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Comment: Time to compromise? (Score 2, Interesting) 350

I think its time to dedicate a very narrow-band low-frequency for a polite "bit." Any business should be able to apply to purchase a transmitter with a 25-foot radius that sets cell devices to silent or vibrate. Perfect for restaurants and theaters, yet it still allows people to use their devices.

Comment: "Lossless" (Score 1) 749

by GWBasic (#43255091) Attached to: Can You Really Hear the Difference Between Lossless, Lossy Audio?

My understanding is that 256 or 360kbps AAC is, for all intents and purposes, highly accurate.

Something that the discussions don't really cover are "lossless" formats like DTS and Dolby Digital HD. These formats tend to use about 6-1000 kbps, yet don't incorporate the phase-changes that MP3 and AAC do. From what I understand, the resulting sound is more accurate than merely decimating 24bit to 16bit.

Comment: Buy "disposable" stuff (Score 1) 770

by GWBasic (#42969283) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Starting From Scratch After a Burglary?

Buy "disposable" stuff. Technology breaks, gets obsolete, gets lost, gets stolen, ect.

Example: A few years ago, I bought a $2500 42" TV. It broke after 3 years, so I replaced it with a $1000 55". I didn't miss much, because both TVs are just basic HDMI without a lot of features.

Likewise, with your computers, make sure that they are capable of using some kind of magic cloud backup so that you can quickly get your stuff back. Dropbox runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Comment: Wire for local ISPs (Score 1) 257

by GWBasic (#40210617) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Provisioning Internet For Condo Association?
The apartment that I just moved into is wired for cable, with hookups for Comcast and AT&T. Just wire your condos for cable and phone according to the recommendations of your local cable and phone companies; and then have your tenants get cable modems or DSL. The best way to get good service is to ensure that your residents can easily choose among 2-3 competing ISPs, and let the ISPs deal with the headaches.

Comment: It depends on what you're motivating people to do (Score 1) 290

by GWBasic (#39971991) Attached to: Is Gamification a Good Motivator?
It really depends on what you're motivating people to do, and who your employees are. If you have employees where you need to trust their judgement on what is a good use of their time; things like leaderboards can backfire when the best employees decide that the metric is for things like TPS reports.

Comment: Re:I switched back (Score 1) 998

by GWBasic (#39663871) Attached to: Hybrid Car Owners Not Likely To Buy Another Hybrid
I bought the stick. When I found out that the 2012 model has a CVT, I had that, "if only I could have waited" feeling. The new Subarus are quiet and silky smooth like my old Hybrid. If it's any consolation, my girlfriend just got a new CRV, and its Bluetooth support is very flaky. Subaru's Bluetooth is very reliable.

Comment: Re:I switched back (Score 1) 998

by GWBasic (#39640591) Attached to: Hybrid Car Owners Not Likely To Buy Another Hybrid
Oh, the Impreza is awesome on country roads and in snow. What I liked about my Honda Civic hybrid, and why I considered the Insight, is that they're very quiet and smooth with gentle acceleration. For gentle acceleration, my Impreza goes "Vrrroooom-shift-Vrrrrooooom-shift-Vrrrroooooooooommm." The Honda hybrids are much more graceful, although you pay for it!

Comment: I switched back (Score 5, Informative) 998

by GWBasic (#39624703) Attached to: Hybrid Car Owners Not Likely To Buy Another Hybrid
I switched back from hybrid to conventional. In 2003 I bought a Civic Hybrid, last year I considered an Insight but bought a Subaru Impreza Sport. Here's why:
  • I could only take the car to the dealer for anything more complicated then an oil change. Regular mechanics refused to look at the car. My check-engine light was on, and the dealer told me that I needed a new catalytic converter for $2-3000 dollars. (The guy who bought the car from me told me it was an inexpensive sensor that needed to be replaced.)
  • I wanted four-wheel-drive so I could go through CA chain checks when I go skiing.
  • My 7-year-old hybrid Civic was only worth about $2,000. Normally Civics hold their value.

My 2011 Impreza cost me $20,000, and is a compact car. The only 4wd hybrids are large SUVs, which cost $30,000. Even at $4.00 a gallon, $10,000 buys a lot of gas. At 21 miles a gallon, $10,000 buys over 57,000 miles worth of gas!

Furthermore, Subaru service charges a lot less money then Honda service, and their accessories cost less. Honda charged me $400 for rubber floor mats, and Subaru charged me $100 for rubber floor mats.

Now, had I not wanted 4wd, I probably would have bought the Insight. I really prefer its quietness and smoothness over the Impreza. On the other hand, given that Honda service is expensive, regular mechanics won't work on Honda hybrids, and that the Insight would probably be worthless after 7 years, I'm probably going to spend less money owning the Impreza.

Comment: Re:I Can't Help But Feel (Score 2) 294

by GWBasic (#39446053) Attached to: Blackjack Player Breaks the Bank At Atlantic City
The article explains how he won: He negotiated got the odds very close to 50/50, and once he was on a winning streak, continued. He would only walk once he was down $500,000, but only owe $400,000. In contrast, the casinos wouldn't shut him off until he was up in the millions. Basically, instead of counting cards, he got lucky at outsmarting the casinos at their own business.

Comment: Theater (Score 1) 409

by GWBasic (#39331429) Attached to: What Is Your Favorite Way of Watching a Movie

I like going to the theater: It's an excuse to go people watching and get out of the house. I'm also able to focus on the movie because it's rude to pull out my phone or laptop.

Granted, I like the fact that I can drink or smoke anything I want from the comfort of my own couch. I'm sure I'll go to the theater less often when I have kids.

Well, O.K. I'll compromise with my principles because of EXISTENTIAL DESPAIR!

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