Daily Tech News 20 June 2024

Top Story

A Meta (which is to say, Facebook) engineer was told to resign after calling out sexist practices in hiring and evaluating of female employees. (Ars Technica)

Maybe it's true. Maybe it's not. But if HR was on the ball they would have just asked him "what is a woman?" and then fired him no matter what his answer was.

Tech News

DRAM and flash prices are... Not soaring as predicted. (Tom's Hardware)

The best of the bargains from last year have dried up, but prices are pretty steady now.
Speaking of which, you can get a 1.5TB Optane 905P for $299. (Serve the Home)

Allegedly; the page shows $349 for me.

If you need these drives - they have a 10 microsecond access time, compared with 50 microseconds for a good flash SSD - you might want to stock up because nobody is making them anymore.
The EU wants to scan all your messages - including the ones with end-to-end encryption. (The Verge)

The Telescreen is $299. The Telescreen with bundled ads is $199.

Both are behind the painting.
Softbank plans to use AI to automatically mute calls from angry customers. (Ars Technica)

There is no way this could possibly go wrong.

Disclaimer: I'm at soup.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:34 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Hiya!

Posted by: JQ at June 20, 2024 04:37 AM (njWTi)

2 In honor of JT.

Posted by: JQ at June 20, 2024 04:38 AM (njWTi)

3 Morning all

Posted by: Ciampino - Thur Update #01 at June 20, 2024 04:38 AM (qfLjt)

4 Damned telescreens...

Posted by: JQ at June 20, 2024 04:38 AM (njWTi)

5 w00t

Posted by: m at June 20, 2024 04:38 AM (NHMTR)

6 what's with JT?

Posted by: Ciampino - Thur Update #02 at June 20, 2024 04:39 AM (qfLjt)

7 MIA, Ciampino.

Don't know nuthin' else.

Posted by: JQ at June 20, 2024 04:40 AM (njWTi)

8 JT Informations are much required.

Posted by: Prof. Dr. T. Coronae Borealis at June 20, 2024 04:40 AM (4fkHT)

9 LOL your comment on the Meta thing.

Posted by: m at June 20, 2024 04:41 AM (NHMTR)

10 Ok, really goodnight all. Long day ahead.

Posted by: JQ at June 20, 2024 04:42 AM (njWTi)

11 My daughter needs to upgrade the SSD in her PC, currently a 250 GB as primary drive. She foun this 1TB for $85, same make as her current one and same interface. Anyone have an opinion? (budget is under $101)
Samsung 990 EVO SSD 1TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 5,000MB/s,

Posted by: Ciampino - Thur Update #03 at June 20, 2024 04:45 AM (qfLjt)

12 Softbank plans to use AI to automatically mute calls from angry customers. (Ars Technica)

Solution for a problem long ago solved.

Posted by: Miklos from Slavic Customer Service at June 20, 2024 04:45 AM (4fkHT)

13 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 04:46 AM (fwDg9)

14 Ok, really goodnight all. Long day ahead.
Posted by: JQ

There have been Longer Days

Posted by: Miklos reminds June 6, 1944 at June 20, 2024 04:46 AM (4fkHT)

15 Softbank plans to use AI to automatically mute calls from angry customers.

Maybe avoid angry customers by doing a competent and professional job ???

Posted by: Adriane the Sweet Tea Serving Critic . . . at June 20, 2024 04:47 AM (TX4bP)

16 G'Day everyone
Posted by: Skip

That's not a G'Day

THIS is a G'Day

Posted by: Miklos thinks Aussies hate Crocodile Dundee at June 20, 2024 04:48 AM (4fkHT)

17 Good morning morons

Violence at last night's Juneteenth celebration in Oakland has resulted in several GSWs, a car v pedestrian MVA, and general chaos and violence.

Just. Too. Perfect.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 04:51 AM (RIvkX)

18 Maybe avoid angry customers by doing a competent and professional job ???
Posted by: Adriane the Sweet Tea

It's people like you what cause discontent!

Posted by: The Powers that Be at June 20, 2024 04:54 AM (4fkHT)

19 I was on with the service rep for Uber Eats recently and to be honest, the guy did his best. It was an interesting engagement because the guy was very knowledgeable about English, but his English level only reached a certain point. He could give you the time of the day or discuss the local football games, but when it came to this particular issue, he just could not do it.

I was nice about. I knew this guy was trying, but his English level was just not up to snuff. I’ve encountered far worse, but this is a weird one because I had to tell the guy I would be calling back because we simply could not discuss the issue intelligently his English level was good, but it was not enough to fix what was going on.

I am not going to bash call centers in India or ever right large because unfortunately, when I see customer service in this country, the native speakers speaking to face-to-face are not much better.

Posted by: Quint at June 20, 2024 04:54 AM (Du8mJ)

20 I will say this truism many people think they have control of the English language. They think they have it down pat and they do not. A lot of companies are telling them that they are good to go. They’re telling them that they speak the language well enough, but they are wrong. There are groups pushing this so-called international English, and it is literally an embarrassment. It is not a language. It is a pig Latin, and even Esperanto is better.

Posted by: Quint at June 20, 2024 04:56 AM (Du8mJ)

21 11 My daughter needs to upgrade the SSD in her PC, currently a 250 GB as primary drive. She foun this 1TB for $85, same make as her current one and same interface. Anyone have an opinion? (budget is under $101)
Samsung 990 EVO SSD 1TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 5,000MB/s,
Posted by: Ciampino

That should do just fine. Not the fastest drive available but far from the slowest.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at June 20, 2024 04:58 AM (BLOW1)

22 That should do just fine. Not the fastest but far from the slowest.
Posted by: Pixy Misa

Girls have told me that.

Posted by: Miklos is willing to listen and learn and try again at June 20, 2024 05:00 AM (4fkHT)

23 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at June 20, 2024 05:01 AM (sAmhv)

24 Mornin'
Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up

*warms up Cafe au Lait so nobody notices*

Posted by: Miklos at the Cafe du Monde at June 20, 2024 05:04 AM (4fkHT)

25 Mujibar was trying to get a job in India. The Personnel Manager said, "Mujibar, you have passed all the tests, except one. Unless you pass it you cannot qualify for this job."

Mujibar said, "I am ready."

The manager said, "Make a sentence using the words Yellow, Pink and Green."

Mujibar thought for a few minutes and said, "Mister manager, I am ready."

The manager said, "Go ahead."

Mujibar said, "The telephone goes green, green, green, and I pink it up, and say, 'Yellow, this is Mujibar.'"

Mujibar now works as a technician at a call center for computer problems. No doubt you have spoken to him.

Posted by: Ciampino - Call Center recruiting at June 20, 2024 05:05 AM (qfLjt)

26 Softbank plans to use AI to automatically mute calls from angry customers. (Ars Technica)

Oh lord. I would have loved an auto mute when I was working credit card and student loan fraud.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 05:08 AM (oaGWv)

27 That should do just fine. Not the fastest drive available but far from the slowest.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at June 20, 2024 04:58 AM (BLOW1)
----
Thank you Pixy.
This is from Amazon and is discounted.

Posted by: Ciampino - Tech Update at June 20, 2024 05:10 AM (qfLjt)

28 Mujibar now works as a technician at a call center for computer problems. No doubt you have spoken to him.
Posted by: Ciampino

Mujibar was so good we transferred him to a commission-based position in our Medicare Must Respond Now Unit.

Posted by: Miklos at the Mumbai Call Centre of Most Excellence at June 20, 2024 05:12 AM (4fkHT)

29 Can someone get into seeing ( I know better than to post on a more than 24 hour old thread).comments from a thread a month or 2 ago?
It wasn't working for me yesterday

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 05:13 AM (fwDg9)

30 G'morning Horde.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at June 20, 2024 05:14 AM (O7YUW)

31 @29/Skip: Yes, it's working, but you have to modify a current thread's URL and substitute the post number with the number from the old archived post number in order to see comments.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at June 20, 2024 05:16 AM (O7YUW)

32 I tried going to archives, pu up thread then get to comments, it use to work long ago

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 05:23 AM (fwDg9)

33 That FB engineer must have been an absolute joy in the office.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at June 20, 2024 05:26 AM (rsqyi)

34 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 20, 2024 05:27 AM (hoCmQ)

35 Time to hit the road again
Another hot one
Forward Dog 9 out

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 05:30 AM (ZOWOf)

36 After a decade in grad school, i got really really good at understanding Indians and Chineseses with hard to understand accents.

I occasionally get a tech support person where i can pinpoint the precise moment when they relax and feel a tangible relief that i can actually understand what the hell they're saying. And then more often than not they're at least some kind of helpful.

And I've got to be honest, the quality of life tech support or customer support personnel in general seems to be better now than it's been in a long time. I may not always get someone who can help, but i almost always get someone who tries everything they can think of to help.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:32 AM (BpZ5k)

37 So Google hires female engineers that aren't as qualified as men and the guy who points it out gets fired. Meta promotes male engineers that aren't as qualified as women and the guy who points it out gets fired.

If it's wrong of me to enjoy the chaos, I don't care.

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:35 AM (svLOV)

38 Also, hold times are practically non existent anymore. It's maybe two minutes tops before i get a human, once I've either waded through the robot menus or figured which number to press or word to say to exit the menu and get to the operator.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:36 AM (BpZ5k)

39 I tried going to archives, pu up thread then get to comments, it use to work long ago
Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 05:23
----------------------

Switch out minx.cc with acecomments.mu.nu

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 20, 2024 05:37 AM (hoCmQ)

40 once I've either waded through the robot menus or figured which number to press or word to say to exit the menu and get to the operator.

That's a pet peeve of mine. From where I stand, calling a company should go like this.

1. I call, human picks up.
2. Human asks how they can help. If needed, they get account information.
3. Call is transferred, account information on the screen already for the person I'm going to talk to.

Saying "Operator" repeatedly just to bypass the computer is irritating.

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:41 AM (svLOV)

41 The last time i had a bad customer service experience was over five years ago, when some asshole from Aetna was being flat out rude because they were too stupid to understand what i was asking them.

I left a scathing survey response and then canceled my policy at the soonest possible opportunity.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:43 AM (BpZ5k)

42 Saying "Operator" repeatedly just to bypass the computer is irritating.
Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:41 AM (svLOV)

And increasingly less likely to actually switch the call to a human. Not to worry, AI will fix all of that.

Posted by: Pete Bog at June 20, 2024 05:45 AM (dTwZp)

43 Saying "Operator" repeatedly just to bypass the computer is irritating.
Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:41 AM (svLOV)

One thing I've found that sometimes works is to select the least likely options until you're connected with someone, then say "oops, i think i picked the wrong one!" and have them connect you to the right department.

It's probably morally akin to line cutting, but it's dog eat dog out there.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:46 AM (BpZ5k)

44 And increasingly less likely to actually switch the call to a human. Not to worry, AI will fix all of that.
Posted by: Pete Bog at June 20, 2024 05:45 AM (dTwZp)

Pressing zero used to work, but doesn't really seem to anywhere anymore.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:48 AM (BpZ5k)

45 That's funny because we have an algorithm that filters out grammatical English for training purposes.

Posted by: Bob@NSA at June 20, 2024 05:48 AM (IG7T0)

46 43 It's probably morally akin to line cutting, but it's dog eat dog out there.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:46 AM (BpZ5k)

You say "cheating," I say "best use of resources."

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:48 AM (svLOV)

47 Have you never called Social Security?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 05:50 AM (RIvkX)

48 Have you never called Social Security?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 05:50 AM (RIvkX)

No, thanks be to the almighty.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:51 AM (BpZ5k)

49 Back from my workout, shaved, showered; fed the furry beasts and am devouring my own morning chow. Whass goin' on?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 05:52 AM (omVj0)

50 Ok, really goodnight all. Long day ahead.
Posted by: JQ
*
There have been Longer Days
Posted by: Miklos reminds June 6, 1944 at June 20, 2024

***
Mama told me there'd be days like this

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 05:53 AM (omVj0)

51 Mama told me there'd be days like this
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 05:53 AM (omVj0)

aaaaaand there's the earworm for the day.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:54 AM (BpZ5k)

52 https://tinyurl.com/ydff87d9

Can you name even one drag queen, h8ers?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 05:55 AM (RIvkX)

53 No, thanks be to the almighty.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:51 AM (BpZ5k)
====

Tradition calls for waiting on hold for 30 minutes before being simply disconnected.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 05:57 AM (RIvkX)

54 In the news:

Witness tells House Ethics Committee that Matt Gaetz paid her for sex

I didn't know that Matt Gaetz was in the running to be Trump's VP pick.

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2024 05:57 AM (svLOV)

55 Big black Stirling cat is sprawled on the cushion next to me. He doesn't usually do that in the mornings. Evenings he has been climbing into my lap more often.

Miss Linda says he worried he might be sent back to Vicksburg (which is NOT true -- and how would he know? Besides, he's always been treated like the prince of the household).

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 05:59 AM (omVj0)

56 Wow.

Typically it is us who are forced to pay the congressmutants for the privilege of getting rawdogged by them.

Well done, good sir or madam.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:59 AM (BpZ5k)

57 Mama told me there'd be days like this
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024
*
aaaaaand there's the earworm for the day.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024

***
NOT the John Lennon take on it, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 06:00 AM (omVj0)

58 NOT the John Lennon take on it, though.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 20, 2024 06:00 AM (omVj0)

If only he had listened to his mama.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 06:00 AM (BpZ5k)

59 I thought the sex industry was noble and not to be scorned, tho.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 06:02 AM (BpZ5k)

60 Have you never called Social Security?
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Dear lord yes. After husband died had to contact them to schedule a telephone appt to get SS benefits switched. Was on hold for way over an hour the first time. The second time I called right as the telephone lines opened and only had to wait 45 minutes or so. Been to the SSA office too. Not something I'd want to do again.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:06 AM (oaGWv)

61 "Sure and certain"- A reflection from the Book of Lamentations on hope:

https://tinyurl.com/p6nc36b8

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2024 06:07 AM (qa6W+)

62 BTW Social Security has real annoying hold music.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:09 AM (oaGWv)

63 1. Social Security sends me a letter "call us at this time"
2. Franpsycho calls, waits, hung up, calls back, waits, gets through, is told Social Security will call you back later
3. Social Security calls back later and says "call us tomorrow"
4. Franpsycho calls back, waits, gets through, is told "call us tomorrow, but earlier"
5. Repeat step 4 endlessly

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 06:10 AM (RIvkX)

64 Can you name even one drag queen, h8ers?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 05:55 AM (RIvkX)

I know the names of several people in government, does that count? Probably...

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at June 20, 2024 06:10 AM (O7YUW)

65 Jumping lines and cheating are life skills in NYC. Lovely breeze and a pale blue sky this morning

Posted by: Jamaica at June 20, 2024 06:11 AM (IG7T0)

66 "Wait for the Lord" - Woman reflects on waiting on Lord while she recovers from an injury:

https://tinyurl.com/2me3vhys

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2024 06:12 AM (qa6W+)

67 It's probably morally akin to line cutting, but it's dog eat dog out there.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:46 AM (BpZ5k)

They set up the game, you're just playing within the rules they set. *shrugs*

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at June 20, 2024 06:12 AM (O7YUW)

68 1. Social Security sends me a letter "call us at this time"
2. Franpsycho calls, waits, hung up, calls back, waits, gets through, is told Social Security will call you back later
3. Social Security calls back later and says "call us tomorrow"
4. Franpsycho calls back, waits, gets through, is told "call us tomorrow, but earlier"
5. Repeat step 4 endlessly
Posted by: San Franpsycho

LOL. After I finally got a phone conference appt SS called me back exactly when they said they would. Surprise surprise. Got business taken care of but had to present copy of marriage certificate which required that I take it to local SS office. Sigh. Did so. Never want to see the inside of a SS office again.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:15 AM (oaGWv)

69 yo wut sup

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 20, 2024 06:15 AM (ENQN6)

70 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at June 20, 2024 06:18 AM (dg+HA)

71 yo wut sup
Posted by: rhennigantx

I'm up. Since 12:45 am CDT. Doggie confused and went back to bed.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:18 AM (oaGWv)

72 Remember when federal workers were told it was not safe to come to work? Yeah, that's where Social Security office is located. It was like visiting a lunatic asylum.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 06:20 AM (RIvkX)

73 Mitt Romney says he’s still anti-Trump after in-person meeting with ex-prez: ‘Matter of personal character’

Truly worthless evil scum.

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 20, 2024 06:24 AM (ENQN6)

74 Never want to see the inside of a SS office again.
Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024

How long did that take?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at June 20, 2024 06:25 AM (Ka3bZ)

75 Remember when federal workers were told it was not safe to come to work? Yeah, that's where Social Security office is located. It was like visiting a lunatic asylum.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

I was one of the few native Americans there. The rest were from various off shore locations. One Middle Easterner had the gall to play call to pray on his cell phone. The security guard told him to take it outside. Had to hide my snort of laughter as a cough.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:27 AM (oaGWv)

76 It is really rich to have two of the most morally bankrupt political ciphers in recent memory, Mittens and Eddie Munster, prattle on about Trump's supposedly poor character.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 06:27 AM (RIvkX)

77 G'morning, all.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 20, 2024 06:27 AM (a1415)

78 Very nice version of a song I didn't know/- "You raise me up" by an acapella men's group from BYU;

https://tinyurl.com/3kun86hb

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2024 06:28 AM (QShAf)

79 1. Social Security sends me a letter "call us at this time"
2. Franpsycho calls, waits, hung up, calls back, waits, gets through, is told Social Security will call you back later
3. Social Security calls back later and says "call us tomorrow"
4. Franpsycho calls back, waits, gets through, is told "call us tomorrow, but earlier"
5. Repeat step 4 endlessly
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Social Security is not a fan of communication. Being 29 as I am, I had to contact them last week. I was not allowed to simply contact the local branch, who are actually responsive and helpful. Nope, had to be their national number.

After endless waiting with what sounded like Philip Glass music in the background, I finally got to speak with someone. I don't want to say the lady was rude and unhelpful, but only because that doesn't convey it fully. She was aggressively rude and unhelpful. Any time I attempted to make a statement, she would cut me off and nitpick where there wasn't a nit to pick. I finally got out a sentence uninterrupted, and she failed to understand, and got angrier and angrier the more I spoke. I finally got her to address the problem, after which she slammed the phone down.

Posted by: John Drake Is Now Rounding The East Coast Of The Caspian Sea at June 20, 2024 06:28 AM (u/Zei)

80 43 One thing I've found that sometimes works is to select the least likely options until you're connected with someone, then say "oops, i think i picked the wrong one!" and have them connect you to the right department.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2024 05:46 AM (BpZ5k)

LOL I love this.

Posted by: m at June 20, 2024 06:29 AM (NHMTR)

81 Never want to see the inside of a SS office again.
Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024

How long did that take?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion

I visited my local office 3 times. Each time I waited for well over an hour. Bring something to read. Getting my TN drivers license was heaven compared to dealing with SSA.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:30 AM (oaGWv)

82 Sharp eyes, steady hands, stout hearts!

Posted by: Eromero at June 20, 2024 06:35 AM (o2ZRX)

83 I should add that I went to a small suburban office and it was still packed with people. I can't imagine what it would be like to visit an office in a large urban area.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:37 AM (oaGWv)

84 I guess I'm saying Social Security isn't very sociable. And I've dealt with petty bureaucrats who get off on flexing whatever their minute authority might be or who regard you as a nuisance to be shoved aside as soon as possible - in both the private and public sphere. I'm used to that sort of thing, and it doesn't bother me.

But this lady - there are probably several passages in the DSM-V focused on her alone. Anger management issues? No, more of a complete and total contempt for anyone who dared to speak with her. Before she slammed the ohone down mid-call, she overheard my wife and son talking and said, "Put her on the line right now!" I'm a bit puzzled. "Sorry, what?" "She is coaching you sir, put her on the line NOW!" So I hand the phone over to my wife, who is completely puzzled, and this makes the SSA lady even more irate, and she's at roughly an eleven Chernobyl level now. The call could have been completed and everything resolved in ten minutes at most, but she dragged it out to thirty because she couldn't get out of her own way.

Posted by: John Drake Is Now Rounding The East Coast Of The Caspian Sea at June 20, 2024 06:37 AM (u/Zei)

85 I visited my local office 3 times. Each time I waited for well over an hour. Bring something to read. Getting my TN drivers license was heaven compared to dealing with SSA.
Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:30 AM (oaGWv)
---
War and Peace? Les Misérables? Encyclopedia Britannica?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 20, 2024 06:38 AM (BpYfr)

86 So when did this "outing" happen? Norton enrolled her child as a boy in kindergarten, before she started transitioning in first grade. "Norton knew the new state law barred transgender girls from playing girls sports when her daughter entered high school in 2022,"

FIRST GRADE
Munchausen by Proxy

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 20, 2024 06:40 AM (ENQN6)

87
Good morning, Hordians. Up, dressed, morning prayers said, Diana let out, kennel dogs taken care of, coffee made. They're all taken care of and Her Majesty is asleep. This is the best part of the day.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2024 06:40 AM (MoZTd)

88 I guess I was lucky with who I spoke to on the phone. All were quite pleasant. I was surprised. It's the waits and all the sh*t you have to go through after a spouse dies that got my hackles up. They do not make it easy.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:42 AM (oaGWv)

89 War and Peace? Les Misérables? Encyclopedia Britannica?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

One of your multi volume fantasy series. The whole series.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:44 AM (oaGWv)

90 God bless America, especially the horde and all who wish they were!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 20, 2024 06:44 AM (tjLP9)

91 86 So when did this "outing" happen? Norton enrolled her child as a boy in kindergarten, before she started transitioning in first grade. "Norton knew the new state law barred transgender girls from playing girls sports when her daughter entered high school in 2022,"

FIRST GRADE
Munchausen by Proxy
Posted by: rhennigantx at June 20, 2024 06:40 AM (ENQN6
Hell by Commandment.

Posted by: Eromero at June 20, 2024 06:45 AM (o2ZRX)

92
In dealing with government offices at any level, it's best to remember you're not a customer whose business needs to be retained, you're a petitioner to the Crown and are likely considered a nuisance.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2024 06:45 AM (MoZTd)

93 >>>Softbank plans to use AI to automatically mute calls from angry customers. (Ars Technica)
===================
Sounds like something the White House would like.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 20, 2024 06:46 AM (3flcF)

94 One thing I've found that sometimes works is to select the least likely options until you're connected with someone, then say "oops, i think i picked the wrong one!" and have them connect you to the right department.
Posted by: Warai-otoko

So you've used this tactic too? Works really great with both governmental and non-governmental entities, especially if you can pull off an "Aw, shucks" good-hearted doofus vibe. Picture a young Jimmy Stewart and try to get that across. Frail and/or elderly can also work.

Posted by: John Drake Is Now Rounding The East Coast Of The Caspian Sea at June 20, 2024 06:47 AM (u/Zei)

95 mornin yall. Local news lists a couple more restaurants closing. It seems like several a week now. Illegal immigrants hit hardest.

Posted by: fd at June 20, 2024 06:47 AM (vFG9F)

96 Well JT is MIA, but my new bird bath as far as I have seen hasn't been discovered by the birds yet. I think it takes time, but it's hot so they should find it. Especially as nesting birds are only 20 feet away

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 06:48 AM (ZOWOf)

97 One of your multi volume fantasy series. The whole series.
Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:44 AM (oaGWv)
---
Ah, that would be Wheel of Time, then. Good choice!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 20, 2024 06:48 AM (BpYfr)

98 In dealing with government offices at any level, it's best to remember you're not a customer whose business needs to be retained, you're a petitioner to the Crown and are likely considered a nuisance.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Exactly. But I have give TN DMV credit. They were fully staffed and nice as nice could be. So different than my experiences with the Ohio BMV.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 06:50 AM (oaGWv)

99 When idiots collide!

https://tinyurl.com/hxp8xsh4

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 20, 2024 06:52 AM (a1415)

100 100

Posted by: m at June 20, 2024 06:52 AM (NHMTR)

101
The last names of Carnegie and Mellon are big in Pennsylvania, both wealthy as they come. I was in a local library recently, probably a hundred year old building. Inside a big plaque proclaiming the library was a gift from the Carnegie family.

Remember when the wealthy in this country gave back to the citizens of *this* country?

Bill Gates is worth billions and gives computers to the poor in Africa, while Hillary Clinton robs from the Haitians. As Tucker Carlson said, "It's a total inversion of virtue."

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 20, 2024 06:55 AM (RKVpM)

102 I really want a cherry scone but I'll burn myself using the toaster this early.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2024 06:59 AM (RIvkX)

103 Something that's often effective with petty bureaucrats of any capacity who revel in abusing you is, once the conversation has reached an end, to thank them and highlight how helpful they've been. Don't worry about being effusive - go for it. I missed the chance to do that with the SSA lady, but would have done so. You are supposed to be beat-down and chastened, but you're actually thanking them? Their whole schtick didn't work the way they intended it. Doing it in person allows you to see them fuming, and it can even be perceived over the phone.

Sincere delivery is all it takes - may not be the exact equivalent to the Scriptural passage about "heaping coals of fire upon their head," but it can be quite amusing and may throw them off their game when their next potential victim shows up.

Posted by: John Drake Is Now Rounding The East Coast Of The Caspian Sea at June 20, 2024 06:59 AM (u/Zei)

104 "The last names of Carnegie and Mellon are big in Pennsylvania, both wealthy as they come. I was in a local library recently, probably a hundred year old building. Inside a big plaque proclaiming the library was a gift from the Carnegie family."

As a child, I lived in Parkersburg, WVA for a number of years and the there was a Carnegie library. Charming old building.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 07:00 AM (oaGWv)

105 Hilariously, local coppers in Berkeley have arrested an unhappy man who started a number of fires on campus and firebombed a police car. As Hinderaker put it at Powerline, he's a walking lefty caricature, an unemployed white man who lives with his parents at 34 and has a PhD from Northwestern in "African Studies".

https://shorturl.at/NKJrr

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 20, 2024 07:00 AM (xZeEg)

106 Hilariously, local coppers in Berkeley have arrested an unhappy man who started a number of fires on campus and firebombed a police car. As Hinderaker put it at Powerline, he's a walking lefty caricature, an unemployed white man who lives with his parents at 34 and has a PhD from Northwestern in "African Studies".

https://shorturl.at/NKJrr
Posted by: Huck Follywood

Insty had a thread on that loser yesterday. The comments were choice.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 07:02 AM (oaGWv)

107 Having a dog is 90% following each other around, watching each other go potty, and wondering what's in each other's mouth.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at June 20, 2024 07:02 AM (dg+HA)

108 Having a dog is 90% following each other around, watching each other go potty, and wondering what's in each other's mouth.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

LOL. You are correct. Experienced all three is morning.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 07:04 AM (oaGWv)

109 "Biden surges past Trump in latest poll by Fox News one week out from the first presidential debate"

Who knows what the truth is nowadays? I do. The truth is, people are stupid.

Posted by: fd at June 20, 2024 07:05 AM (vFG9F)

110 The truth is, Fox needs ratings and viewers. Turn it off.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at June 20, 2024 07:06 AM (dg+HA)

111
As a child, I lived in Parkersburg, WVA for a number of years and the there was a Carnegie library. Charming old building.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 07:00 AM

Interesting. I guess that was an area they secured materials for PA steel-making. The building I was in was charming and modern but the best part was seeing all the young moms with children on the lower level, getting their young children interested in reading.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 20, 2024 07:06 AM (RKVpM)

112 109 "Biden surges past Trump in latest poll by Fox News one week out from the first presidential debate"

Who knows what the truth is nowadays? I do. The truth is, people are stupid.
Posted by: fd at June 20, 2024 07:05 AM (vFG9F)

Boy howdy, isn’t that the truth?

Posted by: DoublySymmetric at June 20, 2024 07:07 AM (iSfV4)

113 In my long construction experience have worked at building lots of restaurants, not many are still the same as when I helped, or supervisor them

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 07:07 AM (ZOWOf)

114 Guess Fox is sure again the fix is in

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 07:08 AM (ZOWOf)

115
In my long construction experience have worked at building lots of restaurants, not many are still the same as when I helped

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 07:07 AM

Even in the best of times something like 90% of restaurants die within the first five years.

These are not the best of times.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 20, 2024 07:09 AM (RKVpM)

116
JJ up.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 20, 2024 07:09 AM (RKVpM)

117 Interesting. I guess that was an area they secured materials for PA steel-making. The building I was in was charming and modern but the best part was seeing all the young moms with children on the lower level, getting their young children interested in reading.
Posted by: Divide by Zero

I remember the old iron staircases and the glass floors in the adult section stacks. Being a kid I thought the see through floors were pretty cool.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2024 07:10 AM (oaGWv)

118 The Telegraph newspaper reports Ukraine and Germany have jointly developed an inexpensive anti-drone weapon to protect tanks. Instead of the American solution of firing a million dollar missile at a thousand dollar drone, the new weapon is a 35 millimeter gun controlled by a targeting system, sort of an AEGIS adaptation for tanks.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 20, 2024 07:11 AM (J9Zn2)

119 Good morning! Well, today is the day the contractor starts replacement of the gutters, fascia, and soffits, and if they can get the statement of work right, I'll get cedar tongue and groove ceilings for the front and back patio too.

Gonna take this opportunity to install downwash lighting in the soffits on three sides of the house and run a gas line to the back yard for the flat top.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at June 20, 2024 07:12 AM (YRsIm)

120 "But if HR was on the ball they would have just asked him 'what is a woman?' and then fired him no matter what his answer was."

Not so. He could have echoed Justice Jackson's reply when asked that question: "I don't know. I'm not a biologist."

Posted by: Nemo at June 20, 2024 09:27 AM (S6ArX)

121 Yeah, that top story is the opposite of what I thought. The guy who got fired is claiming Meta discriminates against women and promotes unqualified men over "supremely qualified" women. It's not Meta discriminating against men.

Posted by: Darin Zimmerman at June 20, 2024 09:42 AM (AGFZZ)

122 299 USD but 349 AUD

Posted by: Al in St. Louis at June 20, 2024 10:38 AM (XU3QZ)

123 96 Well JT is MIA, but my new bird bath as far as I have seen hasn't been discovered by the birds yet. I think it takes time, but it's hot so they should find it. Especially as nesting birds are only 20 feet away
Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2024 06:48 AM (ZOWOf)

Looking forward to stories!

Posted by: m at June 20, 2024 12:47 PM (NHMTR)

Processing 0.02, elapsed 0.0189 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0066 seconds, 132 records returned.
Page size 76 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.