Recent Posts

3501

Living Room / Re: good Videos [short films] here :)

« Last post by Deozaan on July 04, 2014, 12:25 PM »

Bumblebee in spider's web rescued by other bumblebee:
http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=Zs_3FHh3z4o

-panzer (July 03, 2014, 02:05 AM)

That's not what it looks like.

In the video, the first bee is struggling to escape from a spider’s web on a windowsill. Clearly, the bee has become trapped indoors and while bashing into the windowpane in trying to escape has become entangled in the spider’s web. The spider is nervously edging closer, but this is a big and energetic bee, prey that looks far too big for it.

Dramatically, a second bee that must also have got trapped in the house then comes crashing in, falls on its back and thrashes around a bit. As the second bee flails around on its back, it looks in one frame as if it stings the spider.

In fact, what one can see is the rear leg of the bee which happens to line up with the tip of the abdomen for a moment. It is too long and thick for a bee sting. The spider runs away, and the bees break free (as bumblebees usually do from spider’s webs).

So, sorry, this is not a noble, brave act, much as I might like it to be. This is just two clumsy bees trying to find their way home.

-http://theconversation.com/no-thats-not-a-video-of-a-bee-rescuing-its-friend-from-a-spider-28020

3502

Non-Windows Software / Re: Android malware

« Last post by Deozaan on July 04, 2014, 12:09 PM »

The way your device gets infected is "mostly from fake pron sites, and sometimes from SMS spam." So it seems there's little danger of being infected if you avoid those two.

3503

Developer's Corner / Re: Want to make some extra coin? Like a LOT of extra coin? BIG BOUNTY!

« Last post by Deozaan on July 02, 2014, 01:31 PM »

Thanks again. After reading those links, it still sounds like trust is required.

3504

Developer's Corner / Re: Want to make some extra coin? Like a LOT of extra coin? BIG BOUNTY!

« Last post by Deozaan on July 02, 2014, 12:17 PM »

Thanks. Maybe I'm being particularly daft at the moment, but that still doesn't really answer all my questions.

What if the buyer says he never receives the item?

How are disputes resolved in a "trustless" system?

3505

Developer's Corner / Re: Want to make some extra coin? Like a LOT of extra coin? BIG BOUNTY!

« Last post by Deozaan on July 02, 2014, 11:42 AM »

However, if I really did want my dollar, I could have gone and arranged with you to set up escrow, then posted the pic.

Basically, the conversation goes like this:

You) I'll give you $1 to post an alien pic from Deviant Art.

Me) Sure. Put that $1 in escrow.

You) Ok. Done.

Me) Let me check... Ok. Looks good.

...a little while later...

Me) Ok, here's your pic!

You) Great! Let's finish off the escrow.

Us) Yay! We both got what we wanted!  

At no point do we need to trust each other there. When I ask you to put the $1 in escrow, that guarantees your end of the deal, or you can look at it as me saying, "Really? For sures? Like totally for reals?" My posting of the pic is the completion of the deal before escrow completes.

-Renegade (May 20, 2014, 05:50 PM)

Please excuse my lack of understanding of the BitCoin escrow process. But your scenario didn't seem to answer the question (in my mind) about why trust isn't needed.

1. How does Tao know that you will post the picture after he puts the money in escrow? i.e., Once the money is in escrow, can he cancel the escrow if you don't fulfill your end of the bargain?

2. How do you know that TaoPhoenix will complete the escrow after you post the picture? i.e., If he can cancel the escrow, what stops him from doing so after you post the image?

3506

Living Room / Re: Anti-counterfeiting technology in 3D printing (quantum dots)

« Last post by Deozaan on July 02, 2014, 01:31 AM »

Who cares if you have the dots or not? I wouldn't mind an exact replica of something that was missing a few quantum dots.

3507

Living Room / Re: Microsoft Steals 22 Domain Names from NoIP

« Last post by Deozaan on July 01, 2014, 03:35 PM »

This sucks though. Dyn recently got rid of their free dynamic DNS service too, forcing everyone to go paid or go elsewhere.

With no-ip having long been a second most popular option, that's both of the big players in the dynamic DNS arena being down simultaneously.

-SeraphimLabs (July 01, 2014, 12:54 PM)

I pay for DynDNS and it's been a good enough value that I consider it worth the price.

That said, I just learned about DuckDNS last night. Folks here may want to look into that if they need an alternative.

3508

Living Room / Re: Microsoft Steals 22 Domain Names from NoIP

« Last post by Deozaan on July 01, 2014, 05:15 AM »

That's what I was wondering. How did Microsoft get the authority to seize the domains? That would be like me seizing all the fireworks at the local fireworks stands because some of them are illegal.

3509

Non-Windows Software / Re: LINUX: It's official - Mint 17 "Qiana" released to distribution

« Last post by Deozaan on July 01, 2014, 01:38 AM »

A totally clean install? Or something fancy like have a system partition and a data partition and only wipe the system partition and install the OS there, keeping my user/data partition from before?

-Deozaan (June 30, 2014, 06:46 PM)

I'd make a copy of /home just in case, but the current partition scheme should otherwise be fine.

-40hz (June 30, 2014, 10:28 PM)

Thanks. I'll see what happens. (c:

And while I've got you on the line, how about fixing the name of Mint 17 to "Qiana" in the OP's title?

Ok. It's done. (Not my fault they can't spell.)

And not that it will make much difference because it only fixes it in the OP.

-40hz (June 30, 2014, 10:28 PM)

Now all further replies to this thread will have the correct spelling. 

3510

Non-Windows Software / Re: LINUX: It's official - Mint 17 "Qiana" released to distribution

« Last post by Deozaan on June 30, 2014, 06:46 PM »

A totally clean install? Or something fancy like have a system partition and a data partition and only wipe the system partition and install the OS there, keeping my user/data partition from before?

And while I've got you on the line, how about fixing the name of Mint 17 to "Qiana" in the OP's title?

Sorry, it was bothering me.

But not as much as when the guy in that review video you linked pronounced it like "quinoa" (keen-wah).

https://www.youtube....v=sW_BOkrcjEY#t=1080

3511

Non-Windows Software / Re: LINUX: It's official - Mint 17 "Quina" released to distribution

« Last post by Deozaan on June 30, 2014, 04:21 PM »

Is there any way to upgrade an older installation to the latest version? I have a working Mint 15 install. Instead of starting it all over from scratch, it would be nice if I could tell it to upgrade itself. I went into the Update Manager and updated everything, but it still says it is running Mint 15.

3512

Living Room / Re: Animal Friends thread

« Last post by Deozaan on June 28, 2014, 08:24 PM »

Nothing about these two videos makes sense.

First video: Why would you just stand there and film your kid drown, saying "Goat in the water!" instead of going in after him yourself?

Second video: It's Comedy Central. Lots of things he says are silly and obviously not true (or not meant to be taken seriously). Such as the death penalty part for breaking the NDA.

Personally, I don't trust either video.

3513

Living Room / Re: Movie news and views

« Last post by Deozaan on June 27, 2014, 02:52 PM »

^ That.  Though seeing Welsh translations, I'm not sure that some unknown Elder God wasn't behind it...  

-wraith808 (June 26, 2014, 09:41 PM)

Ah, but aren't they all unknown?

(Or rather, unknowable.)

3514

General Software Discussion / Re: How to Sell Digital Products with Google Drive and PayPal

« Last post by Deozaan on June 27, 2014, 06:10 AM »

This probably counts as one of the "other services with 5% commisions," but there's also Sellbox which works with Dropbox as well as Google Drive.

https://sellboxhq.com/

3515

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Deozaan on June 26, 2014, 05:58 PM »

Oh.

3516

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Deozaan on June 26, 2014, 05:51 PM »

From a book store signing.  And don't blame the messenger when you get it!

-wraith808 (June 26, 2014, 01:28 PM)

I don't get it. Is it Libba Brary? Or is the Butcher Skin Game the joke?

3517

Living Room / Re: MPAA brings about Streisand effect - /r/FullLengthFilms

« Last post by Deozaan on June 26, 2014, 03:32 AM »

Um... More context please? I clicked the link but all I saw was what you quoted, and a bunch of replies.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: When it comes to Reddit, I just don't geddit.

3518

Developer's Corner / Re: Programming on a Keyboard… a Piano Keyboard

« Last post by Deozaan on June 25, 2014, 03:49 PM »

Heh heh. I love the caption on the image (in the quote).

3519

DC Gamer Club / Re: Magrunner FREE on GOG for 24 hours! (June 18, 2014)

« Last post by Deozaan on June 25, 2014, 03:43 PM »

My complaint is that the flash sales on GOG end at weird times. I saw something on sale the other day, it looked interesting from the "box" art, but I'd never heard of it so I watched the trailer for it and was convinced that I should buy it. When I added it to my cart, the sale had ended. This was at something like 20-25 minutes after the hour. I would have expected a sale to end on the hour, or at least in half-hour intervals. Not at 6:22 (for example).

That really annoyed me.

3520

Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!

« Last post by Deozaan on June 24, 2014, 07:53 PM »

Hey, is that Glen Hansard of The Frames?

I think he (Glen) and she (Maria?) have a band together. Or at least an album or two. Definitely worth checking out

-Deozaan (June 24, 2014, 07:13 PM)

I lived in Dublin when the Frames were in full swing (the 90's), but never saw them

Heard one of Glen Hansard's albums when passing a record shop a couple of years ago - didnt know who it was, but it prompted me to go in and buy it -

https://www.youtube..../watch?v=MgFTM4sdW70
https://www.youtube..../watch?v=uZiCW4w3mI0

-tomos (June 24, 2014, 07:36 PM)

I didn't even hear about the Frames until 2003 or 2004. My sister invited me on a whim to go to a Damien Rice concert. I didn't particularly love Damien Rice's music, but I'd never been to a concert before, so I went. The Frames opened that evening and I bought their CD and have been a fan of them ever since.

I haven't kept up with Damien Rice. It was a pretty good/enjoyable concert, but I definitely enjoyed The Frames more.

BTW, I just looked it up and the band/album the two folks from the video up above have is called The Swell Season^w. Her name is Markéta Irglová. Again, it's definitely worth checking out.

3521

Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!

« Last post by Deozaan on June 24, 2014, 07:13 PM »

Here's the lovely scene from the movie Once where we get to hear the song Falling Slowly.

Some background: The film is about a Dublin vacuum repairman and street busker (know only as "the guy" in the script) who dreams of putting a demo recording together and making a stab at a music career in London "once" he's ready.

While performing a few of his songs on the street he is approached by a woman (a Czech immigrant worker known only as "the girl" in the script) who annoys him by asking several questions about his songs. When he tells her he's really only a busker, and is actually an appliance repairman, the girl is delighted. She has a broken vacuum cleaner and asks him to repair it. After tugging her canister vacuum across Dublin the next day to his repair shop and getting it fixed she mentions that she is a musician too. When the guy asks if he can hear her play, she explains she's a pianist and doesn't have the money to buy an instrument. But she tells him there's a music store not too far away that lets her play the store instruments from time to time. They set off, him carrying his guitar and she dragging her vacuum cleaner behind her. When they arrive at the music store the following scene takes place as he shows her one of his songs - and to his surprise sees her quickly master it, sparking a near perfect duet...

I particularly enjoyed this because anybody who has ever played music seriously has a similar experience sooner or later. It doesn't even have to be this romantic - and it's usually not. But there are those magic moments when you're playing along with someone else and something suddenly clicks - and real music springs into existence.

It's one of the most gratifying experiences ever. And the thing that absolutely makes all the lonely and frustrating years of study and practice feel like a bargain - the best you ever had.

-40hz (June 23, 2014, 02:21 PM)

Hey, is that Glen Hansard of The Frames?

I think he (Glen) and she (Maria?) have a band together. Or at least an album or two. Definitely worth checking out.

3522

DC Gamer Club / Re: Torchlight FREE on GOG for 1 hour! (June 24, 2014)

« Last post by Deozaan on June 24, 2014, 07:05 PM »

Torchlight is one of the freebies for about the next hour:

http://www.gog.com/

3523

Living Room / Re: Watch lightning strikes in real-time

« Last post by Deozaan on June 24, 2014, 04:49 PM »

Glass packs?  I haven't heard that term in a long time.  Also known as Cherry Bombs or Smittys.   

-techidave (June 24, 2014, 05:26 AM)

Yup.  I'm showing my age.  I have a feeling I'm going to feel my age soon.

-MilesAhead (June 24, 2014, 05:54 AM)

Am I showing my age when I say I have no idea what either of you are talking about?

3524

Living Room / Re: Programmers: What size monitors do you guys prefer?

« Last post by Deozaan on June 24, 2014, 03:08 AM »

I just got my 27" 2560x1440 monitor.

I'm still trying to figure out how to position it on my small desk next to my 25" 1920x1200 monitor, but so far I'm liking it.

I was worried about ordering it off eBay from a Korean seller. Worried it might be a piece of junk, or that it would be damaged, or have tons of dead pixels, or that if I had to return it due to defectiveness it would cost an arm and a leg for shipping, etc., but the seller had a very high rating and I searched through the customer feedback for the monitor and all but one were good feedback. So I took a chance on it.

I'm happy to report that shipping was really fast (it came from Korea faster than some items I ordered from elsewhere in the USA from Amazon!) and there are no dead pixels and the image quality seems to pretty good. It's at least superior to my old monitor as far as brightness, contrast, viewing angles, etc. go.

I would definitely recommend it for a single monitor setup.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to handle the dual-monitor setup. To get it to fit on my desk I've turned my old monitor at an angle and pushed the new monitor a lot farther back than my old one used to be. This means that in addition to the higher resolution (which means smaller looking text) it's also far enough away from me that my myopia affects how well I can see it. This means I will likely have to wear my glasses while at my desk, and they tend to give me a headache after a while. But who knows. Maybe my next big purchase will be some LASIK surgery to fix my vision and that will no longer be an issue. If it wasn't for the vision issue, I think I'm already at a point where I like it enough to say that I would wholeheartedly recommend it in a dual-monitor setup. Heck, two of them would be pretty cool side by side!

3525

Living Room / Re: Has anyone noticed Youtube bandwidth requirements just increased?

« Last post by Deozaan on June 23, 2014, 02:29 AM »

I was just uploading something (which was using up all my upload bandwidth, causing my download speeds to be poor) and a YouTube video had to pause a couple of times to buffer, then a link appeared under the video with something like "Experiencing interruptions? Find out why!" So I clicked it and got taken to this page:

https://www.google.c.../videoqualityreport/

I'm posting it here because it seems somewhat related to this thread. Like it's in preparation of Net Neutrality (i.e. analyzing traffic in case ISPs such as Comcast throttle the YouTube bandwidth).