Subj : Todays Blooper To : Daryl Stout From : Barry Martin Date : Fri Oct 09 2020 12:16:00 Hi Daryl! DS> I think so. The time on the messages and replies seem to be OK, DS> though. The problem with SyncTerm is the display resolution, DS> thinking it's 80x25 when it's 80x24, and it skews the ANSI DS> animation. BM> Is the resolution on the window set correctly? The Windows' window. DS> Tried that on both, and I couldn't get it to display right DS> under SyncTerm. Then, I went to maximize it, and really screwed DS> it up, to where the top 1/3 of the display is off the screen. I DS> tried to set up PuTTY, but no luck. So for now, I went back to DS> MTel. Might have something to do with the resolution of the primary screen. I had an issue when I put a new video card into one of my MythTV Frontend computers. The desktop screen (Ubuntu) was teeny-tiny - found later was something like 3840x2160 (running 4K HD instead of 1920x1080 HD) and that was causing the MythTV overlay to do some weird stuff. Poor overlay was getting confused by the instructions from the 'underneath'. So thinking maybe SyncTerm might be only capable of handling (say) VGA resolutions and you're throwing HD at it. WAG, but may give a clue. BM> Bank's not trusting the insurance company either, hmm?! DS> It has always been that way. If it's an electronic funds DS> transfer, no matter the amount, the full amount is available DS> right then. But, if it's a check or money order, it can take 2 DS> weeks for the full amount to become available. Yes -- would think that delay would no longer be necessary but the banking rules still do. Stick in there someplace logical where now with electronic banking the stores can even verify a check has sufficient funds at the time the cashier runs the check through. BM> Right. Ideally get the square dancers to send their payments to the BM> Treasurer. As that isn't going to happen 100% have a chat with the BM> Treasurer and probably the President about what can done to minimize BM> your activity/involvement. If they get all bent out of shape and for BM> whatever reason need the misdirected checks _now_ then they need to BM> supply you with envelopes and postage or the money to purchase, plus BM> mileage. DS> There likely will be fireworks on Saturday...folks got angry DS> the way I worded an email blast...yet, I've spoke about this at DS> meetings, in handouts, in the publication, and on the websites, DS> and it was basically being ignored. "But I never saw that!" "Is that what that meant??" BM> "Can't fix stupid". IMO you've warned them, now the consequences. BM> "_You_ did it wrong, _I_ don't have time to fix _your_ problem. Too BM> bad." They'll get mad at you, threaten, sputter. T.S. No use in you BM> getting mad back at them, they're the ones in the wrong, not you. DS> Plus, my main defense is "My job titles do NOT include the word DS> TREASURER, and they never have". "But you were nice enough to do it before! Why didn't you tell me then! Now you're being such a ." BM> If they don't check then they don't get the associated privileges. BM> Their problem. (If they checked previously but the new form is blank BM> then you don't have anything to update.) DS> Well, if they can't understand English (even if the calls/moves DS> are in English), I can't help them. In retail I dealt with a bunch of 'international' customers who conveniently couldn't understand English at certain times. Now we also had those who truly had a difficult time - local students spouses, visitors to John Deere, etc.; those were a different case. BM> I'd be inclined to say "thanks for the gift" but we both know the BM> intent and that would be wrong. I'd be tempted to shred if the meeting BM> with the Treasurer goes badly. DS> The Treasurer agreed with me. The President sent 2 emails, but DS> I didn't bother opening them, and I haven't checked that account DS> since the dust-up. I had said "If I'm not wanted, I'll DS> quit"...but was told "no one will do the jobs". So, they're DS> basically stuck with me. I can easily shut down the websites and DS> other stuff in a heartbeat, if I want to. Hopefully the e-mails are good news. I'm thinking if they wanted to get rid of you or otherwise do a major alteration there would have been a phone call/video meeting followed up by the e-mail. BM> Personally I don't think you have to do anything. They're wrong, not BM> you. It's nice to be nice, but not to the point of being a doormat. DS> Again, "I'm NOT the Treasurer", and I've noted this several DS> times over the years, in several places. Well, if they ignored it DS> then, they can't ignore it now. Sometimes the 'polite noise' is ignored until it becomes "oh you meant it!". BM> Then they can either deal with your rants, do it themselves, or not BM> have it done at all. Might have to spell some things out as to why the BM> rant. "It costs me money to return those bad checks" is a factual BM> statement but has no spine. Continue on with supporting details: "I BM> get seven to ten a month I have to send back. Average that to eight; BM> eight stamps at 50› [or whatever the price is now] is four dollars BM> (emphasize that dollar amount!)." I'd probably leave out the price of BM> envelopes and paper during the public 'rant-reply' but certainly BM> include them (plus printer ink, wear-and-tear, etc.) in any BM> negotiations with the Treasurer. ...They getting paid for their time? BM> Then you should too. DS> Myself and the organization president have been the ONLY ones DS> doing ads. I even noted "if you're not going to support the DS> organization or the publication, both will go away". That really DS> pissed them off...but they apparently never heard of what Robert DS> Heinlein noted...TANSTAFFL (there ain't no such thing as a free DS> lunch). Sort of in the others' defense not everyone is a salesperson, not every- one can do but they can be aware of opportunies and (with advertising as an example) suggest contacting the club person when their barber says something about wanting to advertise or at least let the club know of this source. BM> OTOH if you can get rid of most of the unnecessary expenses that would BM> be as good if not better than being reimbursed. DS> They didn't realize it cost so much for websites. You have the DS> domain fee that has to be paid to ICANN...the security protection DS> features...then the webhosting fee. Then, if you hire a web DS> designer, that costs as well...and if they charge per page or per DS> hour. That's part of the problem when most of the stuff on the web is available at no charge. DS> Some have suggested setting one up with Xara Web Designer...I DS> tried it, but didn't see any format I liked. Someone else DS> suggested going with godaddy, but the WordPress format has been DS> victim of numerous hacks over the years...and I don't think it's DS> worth the risk. In other words, "you get what you pay for". BM> Immediate thing I thought was "so who's the Treasurer and what's his BM> address?". So maybe reformat to something like: DS> The new form is going to have something like that...but if they DS> still can't follow directions, then I can't help them. As long as you have the backing of the President and Treasurer you're fine. If they have instructed you to shred the errant checks then shred them. If they instructed to save and hand them over next time you see one or the other then that's the procedure. BM> LISB4, put this inside a well-defined black box. I'd leave whitespace BM> (notice I indented but it sort of disappeared with the note about BM> boldfacing ASSDF). DS> Well, the President has designed a new form, but if these DS> jokers still can't follow directions, then they're either DS> careless, stupid, or lazy. The other thing is if the President designed the form then it's his or hers: that level is above yours. Reminds me of an incident at the store where a customer wanted a discount for trivial thing. Maybe like a smudge and the item should have been washed before wearing anyway. Eventually got talked into a 7% discount -- took care of the tax. Customer got greedy, talked to my manager who denied any discount. Customer comes 'crying' back to me to get my discount: nope, my boss said no so I can't do anything now. BM> Personally the business card is not me. We didn't go out to eat all BM> that much before and now -- well, I don't think we've eaten out since BM> reopening. One Mexican place we did do carry-out because the Iowa had BM> not allowed dining rooms to be re-opened yet. Their new prices were BM> astronomical, allegedly because of the price of meat: it's ground beef, BM> not a steak! I'll agree meat had gone up, but not to that degree. DS> Many places are assessing a COVID-19 fee as well. Well, in one way they are being up-front as to why the increased cost. DS> With all the driving I had to do earlier today, my feet, neck, DS> and back were just throbbing in pain. Thankfully, the pain has DS> eased off, but I may take a 400 mg Ibuprofen before bed. I took DS> one around 4:30am for groin pain (I think more likely DS> epididymytis than a kidney stone), but I was sure groggy when the DS> alarm went off. Wonder if takign breaks is possible? Trouble is, drive, use drive- through because of COIVID-19 and so can't get out of the car and stand up while walking in and standing at the counter.... BM> You've got an alarm system and we know it works from that garage window BM> incident. People can break in/things can happen while your _in_ the BM> house too. Make sure to unplug the iron. DS> The thing is, if it's a false alarm, I get fined $200 or more DS> per incident. Yes, said that before. I can't disagree; $200 isn't a pocket-change amount. OTOH figure the fee into your vacation budget. BM> You might be better off to be flying or on a train: people will be BM> around to notice you're ill, unlike being alone in the house crying out BM> "help me I've fallen and I can't get out" to no one. DS> I don't want to be in a sardine can...in the air or on the DS> ground. At least the train sleeping compartment gives me plenty DS> of room and more privacy. But, sadly, I've resigned myself to the DS> fact that those days are over. I'm thinking more temporarily on hold. You're not the only customer with concerns, so the transportation industry is either going to have to modify or loose customers. BM> Yes, one should be considerate but there are times when a degree of BM> selfishness is OK too. I don't like olives but you can have them on BM> your half of our shared pizza. Should a few be on my side I can either BM> pick them off or eat them. I absolutely will not toss the piece in BM> disgust over a couple of olive slices. (Now if I was allergic that BM> would be different; probably just cut off that section.) DS> Janice felt so bad that I couldn't eat some stuff (like corn), DS> but I told her "that's the way it is". I added "With the hot and DS> spicy stuff, that means more for you". Yes, some people 'just can't'. The good news is now restaurants are more concerned with the dietary restrictions. Used to be eat it or don't, we pretty much don't care. Now all sorts of accomodations and warnings -- thinking of those menus with a fire or chili icon to warn of a meal which is potentially hot and spicy. BM> There are advantages to 'oddball' shifts. We use to work weekends at BM> the store, mostly because part of the job was setting the ad early-ish BM> Sunday morning, but also that way had days off during the week ==> go BM> shopping and less crowded because others were working 'normal' shifts. BM> no need to take time off for doctors' appointments, etc. DS> That's a good point. But, it's harder to get an appointment for DS> "human doctors"...but not too bad to set up an appointment with DS> the vet. Of course, if your pet can spell "vet", or realize when DS> you've pulled up to the place, then all bets are off. :P It is amazing how they know! BM> Oh heck no: besides, my car is yellow and sticks out. Well, most of BM> the time: there are have been a few times the other driver isn't paying BM> attention and I'm thinking "seriously? You didn't see me??". DS> I wish there wasn't such a thing as a "blind spot". That would be nice, though if don't want the roof to collapse do need some sort of support. ¯ BarryMartin3@ ® ¯ @MyMetronet.NET ® .... PRISON BUS COLLIDES WITH CEMENT MIXER. 25 HARDENED CRIMINALS ON LOOSE. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .