Miscellaneous Discussion Thread

It doesn't deserve its own thread, so I'll put it here.

The US Men's Soccer team failed to qualify for next year's World Cup for the first time since Reagan was president. I watched the match against Trinidad & Tobago (who ended up in last place in 5th Round qualifications) last night, and it was pathetic. Very little desire shown by the team, and the only time they played with any urgency was in the last 5 minutes of the game. All they needed was a draw to qualify. They lost 2-1.

Not sure what the fix is, but US Soccer is definitely broken.

Did I say thread?, I don't even think this deserves it's own post!

Quote: beachbumbabs

I don't know why anybody watches the sideline reports. I get nothing out of them. So I don't really care if it's a man or woman.

Occasionally, the sideline reporters will come up with some pertinent injury info, or explain something going on with one of the teams that the normal coverage doesn't pick up, but yeah, I agree -- mostly useless. The worst is the coach interview on the way to the locker room at halftime. Has any coach ever said anything of significance answering these questions, ever?

Quote: odiousgambit

At first I didnt like Collingsworth, but when I realized he made an effort to cover the offensive and defensive line as much as he could, he won me over.

I agree. Collinsworth is the best NFL broadcast analyst out there.

Should I buy this watercolor?

Asking price is $450.

1.) Click, "Save Picture As."

2.) E-Mail the picture to yourself.

3.) Go to Staples.

4.) Ask them to turn the picture into an appropriately sized sign.

5.) Buy a frame.

6.) ???

7.) Save hundreds.

8.) You're welcome.

world cup soccer??

What is the use of having an American team playing when the much more easily corrupted foreign countries will make more money for the fixers?

Quote: MrV

Should I buy this watercolor?

do you have a space in your house that needs something?

is the painting a one of a kind? at least not mass-produced?

is it "not tiny"

do you like it?

If all these things are true, $450 is not a lot by any standard, but especially if the frame is nice

Big +1 to the female journalist mumblings. I caught one of those sports shows at Applebees the other day and was quite taken aback. This chick looked like... man, I can't even come up with a simile better than Melania Trump. In other words, someone whose entire skill set appears to be appearance. I know almost all TV personalities need to have a beauty factor, but even this was way overdone. So much hair, so much makeup, the pencil black cocktail dress, she looked like a very high end hooker. I don't mean that in a bad way, that's a great look for many women a lot of different times. But in a sports show?

Andrea Kremer is a fantastic example of it done right. When I see and hear her, I do neither, if you ken my meaning. I don't notice her looks, don't notice her sex, don't notice her voice, it's just a person doing foosball really well. This other stuff? It's almost offensive. Seven and a half billion tits in the world, and the internet offers most of them. I want defense, not d-cups.

Quote: Joeman

.... Collinsworth is the best NFL broadcast analyst out there.

I think Tony Romo is better. His insights go beyond the game. He's in the player's and coach's heads.

The only time I really listen to the announcers is on the Radio. I really like James Lofton.

There was a funny episode on the Rams game last week. The game back from break early and caught Mourice Jones Drew reminicing about the Playboy Mansion. There was an awkward pause before the PBP guy said, "So, we're back with the Rams down 13-10.


I agree with Babs that the essential element for doing color is to be an ex-player. And in the case of womens' tennis or gymnastics or soccer (if I were to theoretically watch a womens soccer game) I'd want one who played the womans game. Tell a little story about facing Martina or whatever.

Baseball, especially on the radio, is just two or three guys hanging out. Only way it can work.

Interesting article written about Maxpen:

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/10/17/bigfoot-reportedly-sighted-in-northern-california-pictures-go-viral.html

Max, next time don't use such a sh***y camera.

Mehhhh...It's 2017, dude needs to get a better camera.

"Gord Downie, the lead singer for the beloved Canadian alt-rock band the Tragically Hip, died Tuesday at the age of 53. The cause was terminal brain cancer."
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tragically-hips-gord-downie-dead-at-53-w504219

Bobcaygen is one of my top 5 favorite all time songs. Thank you Gord and Canada.

Kevin Spacey. *Sigh*

I'm more shocked at the fact he didn't just flat out deny the allegations.

Quote: AxelWolf

Kevin Spacey. *Sigh*

I'm more shocked at the fact he didn't just flat out deny the allegations.

I don’t want to believe. Evidently more people coming out now....

Maybe now this will make him eligible to be president for real.

I used to work in Hollywood years ago, and it was kind of an open secret in that industry that he liked much younger men. I specifically say "men" because all the stories I heard, as smarmy as they were, involved adults over the age of 18. Never heard the underage stories until now. Gross.

Quote: TigerWu

I used to work in Hollywood years ago, and it was kind of an open secret in that industry that he liked much younger men. I specifically say "men" because all the stories I heard, as smarmy as they were, involved adults over the age of 18. Never heard the underage stories until now. Gross.

Here's a question I've been meaning to ask here for a while, and just by sheer coincidence, it happens to involve Kevin Spacey.

In that (terrible) movie 21, the main kid makes hundreds of thousands of dollars counting cards, and he hides it all in cash in the ceiling of his dorm room, where Kevin Spacey is easily able to steal it from him.

Why couldn't he just deposit it into a bank legitimately where it would be safe? Didn't he acquire it legally? Why couldn't he just report it as "gambling winnings" on his taxes? Is this just a case of the movie being terribly written, or was there some real-life reason and the real-life MIT team actually did stuff like this? I read the book years ago but I completely forget what happens.

The only thing I could think of was that they were using fake IDs in the movie, but I wouldn't think that would be any real obstacle to actually depositing money in a bank on the other side of a country and paying taxes on it in your own name.

First of all, that movie was very much "Hollywooded".

The teams were largely Orientals, not so in the movie.

Those were "operating funds" that they needed and also with a changing group who wants to open a bank account to alert the IRS and to have something that can be claimed by a former team member or a wannabe. Many people tried out for the team and felt they were wrongfully excluded. Many were kicked off the team for a perceived lack of diligence so there is no advantage to having a formal bank account. The MIT team may have had all these silly 'cover stories' but it did not take long for the casinos to focus on New England speech patterns for people who claimed to be from New Jersey or something.

Also a bank account would obligate one person for taxes and how do you force others to pony up their share of what you had to pay the IRS?

Remember, before going to Vegas the team did a test run in Connecticut and lost a bundle!

Quote: TigerWu

I used to work in Hollywood years ago, and it was kind of an open secret in that industry that he liked much younger men. I specifically say "men" because all the stories I heard, as smarmy as they were, involved adults over the age of 18. Never heard the underage stories until now. Gross.

It's been an open secret for many many years. Friends of mine who worked security at gay clubs in LA and here told me about it years ago. Being attracted to young looking guys isn't a crime. Supposedly he and Brian Singer used to throw special nights at clubs and personally select only the youngest to get in. Dating them isn't, if they are legal. Having sex or trying to have sex with a 14 year old is, and should be. Not sure what the legal age of consent is in NY or what it was back then. Can't imagine it was 14, in any event.
However, should a single accusation from almost thirty years ago be enough to derail a mans career? I don't want to accuse the victim, but what was a fourteen year old boy doing in Spaceys apartment late at night? Where were his parents or guardians?
One guy gets accused of inappropriate behavior and gets elected President. Another loses his career and his company. A third looks to have had his career ended by a thirty year old charge. Beware of Witch Hunts. Who knows where the next accusation will come from or who will be accused. Evidently, proof is no longer needed.

Quote: billryan

However, should a single accusation from almost thirty years ago be enough to derail a mans career?

Problem is, many of these people hear about a Weinstein, and how many people didn't speak up for years, and don't know if they are a single case or one in a long chain of victims.

Quote: billryan

One guy gets accused of inappropriate behavior and gets elected President. Another loses his career and his company. A third looks to have had his career ended by a thirty year old charge.

It's possible things have only just reached a tipping point with the general public in the last 6-8 months. Sure, the Cosby accusations have been going on a while, and Corey Feldman has apparently been talking about it for years, but maybe now the problem is just too big to ignore and write off as "locker room talk," or "oops, I was drunk."

Now it looks as if the dam is starting to break. If the election had been held this year instead of last year, we might be looking at President Clinton.

Quote: billryan

It's been an open secret for many many years.
However, should a single accusation from almost thirty years ago be enough to derail a mans career?
what was a fourteen year old boy doing in Spaceys apartment late at night?
Beware of Witch Hunts. Evidently, proof is no longer needed.

An open secret but the 14 year old was just their for an autograph and never heard any such rumors.

A lynch mob has no need for proof of anything.

This believe the victim, never question the victim never blame the victim stuff has to end.

Damn. You actually posted something I agree with.

Quote: TigerWu

It's possible things have only just reached a tipping point with the general public in the last 6-8 months. Sure, the Cosby accusations have been going on a while, and Corey Feldman has apparently been talking about it for years, but maybe now the problem is just too big to ignore and write off as "locker room talk," or "oops, I was drunk."

Now it looks as if the dam is starting to break. If the election had been held this year instead of last year, we might be looking at President Clinton.

There is a big difference between engaging in some locker room talk VS trying to engage in some romper room c***.

How does the saying go? It is better to be caught with a dead girl than a live boy.

Quote: FleaStiff

An open secret but the 14 year old was just their for an autograph and never heard any such rumors.

A lynch mob has no need for proof of anything.

This believe the victim, never question the victim never blame the victim stuff has to end.

I agree innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof shouldn’t be on the accused.

Victims are generally believed because false accusations are very rare. They happen though, I’m sure you can find hundreds of reports of them, but it’s a very low percentage compared to real complaints. However I’m sure it’s higher when the accused is a celebrity.

I've seen enough of Elliot Stabler to know men (of any age) can't be raped.

Kevin Spacey: he's toast.

Apt.

don't know how well this holds up.

Quote:

these two groups are not at all alike. In fact, rape victims aren’t even a group; they have no unifying traits. They can be young or old, black or white, men or women, gay or straight, rich or poor—anyone at all. Even a 65-year-old man can be a victim of rape.
 
Almost invariably, adult false accusers who persist in pursuing charges have a previous history of bizarre fabrications or criminal fraud.
 
When one looks at a series of fabricated sexual assaults, on the other hand, patterns immediately begin to emerge. The most striking of these is that, almost invariably, adult false accusers who persist in pursuing charges have a previous history of bizarre fabrications or criminal fraud.

https://qz.com/980766/the-truth-about-false-rape-accusations/

Quote: AxelWolf

How does the saying go? It is better to be caught with a dead girl than a live boy.

Lol,. I hadn't heard that one before but its surely true, particularly in Hollywood.

The trouble is that one a rape complaint results in a conviction or a payoff, there is no way to determine that it was a false allegation. The cops sure stop investigating once it goes to the DA.

One woman in San Luis Opisbo made a repe allegation and the "rapist' proved he was four states away at the time. Without that hotel video he would have been a goner.

The UK actually sentenced a "serial rape victim' to two years in jail since she had harmed so many men.

Quote: FleaStiff

The UK actually sentenced a "serial rape victim' to two years in jail since she had harmed so many men.

Must have been her teeth .

Any opinions here for the UFC 217 Bisping GSP fight? Romes, Rigs etc?

Quote: Mooseton

Any opinions here for the UFC 217 Bisping GSP fight? Romes, Rigs etc?

GSP of two years ago kills Bisping. Who knows after such a long layoff? I like Bisping as an analyst. I don't like many of his fights.

First I'm hearing of it. I hope GSP hasn't bitten off more than he can chew in his return after such a long layoff. Classic good vs evil storyline.

True or false.

Quote:

In traditional vampire folklore, the bloodsuckers have arithmomania, a compulsion to count.

(one assumes they are still bj players in casinos everywhere -- open all night)

Quote: rxwine

[vampire arithmomania]

never saw that in a movie!

odd legend

btw my father had a compulsion to count to a hundred just prior to passing away

Quote: rxwine

True or false.



(one assumes they are still bj players in casinos everywhere -- open all night)

I've heard that one before... If you're being chased by a vampire, throw a box of matches on the ground and the vampire will have to stop and count. Also, you can swim across a river or stream, since vampires can't cross running water.

OJ Simpson, got tossed and banned from Cosmopolitan bar Wednesday. No juice for OJ.

Quote: rxwine

OJ Simpson, got tossed and banned from Cosmopolitan bar Wednesday. No juice for OJ.

It's only a matter of time before he commits another crime.

I know there are a ton of good computer people on this forum so I wanted to ask this question.

A while back I mentioned starting a business. Well it looks like it is going to happen here in the next 3 months. I am putting together a business plan and there is one thing I am struggling with.

Our setup is going to be a server + network printer + 4 work stations with need for expanding to 10.

What do I need to account for in the server room?
At work we have an external firewall, is that needed or do people just use software?

I assume I will need a server and a hub/switch of some sort.

Can someone recommend a decent and not overly priced server and what server software ok nowadays. I was on dells site and they give an option of about 30 servers and 7 operating systems. It looks like windows server 2016 is the common one.

The way our software works is you load it on each computer but the data base is installed on the server and multiple PCs would access the same database at once. We are not doing engineering or games or anything that has high intensity graphics. My current work is using a server from 2004.

Thanks for any help.

I am offering a small amount of help, as the last real work I did in this area was 2012. So ancient history. But to continue...

(outdated advice deleted before posting). I did some searching, and I'm hopelessly archaic. There are some good articles on neweggbusiness.com about this, and some advice and ratings on cnet as to specific components.

I think you need switches, router with a UTM and hard firewall, a VPN if you're going to allow off-site access, a server with room to grow, and something like Azure SQL for database templates, management, and cloud storage. I don't think you want wireless hookups, use RJ ethernet cables instead, though printer access could be wireless. I could be very wrong.

I liked the looks and features of this server:
https://www.cnet.com/products/asustor-as-604t-nas-server/review/

Yeah, I'll shut up now, and let the experts chime in.Good luck with the new business!

Quote: beachbumbabs

I am offering a small amount of help, as the last real work I did in this area was 2012. So ancient history. But to continue...

(outdated advice deleted before posting). I did some searching, and I'm hopelessly archaic. There are some good articles on neweggbusiness.com about this, and some advice and ratings on cnet as to specific components.

I think you need switches, router with a UTM and hard firewall, a VPN if you're going to allow off-site access, a server with room to grow, and something like Azure SQL for database templates, management, and cloud storage. I don't think you want wireless hookups, use RJ ethernet cables instead, though printer access could be wireless. I could be very wrong.

I liked the looks and features of this server:
https://www.cnet.com/products/asustor-as-604t-nas-server/review/

Yeah, I'll shut up now, and let the experts chime in.Good luck with the new business!

In 2001 I owned a computer sales business and we did networking. I was very good with hardware but when I read these things I am lost. Makes me sad a little.

I have my grand opening flyer hanging on my gameroom wall. I will take a pic when I get home. It was something like amd gigahertz with 16 ram for $1500. Add 17 inch monitor for 599

Quote: GWAE

In 2001 I owned a computer sales business and we did networking. I was very good with hardware but when I read these things I am lost. Makes me sad a little.

I have my grand opening flyer hanging on my gameroom wall. I will take a pic when I get home. It was something like amd gigahertz with 16 ram for $1500. Add 17 inch monitor for 599

Sorry, I'll decode my post some, and let others pick it apart.

Switches are the place you plug in each individual component, and it sorts out the traffic from various peripherals, whether they're workstations (keyboard/monitor data entry stations), printers, servers, whatever.

Your router connects you to the Internet and provides a hard firewall (actually router built-in software) if you buy/enable it, rather than depending on a program system firewall. A lot of times, this equipment is sold as a single unit.

A UTM (unified threat management) device can be either hardware or software, but provides additional layers of security to your basic firewall. It can also provide a VPN (virtual private network) portal that allows you to dial directly into your database from anywhere in a secure way; you're connecting to the brains of your sever from a laptop somewhere. Or you can do a separate VPN utility.

Your server is where you configure and store your database templates and data on-site, and acts as the operating system brain and storage for your workstations. Most servers have drop-in slots for hard drives, so you can expand your storage as you need it.

However, you may want to store most or even all of your data in the Cloud, but my experience pre-dates most of the Cloud-based applications and services, so I have no good info for you about doing this. The cloud does make it less expensive than maintaining hard-drive data trecords, but I have serious reservations about reliability, corruption, and theft.

Wireless LAN (local area network) connections mean there's a data signal that can be intercepted and stolen within range, like maybe outside the building. Your data should be encrypted, but still could be vulnerable. A wireless system could be part of your router, or a separate box peripheral. If you do this, you will probably need to buy little aircards that talk to the main box, one per workstation, or the workstations may have them installed already.

So if you're collecting or manipulating sensitive data, I think (my opinion) you're better off with hard cabling to your workstations that plug into the back of your switches. The hard cabling looks like a larger landline phone plug, and the industry calls it RJ45 cable, or Ethernet. The longer the cable run, the longer your lag. There are price points that help cables carry more data, with different qualities, but since you're not doing graphic -intensive work, you should be happy with basic quality.

SQL seems to be the current industry-standard programming language for database applications. I think you will be able to find a number of programs that use it or can translate it into their programs.

Azure SQL seems to be a Cloud-based data suite that will provide functions for you to do more than just enter data: it has templates, ways to manage, design, and integrate data from various lists you generate, like billing, mailing, product lines, etc. They also offer Cloud storage for all of this. It's Microsoft, which probably means some third party designed a really good suite and MS bought the company and now supports it. I haven't researched it much, so I could be wrong. I used it as an example of what's out there, not as a specific recommendation.

There's no one right answer. It depends on:

How many workstations, now and future.
The level of sensitivity of your data.
The speed you need for computation and data flow at the volume you anticipate having.
The desirability by category and visibility of your business to hackers.
The sophistication of your operators, whether they need to stay very basic, with a large operating shell, or can work easily with basic software that doesn't "think" for them.
Whether you need LAN- exterior secure access.
Budget, but don't cheap out with freeware or skip security.

Some of those questions, you've covered answers, others you haven't. But a suggestion on where you might start.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Sorry, I'll decode my post some,

Until BeachBumBabs is permanently gone from this site, I'm gone!! See ya's.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Until BeachBumBabs is permanently gone from this site, I'm gone!! See ya's.

Round #2?

Where was round 1?

Quote: billryan

Where was round 1?

Bottom of this page, and beyond (earlier) - https://wizardofvegas.com/member/ibeatyouraces/posts/255/

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Until BeachBumBabs is permanently gone from this site, I'm gone!! See ya's.

You know what they say about that door on your way out.

So whats your problem? Just look at how helpful she was being.

Quote: beachbumbabs

The desirability by category and visibility of your business to hackers.

With all these botnets and people using YOUR cpu cycles to mine bitcoins on their behalf, I think there is a real threat even if your business is really mundane and barely visible on the internet.

Don't forget physical access to the server is your main threat.

The Las Vegas marathon is hell.

Why would you choose to shut down the strip which is not only one of the busier stretches of road in the country (I suppose), but also the divider between the 2 halves of the city? Basically, the whole city was crippled to indulge a bunch of narcissists who can't run without ruining everyone elses day.

Ubered a couple who missed their flight because it took an hour, no joke, to get out of the Venetian. So they were out at least $500. I wonder how many others?

How many people had 2 hour plus drives home from work?

How much gas was burned? How many total hours of people's time was wasted?

Insane.

Just insane - i couldn’t even get out of the palazzo. I need to get out tonight and I’m just stuck here I’m so frigging incensed