No, I Will Not Be Doing That

My company moved to a new email system for some damn reason, and today was the day they switched over. They sent clear, detailed instructions on how to get it set up on your phone (No, really. Step by step, screenshots and everything. Should have been bulletproof). I was following them when suddenly I was not seeing what the instructions said I should be seeing, so I called the help desk.

The guy that answered was friendly, and he asked me to download an ap called Beyondtrust which would allow him to remotely control my phone and finish the install.

I said no.

“Look, can you just tell me how to fix it? I trust you (and I do) but I just really hate giving remote control of my electronics to anyone. I'm not an idiot, I first went online in the early 90s with an Atari ST series computer. I've never been phished, never been hacked because I'm really leery of stuff like this, always have been. Can you talk me through it please?”

And he did, and we resolved the install. I get that it would have been easier for him to just take over, but...

Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me? My college age son thinks I'm nuts (Dad, anyone can find anything about you any time they want, why bother trying to hide?). He's not wrong, yet still I persist with my instincts from the stone age of the world wide web. Thoughts?

Posted by: WeirdDave at 05:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1
They can pry my furlongs per fortnight from my cold dead hands!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Cubits. I like cubits.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:00 PM (qKvR9)

2 Meatloaf song?

Posted by: ShainS at May 01, 2025 05:00 PM (BgNAf)

3 You should really trust us. We're trustworthy.

Posted by: Bob from NSA at May 01, 2025 05:01 PM (Q4IgG)

4 That is liking letting your girl.drive.

Never gonna happen.

Posted by: garrett at May 01, 2025 05:01 PM (Ruu2t)

5 I'll betcha Siri knows everything you didn't want the IT guy to know.

Heh.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:01 PM (C4BAC)

6 Wifey agrees and is not trusting AT ALL.

She's good for me as I am too trusting ...

Posted by: ShainS at May 01, 2025 05:02 PM (BgNAf)

7 Were I capable of thought I probably would not have been working at a place predicated on e-mail...

Posted by: Sven at May 01, 2025 05:02 PM (o2Stx)

8
Meatloaf song?
Posted by: ShainS

I was thinking Bartleby the Scrivener.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:02 PM (qKvR9)

9 He'll do anything for work, but he won't do that

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:02 PM (2VST1)

10 The only people I will allow to access any of my computers remotely are the IT guys at my office and my son, who is a wicked smart computer guy.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at May 01, 2025 05:02 PM (0aYVJ)

11 My work laptop is provided by the company, they can remote into that all day long. My personal phone, yeah no.

Posted by: Ryan Frank at May 01, 2025 05:03 PM (fgmuN)

12 And he did, and we resolved the install. I get that it would have been easier for him to just take over, but...

Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me? My college age son thinks I'm nuts (Dad, anyone can find anything about you any time they want, why bother trying to hide?). He's not wrong, yet still I persist with my instincts from the stone age of the world wide web. Thoughts?
++++
Yes and no.

Remote access is a godsend for a lot of tech stuff. I used it on a literal daily basis when I was doing support. But that was strictly business-to-business, and that is where the "but" comes in.

On my work computer? So. If it's compliant with company policy, no problem. Internal helpdesk wants remote access? Okay. Vendor? So long as they comply with the requirements, sure.

My personal equipment? No. Never, for any reason. I don't trust anyone company that much.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (WkNQM)

13 Even though I routinely use remote control to solve problems for other people I am reluctant to give control of my devices to someone else. I don't recall ever doing it for one of my personal devices though I have allowed our corporate staff to take control of my corporate PC.

Posted by: WarEagle82 at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (YcfMX)

14 Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me

I am informed that for the first time, evil Trump and DOGE are building dossiers on every person in the United States.

Because Biden and Obama would never do anything like that.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (xTIDn)

15 Yep.

I would not let someone take remote control of my phone, as that's a personal device.

If it was company-issued, that would be different.

My work computer is owned by the university, so I have NO expectation of privacy there.

I do trust our help desk and will let them do what they need to for my computer. We aren't allowed to install our own apps anyway.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (7fElN)

16 It really doesn't matter.

Posted by: Bib from the NSA at May 01, 2025 05:05 PM (dg+HA)

17 Habib?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:05 PM (Vnr18)

18 If you had downloaded that ap all of your homemade porn videos would've been on the internet by next week.

Posted by: Mark1971 at May 01, 2025 05:05 PM (Vj4xA)

19 You are not being stupid. But your first name is Weird, so no one should be surprised by pretty much anything you do.

Posted by: Kratwurst at May 01, 2025 05:05 PM (nIRE6)

20 I think your spidey sense is probably well developed and you did the right thing.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:06 PM (CQE5S)

21 It ain't paranoia if someone is looking at you. Anybody can find anything about you if they have the skills.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 01, 2025 05:07 PM (Er3Q7)

22 I agree that we should never just give up control and think of England, vis a vis our personal stuff.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 01, 2025 05:07 PM (w6EFb)

23 Anyone who assumes that there is any privacy in today’smworld is incredibly naive, and an expection of privacy is living in a Fool’s Paradise. That said… no, you’re not Weird, Dave… name not withstanding… it’s just your cri d’couer…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:07 PM (PCK5/)

24 But your first name is Weird, so no one should be surprised by pretty much anything you do.

He has a point

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:07 PM (2VST1)

25 Same here. For that reason I never have used Siri or Alexa altho they probably listen anyway. I always opt out of cookies and tracking and hate using any location service altho it's usually unavoidable nowadays. No 'social media' except the horde. And your son is probably right- none of this matters.

Posted by: LASue at May 01, 2025 05:07 PM (lCppi)

26 Give them a millimeter and they'll take a parsec.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:08 PM (Vnr18)

27 I have a good friend who's a major tech geek and has a full backup of my whole computer. At some point, when I was at a remote location or whatever, I asked, can you go into that and look up ... and he said no. Which was right. That's not what that backup is for.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:08 PM (CQE5S)

28 Is it a company computer? Then you really don’t have a choice. Or shouldn’t.

And there should be nothing you care about being hacked on it anyway.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (NWr1F)

29 There a couple schools of thought about this...
1) try and hide, or
2) cut such a wide swath through the digi-sphere that no one can decipher what the hell you're doing or why.

I think I'm conducting behavior #2 but not consciously...

Posted by: Mudshark at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (M8TvI)

30 "Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me? "

I trust no one. When my netlfix account got hacked I called them to sort it all out and they started asking me all sorts of personal information to prove my identity. I gave them the account number and my address but that wasn't good enough. They started asking for the card info that I paid the account with and I refused. I told the lady that she could see that on the screen and I was not giving it to her. She said she needed it to verify it was me and that I was the one who initiated the call. I said nope cancel my account. I called my bank and cancelled that card.

I do not trust anyone.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (e5NfL)

31 I"m right there with you WD!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (eFnJ7)

32 I'm with you, Dave. I realize it is pointless. I realize the NSA has already hacked my VPN. I realize they can publish that picture of me getting freaky with a carrot and a jar of peanut butter any. time. they. want.

And yet. F*ck them. I do not consent.

My kids think I'm a fool. (Not that they're wrong, but not for that reason).

Posted by: WaitingForMartel at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (U3fVU)

33 I assume that someone somewhere is looking over my shoulder whenever I am online, texting on the phone, or talking on it… we live in a surveillance state, and have been for a long time.

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (PCK5/)

34
Your name is Dave. I'd be terrified of having any computer related conversation with a Hal 9000 carrying that handle.

Posted by: Auspex at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (j4U/Z)

35
PDT giving the commencement address at Univ of Alabammy

That's rare, unfortunately. All these faggot colleges never invite our favorite president to do commencements.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (qKvR9)

36 cut such a wide swath through the digi-sphere that no one can decipher what the hell you're doing or why.

I have an addon to my Brave browser that does that. Any site that has a search window it randomly sends data to, constantly, so the AI cannot figure out what you are interested in or are looking for, for real.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (2VST1)

37 I shut my phone off crossing into Utah during Covid 'cause that Nazi Cox demanded I "show ze papers!" at the state line.

Say, brave heros of the Republic in Black Robes?

Where were you bitches when my Constitutional right to travel was infringed?
Where were you, to fire off midnight orders to protect the "rule of law" and "due process?"

But please do go on about how you're not political.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (NwfFc)

38 19 You are not being stupid. But your first name is Weird, so no one should be surprised by pretty much anything you do.

It's an alias.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (CQE5S)

39 Don't fear the reaper, Dave.

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (14URa)

40 it is one thing for the feds to be able to get in, but an app like that lets everyone in India get in too.

Posted by: Oldcat at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (8avO+)

41 If they want you they’ll get you is my default position..

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:11 PM (PCK5/)

42 Don't fear the reaper, Dave.
Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:10 PM (14URa)

Do fear the Israeli-sourced beeper.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:11 PM (VNX3d)

43 35 PDT giving the commencement address at Univ of Alabammy
Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:09 PM (qKvR9)

He better not say anything about fooball!

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:12 PM (CQE5S)

44 I NEVER install an app on my phone that I am not going to use daily.

Posted by: Crouching Chigger at May 01, 2025 05:12 PM (iZoyQ)

45 Royal cubits or just common cubits?

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at May 01, 2025 05:12 PM (jHien)

46 Youtube registration before Google bought it:

Never use your real name online. Use a screename.

YouTube after Google bought it:

Use your real name so everyone can find you! Link your social media accounts!!

Posted by: brak at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (jGJov)

47 Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me?

I honestly don't know. In my case, I avoid providing biometrics, like face scanning or fingerprint recognition. If that kind of stuff gets "stolen" I can't get replacements.

Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (Sf2cq)

48 Is this a First World Problem(FWP) thread because it sure seems like a first world problem...

Posted by: lin-duh of the garbage clan at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (K2iv3)

49 LOL I was gonna watch PDT at Bama on PBS, but I'm greeted by cr*p like:

WATCH: Trump marks first 100 days in office with focus on grudges and grievances

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (CQE5S)

50 I used to allow the internal IT guy at my work to take control of my work computer to diagnose an issue. I doubt I would do that if it were, say, Best Buy or their Geek Squad.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (omVj0)

51 Not to turn this sideways but I do think that it's richly ironic that the Left's sacred sacrament of abortion hinged legally on the argument of protecting"privacy" and yet no one on the Left is troubled by this massive intrusion into privacy in our everyday lives.

I guess that's because in Hillary's (and her adherent's) twisted world's, the private is political. And consequently fair game. Or some such thing.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:13 PM (C4BAC)

52 > 36 I have an addon to my Brave browser that does that. Any site that has a search window it randomly sends data to, constantly, so the AI cannot figure out what you are interested in or are looking for, for real.

That is also clever camouflage for true positives. "Pay no attention to those ads for carrots and peanut butter, honey. That's just from the addon."

Posted by: WaitingForMartel at May 01, 2025 05:14 PM (U3fVU)

53 >>> Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me?

NSA is probably more concerned about those who go radio silent than those blindly going about their business.
More concerned about 'smart' devices eavesdropping and trying to sell me weird shit because I mentioned something odd out of the blue next to the t-stat that has no reason to have a microphone.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 01, 2025 05:14 PM (/lPRQ)

54 Never mix personal and company devices. If my company wants me to have a phone that they can install apps on they can provide the device. End of Line!

Posted by: Trip at May 01, 2025 05:14 PM (87k/1)

55 I have a post-it on my Thunderbolt screen's camera.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:14 PM (CQE5S)

56 He better not say anything about fooball!
---
Oh, he certainly will. Nick Saban is speaking too.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis, Domestic Terrorist at May 01, 2025 05:15 PM (paSBy)

57 > 45 Royal cubits or just common cubits?
European Cubits or African Cubits?

Posted by: WaitingForMartel at May 01, 2025 05:15 PM (U3fVU)

58 I don't have work email on my phone. Because it's my phone. I paid for it. My employer? Bupkis.

This is mine. My employer can give me a phone if it wants to control what's on it. Also, I don't want to be in touch 24/7. I don't get paid for that.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at May 01, 2025 05:15 PM (V9cMX)

59 Fully laden cubits?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:15 PM (Vnr18)

60 LOL more PBS crapola:

Trump meets with Cabinet and praises policies that have sparked pushback

WATCH: Trump delivers remarks on investments in America as economy slightly shrinks

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:16 PM (CQE5S)

61 Royal cubits or just common cubits?
European Cubits or African Cubits?

African swallows or European swallows?

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:16 PM (C4BAC)

62 Oh. Oh my. This soup may be the most spicy I have ever made. Hopefully my sinuses will surrender quickly.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2J/Lj)

63 someone somewhere is looking over my shoulder

That's what the ewok needs shelves for. Altitude.

Posted by: DaveA at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (FhXTo)

64 Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where ....
---------------
Nope, not just you! Me not having Venmo drives my kids crazy.

Posted by: scampydog at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2bFN5)

65 First thing I do when I get a laptop is put electrical tape over the camera. I don't know if it can be turned on without the light or not, or if it can even be accessed remotely, I just don't want a camera constantly on me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2VST1)

66 Hey Peaches, good to see you!

Posted by: old chick at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (F3Dlr)

67 They started asking for the card info that I paid the account with and I refused. I told the lady that she could see that on the screen and I was not giving it to her. She said she needed it to verify it was me and that I was the one who initiated the call. I said nope cancel my account. I called my bank and cancelled that card.

I do not trust anyone.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at May 01, 2025

***
Capita One pulled that on me ("We need a picture of your driver's license") when I called to ask why their website would not let me in this month, after years of my logging in and taking a text message to confirm on my current phone. Seems they think I have only my old phone, that I've never updated the number, and there have been no text messages sent to me this year for verification. All untrue. Something is funny on their end, and they won't admit it.

I don't need the website to use the card and will use Cap One as little as possible in the future.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:18 PM (omVj0)

68 How does being under shelves increase your altitude?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:18 PM (Vnr18)

69 Related from a commenter, apologies for lack of nic, in last thread.

...team at Oligo Security discovered 23 vulnerabilities in AirPlay,
which allows users to stream audio, video and photos from Apple
devices to other smart devices."

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 01, 2025 05:18 PM (0duCh)

70 My employer wanted me to have a mobile phone. It would not permit mobile devices on their network unless one installed an app that would enable them to delete files and apps, reboot, and wipe the phone. They claimed there was no way to control the camera, microphone or pull location via this app, but the proof of this consisted of "trust us" (which I didn't, really, because I researched the app and the capability could be silently configured on).

I flat refused. Told them if they wanted me that accessible, they can supply the phone, and do whatever they wanted to that device. That's what they did.

Posted by: AB at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (/Ndpf)

71 install an app on my phone

samsung and google have made such pigs of the 16gb it came with that I have to juggle anything new.

Posted by: DaveA at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (FhXTo)

72 62 Oh. Oh my. This soup may be the most spicy I have ever made. Hopefully my sinuses will surrender quickly.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2J/Lj)

What are we talking here, peppers, garlic?? Sounds very nice!

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (14URa)

73 First thing I do when I get a laptop is put electrical tape over the camera. I don't know if it can be turned on without the light or not, or if it can even be accessed remotely, I just don't want a camera constantly on me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2VST1)

Me too! Of course, my freaking fridge is probably photographing me. But at least it'll be a sideways view of me.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (C4BAC)

74 Oh my. This soup may be the most spicy I have ever made

mmm soup

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (2VST1)

75 Peaches, the painting in the art thread had peaches in it.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (CQE5S)

76 That's a lot of Vuvuzulas

@Breaking911
·
2m
BREAKING: Trump administration requests Supreme Court terminate protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans

Posted by: weft cut-loop at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (mlg/3)

77 Thoughts?

Heh. Go for a week with the phone turned off and see who comes knocking at the door.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (W/lyH)

78 On the other hand, I am not important enough for TPTB to pay attention to so that is helpful..

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (PCK5/)

79 Ok guys.

I’m going to be discharged in a bit. Nothing cardiac or pulmonary related

Musculoskeletal only.

Still hurts like a bitch.

I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.

Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

80 LOL I was gonna watch PDT at Bama on PBS, but I'm greeted by cr*p like:

WATCH: Trump marks first 100 days in office with focus on grudges and grievances
Posted by: m

Sweet!
Hope he goes on a world class tirade.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (/lPRQ)

81 I NEVER install an app on my phone that I am not going to use daily.
Posted by: Crouching Chigger at May 01, 2025

***
The only app I've downloaded is a calculator. Funny that the Galaxy phone didn't come with one -- or at least I couldn't find it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (omVj0)

82 * waves to peaches*

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (D7yNd)

83 62 Oh. Oh my. This soup may be the most spicy I have ever made. Hopefully my sinuses will surrender quickly.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:17 PM (2J/Lj)

Yogurt, maybe?

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (CQE5S)

84 Long ago when I had a computer, called tech assistance, they took over my computer, and fixed the problem but my computer screen was moving 50 times faster than I ever seen it go. It was scary

Posted by: Skip at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (ypFCm)

85 Scotch Bonnet Pepper and Wasabi Soup…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:21 PM (PCK5/)

86 Does El Salvador have enough suites for so many?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:21 PM (Vnr18)

87 Ok guys.

I’m going to be discharged in a bit. Nothing cardiac or pulmonary related

Musculoskeletal only.

Still hurts like a bitch.

I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.
Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

That's good news. Great news would be that you were no longer in pain.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (VNX3d)

88 79 Ok guys.

I’m going to be discharged in a bit. Nothing cardiac or pulmonary related

Musculoskeletal only.

Still hurts like a bitch.

I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.
Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

Yay! On balance.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (CQE5S)

89 Well...Thursday Geezer Golf is a smaller group but the weather was a lot better and I scored $10.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (W/lyH)

90 I don't have company email on my personal phone, period. The two should not touch.

If the company needs me via email they can provide me a managed company phone. Otherwise, pound sand.

Posted by: ballistic at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (a9uQg)

91 BREAKING: Trump administration requests Supreme Court terminate protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans
Posted by: weft cut-loop at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (mlg/3)

Venezuelans are a tax. Motion denied.
- Roberts

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (NWr1F)

92 I’m going to be discharged in a bit. Nothing cardiac or pulmonary related

I mean, not really good news but at least not bad news. Still in my prayers.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (2VST1)

93 Most of my coworkers have their phones linked to everything at work (Teams, e-mail, etc). I do not. I do have phone numbers for folks on my team, but that's it.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (0aYVJ)

94 I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.

Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

Oh Em Gee, Ratched! Just amended my prayer list. Sounds like it coulda been a whole lot worse, though. xxx

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (14URa)

95 AITAB

Posted by: The_Hoser at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (f4jia)

96 Abso-fucking-lutely you should resist this shit.

If we don't resist, then it will become pervasive and we will have lost more freedom.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (xwWkK)

97 LOL more PBS crapola:

Trump meets with Cabinet and praises policies that have sparked pushback
------

So say the Push Back Surrogates. Laughable.

Everybody better realize how bad this situation is. The soporific, dimwitted eunuchs of PBS pushed back ... And Donald Trump didn't even stop everything he's doing and condemn it all ...

This is the ugly face of the American Reich. Behold it and tremble.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (BI5O2)

98 Samsungs have calculators. Google search box as well.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (Vnr18)

99 91 BREAKING: Trump administration requests Supreme Court terminate protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans
Posted by: weft cut-loop at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (mlg/3)

Venezuelans are a tax. Motion denied.
- Roberts
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 01, 2025 05:22 PM (NWr1F)

Yeah like that’s gonna happen…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (PCK5/)

100 It pairs well with iced tea, iced water, a big honking jug of old milk, whatever really. And don't forget the potato chips!

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (2J/Lj)

101 What happened to nurse?

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (V9cMX)

102 Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

Thank Goodness for that nurse!

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (C4BAC)

103 82 * waves to peaches*

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (D7yNd)

Ben!!! How are the horses? You still living the dream in SoCal?

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:23 PM (14URa)

104 53 >>> Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me?
-----------

Yeah, the govt is one thing, those trolling to take your savings, your I.D. etc. and by their misdeeds screw up your life, are the worries.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 01, 2025 05:24 PM (0duCh)

105 Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me? My college age son thinks I'm nuts (Dad, anyone can find anything about you any time they want, why bother trying to hide?). He's not wrong, yet still I persist with my instincts from the stone age of the world wide web. Thoughts?

You fight the power when you can. Keep on tilting at windmills.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 01, 2025 05:24 PM (s8j++)

106 I flat refused. Told them if they wanted me that accessible, they can supply the phone, and do whatever they wanted to that device. That's what they did.
Posted by: AB

Did you leave it on your desk went you were done for the day?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 01, 2025 05:24 PM (/lPRQ)

107 I've got an hour or so until dinner. Though I'll feed the furry thugs in a short while. For me, I'm thinking some flounder sizzled in olive oil with paprika and garlic pepper, and some chicken sausage gumbo soup.

Tonight Miss Linda is going out for movie night for the girls from church. She doesn't know what movie it will be -- so the story on that should be interesting. In any event, it's just me and the cats tonight. Maybe I'll dig up a classic film to watch on YooToob.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:25 PM (omVj0)

108 So... remember Land O' Lakes with the Indian princess image on their butter packaging?

Apparently they received over $100 million from USAID to assist countries like Georgia and Egypt with food safety.

So, we know why they removed the princess from their packaging" so they could get their "grant" to help with "food safety."

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:25 PM (2VST1)

109 Open the blog bay doors, HAL

I'm sorry Weird Dave, I cannot do that.

Open the blog bay doors, HAL.

...silence
...sounds of Weird Dave breathing...

Posted by: A.C. Clark at May 01, 2025 05:25 PM (DsA2n)

110 I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.
Posted by: nurse ratched
----------

They add up.
Glad you're well.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 01, 2025 05:25 PM (0duCh)

111 PBS:

While the White House has described Trump’s speech as a commencement address, it is actually a special event that was created before graduation ceremonies that begin Friday. Graduating students have the option of attending the event, but it is not required.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (CQE5S)

112 On another note, IMO, Outlook is a shitty program.

Years ago, I used Thunderbird and found it far superior.

But all government agencies must use Microsuck and so we're all stuck.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (NwfFc)

113 Oh dear -- sorry to hear Nurse has been dealing with pain! Praying you'll feel better soon!

Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (Sf2cq)

114 I use remote access to fix customer's problems because I don't need the frustration of trying to "talk them thru it".

Posted by: fd at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (vFG9F)

115 That's a lot of Vuvuzulas

@Breaking911
·
2m
BREAKING: Trump administration requests Supreme Court terminate protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans
Posted by: weft cut-loop
===

What?
Entry made in error, deliberate or not?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (/lPRQ)

116 Absolutely with you. I also:

Refuse to take calls from unknown numbers or which have caller ID disabled, and I refuse to talk to anyone who does not identify himself in the first sentence.

Posted by: RS at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (rk5vz)

117 So, we know why they removed the princess from their packaging" so they could get their "grant" to help with "food safety."
____

Land O Lakes removed the Indian, kept the land. (stolen)

Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (Dv3i1)

118 What are we talking here, peppers, garlic?? Sounds very nice!
Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:19 PM (14URa)

Chicken and bean with onion, garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper, white pepper and a sprinkle of salt. I didn't have any jalapeno to throw in but have done in the past.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (2J/Lj)

119 Use the most secure OS available and don’t do stupid shit on the internet is a good start for everyone….

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (PCK5/)

120 If my company wants me to have a phone that they can install apps on they can provide the device. End of Line!
Posted by: Trip
This. Worked for company that got sideways with the feds. they came in and took all day timers, palm pilots, and personal phones that had been used in business dealings. It sucked to figure out what you had lost and needed.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (eFnJ7)

121 I let customer support have access to my computer once. The DVD drive failed. In a few minutes it was resolved that I needed a new player. They sent me a new one. I sent back the bad one. All under warranty. No problems after that.

You are not being stupid.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (ZmEVT)

122 o... remember Land O' Lakes with the Indian princess image on their butter packaging?

Apparently they received over $100 million from USAID to assist countries like Georgia and Egypt with food safety.

So, we know why they removed the princess from their packaging" so they could get their "grant" to help with "food safety."

Soooo...you're saying the little Georgian and Egyptian boys figured out how to fold the box to make her cup her breasts?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (s8j++)

123 My attitude is if someone really wants my info they can get it. Why make life difficult for myself when it makes no difference. I’ll take basic precautions like 2FA and things like that. but it’s like locking your door. If someone really want to break in a lock won’t do shit.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (NWr1F)

124 Oh. Oh my. This soup may be the most spicy I have ever made. Hopefully my sinuses will surrender quickly.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025
*
Yogurt, maybe?
Posted by: m at May 01, 2025

***
Some honey will kill the burning. Ancient Southwestern secret.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (omVj0)

125 My work laptop is provided by the company, they can remote into that all day long. My personal phone, yeah no.
Posted by: Ryan Frank at May 01, 2025 05:03 PM (fgmuN)

----------------

Exactly. That a company presumes they can require you to use your own phone for their business is unacceptable. You want me to use a phone to do your work you supply it.

Posted by: Decaf at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (unUNN)

126 94 I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.

Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

----
I've been off a lot so didn't know you had problems. Will pray for you and hope the pain goes away.

Posted by: Ciampino - wait it is later today at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (sPQoU)

127 The thing is.... technology is being propagated to the masses in more and more complex iterations. It becomes hard for someone who peripherally know a bit about tech to navigate the nuances of the products they have bought and integrated into their everyday lives.

This is, IMO.... by design.

Hell I'm what I would consider tech savvy having been in the field for 30+ years and some of the shit on my new phone is... unfathomable to me.

So I either disable it... or don't use it.

For fuck's sake... I still use Ethernet in the house for computers rather than the built-in WiFi.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (Q4IgG)

128 118 Chicken and bean with onion, garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper, white pepper and a sprinkle of salt. I didn't have any jalapeno to throw in but have done in the past.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (2J/Lj)

Like, white beans?

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (CQE5S)

129 You mean there is a phone in this thing, too?

Posted by: Weasel at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (Axc90)

130 WD ... I have to agree. I worked in University and Hospital IT for 15+ years and I'm VERY uncomfortable with anyone having access to my personal devices. First, I have to trust the system they use to access the device. And then, I have to trust the tech using that system. Then ... maybe.

And on a related front, I'd avoid using QR codes. What a code does once it has system access via your camera isn't aways clear. Sure they promise they're sending a simple URL, but QR codes can have fairly deep access into your device's workings. So unless you know and trust the source, the safest thing is to say "No."

Posted by: YellowBird at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (MEbkQ)

131 Mmmmm white chicken chili…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (PCK5/)

132 Ok guys.

I’m going to be discharged in a bit. Nothing cardiac or pulmonary related

Musculoskeletal only.

Still hurts like a bitch.

I love you all. Thank you for the prayers.
Posted by: nurse ratched at May 01, 2025 05:20 PM (G0nDz)

Good to hear, now get back to riding everyone's ass.

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (NtVYv)

133 129 You mean there is a phone in this thing, too?
Posted by: Weasel at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (Axc90)

; )

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:28 PM (CQE5S)

134 Having had my identity stolen once and having had my credit card hacked another time, I don’t trust anybody I’m not related to, and that goes double for the online segment of the world. They can put in all the safeguards they want, and there’s some moral midget out there figuring out ways to get around it

Posted by: RebeccaH at May 01, 2025 05:29 PM (nnkjY)

135 118 Chicken and bean with onion, garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper, white pepper and a sprinkle of salt. I didn't have any jalapeno to throw in but have done in the past.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:26 PM (2J/Lj)

Like, white beans?
Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (CQE5S)

It's nazi chili

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at May 01, 2025 05:29 PM (NtVYv)

136
They can pry my furlongs per fortnight from my cold dead hands!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

___________

I see this all the time: (*whiny voice*) "The US is the only country that doesn't use the metric system."

To begin, it's only part true. I was a scientist for 35 years and never thought of the English system in the lab or the metric system out of it.

Furthermore, the English system is an organic one, developed, accepted and refined by society over time. The metric system, on the other hand, is an artificial construct imposed on countries whether their people liked it or not.

American system: that of a free people.

Metric system: that of the subjects of state power.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 01, 2025 05:29 PM (QnmlO)

137 Entry made in error, deliberate or not?

One of the Biden administration's little tricks was to hand most illegal immigrants "refugee" status, no matter why or how they got to the USA, just to protect them from deportation and make them eligible for lots of benefits.

My guess is that Trump wants to yank that classification from them to make them easy and fast to deport.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:29 PM (2VST1)

138 I am informed that for the first time, evil Trump and DOGE are building dossiers on every person in the United States.

Because Biden and Obama would never do anything like that.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (xTIDn)

-----------------

As long as I can see what they have and can correct any mistakes or erroneous info.

Posted by: Decaf at May 01, 2025 05:30 PM (unUNN)

139 My attitude on things like this is the same as locks on doors.

Yeah, somebody determined to get in to your house is going to get in 100% of the time.

Does that mean you just leave your front door unlocked and open?

Just because somebody can break in with intent doesn't mean you want every hobo on the street walking in whenever they feel like it.

Posted by: DudeAbiding at May 01, 2025 05:30 PM (lCHt6)

140 On my first smart phone, an LG bought at the beginning of the Sniffle Scare in '20, I did access my work emails. It got to be a pain, but at least when my boss needed something and I was out at the grocery (instead of "working" at home), I could respond right away. Thus maintaining the illusion that I was "working" at home.

When I changed from the LG to a Samsung in '23, I carefully did not link up my work email, or any email for that matter. If my personal email has something important, it can wait until I check on a laptop.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:31 PM (omVj0)

141 BREAKING: Trump administration requests Supreme Court terminate protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans
Posted by: weft cut-loop at May 01, 2025 05:20 P
---

Or what, Trump?

You're gonna kick some dirt clods and mutter "aw, shucks, skunked again?"

Because crawling on your belly to beg from the Court--again--is not working.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:31 PM (NwfFc)

142 My personal shit is literally everywhere, and I have a fat folder of "date breach" notices. I doubt this makes me special. I just check my bank and credit cards and investment accounts frequently. I can't see paying anyone to tell me what I already know and refund my 200 bucks when they can't fix it. I don't think it can be fixed, I believe vigilance is the only defense anymore.

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:32 PM (14URa)

143 If you're feeling down about America's prospects, there's this:
‘Son of Blackbird’: US secret hypersonic jet may unleash 4,000 mph speed in 2025

https://is.gd/wMFz4b

Posted by: Archimedes at May 01, 2025 05:32 PM (s8j++)

144 Robrrts court joind the No Borders Marxists
Olly Olly all in free again

Posted by: Skip at May 01, 2025 05:32 PM (ypFCm)

145 If your employer really loved you, they'd give you a company phone. Mine did. It gave me the opportunity to test and compare Apple and Samsung, and eventually help me choose a preferred personal phone.

What I found is Apple CarPlay pares better with my Hondas. And now I am iPhone for life; even though Apple ceased innovating back when Jobs died.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at May 01, 2025 05:33 PM (wBaIH)

146 Entry made in error, deliberate or not?

One of the Biden administration's little tricks was to hand most illegal immigrants "refugee" status, no matter why or how they got to the USA, just to protect them from deportation and make them eligible for lots of benefits.

My guess is that Trump wants to yank that classification from them to make them easy and fast to deport.

Interesting that when Biden did that, even though nobody had voted for it, the courts were silent. But when Trump, who was elected primarily for this by a majority, tries to undo it...the Courts jump through their ass to stop him. And then they wonder that people are starting to hold them in contempt.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (C4BAC)

147 The thing is.... technology is being propagated to the masses in more and more complex iterations. It becomes hard for someone who peripherally know a bit about tech to navigate the nuances of the products they have bought and integrated into their everyday lives.

This is, IMO.... by design.

Hell I'm what I would consider tech savvy having been in the field for 30+ years and some of the shit on my new phone is... unfathomable to me. . . .

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025

***
Well said. I've been using computers since 1988 and worked in the field as a programmer for a few years -- and this stuff is a wild tangle to me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (omVj0)

148 If Speaker Johnson and Thune don't give the Court a tune-up we're all in trouble.

Don't they know we've been invaded?

Posted by: torabora at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (XWtWQ)

149 Remember a dumbass some time back who essentially signed up for a hardcore porn site and was just stunned… stunned!!!! when his email was inundated with ads for… hardcore porn!! He gave his work email to the site… some people are too stupid to be on the net.

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (PCK5/)

150 They can pry my furlongs per fortnight from my cold dead hands!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

===

Cubits. I like cubits.
Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:00 PM

No love for stadia?

"And the winepress is trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, for as far as 1600 stadia."
-- Revelation 14:20:

Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (0sNs1)

151 Foster Brooks roasting Don Rickles

https://youtu.be/sdPcjIrSvcs

Nurse - save this for when you up to laughing really hard!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:34 PM (VNX3d)

152 Or what, Trump?

You're gonna kick some dirt clods and mutter "aw, shucks, skunked again?"

Because crawling on your belly to beg from the Court--again--is not working.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

Patience Padiwan. You have to build a political case that the courts are intentionally allowing criminals, etc. to stay and people like Abrego Garcia are the means to do so.

That way, when Trump goes Andy Jackson on Scotus, they will have no one other than the lefty Dems.

Lincoln did as much to the Taney court as a presidential candidate and the people in the North sided with him rather than Stephen Douglas whose actions were seen as complicit with that decision.

You build political support BEFORE ignoring the court and by the courts continuing their idiocy, they are losing support by the day from the people, if not the asshole elites.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:35 PM (ctrM5)

153 Like, white beans?
Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (CQE5S)

Great northern beans. They soak up other flavors really well. And I ain't trying to kill the heat. I wanted it seriously spicy hot. I'm going to brutally burn my sinuses in to submission.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:35 PM (2J/Lj)

154 Dave, I will turn my work computer over to our department IT guy. But nobody gets control of my home computer or my phone.

Posted by: Eromero at May 01, 2025 05:35 PM (hGxWW)

155
Isn't "stadia" the plural of stadium?

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:36 PM (qKvR9)

156 "Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me? "

No. Sort of.

If the phone in question was provided by the employer, screw it, go with the support provided.

If it is a personal device - WTH? - why are you using it to for work? OK, fine, nothing is that cut and dried. With that out of the way. I wouldn't give remote access to anybody and would have approached getting technical support in a similar manner. Staying employed and not comprising your digital security is a balancing act. Right?

As inconvenient as it is to rebuild a pc/phone the only way I hand over a device for support is it has been flattened first; fortunately that happens rarely. It seems the critical issue is what damage could somebody do to you if they were able snap a copy of your data? The answer here, it seems, depends on how deeply one has integrated living a digital life for things like banking, medical, bill payment, taxes, and so on. In my case that risk is wildly unacceptable hence the bright line "hell no" approach to handing over to 3rd parties my byte life.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My Presi as it dent has convictions at May 01, 2025 05:36 PM (amnH6)

157 153 Like, white beans?
Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (CQE5S)

Great northern beans. They soak up other flavors really well. And I ain't trying to kill the heat. I wanted it seriously spicy hot. I'm going to brutally burn my sinuses in to submission.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:35 PM (2J/Lj)

Sounds great.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:36 PM (CQE5S)

158 142 My personal shit is literally everywhere, and I have a fat folder of "date breach" notices. I doubt this makes me special. I just check my bank and credit cards and investment accounts frequently. I can't see paying anyone to tell me what I already know and refund my 200 bucks when they can't fix it. I don't think it can be fixed, I believe vigilance is the only defense anymore.
Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:32 PM (14URa)

Oh it’s out there for most people who use tech… price of living in the Tech Age I guess.

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:36 PM (PCK5/)

159 Ham and Lima Beans.

The #1-rated C-Ration, as rated by generations of grunts.

#AcceptNoSubstitutes

Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 01, 2025 05:37 PM (0sNs1)

160 I've never understood what so great about northern beans.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:37 PM (C4BAC)

161 148 If Speaker Johnson and Thune don't give the Court a tune-up we're all in trouble.

Don't they know we've been invaded?
Posted by: torabora
=====
GOP in Congress is a follower, not a leader and that has been true since Boehner and McConnell. The important thing for them to do is continue to work on budget bills and tax acts and leave Trump alone while he confronts the courts. If necessary, then Trump can unleash them via riders, etc. to must pass bills immune from the filibuster.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:37 PM (ctrM5)

162 I heard they were known as Ham and M'Fers.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:38 PM (C4BAC)

163 I like ham and ham better.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:38 PM (Vnr18)

164 I use remote access to fix customer's problems because I don't need the frustration of trying to "talk them thru it".
----
There's a pretty gal on the toks that can do a perfect Siri voice.
She delights in frustrating scammers.
With "Siri" interrupting.

She often pretends to be an old woman. Who can't understand it's "." and not "dot" to be typed into the URL.

They frequently end up yelling and cursing at her.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:38 PM (NwfFc)

165 It's not just you--I've never given access to my phone or my personal computer to anyone else.

My work computer is different, I give access to anyone in my company, but then again it doesn't belong to me anyway.

Posted by: Pooklord at May 01, 2025 05:38 PM (asU3w)

166 stadium
noun (plural stadiums or plural stadia)
1 a sports arena with tiers of seats for spectators.
• (in ancient Rome or Greece) a track for a foot race or chariot race.
2 (plural stadia) an ancient Roman or Greek measure of length, about 185 meters.

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:38 PM (CQE5S)

167 Good to hear, now get back to riding everyone's ass.
Posted by: Hatari

Phrasing!!!!!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 01, 2025 05:39 PM (eFnJ7)

168 For fuck's sake... I still use Ethernet in the house for computers rather than the built-in WiFi.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (Q4IgG)

Me too. At least the two work computers.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 01, 2025 05:39 PM (xwWkK)

169 I can't see paying anyone to tell me what I already know and refund my 200 bucks when they can't fix it. I don't think it can be fixed, I believe vigilance is the only defense anymore.
Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:32 PM (14URa)

Oh it’s out there for most people who use tech… price of living in the Tech Age I guess.
Posted by: tubal

I have a service that deletes my information online periodically from databrokers and notifies me of any credit requests, etc. Have my credit frozen but predatory lending companies still let assholes try to get loans or liens on properties they do not own which causes the homeowner grief.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:39 PM (ctrM5)

170 Isn't "stadia" the plural of stadium?
Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:36 PM

No, as noted in the Style Guide, it's the plural form of stadion.

Posted by: Wesley Crusher at May 01, 2025 05:39 PM (0sNs1)

171 ‘Son of Blackbird’: US secret hypersonic jet ....
--------
I saw the movie.

But I also think this is likely, in some manner, shape or form to be true. Because balloons are one thing... satellites another and spies something else entirely.

Plus it's badass.

We (America) needs to be more badass.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:40 PM (Q4IgG)

172 I liked it better when things were run by little old ladies in tennis shoes.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:40 PM (C4BAC)

173 163 I like ham and ham better.

green ham is best ham

Posted by: sam i am at May 01, 2025 05:40 PM (sGtp+)

174 79 I was going to guess pleurisy. Glad it's not cardiovascular.

If you are in need of a clumsy but enthusiastic massage, I am but a 12 hour flight away.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (wBaIH)

175 Stadium Arcadium…Great album.

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (PCK5/)

176 Hello, Dave. You need to follow your instincts here. They will lead you true many more times than not. I've done this in many instances with no issues.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (hKoQL)

177 Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:35 PM (2J/Lj)

Try black-eyed peas, they make a lovely soup! In fact, my personal recipe is in the moron's cookbook.

Posted by: Peaches at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (14URa)

178 Nurse ratched glad to hear the diagnosis. Get well soon. Muscle strains in the chest are annoying as heck

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (Er3Q7)

179 If it's a work device then sure, they can take control of it anyway without me even noticing and already have a bunch of "security" software already installed. Personal device? No.

Posted by: Dr. Fausti - I WAS The Science at May 01, 2025 05:41 PM (lg881)

180 I like ham and ham better.

what about ham, spam, spam, eggs, ham and spam? it doesn't have as much spam in it.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (2VST1)

181 it is you, not that youre wrong, but it does not matter, you are maybe denying your employer a tiny bit of information off your phone, but when bob wants your shit he gets everything

it is easier to have a company phone and a personal device

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (sNg1R)

182 Nurse, who's been taking care of Lucy while you were gone?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (omVj0)

183 Pooklord - holy crap, are you involved with the pookysgirl family? if so, welcome; if not welcome anyway

Posted by: gKWVE at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (gKWVE)

184 You are absolutely not being stupid about this. If they want remote access to your mobile device, then they can provide you with a mobile device that you use solely for work.

Posted by: Semper Why at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (nKug+)

185 Yeah, I'm a huge proponent of the Fourth Amendment, and my husband's job in the military was to basically be Big Brother. We've had some..... interesting discussions over the years.

Posted by: pookysgirl, watching Lil Pooky army-crawl at May 01, 2025 05:42 PM (0xpWf)

186 My favorite function on my.phone or computer is delete.
My address book consists of index cards.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 05:43 PM (D7yNd)

187 How do you give peas a black eye? They're a pretty small target to hit. Especially if you're ham-fisted.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:43 PM (C4BAC)

188 I was in Maui recently… shopping in a Safeway, the endcaps were running bug twofer sales on .. Spam..

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:43 PM (PCK5/)

189 155 Isn't "stadia" the plural of stadium?

this being english, "stadium" has many plurals (plurales).

Posted by: anachronda at May 01, 2025 05:43 PM (sGtp+)

190 My son deliberately buys contraband Chinese phones because he says he trusts the CCP with his info more than the NSA.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at May 01, 2025 05:43 PM (DIweC)

191 it is nonsense to think you are going outsmart big tech / big gov, nothing to do but avoid big tech /big gov

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (sNg1R)

192 White chicken chili is... the bomb. My wife's is awesome. One of the few "year round" chili's we like. Some just seem too "heavy" for summer.

Unless it's going on a hotdog.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (Q4IgG)

193 The royal cubit is used in measurements in the Old Testament. A common cubit is about 18 in, but the royal cubit is about 20.6 in. Royal because it was first used by the Pharaohs of Egypt.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (jHien)

194 I seldom use my phone for anything besides sending and receiving calls, occasional texting, and taking a few pics now and then.

The only time I get on the interwebs (AoS) is when i am stuck in a waiting room of some kind, or waiting on food.

Otherwise I am on my desktop - or my iPad if I am "watching" TV or something.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (0aYVJ)

195 I was in Maui recently… shopping in a Safeway, the endcaps were running bug twofer sales on .. Spam

Hawaiians love them some Spam. Seriously.

And... it not as bad as its reputation.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (2VST1)

196 168 For fuck's sake... I still use Ethernet in the house for computers rather than the built-in WiFi.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (Q4IgG)

Me too. At least the two work computers.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

I put in Class 7 and 8 shielded coax wiring when I did a remodel. Still have wifi for guest on a guest network and for phones but security in depth is used here. All computers have their own firewalls up, router firewall uses Open WRT and so on. Security patches applied regularly and I use Linux for my primary web browsing instead of Windows.

Immutable Linux O/S are also coming around and for the highest level of security, those seem to be a bit better than even container systems.

Cachy OS (based on Arch) is now working on a fair number of laptops and it much more secure than Windoze that it can replace as OS. Reporting some blazing speeds on benchmarks compared with Windoze 11.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (ctrM5)

197 My son deliberately buys contraband Chinese phones because he says he trusts the CCP with his info more than the NSA.
Posted by: Victor

that is the same as some guy deciding hes tired of getting gay raped so he decides to do gay rape gangbangs

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:45 PM (sNg1R)

198 192 White chicken chili is... the bomb. My wife's is awesome. One of the few "year round" chili's we like. Some just seem too "heavy" for summer.

Unless it's going on a hotdog.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:44 PM (Q4IgG)

Yeah really the best of all types… throw in a little masa harina to thicken it mmmm!!

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:45 PM (PCK5/)

199 For fuck's sake... I still use Ethernet in the house for computers rather than the built-in WiFi.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:27 PM (Q4IgG)

Me too. At least the two work computers.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

smart, faster, more secure

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:45 PM (sNg1R)

200

How many stadia in a league?

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (qKvR9)

201 Another funny way she infuriates the scammers is double U instead of W.

Or she'll pretend to get the gift cards and then "accidently" cash them back into her account, "well you told me to click submit."
[thick Indian accent]
"NO, NO, NO I DID NOT!"

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (NwfFc)

202 200

Posted by: m at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (CQE5S)

203 Not allowing remote access software on your devices is always the right choice. I won't even put work email or chat on anything I own.

For work devices, if they want it installed, they should have handed it to you with it installed or had a way to remotely install whatever's needed.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (lUFok)

204
How many fathoms in a diphthong?

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (qKvR9)

205 that is the same as some guy deciding hes tired of getting gay raped so he decides to do gay rape gangbangs
Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:45 PM

Oh, my!

Posted by: George T. and Lindsay G. at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (0sNs1)

206 I have a half-full pack of printer paper on the bed. Little Dagny finds it fascinating to sit on and make crinkle-crinkle noises. She just sprang up to the desk with me, and is sitting and grooming to one side away from my keyboard.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (omVj0)

207 White chicken chili is... the bomb. My wife's is awesome

does feather color have any difference with the taste of the chili?

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM (sNg1R)

208 One of my favorite breakfasts is a fried spam with a slice of melted American cheese and a fried egg all in a toast sandwich. With Mayo. Yum.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:47 PM (C4BAC)

209 So... this happened years ago. I was going on an extended vaca. 3 weeks. My FedGov employer wanted my personal cell phone number, and demanded I be "on call" should any IT issues arise.

I countered with... provide me with a government phone, laptop and do not consider me "on leave."

It was... enlightening.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 01, 2025 05:47 PM (Q4IgG)

210 208 One of my favorite breakfasts is a fried spam with a slice of melted American cheese and a fried egg all in a toast sandwich. With Mayo. Yum.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:47 PM (C4BAC)

Actually sounds pretty good… of course I like fried bologna sandwiches a lot…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:48 PM (PCK5/)

211 I am my tech support and for my mother and inlaws until they (dead or in memory care) no longer needed them including using remote management of their systems. Made them go to Linux though to do that as it was working well enough by the 2010's to let them play Solitaire, web browse, etc. We had taken over paying their bills by computer and drafts by then as well.

So even if a malicious character got on it, they could not do much. Nevertheless, I kept security up on them and encrypted their hd.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:48 PM (ctrM5)

212 Do English teachers wear dipthongs at the beach?

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:49 PM (C4BAC)

213 "Uh, Lord . . .? What's a cubit?"

Posted by: Bill Cosby as Noah, long ago at May 01, 2025 05:49 PM (omVj0)

214 Because of who we do work for and the data we have access to, my company has to have remote wipe ability on both my work phone and laptop.

I don't even surf the internet for personal reasons on my work devices.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 01, 2025 05:49 PM (NwfFc)

215 Scammers of the Olds are right ther with child molesters in my world…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:49 PM (PCK5/)

216 I don't even surf the internet for personal reasons on my work devices.

This is the way.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (lUFok)

217 Do math teachers ever get nonplussed?

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (C4BAC)

218 216 I don't even surf the internet for personal reasons on my work devices.

This is the way.
Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (lUFok)

Yes, this is Wisdom…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (PCK5/)

219 Paranoia aside, I'm thinking this infantilizing "we'll take care of all this technology you depend utterly on for you" will not end well.

And it will end.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (asXVI)

220 1 (U.S.) league = 30.61535637286001 stadia.

Posted by: Wesley Crusher at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (0sNs1)

221 Do math teachers ever get nonplussed?
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (C4BAC)

Perhaps, but I think they do get divided on occasion.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (VNX3d)

222 i have meade an effort to never bring my phone beyond the mudroom, it is eavesdropping wherver whenever

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:51 PM (sNg1R)

223 Do math teachers ever get nonplussed?

I bet a survey would show they're divided. Assuming the numbers add up.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at May 01, 2025 05:51 PM (lUFok)

224 203 Not allowing remote access software on your devices is always the right choice. I won't even put work email or chat on anything I own.

For work devices, if they want it installed, they should have handed it to you with it installed or had a way to remotely install whatever's needed.
Posted by: Blanco Basura
=======
Remote access software is actually built into Windoze btw for the last several iterations (starting 7 mebbe?) and you have to check it periodically to make sure some program, Microsux, or hacker asshole did not turn it on.

Built into a lot of Linux builds as well but easy to get rid of if you don't want it.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:51 PM (ctrM5)

225 Perhaps, but I think they do get divided on occasion.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (VNX3d)

Now you're going off on a tangent.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:51 PM (C4BAC)

226 Love fried bologna or fried hot dogs. Cannot stand spam. Hubbymayhem and the girl spawn like it but I can't stand the smell or taste. Ick.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:52 PM (2J/Lj)

227 does feather color have any difference with the taste of the chili?
Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:46 PM

What about dot color?

Posted by: Apu from Bengaluru at May 01, 2025 05:52 PM (0sNs1)

228 Do math teachers ever get nonplussed?
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025

***
When our teacher introduced the word "minus" to us in first grade, it sounded dirty to me. Not that I knew specifically about anything dirty, then. But it sounded . . . odd.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:52 PM (omVj0)

229 I bet a survey would show they're divided. Assuming the numbers add up.

That's the long and the short of it, I guess.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (C4BAC)

230 Minus sounds Greek.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (Vnr18)

231 I have not much interest in canada but watching a guy draw and quarter himself has to be maybe the most exciting and interesting thing

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (sNg1R)

232 Now you're going off on a tangent.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above!

You’re just being irrational

Posted by: Kratwurst at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (nIRE6)

233 Perhaps, but I think they do get divided on occasion.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:50 PM (VNX3d)

Now you're going off on a tangent.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:51 PM (C4BAC)

At least some of them multiply.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (VNX3d)

234 When our teacher introduced the word "minus" to us in first grade, it sounded dirty to me.

Boys have a minus, girls live in Virginia

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:53 PM (2VST1)

235 Do math teachers ever get nonplussed?
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025
*
Perhaps, but I think they do get divided on occasion.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025

***
REMEMBER THE SUBTRAHEND!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (omVj0)

236 When our teacher introduced the word "minus" to us in first grade,
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:52 PM

We do accept gold rings on deposit.

Posted by: Minas Thrift at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (0sNs1)

237 I'm gonna minus you so hard.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (2J/Lj)

238 When our teacher introduced the word "minus" to us in first grade, it sounded dirty to me.
*
Boys have a minus, girls live in Virginia
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025

***
That's approximately it!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (omVj0)

239 Minus Tirith was where Boromir lived, yes?

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (PCK5/)

240 222 i have meade an effort to never bring my phone beyond the mudroom, it is eavesdropping wherver whenever
Posted by: n
=======
Pretty much, same with smart tvs. But, I use both of them to provide informal feedback to their masters on suckitude on ads, etc by verbalizing complaints.

Kamala political ads got the "fake, gay, and put a woman it" in treatment for example.

Posted by: whig at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (ctrM5)

241 i have heard spam is the contraction of "spare meat"

somebody said hey, shovel that stuff off the floor and shove it in the loaf machine

Posted by: n at May 01, 2025 05:55 PM (sNg1R)

242 Minus is actually Latin.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:56 PM (Vnr18)

243 Humus. Topsoil.

Those are some of the words I use when I want to talk dirty to someone.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:56 PM (C4BAC)

244 Minus Tirith was where Boromir lived, yes?
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025

***

Carry me back to ol' Minas Troney!

Posted by: Bromosel (or Faraslax) at May 01, 2025 05:56 PM (omVj0)

245 King Minus was a Cretin, yes?

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:56 PM (PCK5/)

246 224
Win11 Home does not have remote connection, only Pro and Enterprise. I use UltraVNC for that.

Posted by: Ciampino - VNC is great at May 01, 2025 05:57 PM (sPQoU)

247 I'm trying half-heartedly to hijack this thread.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:58 PM (C4BAC)

248 The King of Crete.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 05:58 PM (Vnr18)

249 244 Minus Tirith was where Boromir lived, yes?
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025

***

Carry me back to ol' Minas Troney!
Posted by: Bromosel (or Faraslax) at May 01, 2025 05:56 PM (omVj0)

Heh.. well done

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:58 PM (PCK5/)

250 Minas Troney is not my favorite soup

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 05:59 PM (2VST1)

251 I would gladly go back to Win 7 or XP.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 05:59 PM (D7yNd)

252 247 I'm trying half-heartedly to hijack this thread.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at May 01, 2025 05:58 PM (C4BAC)

Hell, it’s dead as a hammer anyway…

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:59 PM (PCK5/)

253 King Minus was a Cretin, yes?
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025

***
I was amused and horrified when I found the guy in my former writing group who acted as if he knew everything about writing had a terrible howler. He had a character say about another one that "He's rich as Croesus." A cliche, but okay --

-- but he'd spelled it "CREASES." And it was right there in his published book.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (omVj0)

254 Wedding soup is pretty good.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (Vnr18)

255 Humus. Topsoil.

Woody sort of words...

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (2VST1)

256 It ain't paranoia if they really are out to get you!!

Posted by: Bonecrusher at May 01, 2025 06:01 PM (6KkyI)

257 253 King Minus was a Cretin, yes?
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025

***
I was amused and horrified when I found the guy in my former writing group who acted as if he knew everything about writing had a terrible howler. He had a character say about another one that "He's rich as Croesus." A cliche, but okay --

-- but he'd spelled it "CREASES." And it was right there in his published book.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (omVj0)

Aw man… I spit tea on my iPad!!!!

Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 06:01 PM (PCK5/)

258 I would never use a desktop with wifi. Why? Wired is faster and much more reliable. I would go nuts with constant switch malfunctions during large data transfers.

Wireless Internet is a convenience for devices like phones, or a laptop when you're out and about. It's not for real work. I have my office TV on Ethernet, even.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 01, 2025 06:01 PM (BI5O2)

259 Time I started investigating what I'll need for dinner. I hate to leave the desk now that Dagny, normally the most aloof of cats, is still here with me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:02 PM (omVj0)

260 YD, how is your darling baby girl?

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 06:02 PM (D7yNd)

261 High school Physics. Teacher comes in and says, "Today I'll teach you a new swearword, the erg."

Posted by: Ciampino - VNC is great - peer to peer at May 01, 2025 06:02 PM (sPQoU)

262 79 ... Nurse,
So glad it wasn't more serious even if it hurts. Our prayers will continue but it looks like their major work has been done.

Posted by: JTB at May 01, 2025 06:03 PM (yTvNw)

263 Beginning with the assumption that they're out to fuck you over and working backwards from there will never steer you wrong.

Posted by: Only a fool trusts blindly at May 01, 2025 06:03 PM (TbWk/)

264 Just getting in WeirdDave and I can relate! I worked for a family business for years. Dad gave it to his sons and the team we had grew it hugely. It was total freedom with great pay.
Then the sons wanted to sell it. I was key to operations and could not tell any friends and co-workers during the 90 day proctology they puts us through. It sold. To a Canadian company.
A few months in they demanded we put their company app on our phones. I asked if it had any tracking features and was told no. I knew they lied.
They provided a brand new iPhone16 or whatever was new in 2023 and I never took out of the office. Every time I wanted access on the network I had to receive a 6 digit number on that phone to get in.
I lasted 18 months and told 'em I was done.

Posted by: DanMan at May 01, 2025 06:03 PM (8uzBS)

265 YD, how is your darling baby girl?
Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 06:02 PM

She's doing great. Pestering me as we speak

Thanks for asking

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 01, 2025 06:04 PM (BI5O2)

266 258

Wireless Internet is a convenience for devices like phones, or a laptop when you're out and about. It's not for real work. I have my office TV on Ethernet, even.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 01, 2025 06:01 PM (BI5O2)
----
I guess you are not up for Pixy's blog then.

Posted by: Ciampino - uVNC is great - peer to peer at May 01, 2025 06:05 PM (sPQoU)

267 I was amused and horrified when I found the guy in my former writing group who acted as if he knew everything about writing had a terrible howler. He had a character say about another one that "He's rich as Croesus." A cliche, but okay --

-- but he'd spelled it "CREASES." And it was right there in his published book.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (omVj0)

Aw man… I spit tea on my iPad!!!!
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025

***
I stopped listening to most of his advice right then. And I didn't finish reading the novel either. It was a pretty bog-standard police crime novel of the type we've read and seen many times. Then, halfway through, I found he'd suddenly switched to third person from first person, just for two or three chapters, then back to first again. WTF?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:05 PM (omVj0)

268 I am informed that for the first time, evil Trump and DOGE are building dossiers on every person in the United States.

Because Biden and Obama would never do anything like that.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 01, 2025 05:04 PM (xTIDn)

-----------------

As long as I can see what they have and can correct any mistakes or erroneous info.
Posted by: Decaf

*IRS & Social Security has entered the chat.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 01, 2025 06:06 PM (fUDLX)

269 Is it just me? Am I being stupid in a world where NSA knows everything about me and I carry a device around with me that tracks my location 24/7 and can easily be used to eavesdrop on me?
-
As nefarious as the federal government is, they're not the only bad actor around.

A guy I know got a popup on his PC from Norton AV detailing a problem and a phone number to call to deal with it. He made the call, and gave them remote access and before giving them his credit card over the phone, felt something was hinky and hang up on them.

He then googled Norton, and called the first number that came up as a result, gave them remote access, and didn't figure out that was *also* a scam untill he realized the window that showed up after they got access 'proving' them was just a notepad file they were typing in.

We he finally went through Norton (on his cell phone) and gave them remote access, they found stuff from both of the others still hanging around, but they did (as far as I know) clean it up. But it meant he had to do the routing of cancelling credit cards and stopping that weekend's payments and so on.

Posted by: Methos at May 01, 2025 06:06 PM (Dnobf)

270 How often do they go down into the mines to update your file?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 01, 2025 06:07 PM (Vnr18)

271 Then, halfway through, I found he'd suddenly switched to third person from first person, just for two or three chapters, then back to first again. WTF?

Yeah that can work, but its hard to do well and should be used very sparingly. It takes real talent and skill to pull off.

One thing I had never considered but ran into with writing is people who hate a certain POV. "I hate third person!" okay...

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 06:07 PM (2VST1)

272 High school Physics. Teacher comes in and says, "Today I'll teach you a new swearword, the erg."
Posted by: Ciampino - VNC is great - peer to peer at May 01, 2025

***
From Doon:

ERG: a broad flat plain. Also a unit of energy. Also a unit of energy expended on a broad flat plain.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:07 PM (omVj0)

273 Just to be clear, the popup wasn't from Norton. And the first google search was just whoever had paid Google to put them first, and they had no relationship with Norton.

Posted by: Methos at May 01, 2025 06:07 PM (Dnobf)

274 I don't bank, shop or.bill pay online.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 06:09 PM (D7yNd)

275 but I just really hate giving remote control of my electronics to anyone.

What are you hiding, Citizen? Never mind, we will find out in thirty seconds...

Posted by: Big Employer at May 01, 2025 06:09 PM (4Nep/)

276 Yeah that can work, but its hard to do well and should be used very sparingly. It takes real talent and skill to pull off.

One thing I had never considered but ran into with writing is people who hate a certain POV. "I hate third person!" okay...
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025

***
It can work, but I thought it's usually employed to give a new perspective on your first-person narrator from a different character -- his partner, say, in third person, narrates and shows us what the first-person guy looks and acts like. But this was the *same* character, suddenly in third, and then back to first.

I think my former colleague forgot and left those chapters in from an earlier draft. Embarrassing in a published work.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:11 PM (omVj0)

277 Minus Tirith was where Boromir lived, yes?
Posted by: tubal at May 01, 2025 05:54 PM (PCK5/)

Subtract a day or two but yeah, he livered there.

Posted by: Kwak! at May 01, 2025 06:11 PM (89Sog)

278
I have a payment button on my invoices through QuickBooks when I charge customers for work. Something like 20% of the companies won't let their techs use a company credit card online so they have to call it in for manual entry.

I used to have a couple of government customers who were paranoid and wouldn't let their radio techs buy equipment via ebay, so they'd have us buy it because we were an approved vendor and we'd invoice them with an agreed upon markup and shipping. It was a pain in the rear for them, but easy money for us.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 01, 2025 06:12 PM (y9nCu)

279 264
I lasted 18 months and told 'em I was done.

Posted by: DanMan at May 01, 2025 06:03 PM (8uzBS)
----
Was the app Teamviewer?

Posted by: Ciampino - how to tell at May 01, 2025 06:12 PM (sPQoU)

280
No, you were not out of line, WD. Your tech support person was no doubt reliable and trustworthy, but who knows what Jugdesh from Bangalore added to the watcher app that would grant him access to your system at some point down the road.

This is the death of trust of which folks speak when it comes to failing societies.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at May 01, 2025 06:12 PM (Tv15w)

281 I think my former colleague forgot and left those chapters in from an earlier draft. Embarrassing in a published work.

Sounds like yeah probably. I am struggling with a story trying to figure out the POV, have changed several times and I have had to edit a ton to fix it. Probably some will slip through if I don't go through it again a few times.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 01, 2025 06:12 PM (2VST1)

282 Thoughts: yup. You were right.

Posted by: Chuck Moss at May 01, 2025 06:12 PM (dtMfe)

283 My phone is mine. My employer's phone is where all the authentication apps, etc. are installed. If they want to remote-wipe their phone they can have at it.

Same rules for my laptop vs. theirs.

Posted by: Rick T at May 01, 2025 06:13 PM (xeXUW)

284 Trump is always welcomed in Alabama. We voted for the guy the last 3 elections. People here know he does the best he can for them. It's important for Trump to know he has support. Lord knows the media don't give him any.

Posted by: Case at May 01, 2025 06:13 PM (OrSPY)

285 The ship has sailed. It doesn't matter anymore.

Posted by: Unclever Name at May 01, 2025 06:14 PM (1hRKT)

286 ...
A guy I know got a popup on his PC from Norton AV detailing a problem and a phone number to call to deal with it. He made the call, and gave them remote access and before giving them his credit card over the phone, felt something was hinky and hang up on them.
Posted by: Methos at May 01, 2025 06:06 PM (Dnobf)

Sounds like your friend may have been hacked. I can help with this if you give me his name and phone number. Oh, and his mother's maiden name. And birthdate.

Posted by: Not Enough Lampposts at May 01, 2025 06:14 PM (liwjr)

287 INCOGNI.com

It cost $$$ but it does help to remove your digital footprint/info from the internet on a continual basis

Posted by: Pepe The Artist at May 01, 2025 06:16 PM (PzK0U)

288 Sounds like your friend may have been hacked. I can help with this if you give me his name and phone number. Oh, and his mother's maiden name. And birthdate.
Posted by: Not Enough Lampposts at May 01, 2025 06:14 PM (liwjr)

His name is Joe Biden, his phone number is 302-555-1212, and his SSN is 5.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 06:17 PM (VNX3d)

289 The Cafe is open.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 01, 2025 06:18 PM (D7yNd)

290 NOOD Cafe de Doof!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 01, 2025 06:18 PM (VNX3d)

291 I got a text from the company that has my prescription coverage. They seemed to think I'd missed an Rx renewal date. I didn't reply; if I need to I can call them by phone tomorrow.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:18 PM (omVj0)

292 -- but he'd spelled it "CREASES." And it was right there in his published book.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 01, 2025 06:00 PM (omVj0)

--------------

At least he didn't go with "As rich as Jesus."

Posted by: ShainS at May 01, 2025 06:19 PM (1gU1e)

293 Ciampino - no, something like TeamWorks but I'm not sure. I could go on that phone and check my paychecks, 401k and all kinds of workshit like schedule vacations, etc.
I've had my phone since the 90s or so and didn't want that mess on it at all.

Posted by: DanMan at May 01, 2025 06:20 PM (8uzBS)

294 When SCOTUS denies Trump's plea to be able to deport 600 thousand Venezuelans then what ?

Posted by: It's me donna at May 01, 2025 06:21 PM (VE6XX)

295 I had to call IT for an issue making outbound calls. It was happening to me an one other person as far as we knew at the time.

He asked for my user ID and that was fine. Then he asked for the last 4 numbers of my SSN. Nope. Hard stop. I told him that was not happening and he said nobody else had a problem giving them. I'm not everybody else. The only person in the company that needs it is HR so she can do my stuff for taxes.

Rather than test dial it himself he ended up running an update which took me away from work for an hour and reset a bunch of my crap. Turns out the issue was with the host for those voice customers; needed to dial a 1 before their number.

Posted by: Colonel32 at May 01, 2025 06:21 PM (9jyKc)

296 286 ...
A guy I know got a popup on his PC from Norton AV detailing a problem and a phone number to call to deal with it. He made the call, and gave them remote access and before giving them his credit card over the phone, felt something was hinky and hang up on them.
Posted by: Methos at May 01, 2025 06:06 PM (Dnobf)

I get the occasional email from some random-looking address about an account I have but rarely use, and stuff like this makes me extremely leery of even opening the email, much less following the link.

Posted by: Octochicken at May 01, 2025 06:32 PM (oCS0o)

297 Late but, good support techs hate those apps. Takes twice as long to get the damn thing up and working, when you could just be walking them through it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 01, 2025 06:36 PM (cvWHI)

298 You did the right thing. But I would go further. I would NEVER put any work-related thing on my personal cell phone. Proper work/life balance means having the ability to put work devices in a drawer and ignore them. If you must have access off-site, buy a cheap tablet or better yet, get the company to buy you a work phone.

Posted by: Mr_Fastbucks at May 01, 2025 06:41 PM (7m2Jh)

299 “He's not wrong, yet still I persist with my instincts from the stone age of the world wide web. Thoughts?”

I get where you are coming from, but your son is right. Go watch Tucker Carlson’s interview with Catherine Austin Fitts. We are so far beyond that, sadly.

Posted by: La Troienne at May 01, 2025 06:54 PM (MLpTv)

300 If your phone is a company phone, they have every right to its contents because they are paying the bills. If it is your phone, you are subsidizing any and all communications with them and as such they have no rights to its content.

Posted by: john at May 01, 2025 07:14 PM (nEWxZ)

301 No. You did the right thing. The easy road always leads to hell.

Posted by: Next2Nothing at May 01, 2025 07:33 PM (tA1/w)

302 Ok just because They have tilted the tech field to their favor, you should not just abdicate your responsibility to remain autonomous. Make them work for it. You can develop a CEOI. In which you rotate your codes every 4 to 6 days.

Posted by: Augusto Perez at May 01, 2025 07:38 PM (np59N)

303 Have your son send me his debit card and PIN. Will save me the 3 minutes it takes to get them myself.
Amirite?

Posted by: jimmymcnulty at May 01, 2025 07:40 PM (EAGie)

304 Never give up. Never surrender.

Posted by: Unclezip at May 01, 2025 07:51 PM (wjdVy)

305 The NSA, FBI, ATF, FSB, CCP, Microsoft, MI6, Mossad, Apple, and some guy with a homemade supercomputer made of servers and game machines in the Five Boroughs who orders Chinese from down the street every day all want you to know that they could have fixed your problem far easier for you, and they already have access to your computer so what's the big deal?

Posted by: Eric2 at May 01, 2025 08:53 PM (q7Vou)

306 I agree. I live between 2 small airports so there's small planes overhead a few times a day. I always give them the middle finger just in case the NSA is looking.

Posted by: S. Lynn at May 01, 2025 09:05 PM (1Qdnu)

307 they already have access to your computer so what's the big deal?
Posted by: Eric2 at May 01, 2025 08:53 PM (q7Vou)

Yeah they know everything so who cares.

Posted by: dudley at May 01, 2025 09:05 PM (r2ymA)

308 No sense in making life easy for the bad guys.

Posted by: Thomas Mahoney at May 01, 2025 09:30 PM (MhC3h)

309 Never, ever, not once, never, don't even think about ever giving anyone remote access to any one of your devices ever.

You never know when they'll install a backdoor, and even if they work for your company, if they're an H1B Visa, NEVER give them access to your device.

EVER!!!!

Posted by: Naqamel at May 01, 2025 09:58 PM (PUJLA)

310 Never on my phone, desktop, main laptop or pad. Other misc crap, maybe.

Posted by: madmike at May 02, 2025 06:36 AM (n6BMs)

311 #311th!!!!!

I am WeirdDave's long lost brother on this one. 100%.

Posted by: zooomzooom at May 02, 2025 07:43 AM (N9oRe)

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