1

Suggestions & Concerns / FES's clock is an hour slow again

« on: November 03, 2013, 09:24:34 AM »

Since topics in the Resolved subforum are apparently being ignored even if they are not resolved, consider this a continuation of the original thread on the subject:

http://www.theflatearthsociety.org/forum/index.php/topic,43811.0.html

That is, FES's clock jumps around whenever DST starts or ends in a specific country that isn't relevant to a large portion of the user base of this website.

2

The Lounge / @Andrew

« on: October 12, 2013, 11:21:57 PM »

How do you define what is "the right decision"?

The decision that is reached by the voters, obviously.

So if the voters making decisions for a business decide to burn down the shop and donate all of the business's funds to the NSA, that is the right decision since it is what the voters chose?

Actually, I said that they have a higher chance of making the right decision, not that it would be the right decision every time.

You just defined "the right decision" to be the one reached by the voters. That is what, according to you, makes it the right decision.

3

The Lounge / A Friendly Cat

« on: September 21, 2013, 06:39:46 AM »

4

The Lounge / Happy 9/11

« on: September 10, 2013, 08:20:37 PM »

It's everyone's favourite holiday again! PizzaPlanet and I have taken a trip up into the Tasmanian mountains to chill (quite literally) for the day.

What are you doing to celebrate this festive occasion?

5

Arts & Entertainment / Frank Zappa 1981 tour 32nd anniversary extravaganza

« on: September 01, 2013, 07:20:21 AM »

That's right, I'm repeating my 1982 extravaganza for the tour the year before. For all intents and purposes, the 1981 tour can be considered as an early US leg of the 1982 tour -- it's got the same band, many of the same songs and arrangements, and the same overall feel (albeit less developed). This was where the Wackerman/Thunes rhythm section first hit the road with Frank and showed us what they were made of.

Since the band is the same, I won't be bothering to introduce them again (in fact, the pictures of band members in the '82 thread are all from the 1981 tour). Go to that thread if you want to know who the musicians are.

The first concert is due in a little under four weeks, at which point I will still be entertaining PizzaPlanet. As such, I will be starting this a little late, but it will be easy enough to catch up with a number of concert-free days in the early tour. Also different from the 1982 thread is that I haven't heard most of the 1981 shows yet, so these will be my first impressions rather than an acclimatised opinion.

See you in about a month.

6

Suggestions & Concerns / Multiple brief outages

« on: August 26, 2013, 04:40:46 AM »

Less than 48 hours ago, the name servers for theflatearthsociety.org went unresponsive for a couple of minutes, and querying the web server directly (I happen to have its IP address on record due to the number of times I've had to step in and diagnose problems) produced no response. Just a few minutes ago, the name servers went down briefly again.

This really isn't difficult to get right. Domain names have two name servers precisely so that if one goes down, the other can pick up the slack. If you need a redundant DNS slave because you can't keep your existing two name servers up, I would be happy to provide one for free.

Alternatively, we could switch to a competent hosting provider. Whatever it takes. Just stop fucking up elementary hosting requirements.

7

Arts & Entertainment / Parsifal's special record giveaway

« on: August 24, 2013, 03:26:11 AM »

It's that time again, folks -- as you may know, I lost most of my own music recordings a few years back, and I rarely record these days anymore (largely due to a lack of people to play with), so I have to scavenge for scraps of stuff I sent to people who are kind enough to send them back.

This time, Crudblud has just provided me with a whole heap of stuff I'd forgotten existed, and I'm going to be sharing some of the highlights here. To kick off, here are the highlights of a rehearsal from late 2009, running for about 17 minutes and going through several different songs. I have lost the full recording of this rehearsal, so these are the highlights I saw fit to share with Crudblud four years ago, complete with awkward edits between songs and somewhat excessive compression.

I recommend listening to this in a quiet environment, as even with the compression that's been applied, it is still very quiet at times.

Without further ado, I present I Wish You Were Mine in Ogg Vorbis and mp3.


Track summary:


1. I Wish You Were Mine (6:16)

An entirely improvised event, with three ad lib verses and a bit of jamming. The verses are somewhat spacy, and I'm putting on a ridiculous voice for much of it, but it was hardly meant to be taken seriously.

Part of this track also appears on Fragments of a Lost Eon.


2. Shivers Down My Spine part II (srs bsns version) (3:35)

The first of two renditions of this piece on this record, this track contains plenty of srs bsns. No, just kidding. It's as ridiculous as the first.


3. Shivers Down My Spine part III (1:31)

An only slightly insane rendition of this usually instrumental tune.


4. You're a penguin (1:32)

There's no doubt about it, I am a penguin for writing this kind of music.


5. As Beautiful As You (0:37)

The only track in this collection without any madness at all. This is a working title, as I haven't yet written lyrics for this tune.


6. Shivers Down My Spine part II (raving lunatic version) (1:14)

If you thought the first version of this song was crazy, wait until you hear this.


7. Putcha Blinkers On (0:24)

Russell's contribution to this ridiculous compilation.


8. Shivers Down My Spine part V (aka The Things That You Do) (2:33)

That's right, this is the classic powerful closing number from Jeepers Creepers Jumbo, this time with extra silliness.

8

Technology, Science & Alt Science / I am considering ordering a new laptop

« on: August 03, 2013, 05:35:23 PM »

I am considering getting one of the new Loongson 3A Notebooks. It would be a substantial upgrade to my current Lemote Yeeloong, albeit with a newer version of the Loongson CPU architecture and several other improvements to the design. I like these Loongson machines for their low power usage and esoteric nature.

Any thoughts?

9

The Lounge / The great Parsifal and PizzaPlanet road trip of 2013

« on: July 19, 2013, 08:09:33 PM »

In about six weeks, PizzaPlanet will be flying into Sydney airport and meeting me. Together, we will embark on four weeks of reckless tomfoolery as we explore the great continent of Australia -- or at least the south-eastern portion of it -- in my shiny new Volkswagen Polo.

The current plan is to make nightly stops in or near Goulburn, Canberra, Orbost, Cowes and Melbourne. After a couple of days in Melbourne, we will catch the ferry to Tasmania and spend nearly a week there, before returning to Melbourne and improvising for the rest of it.

Since PizzaPlanet is 12 years old and cannot drive, I will be doing all the driving on this trip, and thus relying on PizzaPlanet's camera to provide you with saucy pictures of all the interesting places we visit. The first attraction is the Kiama blowhole, so stay tuned in about six weeks!

10

Technology, Science & Alt Science / I ordered a Samsung Galaxy S4

« on: July 07, 2013, 04:25:34 AM »

I'm not a complete "retard" so that could be one of the reasons I'm looking forward to it so much. Android is very smooth, has great functionality, and doesn't lock you into restrictive DRM and licensing policies from a single company. I like that it lets me replace the stock OS with a custom ROM of my choosing if I don't like the way my vendor does things. My only complaint is that... wait, there's nothing to complain about. It's got a fucking 1920x1080 display that fits in the palm of your hand. This is going to be so awesome.

11

Suggestions & Concerns / Intentional thread derailment

« on: May 18, 2013, 01:07:36 AM »

I reported this post yesterday for derailing a thread. I expected that the offending posts would, at a minimum, be split off from the thread and moved to somewhere more appropriate, like CN.

When I approached a mod directly about the infraction, I was told that Thork's posts wouldn't be split or deleted because they were "more interesting" than mine. Apparently, whether or not they were contributive to the thread didn't matter.

I have two questions for the mods:

• Are reports actually being read, or is using the report system a waste of my time and the mods' inbox storage space?
• Should and does the level of interest a post has for the moderation team factor into whether or not it is considered derailment?

If nobody is going to remove Thork's posts from that thread in one way or another, then please lock the thread instead. I'm done with it.

12

Arts & Entertainment / Frank Zappa 1982 tour 31st anniversary extravaganza

« on: May 05, 2013, 01:29:24 AM »

Zappa's 1982 European tour is widely regarded as one of his best ever, and is my personal favourite. Since, unlike last year, I actually have all the known recorded 1982 concert tapes this year, I've decided to do a complete listen-through of the tour for its 31st anniversary, starting today (5th May) and ending on 14th July.

I plan to post a short review of each concert here as I listen to them.


Meet the band

Ray White (vocals, guitar)

Ray began his time with Zappa in late 1976, and quickly became a regular in Zappa's bands. For this tour, he is as strong as ever, and takes most of the more powerful lead vocals.

Tommy Mars (keyboards, vocals)

Another old-timer, Tommy began touring with Frank in 1977. Here on the road for the last time, he gives us some of his best ever performances this tour, and is a much appreciated presence in the group.

Chad Wackerman (drums)

While only on his second tour, Chad has already begun to dominate the overall sound of the band, his almost robotically precise rhythm providing the solid ground on which the other musicians build.

Ed Mann (percussion, vocals)

Ed started at the same time as Tommy in 1977. Being of a much different style from Ruth Underwood many years earlier, he nevertheless brings his own touch to the group that would be missed two years later for the 1984 tour.

Bobby Martin (vocals, keyboards)

Like Chad, this is Bobby's second tour with Zappa, but he nevertheless manages to impress without fail on every one of his lead vocals ("Stevie's Spanking", "Bamboozled By Love" and "Whipping Post" are standouts for me). He occasionally whips out a treat with his synth during Pound for a Brown improvisations, too.

Scott Thunes (bass)

This is Scott's second tour with Zappa, and already he has stepped out from the (not insignificant) shadow left by Arthur Barrow. His unique style is always a pleasure to listen to, and livens up some of Frank's less interesting solo efforts.

Steve Vai (guitar)

This would be Steve's last Zappa tour, and I am disappointed to see him leave so soon. Nevertheless, he presents us with some kickass lead guitar on his way out.

Frank Zappa (conducting, vocals, guitar)

The man himself. Frank is on top form for this tour, and as usual, has managed to arrange all the music in such a way as to draw out the strengths of all the other band members. He also gives us some of his best guitar solos ever on this outing.


That's it from me for now. I'm giving the first 1982 concert a spin, and will have some opinions to post later today.

13

Technology, Science & Alt Science / Debian 7.0 "wheezy" release progress

« on: May 03, 2013, 09:09:51 PM »

The newest stable release of the Debian operating system, version 7.0 (codename "wheezy") is being released this weekend. I plan to keep up with the release progress and post significant updates here, as I did for "squeeze" two years ago.

As an aside, if you are currently running Debian and have either of the words stable or testing in your APT sources, be very cautious when updating packages, as after the release stable will refer to wheezy instead of squeeze, and testing will refer to jessie instead of wheezy. A good way to avoid this is to always refer to releases by codename (e.g., wheezy) rather than by symbolic name (e.g., stable).

14

Suggestions & Concerns / Send markjo to Purgatory

« on: March 18, 2013, 12:26:33 AM »

I've recently been enticed back to the upper fora by some delicious noobs. After spending only a couple of days there, I've already had markjo attempt to ruin a thread with one of the most common noob misunderstandings about bendy light.

Not only has markjo failed to grasp something elementary, he also refused to accept it when PizzaPlanet explained what should be obvious to him by now, instead continuing to spout gibberish I would expect from a noob who registered yesterday. He has been here long enough to have raised this same issue dozens upon dozens of times before, be given the same answer every time, and still (apparently) think he's making a useful contribution to the forum by bringing it up for the hundredth time.

If you'll read back in the thread a bit, there are some new members who -- despite their overconfidence in their own understanding of the subject matter -- certainly have something to learn about FET and are showing signs of attentiveness. This was looking to be a very promising thread. For markjo to stifle the burgeoning discussion by taking over the thread with this rubbish is, quite frankly, disgraceful.

Please send markjo to Purgatory until such time as he has demonstrated the capacity to not shit up threads. This went beyond a joke months ago.

15

The Lounge / Handy chart of fallacies

« on: March 16, 2013, 03:33:58 AM »

Might be handy for here on FES. Click the image below for a larger version.

16

The Lounge / Leaving for a conference

« on: January 26, 2013, 08:30:51 AM »

This year, my employer is sending me to linux.conf.au, the largest Open Source conference in the southern hemisphere. This means I get to spend the next week in Canberra learning about cool shit and drinking beer.

I may not be on FES very much during that time, so if I don't sneak on here during the conference I'll be back in a week's time.

17

The Lounge / Driver training courses

« on: December 16, 2012, 06:24:24 AM »

Since someone (I think Vindictus) made mention of taking an advanced driving course in a thread the other day, I've been mulling over booking one when I get my new car. I'd like to become a better driver than what I need to be in order to get a licence, since the standards for getting a driver licence in NSW are pretty much bullshit.

A quick web search brought up this, which is run right here in Sydney and looks pretty good. Does anyone else have any experience with such things, or any suggestions?

18

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Speed limits in New South Wales

« on: December 08, 2012, 08:07:05 AM »

For those of you who don't live in or around Sydney or Canberra, the M31 (currently National Highway 31, but to be renumbered in early 2013 as part of a state-wide move to alphanumeric road numbering) is a major highway, consisting of motorway and dual carraigeway sections, linking Sydney with Canberra and Melbourne. Slightly more than half of the road is in New South Wales, with the remainder in Victoria where it terminates at a half-stack interchange with Melbourne's M80 ring road.

The M31 road is the highest-standard inter-state route in Australia, a result of connecting Australia's two largest cities. These days, you can drive the thousand-kilometre route from Sydney to Melbourne without giving way to other traffic or even slowing below 100 km/h in normal conditions. However, it has a posted speed limit of 110 km/h (69 MPH) along its entire route, much less than what the road is capable of handling.

I have comfortably maintained a consistent 130 km/h (81 MPH) on this highway previously, and when doing so I noticed that a lot of other drivers do the same. The high standard of construction, long straight dual carriageway and infrequent interchanges all make this a safe and enjoyable speed to travel at. However, being caught by police at this speed would mean a $243 fine and 3 demerit points.

RMS, the body responsible for setting and reviewing speed limits in New South Wales, has set up a website called Safer Roads NSW, to solicit public feedback on speed zones in the state. They have already reviewed a list of the top 100 roads submitted on that website, and despite public opinion apparently being that 110 km/h is too low for the M31, they say this about the road:

19

The Lounge / Buying a new car

« on: December 02, 2012, 05:43:08 PM »

Ever since my car crash of 2008, I have been without a vehicle of my own. Mostly, this is fine, since I don't need one to get to and from work, and I don't travel away from public transport corridors much. However, it does get frustrating to be so limited to buses after a while.

Therefore, I just placed a phone call to my local dealership and made arrangements to meet with a salesman tomorrow morning at 09:00. The car I am looking to buy is a Volkswagen Golf 77TSI, as my local dealership currently has a discounted price on that model until the end of the year.

I'll be asking questions about what finance and insurance options are available through the dealership, and researching such things directly from financial institutions, before making a final decision about how to go about buying the car. I'll have to be quick, though, or the end-of-year offer will expire.

I'll then be taking one of these models for a test drive. Unfortunately, they only have an automatic (DSG) model at the dealership right now, and I want to buy a manual, but it should be close enough to give me some idea if I'll like the car.

Any suggestions of things I may want to ask about or look out for?

20

Technology, Science & Alt Science / Steam for Linux

« on: December 02, 2012, 06:37:31 AM »

I've just gotten the Ubuntu Steam package to install on Debian, with the following tweaks:

• install eglibc 2.16 from the Debian experimental repo to satisfy Steam dependency;
  
• modify Steam package to depend on libjpeg8 instead of libjpeg-turbo8; and
  
• modify Steam package to depend on libpulse0 (>= 0.99.1) instead of libpulse0 (>= 1:0.99.1).
  

It's currently running the Steam update thingy:



Will post progress updates here.

(n.b.: I have not been accepted into the Steam private beta. This package is publicly available at http://media.steampowered.com/client/installer/steam.deb. I will post a link to my modified package when I'm sure it works.)

21

Technology, Science & Alt Science / Intel to stop selling socketed CPUs

« on: December 01, 2012, 06:08:27 AM »

Original article: http://semiaccurate.com/2012/11/26/intel-kills-off-the-desktop-pcs-go-with-it/

Intel have decided to stop selling socketed CPUs, instead selling only directly to motherboard manufactureres who will solder the CPUs onto their products. This is to take effect starting with the Broadwell chip, due for release in 2014.

This has several implications, most notably that Intel will have an iron grip over motherboard producers, who will need to deal directly with Intel in order to ship functional products. It also drastically reduces the flexibility you have when buying computer parts, as you can no longer mix and match CPU and motherboard varieties -- the motherboard you buy comes with a CPU, and you're stuck with that.

It follows that you won't be able to upgrade your CPU without upgrading the entire motherboard.

Personally, I won't be buying from Intel again. I'll go with AMD for as long as x86_64 is the dominant desktop architecture, but preferably ARM as desktop ARM chips become available.

22

Technology, Science & Alt Science / Emergency Diversion Routes

« on: November 30, 2012, 10:32:49 AM »

I've just been reading up on Emergency Diversion Routes in the UK. For reference, the page I was reading is here:

http://www.cbrd.co.uk/indepth/edr/

In summary, Emergency Diversion Routes are routes set aside for use when motorways need to be closed. There is an extensive system of such routes, such that any section of motorway in the UK may be closed, and traffic can follow a simple symbol to get back to the motorway at the next junction.

I think this is an awesome idea, and I had no idea the UK was so organised in this way. I wish our motorway planners had as much foresight here -- typically, a road closure in New South Wales involves putting up some portable "DETOUR" signs at the point where the road is closed, and leaving motorists to their own devices to work out how to get back onto the road they started from.

Definitely a champion idea if I ever saw one.

23

The Lounge / 33333 posts

« on: November 18, 2012, 12:35:56 AM »

24

Arts & Entertainment / Frank Zappa - Italian Debris II

« on: October 27, 2012, 04:23:54 AM »

A sequel to Italian Debris. This is its own thread because of the fucking Not Acceptable errors when I try to edit the OP in that one.

Download links:

• Ogg Vorbis
  
• mp3
  

Copied verbatim from the info.txt file included in the download:


Frank Zappa - Italian Debris II


A compilation made from audience recordings from Zappa's 1982 tour in Europe. Created using Ardour, JAMin, JACK and Audacity.

All titles composed by Frank Zappa, except where otherwise noted.


1. Sinister Footwear II

 * 00:00 - 01:22: 15 November, 1981 - Painter's Mill Star Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
 * 01:23 - 11:15: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy


2. Stevie's Spanking

 * 00:00 - 01:05: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria
 * 01:06 - 01:38: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy
 * 01:39 - 02:52: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria
 * 02:53 - 08:20: 22 May, 1982 - Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany


3. Tell Me You Love Me

 * 00:00 - 02:14: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy


4. The Closer You Are  (Earl Lewis, Morgan Robinson)

 * 00:00 - 00:04: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy
 * 00:05 - 02:10: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


5. John Darling  (Louis Staton, John Staton)

 * 00:00 - 00:54: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


6. The Mammy Anthem

 * 00:00 - 06:36: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy


7. The Donkey Lecture

 * 00:00 - 03:23: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria


8. Marqueson's Chicken

 * 00:00 - 05:29: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria
 * 05:30 - 06:46: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


9. Truck Driver Divorce

 * 00:00 - 04:14: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria


10. City of Tiny Lites

 * 00:00 - 02:07: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy
 * 02:08 - 12:02: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria


11. Pound for a Brown

 * 00:00 - 01:05: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria
 * 01:06 - 08:46: 5 July, 1982 - Stadio Marassi, Genova, Italy
 * 08:47 - 09:26: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy


12. Strictly Genteel

 * 00:00 - 06:59: 7 May, 1982 - Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden

25

Arts & Entertainment / Frank Zappa - Italian Debris (self-made live compilation)

« on: September 29, 2012, 05:46:09 PM »

I've spent some time putting together a compilation from audience recordings of Zappa's 1982 tour, for fun. I thought I'd share it in case others are interested.

Please note that this is legal -- there is nothing here sourced from official releases, only from unofficially distributed audience recordings. Also, the sources are mostly mp3; if that bothers you, don't download this. If you'd just like to enjoy the music, I highly recommend you give it a try.

Download links:

• Ogg Vorbis
  
• mp3
  

There is no FLAC download because the sources were not lossless, so it would be a waste of bits.


Copied verbatim from the info.txt file included in the download:


Frank Zappa - Italian Debris


A compilation made from audience recordings from Zappa's 1982 tour in Europe. Created using Ardour, JAMin, JACK and Audacity.

All titles composed by Frank Zappa, except where otherwise noted.


1. Volare  (Domenico Modugno, Franco Migliacci)

 * 00:00 - 02:02: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


2. Bobby Brown Goes Down

 * 00:00 - 00:06: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy
 * 00:07 - 02:26: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria
 * 02:27 - 02:39: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria


3. Young and Monde

 * 00:00 - 00:16: 8 June, 1982 - Congress Centrum, Hamburg, Germany
 * 00:17 - 07:41: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria
 * 07:42 - 07:53: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy


4. Tinsel Town Rebellion

 * 00:00 - 02:35: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy


5. Approximate

 * 00:00 - 01:47: 7 May, 1982 - Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden


6. Cosmik Debris

 * 00:00 - 04:17: 8 July, 1982 - Stadio Comunale, Pistoia, Italy


7. King Kong

 * 00:00 - 08:28: 26 June, 1982 - Olympiahalle, München, Germany
 * 08:29 - 14:44: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy
 * 14:45 - 21:01: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria
 * 21:02 - 22:06: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


8. Sharleena

 * 00:00 - 03:38: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy
 * 03:39 - 08:17: 29 June, 1982 - Sporthalle, Linz, Austria
 * 08:18 - 09:15: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


9. Doreen

 * 00:00 - 01:59: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy


10. Goblin Girl

 * 00:00 - 02:01: 7 July, 1982 - Parco Redecesio, Milano, Italy
 * 02:02 - 02:21: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria


11. The Black Page

 * 00:00 - 06:40: 28 June, 1982 - Stadthalle, Wien, Austria


12. Dancin' Fool

 * 00:00 - 02:47: 5 July, 1982 - Stadio Marassi, Genova, Italy
 * 02:48 - 03:05: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy


13. RDNZL

 * 00:00 - 02:30: 9 July, 1982 - Ex Mattatoio Di Testaccio, Roma, Italy
 * 02:31 - 06:23: 1 July, 1982 - Patinoire des Vernets, Genève, Switzerland

26

Suggestions & Concerns / Fix the "Not Acceptable" errors already

« on: September 29, 2012, 04:59:39 PM »

I'd just written a long and detailed post with a lot of links in it. I was previewing it and making adjustments as I went, and the first few previews were accepted just fine. Then the server (presumably) decided the same links had been posted too many times in succession, and started giving me 406 errors.

Now I can't post something that was considered perfectly OK five minutes ago. I don't know what the point of this is, but if the intent is to piss off all the users of the site, you're on the fast track to success.

Apologies if this post seems overly angry for S&C. I am angry. I put up with it quietly at first because we were told it would be fixed soon and that Daniel was just as unhappy about it as we are. That was nearly two months ago, and nothing has changed.

Feel free to move this thread out of S&C if you don't intend to do anything about it. At least then we'll know that it's sticking around.

27

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Australian Senator Stephen Conroy wants telcos to wear underpants on their heads

« on: September 27, 2012, 11:15:30 PM »

Original article: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/09/senator-conroy-calls-for-telcos-to-wear-red-underpants-on-their-heads-yes-really/

The regulation of telecommunications powers in Australia is exclusively federal. That means I am in charge of spectrum auctions, and if I say to everyone in this room ‘if you want to bid in our spectrum auction you’d better wear red underpants on your head’, I’ve got some news for you. You’ll be wearing them on your head. I have unfettered legal power.

This is the same crackpot who wanted to introduce a mandatory Internet filter in Australia some years ago. What the fuck is this guy still doing in the Senate?

28

Technology, Science & Alt Science / @Computer graphics hot shots

« on: September 27, 2012, 10:13:30 AM »

My AMD Radeon HD 6850 maintains between 331 and 337 frames per second when benchmarking on a dual 24" monitor setup with a combined resolution of 2400x1920. Is this good or bad?

29

Suggestions & Concerns / Re: Please revoke Thork's Technical Advisor status

« on: September 19, 2012, 12:02:29 AM »

Apologies for the new thread, but as the old one was locked, I have little alternative.

With regard to Ski's last post, I appreciate the response, but I resent the insinuation that the thread was motivated by "personal squabbles". I have nothing against Thork personally, and quite frankly I think it's disgusting that the thread is being written off because you think I do rather than being considered on its own merits.

If you've seen nothing that concerns you, that's fine. But that doesn't make my opinion invalid, or inappropriate for S&C.

You can lock this thread as well if you have nothing further to add.

30

Suggestions & Concerns / Please revoke Thork's Technical Advisor status

« on: September 10, 2012, 12:59:01 PM »

As demonstrated in this thread, he is clearly not able to contain himself and must fiddle with every new button that he sees. We were fortunate in this case that he was not able to delete one of Lord Wilmore's posts, but the fact that he even attempted to do so shows that he is not to be trusted with any amount of power on these fora, however miniscule it may be.

I hereby request the administration to reconsider Thork's appointment as Technical Advisor.