Octopus Overlords

Not to pick the bones of the dead but will you be having a big end of store sale? Or do you have other plans for leftover inventory? I might be interested in more metal models and some other stuff. I gotta remember to buy a tool kit for those little metal kits.

Daehawk wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:36 pm I might be interested in more metal models and some other stuff. I gotta remember to buy a tool kit for those little metal kits.

F those damn metal models. My wife got me a metal earth Batmobile for Christmas... never again.

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:08 pm Ok, I admit I hadn't been following your Curio Escapades lately, although I do like to check up on it every now and then to see how it's going. If the plan for Curio City is to close before September 13th, 2018, you literally have to do nothing about your cert.

I should really track down what is happening with you and your shop. In the meantime I'll offer my condolences on your business closing. Or congratulations. Whichever applies. I know it was often a struggle to stay afloat with December paying for the entire rest of the year, and I admired your efforts in running your own business.

Again, just ignore all this cert nonsense if CC is closing before September 13, 2018.

Edit: Ah, here you are http://bluehillsedit.com/home/about-us/. A new business! Congrats! I believe the other editor is your wife? Reading her bio seems to match up with what I vaguely remember from you posting here about her job trials and tribulations.

Good luck!

I identified September as my earliest closing date specifically because my cert will expire and I don't want to buy another one. But certs aren't expensive, so I'll re-up if I'm still clearing out merchandise at that time. At some point it will cost more to move it out than it brings in, but I"m not there yet. Tentatively planning to finish out one last xmas season if I still have anything to sell, and unless Blue Hills takes up too much of my time.

We originally formed the company so that she could take some jobs that might have raised her employer's eyebrows otherwise, but I do most of the day-to-day work, and I own it under Kraken Enterprises. Technically, she works for me. I issued her W-2 last week.

Writing and editing pay a whole lot better than retail, with almost zero overhead and no grief (so far). I wish I'd started this years ago. It turns out that people take you seriously if you have a website and a corporation. It also turns out that there are still people who care enough about spelling and grammar to pay to get it right.

Anyway, if you want to kill some time this all develops gradually in my blog. Start around Jan. '17 to watch the decision surface, and it starts to firm up by November.

Daehawk wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:36 pm Not to pick the bones of the dead but will you be having a big end of store sale? Or do you have other plans for leftover inventory? I might be interested in more metal models and some other stuff. I gotta remember to buy a tool kit for those little metal kits.

I have been gradually marking stuff down for the past year and will continue doing that. All of the Metal Earth models are already on sale, and most of the Star Wars and Trek models are down to cost or a wee bit above. Once things go below cost they're worth more to me as a business loss than the little bit of cash that I can get for them. I can take enough markdowns to offset my Blue Hills income for this year, at least. So while they might still drop another buck or two, they aren't going to get stupid cheap.

Bill Gates daughter and Steve Jobs daughter.

Yup, that's pretty random...

I could really use everyone's support. The New York City Transit Authority denied me the right to fuck my emotional support toaster on the subway.

Hahahahahaha.

I speak about once a week with the guy referenced here.

Sudy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:45 pm I could really use everyone's support. The New York City Transit Authority denied me the right to fuck my emotional support toaster on the subway.

In your defense, it"s really hot...

So when the toaster pops so do you?

He only uses Toaster Strudel.

Piping hot filling will burn the roof of your mouth when it squirts out.

He's not eating them, just icing them.

It's bad enough when you get gamer's block, when no game quite scratches that itch.

Right now, though, I've got everything block. I haven't been able to get into a game, TV show, board game, book, or miniature. Nothing except wandering from one thing to the next, looking for something that will click.

Ive had gamers block a while now. But then my video card has died so I have nothing to be blocked. Its like 1993 all over again.

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:20 pm It's bad enough when you get gamer's block, when no game quite scratches that itch.

Right now, though, I've got everything block. I haven't been able to get into a game, TV show, board game, book, or miniature. Nothing except wandering from one thing to the next, looking for something that will click.

Man, me too. I was getting into Paragon (the 3rd person MOBA by Epic) with a close friend and his girlfriend, but then Epic announced they're shutting it down and I have no desire to continue to play as it winds down. What really sucks is they're PS4 people and I'm PC, and it's one of the few cross-platform games. Before that I was playing The Division but couldn't really get into it. Was tempted to fire up Diablo 3 again, but the season's about to end. Slay the Spire, FF XII, PUBG, and the Civ expansion all look interesting, but I really shouldn't spend the money. I wish I could find an MMORPG I liked.

Been similar in other areas. Thank goodness I found seasons 3 and 4 of Silicon Valley to binge, otherwise I don't know what I'd have been doing after work this week.

Kraken wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:09 pm
I identified September as my earliest closing date specifically because my cert will expire and I don't want to buy another one. But certs aren't expensive, so I'll re-up if I'm still clearing out merchandise at that time. At some point it will cost more to move it out than it brings in, but I"m not there yet. Tentatively planning to finish out one last xmas season if I still have anything to sell, and unless Blue Hills takes up too much of my time.

Hey, just read something that might impact your new business.

Chrome is going to start complaining that *ANY* site that doesn't use SSL/TLS is insecure. While this is technically true, many static or sites that don't collect or give out sensitive information don't need to have their data encrypted. There are reasons you might want it encrypted anyway, but there isn't a pressing need (although I don't keep up on web development so maybe things are different now).

I noticed that your new site doesn't not have a cert. It also collects information from potential clients. Information collection is one of the reasons for having a cert, so the information is not transmitted across the internet in clear text.

So actually what I came here to say is that Chrome is going to start complaining that sites such as your new one are "insecure". Most people on the 'net are not going to know what that means, and possibly scared by it. I don't run my own business but I know I wouldn't want every browser out there to complain about how "insecure" my website was to all my potential clients.

So that plus the information gathering means you should probably get a cert for your new website.

Basically Google is trying to make all website traffic encrypted, and while that could be onerous for a lot of people, I agree with them. If data is encrypted by default, the feds can't ask your ISP for your data. Obviously they will know where you go on the net, but they won't know what you're doing there.

Instead of "if you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about" which leads to abuse, it will be "all data will be encrypted so the feds won't automatically suspect you of a crime just because you choose to hide your information from them". Just like unlawful search is important even if you've done nothing wrong, encryption is important even if you're not doing anything illegal.

tl;dr

Get a cert for your editing business site. Chrome will complain if you don't and that might scare away customers.

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:55 pm
Get a cert for your editing business site. Chrome will complain if you don't and that might scare away customers.

We don't use our site for marketing -- all of our clients have been referrals. We don't advertise and we're not actively trying to snag drive-bys. The website is a set-it-and-forget-it thing to display our rates and terms and demonstrate professionalism -- being a company and having a website gives me a leg up on other freelancers, and publishers don't realize that I didn't have any professional experience until a year ago. But we'll look more professional if we aren't frightening away Chrome users, so I'll look into that. InMotion is still new to me so I don't know their prices and processes offhand, but they must have a cert option.

A few months ago I would've just said that Chrome can go suck it, but recently it's almost knocked out Firefox as my primary browser.

I totally hear you. When I looked at the site the first time I noticed there was no cert, but only because we were talking about certs. I didn't say anything at first because you're right, there isn't a strong need for one there.

That said, Google/Chrome took the lead on the Symantec thing, because someone had to, and the chances that ALL other browsers follow suit is very strong. Eventually there won't be any non-expired certs from the "before time" when Symantec was playing fast and loose with their processes, so if browsers don't follow Chrome, the problem will work itself out in a year or two anyway.

If Chrome starts identifying sites as "insecure" because they don't have a cert, and firefox doesn't complain, there are going to be questions even from non-tech people, and the answers will confuse them, so I expect firefox to join the all websites all encrypted all the time bandwagon. If that happens everyone else is going to jump on too.

In fact that may be the plan already, I just haven't read enough about it. The information might already be available on what the other browsers plan.

Sorry for the ramble. I know it sucks to pay money that has limited benefit. I'm not sure when Chrome is planning on starting their warnings, but you might have a year or even two grace period.

This is information that I should know anyway, so I'll read up and if I find out anything that might be useful to you, I'll post it. I know there are other people here who run their own sites, so maybe it will be useful for them as well.

Geode sculpting.

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:20 pm It's bad enough when you get gamer's block, when no game quite scratches that itch.

Right now, though, I've got everything block. I haven't been able to get into a game, TV show, board game, book, or miniature. Nothing except wandering from one thing to the next, looking for something that will click.

That's when I go exploring the creative/music channels on Twitch.

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:44 am I know it sucks to pay money that has limited benefit. I'm not sure when Chrome is planning on starting their warnings, but you might have a year or even two grace period.

I logged into InMotion for an unrelated reason this morning and noticed an icon on the Admin panel to Manage Your Free SSL, next to an option to buy a private one. Maybe the shared server-wide cert will be enough to placate Google -- I'll have to look at what "managing" it means. Since Bluehillsedit.com doesn't collect money or any info other than a contact form, it seems like a low priority. If I have to buy one to keep browsers from complaining, I will. Eventually.

New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University has replaced an online adjunct professor who initially failed a student’s assignment because the professor thought Australia wasn’t a country.

An email exchange between the student, a 27-year-old stay-at-home mother in Idaho completing a degree at SNHU in sociology, and the professor was revealed in a Buzzfeed story Thursday and went viral.

Ashley Arnold was working on an assignment to compare American social norms to that of another country. She chose social media use in Australia but earned a zero for a portion of the project’s grading rubric because the professor believed Arnold didn’t select a country.

When Arnold emailed the professor about her grade, she received a response that the professor would look into it, but identifying Australia as a country and not a continent was the issue.
...
After Arnold responded again, the professor replied, indicating that she will review the paper after she does some “independent research on the continent/country issue.”

SNHU officials said in a statement to WMUR that the instructor has been replaced following an investigation:
...
Arnold received an amended grade of a B+, according to Buzzfeed.

She also received a refund of the $1000 cost of the class, according to the story I read. Wife is an adjunct for SNHU and vouches for their integrity.

The new Jumanji movie was really quite fun. I'm much less concerned now about The Rock playing Jack Burton. Pretty sure he can pull it off.

Side note: Karen Gillan is just...

Never EVER go out after dark in pitch black on black unmarked roads in a flooding rainstorm with dim malfunctioning headlights. Had to take the wife to the ER 20 miles away. A 30 min drive too an hour to get there then sat 3 hours but the drive home was worse because all that was worse plus the defroster wont work and Im half or more night blind. Took 1 1/2 hours at slow speeds wondering if I was even still on the road.

I cannot go anywhere again after dark unless I get lights.

You drove 20 miles after dark without headlights on public roads? In a rainstorm?

I got lights...just dim...cant see them.....if there are reflectors in the road I could see those. It was awful. I left right before dark so didn't find out until I was half there. My new wipers didn't work well. And the defroster wont throw cold. Man it was horrible.

So how could you be certain you weren't crossing into oncoming lanes?

There were little reflectors on the middle every so often...its the sides that were worrisome.

You were reckless and really damn lucky no one got hurt.

Now Im going back to the hospital with her again...cant breath..going to mine up the road..good luck to us.

3:30 am emergency trip to the hospital? And you're driving blind?

Next time don't drive. Call an ambulance. That's what they're for.

I get risking your safety, but you are also threatening the safety of every single person who might be on that road. If its anything like it is around there, that won't be many, but it isn't none. Can't see the edges of the road? Then you can't see the guy who ran out of gas and is having to walk to the station. You can't see the guy changing his tire.

Stop trying to buy a video card and fix your car.

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:05 am Stop trying to buy a video card and fix your car.

Daehawk's priorities have always been out of whack, unfortunately.

You can get a headlight restoration kit for ~$15. I've used them before. They work. If the lights still work, but are dim, then the kit should help with the issue.

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:45 pm The new Jumanji movie was really quite fun. I'm much less concerned now about The Rock playing Jack Burton. Pretty sure he can pull it off.

Side note: Karen Gillan is just...

The rock is not a great actor but he is serviceable and his comedic timing is not bad and improving. He often makes me laugh and he is not afraid to laugh at himself.

I'm not surprised the new jumanji was ok.

TheMix wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2018 12:01 pm You can get a headlight restoration kit for ~$15. I've used them before. They work. If the lights still work, but are dim, then the kit should help with the issue.

While not universally true, most cars have easily replaced bulbs with bayonet fittings, and you can find instructional videos on the web. It's one of the few car repairs that I'm confident doing myself. And you can generally upgrade from the standard OEM bulbs to something brighter. A surly AutoZone clerk will cheerlessly help you pick out the right bulbs...and as TheMix says, it doesn't cost much. Even the fancy high-intensity bulbs are only around $15 apiece.

Daehawk wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:55 pm Never EVER go out after dark in pitch black on black unmarked roads in a flooding rainstorm with dim malfunctioning headlights. Had to take the wife to the ER 20 miles away. A 30 min drive too an hour to get there then sat 3 hours but the drive home was worse because all that was worse plus the defroster wont work and Im half or more night blind. Took 1 1/2 hours at slow speeds wondering if I was even still on the road.

I cannot go anywhere again after dark unless I get lights.

Ok, the last sentence makes me worry but otherwise are we sure there is really a problem that is Daehawk specific here? The lights on my car are fine. There is nothing wrong with my night vision other than I'm 50+. Yet I find that night driving in heavy rain is horrible. The smooth surface of the wet roads just doesn't scatter light back towards the driver (except from the specific reflectors that some roads have) and the cloud cover means there is little incidental light to reflect off the stripes.

Slowing down to roughly half speed in a "flooding rainstorm" seems not that unusual.