common consumer but rather the commercial contract ones.  Either way DRM sucks and so does John Deere.

Here's another vid, just for fun:

 

~~~~~

So, in other words, only go into business if you are willing to allow other product manufactures to determine your ability to make money if they feel that you are charging the consumer too much for the use of your product.  But also, always be prepared to allow the consumer the right to maintenance and modify your product as necessary once they own it and only step in to assist if they ask you for it.

 

~~~~~

Honestly, we grew up being told that John Deere was evil and that was the reason only rich people could afford them.  Even as a full grown adult, I was afraid to use the rider we were sold because I thought I would get some neighborhood backlash.

 

At this point, all I can say is people are going to be people and stand behind what motivates them.

[TronRP]

10 minutes ago, Scary Guy said:

 

Most of the artists I know are fine with piracy to a degree since it gets their music out there and heard.  People who enjoy it can then buy it if they want to support the band or just donate to their Patreon if they have one.  Once they get larger like Madona or Metallica (two famous examples that got really cunty about it) they start to care more.  But this is apples to oranges.

Take printer ink from HP.  They don't want you using third party cartridges in their printers or refilling them with ink so when that proprietary chip monitoring the levels says it's empty then that cartridge is trash.

Or Kureg's k-cup coffee cartridges that you stick in.  They put in DRM so you couldn't use a third party cup to brew your coffee (they got around this by putting the old lid on top of it.) I think Kureg eventually stopped the practice but I don't know for sure as I've never been a big coffee guy.

Or Apple which is the entire reason Louis started his crusade in the first place.  Even using a third party charger would make some models act weird and not function right.

You're right though I do use very little.  I try to only buy as little as possible, repair what I can, and replace what I must.  My phone is a Pine64 PinePhone and I can not only take out the battery but replace any part of the phone.  It runs my OS and even though it is a bit hard to use right now it's getting worked on all the time with updates and whatnot.  I was at Sam's Club once and an AT&T sales rep thought he had an easy mark.  I showed him my phone and told him to forget about it (also my plan is $15 a month from MintMobile (now part of T-Moblile) and there is no way they could beat that.)

The other thing is if you can't repair something then the only option left is to throw it out.  Which only serves to create more (e-)waste.  I know I'm just one person but if everyone cut down on their waste output then the world would be a much better place.

~~~~~

I'm not gonna lie, I totally feel you here as I have been a victim of just about all of this (except I-Phone anything - that's my other sister).  And yes, Keurig now allows for third party cup carriages.

 

Along with HP, don't forget Epson and Canon.  Although they allotted for the refillable ink, it was limited.  And although you were able to use third-party cartridges at a lower cost, they ran out quicker.

 

As I love to monster things together, I keep as much tech as I get because I usually find another purpose for it.  I only throw out stuff if I know it can be recycled properly....don't get me started on that fiasco as recycling is not all it cracks up to be regarding certain materials and localities.

 

It is no secret that the majority of everything in this world is about the money.  Soon, we will have to start paying for clean air once someone finds a way to cash in on it without wiping out too much of the population so they can still make some money off of it.  When COVID hit, I just knew we were about to move towards "Ultraviolet". 😆

[Scary Guy]

2 minutes ago, TronRP said:

Along with HP, don't forget Epson and Canon.  Although they allotted for the refillable ink, it was limited.  And although you were able to use third-party cartridges at a lower cost, they ran out quicker.

 

Oh yeah, no I hate just about all printer companies except Brother, and even they have been caught doing unsavory shit lately (whether they kept it up or not is another story.)

 

3 minutes ago, TronRP said:

don't get me started on that fiasco as recycling is not all it cracks up to be regarding certain materials and localities.

 

Recycling has a lot of problems, but it's better to at least try I think.  Much of it is still just waste though.  Penn & Teller did a thing on it many years ago now. 

Mostly it just exists to make us feel better about our carbon emissions though.

 

 

7 minutes ago, TronRP said:

Soon, we will have to start paying for clean air once someone finds a way to cash in on it without wiping out too much of the population so they can still make some money off of it.

 

 

8 minutes ago, TronRP said:

When COVID hit, I just knew we were about to move towards "Ultraviolet". 😆

 

I said that we should install UV-C lamps everywhere but no one listens to me.  Pretty bad for the eyes but it kills just about everything.

[TronRP]

3 minutes ago, Scary Guy said:

I said that we should install UV-C lamps everywhere but no one listens to me.  Pretty bad for the eyes but it kills just about everything.

~~~~~

 

I meant "Ultraviolet" the movie with Milla Jovovich.

 

[Scary Guy]

6 minutes ago, TronRP said:

~~~~~

 

I meant "Ultraviolet" the movie with Milla Jovovich.

 

I know, was just saying.

Also that movie should have done better than it did.

The nanobot swords were cool too.

[TronRP]

1 minute ago, Scary Guy said:

I know, was just saying.

Also that movie should have done better than it did.

The nanobot swords were cool too.

~~~~~

It's like watching real world "Hammer Space" in action...I totally love that movie.

😁

[TronRP]

26 minutes ago, Scary Guy said:

I said that we should install UV-C lamps everywhere but no one listens to me.  Pretty bad for the eyes but it kills just about everything.

~~~~~

By the way, I actually gave out UV wands as Christmas presents in 2020.  I figured if I'm going to be known for being germophobic, may as well cover the full gambit. 

[kat (1)]

I'm done with internet this week.

 

[kat (1)]

Oh great😪🙏

[Scary Guy]

10 hours ago, kat said:

I'm done with internet this week.

 

 

Clickbaity titles can fuck off.