I use it since I subscribe to Proton for email. It seems fine. I used to use Windscribe – or rather still do since I have a lifetime subscription – but I tend to alternate between the two services these days. Proton seems to have tons more servers though. I’ve torrented on both and have had no issues with either.

I think the point is that even with caps on spending, it’s still possible for people to fall into a financial hole. Even just looking at the prescription proposal, $2000 may not be a lot for some, but for others, that’s a good chunk of change. And is that $2000 per person? Is there a limit for a family? Because if not, for a family of 4, $8000 is a lot.

And of course, this doesn’t address the medical procedures themselves.

I’m explaining the other person’s position as I’ve read it. To me, any step in the right direction, even if small, is a good thing. But I could see why others would be like “Come on, stop beating around the bush, M4A already!”

And because of that .tk ccTLD is completely disreputable now. Everyone and their mother had one back in the day, which included all the spammers/phishers and their mothers. Now no one trusts .tk domains. Or at least they shouldn’t!

We’ll never get rid of these bigots. They’ve always existed. But at least they stayed away from library and school boards and other governance positions back then. Let’s hope they keep doing that going forward.

There are some instances still up, but I think the assumption is that eventually all of them will shutdown with time. I don’t know the exact reason for it (you can read more here), but something was changed on Twitter’s side that will end all of these.

Next you’re gonna tell me their hit album was called “Tabthamping” instead of “Tubthumping!” Where does it end?!

Honestly though, I thought the same!

Yeah, I never understood that either. He was the president of South Africa from 1994-1999. Yes, he kept a lower profile in the 2000s, but I remember even as a kid/teen seeing articles and photos of him in the news. Bizarre.

Now the Berenstain Bears one, I understand. At the same time, I just chalk that up to spelling. For what reason would I need to know how to spell “Berenstain?”

My first name is already uncommon, or even rare. At least in the US; it might be more common in Europe, though still probably uncommon there.

But I always liked the name “Hiram.” Not just uncommon, old-timey as well.

When my brother and I lived together, we definitely texted each other, either via text or Discord. When we only lived in a 2bdr apartment. If we were in each of our rooms, with the doors open, we could easily just talk really loudly if we wanted to. But we typically had headsets on.

If I’m visiting my family, if there’s something I want to show them on the computer, I’ll often just drop it into our family Discord. Easier that way.

But if it’s not being developed (that’s my assumption as I haven’t touched WordPad in many, many years) and not many people are using it (again, I’m assuming based on my own personal experiences and those in the workplace), what’s wrong with removing a legacy system?

People complain all the time about Microsoft retaining legacy systems, often seemingly detrimentally, so here it is, an opportunity to remove a legacy system, but now it’s bad?

I get that not everyone has Word. But Word isn’t as paywalled as it once was. There’s the web version of Word, that’s free to use with a free Microsoft account. There’s Google Docs, also free with a gmail account. And there’s of course OpenOffice and LibreOffice, obviously free. So users have options for word processing that are better than WordPad.

Well at least they’ll get to use those fancy blue passports Brexiters were so excited about.

I’m not deep into it, but I’ve been trying to get deeper in with Home Assistant. I have several smart plugs, a smart thermostat, some Google Nest products, and even an indoor security camera.

What drove me to home automation, specifically the smart plugs where it all started, was that I live in an apartment. Most of the outlets aren’t connected to wall switches. So I’d have my various lamps around where the plugs/attached switches are like behind furniture or other awkward spots to reach to. It got annoying. The smart plugs solved that so I could turn them on/off from my phone.

Next, I started placing them on a schedule. So that when I got home (back when I was working from the office), I could come home to a lit house. Or if I fell asleep on the couch, all the lights will turn off at some point instead of being on all night. Or when I’m out of town, I can play with the lights to simulate someone being home.

Then I got a free Google Nest Mini (similar to an Amazon Echo). Controlling the lights from phone was great, but controlling via voice was even better! Because what if my phone wasn’t on me? Or battery dead? How about if I had guests who wanted to turn on/off lights? Now both bedrooms have one, plus the living/dining room. I can control everything from those, by voice.

The thermostat here, though digital, wasn’t even programmable. So I replaced it with a smart one, free from the power company. I can even control from my phone (or voice). Now I can schedule heating/cooling. During a trip, I’ll leave it outside of my at-home temp range to save money. But on the way back home, like from the airport, I can have it start heating/cooling so that by the time I get home, my apartment is ready for me.

Security camera is obvious. I travel a fair amount, so it’s an extra piece of mind.

Altogether, it’s about convenience and ease. These all solve or at least mitigate admittedly minor issues, but still, I don’t have to worry about them anymore. Some, especially the thermostat, even help me save money. And a couple even provide me with a bit more security (at least I feel that way).

So this is instead of the UPS, rather than in addition to?

I’m looking at one now and I’m assuming it’s like a big surge protector type thing. Do UPS have these built in?

It is a homelab, so it’s all basically experimental. I don’t really need any of this.

But yes, I should absolutely just buy a UPS =x

Not getting a UPS for my server. Even though I’m pretty sure one of my VMs got corrupted (it won’t boot in ESXi anymore) after the server shutdown during a brownout several months back. I’ve had a server at home for like 4yrs now. Have experienced multiple brownouts. Still don’t have a UPS, even though I always look for one.

You’re on Beehaw right now. Be(e) nice and civil: https://docs.beehaw.org/docs/core-principles/beeple-code-of-conduct/

Already donated to the group. And won’t be the last time. They have a great name, by the way: Missourians for Constitutional Freedom. It’s a very Republican-esque name that hides what they’re doing. Likes Moms for Liberty or Freedom Caucus or Lincoln Project. If there’s anything I’ve learned from the right, it’s that sometimes you gotta play like they do.

As a Missourian, I hope I’ll be able to sign the petition in my district. If we successfully get this onto the November ballot, I’m confident it’ll pass. Missouri may be deep red, but that’s only when it comes to electing politicians. When the people are able to vote on initiatives and referenda, the more “liberal” issues tend to win out. Recreational marijuana. Medicinal Marijuana. Lobbying/campaigning/redistricting reform (unfortunately this one got repealed, but just barely). Minimum wage increase. Idk if that’s because of the power of the cities, but then you’d think that our US senator and high state office elections would be more competitive, but they’re not.

Either way, let’s get this on this ballot!

PRC is Taiwan’s largest trading partner (2022 data). And According to this Reuter’s article from a few days ago, China is also Taiwan’s number one destination for investment. So I suppose it’s not surprising that the ruling class has connections to Chinese money and industry.

I guess in some ways, this is similar to the US and China as trading partners, even though they’re geopolitical rivals. Obviously Taiwan has a lot more to fear than the US does if things go south, but I wonder how much Taiwan-PRC economic ties play a role in preventing an outbreak of hostilities.

Though people said the same thing of Russia, especially after 2014 and look how that turned out. Of course, China isn’t Russia. So maybe it does help.

Doesn’t COPPA already require this for children under 13? This state bill raises it to under 16.

I guess it comes down to the particulars. Is there something more onerous in the Ohio bill than in COPPA? Because I don’t think I’ve heard of any company seriously getting mad that COPPA is a thing.

I thought the plane is supposed to be missing screws, not the passengers.