icantdrive55

I've always felt this policy was a mistake. I kinda understand locking down the software, but not parts, especially when said vechicle is out of warranty.

Get the parts out to DIY'ers. Don't make enemies right out of the gate?

Plus--some of these rebuilders are brilliant.(This guy who out a electric engine in a Honda--for one.)

I know the legal aspect, but just put a disclaimer on the part, like the rest of the them?

So many people are buying high ticket items, but can't repair the item then it breaks.

I guess it's the way the wealthy think? I don't have that luxury. I buy second hand stuff the haves discard.

If I buy something, I should be able to fix it when it breaks down. I'll sign whatever legal papers you this at me. Fool me into thinking your company isn't violating The Sherman Antitrust Act?

I've been poor all my life, and just don't like Authorized Repair Centers touching my stuff, at their outrageous prices. Especially when that joke of a warranty ends.

To the guy who just bought a $25,000 Rolex watch this weekend.

When it stops, and is out of warranty, you will not be able to repair it yourself. Even if dad taught you how to repair watches from a early age. You can open it, but buying a part from Rolex is something you can't do.

How did I go from Tesla to Rolex? Just a bit off tonight?

I do feel like I'm alone though. In the end, I just don't like the feeling I'm being fleeced, and then telling me, "Oh, it's for Quality Assurance. We care about you."

I live among the wealthy. I live in a little enclave called Marin County.

I'm not one of them, just service their stuff, usually with them watching me.

I'm constantly astonished over just how frugal they are. Their bodies are decaying, but as long as the assets grow; they seem happy.

Actually, many are lonely. Their kids just use them. People treat them nicely because they just might need them one day, and they know they are being placated.

They break laws to save a few dollars, while drowning in seemingly unending wealth?

The crimes are usually hidden, like hiring immigrants under the table--not even paying minimum wage, or shoplifting from Nordstrums. (I heard bigger department stores will not prosecute the better spenders. They will detain, and look up how much they spent in the past. If enough, the cops are not called.)

SEC/Taxes--it's just a game when you have the money to get out of a sticky situation. I can afford to break the law is part of the problem?

This is why I feel it time to tie Fees/Fines to Income.

I grew up around them, and they are different when they think no one is looking, or they think they can get away with with it.

I'll get hammered for bringing up the differences between the "classes", but I'm tired of glorification they get.

Buffet is one of the few I do like though.

In college I felt like anything was possible.

I felt the failures around be needed to just delay gratification, and work hard, because life is difficult.

I looked at my classmates, and thought they were just not serious, and needed to work harder.

After all, going to school is easy. (I still belive the worst day at school is better than any day I spent in construction.).

I'm chugging along. I'm thinking about how short life is. I'm thinking about that vague pain in my head. The pain the Neurologist said wasen't psychological, because the pain was coming from cranial nerve locations in my skull. (I forgot to tell him I used to read through Grey's Anatomy for recreation.)

I thought I was doing well. Doing great in school. Keeping down a job. I really felt I could do anything.

I was lonely though. I broke up with my college girlfriend a few years earlier--why--for no good reason? Just young, and dumb.

My vague head pain was my daily friend.

I was toying with getting two professional degrees. Why not? School is easy. Just delay gratification. Don't mess up your life with chaos, and all the drama of a relationship.

Then a classmate died of a anyurism. I didn't know the kid, but he was the image of health.

It wasn't long after I went home for a holiday, and at around 11:30 pm, I had a panic attack. A scary one, but I had minor ones before, so no big deal. I'll just go to sleep, and feel great on the morning.

Wake up at 8:30 am, and the minute my bedroom door opens intense anxiety sets in, and stays with me all day.

After a few weeks, I see a bunch of doctors. They all say different things. I pick out a Therapist out of the yellow pages. See him for months. Anxiety just off the charts.

I finally see the "right" doctor, and he gives me a long half life benzo. It works, but only works for a few hours during the day. Alcohol worked better. It scared me because the last thing I wanted was to be one an alcoholic.

Well the intense anxiety went on for a decade. My life definely suffered.

I went from the better, capable guys in the room, to someone who could barely walk into the room.

I don't have any advice. I wouldn't wish what happened to me on my worst enemy. My doctor did say my case was unusual.

I'm still kinda a perfectionist though. My life is close to being homeless, but when I do something; I still do it well.

Enjoy your life.

I am obviously confused, as usual. I'm not used to reading these studies.

I'm looking at the study. I'm looking at the #3 graph under Tables and Functions Tab.

It says amitriptyline is the best drug? Isn't that an older drug, or am I misreading the chart?

To those struggling with the terminology, this site helped me a bit. I wasn't familiar with Odds Ratios (OR). And I'm still confused, with a headache.

https://www.students4bestevidence.net/a-beginners-guide-to-i...

I would love to have someone explain this study in a simple way, with simple percentages.

For example, what is the efficacy of, say Prozac, compared to placebo?

"In terms of efficacy, all antidepressants were more effective than placebo, with ORs ranging between 2·13 (95% credible interval [CrI] 1·89–2·41) for amitriptyline and 1·37 (1·16–1·63) for reboxetine."

This says all antidepressants work between what percentage?

And in another post, someone mentioned the newer antidepressants were better that the older ones. What percentage better?

(And yes--I need to brush up on my statistics. I've taken a few of these drugs. I used to know how to read a simple study, and stopped because the results were so depressing. I am throughly confused with this study, and the charts. Then again, I'm not feeling great.)

"I played around with a ton of different filler materials for the cinder blocks, but pure cement just broke so easily. I finally settled on a secret formula using cement and a few other materials that look and feels identical to real cement."

1. Those that make these, what the secret formula?

I checked MSDS and couldn't find any info on the product, or I maybe need to search again?

2. I don't feel bad got asking. Why--he got a lot of exposure here.

Edit: here's the recipe.

https://m.imgur.com/a/0CzMG

I wonder which races sweat the most.

I'm basically Irish, and boy do I sweat. Even when I was young and fit, I would be drenched when my co-workers/friends looked dry.

My brother once asked the family doctor about his sweating. The doc just said everyone is different.

How about harsher regulations on the predatory businesses?

Yes--I know regulations are not liked.

Rent-to-own is basically extorsion.

My biggest gripe is the payday loan type companies.

Oh yea, federally insured banks should be required to cash checks, without a consumer being a customer.

We have so many laws/regulations that protect businesses; While the poor have the BBC. This is not the America I put my hand over my heart as a kid. I ashamed at what we have become.

That's the best idea I have heard so far.

Better yet, would be a law passed that outlaws photographing people without their consent, at least while at work. I heard France has strict laws that protect privacy.

I've never liked my picture taken without my consent.

The "f*ck you, got mine" was probally always there.

It seems like it's just getting worse though.

Morality/ethics used to be more noticed, and rewarded. I don't know who to blame. I sometimes think it's the lack of listening to a sermon on Sundays?

I do know this, I can usually spot the selfish bastards around us, and try to steer clear from them. If I can financially harm them, I try. If they happen to be family, they are emotionally cut off.

I have a very financially successful sister.

She is now over fifty, and misserable. She lived the American dream, but did it ugly, and now just has a 25 year old husband that doesn't care about her. Yes--she got a pre-nup.

She still emails me with some new spiritual thing she discovered. It's always the same email. Why don't my brothers, and mother call me? My kids only call when they need money. What did I do?

She knows what she did early on. It's no mystery. At one time she had it all. Her good looks got her so much. The looks are fading, along with that power. I knew in my twenties she would have a wake up call later in life, but I didn't know she would burn down so many bridges clawing her way up. And no--if she was a man, she wouldn't have it easier.

I bought this book, and he graciously provides it online.

It's put together well. I just haven't read it throughly, buy it's a keeper.

I just opened the book, and happened to see a motherboard. It was a VW board, and I saw this,

"In their paper, the researchers analyzed the algorithm and reported on the vulnerabilities they found, though the actual exploit was apparently not trivial and there were much easier ways to steal a car with a Megamos system. Nevertheless, the research was placed under a gag order, and the findings weren’t made public. Unfortunately, the problem with Megamos still exists, and it’s still insecure—the gag order simply prevents vehicle owners from determining their risk because the research isn’t publicly available. This is a prime example of how the auto industry should not respond to security research."

1. Ironic the board is made by VW.

2. We need to see all that information.

3. This was just a paper of a few security bugs.

4. My point is I don't want to be tied to a Dealership for the life of "my" vechicle when it gets sick.. I don't want to pay $220/hr to Reflash "my" vechicle.

5. And their will be those that get this post here, but I know the general public just cares about looks, and cup holders. As a kid, I knew most people didn't care about double overhead cams, etc.

6. A vechicle is a huge purchase for most of us. We shouldn't be locked out of anything we own. Can trust wireless attacker with the information; don't use wireless technology in your Vechicle.

7. I really wish Toyota who start manufacturing late 70-80's, simple trucks, and cars again. We want simplicity. Or, many of us want Simplicity.

8. Rant over. Key in off position, and and in pocket. Can't loose it--a replacement key is $350. I just don't get it. But then again I'm very unhappy lately. I sometimes think I need to attach the Jumper cables to by temples, and get a little shock. Amperage is not enough, or too high. Don't want to know.

There's a huge market out there for honest auto repair shops.

I'm a former mechanic, and usually astonished at what most shops get away with.

I've seen $1200 tune ups. (Six cylinder Ford Vallant, and the shop owner told my friend business was slow that week, and he needed money.)

To a Franchise owner at Aamco (San Rafael, ca) who told he the tranny was going into limp mode when he test drove it, and then brought me into the office to look at the cutaway model. (It was never even driven because he didn't have the key. Plus--when he realized I knew the lingo; he started kissing my ass. He knew he was caught. He was a new franchise owner, but that's no excuse.)

My point is there's some real business opportunities out there. An honest shop is gold. Its a very tough business though. I've even met some people who sware their "guy" is the best. They are usually the ones who are being taken the most.

I've always felt if you can pass a notoriously hard Bar Examination, like the CA Bar; you should be allowed to practice law.

(Maybe require a few ethics's classes, after a passing grade?)

I sent away for a Submarine (plans, and most parts) when I was six, seven, or eight.

I waited by that mailbox for weeks. My mom finally told me I was robbed of $4.75.

It was a learning experience. I still think about the person who set out to dupe kids.

Never forget being charged 14.99 for one Acetaminophen while in a hospital, and this was years ago.

My father had good insurance. He went in for a spider bite. He needed to stay the night. I arrived and he thanked me for Teddy Bear, and flowers. I told him I didn't send you anything. He said, "Well someone did?"

Weeks later he called me up, and said the gift shop on the hospital send the gift, and charged the Insurance company $230. Billed under something like "psychological affirmations".

Any who--they are thieving entities. It kills me when I meet people, with no assets, who pay their inflated hospital bills out of American pride? They are so strong in their convictions, I don't even bring up a chapter 7. I understand they save live, but don't financially ruin patients.

One other memory. I went in for something. I had great insurance, so I didn't worry about the bill. They gave me a blood test. A week went by, and I got a bill for $900. I called my union, and they the hospital didn't know I had insurance.

My union said my bill would be $10. She said the hospital sent them the bill of $100, and I would pay my 10 percent. I asked, "Why do they only charge you $100?" She said, "It's about Collective Bargaining. Yea--I find it shocking too."

I find Vacuum tubes beautiful on so many levels.

Whenever I repair a old device, I cringe when I put the cover back on. I always say to myself, I'm going to encase the old radio, or vibrograph (watch timing machine) in clear plastic, but I'm always just too lazy.

I don't visit Home Depot like I used to. It's basically the cameras--that are everywhere. Along with the underpaid, miserable employees, and ever increasing monopoly prices.

I really despise surveillance, but I am guilty as charged. I have two dash cams in my vechicle.

I think I have a good reason though; being pulled over for driving a old car by our Revenue Collectors, having the nerve to drive past 11:00 pm, and just being pulled over because they can. Oh yea, I'm working on a app that will turn on my smart phone whenever it hears, "Officer".

I think the only remedy to over surveillance will be legislative. I hear it's illegial to video record store employees in France. I don't know if it's true, but we need some of these privacy laws. They will always counter with terrisiom, and theft/vandalism, and the general public will buy it.

Hand up!

Usually the Bankruptcy Refree hires really shady resellers.

Those machines will be pieced out--down to the coffee maker.

Tip to those buying; find the guy in the back, barking orders at temp liquidators, with a hint of a Martinni on his breath, and quietly ask him about deals. Make sure he knows you have cash.

I have always found bankruptcy sales depressing.

Studs Turkel's book Working is for an America that is gone.

When this current bubble bursts, we will see the truth for all those who belive it's just not enough--what's the word--planning, or solid work ethic?

I was going to say we need a new Working book for the Sharing Economey, but I feel it would be pretty thin, and just say see "Chinese economy", or done other "they do it cheaper" country for more information.

It would be interesting to see a Studs Turkel type writing about a startup that produces absolutely nothing new, or a product that will be decimated by one of the monopolies.

I would like to read how a 1 percenter rationalizes their greedy, and narcissism though; while the safe, predictable, somewhat ethical country they grew up slides into chaos.

I do wonder how fentynl is getting in, or is it being made here?

If a chemist is reading this, I would love your imput. I was under the assumption fentynl complicated to produce.

That said, my wish is the government would provide generic bupenorpine to any person that wants the drug. It needs to be easily available to anyone. No b.s., just give out the drug. Save all the drama. Give them a long half life drug that will get them off the hard stuff. Let them taper off the bupenorpine when they see fit.

Now--they will say the addict needs counseling, nalaxone, and blah, blah, blah.

Just give out generous bupenorpine. It has a long half life, and you have to be determined to overdose on it.

I will be shocked if anything is done for most addicts.

Hell--when my psychiatrist retires, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. I'm on two very controlled substances, and so tired of hearing the experts opinion, and their outlandish prices.

So yes, we will see commercials, etc., but just give out bupenorpine. Most addicts don't need extensive counseling--I believe. They are just afraid of widhdrawls. Withdrawals that might be less severe than they imagine?

"If all art suddenly disappeared it wouldnt really matter."

A lot of art inspires people.

How many young men saw that movie about Facebook, and didn't want to become the next billionaire?

Art influences the masses. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worst. That FB movie for the worse, in my world, but I felt that eay about Disco, and Cowboy hats that Travolta brough upon us.

Art is everywhere. Now if we lost Banksy I don't think we would unravel.

Those older Tektronics are works of art. The boards were meant to be repaired. I still remember the feeling I got when I took the case off mine. Yes, complicated, but so much thought was put into the layout.

I guess those days are over?

I wish the USA had some data-protection laws in the pipeline.

But no--we just let them do as they wish.

(I don't blame anyone. Just making rent here seems like the last straw. Not the best/greatest anymore?)

Yea, but many people don't have, or couldn't afford property insurance. Turn it on, and get out.

Everyone gave good advice.

I think about the way Insurance companies have used these rare events to raise rates, and cringe.

I think about all the people who couldn't afford property insurance, and cringe.

(If it was my house, I might put a sprinkler on the roof, and turn it on. I would nail the sprinkler head to the roof. Then again, they say it will lower the water pressure to the fire hydrants in some areas.)

I found the original graphics of this game hilarious. Ive never heard of of the game, nor would buy it, but those graphics are timeless. They got me immediately laughing.

"Another thing to kill the laughs for me was the move to better graphics."

There's something to this. Some things don't need updated graphics?

I'll get hammered for this, but there are better books.

I still haven't figured out if this book is a vanity project written by a bored Doctor, or a sincere attempt to convey information.

I do like the Period Table though.

And maybe it's just me? I have the book on my shelf, and it's dusty.

I do feel using a comic book format to convey technical information is the way to go. It should be used more often.

I worked as a state security guard in college.

90% plus of the shenanigans were carried off by security personnel, Insiders, and local cops.

I basically watched a hugh building in San Francisco on the weekends.

I only spoke up when they tried to blame it on public, or the homeless. Blaming the homeless was a go to. I remember they tried to blame the homeless for stealing 10 tons of electrical switching gear. Gear so heavy, it needed special fork lift to move. By speaking up--meaning I just refused to go along with them blaming innocent people for their thefts, but I knew my place.

Whenever their was a theft, or break-in; I just knew it was an inside job. The denial was huge. I personally didn't care, I just didn't want to get shot.

My boss was the most honest man I have ever known though. I think he knew how corrupt the "good guys" were, but knew not to rock the boat. He had a good heart too. They would reprimand him for feeding the cats, but he really loved all animals. Very few men left a good impression on me, but I still think about him.

He opened up my eyes too. He's honest, and seems like a moral person.

He seems to love what he does, but we need people like him in politics.

It's too bad just being honest is so rare these days.

1. Many, even the ethical, doctors prescribed opioids for pain, and misery.

2. A very small percentage of Doctors set up shop to hook their patients.

3. I just can't put all the blame on doctors.

4. People are miserable across this county. A lot of you are insulated from the misery, but it's there. The anti-drpepressant effects of opioids should not be hidden. They make you feel good.

Plus--I don't think it's a coincidence that heterocyclic/tricyclic anti-depressants have come under extreme scrutiny. Basically--do they even work. Oh yea, that double blind study, in India, proved they work 62% over a huge Placebo response? Meaning 6 patients answered three positive questing, more that the control group, on that poorly worded psychological test.

5. Now the problem is the patient starts to develop a tolerance. The foolish run to the street, and buy bags of whatever. The responsible patient stays on the same dosage. (There are studies, done in nursing homes, that state that patients on opioids can stay on tge same dose of opioids for years, and don't feel the need go up their dose.)

6. O.K. we are blaming the doctors for the opioids crisis. They don't want to get sued, or have the FDA knocking on their door; so they cut off the patient.

7. Now, if the patient can't kick the stuff by themselves, they are labeled addicts. They go on bupenorpine, or methadone. They have to jump through hoops just to get that medication. Many, if in the right areas, just go to the street. I can see why they do. I don't understand anyone who just sticks a needle in their arm, and hopes for the best.

8. We are now stuck with a terrible system, and people in agony. Way to go America!

(Excuse my attitude. My doctor got cold feet prescribing me bupenorpine, after a decade of taking it. It's not been easy getting off of. I am not happy with the system is the slightest. I don't blame the doctors though. Many of them know their patients do just fine on a on most controlled substances. Now--the doctors who are dragging in their patients for unnecessary office visits; those bastards should be exposed, and dealt with. The ethical doctors should be left alone to treat their patients, without any oversight. Yea--try finding a ethics, doctor. I do know they exist.)