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Welcome, BoN
This is a place for general chit-chat about virtually anything that doesn't fit anywhere else.
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Pointless poll

Spicy food, yay or nay?

Spice is nice!

81

Vote

Can't handle heat, must avoid at all costs.

19

Vote

Should Azureality be the site mascot?

Heck yeah!

50

Vote

That thing is so cool, I love it!

3

Vote

Needs more goat

21

Vote

What am I looking at, and whose hairbrained idea was it to make a frickin' Pokémon our mascot?!?

90

Vote

Who is the better rapper?

Tupac Shakur

24

Vote

Biggie Smalls

22

Vote

Both are equally great

22

Vote

MC Goat

53

Vote

To do list

Appointed Trustees and foundation updates (important) (Sticky)

(please to unsticky when this is history ħumanUser talk:Human 07:26, 20 July 2010 (UTC) )

As has been discussed in multiple locations we will soon be taking an important step with the formation of a non-profit corporation to manage RW. Everything is slated to begin the first week of August. There will be a period of 3-4 months as we transition ownership, and work on establishing all the little elements needed for the foundation to function.

The work will be done by myself and 2 appointed trustees that will make up the initial board. The goal will be to have elections for the remaining trustee positions in January 2011. There is a lot that has to be done in the mean time, and your feedback, support and encouragement is appreciated. My goal is to make the establishment, the transition, and ultimately the management of the foundation as open and accountable to the RW users as possible.

The appointed trustees for this period are Human and Armondikov. While the three of us are ultimately responsible for seeing this thing done and done properly any concerns, feedback, suggestions, or help that anyone wishes to give is great.

The rough outline for what is going to happen is as follows:

  • File papers of incorporation in NM (early August)
  • File papers with the IRS (early-mid August)
  • Approval of the by-laws (early-mid August)
  • Transition ownership of the domain, hardware and other physical and intellectual property from me to the foundation (late August)
  • Begin working out election of trustees, voting and nomination process, timelines, etc. (September/October)
  • Finalize election procedures for trustees (Hopefully by November)
  • Establishment of financial accounts for the foundation (Likely December as I will need to return to NM for a lot of it)
  • Hold our first election for trustees (January)
  • Hold our first full meeting of the board (January/February), where we establish general protocol for meetings, site management, etc.

Financial costs

None of this is free. Every document filed with the Secretary of State, the IRS, and state tax agencies has fees attached to them. Official copies of documents, notarization, and establishing legal ways to sign contracts electronically all have associated costs. I am prepared to foot whatever bill is necessary to see this through but if anyone has a few dollars they can afford to throw my way to help curtail the costs to myself personally I would be grateful. tmtoulouse 06:29, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Do you have an estimate of the overall cost, including personal esigs, etc.? ħumanUser talk:Human 07:32, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
On the order of $500-$600, which is why I am asking for assistance. tmtoulouse 07:47, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
I'll dump some spare cash your way but you'll have to wait until October for anything substantial. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 10:27, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
Hang on... if it costs this much, can we not go ahead with it "unofficially", as in do all the ground work and treat it "as if" it was real, and then incorporate properly when we A) have a need and B) have the cash? It can't cost anything to do it all "informally" and do the paper work further down the line, or am I missing something, like does the paperwork have to be done in order to share the physical responsibility such as potential lawsuits? Scarlet A.pngpathetic 10:29, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
Having it all filed is what gives the shielding. It creates a new "person" in a legal sense to take on the burdens. So no. It has to be in existence for any of the benefits to work. If we're (say) sued, and then file, then it only shields us as of when it's created. And ~$600 is right. I just did all that crap last summer. The bonus is, most of it is relatively painless. (I made a for-profit corporation, but I assume most of the paper work is similar.) Quaru (talk) 10:40, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
I figured as much. I was just wondering if we could run "as if" and then if someone filed against us, we'd run away and cry. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 10:48, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
Well, sure. We could also shove broccoli in our ears and run through the streets naked. I just don't think it'd help the situation much. Quaru (talk) 10:57, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
Could we keep the broccoli thing as possible future idea? It has promise. Thanks for the update. I'll do the PayPal thing early next month ConcernedResident omg ponies!!! 12:06, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

The largest cost is with the IRS, and that doesn't have to be done right away anyway. tmtoulouse 15:11, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

The effin' antichrist has landed.

You'd think he was a real head of state, the way he's being treated. 09:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast

um, he is. The Vatican is a proper actual country, if only in a diplomatic sense. Totnesmartin (talk) 09:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Whether the Vatican should be recognized in this way has been disputed, as the Vatican's claim to nationhood is based on an particular treaty-of-convenience with Mussolini, and there is arguably no actual population of people living there as citizens; all the "residents" are citizens of other countries who happen to be employed at this one organization. Since Vatican leadership is all supposedly celibate, there's no clear reason why there would ever be a real "people" native to the Vatican anyway. A country without a native population, which is also not a proper member of the UN, is a little bit dodgy (although, granted, the UN doesn't have that much authority over such things; Switzerland wasn't a member either until 2002).
It's not really clear why anyone except Italy should consider the Vatican a proper country, even for pretextual diplomatic reasons. No other religion enjoys such a status. The labeling of the Vatican as a nation-state seems to have been established by decades Catholic lobbying more than anything. --Quantheory (talk) 10:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Actually, certain other religions have far more power over their countries. Let's be glad that all that's left of Catholic theocracy is a small city-state. -- Nx / talk 10:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, but my point is not to complain that Catholicism has a real country that they can oppress govern (although of course they once had several), but to note that its leaders are pretending that they are a country, for no better reason than because they have millions and millions of followers and a few blocks of space carved out of their home town. I don't see the LDS church taking a couple buildings in Salt Lake City and declaring themselves to be a tiny nation-state belonging to church leadership, even if there was a really Mormon-friendly guy in the White House who'd give it to them. It's absurd. If Catholicism took over Rome, or all of Italy, that would be awful, but at least it would make sense for them to call themselves a nation at that point. --Quantheory (talk) 11:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
If you're reading, your Holiness, welcome to Britain.-- Kriss AkabusiAAAWOOOGAAAR!!1 09:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Still, he a brave man, to be walking around in a country with "a new and aggressive atheism". Oh that's right - he drives around in the Poop mobile. Because it seems that being god's appointed spokeman on earth doesn't make you bulletproof. --PsyGremlinTala! 10:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
At least the last one took getting shot at with good humour and not too personally. It's nice how they (and the UK's right wing media, well, The Daily Fail, at least) are spinning it so that it's secularists who are being aggressive. I don't want to split hairs or anything, but last I checked, secularists weren't the ones threatening people with eternal torture for not doing precisely what they say... Scarlet A.pngpathetic 10:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
He's live on radio 5 now. I can't hear his voice without imagine him stroking a persian cat... Totnesmartin (talk) 10:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Daily Mash has got it rightSuspectedReplicant retire me 11:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Stephen Fry (the national fucking treasure of the UK, along with Sean Connery, Huw Edwards, Trevor McDonald, and John Lydon) was on the One Show yesterday and said, "no, the Vatican isn't really a real state," which I just found brilliant. SJ Debaser 11:56, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I think you've just named the most awesome QI line-up ever. Except for maybe Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, Fred MacAulay and ok, Alan Davies. And on a totally unrelated note - when is the News Quiz coming back to BBC4? --PsyGremlinSnakk! 12:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Guardian claims there's another row. Will it never end?--BobSpring is sprung! 12:22, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
BBC News: Pope Touches Down in the UK
Down, age 6, was not available for comment after the incident.
CrundyTalk nerdy to me 12:23, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
You are so going to hell. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 12:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
What gets me is that, in trying to put a spin on the "third world" gaff, said that the remark was referring to "Britain's multi-ethnic composition". To me that sounds even worse. The implication is that the multi-racial aspect of modern Britain makes it "third world", or, to put it another way, first world countries are racially pure - and preferably white. Fuck off back to Rome you bastard. Jack Hughes (talk) 12:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Anyone got the full context of the "third world" quote? Not the spin but the original paragraph?--BobSpring is sprung! 13:27, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
This is the fullest version I can find: "England today is a secularised, pluralistic country. When you land at Heathrow Airport, you sometimes think you'd landed in a Third World country." –SuspectedReplicant retire me 13:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I for one, support a war of annexation against this so called "country". Sen (talk) 13:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
All I can gather is that it was in reference to landing at Heathrow. I think the phrase was "people landing at Heathrow might think they were landing in a Third World country". It was an off-hand comment in Focus magazine, I'll see if I can track down the article. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 13:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Google translation of an article in Focus puts the quote as "England is now a secular, pluralistic country. If you land at Heathrow Airport, you sometimes think you had landed in a third world country." continuing with "Particularly in New England is an aggressive atheism spread . If you are around at British Airways and carrying a cross, you will be penalized. But we want to show our faith in public. Anyone who knows England knows that there is also a great Christian tradition. Europe would no longer be Europe if it could not maintain this tradition." Scarlet A.pngpathetic 13:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
So ... what was the intent? It reads like secular and pluralistic are equivalent to "third world". But I've got to say that it's difficult to believe that was his intention.--BobSpring is sprung! 13:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I can't gather that, even from Focus.de as the apparent original article mentioning it doesn't appear to exist. I can assume from this that it was probably an off-the-cuff and context free remark. Not sure what he actually meant by it. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 14:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Ah, wait, got it; [1]

In the interview in the current issue of FOCUS Kasper replied to the question of why so many Britons expressed their displeasure with the pope: "England is now a secular, pluralistic country. If you land at Heathrow Airport, you sometimes think you had landed in a third world country. "Kasper also affirmed the question of whether Christians would suffer in the kingdom, and said:" Particularly in New England is an aggressive atheism spread . If you are around at British Airways and carrying a cross, you will be penalized. But we want to show our faith in public. Anyone who knows England knows that there is also a great Christian tradition. Europe would no longer be Europe if it could not maintain this tradition." (emphasis added)

I think that highlights the context, but doesn't seem to answer your question about intent. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 14:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Then looking at the context it simply reads like a way to disparage or insult secular, pluralistic countries. Personally I can't read it any other way. Thanks for looking it up. I tried and failed.--BobSpring is sprung! 14:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Third World remark is very odd, since developed countries are far more likely to be secular and pluralistic than developing ones. Catholicism is certainly far more prevalent in the so-called Third World. I can only conclude that the man who said it didn't have his brain on at the time.-- Kriss AkabusiAAAWOOOGAAAR!!1 15:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Whatever the status of the Vatican, one thing is for certain: it has the highest Pope density in the world, with two Popes per square mile 212.62.5.158 (talk) 15:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Dammit, I missed my big chance to throw condoms at him. Ah, well, from now on, the Pope is getting steadily further away from me, increasing my overall happiness with every centimetre. Stupid evil Hoover! 15:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Hehe: The Pope's aide says that the UK is like a "third world country". Well, Vatican City is like the backstage of a Gary Glitter gig. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 15:52, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Crundy, I love you for that, but I am so not standing near you in a thunderstorm. --PsyGremlinTala! 17:14, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Popemobile: Bullets can't get in, children can't get out. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 15:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
And the hits just keep on coming. "The pontiff praised Britain's fight against the Nazis - who 'wished to eradicate God' - before relating it to modern day 'atheist extremism'. I call Godwin. Jack Hughes (talk) 16:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, actually living in the 3rd world city where he landed, I can say it's rather more pleasant than most of the godly utopias he would seem to approve of. Stupid evil Hoover! 16:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The Vatican is the original micronation - a contrived nation-state with no real population to speak of. They're also the only micronation with international recognition. Hey, if the Vatican deserves recognition as an independent country, so should the Principality of Sealand. And I, for one, would welcome Temple Square in Salt Lake City becoming its own independent nation, all four city blocks of it, with Thomas Monson as head of state. As long as the Vatican gets to be an independent nation it's only fair. What makes the Catholic Church so special anyhow? Secret Squirrel (talk) 20:00, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Nothing gives the Vatican legitimacy except tradition and precedent. There is a good case to be made for reappraising its status, but during an official visit by its chieftain is not the time for that reappraisal.-- Kriss AkabusiAAAWOOOGAAAR!!1 08:29, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
No, before his visit was the right time. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 08:39, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Newsflash: The pope has huge balls CrundyTalk nerdy to me 08:45, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
One more joke: The Popemobile caused huge traffic jams in Scotland today resulting in angry road users making their feelings known. Apparently a minibus full of school children gave him the horn. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 14:56, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
why would England of all places welcome a Pope ? Didnt they boot his peoples out of the country and start their own Church a few hundred years ago ? Hamster (talk) 22:32, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, but they're joining forces against the evil nazis atheists now. -- Nx / talk 22:34, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The effin' anarchist has landed

And beats down Christianity. The Goonie Punk Can't sleep, clowns will eat me! 01:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

The Pope has has Reality - Why do you Seek to Impose Yours?--Tolerance (talk) 20:10, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Who is sticking pins in a doll of me?

In the past two months or so, the following has happened to me.

  • I had to spend over three hundred dollars to get a headlight bulb replaced in my car (and refused to spend $500 to get the headlight autoleveling system fixed)
  • I had my iMac in for repairs twice, for over a month of downtime total (they didn't fix it right the first time -- at least they didn't charge me for the second time)
  • I broke up with my partner of over ten years
  • And just last night, I got the Red Ring of Death on my XBox 360. I think I'm just going to replace it rather than repair it -- it's one of the original 360's.

I'm just wondering what's next -- I develop some bizarre disease that requires a Doctor House to diagnose, perhaps? MDB (talk) 11:00, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Remember that time we challenged a bunch of witches to put a curse one us? Just saying... --PsyGremlin話しなさい 11:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
So, they pick the mostly harmless theist amongst this bunch? Feh.
On the good side, I do have a date a week from Saturday. It probably would have been this Saturday except I need to go to my ex's place to pick up some things that belong to me and give him back his key. We do seem to be succeeding at remaining friends, though the dynamic is different for obvious reasons. (I've not told him about my impending date. I asked him if he wanted to know if I started seeing someone, and he wasn't sure.) MDB (talk) 11:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Maybe you're like some modern day Job. The boils and sores will be next, just in time for your date if whatever deity has a sense of comic timing. --JeevesMkII The gentleman's gentleman at the other site 13:46, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
BTW, if your SexBox is one the originals and has a full RROD (not just the power supply one) you can usually fix it easily with an X-Clamp. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 13:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Sadly, I am complete incompetent when it comes to mechanical work, so I'm just going to get a new one. (Fortunately, one of my co-workers has a data transfer kit he's going to loan me so I can pull the data off the old hard drive.) But yes, it is an original XBox 360 -- I got mine about a month after it came out. MDB (talk) 13:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I'll have it if you're throwing it! I can build my evil army of Xboxes even more MWAHAHAHA!!! CrundyTalk nerdy to me 13:58, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
You pay shipping and it's yours, if you're serious.
I suppose I shouldn't complain too much about the iMac repair, though. The first time I took it in, they replaced the video card, and the new one failed in three days. As it turned out, the mother board had a flaw that was frying the video card. So, both should have been replaced. But since they didn't fix it right the first time, they didn't charge me at all for the second repair. So, I got the mother board and video card replaced for just the cost of the video card. (And they didn't charge me for service the first time, just for the card itself.) So, I paid about $400 for $1300 in repairs.
Now, that doesn't excuse the fact it took them almost three weeks to do the second repair. Not only that, it was ready on the 9th, but I only found out it was ready when I checked the status at Apple's web site on the 12th. They never bothered to call me and let me know it was done. MDB (talk) 15:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh bollocks, you're a yank. For some reason I thought you were a limey. Who am I confusing you with now? Well, as much as I'l love to rip apart an Xbox and fix it up, I suspect the shipping will be a bit too much. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 15:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Even if I did ship it, would a US XBox work on the other side of the pond? MDB (talk) 15:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Would probably "work", but wouldn't be able to play UK games on it. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 15:50, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Also, mains voltage is wrong. Gonna run a bit warm over there. ħumanUser talk:Human 00:34, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
Is that still an issue? Doesn't your IT gear come with auto-sensing or switchable power supplies?  Lily Inspirate me. 17:32, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Not much of it does, no. I suspect the different markets are big enough to justify the cost-savings of fewer parts for any high production items. Oddly, my ADAT tape recorders work from something like 90 to 250 volts, with no switches to play with. ħumanUser talk:Human 21:09, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
I am not familiar with these Xboxi, but I understand that they do not have their own display screen and are dependent on a TV. Wouldn't the PAL/NTSC difference affect the display? 22:52, 19 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast
Most TVs these days can handle both PAL and NTSC signals. Mine certainly can. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 08:19, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I think a TV built to handle PAL can do NTSC easily, since it's lower quality. Not so much the other way 'round though. ħumanUser talk:Human 21:04, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
If you're using component or HDMI I think you don't have to worry about NTSC or PAL. Aphoxema (talk) 21:15, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Internet Explorer 9

Anyone download the beta yet? I've seen a screenshot of it on WP, and it looks oddly familiar.... --Onion <talk> 20:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

No, i gave up on ie years ago. i didn't think anyone here still used it by choice. Totnesmartin (talk) 20:21, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
People still use browsers? --151.81.175.15 (talk) 21:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't use betas, but quite frankly the whole anti-Microsoft meme is very old school. IE8 is almost as good as any other browser for compatibility (I believe only Opera passes all the tests?), and it's quick and these days it's decently secure too. These things to in phases. It used to be NetScape, then it was IE, then it was Firefox, now it's Chrome. I currently use a mix of all four because each browser does different things in different ways so suit different tasks differently. It also stops me getting the fanboy attitude for any one browser. Of course, I won't touch that filthy Apple piece of shit Safari. That's being too diverse. –SuspectedReplicant retire me 21:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
You know what's a tired-old meme? Having to restart your computer to use a newly installed piece of software. Anyway, it must be snowing in hell, because IE doesn't suck any more. -- Nx / talk 22:00, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
What were you using before that makes you think that IE8 is quick? Christ, the only thing I've seen run slower than IE8 is a fat kid chasing the Brussel Sprout van. The only time I open IE these days is when I've got no other choice and even then I'm more inclined to think 'sod it, it ain't worth the effort'.--Stunteddwarf Spirit of the Cherry Blossom 23:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Opera - I apologise for becoming a fanboy - passes a lot of tests and was the first, with the exception of a beta release of the latest Safari, to pass Acid 3 (and IMHO its interface beats the shit out of pretty much all competitors) but it does have compatibility problems because it takes web standards very seriously. Therefore any bad hacks or patches or insane workarounds that work on IE or Firefox just plain won't work in Opera. Facebook's "@Mentions" thing didn't work until a very specific update and it still doesn't have the full compliment CSS3 features because they're not accepted web standards yet. It also has some quirks that I don't find in other browsers, so these "tests" aren't the be all and end all. How much of this is actually a browser problem and how much is due to websites being a little naughty and loose with their web standards compliance, I don't know, probably both simultaneously. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 07:07, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Acid3 is not so important as it is hyped up to be. Firefox 4 still doesn't pass acid3, and the developers don't care, because the last few points are stuff that's low priority, e.g. SVG fonts, which are unnecessary, because Firefox supports better font formats. -- Nx / talk 07:59, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Haven't used Opera in years. In my first job when were designing websites for cross-browser compliance the general rule was "if it works in Opera it'll work in anything". I presume it's a lot better now. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 07:48, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
It's still "if it works in Opera it'll work in anything". That does mean "if it works in IE or Firefox it may not work in Opera", because it's a picky f**ker. And of course, you have that annoying browser identification that tries to restrict content from Opera - I presume to mask the fact that they're not W3C compliant - but 99% of the time the ID and Masquerade settings fix that. That said, however, while redesigning my group's webpage I tried to hack captions into some of the images (my HTML and CSS has since come a long way but I've refused to update it) and it was Firefox that was the only one that displayed it wrong. The Internet said that Firefox, by virtue of being Firefox MUST be right, but IMHO, if every other major and many minor browsers are displaying it correctly and as I intended then it's Firefox that's wrong. Never mind. Opera 10 is still pretty. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 07:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Opera may support "standards" but it's seriously behind in the HTML5 land. Chrome, safari and firefox are the only real options for desktop. In that order. --62.142.167.85 (talk) 08:43, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I bet you can't name 10 website that currently use HTML5 as default. --Onion <talk> 20:34, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

This IE9 is actually pretty good. And that's coming from someone who hates IE8. Impressed, to be honest. Jaxe (talk) 08:59, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Cool. I'll give it a try on my lappy. --Onion <talk> 20:34, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
DeviantART's Muro is apparently an HTML5 thing. Works fine with Opera that I can tell. But people should stop saying "HTML5 is here" or whatever, it's "here" in the same way that recent work into carbon nanotubes mean a space elevator is "here". It works but it's hardly widely used, fully implemented or standard at the moment. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 15:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
No, because ie9 requires Vista or 7. My netbook runs (quite happily, thanks) on XP. Netbooks with Win 7 get the crippleware version that won't let you change the background image (!) or plug in a DVD-ROM drive (!!!) We had an argument at the suppertable last night about how many Americans will be motivated to upgrade their OS -- for most, their computers as well -- to get a new browser. My son was arguing that people are dumber than I think they are. JonquilS (talk) 01:48, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
After having a netbook for the best part of 4-5 months now, I can honestly say I don't miss the desktop image thing. There are hacks around it, of course, but I don't miss it one single bit and rarely even notice it any more. Haven't tried a DVD drive yet, but with a small amount of preparation I don't need one as its hard-disk is big enough (and I have an extra TB or so on an external one) to host rips or iso files. In short, I can't say that Windows 7 Starter is that much of a problem as you might think when you first hear about its restrictions. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 22:36, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Weird Site

Came across Hidden Pleasures Exposed, which appears to be a Xian site devoted to saving Xians from the perils of internet porn. Maybe not so interesting in itself, but they certainly do present some very interesting statistics. --PsyGremlinRunāt! 06:43, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Interesting. I may become a Christian. I'm not sure about this statistic though:
  • "31% of people have had an online conversation that has led to real-time sex."
Am I missing out?--BobSpring is sprung! 07:37, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
"96% of teenagers admit to masturbating" And 4% are incorrigible liars. --JeevesMkII The gentleman's gentleman at the other site 08:03, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes and yes to both of you. ħumanUser talk:Human 08:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
What on earth is 'real-time sex'? As opposed to 'previously compiled sex' or 'buffered sex'? DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 08:46, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
As opposed to 'turn-based sex'. Jaxe (talk) 09:01, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
Turn-based sex can be fun, with the right equipment. 81.141.65.25 (talk) 11:39, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
Nothing wrong with turn-based sex. Just make sure you enter the right hex… --Stunteddwarf Spirit of the Cherry Blossom 14:24, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
I've been having client-based sex on WoW for months. It's just a matter of getting right addons and peripherals. I think. Nutty Rouxnever mind 20:43, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
31% of people have had an online conversation that has led to real-time sex - one presumes that people in relationships occasionally talk to each other online. Would this count? A booty call is a booty call whether it's on a landline or by Facebook Chat. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 16:29, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
I'm rather taken by the fact that the 31% statistic is sourced to www.manhaters.com. Clearly a statistical journal of some note. --Kels (talk) 23:34, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Just something I lol'd at

Christine O'Donnell "dabbled into witchcraft." And Rand Paul "dabbled" into repealing Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act. Is this really the best the Tea Party has to offer? Blue (is useful) 06:02, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Strangely enough, yes? O'Donnell also dabbled in sex for fun before deciding it was wrong for everyone else. ħumanUser talk:Human 06:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
I wonder what the guy did to make her so adamantly against the whole concept... Shifty.gif Blue (is useful) 06:07, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Who said it was a guy? ;) ħumanUser talk:Human 06:16, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Did Paul ever advocate repealing (don't think Supreme Court decisions can be repealed, just overturned) Brown v. Board of Education? I seem to recall from some statements I heard that the private sector should be allowed to discriminate if they want, but I don't think he ever said the public sector should, which is all the decision covered. DickTurpis (talk) 16:01, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, she has no chance of winning now! Burn the witch! --Onion <talk> 13:57, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I thought you dabbled in something, not into something. Oh wait, she's the tea party candidate. I wonder how forgiving the rabid right will be? --PsyGremlinKhuluma! 16:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

O'Donnell used to go on Bill Mahr's show all the time, and he's vowed to release one damaging clip from the archives per show until she comes back on.--ADtalkModerator 17:52, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I would do Christine O'Donnell

That is all. Senator Harrison (talk) 13:43, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Me too. In a threesome with Sarah Palin. That whole dumb-MILF thing just does it for me. DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 15:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Nah, Palin & Tina Fey. It'll be like having twins. And at least there'll be some intelligent conversation. --PsyGremlin講話 16:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Or leave out Palin. Just Tina Fey. I could die happy. DickTurpis (talk) 16:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Facepalm.png Scarlet A.pngpathetic 16:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
I assume that the hand covering your eyes is so you can have a good hard think about that image? DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 20:06, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
And where's his other hand? DickTurpis (talk) 13:17, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Master Clense

A friend of mine is trying (and, of course, appears to be failing) to go through this horseshit. A qualified biologist has already told her it's rubbish and I'm dropping enough sarcastic hints that it's going to do more harm than good, but apparently people "feel great" afterwards. Of course, I'd attribute that to the old chestnut of cognitive dissonance, where someone thinks "I've gone through this shite I must be feeling better!!!" in order to rationalise doing it. It's not a particularly expensive one and isn't lining the coffers of some woo-merchant (although she might be propping up the local maple syrup industry) so I'd classify it as Reasonably Harmless. Nevertheless, it might be amusing to watch and certainly write up an article on later. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 16:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

A friend of mine did that every six months or so. He gives us regular updates on his bowel movements during the time. It is a terrible thing.--ADtalkModerator 17:53, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Puke.gif Scarlet A.pngpathetic 18:01, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, if you can't talk to your friends about your bowel movements, who can you talk to? --PsyGremlinPrata! 18:07, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
You even have to ask? SJ Debaser 20:31, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
There's good support for the proposition that one can reliably and rapidly lose a noticeable amount of weight (and I guess feel better?) if he cuts back on calories consumed, drinks a lot of water, and EATS A FUCKING SHIT TON OF INSOLUBLE FIBER. I've heard that intestinal parasites work well too. Nutty Rouxnever mind 20:39, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Sounds dangerously close to "Living on reds, vitamin C and cocaine" to me. I have heard from reliable sources that one sure way to manage/reduce one's weight is to eat a healthy, calorie-appropriate diet and exercise regularly. Living on sugar and ascorbic acid leaves a bit too much to be desired in the "healthy diet" requirement, even if it is pimped out with some pepper for flavor. ħumanUser talk:Human 00:47, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, she's not doing it to lose weight, just as a "detox" thing. I'm not sure what's worse - using it for weight loss, which even the woo-pushers admit won't work, or detox, which we all know is pure fluff. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 07:52, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Ah yes. The Master Cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet. Secret Squirrel (talk) 11:16, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Pope joke

(Only the Poms might gets this one). Last night the Pope had supper with his Cardinals. After the meal, they passed around the Under Eights. --PsyGremlinПоговорите! 17:23, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I understand TwinKle likes an after-dinner mince.  Lily Inspirate me. 17:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Headline reads: "Pope Touches Down In The UK" - "Down, age 6, was unavailable for comment". While it was mentioned above, it may as well get a repost with the rest. We should move on to the George Michael ones next, I have a good stock of those now. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 17:31, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
You don't have to be good at anagrams to see that Pope Benedict is an Epic Bent Pedo. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 19:33, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
BBC News: Pope compares atheists with Nazis. How would he know? He's never been an atheist. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 19:37, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Wanna hear a joke? The Pope. Tetronian you're clueless 19:54, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Three fellas walk in to a bar; the pope, a paedophile and a Nazi. And a farmer and a shopkeeper. DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 20:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
In fairness, he apparently "didn't attend meetings" of the Hitler Youth, getting out of it by joining the Luftwaffe (make of that what you will) and his family got out of Nazi Germany as soon as they could. And there's no evidence that he partook of the kiddie fiddling personally, only that he headed the investigation and signed off on the subsequent whitewash. But with that out of the way, please, continue. Tongue0001.gif Scarlet A.pngpathetic 20:35, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Dear Mr Ubuntu

Play my DVDs or I will kick your nuts so hard you'll have two extra tonsils. Totnesmartin (talk) 20:02, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I too have had that problem, and also the problem of getting the thing to burn VIDEO DVDs. I just gave up in the end. You get what you pay for! DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 20:05, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Do I bollocks. I paid for the DVD and I can't watch it. Totnesmartin (talk) 20:08, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
In Germany, you aren't even allowed to hint to the necessary patches (yes, they do exist!) larronsicut fur in nocte 20:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
I've got it to play Barbarella. Totnesmartin (talk) 20:38, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Mr Ubuntu, your 'nads are safe. Totnesmartin (talk) 20:40, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

RationalWiki-- the unofficial wiki for "Rally for Sanity"?

As you probably know, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have, at the request of the internet, agreed to host a rally on October 30, 2010 at the National Mall in Washington DC. It's a very real political event, CSPAN is covering it, the mainstream media is writing about it. There's quite a lot of organizing discussion ongoing at Reddit's ColbertRally section.

I was about to set up a wiki for the ColbertRally efforts, as just one more tool to help people organize. For some things, you really just want a MediaWiki. I'm a MW junkie, all my machines have virtual appliance, and my personal site uses it-- so I was going to just throw up another wiki on my host and let "March for Sanity" use it.

And then, suddenly, a lightbulb floating above my head illuminated, and I realized that this was a perfect opportunity for synergy. -- Which is to say, would it be okay if we used RationalWiki as a space to to help brainstorm and organize? --CreedShandor (talk) 20:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't see why not, I would say keep it out of the mainspace, maybe set up a project page in the rationalwiki namespace, and you can use sub-pages there. Set something up and see if people want to use it. tmtoulouse 20:53, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Wasn't there a truthiness wiki or something knocking around a while ago? Ah, here we go! Totnesmartin (talk) 21:18, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't think that site would be well suited for this, RW (here) or a separate, independent wiki would be better. --Onion <talk> 21:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
BRING IT ON! RationalWiki welcomes you! DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 22:00, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Looks like we added to our mission just in time to perhaps get a few good articles about this! ħumanUser talk:Human 22:17, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Is anybody going to Washington for the rally? RW banners FTW! And for an even bigger win, Terry Koeckritz banners! –SuspectedReplicant retire me 22:26, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
Wikiality is a little on the dead side, that I can tell. My only qualms about using RW for such a thing is that, should all the Colbert and Stewart fans get wind of it and want to all sign up and use it excessively, the server will die, no ifs or buts, it will just keel over. By all means write it up as an article and feel free to "spread the word" of RW, but be warned that if 10,000 people suddenly want to use it at the same time it's just not going to work. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 22:31, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
We could just require proof of donation to access those special articles (give them their own namespace) and leverage the paradigm to the hilt in the breach! ħumanUser talk:Human 00:43, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I'm sure the very last thing we need to do is extort Stephen Colbert fans. We may as well dangle our collective balls over Anonymous for all that's worth. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 07:54, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Sorry you didn't get the intent of humeur in my last post. I think that your worries of BW overload are valid, but that we can handle it far better than CP did. IE, by extorting (minimal) contributions from Colbert and Stewart fans! ħumanUser talk:Human 09:10, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Actually, I'm starting to come around to the idea... Scarlet A.pngpathetic 09:46, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Tech help requested

Can anyone help me hook up mt Mac laptop to mt TV so I can watch netflix streaming on my TV? If so, it would probably help if you if you could phrase it as if you were explaining it to either a 12 year old or your grandpa (which ever is less familiar with tech jargon). Thanks. DickTurpis (talk) 23:00, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

does yer mac laptop have a tv out ? what model is it so I can look it up . Hamster (talk) 00:05, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
It's a MacBook2,1 - must be 5 years old now. Don't know what TV Out is so I can't tell if it has one. You'll have to describe it. Or I can look it up maybe.
Further caveat: as well as being generally as tech savvy as a 12 year old or grandfather, I am also now high. Please adjust your answers accordingly. DickTurpis (talk) 00:23, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Like sex, its a matter of connecting the correct inputs with the correct outputs. So first off, what kind of inputs does your tv have (hdmi, s-video, composite, vga, hdmi, scart?) and what type of output does your Apple manufactured PC has? (vga? mini-display port?). Here's a thing for reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_connectors Sen (talk) 00:39, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
My 6 (?) year old Dell Inspiron E1505 (used price, $160) has an SVHS jack on the back, and a few I don't recognize. Surely, Dick, you can buy a USB device that acts as a video card to make the bridge between the devices? Granted, since it will be for a Mac it will cost $300 instead of $30, but still... ħumanUser talk:Human 00:41, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Whoops, make that S-Video, VHS is so 80s. ħumanUser talk:Human 00:41, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I can buy it, but not in the next 3 minutes. I'm not going to be high much longer and I want to watch Labyrinth. DickTurpis (talk) 00:45, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Actually buying a usb thing sounds like a very bad idea because a) anything that acts like a video card would probably require drivers, and Mac drivers on top of that. b) USB does not have great bandwidth and I can't imagine any serious video device using it for video. I bet you just need one of those: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables?mco=MTM3NTA0NTE and an appropriate cable. Then your TV should act like a secondary monitor. Sen (talk) 00:48, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
LIES! If your MacBook is 5 years old, it probably has a DVI port rather than the mini-display port. So you either need a DVI cable or a DVI to X adapter and a X cable. Sen (talk) 01:01, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
If your MacBook is 5 years old, you should be asking yourself why Apple's redundancy chip hasn't kicked in yet. Stupid evil Hoover! 12:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Why not just watch it on your laptop? It probably has a higher resolution anyway... and why did you take the last of your drugs before figuring this out? ħumanUser talk:Human 01:00, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I guess I will watch it on my laptop, if at all, but I did sort of want to sit back and stare at a bigger screen across the room. I took my drugs before figuring this out because pot brownies have a delayed effect; you have to plan ahead. I thought I had a bigger wondow to figure this out. Guess not. DickTurpis (talk) 01:34, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Your Mac may have dvi and s-video, but you will need cables to whatever your tv has . Watch it on the PC screen Hamster (talk) 02:57, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I has looked your computer up. It's mini-DVI video out. What kind of TV you got? Flatties have HDMI and various analog and digital inputs. DVI is digital, so you can get a DVI to HDMI/whatever cable. THEN get high and watch Labyrinth. Nutty Rouxnever mind 04:37, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, I can't unring that bell. But yeah, some of that might make some sense. My TV is pretty damn new, so it should have any of the standard inputs (and it seems to have a lot). It seems cables are key. Unless USB works, or headphone jack/RCA cable converts work (and it seems they don't) it's a hardware problem I can't solve without a trip to the Apple Store.
And yes, I am watching Labyrinth on my computer. Good thing, too. I don't think this movie is watchable otherwise. DickTurpis (talk) 04:48, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Is that the muppety movie with David Bowie ? that was good ! Hamster (talk) 04:59, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
No no, get high then watch Dark Crystal. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 08:23, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Or Titan AE. Crap film... but pretty. --PsyGremlinPraat! 08:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Good news. A trip to the Apple Store and $40 later I have two separate cables needed to turn my television into an additional computer monitor (could they really not find a way for a single cable to do this?). Not in time for Labyrinth, but with time to spare for both The Dark Crystal and The Color of Magic some time in the next month or so. Come to think of it, this may not have been the best use of $40 but so be it. (For those keeping score at home, the necessary purchases were an HDMI/DVI cable and a DVI/mini-DVI converter. Apparently a HDMI/mini-DVI cable is not yet invented?) DickTurpis (talk) 21:16, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Checking in, RationalWiki!

Is there already a village idiot here, or can I step into that position? Sparrow (talk) 04:21, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Since CUR has left the position is open. AceX-102 04:29, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Excellent! I'm sure I'll do better than Cat-boy (can't remember his name). I'll attack this position with extreme prejudice. Sparrow (talk) 04:33, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
It wasn't a casual affair. You've got some big shoes to fill and it's going to take a long time to ramp up the kind of productivity that guy managed. I miss our twerp. Nutty Rouxnever mind 04:39, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I dunno, I thought we had 59 of them? --PsyGremlinFale! 04:43, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
It's a fairly crowded field, but more competitors are always welcome! However, I doubt anyone can ever outdo our pet twerp. I miss him, too. ħumanUser talk:Human 05:00, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
God knows I've tried. I too miss cat-boy. SJ Debaser 09:41, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
It's survival of the fittest. Do us proud!--Thanatos (talk) 23:28, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

When languages collide

Just found the funniest thing linky, but it's in Afrikaans which won't help. Anyway, there's this really, nasty, cheesy Afrik pop song called "Skaruma." Now in this case, it's a nonsense word made up, because the moron couldn't think of rhyming words. (Example: Ek swem in die baai ska-rumba. Dis Hentiesbaai ska-rumba (I'm swimming in the bay ska-rumba, It's Henties Bay ska-rumba) Friggin' awful.

Anyway, it turns out the song has just been banned in Iceland (it should be banned EVERYWHERE, it's that bad), because apparently in Icelandic "Ahadi hooi Skarumba" means "I want to have sex with a penguin." --PsyGremlinSnakk! 10:31, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't think the guy who made the song's name up was being a moron - I think he was being a clever ass. ~SuperHamster Talk 10:58, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Ok, I'll bite - why? Oh, and while you're at it, have a listen. --PsyGremlinPrata! 11:15, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
It's quite a coincidence that a title of song will translate into "I want to have sex with a child". Anyway, I listened to it - I've heard worse. I don't think it's that bad. The high-pitched flute-like instrument may be annoying, but I think it's pretty...groovy. Yes, that's the word. As for the music video...that's what sucks. Did the lady get high just by the scent of alcohol and started to imagine what it would be like to dance among the fog? ~SuperHamster Talk 11:20, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Sorry, even I suck at Afrikaans. Mistook "pikkewyn" (penguin) for "pikkenin" (small child). It should be about her wanting to shag a penguin. My bad! Still, makes you wonder what those Icelanders get up to...--PsyGremlin話しなさい 11:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Some humour...

...to brighten your lives.

A Vicar checks into a hotel and says to the receptionist "I hope the porn channel in my room is disabled."
"No Sir it's not, it's just regular porn, you sick bastard."

A couple were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and were going to spend it at the same hotel where they’d honeymooned.

As they were driving along, the husband suddenly stopped the car. When his wife asked what was wrong, he pointed out of the window and said, “Remember that fence? When we were on honeymoon, we stopped here and had sex, right up against that fence. Do you remember?”

The wife nods, and with a twinkle in her eye says, “Let’s do it again!”

So they get out of the car and soon he has her up against the fence, pants round ankles and he’s going at it hammer and tongs. She’s really getting into it – thrusting against him, panting, screaming, clinging on tightly. In fact, it’s the best sex he’s ever had.

Afterwards, as they walk back to the car, he says, “You know, you weren’t that energetic the first time we has sex here.”

She looks at him, still panting. “Yes, well that time, that fucking fence wasn’t electrified.”

--PsyGremlinPrata! 17:46, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

You know you shouldn't give me excuses like that.

My mate told me that I just don't understand irony.

Which was ironic because we were at a bus stop at the time.

I am so stealing this for next time I want to look windswept and interesting. --PsyGremlinSprich! 21:51, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I will never forget what my dear old Grandad said to me just before he kicked the bucket. He said, "Grandson... how far do you think I can kick this bucket?"

CrundyTalk nerdy to me 21:48, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

A Pakistani, a Welshman and an Englishman are at the maternity hospital where their three wives have just given birth.
The doctor in charge comes to them:

"Gentlemen, I'm afraid there's been a mix up and we're not sure which child is which. Until we get DNA checked, we'd like you to pick a child each."

The Englishman goes in to the room and comes out with what is obviously a Pakistani baby.

"What are you doing?" Expostulates the doctor, "That's obviously not yours!"
"Come on," replies the Englishman, "I'm taking no chances - one of those in there is Welsh!"

22:06, 20 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast

Hey! That's pretty good.--BobSpring is sprung! 15:07, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

UK Libel reform

Email Received today:

Dear Friends
We are emailing as victims of England’s libel laws to ask for your help at a crucial time for libel reform. The Government is writing a new defamation bill and is due to publish it in the New Year. This will be the first time the libel laws have been substantively reviewed in a century. The libel reform campaign is being led by small organisations and it has been because of your wider support that we have got to this exciting stage. Your petition signatures have helped draw attention to the problem, your emails to politicians have helped raise awareness in Parliament, your donations have allowed us to host meetings and produce campaign material, your blogs and tweets have helped spread our message and your personal accounts of encounters with the libel laws have helped us build the case for libel reform. We have to take this unique opportunity now to ensure that the reforms in the Government’s bill address the problems we have had to face and that the campaign has been hearing about from scientists, bloggers, journalists, human rights activists, biographers, novelists and many others. The libel reform campaign is exploring the potential of alternative dispute resolution, talking to bloggers about their experiences, surveying medical and science editors on the hidden costs of the libel laws and is running events at the three main party conferences to try to ensure the Government fulfils its pledges.
Can you donate £10 towards the costs of these at http://www.justgiving.com/libelreform? If 1,000 people can help us at this crucial stage, it will help engineer a truly effective libel reform bill, as opposed to one that might be watered down by vested interests. We know how unfair and damaging the laws are and we need your help to ensure no other scientist, writer, blogger or doctor goes through what we did.
(If you are a UK tax payer, please tick the Gift Aid box so the campaign can make the most of your donation. Thanks.)
Best
Ben Goldacre (Matthias Rath v Goldacre/Guardian)
Simon Singh (BCA v Singh)
Peter Wilmshurst (NMT v Wilmshurst) - ongoing
See details of the Libel Reform Campaign events at the 2010 Party Conferences here: http://www.libelreform.org/news/469-libel-laws-stifle-debate-will-the-coalition-stop-the-chill

22:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast

Yeah, and Iceland is thinking of becoming a haven to counter the libel tourism. Wikileaks and Iceland MPs propose 'journalism haven'.205.189.194.208 (talk) 23:47, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Wikipedia on Libel tourism.205.189.194.208 (talk) 00:24, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Is libel reform just going to let the News of the World print lies about folk?--AMassiveGay (talk) 10:56, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

My concern exactly. Or of more serious concern than the news of the world making up stories about Prince Harry's gay nazi sex romps, will it just let politicians go on TV and lie with abandon without any consequences? In my opinion, this is a totally wrongheaded attack on the symptoms rather than the cause. The root cause is the rich can use the costs involved in the legal system to oppress the poor. Solve that problem, then there's no problem at all with having your day in court to demonstrate that what you said was the truth. --JeevesMkII The gentleman's gentleman at the other site 13:55, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
No. It's amending the law so that people now have to prove that they've been libeled, rather than the other way around where you had to prove innocence. This made it remarkably expensive for journalists who were critical of companies and individuals and were sued. But the reforms shouldn't affect the balance to the point where tabloids can get away with lying any more or less than they do now. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 13:58, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
That's utterly ridiculous. Why should Prince Harry have to go to court to prove he _isn't_ a gay nazi? How would he even go about that? No, the onus must be on the person making the positive statement to be able to demonstrate its truth. That's the only sensible way the law can work. --JeevesMkII The gentleman's gentleman at the other site 14:03, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, it's slightly more complex. I suggest reading http://www.libelreform.org/our-report before claiming it to be ridiculous. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 15:58, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
To be more precise, "I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated by that." :) An example why a reform is necessary and a quote: "To be fair, the best line came the day before at the celeb launch from Alexei Sayle, who explained that he was once sued for libel by someone, and it cost over £100,000 to defend: “it would have been cheaper”, he explained, “if I’d just stabbed the f*cker.”[2] See also the link about "libel tourism" above. --ZooGuard (talk) 16:59, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, if you think it's more complex than that, then what is laughingly described as a "report" linked above hasn't convinced me of that fact. In fact, the only thing it has succeeded in doing is to make me angry at the people who are calling for this. That's a liar's charter, plain and simple. Some of their demands you should be outraged about on pure principle. Can anyone possibly support denying people the equal protection of the law? Because that's what is being asked for here, making some people more equal than others. As I said above, there is a problem with the legal system in that suits can be cost prohibitive to defend against, thus making the justice system favour the rich over the poor. That's a criticism that can be levelled at the entire justice system, and not just the justice system of this country either. The fix for this problem is not immediately apparent to me, but gutting the law doesn't strike me as anything approaching it.
Fallacious appeals to the principle of innocent until proven guilty as a justification to put the plaintiff on trial are just painfully stupid. The defendant _is_ innocent until proven guilty, the guilt being proved by asking them in front of a jury to produce the evidence that justifies their claims and them being unable to do so. I can't be party to any proposal that reverses that burden, and likely puts plaintiffs in the position of having to prove a negative. That's just flat out unfair.
The irony here is that if they'd just come out and said they wanted a robust principle of free speech, that the libel law was damaging to that and then actually demonstrated the damage I might be considering supporting them in a total removal of the law. As it is, they have no argument beyond self interest, and their proposals are themselves damaging to principles we ought to hold sacrosanct. --JeevesMkII The gentleman's gentleman at the other site 17:34, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Is this music video racist?

GAYE BYKERS ON ACID GIT DOWN PROMO; or is it a cool punk song with horns and a bizzare sense of humour?205.189.194.208 (talk) 23:52, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Andy on Z-day

I've been watching High School of the Dead (legally of the PSN)and I've been wondering how would our dear Mr. Schlafly would handle a zombie apocalypse. I have come up with 3 scenarios if he survives the first 24 hours:

  • 1) The No Moral-Relativism Scenario: Andy believes everybody can be saved and tries to do just that. Leads to an idiotic, yet somewhat heroic death.
  • 2) The Free Market Scenario: Andy goes survival of the fittest, and does anything to survive. Abandoning all morals, Andy either survives on the edges of sanity or is ultimately betrayed by someone he is with.
  • 3) The False Messiah Scenario: Andy starts preaching to those around him. If they don't throw him to the zombie horde, they take comfort in Andy's words and do as he commands. This can lead to his followers sacrificing themselves and Andy is eventually left alone and cornered.

So, which one is the most likely?--Thanatos (talk) 00:00, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Third one. If I know anything about Andy, its the third one. --66.213.14.180 (talk) 00:35, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Option 4) Nuclear Melt-down: Andy does what he always does when faced with conflict and retreats to a nice, safe, inner world that he seeks to control absolutely whilst he waits for the problem to go away. Meanwhile, everybody else gets on with dealing with the zombie apocalypse paying absolutely no attention to the drooling, twitching madman in the corner.--Stunteddwarf Spirit of the Cherry Blossom 00:48, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

All (well, almost all) is forgiven

Excellent iPhone software Hat tip 02:01, 21 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast

Nice to see large companies are taking accessibility seriously. Win for Apple. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 09:23, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Twitter hacked

Just putting this out there for those of you who use it. --PsyGremlinHable! 12:30, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Better link. And it's twitter.com that has been hacked, third-party applications are fine. (Paranoid speculation: It's a lie/test/social engineering to see how many people will (not) verify it by visiting Twitter.com.) --ZooGuard (talk) 12:44, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Links won't load for me (Slashdot effect thanks to tons of Twitter users checking it?), so can anybody give a quick summary or something? I don't use it, but I'm curious. --Sid (talk) 12:51, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Not 100% sure - don't use it either, except from when i used to follow JPratt's drivel - but it was something to do with routing to 3rd party pages or something, and could activate on mouse over, so not even a click needed. --PsyGremlin話しなさい 12:58, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Hang on, you can redirect with a mouseover? That's a pretty big ass problem. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 13:51, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
So it would appear:

For about thirty minutes, blacked-out tweets showed up in the user stream of Twitter.com. Hovering over the affected area “would redirect anyone who moved their mouse over it – but didn’t click it – to a Japanese hard-core pornography site.”

--PsyGremlinSnakk! 13:56, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Wow. That's worse than what Anon did to Youtube a year or so ago. Tetronian you're clueless 14:50, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Worst part is, I never got see what the site was. --PsyGremlinRunāt! 15:00, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Whatever it was, I bet they were happy about the increased traffic. Tetronian you're clueless 15:06, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Anyway, what's a "hardcore" Japanese porn site anyway? Their laws dictate that the naughty bits have to be mosaiced out. Um... so I've heard... --PsyGremlinSiarad! 20:48, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
That's not always the case... erm, so I've heard too. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 21:00, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Some help for Soldier Fitness

If this sounds disjointed, please forgive me. It's an unwieldy topic.

The Army is working on a new program called 'Comprehensive Soldier Fitness' based on five 'Pillars' to help Soldiers deal with stress.

One of the Pillars is Spiritual, the 'needs' of people that reflects their beliefs and how they sustain them. Of course, being an agnostic doesn't leave much of an avenue for us to explore that pillar. Also, there's an awesome reading room on post that comes with it.

I was hoping that someone here could recommend a book that would show the non-spiritual side for Spiritual fitness. How our belief in the power of thought and respect of sentience can be just as strong or endearing as belief in a deity, if not more so. One of the problems with this is that our publicist has been slacking against the literal tide of books out there supporting faith.

Something similar to the 'FAQ for the recently deconverted' is what I had in mind, essentially. It doesn't lose it's strength or focus, and it doesn't seem to be 'preachy' or 'belittling' to faith [which, to an unprepared believer, could be how they see Dawkins or Hitchens, regardless of the validity of their arguments] so it attracts the spiritual crowd, as well.

If nothing comes of it, that's cool too. The other four pillars sustain me fine.

P.S. I am sorry for the lack of posts lately. New units, new rules, and a whole new mission to cover means an increased workload on our shop. Hopefully i'll post a bit more often as it slows down...hopefully. -- CodyH (talk) 17:49, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

The Myth of Sysiphus by Albert Camus? It deals with how to cope with the absurdity of existence. I dunno if its the sort thing you are looking for but it a jolly good read regardless. If you want something more practical, maybe something that deals with secular meditation? I couldn't suggest anything though.--AMassiveGay (talk) 18:34, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
"Spiritual wellbeing" and "spiritual fitness" has always confused me because I know what it means, and in principle it can be secular/rationalist/atheist/naturalist all well and fine (basically a variant on mental health and ability) but inevitably it always comes down to "lets do some praying!" in practice. Anyway, it might be worth reading something like The Atheists Guide to Christmas which may fit the bill. Most of the entries can be found for free on the contributers' blogs with a quick search. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 21:45, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

The Onion hits the mark again.

Voter Anger Palpable At Intentionally Anger-Stoking Rally --PsyGremlinHable! 18:10, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Xmas is nearly here

for those who don't know what a mince pie are

So I went to the supermarket this evening and was surprised to see that mince pies are already on sale, with a nice xmassy theme on the box - I mean come on, it's still September for x's sake. And it wasn't even like it is for stocking up for the xmas period, as the expiry date on the packet was 22nd October. </rant> Carry on. Bondurant (talk) 20:39, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm waiting for the first week in October - then all the stores put up their Xmas decorations. Complete with snow and reindeer. In fucking Africa. In summer. --PsyGremlin講話 20:45, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Some London shop started flogging Xmas stuff about a month ago. It was in SB but I can't find it. 20:49, 21 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast
Pretty soon it will be christmas every day as wished for by Wizzard. All day every day all year long. It may drive me to kill.--AMassiveGay (talk) 20:51, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

So we have separation of church and state but when do we get separation of shopping and xmas?? Argh. --151.81.59.191 (talk) 20:53, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Can we eat the minstrels yet?--Thanatos (talk) 20:54, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
It wouldn't be as bad if it wasn't for the fact that they replace it all with Easter eggs on the morning of the 26th. Scarlet A.pngpathetic 20:56, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
This is coming straight to DVD. Anyone want to sacrifice themselves and review it? It smells of Sarah Palin--Thanatos (talk) 20:59, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
In August I went to the beach and there was a stall flogging Christmas cards. Horrendous. Real first name and last initial (talk) 21:01, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

On a separate point, why do people only buy mince pies at christmas? Surely if people actually liked them, they'd buy em all year round. For years I refused to eat mince pies because I was convinced they contained meat. I recently found out this is not the case, but I still look on them with suspicion.--AMassiveGay (talk) 21:18, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Mince Pies are fucking awful. When I was young my auntie asked me on Xmas day if I'd like a mini Mince Pie. In my youthful naivety I said yes, thinking it was a mince meat pie. Scarred for life by the memory. AceX-102 21:22, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
try them with clotted cream. mmmmmmmmmmmm! Real first name and last initial (talk) 21:32, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
I nom them quite regularly. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've had them more often outside of the Christmas season. Although they're hard to track down and I end up making my own instead. And for the movie mentioned in the TYT post above... are we sure that's real and not something from College Humor? Scarlet A.pngpathetic 21:36, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Looks real to me. AceX-102 21:37, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Though in saying that I once watch a loaf of bread and a toaster morph into a single object and that also seemed pretty real so not really sure what to think anymore... AceX-102 21:38, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
For the non-commonwealthians among us here's a mince pie club. 21:50, 21 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast

Money Laundering @ Vatican?

Don't put all your wealth in worldly goods, unless you're the RC church, of course. (€28,000,000!) Vatican has its woes multiplied. Watch out for those London bridges. 22:01, 21 September 2010 (UTC) SusanG Toast


Some videos you might want to check out

some of the violent G20 protesters might have been cops

Violent Protest or Agent Provocateurs? Toronto G8-G20
The 6:02 video starts with the Sex Pistols
2:20 music starts and you hear the reporter talk
2:50 "Police Masquerading as protesters"
3:58 Police posing as protesters in an earlier protest in Montebello Qeubec
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

noted Canadian author in his late 80's shows how to roll a joint on national television

RMR: Celebrity Tip with Pierre Berton
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Marc Emery before going to prison

Marc Emery, Prince of Pot, on CBC News, July 2006
11:45
0:44 "I'm at war with the United States Federal government."

Marc Emery's Marching Orders - Goodbye for now.
7:42
Before he goes to an American prison for selling Marijuana seeds to Americans from Canada.
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Rick Mercer and friend cross into America with hardly any documents

RMR: Our Neighbours to the South
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Trailer Park Boys - If I can't smoke and swear i'm Fucked

16:43 into this 22:59 video.
Funny courtroom drama-of-sorts.
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Before Conrad Black went to a Florida prison, he made this funny video

Rick Mercer Report : Conrad Black Celebrity Tip
Indirectly refers to it near the end of the 3:10 video(He's since gotten out.)
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Denis Lortie, a lone soilder, charges into the Quebec National Assembly with an assault rifle

Though the sergent-at-arms talks him down.
перестрелка в парламенте Квебека 1984 Denis Lortie.mp4
1:21

on section of a documentary
6:52
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Oka Crises (Canadian Army vs Mohawks)

indian summer (20 year remix) - dreamspeak
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

"What can the police do or anyone do against an army of this"

United State: Automaton
3:37
Toronto band (very goth) 1984
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

"It took 30 years to draw this map"

'Lucklucky' Official Video - Veda Hille
0:56 into this 3:54 video.
205.189.194.208 (talk) 22:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)