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Comment Consumers call for end of DRM and AC4 on ATSC3 (Score 1) 47

Three big problems with ATSC3: DRM, AC4, and Cost. DRM and AC4 add cost and restrictions so manufactures are not building in ATSC3 tuners to OTA TVs.
DRM limits/disables free viewing of free OTA TV and AC4 removes the audio because the codec is not free.
While ATSC3 offers better OTA signal quality and picture, no one is watching it, because you can't for free...

Comment Flat tire = Rent a car to get home (Score 1) 314

Been there, done that. Had a BMW (not EV) with run flats and no spare. Hit a nasty pothole on the Bruckner Expressway and quickly got a low pressure warning. The pothole had shattered the sidewall of the tire. No tire in a can would fix that. No spare. Nothing. 100 miles from home. BMW roadside assistance was of no help because we were on a state highway and they would not come to help until we got off. They recommended that we don't drive the car (thanks for the oxymoron). We drove off the highway to a different gas station and called roadside assistance again. They happily told us they would come tow the car back a Manhattan dealer (not where we live) and replace it for free. They would not bring a spare. The dealer did not have a tire/rim in stock and would not for a few days. I had to rent a car from Enterprise in the Bronx because BMW roadside assistance said "we" were not their problem after they tow the car.

Comment Voluntary donation late fee (Score 1) 163

Netflix allowed you to keep DVDs and get new ones when your returned the old ones, but they had a monthly subscription fee. Keep the 'late fees' but account for them and request them as a voluntary donation not a punitive fee. Those who can not pay, don't pay. Those who can pay should pay more as a donation and apology. But if you have too many books out or late returns then you can't borrow any new items.

If someone is going to borrow a book and NOT return it then a late fee (or lack of one) is not going to change that. Some people don't want to return books because there is a late fee and they can't pay it (or at least fear it).

"Thank you for returning your book. I see it's late.... would you like to donate the fee to the library or do you want it free without penalty?"

The sign over the night drop should say, "All books returned here will not incur a late fee, but donations are welcome: QR code Venmo"

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