The Anchorage, Part 3

[Satira Capriccio]

I agree one doesn't have to use social media ... although, it's so darn invasive nowadays that it's difficult to avoid it. One also chooses to use google, amazon, and other "data collection" services. Sorta. Because you simply cannot use the internet and not run afoul of something/someone collecting your personal information or interests.

Consent through ignorance is abhorrent. But, the norm is for companies to collect and share private information ... as furtively as possible. We have very little ... if any ... rights to our personal data. If a company manages to collect it, they own it. Even if it was collected without permission. This is something that should be protected at the Federal level, but it's being left up to the states. Unfortunately, very few states recognize our rights to privacy. California is the exception.

It's appalling the US is so far behind the rest of the world in adopting comprehensive data protection laws.

My issue with focusing so much on Microsoft and Windows 10 collecting personal information without permission (although everyone should know now that Windows 10 does this) obscures that our personal information is being collected by everyone and everything ... mostly without our permission.

 

[Mythocentric]

I do agree with you Satira and California are to be congratulated on taking a stand, however on the subject of Data Protection at Federal Level (in the USA) I'm afraid that's never going to happen for reasons I'd prefer not to go into here because this would become a highly political conversation and that would not be welcomed by anyone I'm sure! Meanwhile I shall exit the conversation stage left and silent (for a change, which is almost a miracle in itself! )

 

[quietrob]

California is normally ahead of the nation on most things. The privacy issues were recently taken out of our hands by the new president. As much as the past president protected the country from Internet Invasion, our new President, a man named Trump just issued an executive order allowing google, your ISP to collect everything about you without your knowledge and without your permission. He didn't have to do it but thats our new president. No. I didn't vote for him.

I do like windows 10 and it's the future. Newer hardware works better with newer software. You can't look back.

That said, Mythocentric is correct as usual. Find out about those Spybots (I'm googling them as soon as my render is completed) and protect yourself.

 

[Satira Capriccio]

Blessed Silence!

I came home from work Monday evening to discover the battery in my FIOS Battery Backup Unit beeping. At first, I thought it was the UPS doing it's little testing. But, after hearing the beep a few more times, I realized immediately it was the FIOS BBU. GRRR! Of course, I had Verizon install the dang thing in the hall closet, which is stuffed full of boxes So, I went digging online to find out what I needed to do. The battery apparently only lasts 2 to 4 years, and Verizon considers it the customer's responsibility to replace it. Sure enough, the warning light was red, indicating the battery needed to be replaced.

But ... the only reason for the BBU is for voice service. Something I don't use. While I have a house phone, I never use it. Neither headset hold a charge, and it doesn't make any sense to replace the phone because ... I don't ever use it. If someone calls that number, it's usually a collection agency for people who have given a false phone number. But, it's never really for me. Everyone who needs to call me has my cell phone number.

So, every half hour, that silly little beep has gone off. Usually managing to startle me. At least it isn't so loud that it wakes me. Unless I'm on the edge of waking up.

Fortunately, Verizon has very clear instructions on how to replace (remove) the battery. Of course, I had no idea where the unit was plugged in. But now that there is plenty of light in my apartment, I found it was plugged in behind the water bottle rack on the opposite side of the wall. Not hard to get to at all. Much easier than hauling the boxes out of the closet and then trying to keep Tsuki from exploring.

So, I pulled up the directions on my cell phone. Moved the water bottle away from the closet bifold door (since Tsuki knows how to open bifold doors), positioned the flashlight (oh yeah. I actually have one) so I could see what I was doing. Managed to get the door of the unit opened. And there was the nasty little battery. Then grabbed Tsuki and pushed her out of my way.

After struggling a bit, I managed to get the red cable unplugged. But couldn't get to the black cable. I grabbed Tsuki a couple more times and pushed her back out of the way.

I finally figured out how to pull the battery out. There weren't retaining clips, but a velcro strap. Then it was a piece of cake to unplug the black cable. I shoved the cables back in the box. Once again, grabbing Tsuki and pushing her out of my way. Then I set the little 12 volt battery outside the closet. Slid the laundry basket full of whatever back into the closet. And closed the door. Putting the spare water bottle back in front of the door.

I still need to put a box back in the closet, but I want to peek at what's in it to see if any of that can be discarded. Fortunately, the other box that was in the closet was empty. I just need to see whether that's a box I need to keep or if it can be discarded. I prefer to keep the original packaging for moving.

Verizon now gives FIOS customers the choice whether to have a BBU or not. Unfortunately, that wasn't a choice when I got FIOS.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with that 12 volt battery since it has to be discarded properly.

 

[Miss B]

Wouldn't the building's handyman/porter know how to discard it properly? We're allowed to throw AAA/AA batteries into the building compactors. The 12V or C and D batteries we have to bring down to him to dispose of.

 

[Dreamer]

I would have just dropped it in with the rest of the trash and not thought twice about it *shrug*

 

[Dreamer]

So the laptop is all happy and working like a dream with win7 on it, just tweeking settings here and there now. The old xp box is being cranky even with a clean install so may need to take it into the shop at some point to see just what is wrong with it but if it works it will become the modeling box so I can pull that off the rendering box.
Next up the current win7 net computer to overhall

 

[Terre]

Laugh track
Woman's voice "When do you go at red and stop at green? When you're eating a watermelon."
Laugh track...

The other two jokes in the ad aren't any better and I get to listen to this all week.
Well, at least we've gotten some positive comments from customers about the in-store ads.

 

[Miss B]

Very funny, but I'm sure after awhile it becomes tiresome.

 

[Terre]

It does get tiresome, yes, but this internet feed that the store can insert ad into is a lot better than the satellite feed the previous owners used. I'll put up with the ads.
The other two jokes are:
Why do watermelons have expensive weddings? Because they cantaloupe.
What do you call a fruit that commits a crime? A waterfelon.

 

[quietrob]

They're so bad they are actually funny!

 

[Miss B]

The first one made me laugh. The second one . . . not so much.

 

[Terre]

They're so bad they are actually funny!

Hopefully that'll be how most customers feel too. Of the three I consider the first to be the best and the last to be the worst.

 

[Miss B]

I have to agree with you Terre.

 

[Lorraine]

Sorry for the rant and apologies to Lorraine.

No apologies necessary, Myth, I fully agree with you.

A few cool and breezy days we have had in the so-called 'winterless north'. Winter-less my arse! the fire has been going every night and it's still autumn!! And high in the sky to the east is the Southern Cross. And the Pot high in the western sky (Orion's Belt to those in the Northern hemisphere). This means winter is close. I think it's going to be a long cold one.

But aboard the good ship Sans Souci I will be warm, entertained and happy I am well into my Dorothy Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey series, book 9 on the go at the mo. Only one a dud thus far...that being book 8 'Murder Must Advertise'. I shall miss him when I finish. If they weren't so bloody expensive I would get all Ngaio Marsh's books. She was a New Zealand writer and put a a number of books featuring her detective Roderick Alleyn. I own one hard cover and treasure it mightily.

 

[Pendraia]

Dorothy Sayers and Ngaio Marsh, haven't heard those names in a long, long time...both good authors.

 

[Lorraine]

They are indeed, Pen. I managed to get the entire Lord Peter Wimsey series for only a couple of dollars. Well pleased!

 

[Mythocentric]

Currently enjoying Jodi Taylor's 'Saint Mary's Chronicles' at the moment. Time travel with a difference where everything which can go wrong usually does! Irreverent, very funny and highly recommended. I've just started Book 7, 'Lies, Damned Lies and History'. Peace and quiet with Emma and the Munchkin visiting with sister Amanda and Sara, Lucy's 'bestest auntie' for a few days! Fire on and coffee on tap. Ah joy!

 

[quietrob]

Currently enjoying Jodi Taylor's 'Saint Mary's Chronicles' at the moment. Time travel with a difference where everything which can go wrong usually does! Irreverent, very funny and highly recommended. I've just started Book 7, 'Lies, Damned Lies and History'. Peace and quiet with Emma and the Munchkin visiting with sister Amanda and Sara, Lucy's 'bestest auntie' for a few days! Fire on and coffee on tap. Ah joy!

I love love love Time Travel stories! I hope that cycles onto my cable programming.

I will be watching "Genius" tonight. The series about Albert Einstein. Just the previews have been riveting so I can't wait for the whole thing. Apparently the stories about him not being able to do math are wrong!

P.S. I am still looking for Einstein Hair for my 3 D model!

 

[Mythocentric]

This has got to be one of my favourite photo's of all time. These, believe it or not, are Japanese war tuba's. How Spike Milligan and the Goon Show missed these I haven't a clue! Perhaps they couldn't afford a piano!

Don't know about cable programming quietrob, but they're pretty cheap on Amazonn Kindle right now. Well worth the effort of downloading! They really are funny!