sixspeed

Would you mind elaborating on your experiences with elance? I had a family member who does freelance marketing/writing called me a few years ago and mentioned he was planning to sign up there and asking what I knew about it.

I could only tell him about a comment I'd browsed on HN that referred to it as a "ghetto" of poor paying assignments. He went ahead with it and now seems to be doing quite well as one of the top 5 providers of marketing and writing services.

Your point is well taken. But tech discussions can also lead to flame wars and HN seems to handle those rather well. I for one am interested in what this community thinks about many subjects. Including politics.

Dvorak has a seriously warped view of Facebook and life-in-general IMO. Facebook's main competitor is Second Life? Who on earth thinks that?

There's nothing "fake" about the community on Facebook. Ask Hosni Mubarak.

What's the chewing gum for? To keep the kids quiet?

Wonderful! We have a large lush growth of Stinging Nettle behind our barn every summer. I'm looking forward to brewing some up next year.

I'm 54 and come here first for the tech articles. But after lurking around for many months I've come to respect many HNers a great deal. So I also appreciate reading their thoughts and opinions on topics of the day. (healthcare reform, net neutrality etc.)

Thanks man. Things are looking up considerably now. I was quite hesitant to comment on what had become a rather emotional issue for me. At any rate, I really appreciated your thoughtful response.

I love this thread.

While considering what I could add - all I could think of was an old Neighborhood comic that pictured a guy in a suit and tie slumped against a building holding a tin cup in his hand. Around his neck is a sign that reads "My mind is a hodge-podge of half-baked ideas."

My biorhythm must be off today. Yeah, that must be it.

When I was laid off a few months ago, I was told to call a Plan Administrator if I wanted to continue my health insurance plan out of my own pocket. Of course I wanted to - I've a family with 3 kids. When I called the woman she said she would send me the forms. The cost, she said, was around $600 per month for my Family Plan. "And let me give you some advice", she added. "If you are even one day late with a payment, your insurance will be canceled." "Don't be late with a payment."

That $600 is right around my total Unemployment Compensation. So yeah, I've little interest in debates on ideologies. I doubt any of the windbags above would be interested either if they had to decide between providing healthcare insurance for their family or paying their mortgage.

Greased? I'm afraid to ask how that adds to the experience.