I believe a lot of flamewars start when writing is not clear and concise in expressing ideas, feelings or making general statements. Without visual or audio cues, it is very easy to misunderstand the point a writer is making when they assume you know what they are talking about and don't elaborate. Assumptions are the mother of all screw-ups.
If I write STFU in a post or email, I could be laughing or angry. If I don't explain what I meant through sarcasm or humor, you can't be sure where I'm coming from.
How many times have you had a misunderstanding among friends or family because of something written in an email that was taken the wrong way?
Learning to fly a One-Seventy in (PS2)>Star Wars Battlefront>Instant Action>Felucia Space, was a frustrating challenge for an over 60 grandpa like me. But, after a few hours of practice, I got pretty good at it and began to lose at 55 to 80 rather than 0 to 80. Now, I'm the clone 'Raker', a battle hardened, highly decorated space pilot.
I believe there is no question that a game like this can improve hand-eye coordination and can rewire connections in the brain that haven't been used in a while. Brings you even closer to your grand children as well. ;)
I have an approximate hearing loss of 95% in one ear and 65% in the other and I have pretty extreme tinnitus in both ears; yes, I can 'hear' that in the bad ear as well. My hearing loss is not only due to sound injury but also ear infection and sports injuries, mainly surfing and diving where water pressure and temperature (swimmer's ear) did the damage.
If I had it to do over again, I would do everything I could to protect my hearing. In the long run, it's a lot less expensive than surgery, which may or may not work, or needing hearing aids which are a pain in the arse and don't work well if there is loud background noise or even a good wind blowing.
Take care of your damn hearing, you'll be glad you did.
I have 'payed' Blue Cross health care as part of my retirement package but, as a veteran, I have opted to receive my health care from the Veterans Administration. Blue Cross covers a portion of my VA medical costs but I also pay a percentage for office visits and other services because of my income level. Yeah, the VA is using Windows XP and I would be happier if they were using Debian GNU/Linux, but in eight years there has not been any problems with my medical information and things go pretty smoothly. The VA's once deserved reputation for poor service to vets is no longer the case. In fact, they have been the world leader in several areas of medical research. My point is, not all areas of government services are as bad as we hear they are.
As a former firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, I came across many people who had worked all their lives but couldn't afford basic health care for themselves which, to me, is a travesty. I believe 'Socialized' medicine would be one of the best things that ever happened here in the US. We just need to break the strangle-hold of big health care corporations, giant multinational drug companies and the mystique that doctors are some kind of gods which, I assure you, they aren't.
This story makes me think of Father John Nicholson who used to agonize Monday through Saturday over what he was going to say on Sunday in his sermon. This was a guy who gave last rights to sailors on aircraft carriers during the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and others. His sermons were truly from his heart, his experience in life and the book from which he preached. I am now older now than he was when he died but I will not forget him because he never forgot me.
VoteHere, one of the biggest lobbyists in support of laws that required e-voting machines, is saying we should jump right on over to internet voting ... They point to some "small scale" tests as proof ... claiming that hackers tried and failed to impact those elections
When the artist started putting his work on merchandise, usually the domain of the University, I believe he might have gone too far, especially if the artwork is obviously Alabama football. If I remember correctly, there was a somewhat similar case involving the University of Oklahoma several years ago but I don't have time to look for it right now.
From Junior High on, I spent my writing time developing my printing skills because I aspired to
be an Architect, where printing was taken to the level of art. Even though I never became an Architect, in over thirty years of work, I never used cursive for anything. All my correspondence and reports had to be typed on paper and later, on computers.
As for cursive writing developing cognitive skills, I call bs on that. A good touch-typist's brain
is doing a lot more work, and requires more connections, than a cursive writer's. Think about it.
Being over 60 years old and jealous of my wife's beautiful cursive I decided to re-teach myself this 'art'. I practiced a little every day and got better at it than I ever had before. Then I went back to /. and forgot about it. ;)
On the post: Why People Are Such Jerks Online
Re: wow...
Very funny and clever post and welcome to our group of "clit-nosed-fecal-stained-cum-guzzling-dickless, holier than thou, pseudo-intellectual wonders"
On the post: Why People Are Such Jerks Online
If I write STFU in a post or email, I could be laughing or angry. If I don't explain what I meant through sarcasm or humor, you can't be sure where I'm coming from.
How many times have you had a misunderstanding among friends or family because of something written in an email that was taken the wrong way?
On the other hand, some folks are just jerks.
On the post: Microsoft Applies For Patent Telling You If A Website Is On A List Of Phishing Sites
Re: Patent this
On the post: Microsoft Vista Takes Orders From Anyone Who Yells At It
Vista voice recognition?
At this point in Vista's ability to recognize voice commands, I don't think I'd be too worried.
On the post: Another Study Suggests Video Games Are A Healthy Activity
Good brain exercise.
I believe there is no question that a game like this can improve hand-eye coordination and can rewire connections in the brain that haven't been used in a while. Brings you even closer to your grand children as well. ;)
On the post: Gadget Tells You If Things Are Loud. Funny, We Thought That's What Our Ears Are For
I wish I had a second chance.
I have an approximate hearing loss of 95% in one ear and 65% in the other and I have pretty extreme tinnitus in both ears; yes, I can 'hear' that in the bad ear as well. My hearing loss is not only due to sound injury but also ear infection and sports injuries, mainly surfing and diving where water pressure and temperature (swimmer's ear) did the damage.
If I had it to do over again, I would do everything I could to protect my hearing. In the long run, it's a lot less expensive than surgery, which may or may not work, or needing hearing aids which are a pain in the arse and don't work well if there is loud background noise or even a good wind blowing.
Take care of your damn hearing, you'll be glad you did.
On the post: Someone Should Teach The Pentagon About Expedia And Travelocity
Re: Thank goodness its not for health care
As a former firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, I came across many people who had worked all their lives but couldn't afford basic health care for themselves which, to me, is a travesty. I believe 'Socialized' medicine would be one of the best things that ever happened here in the US. We just need to break the strangle-hold of big health care corporations, giant multinational drug companies and the mystique that doctors are some kind of gods which, I assure you, they aren't.
Just my two cents worth.
On the post: 'Go Forth And Multiply' Evidently Doesn't Apply To Online Sermons
Father John
On the post: Forget Fixing E-Voting Machines; Why Not Just Jump All The Way To Internet Voting?
Red flag warning.
Gee, no red flags there, huh?
On the post: An Idea Only A Lawyer Could Love: Suing A Sports Team's Top Fan For Commemorative Paintings
Art vs merchandise
When the artist started putting his work on merchandise, usually the domain of the University, I believe he might have gone too far, especially if the artwork is obviously Alabama football. If I remember correctly, there was a somewhat similar case involving the University of Oklahoma several years ago but I don't have time to look for it right now.
On the post: Microsoft Grudgingly Admits That Someone Out There Might Sometimes Use Linux
Novell sells out, demise eminent.
MS Partnership == Embrace, Extend, Crush.
IT'S A TRAP!
On the post: Forgent Settles Patent Case; Ends Up With Over $100 Million For No Innovation
No way Smooth Jazz
On the post: Oh For Shame! Our Children Can't Write Cursive!
What is cursive good for?
Writing notes on Christmas cards, I suppose.
From Junior High on, I spent my writing time developing my printing skills because I aspired to be an Architect, where printing was taken to the level of art. Even though I never became an Architect, in over thirty years of work, I never used cursive for anything. All my correspondence and reports had to be typed on paper and later, on computers.
As for cursive writing developing cognitive skills, I call bs on that. A good touch-typist's brain is doing a lot more work, and requires more connections, than a cursive writer's. Think about it.
Being over 60 years old and jealous of my wife's beautiful cursive I decided to re-teach myself this 'art'. I practiced a little every day and got better at it than I ever had before. Then I went back to /. and forgot about it. ;)
On the post: Drug Websites Are Bad... Mmmmkay?
the 'real' terror...
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