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Comment Re: Something to learn (Score 1) 197

They've installed quite a few chargers in the on-street parking around here in SW London, as well as adding charging sockets a lot of existing lamp posts.

There are other solutions for people who don't have off-street parking too:
https://www.gov.uk/government/...

The situation is constantly changing and improving.

Comment Re: How does it know? (Score 1) 44

Thereâ(TM)s something called hyper focal length: the shortest distance at which a lens can focus and keep infinity in focus. Aperture size affects this, so depth of field gets worse in low light when the aperture (or human pupil) is larger. As for camera view finders, they have a focus adjustment.

But youâ(TM)re right: how will it know what youâ(TM)re looking at? Look at all the photos people take where the subject is out of focus and the background is in sharp focus. My middle aged eyes require multi focal glasses and Iâ(TM)m always hunting for the right viewing angle. Itâ(TM)s mostly a short and middle distance thing. Perhaps this new tech looks at the convergence of the eyes to calculate the viewing distance, although that wonâ(TM)t work for a significant number of people who donâ(TM)t see in stereo.

Comment Re: Not going to happen (Score 3, Interesting) 87

No need to pretend: some English sparkling wines are now very good. I particularly like Nyetimber. South east England has the same chalky soils as the Champagne region of northern France and climate change has improved the growing conditions, along with growth in experienced wine makers.

Comment Re: why did they do that? (Score 1) 59

Where did they get the metadata from? Iâ(TM)m guessing they buy it from somewhere, and theyâ(TM)ll have to keep it up-to-date.

At one point, we were owned by Rovi, who had an office somewhere like Michigan that would acquire shiny discs, fingerprint them and have somebody manually enter the metadata. A company like that was never cheap, and I bet they got more expensive as their business contracted.

There are free, crowd sourced metadata providers, and while not the software doesnâ(TM)t work as well, it does mean there are alternatives to WMP.

Comment Re: Data in The Cloud ... (Score 4, Informative) 59

I've been using Exact Audio Copy to rip my CDs since about 2006. It's not quite as slick as WMP when it comes to UX, but it does the job and it has been updated a few times when metadata providers change. You can output to multiple formats, so you can create your lossless archive and your compressed versions in one pass. It is pretty persistent if you have some scratches.

Comment Re: eSIM was never about customers (Score 1) 95

Iâ(TM)m writing this in Costa Rica, courtesy of my Airalo eSIM. I didnâ(TM)t need to register a local SIM with my passport and itâ(TM)s less than half the price of the daily roaming passes from my provider back home. I currently have six travel eSIMs in my phone, although some are expired and I should delete them. The OP isnâ(TM)t so niche. That said, I appreciate having a physical SIM in my phone because I do swap it out and put it in an old âoegigâ phone that I wonâ(TM)t cry over if it gets lost in a mosh pit.

Comment Re: Subsidies (Score 1) 271

I remember cars in Canada when I was first living there 25-30 years ago with plugs hanging out of their front grills because they had engine block heaters. Itâ(TM)s not like Canadians donâ(TM)t have experience keeping their vehicles warm enough to use if they really want to. My colleagues in Siberia tell me that these arenâ(TM)t required anymore, even when the temps are below -40, but this is another story.

Comment Re: Subsidies (Score 1) 271

Funny, it all depends on the question you ask ChatGPT: Have electric buses been successful in Canada?

Yes, electric buses have been making significant progress in Canada and are becoming more common in several cities. Many Canadian cities have been adopting electric buses as part of their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and transitioning to more sustainable transportation options.

### Notable examples of electric buses in Canada:

1. **Vancouver, BC**:
      Vancouver has been a leader in adopting electric buses. TransLink, the region's public transit system, has been integrating electric buses into its fleet as part of its goal to be fully carbon neutral by 2050. Vancouver launched its first electric bus pilot project in 2018 and has since expanded the program. The city plans to have 100% of its bus fleet run on clean energy by 2040.

2. **Montreal, QC**:
      Montreal has also made significant strides in electrifying its public transit system. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) started introducing electric buses in 2020. STM aims to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2040. They have been testing different electric bus models and building the necessary infrastructure to support them.

3. **Toronto, ON**:
      Toronto has also been investing in electric buses, though at a somewhat slower pace compared to Vancouver and Montreal. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has been working on pilots and plans to gradually introduce electric buses. The city has also been focusing on improving infrastructure, such as charging stations, to ensure that electric buses can run efficiently.

### Successes:

* **Environmental Benefits**: Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, which contributes to better air quality, especially in urban areas where traffic congestion and pollution are major issues.
* **Operational Savings**: Though electric buses are more expensive upfront, they have lower maintenance costs and energy expenses compared to diesel buses. This can lead to long-term savings.
* **Government Support**: The Canadian government, both at the federal and provincial levels, has provided financial incentives to support the transition to electric public transport. This includes funding for the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure, and research into new technologies.

### Challenges:

* **High Initial Costs**: Electric buses are generally more expensive to purchase than traditional diesel buses. This can be a barrier for some cities, although the long-term savings help offset the initial investment.
* **Infrastructure Needs**: Building out the necessary charging infrastructure for electric buses (like charging stations and maintenance facilities) can be expensive and time-consuming.
* **Battery Life and Range**: While electric bus technology has improved, range and battery life remain considerations, especially in cities with large, sprawling transit networks. However, advances in battery technology are gradually addressing these concerns.

### Future Outlook:

Canada is continuing to make strides in adopting electric buses. Many cities have set ambitious goals to transition their fleets to 100% electric within the next couple of decades, and the federal government has pledged funding to support the transition. The success of electric buses in Canada seems to be on a positive trajectory, with both environmental and economic benefits driving the shift toward greener public transportation.

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