On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:49:50 +0100, D wrote:

> I think in northern europe and in the north east, BMW is still the king
> of asshole cars. I had a BMW when young. I do not know what other
> thought of my driving, but I've never been a car person and I do not
> enjoy driving. My wife drives me most of the time. This is luxury! =D

I think the title here belongs to crew cab (Dodge) Rams.

On 2024-12-31, Andrzej Matuch <andrzej@matu.ch> wrote:

> I wouldn't dual-boot if my dad insisted on Linux. There would be no
> reason to hold onto Windows since he doesn't play games and doesn't use
> any application exclusive to Windows.

And since Steam runs on Linux, there are even some good games.

--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | Growth for the sake of
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | growth is the ideology
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | of the cancer cell.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Edward Abbey

On 2024-12-31, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> On 30/12/2024 23:18, Andrzej Matuch wrote:
>
>> As far as I know, Nouveau has full support for NVIDIA GPUs into the 8xx
>> range. Anything after that doesn't get full support because the firmware
>> is closed. What was the card you were using?
>
> Ive never had a problem getting correct Nvidia drivers for the gfx cards.

I recently had to get a newer video card because the newer Nvidia driver
didn't support the old one, and Debian Bookworm doesn't support the older
Nvidia drivers that supported the card. Ah well, I was replacing the
motherboard anyway...

I've never had much luck with nouveau - too many lockups.

--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | Growth for the sake of
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | growth is the ideology
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | of the cancer cell.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Edward Abbey

On 2024-12-31, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> On 30/12/2024 20:49, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
>
>> I try to spread the rumour that before you are allowed to purchase
>> a BMW, you must sign a letter of undertaking in which you promise
>> to drive like an asshole at any opportunity.
>
> It is in fact worse than that...
>
> http://vps.templar.co.uk/Cartoons%20and%20Politics/bmw-drive-like-an-asshole-congratulations-on-your-purchase-now-you-have-to-watch-our-mandatory-instructional-video.jpg

Thanks. I knew that cartoon existed, but I couldn't find it.

--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | Growth for the sake of
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | growth is the ideology
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | of the cancer cell.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Edward Abbey

On 2024-12-31, Andrzej Matuch <andrzej@matu.ch> wrote:

> I would bet that it is AbiWord that is the issue, not any kind of bug
> with ODT. If AbiWord couldn't handle DOCX though, I would blame the
> format since it is closed despite its name.

The original .doc format was closed too. You could get a look at
the specs, but you had to sign a non-disclosure agreement first.
I once heard from someone who signed the NDA and looked at the
specs. He said you really didn't want to know what was in there.
It was a real dog's breakfast - but I suppose the people who
revese-engineered it knew that already.

--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | Growth for the sake of
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | growth is the ideology
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | of the cancer cell.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Edward Abbey

On 2024-12-31, chrisv <chrisv@nospam.invalid> wrote:
> Charlie Gibbs wrote:
>
>>I'm not disputing whether BMWs are better vehicles, whether to drive
>>or for some other reason. What I do notice is that many people who
>>drive BMWs feel that the car confers some sort of superior class on
>>the driver, and they feel it is the God-given duty for us plebes who
>>drive lesser cars to get out of their way - to the point of making
>>exasperated hand gestures at those of us who don't.
>
> Again, I've never noticed any such thing.
>
Biggest assholes where I live are Tesla owners, Dodge Hemi and Mustang owners.
It used to be Land/Range Rover people but things have changed.

--
pothead

"Give a man a fish and you turn him into a Democrat for life"
"Teach a man to fish and he might become a self-sufficient conservative Republican"
"Don't underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up,"
--- Barack H. Obama

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 20:40:05 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:

> The original .doc format was closed too. You could get a look at the
> specs, but you had to sign a non-disclosure agreement first. I once
> heard from someone who signed the NDA and looked at the specs. He said
> you really didn't want to know what was in there.
> It was a real dog's breakfast - but I suppose the people who
> revese-engineered it knew that already.

You just to look at what was public in the ISO 29500 so-called spec to see
that it was an accumulation of many years of dogs’ breakfasts, piled one
on top of the other.

On 2024-12-31 15:40, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
> On 2024-12-31, Andrzej Matuch <andrzej@matu.ch> wrote:
>
>> I wouldn't dual-boot if my dad insisted on Linux. There would be no
>> reason to hold onto Windows since he doesn't play games and doesn't use
>> any application exclusive to Windows.
>
> And since Steam runs on Linux, there are even some good games.

There are quite a few games that run natively on Linux. In fact, even
though Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a native game, Steam treats it like
one considering how perfectly it runs under the free operating system.
I'm sure I'll encounter a few errors trying to run some games Steam
doesn't immediately consider compatible, but that's fine.

--
Andrzej (Andre) Matuch
Telegram: @AndrzejMatuch
Zephyrus G14 GA401QM on Fedora 41
KDE supporting member

On 2024-12-31 15:40, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
> On 2024-12-31, Andrzej Matuch <andrzej@matu.ch> wrote:
>
>> I would bet that it is AbiWord that is the issue, not any kind of bug
>> with ODT. If AbiWord couldn't handle DOCX though, I would blame the
>> format since it is closed despite its name.
>
> The original .doc format was closed too. You could get a look at
> the specs, but you had to sign a non-disclosure agreement first.
> I once heard from someone who signed the NDA and looked at the
> specs. He said you really didn't want to know what was in there.
> It was a real dog's breakfast - but I suppose the people who
> revese-engineered it knew that already.

I'm not entirely surprised. A lot of the formats Microsoft comes up with
seem to be a poor response to something that already exists rather than
anything that was properly planned. They seem to create the format
simply to make sure that anyone using it is tied to their software. It's
clever for business, but unethical if storing information for as long as
possible or sharing it with as many people as possible are your primary
concerns.

--
Andrzej (Andre) Matuch
Telegram: @AndrzejMatuch
Zephyrus G14 GA401QM on Fedora 41
KDE supporting member

On Wed, 1 Jan 2025 01:40:33 -0000 (UTC), pothead wrote:

> Biggest assholes where I live are Tesla owners, Dodge Hemi and Mustang
> owners.
> It used to be Land/Range Rover people but things have changed.

When you pul up behind a F-250 with imitation bull testicles dangling from
the trailer hitch you have a good idea what you're dealing with.

On 2024-12-30, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>
>
> On Sun, 29 Dec 2024, pH wrote:
>
>> On 2024-12-28, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, 27 Dec 2024, Andrzej Matuch wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 2024-12-27 18:04, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
>>>>> On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:57:55 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, I appreciate that I can get gratis a piece of software that is
>>>>>> that good.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you think Free Software could be better, and you would rather not give
>>>>> money to a proprietary company, why not contribute some of that money to
>>>>> the development of the Free Software and help make it better?
>>>>
>>>> Especially since projects like KDE and LibreOffice really need it.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Note that money is not the only way to contribute. Even by using the
>>> software you contribute, by making others aware of it, you contribute. I
>>> actually like projects that are not super wealthy. The linux foundation
>>> and firefox are excellent examples of how power corrupts. Would never
>>> dream of contributing with money to those two.
>>
>> This grabs my attention...as essentially a 'bystander' I've been totally
>> unaware of these types of sentiments.
>> Can someone give (or point me to) a thumbnail of why someone might have
>> these opinions?
>>
>> Just curious....
>>
>> Pureheart in Aptos
>
> Sure... https://lunduke.substack.com/ writes plenty about the corruption
> of firefox and the linux foundation.

Thank-you for the link...

pH

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024, rbowman wrote:

> On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 05:11:09 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
>
>> I'm not disputing whether BMWs are better vehicles, whether to drive or
>> for some other reason. What I do notice is that many people who drive
>> BMWs feel that the car confers some sort of superior class on the
>> driver, and they feel it is the God-given duty for us plebes who drive
>> lesser cars to get out of their way - to the point of making exasperated
>> hand gestures at those of us who don't.
>
> When I was trucking I was amused by BMW drivers who tried to play chicken
> with a 65' long 18 wheeled vehicle outweighing them by about 75,000
> pounds.
>

That reminds me... when I was in spain once, a big truck didn't look out
before changing lanes and almost pushed me off the road. He saw it in time
though and apologized. I had an elevated pulse for a while.

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024, rbowman wrote:

> On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:49:50 +0100, D wrote:
>
>> I think in northern europe and in the north east, BMW is still the king
>> of asshole cars. I had a BMW when young. I do not know what other
>> thought of my driving, but I've never been a car person and I do not
>> enjoy driving. My wife drives me most of the time. This is luxury! =D
>
> I think the title here belongs to crew cab (Dodge) Rams.
>

Dodge rams? Had no idea! I've seen one or two, but here they are very
rare. Do you think I would get many women if I bought a dodge ram in the
US?

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024, Charlie Gibbs wrote:

> On 2024-12-31, Andrzej Matuch <andrzej@matu.ch> wrote:
>
>> I would bet that it is AbiWord that is the issue, not any kind of bug
>> with ODT. If AbiWord couldn't handle DOCX though, I would blame the
>> format since it is closed despite its name.
>
> The original .doc format was closed too. You could get a look at
> the specs, but you had to sign a non-disclosure agreement first.
> I once heard from someone who signed the NDA and looked at the
> specs. He said you really didn't want to know what was in there.
> It was a real dog's breakfast - but I suppose the people who
> revese-engineered it knew that already.

I'm not surprised. It is fascinating how the company culture is created to
turn out bad software. Makes one wonder if it would be possible to create
a kind of anti-Microsoft company culture that would produce gems?

-hh wrote:

> (snipped, unread)

The -highhorse snit sees an advocate or two admitting that they have
no experience with Photoshop. The snit sees an opportunity to attack.
He claims that advocate "haters" have been unreasonable. They have
been "loudly critical" of a product that they have no experience with.

When challenged, the snit moves the goal posts to advocates talking
about prices and values, which he asserts is being "loudly critical"
of the more-expensive product.

The snit also positively *gloats* about the fact that one advocate,
sdb, made a stupid argument in the course of one such discussion about
value.

But even if one accepts the snittish claim that calling Photoshop
"expensive" or whatever constitutes being "loudly critical" of it, the
initial attack was that we were unreasonably critical of something
that we had no experience with, and thus were ignorant of.

But the price has always been known! Being "critical" of the price is
*not* being critical of something we have no experience with and thus
are ignorant of!

So, -highhorse's attack *fails* even if one accepts his snittish claim
calling Photoshop "expensive" and comparing value is "loud" "criticism
on cost".

As usual, -highhorse attacked using nothing but idiocy and lies. As
usual, -highhorse failed.

And let's consider sdb's brain-fart of ten (or whatever) years ago.
This is about the best that -highhorse can do, apparently. Yes, sdb
arbitrarily assigned a one cent price to GIMP, to compare relative
values. Yes, it was stupid. Notice the absolute *pleasure*
-highhorse gets out of this single example. The guy is a genuine
fscking *asshole*, folks.

How many *stupid* things have freedom-hating assholes, like
-highhorse, spewed in here? I have hundreds of examples of -highhorse
and many others spewing mind-boggling stupidity.

And sdb's brain-fart was only that. He wasn't being an asshole. He
wasn't attacking anyone using idiocy and lies.

-highhorse attacks people using idiocy and lies. -highhorse has
claimed that advocates are "irrational" and "close minded", because
they "hate" Photoshop.

Do cola advocates really "hate" Photoshop, or did -highhorse attack
using idiocy and lies?

Between what sdb did, and what -highhorse did, which is worse?

-hh wrote:

> (snipped, unread)

Around your family, you like to pretend that you're a good person,
don't you, -highhorse.

If only they knew what an asshole you are, how eager to attack decent,
reasonable people you are.

On 01/01/2025 15:26, chrisv wrote:
> -hh wrote:
>
>> (snipped, unread)
>
> Around your family, you like to pretend that you're a good person,
> don't you, -highhorse.
>
> If only they knew what an asshole you are, how eager to attack decent,
> reasonable people you are.
>
I think the asshole round here, is you, chris

--
Gun Control: The law that ensures that only criminals have guns.

-hh wrote:

> (snipped, unread)

The -highhorse snit sees an advocate or two admitting that they have
no experience with Photoshop. The snit sees an opportunity to attack.
He claims that advocate "haters" have been unreasonable. They have
been "loudly critical" of a product that they have no experience with.

When challenged, the snit moves the goal posts to advocates talking
about prices and values, which he asserts is being "loudly critical"
of the more-expensive product.

The snit also positively *gloats* about the fact that one advocate,
sdb, made a stupid argument in the course of one such discussion about
value.

But even if one accepts the snittish claim that calling Photoshop
"expensive" or whatever constitutes being "loudly critical" of it, the
initial attack was that we were unreasonably critical of something
that we had no experience with, and thus were ignorant of.

But the price has always been known! Being "critical" of the price is
*not* being critical of something we have no experience with and thus
are ignorant of!

So, -highhorse's attack *fails* even if one accepts his snittish claim
calling Photoshop "expensive" and comparing value is "loud" "criticism
on cost".

As usual, -highhorse attacked using nothing but idiocy and lies. As
usual, -highhorse failed.

And let's consider sdb's brain-fart of ten (or whatever) years ago.
This is about the best that -highhorse can do, apparently. Yes, sdb
arbitrarily assigned a one cent price to GIMP, to compare relative
values. Yes, it was stupid. Notice the absolute *pleasure*
-highhorse gets out of this single example. The guy is a genuine
fscking *asshole*, folks.

How many *stupid* things have freedom-hating assholes, like
-highhorse, spewed in here? I have hundreds of examples of -highhorse
and many others spewing mind-boggling stupidity.

And sdb's brain-fart was only that. He wasn't being an asshole. He
wasn't attacking anyone using idiocy and lies.

-highhorse attacks people using idiocy and lies. -highhorse has
claimed that advocates are "irrational" and "close minded", because
they "hate" Photoshop.

Do cola advocates really "hate" Photoshop, or did -highhorse attack
using idiocy and lies?

Between what sdb did, and what -highhorse did, which is worse?

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> (snipped, unread)

How about you keep your trap shut about things you have no idea about?

On 1/1/25 7:22 AM, chrisv wrote:
> -hh wrote:
>
>> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> chrisv wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Again, I've never noticed any such thing.
>>>
>>> Many drivers are not given to noticing anything around them.
>>
>> Its also challenging to see the transgressions from inside the BMW. /s
>
> Being a motorcyclist, like myself, gets you in tune with what other
> vehicles are doing.

Only if one drives on roads. Plus it doesn't address the question of
how long a former BMW driver remains defensive about their reputation.

-hh

On 1/1/25 10:57 AM, chrisv wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>> (snipped, unread)
>
> How about you keep your trap shut about things you have no idea about?

Butthurt chrisv needs to take his own advice.

Sorry, no "/s".

-hh

-hh wrote:

> chrisv wrote:
>>
>> Being a motorcyclist, like myself, gets you in tune with what other
>> vehicles are doing.
>
>Only if one drives on roads.

Which I do.

>Plus it doesn't address the question of
>how long a former BMW driver remains defensive about their reputation.

Only a fscking dumbshit would think that being a former BMW driver
would motivate me to defend the reputation of BMW drivers in general.

It's not as if anyone has claimed, or would claim, that all BMW
drivers are bad.

-hh wrote:

> chrisv wrote:
>>
>> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>
>>> (snipped, unread)
>>
>> How about you keep your trap shut about things you have no idea about?
>
> (snipped, unread)

Let me guess: One asshole who attacks without basis supporting
another.

There's probably a snittish twist about me spouting-off about things
that I have no idea about. But that would be pure snittery, of
course.

After all, -highhorse is the guy who read my pro-choice arguments and
concluded that I didn't know that producing and offering more choices
increases costs.

I'm *that* stupid and clueless, or is -highhorse a snit?

--
"the COLA fanboys seem to never grok [that choice has costs]." -
lying asshole "-hh", lying shamelessly

On 1/1/25 10:25 AM, chrisv wrote (a butthurt double post)
> -hh wrote:
>
>> (snipped, unread)
>
> The -highhorse snit sees an advocate or two admitting that they have
> no experience with Photoshop. The snit sees an opportunity to attack.
> He claims that advocate "haters" have been unreasonable. They have
> been "loudly critical" of a product that they have no experience with.
>
> When challenged, the snit moves the goal posts to advocates talking
> about prices and values, which he asserts is being "loudly critical"
> of the more-expensive product.

Gosh, it couldn't have been for the reason that chrisv snipped:

[quote]
Unfortunately, the only way that this point actually becomes
"reasonable" is by finally admitting that many/most Linux fanboys are
chronic consummate cheapskates.
[/quote]

Nothing wrong being frugal, but with YA post today of YA Goodwill find
(this one a Optiplex 9020 Micro for $12), there is an undue amount of
attention paid in COLA on money.

> The snit also positively *gloats* about the fact that one advocate,
> sdb, made a stupid argument in the course of one such discussion about
> value.

No, I'm under no obligation to cite every COLA poster who's been a fool.

sbd wasn't the only one: merely a spectacularly dumb example. For
example, Homer was known for this with Photoshop too ("£600").

> But even if one accepts the snittish claim that calling Photoshop
> "expensive" or whatever constitutes being "loudly critical" of it, the
> initial attack was that we were unreasonably critical of something
> that we had no experience with, and thus were ignorant of.

Ignorance as a factor becomes relevant when they overstep, such as by
attempting to claim GIMP as an equivalent & suitable alternative.

Its no different than criticizing BMWs for being 'overpriced junk' when
being ignorant on how that product is differentiated in the market.

> But the price has always been known! Being "critical" of the price is
> *not* being critical of something we have no experience with and thus
> are ignorant of!

When you're ignorant, just how do you make an informed assessment on a
product's utility, for its potential Return on Investment (ROI)? Hmm?

TL;DR: dividing by zero (knowledge) is a fool's errand.

> So, -highhorse's attack *fails* even if one accepts his snittish claim
> calling Photoshop "expensive" and comparing value is "loud" "criticism
> on cost".
>
> As usual, -highhorse attacked using nothing but idiocy and lies. As
> usual, -highhorse failed.

No, its noting that 'dividing by zero' (ignorance) is a fool's errand.

> And let's consider sdb's brain-fart of ten (or whatever) years ago.
> This is about the best that -highhorse can do, apparently.

No, I'm under no obligation to cite every COLA poster who's been a fool.

> Yes, sdb arbitrarily assigned a one cent price to GIMP, to compare relative
> values. Yes, it was stupid. Notice the absolute *pleasure*
> -highhorse gets out of this single example. The guy is a genuine
> fscking *asshole*, folks.

But you *do* remember sbd; its why I chose a memorable example.

> And sdb's brain-fart was only that. He wasn't being an asshole. He
> wasn't attacking anyone using idiocy and lies.

Except that sbd came back briefly as butthurt sore luzer, just like
you're being ... again.

The difference between the two of you is that sbd learned the lesson
which you still haven't, namely: "if you don't like being called out
for saying stupid stuff, don't say stupid stuff".

-hh

On 01/01/2025 15:57, chrisv wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>> (snipped, unread)
>
> How about you keep your trap shut about things you have no idea about?
>
How about you keep your trap shut about things you have no idea about?

--
There’s a mighty big difference between good, sound reasons and reasons
that sound good.

Burton Hillis (William Vaughn, American columnist)