second iPhone virus, dump Adobe...
Me, again!
Today's BBC, second iPhone virus out there, centered on Netherlands, and
this one is designed to make big big trouble, can jump in WiFi zones to
other iPhones.
This week's BW: hackers concentrating bigtime on Acrobat Reader to exploit
taking over your computer. Take AR off your computer. Or, maybe go back to
older versions.
BMJ
I've been thinking of doing it anyway. It's become bloatware rivalling
anything that MS produces. I haven't gotten around to it yet.
>
>
>
>
>
Me, again!
You got that right. Bloatware up the gazoo.
I use older versions that might not be sensitive to the new malware, but
I'm trying to work away -- as much as possible -- anything that involves
downloading anything off a website.
The cellphone viruses are another scourge. I wonder when these viruses
saturate the user base (what, 1-2 years from now), to what degree people
will wise up and avoid these things altogether (and get back to
old-fashioned secure, in-person transactions and land-line transactions)?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
BMJ
I don't foresee that happening soon, if at all. That stuff's being pushed
on people and many figure they need it in order not to be left out.
The current push to digital TV is an example. The excuse that's been given
is "digital is better", but I think the real reason is to make more of the
spectrum available so that even more teenagers can yack on their cellphones.
>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
Me, again!
On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
> Me, again! wrote:
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
>>
>>> Me, again! wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Today's BBC, second iPhone virus out there, centered on Netherlands, and
>>>> this one is designed to make big big trouble, can jump in WiFi zones to
>>>> other iPhones.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This week's BW: hackers concentrating bigtime on Acrobat Reader to
>>>> exploit taking over your computer. Take AR off your computer. Or, maybe
>>>> go back to
>>>> older versions.
>>>
>>> I've been thinking of doing it anyway. It's become bloatware rivalling
>>> anything that MS produces. I haven't gotten around to it yet.
>>
>> You got that right. Bloatware up the gazoo.
>>
>> I use older versions that might not be sensitive to the new malware, but
>> I'm trying to work away -- as much as possible -- anything that involves
>> downloading anything off a website.
>>
>> The cellphone viruses are another scourge. I wonder when these viruses
>> saturate the user base (what, 1-2 years from now), to what degree people
>> will wise up and avoid these things altogether (and get back to
>> old-fashioned secure, in-person transactions and land-line transactions)?
>
> I don't foresee that happening soon, if at all.
Well, I'm seeing more stories about people getting ripped off, and it
parallels the reports of hacker crime increasing, too.
That stuff's being pushed on
> people and many figure they need it in order not to be left out.
Happily I can do without most of it. And, I'm very happy with my
old-fashioned landline telephones. We've got three. Trouble is: the repair
guy says that verizon is not maintaining their lines anymore. That only
means that someday they might tell me that they will not support that
service beyond some terminal date. What to do? Not sure. But, I have some
ideas.
> The current push to digital TV is an example.
We've got that here and we're in a fringe area. When signals are marginal,
you should see what it does to the program material. We get "pixelation"
(dropouts) an the image freezes up sometimes for 4-15 seconds, and we lose
the audio, too, for that same interval. Its crap.
The excuse that's been given
> is "digital is better", but I think the real reason is to make more of the
> spectrum available so that even more teenagers can yack on their cellphones.
Ever hear of thermodynamic "heat death"? That's where all of this is
headed. Too many channels, too little meaningfulness. Its all going to end
up as a universe of noise.
P.S. I got my computer-soundcard-rig interface all pretty much set up. Now
can do CW and PSK-31 if I want, off the keyboard. 20, 40, and 80 meters,
on demand. But 20 is pretty dead at night. More activity on weekends than
weekdays, and with turkey day in two days, I don't expect much activity
till this weekend.
Been awfully busy with a lot of other little chickenshit errands, keeping
up with the newspapers/magazines/books, honey-dos for the wifey, etc.,
too.
BMJ
I still have dial service because it's cheaper. I threw away my cell
phones several years ago when one kept malfunctioning and I had problems
with the pay-as-you-go card for the other one. I don't miss them.
On the other hand, people keep leaving phones they don't want in the lobby
downstairs. Most of the phones worked and only needed cleaning. I might
give one to my parents as it has things like call display which I don't
have but they do. Another one is a combination phone and clock radio, and
since I needed a new alarm, I might keep it.
Another phone I found is a solidly-built unit of 1980s vintage. Its
plastic is discoloured (probably due to exposure to sunlight, which was
common for the material that was used), but I found a recipe for a compound
which could remove the stain. I'll see what I can do with it.
>
>> The current push to digital TV is an example.
>
> We've got that here and we're in a fringe area. When signals are
> marginal, you should see what it does to the program material. We get
> "pixelation" (dropouts) an the image freezes up sometimes for 4-15
> seconds, and we lose the audio, too, for that same interval. Its crap.
We're supposed to be getting it up here early next decade. From what I've
seen, I'm not overly impressed. Maybe it's a plot to sell flat-screen HD
TV sets.
>
> The excuse that's been given
>> is "digital is better", but I think the real reason is to make more of
>> the spectrum available so that even more teenagers can yack on their
>> cellphones.
>
> Ever hear of thermodynamic "heat death"? That's where all of this is
> headed. Too many channels, too little meaningfulness. Its all going to
> end up as a universe of noise.
Cable TV up here is a good example. A few years ago, we got a lot of
specialty channels, many of which were owned and operated as separate
entities. Over the years, many of them were bought up by commercial
networks and, now, many of those "specialty" channels are just used for
re-runs. Does one *really* need to pay extra to have shows like "Desperate
Housewives" which are available on two commercial channels?
On the other hand, the local cable operator added TCM, AMC, and another
domestic movie channel to the lineup. If it wasn't for those, I'd hardly
watch TV at all.
>
>
> P.S. I got my computer-soundcard-rig interface all pretty much set up.
> Now can do CW and PSK-31 if I want, off the keyboard. 20, 40, and 80
> meters, on demand. But 20 is pretty dead at night. More activity on
> weekends than weekdays, and with turkey day in two days, I don't expect
> much activity till this weekend.
There might not be too many Canadian hams on the air on Sunday as I think
it's Grey Cup weekend (Canadian football championship). I have no idea
who's playing, not that I'm concerned about it.
On the other hand, I don't think too many other of my fellow citizens are,
either. Any excuse for a party, I suppose.
>
> Been awfully busy with a lot of other little chickenshit errands,
> keeping up with the newspapers/magazines/books, honey-dos for the wifey,
> etc., too.
I've been doing some of that, too. In my case, if I don't do it, it won't
get done.
>
>
>
>
>
Me, again!
On Wed, 25 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
> Me, again! wrote:
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
>>
>>> Me, again! wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Me, again! wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The cellphone viruses are another scourge. I wonder when these viruses
>>>> saturate the user base (what, 1-2 years from now), to what degree people
>>>> will wise up and avoid these things altogether (and get back to
>>>> old-fashioned secure, in-person transactions and land-line transactions)?
>>>
>>> I don't foresee that happening soon, if at all.
>>
>> Well, I'm seeing more stories about people getting ripped off, and it
>> parallels the reports of hacker crime increasing, too.
>>
>> That stuff's being pushed on
>>> people and many figure they need it in order not to be left out.
>>
>> Happily I can do without most of it. And, I'm very happy with my
>> old-fashioned landline telephones. We've got three. Trouble is: the repair
>> guy says that verizon is not maintaining their lines anymore. That only
>> means that someday they might tell me that they will not support that
>> service beyond some terminal date. What to do? Not sure. But, I have some
>> ideas.
>
> I still have dial service because it's cheaper. I threw away my cell phones
> several years ago when one kept malfunctioning and I had problems with the
> pay-as-you-go card for the other one. I don't miss them.
My Tracfone costs $7/month and they don't know who I am. Had it for maybe
3 years now, use it only for emergencies & special social contacts & when
my wife goes out by herself, or I go out by myself from home, also
very rare.
> On the other hand, people keep leaving phones they don't want in the lobby
> downstairs. Most of the phones worked and only needed cleaning. I might
> give one to my parents as it has things like call display which I don't have
> but they do. Another one is a combination phone and clock radio, and since I
> needed a new alarm, I might keep it.
OK
> Another phone I found is a solidly-built unit of 1980s vintage. Its plastic
> is discoloured (probably due to exposure to sunlight, which was common for
> the material that was used), but I found a recipe for a compound which could
> remove the stain. I'll see what I can do with it.
OK
>>
>>> The current push to digital TV is an example.
>>
>> We've got that here and we're in a fringe area. When signals are marginal,
>> you should see what it does to the program material. We get "pixelation"
>> (dropouts) an the image freezes up sometimes for 4-15 seconds, and we lose
>> the audio, too, for that same interval. Its crap.
>
> We're supposed to be getting it up here early next decade. From what I've
> seen, I'm not overly impressed. Maybe it's a plot to sell flat-screen HD TV
> sets.
Start saving your video tapes, get extra backup VCRs, make copies while
you can of program material you like. All the DVDs I looked at have copy
protection and I don't know (have not tried) copying a DVD to VHS, but
"THEY" are locking down everything. DVDs _force_ you to watch the
anti-piracy messages (you can't "zip" through them like on VHS).
Big Brother (1984) is a Corporation looking out for its economic
interests.
>>
>> The excuse that's been given
>>> is "digital is better", but I think the real reason is to make more of the
>>> spectrum available so that even more teenagers can yack on their
>>> cellphones.
>>
>> Ever hear of thermodynamic "heat death"? That's where all of this is
>> headed. Too many channels, too little meaningfulness. Its all going to end
>> up as a universe of noise.
>
> Cable TV up here is a good example. A few years ago, we got a lot of
> specialty channels, many of which were owned and operated as separate
> entities. Over the years, many of them were bought up by commercial networks
> and, now, many of those "specialty" channels are just used for re-runs. Does
> one *really* need to pay extra to have shows like "Desperate Housewives"
> which are available on two commercial channels?
We were paying $45/mo for Dish, and watching maybe two movies per month
(the rest were trash), then the receiver crapped out and we just cancelled
the whole subscription. We watch a few things on PBS here, and they only
stack the commercials between programs so you don't get interuptions all
through the program (a scourge of capitalism [when I was in Moscow 1989
it was refreshing to watch TV and listen to radio without commercials]).
> On the other hand, the local cable operator added TCM, AMC, and another
> domestic movie channel to the lineup. If it wasn't for those, I'd hardly
> watch TV at all.
Yes, some of those we would watch, too.
>>
>>
>> P.S. I got my computer-soundcard-rig interface all pretty much set up. Now
>> can do CW and PSK-31 if I want, off the keyboard. 20, 40, and 80 meters, on
>> demand. But 20 is pretty dead at night. More activity on weekends than
>> weekdays, and with turkey day in two days, I don't expect much activity
>> till this weekend.
>
> There might not be too many Canadian hams on the air on Sunday as I think
> it's Grey Cup weekend (Canadian football championship). I have no idea who's
> playing, not that I'm concerned about it.
Me neither.
> On the other hand, I don't think too many other of my fellow citizens are,
> either. Any excuse for a party, I suppose.
Yep
>>
>> Been awfully busy with a lot of other little chickenshit errands, keeping
>> up with the newspapers/magazines/books, honey-dos for the wifey, etc., too.
>
> I've been doing some of that, too. In my case, if I don't do it, it won't
> get done.
Yep.
BMJ
<snip>
>>> Happily I can do without most of it. And, I'm very happy with my
>>> old-fashioned landline telephones. We've got three. Trouble is: the
>>> repair guy says that verizon is not maintaining their lines anymore.
>>> That only means that someday they might tell me that they will not
>>> support that service beyond some terminal date. What to do? Not sure.
>>> But, I have some ideas.
>>
>> I still have dial service because it's cheaper. I threw away my cell
>> phones several years ago when one kept malfunctioning and I had
>> problems with the pay-as-you-go card for the other one. I don't miss
>> them.
>
> My Tracfone costs $7/month and they don't know who I am. Had it for
> maybe 3 years now, use it only for emergencies & special social contacts
> & when my wife goes out by herself, or I go out by myself from home,
> also very rare.
I recall that the service that I had cost something like $10/month for a
certain number of hours (I can't remember how many). One had to buy a new
card each time and, if one didn't move fast enough, any phone time that
wasn't used was deleted. I got tired of that and got rid of it all.
<snip>
>>
>> We're supposed to be getting it up here early next decade. From what
>> I've seen, I'm not overly impressed. Maybe it's a plot to sell
>> flat-screen HD TV sets.
>
> Start saving your video tapes, get extra backup VCRs,
If one can still get them. I bought two VCRs a few years ago and tried to
have them repaired a while back. No spare parts available, so I bought a
DVR instead.
make copies while
> you can of program material you like. All the DVDs I looked at have copy
> protection and I don't know (have not tried) copying a DVD to VHS, but
> "THEY" are locking down everything. DVDs _force_ you to watch the
> anti-piracy messages (you can't "zip" through them like on VHS).
Some of the commercially-available DVDs now have ads for other shows or
movies. At least one can skip them if one pushes the right button on time.
>
> Big Brother (1984) is a Corporation looking out for its economic interests.
Yup.
<snip>
>>> Ever hear of thermodynamic "heat death"? That's where all of this is
>>> headed. Too many channels, too little meaningfulness. Its all going
>>> to end up as a universe of noise.
>>
>> Cable TV up here is a good example. A few years ago, we got a lot of
>> specialty channels, many of which were owned and operated as separate
>> entities. Over the years, many of them were bought up by commercial
>> networks and, now, many of those "specialty" channels are just used
>> for re-runs. Does one *really* need to pay extra to have shows like
>> "Desperate Housewives" which are available on two commercial channels?
>
> We were paying $45/mo for Dish, and watching maybe two movies per month
> (the rest were trash), then the receiver crapped out and we just
> cancelled the whole subscription.
We've got two satellite TV services plugging their stuff as well. The
local telephone company decided to get into the cable TV business a year or
two ago but I wasn't impressed after looking at what it offered. For one
thing, it didn't carry BBC World or TCM.
We watch a few things on PBS here, and
> they only stack the commercials between programs so you don't get
> interuptions all through the program (a scourge of capitalism [when I
> was in Moscow 1989 it was refreshing to watch TV and listen to radio
> without commercials]).
That's the same here, but the begathons that PBS is known for are now
spread out over several weeks. Instead of interrupting the normal schedule
for, say, two weeks of solid whining for cash (and being quite irritating
while doing so), they go for a shorter time but then take up a few
Saturdays for the remainder.
On the other hand, we have a listener-supported station out here that does
the same thing twice a year, but donors can make requests for music when
they call in.
<snip>
BMJ
> On Nov 25, 10:52 am, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I recall that the service that I had cost something like $10/month for a
>> certain number of hours (I can't remember how many). One had to buy a new
>> card each time and, if one didn't move fast enough, any phone time that
>> wasn't used was deleted. I got tired of that and got rid of it all.
>
I was trying to impress a certain young lady when I got it. It didn't
work. She married someone else.
At home I still use an old answering
> machine with a micro cassette.
Mine doesn't use one. It stores each message in memory.
A piece of junk, which hardly ever
> gets used other than telemarketing ads being left on it. At times I
> wonder whether I actually still need a phone anymore.
I often ask myself the same question. Most of my long-distance
communications are done by e-mail, though there are times that I still make
business calls, such as when I'm ordering something or I have to talk to my
broker.
>
>> If one can still get them. I bought two VCRs a few years ago and tried to
>> have them repaired a while back. No spare parts available, so I bought a
>> DVR instead.
>>
>> make copies while
>>
>
> I don't even bother keeping old stuff on video tape long term or dvds
> anymore. Largely junk that ends up sitting on the bookshelf or closet
> collecting dust. Why bother wasting so much time and cash on such
> stuff, when I'm just going to watch it once or twice.
Bragging rights? ("Hey, gang! I've got the entire series of something or
another on DVD in remastered Blu-Ray in digital stereo!" "Oooooooh! Cool!")
I have a small collection of DVDs, including some TV shows that I liked
(recently I got the entire set for "U. F. O."--a personal blast from the
past). I'll dust them off once in a while if there's nothing else worth
watching on the telly.
Now if only the BBC would release the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker "Doctor
Who" or maybe "Star Cops" on Region 1 DVDs....
Me, again!
On Wed, 25 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
> Me, again! wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>>>> Happily I can do without most of it. And, I'm very happy with my
>>>> old-fashioned landline telephones. We've got three. Trouble is: the
>>>> repair guy says that verizon is not maintaining their lines anymore. That
>>>> only means that someday they might tell me that they will not support
>>>> that service beyond some terminal date. What to do? Not sure. But, I have
>>>> some ideas.
>>>
>>> I still have dial service because it's cheaper. I threw away my cell
>>> phones several years ago when one kept malfunctioning and I had problems
>>> with the pay-as-you-go card for the other one. I don't miss them.
>>
>> My Tracfone costs $7/month and they don't know who I am. Had it for maybe 3
>> years now, use it only for emergencies & special social contacts & when my
>> wife goes out by herself, or I go out by myself from home, also very rare.
>
> I recall that the service that I had cost something like $10/month for a
> certain number of hours (I can't remember how many). One had to buy a new
> card each time and, if one didn't move fast enough, any phone time that
> wasn't used was deleted. I got tired of that and got rid of it all.
Tracfone: you buy the phone, its yours to keep.
You get the extra minutes at a Radio Shack store: give the money (19.99)
and it gives you 90 minutes and 3 months of time. Unused minutes carry
over as long as you keep buying another time increment. So, divide 19.99
by 3 for per month cost.
Only ohter thing, if you drop and break the phone, you have to start over.
They have promotionals. Other problem: someday the battery won't hold
charge anymore.
Radio Shack prints the PIN number on the receipt, and you key that in
under the "prepaid" part of the menu. So far it's worked like a charm.
> <snip>
>
>>>
>>> We're supposed to be getting it up here early next decade. From what I've
>>> seen, I'm not overly impressed. Maybe it's a plot to sell flat-screen HD
>>> TV sets.
>>
>> Start saving your video tapes, get extra backup VCRs,
>
> If one can still get them. I bought two VCRs a few years ago and tried to
> have them repaired a while back. No spare parts available, so I bought a DVR
> instead.
We bought a about 3-4 extra VCRs back a year ago, already have three we
use all the time, but you never know when they will crap out. At least one
"movie" source also sells VCR/DVD players for $99 if you want to pay a
little high for a brand new one (www.collectorschoice.com, or something
like that).
all
> make copies while
>> you can of program material you like. All the DVDs I looked at have copy
>> protection and I don't know (have not tried) copying a DVD to VHS, but
>> "THEY" are locking down everything. DVDs _force_ you to watch the
>> anti-piracy messages (you can't "zip" through them like on VHS).
>
> Some of the commercially-available DVDs now have ads for other shows or
> movies. At least one can skip them if one pushes the right button on time.
I've never found that to work, and I've tried a lot.
>>
>> Big Brother (1984) is a Corporation looking out for its economic interests.
>
> Yup.
>
> <snip>
>
>>>> Ever hear of thermodynamic "heat death"? That's where all of this is
>>>> headed. Too many channels, too little meaningfulness. Its all going to
>>>> end up as a universe of noise.
>>>
>>> Cable TV up here is a good example. A few years ago, we got a lot of
>>> specialty channels, many of which were owned and operated as separate
>>> entities. Over the years, many of them were bought up by commercial
>>> networks and, now, many of those "specialty" channels are just used for
>>> re-runs. Does one *really* need to pay extra to have shows like
>>> "Desperate Housewives" which are available on two commercial channels?
>>
>> We were paying $45/mo for Dish, and watching maybe two movies per month
>> (the rest were trash), then the receiver crapped out and we just cancelled
>> the whole subscription.
>
> We've got two satellite TV services plugging their stuff as well. The local
> telephone company decided to get into the cable TV business a year or two ago
> but I wasn't impressed after looking at what it offered. For one thing, it
> didn't carry BBC World or TCM.
Back to your SWLing.
> We watch a few things on PBS here, and
>> they only stack the commercials between programs so you don't get
>> interuptions all through the program (a scourge of capitalism [when I was
>> in Moscow 1989 it was refreshing to watch TV and listen to radio without
>> commercials]).
>
> That's the same here, but the begathons that PBS is known for are now spread
> out over several weeks. Instead of interrupting the normal schedule for,
> say, two weeks of solid whining for cash (and being quite irritating while
> doing so), they go for a shorter time but then take up a few Saturdays for
> the remainder.
Well, they do have to have money to operate.
BMJ
>
>
> On Wed, 25 Nov 2009, BMJ wrote:
>
>> Me, again! wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>>>> Happily I can do without most of it. And, I'm very happy with my
>>>>> old-fashioned landline telephones. We've got three. Trouble is: the
>>>>> repair guy says that verizon is not maintaining their lines
>>>>> anymore. That only means that someday they might tell me that they
>>>>> will not support that service beyond some terminal date. What to
>>>>> do? Not sure. But, I have some ideas.
>>>>
>>>> I still have dial service because it's cheaper. I threw away my
>>>> cell phones several years ago when one kept malfunctioning and I had
>>>> problems with the pay-as-you-go card for the other one. I don't
>>>> miss them.
>>>
>>> My Tracfone costs $7/month and they don't know who I am. Had it for
>>> maybe 3 years now, use it only for emergencies & special social
>>> contacts & when my wife goes out by herself, or I go out by myself
>>> from home, also very rare.
>>
>> I recall that the service that I had cost something like $10/month for
>> a certain number of hours (I can't remember how many). One had to buy
>> a new card each time and, if one didn't move fast enough, any phone
>> time that wasn't used was deleted. I got tired of that and got rid of
>> it all.
>
> Tracfone: you buy the phone, its yours to keep.
I'm not sure we've got that up here.
>
> You get the extra minutes at a Radio Shack store: give the money (19.99)
> and it gives you 90 minutes and 3 months of time. Unused minutes carry
> over as long as you keep buying another time increment. So, divide 19.99
> by 3 for per month cost.
The cell phone I had was something like that. One paid a few $$ for a card
which lasted about 3 months and any time left over could be carried
forward, provided one renewed the account on time. When I had problems
with a card, and lost several hours, I decided I'd had enough and scrapped
the phone. I wasn't using it enough to justify paying for it.
>
> Only ohter thing, if you drop and break the phone, you have to start over.
> They have promotionals. Other problem: someday the battery won't hold
> charge anymore.
My first one was like that. It never did work properly, even after I
brought it in for repairs.
>
> Radio Shack prints the PIN number on the receipt, and you key that in
> under the "prepaid" part of the menu. So far it's worked like a charm.
>
I think the plan I was using isn't around any more. The cell phone company
that ran it probably dumped it and replaced it with something which made
more money for the company.
>> <snip>
>>
>>>>
>>>> We're supposed to be getting it up here early next decade. From
>>>> what I've seen, I'm not overly impressed. Maybe it's a plot to sell
>>>> flat-screen HD TV sets.
>>>
>>> Start saving your video tapes, get extra backup VCRs,
>>
>> If one can still get them. I bought two VCRs a few years ago and
>> tried to have them repaired a while back. No spare parts available,
>> so I bought a DVR instead.
>
> We bought a about 3-4 extra VCRs back a year ago, already have three we
> use all the time, but you never know when they will crap out. At least
> one "movie" source also sells VCR/DVD players for $99 if you want to pay
> a little high for a brand new one (www.collectorschoice.com, or
> something like that).
I've seen some of those combo units at a nearby stock liquidation store,
and at a reasonable price, too.
>
>
> all
>
>> make copies while
>>> you can of program material you like. All the DVDs I looked at have
>>> copy protection and I don't know (have not tried) copying a DVD to
>>> VHS, but "THEY" are locking down everything. DVDs _force_ you to
>>> watch the anti-piracy messages (you can't "zip" through them like on
>>> VHS).
>>
>> Some of the commercially-available DVDs now have ads for other shows
>> or movies. At least one can skip them if one pushes the right button
>> on time.
>
> I've never found that to work, and I've tried a lot.
>
For some, the default is the main menu and one presses the "Menu" button on
the remote to see the ads. For others, it's the other way around.
>>> We were paying $45/mo for Dish, and watching maybe two movies per
>>> month (the rest were trash), then the receiver crapped out and we
>>> just cancelled the whole subscription.
>>
>> We've got two satellite TV services plugging their stuff as well. The
>> local telephone company decided to get into the cable TV business a
>> year or two ago but I wasn't impressed after looking at what it
>> offered. For one thing, it didn't carry BBC World or TCM.
>
> Back to your SWLing.
I listen to the BBC World Service via its Internet stream. Its North
American SW service was closed down ten years ago. I used to be a monitor
and I'd submit reception reports about every two weeks. Then some bean
counter somewhere came up with the idea that every North American has
high-speed Internet, so I got a "so long and thanks for all the fish"
letter from the Beeb.
Fortunately, the cable service I subscribe to added BBC World to its channels.
>
>> We watch a few things on PBS here, and
>>> they only stack the commercials between programs so you don't get
>>> interuptions all through the program (a scourge of capitalism [when I
>>> was in Moscow 1989 it was refreshing to watch TV and listen to radio
>>> without commercials]).
>>
>> That's the same here, but the begathons that PBS is known for are now
>> spread out over several weeks. Instead of interrupting the normal
>> schedule for, say, two weeks of solid whining for cash (and being
>> quite irritating while doing so), they go for a shorter time but then
>> take up a few Saturdays for the remainder.
>
> Well, they do have to have money to operate.
Fortunately, much of what PBS shows nowadays isn't as good as what it had
20 or so years ago, so I skip all that and do something else.
<snip>
BMJ
> On Nov 25, 3:04 pm, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Bragging rights? ("Hey, gang! I've got the entire series of something or
>> another on DVD in remastered Blu-Ray in digital stereo!" "Oooooooh! Cool!")
>
> with the joneses", for whatever reasons. Seems kind of silly.
>
> This is the sort of behavior typical of a teenager.
Or some of my former bosses. The logic is as follows.
The boss has the corner office and all the trimmings and fringe benefits
that come with it. He owns or uses the latest digital turbo-powered
doohickey and does so openly. Go and do thou likewise and become
successful--or else.
BMJ
> On Nov 25, 6:24 pm, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Or some of my former bosses. The logic is as follows.
>>
>> The boss has the corner office and all the trimmings and fringe benefits
>> that come with it. He owns or uses the latest digital turbo-powered
>> doohickey and does so openly. Go and do thou likewise and become
>> successful--or else.
>
More a case of promotion and advancement in the corporate pecking order by
imitation (which isn't the sincerest form of flattery but the surest sign
of conformity).
In other words, use the same toys as the boss does and become a company
android.
BMJ
> On Nov 25, 5:34 pm, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Fortunately, much of what PBS shows nowadays isn't as good as what it had
>> 20 or so years ago, so I skip all that and do something else.
>
Most of the stuff on the telly is rubbish. On the other hand, there are
shows like "The Sopranos", "Mad Men", and the Jeremy Brett "Sherlock
Holmes" that are worth paying attention to.
Then again, has there
> ever been anything good on tv from the very beginning?
"I, Claudius" (with Sir Derek Jacobi in the starring role) and "Brideshead
Revisited" (with actors such as Jeremy Irons, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Sir
John Gielgud) stand out for me, but they were made over a generation ago.
BMJ
> On Nov 26, 1:07 pm, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Most of the stuff on the telly is rubbish. On the other hand, there are
>> shows like "The Sopranos", "Mad Men", and the Jeremy Brett "Sherlock
>> Holmes" that are worth paying attention to.
>
> attention at all.
>
>> "I, Claudius" (with Sir Derek Jacobi in the starring role) and "Brideshead
>> Revisited" (with actors such as Jeremy Irons, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Sir
>> John Gielgud) stand out for me, but they were made over a generation ago.
>
Same here, though "Space: 1999" was a guilty pleasure of mine around the
time of my first convocation. I loved those Eagles! There was a cop show
or two worth taking a look at.
Largely unmemorable
> stuff like: Charlie's Angels,
In the student residence where I lived for the latter half of my undergrad
studies, we used to watch it because we were totally blitzed after writing
exams.
Gilligan's Island reruns, Three's
> Company, Good Times, the Jeffersons, etc ... By the time I was in
> university, it was even worse stuff like: Dukes of Hazzard, Knight
> Rider, etc ...
I spared myself those indignities.
BMJ
> On Nov 26, 2:56 pm, BMJ <owlstretchingt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Same here, though "Space: 1999" was a guilty pleasure of mine around the
>> time of my first convocation. I loved those Eagles! There was a cop show
>> or two worth taking a look at.
>
> youth, is stuff like Star Wars movies.
Star Wars.... The only good thing about them was Sir Alec Guiness's role.