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message 1451:
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Bionic Jean
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Jun 29, 2022 09:34AM
All good wishes to you both, Jim. I'm so glad you have the support of your family :)
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This is actually a reply to this message - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... but because it is outside the topic of that thread, I reply here.Yes, I'm in Ukraine now, but in a relatively safe place. Yes, the books on the photo are in Russian, for they were published in 1986-1993 or so and back then 95% of translated SFF was in Russian only. Recently (last 10 years) there are much more Ukrainian translations but by that time I mostly shifted to reading English originals and in ebook versions, so no photos :)
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I was happy to learn he only likes their coffee, not their "food".
I feel the same way about McDonald's, Ed. Their coffee is okay, and actually good compared to the coffee from the popular Canadian coffee shop, Tim Horton's,
I haven't been in Vinnytsia (I rarely travel) but in Kyiv, esp. in the center there are small coffee shops every hundred meters or so, and a lot of them sell good cheap coffee
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It doesn't seem like quite the time for a tourist trip to Ukraine! Especially with a large state-level terrorism campaign in progress. You can criticize the Russians on many levels, and I do -- but their WEAPONS have always been first-rate. There's a reason why the AK-47 is still the light automatic weapon-of-choice worldwide: reliable and cheap!
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Ed wrote: "Don't worry. My passport is expired anyway."Heh. Which brings to mind, the one time I ever fired a gun was to qualify for pistol in the Navy. They had these HUGE 45 automatics, 1911 model? -- thing kicked like a Mule! I missed the target a few times, the PO rolled his eyes & said "try again, Sir." I finally put a couple holes in an outer ring!
So I'm safe from volunteering as a Marksman in Ukraine!
Peter wrote: "Russians on many levels, and I do -- but their WEAPONS have always been first-rate. ."I'd say as with everything, it depends :) it is a bit like saying that the T-34 is the best tank in WW2, w/o noting that between 1940 and 1944 it changed quite notably and finally was replaced in 1944 by others. Currently, the most important frontline weaponry is artillery and 155mm NATO (US M777, French CAESAR, Polish Crab) are way better in range and precision than 2S19 MSTA 153mm. There are two major issues - MSTA most ammo was made in the USSR, so it is 30+ years old and powder changes, some components dry up, so the initial speed is often different from the norm (and therefore precision falls) and that now with GPS etc., if you have a specialized software (which Russians don't) it also improves precision
Oleksandr wrote: "I'd say as with everything, it depends :) it is a bit like saying that the T-34 is the best tan..."I'll agree. Over 40 years ago, I checked out on quite a few different rifles as part of equipment testing for the Army. The AK-47 fired 7.62mm ammo, both NATO & Russian rounds while the M16 only fired 5.56mm NATO rounds. The AK certainly felt more solid & seemed like it would be more accurate. Surprisingly, there was almost no difference in performance out to about 300 meters. The AK was better after that up to maybe 400 meters, but few can shoot at that distance.
(Accuracy among soldiers varied, but was generally abysmal. I was shocked when I won an automatic fire competition with an M16, but I was the only one to hit the quarter silhouettes over 300 meters out. That got me a trip to sniper school where I washed out quickly. Apparently 400 meters was my limit.)
Anyway, shooting accuracy is only one factor. Overall equipment load is a big one, too. When I carried everything they said I should in the manual, it came to about 140 pounds & I only weighed 170. An additional 5 pounds for a weapon & ammo sometimes broke this camel's back.
IIRC, one of the biggest advantages of the T34 in WWII was that Russia could make the drive trains in existing tractor factories which meant they could produce them a lot faster & less expensively than the Germans could make a Panzer or Tiger. One to one, the German tanks were far better, but they rarely fought evenly. It cost a lot of soldiers, but they could swarm each German tank with several tanks & self-propelled guns.
Jim wrote: "they could produce them a lot faster & less expensively than the Germans could make a Panzer or Tiger.."yes, moreover Germans lack molybdenum for armor plates, so they had to make armor thicker and move from already mass-produced Pz IV-F to Panthers and Tigers was part of German errors forced by Hitler who search for war-changing Wunderwaffe
I just read that too. She was such an inspiration and trailblazer.
Has anyone figured how to turn OFF the new-style review page that GR has just dropped on us? At first trial, it's a big step back. Clumsy and made "pretty" with lots of useless white space. Grr. Apparently this has been in a beta-test for awhile, got lots of negative comments there, so here it is, with no obvious opt-out or return to previous version option. Help?
Peter wrote: "Has anyone figured how to turn OFF the new-style review page that GR has just dropped on us? At first trial, it's a big step back. Clumsy and made "pretty" with lots of useless white space. Grr. Apparently this has been in a beta-test for awhile, got lots of negative comments there, so here it is, with no obvious opt-out or return to previous version option. Help? "
I'm interested too to know if there's a possibility to go back to the old version.
This one's absolutely crap.
I use both the app and the desktop version of goodreads, so I use primarily the app for checking on books. And I agree, the new review version on desktop is awful.
For that matter, have others noticed having to re-log onto the site more frequently than before? Even after checking the box that says "keep me logged in"? I use the desktop version. GR is just full of unpleasant surprises lately!
Peter wrote: "For that matter, have others noticed having to re-log onto the site more frequently than before? Even after checking the box that says "keep me logged in"?"Others report the same problem, Peter.
Just take a look at the comments of Sharon and Atria under this status update: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
There are lots of unhappy GR users.
Here's a status update from someone else: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
And there are more of them circulating through the update feeds 😄
Peter wrote: "For that matter, have others noticed having to re-log onto the site more frequently than before? Even after checking the box that says "keep me logged in"? I use the desktop version. ."Yes, I have to re-log almost daily
I got to beta test this new design a while back & opted out fairly quickly. It's terrible & I made all the complaints that I'm still reading about, so I guess they didn't care. Luckily I haven't been subjected to the new one again so far. It's a lazy, stupid design that hides far too much information as well as spreading it all over.
Mod
When Amazon updated the Comixology app, they rendered it unusable for me (unless I buy a newer iPad). People who are able to use the new version complain about many, many problems.
One thing I hate (among many): if you edit your review to fix a mistake, the edited version does not appear immediately on the book page. I assume it will eventually get updated, but not right away.
I can hardly ever edit my reviews anyway! GR cut the number of characters allowed by 25%, from 20,000 to 15,000 characters. So if I go into edit for most of mine, I get a nasty red message saying "Your review is too long! Please reduce it before making further edits!"Talk about a downer.
Bionic Jean wrote: "I can ever edit my reviews anyway! GR cut the number of characters allowed by 25%, from 20,000 to 15,000 characters...."Thanks for the warning. I hadn't noticed since my reviews are usually much shorter, but it's going to be a problem with a couple I update occasionally. The first book of a few series (Recluse, Harry Bosch, etc...) can have a chronology of the series plus short stories linked in. They can get rather long. And now comments aren't allowed to have hyperlinks which is a further stupid restriction. This site is really going downhill.
:(
Yes, I'm dreading all the further restrictions coming in on 1st September.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Yes, I'm dreading all the further restrictions coming in on 1st September."Further restrictions in September?
What do you mean, Bionic Jean?
There's a lot :( This is part of the email I received:"As part of our commitment to improving Goodreads, we are phasing out a number of features in order to focus on the ones our members use most. As you are someone who has used one or more of these features, we are offering you the option to save your content by downloading it before Sept. 1, 2022. Please note that you will be unable to download your content after this date.
We will be phasing out the following for which our records show you've added content:
Creative writing
Members will no longer be able to upload new creative writing stories effective July 5, 2022. The creative writing feature will be removed from Goodreads on Sept. 1, 2022. If you are interested in sharing more of your writing with readers, we encourage you to learn how Kindle Direct Publishing can help you.
Favorite authors
We are simplifying how you can stay updated on authors whose books you love. We will be removing the favorite authors list on Sept. 1, 2022 and instead encourage you to follow your favorite authors. Select ‘follow’ on your favorite authors page or on each author’s profile page. This will ensure you get news about these authors and updates on their new books.
Updates to reviews creation
To streamline the review creation page on desktop, we will no longer include the options of who recommended a book and who to recommend it to after July 5, 2022. If you would like to recommend a book to a friend on Goodreads, you can do this easily from the recommend a book page. If you would still like to record who recommended it within the book review, we suggest you add this directly to the review or in the private notes section on the review edit page (learn how to add a private note).
Owned books
As part of streamlining our reviews creation page on desktop, we're phasing out the option to add details about owned books such as condition and purchase date on July 5, 2022. Members will still have the option to mark a book as owned within the 'more details' section when writing their review on desktop. You can later view a list of your owned books by adding the owned books column in My Books (learn how to customize the My Books page). Visit our help center to learn how to create and add books to your 'owned' bookshelf."
Other members have also received this:
"Friend stories, Quizzes, Trivia, and/or Adding a photo to a book
Goodreads will no longer support the creation of new quizzes, trivia, friend stories in the friend list, or photos to a book page effective July 5, 2022. These features will be removed from Goodreads on Sept. 1, 2022."
Whenever you try to do one of these, you get a message on the screen. Some they have started already e.g. if I try to add you as a recommender of the book, it won't let me. But before, you could do that and it would be linked, so whoever recommended a book to you could see when you read it, and be alerted if you wrote a review - and vice versa. None of their "alternatives" are as good.
Bionic Jean wrote: "There's a lot :( This is part of the email I received:"As part of our commitment to improving Goodreads, we are phasing out a number of features in order to focus on the ones our members use most..."
Lots of changes indeed!
Plus the ones we don't know about (yet).
I feel more lyrics are coming 😄If you wonder what I mean, you can take a look at my blog (the link is in my profile as Goodreads doesn't allow this in the reactions anymore). The blog article is named 'Goodreads songs' 😉
Mod
The machines are not too big. The delivery people are too big. Or that is what they say, anyway.
Ed, that is a premise for an SF story!
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The guy called into his dispatcher and explained they need a smaller guy. The dispatcher was like "why does this keep happening to you?". He said, "Because we're big"
But, they looked like normal-sized people to me.
You would expect they work with a big guy, to carry the thing, and a little one, to install it. Or hire Barbapapa.
We had a plump plumber (female) the other day, who brought a skinny young male with her, and he did the work. I think he was an apprentice, but she said it was tricky getting into the small spaces a plumber often needs to!
Bionic Jean wrote: "We had a plump plumber (female) the other day, who brought a skinny young male with her, and he did the work. I think he was an apprentice, but she said it was tricky getting into the small spaces ..."It is. I often wished for an extra joint or two in my arms. It was one reason I changed my tool bag several decades ago when I was a remodeler. I had a cheap one that was fine except the tape measure holder was just under my belly button & it kept me from folding properly too often. Kitchens & bathrooms both seem to require every tool in the truck, too.
At least there isn't any more need to solder copper joints under sinks anymore. That was always tough, but when they changed pipe solder to get rid of lead it was far worse. The heat range needed for the new solder was much narrower. It's tough enough even getting a torch on some of the joints without burning down the house. Further restrictions are just adding insult to injury.
I can imagine! English kitchens and bathrooms (in real life, not the ads) are often tiny. She said that at college a joint would be placed at a convenient level with lots of space around it, and real life just wasn't like that :D They're blocked in behind facades, and at a impossible angle.
Mod
The problem is that after installation is complete and they are in place, the workers are required to take a photo of the back of the units to prove everything is attached. They claim they won't be able to squeeze in to do that.
I don't believe it. The units they are installing are smaller than the old ones. With the old ones I could very easily walk beside it and look behind it.
Now I've got the new units sitting in my living room taking up space and have no idea when some smaller person will be sent.
This has been a long process. The old machine broke July 1. I had a difficult time getting anyone to determine whether it could be fixed. It can't be fixed without too much money. So I found new ones. Then couldn't get them installed because one mounting bracket was on backorder. I eventually found one of those from a different store.
It all sounds very fishy Ed! Maybe they don't want the job :(
Ed wrote: "It is a tight space, but that really should not be a problem. The washer and dryer attach to the wall with flexible tubes/cables. You can install them with 6 feet of space to work in and then push ..."That is hogwash. So let me get this straight, they do not want to connect the machines because they cannot get a picture of them connected? OK, fair enough. Yet, how do they worry about getting a photo without getting it connected in the first place? They have to be able to connect them and then get the shot. If they would have said we cannot get back there to connect them, then maybe. But, they did not say they cannot connect them, only they cannot get a picture. Does that mean they had to have the unit in place and then a photo? I think they call the solution a selfie stick. I would scream loud and long looking for money back if I was you.
Mod
Installation and take-away of old ones was included in sales price. And I did get a good deal on the units. To get money back, I'd have to give the units back, and who knows whether they would be willing to pick them up.
f they would have said we cannot get back there to connect them, then maybe.
Yeah, they were worried about getting back there and then not being able to get out. The guy said he was once trapped for four hours on a similar job. I get it. It looks like you could get stuck, but you really can't. There is more room than appears to be there.
Selfie stick is a good idea, though I do not have one.
Wow, a real Catch 22 & stupid as hell. Even without a selfie stick, they should be able to reach over & snap a few pictures blind until they get a couple that are good enough. Still, many installers are hampered by stupid rules & don't seem to want to get the job done. When we first moved here I ordered a dishwasher & specifically told them we had PEX pipes. They got here with it & said they couldn't deal with PEX only PVC/CPVC or copper. I sent them back with it & bought it from another company which could handle that very common type of pipe. It sucks that you can't send them back. Waiting almost 2 months for non-install really is worse, though. That's a long time to be without.
The swarms of hummingbirds are thinning as they migrate south. Until 2 days ago I was feeding 10 cups per day & I'm down to about half that now. They usually don't leave until the first week in September, but the Purple Martins also left about a week early this year. Odd since I'd think if the climate was warmer they'd stay later, but both have been leaving a little earlier each year lately.
The news was reporting on the rain we've been getting. It averaged 2.5" early Sunday morning & 1/2" last night. We got 5" by Sunday morning & had 1.5" this morning. Good thing we're on top of the hill. I was disappointed to see our area left out of the averages. There used to be a weather station near us, but it's gone offline & our weather is often quite different than that just 20 minutes down the road. We're 450' higher than Frankfort & that makes a big difference in a lot of things. For instance, Purple Martins & hummingbirds show up 2 weeks later.
AUTHORS FOR LIBRARIESHundreds of authors are speaking out on behalf of libraries, demanding that publishers and trade associations put the digital rights of librarians, readers, and authors ahead of shareholder profits.
Authors, inclusive of poets, academics, and those yet to be published, are encouraged to sign on to this statement in solidarity with libraries, asking that major publishers do not sue, intimidate, or smear libraries and librarians for preserving and expanding access to knowledge and stories of diverse experience.
https://www.fightforthefuture.org/Aut...
Neil Gaiman is first on the list & while I recognize some other names, none of the big names (King, Patterson, etc.) seem to have signed. I hope they do!
Bad news today - the Brooklyn library is no longer allowing out of state lending. For $50/year, I was getting access to twice as many audiobooks than my local library has. Does anyone know of another big library that allows it?
The Evolution of Science Fiction
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