Y2HH

Am I to presume Tex is one of those crazy anti-porn people?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 09:49 PM) Disagree, Zimmerman always had the choice to get beaten to death. May not be a smart choice or the best choice, but non-violence is a choice. This deserves the oft overused, but suddenly very applicable "Billy Madison", edited for Internet purposes, of course: "What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened read to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." Seriously, as a lawyer, I'd expect a greater show of rational thought than this. That's simply NOT a choice, so let's not pretend it is, whether you preface it by saying, "May not be a smart or the best choice"...no, it's neither because such a choice is no longer part of the equation. In a situation that has already escalated into inescapable violence, there is no longer a choice for one party to choose non-violence. This is nonsensical in every regard.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 04:24 PM) Morel's hitting .286 with RISP this year. .333 with a man on third. .667 with man on third less than 2 outs. Small sample, but hey, he's excelled in that sample this year. This is the perfect time to say, every once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut. That line is a statistical anomaly and will NOT hold up.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 04:21 PM) Morel was up in the count, as bad of a hitter as he is, he still had a chance at putting a ball in play somewhere. His statistics clearly say otherwise.

Morel needs to go. No matter who we have in the minors, they will be better than he is in every regard.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 01:39 PM) Man, this has taken over my day looking into all my options here. Anyone overclocked their stuff? Is that easy to do, i.e. can you just let a computer program handle it? It's usually just a bios setting these days, or at the most, a simple jumper on the motherboard that's easy to switch around. That said, for most things, you won't have to worry about OC'ing, it's mostly not necessary these days unless you are seriously trying to push the limits for things like rendering or playing games at maximum settings trying to eek out every last drop of performance. Your system should be fine without overclocking for most regular applications...you don't seem like the type that cares about making sure Diablo 3 runs at 71fps instead of 69fps.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 11:29 AM) This thread just made me go buy 8 more gigs of RAM for my imac, thanks for reminding me! I have 16 gigs in mine...memory is SO cheap, I see no reason why people have less than 12 anymore. 8 gigs is around 45$, and even less with rebates...even cheaper if you go generic on the memory, but I don't recommend that.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 11:20 AM) Also, what's the best place to buy the parts? Amazon? Newegg? Other? Newegg is pretty good for this sort of thing in my experience.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 11:16 AM) Hmm, sounds like i'm going to have to research the BYO option. Seems like there are 100 variations of the same components though, and I don't know what's good and what's bad. And I've already got a nice 23 inch LED monitor. Just need to add a decent computer to use it! That's the hardest part about building your own if you don't have a lot of modern hardware experience...it's hard to know what's good/bad. While it will take a bit of time, research each component and see what the general consensus is. As for monitors, they're very much of the "until you have X, Y is fine" mindset. I currently run 2560x1440 resolution and could NOT go back to something smaller on a desktop now, but until I started using 2560x1440, 1920x1200 was fine. Needless to say, it's no longer fine for me. :/

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 10:17 AM) I'm sure some of the other people who actually work in the field can offer stronger recommendations (y2hh?), but I run free anti-virus from Avast! on my machines and haven't had any issues. IMO, the best current "free" and VERY good Anti-Virus program is Microsoft Security Essentials...it's a relatively new release from Microsoft, and it's completely *free*, not to mention ad-free, all encompassing protection -- it does virus, malware, etc. -- with a VERY small footprint (doesn't take up a lot of resources). http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows...rity-essentials For Windows users, it's as good as any paid AV software on the market right now. Edit: I've no experience with Avast, and in order to give an opinion I'd have to load it up and test it, see how much memory/processor it uses, how many processes it spawns, etc...and how well it ties into the OS. I'd also like to know what information it's reporting back to Avast...as I doubt it's 'free' out of the goodness of their hearts. I do have experience with Symantec and McAfee, too...and of those, I prefer Symantec...but right now I'd stick with Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft has built a very secure OS over the years and if anyone knows how to further protect it from viruses/malware, it's the mother ship itself. For Apple/OSX users, I'd recommend using the free ClamXav, which can be downloaded direct or from the app store. The App store version does not have "active scanning", as it does not load an agent in the background and scan files as you use them. This is the version I use/recommend (app store version)...however, if you want active scanning, you can download a more robust version directly from the makers of ClamXav. At the very least, I'd recommend downloading it (again, it's free), updating the definitions and performing a full scan. Despite the recent media hoopla of malware outbreaks on OSX, I wouldn't be very worried about it...at least not yet. That said, nothing wrong with taking a pre-emptive interest and protecting yourself a bit.

There are advantages and disadvantages of building your own versus buying pre-built machines from a place like Dell. The advantages: More choices, from graphics to sound to wireless, whatever the component in question, you have infinitely more -- and often better -- choice. WAY cheaper. And when I say way, I mean WAY...probably half the total cost with better components. Customizable to your exact requirements, be it graphics processing or just email, etc. The disadvantages: Size, these machines will never be as sleek/small as a all-in-one like a iMac as they have separated monitors, etc. Having to build it which requires some experience/knowledge, understanding what components to buy and why, etc. Purchasing the operating system (unless you use some flavor of Linux), this adds about 100$ to the cost and requires you to install it (for you Windows people), and then get the necessary/updated drivers for the components you installed. While default drivers often work fine, you SHOULD install the latest from the manufacturer. Warranty. When you build your own, every component has it's own warranty, which you will have to box up ship back if it breaks, which requires experience to know what component is broken and why. --- While pre-built machines cost more, they're easier to have fixed, etc. I only recommend building your own to people with some computer/operating system experience...otherwise the increased cost is justifiable for those with less experience. That said, it can be a very fun project and a GREAT learning experience for those looking to get into IT, believe it or not, building your own computer and installing the OS from scratch is a GREAT first step to gain some experience. One of the most important things is a good power supply, that can supply enough power to drive a good modern graphics card. You don't have to go overboard, but don't "go cheap" on the power supply, either. Also, keep in mind that a *GOOD* monitor costs a LOT. Whether you buy pre-built or not, when it comes to LCD's you get what you pay for. Note that I didn't say a crappy knock off monitor, I said a good monitor...for photo/video/gamers like myself, the monitor is just as important as the graphics card.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 03:16 PM) I'm not exactly a strong defender of our kleptocracy. But there's still a problem with the "kill 'em all and let the market sort 'em out" philosophy, and that's the harm done to all the people prior to, during and after a rather large industry crashes and burns. People end up eating diseased food and getting sick, possibly even dying before "market forces" correct and drive these companies out of business*. Many who have no say over shoddy, profit-first management practices will lose their jobs and a major portion of our food supply will be disrupted. These are just a few things springing to mind; I'm sure there are countless more network effects of letting the US beef industry collapse. If you can head that off with strong regulation, why the hell wouldn't you? *I'm being generous with the assumption that this is a reasonable outcome in a large, complex and mostly opaque economy. Well, I'm not saying dissolve the USDA. There should still be government oversight...but if/when these places run into financial issues brought on by being sloppy or repeating the same mistakes, don't continue to rescue them with taxpayer money. The US beef industry will NOT collapse. There are thousands of US cattle farmers, both small and big that will grow to fill ANY void made by those that shut down because they're lazy/sloppy/etc. But they have to be held accountable. How is it being held accountable when you mess up, the cattle industry gets hurt...and then the government just bails you out.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:56 PM) Mine isn't nearly that big, but it's still sizeable (~100x50 at least). My recommendation - stay on it. Our place was professionally landscaped (to sell) and we thought it would just come back the next year and be fine. HA. Nope. It took weekends of weeding/digging to get it back to it's former glory. It's one of those things where if you spend 15-20 minutes every few days, it'll stay clean. If not you're looking at weekend(s) of work. This is exactly it... People tend to not bother, and let problems build up over the course weeks/months before they decide to do something...and then it can be days of work and weeks of waiting, on top of additional work. Just spend the time up keeping it and it will mostly stay nice...if there is an issue, get too it sooner than later. Don't put it off. If you see small spots start to form and think you have grubs, get on it immediately, don't wait! Like my grass is pretty nice, and all I really do is mow it/edge it and once in a while spray some weed killer/grub killer on it...30 minutes max per week.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:51 PM) That was meant to be more tongue in cheek and jabby, but it really came off just rude, so I apologize. Eh, it's not a big deal, but the "meat or not to meat" argument can get quite heated between those that do and those that don't. I don't mind discussing pro's/con's of these choices, but I often find it to be a rather condescending discussion. One *always* tends to think their better than the other. As I said, I hate it when vegetarians/vegans do it to us meat eaters, but I also hate it when meat eaters do it back. I find it rather fortuitous to live in a society where we have the choice to do either/or, while others simply starve.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 03:08 PM) Depends, how strong is the meatpackers union? You just said the magic "U" word. They're rescued for sure. This is actually why you are finding a lot of the higher profile restaurants buying beef from private, smaller ranchers these days. Not only is the quality of their product infinity higher than the "big box ranchers", it's also infinity safer to consume.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 03:00 PM) It's a thread about Mad Cow disease and we have pretty recent precedent to speculate on how countries will react. It's not just a bunch of navel-gazing. Then maybe the government should allow the free market cattle industry to crash and burn, as it should...instead of rescuing it...like it will. Maybe then they'll get the message that they should be more careful with their testing, etc. We point at the cattle industry for being sloppy...but what you need to point at is the government that rescues them when they make the same mistake over and over again.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:58 PM) No matter how you spin it, the third ever case of Mad Cow's Disease in the USA is a big f***ing deal. I believe it's the fourth.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:53 PM) But Balta's talking about the impact on international trade. It doesn't matter if our beef is safer than Japan's or anyone else's if they take a protectionist stance in response to this report. I guess we can sit around the campfire and speculate on a number of things that may affect international trade, and how the taxpayer will have to pick up the tab on those things, too. Because beef is just one of many...many, many on top of many more.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:45 PM) They of course said that the last time one was detected. Japan still hasn't re-accepted U.S. Beef. A number of other places were starting to become more open even just this year, including Taiwan. That will obviously go the opposite way, again, and just like the last time, the taxpayer will take care of it. For reference on this: In 2003, there had been two cases of BSE in the United States and 21 cases in Japan at the time. * Noted that you referenced Japan banning our beef, when in fact, they had 21 cases to our 2 when they instated the 'ban'. They later implemented a partial lift on the ban for cattle 21 months and younger (Veal products). However, US beef remains the safest in the world DESPITE Japans ban...including safer than Japan's beef itself.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:41 PM) Much Ado About Nothing That's the Shakespeare play...I was referencing the little known Canadian Comedy Club. Edit, to be fair, I hope they get a handle on it, as with every/all diseases, of plants, Bees, animals, etc...there is simply nothing better to brighten your day than a Vegan/Vegetarian playing the holier than thou card. I find it as annoying as I find meat eaters that bother those who choose to NOT eat it.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:38 PM) Really, no it won't be. Actually detecting this in U.S. cattle will give every other country in the world an excuse to respond harshly with import protections on U.S. beef (which simultaneously will protect their domestic industries). The U.S. taxpayer will then step in and fill the gap in money lost by big agribusiness, to the tune of probably billions, maybe tens of billions of dollars. That's what happened the last time. You need to read it then. "Evidence shows that our systems and safeguards to prevent BSE are working, as are similar actions taken by countries around the world. In 2011, there were only 29 worldwide cases of BSE, a dramatic decline and 99% reduction since the peak in 1992 of 37,311 cases." Yes, much to do about nothing.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:25 PM) Keep shoveling it in, folks. 3rd ever Mad Cow case discovered in USA (California) Much to do about nothing. And we will, thanks for judging. Edit: From the article itself, "Evidence shows that our systems and safeguards to prevent BSE are working, as are similar actions taken by countries around the world. In 2011, there were only 29 worldwide cases of BSE, a dramatic decline and 99% reduction since the peak in 1992 of 37,311 cases."

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 02:03 PM) This seems like a pretty low-level guy and it's an obstruction charge for deleting emails. I doubt anyone important will ever face any charges or financial penalties. Which is stupid. I'm sick of people getting away with stuff like this.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 01:59 PM) I put some down the last two weekends. Hopefully that solved the problem. I'm also having issues with clover. I didn't realize the weed spray took care of that. Might have to do a 2nd application. Make sure you space it out a few weeks, you're only supposed to use Weed-B-Gone 2 times per season, or so...

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 24, 2012 -> 01:26 PM) Iron Man 2 was f***ing awful. Agreed.