Joerg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> wrote:
> On 16.11.23 06:22, Your Name wrote:
>> On 2023-11-16 04:55:59 +0000, Arno Welzel said:
>>
>>> Alan, 2023-11-13 18:42:
>>>
>>>> On 2023-11-13 00:00, Arno Welzel wrote:
>>> [...]
>>>>> What's your theory about the changes in repairability then? The
>>>>> manufacturers did all this just for the good of the customers because
>>>>> the *want* to have devices which can not be repaired easily?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My theory is that people aren't sheep.
>>>>
>>>> The change happened quite slowly.
>>>>
>>>> There was a time when there were lots of laptops that had removable
>>>> batteries. If people had overwhelmingly preferred them, then
>>>> manufacturers would have kept selling them.
>>>
>>> You don't understand marketing.
>>>
>>> People don't ask for devices without a swappable battery. They also
>>> don't ask for a device which can not easily be opened. Instead
>>> manufacturers tell people what advantages they will get by removing
>>> things like a removable battery or screws to keep devices together, like
>>> for example a water proof device. With swappable batteries water proof
>>> devices as possible as well - but that makes the device a bit bulkier.
>>> And since marketing taught people that only slim device is desirable,
>>> nobody wanted to have thicker devices any longer.
>>
>> For Apple, it wasn't helped by Steve Jobs and Johnny Ive having a huge
>> dislike for visible screws, so everthing started to be glued down
>> instead.
>
> You are the biggest idiot and permanently trying to spread FUD and lies.
>
> The worst is that you post in technical groups but you have neither a
> smartphone nor an Apple computer. Otherwise you would know that the
> massive Aluminium chassis of MBPs and MBAs are fixed with visible screws
> without an exception.
>
>

But jughead, these groups are for mobile phones, not macs.
Are you lost?

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
> On 11/15/2023 1:52 PM, Frank Slootweg wrote:

[About using TeamViewer on a phone to control/use a newsreader on a computer.]

> Whoa. Interesting concept. But way too complicated for me just to
> replace the warts in my PhoNews phone app. Thanks anyway...

(Overly?) 'Complex' is my middle name! :-) But, you're welcome.

On 11/15/23 1:13 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
>
> On 2023-11-15 22:03, The Real Bev wrote:
>> This is very strange.  I can see neither my nor Frank's post, although
>> clearly others can.  Every once in a while a post which should be
>> visible isn't.  WTF?
>
> Huh?

Post is listed, but nothing happens when you click on it. Control-u
shows a blank page. Happens rarely and randomly, but this is the first
time it happened to one of MY posts.

> Hum. You are using an ancient TB. Maybe :-?

Of course (68.12), with lots of extensions and .css hacks. I got tired
of losing stuff. These invisible posts started within the last 6 months
or so. I had assumed that the writers had deleted their posts, but in
my own case I was certainly wrong.

>> On 11/15/23 12:07 PM, AJL wrote:
>>> On 11/15/23 11:31 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>> The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> On 11/15/23 7:24 AM, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>>>>> > On 15.11.23 00:45, The Real Bev wrote:
> ...
>>> BTW It appears my Amazon tablet Android days will be coming to an
>>> end. With the latest OS update it now says unauthorized when I
>>> sideload an and try to run an Android app. Oh well, it was good
>>> while it lasted...
>>
>> I don't like the way Amazon treated my friend when she tried to access
>> her deceased husband's library.
>
> ebooks?

Yes.

>>  It eventually turned out OK, but it
>> should have been trivial.  Since I have no interest in Prime video or
>> other streaming crap I asked if I could get a discount on my
>> subscription.  Hey, worth a shot, right?  The chatguy gave me a $30
>> credit against my next subscription, which is certainly better than
>> nothing.
>
> :-)

--
Cheers, Bev
Just as you cannot explain snow to a summer insect, so also you cannot
explain ski resorts to someone who walks uphill willingly. --ErikL

On 11/15/23 2:15 PM, AJL wrote:
> On 11/15/2023 2:03 PM, The Real Bev wrote:

> Most of my store benches are within free WiFi range. But I seldom come
> close to my phone's data allotment so usually don't switch over.

>> I don't like the way Amazon treated my friend when she tried to
>> access her deceased husband's library. It eventually turned out OK,
>> but it should have been trivial.
>
> Amazon's a BIG company. When I get pissed at them and think about
> quitting I realize that I'm not even a flyspeck on their windshield. So
> it would hurt me a LOT worse than them. I do use a lot of their services
> so the good still outweighs the bad for ME...

Fast free shipping (instant gratification) is worth having -- no need to
figure in shipping cost when determining goodness of bargain.

>> Since I have no interest in Prime video or other streaming crap I
>> asked if I could get a discount on my subscription. Hey, worth a
>> shot, right? The chatguy gave me a $30 credit against my next
>> subscription, which is certainly better than nothing.
>
> I make a similar call to Cox every year. It gets me a $30 per month
> discount for the following year. Well worth the call time IMO...

Charter (cable) used to do that, but stopped a few years ago. Now AT&T
has run fiber to my house (first year discount) so I can alternate ISP
introductory rates. Until then they were a monopoly and the only
alternative was dialup -- which I can still get from a GOOD dialup
company for $100/year!

Oh wait -- I no longer have actual phone lines, just cable and fiber.
AT&T yanked the ancient copper when they put in fiber. Oh well...

--
Cheers, Bev
Just as you cannot explain snow to a summer insect, so also you cannot
explain ski resorts to someone who walks uphill willingly. --ErikL

On 11/16/23 12:15 AM, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
> On 15.11.23 17:54, The Real Bev wrote:
>> On 11/15/23 7:24 AM, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>>> On 15.11.23 00:45, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>> Is there a consensus on a GOOD android newsreader? Has to be at least
>>>> as good as Thunderbird.
>>>
>>> There is none. The ones that exist have all severe downsides.
>>> Neither PiaHong nor the others are satisfactory and they do not comply
>>> with the Usenet standards. Sorry to say.
>>
>> So NOBODY here who wants such a thing is capable of writing one? We all
>> know how they're supposed to work and we don't need fancy bells and
>> whistles. Come on, guys, step up...
>
> This market is shrinking and already measured in Dozens not Thousands.

I know, but goddammit we're THE ELITE!

--
Cheers, Bev
Just as you cannot explain snow to a summer insect, so also you cannot
explain ski resorts to someone who walks uphill willingly. --ErikL

On 11/16/23 10:10 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
>On 11/15/23 2:15 PM, AJL wrote:
>> On 11/15/2023 2:03 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
>
>> Most of my store benches are within free WiFi range. But I seldom come
>> close to my phone's data allotment so usually don't switch over.
>
>>> I don't like the way Amazon treated my friend when she tried to
>>> access her deceased husband's library. It eventually turned out OK,
>>> but it should have been trivial.
>>
>> Amazon's a BIG company. When I get pissed at them and think about
>> quitting I realize that I'm not even a flyspeck on their windshield. So
>> it would hurt me a LOT worse than them. I do use a lot of their services
>> so the good still outweighs the bad for ME...
>
>Fast free shipping (instant gratification) is worth having -- no need to
>figure in shipping cost when determining goodness of bargain.

I am within a few miles of several really really large Amazon plants so I
often get delivery the same day of order. Saves me a lot of bench time
waiting for YNW at the store...

>>> Since I have no interest in Prime video or other streaming crap I
>>> asked if I could get a discount on my subscription. Hey, worth a
>>> shot, right? The chatguy gave me a $30 credit against my next
>>> subscription, which is certainly better than nothing.
>>
>> I make a similar call to Cox every year. It gets me a $30 per month
>> discount for the following year. Well worth the call time IMO...
>
>Charter (cable) used to do that, but stopped a few years ago. Now AT&T
>has run fiber to my house (first year discount) so I can alternate ISP
>introductory rates. Until then they were a monopoly and the only
>alternative was dialup -- which I can still get from a GOOD dialup
>company for $100/year!

When I run out of my phone's data allotment it reverts to dialup speeds
unless I pay for more. I had that happen one time on a trip. I didn't
remember it being that bad and thinking it was so neat at the time...

>Oh wait -- I no longer have actual phone lines, just cable and fiber.
>AT&T yanked the ancient copper when they put in fiber. Oh well...

Just had my street and yard torn up, my water line severed, and my mailbox
bent by Century Link putting in fibre. Hope their prices are worth it...

On 2023-11-16 18:02, The Real Bev wrote:
> On 11/15/23 1:13 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
>>
>> On 2023-11-15 22:03, The Real Bev wrote:
>>> This is very strange.  I can see neither my nor Frank's post,
>>> although clearly others can.  Every once in a while a post which
>>> should be visible isn't.  WTF?
>>
>> Huh?
>
> Post is listed, but nothing happens when you click on it.  Control-u
> shows a blank page.  Happens rarely and randomly, but this is the first
> time it happened to one of MY posts.
>
>> Hum. You are using an ancient TB. Maybe :-?
>
> Of course (68.12), with lots of extensions and .css hacks.  I got tired
> of losing stuff.  These invisible posts started within the last 6 months
> or so.  I had assumed that the writers had deleted their posts, but in
> my own case I was certainly wrong.

Probably the old version of Thunderbird is not related, but any support
channel would say that you have to upgrade before they talk to you :-P

I would try to install aside a copy of the current TB version. A
portable install, I think they call it; it goes onto an USB stick and
doesn't touch your current install on the hard disk. But to be safe you
can make a backup of your current profile and message base; sorry, I
don't remember what directory is used on Windows for this.

Then, try the news on that new install, see if the problem reproduces
(using the same nntp server).

>
>>> On 11/15/23 12:07 PM, AJL wrote:
>>>> On 11/15/23 11:31 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>>> The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> On 11/15/23 7:24 AM, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>>>>>> > On 15.11.23 00:45, The Real Bev wrote:
>> ...
>>>> BTW It appears my Amazon tablet Android days will be coming to an
>>>> end. With the latest OS update it now says unauthorized when I
>>>> sideload an and try to run an Android app. Oh well, it was good
>>>> while it lasted...
>>>
>>> I don't like the way Amazon treated my friend when she tried to
>>> access her deceased husband's library.
>>
>> ebooks?
>
> Yes.

In the case of Amazon ebooks, perhaps with a Kindle, I don't know what
to do; somebody else might know.

With plain epubs (with drm protection) such as used on the Kobo, it is
possible to remove the protection using ADE (Adobe Digital Editions) and
Calibre with a plugin, on Windows, and thus create a *backup* of the
library, one book at a time.

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

On 11/16/23 11:06 AM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
> On 2023-11-16 18:02, The Real Bev wrote:
>> On 11/15/23 1:13 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
>>> On 2023-11-15 22:03, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>> This is very strange.  I can see neither my nor Frank's post,
>>>> although clearly others can.  Every once in a while a post which
>>>> should be visible isn't.  WTF?
>>>
>>> Huh?
>>
>> Post is listed, but nothing happens when you click on it.  Control-u
>> shows a blank page.  Happens rarely and randomly, but this is the first
>> time it happened to one of MY posts.
>>
>>> Hum. You are using an ancient TB. Maybe :-?
>>
>> Of course (68.12), with lots of extensions and .css hacks.  I got tired
>> of losing stuff.  These invisible posts started within the last 6 months
>> or so.  I had assumed that the writers had deleted their posts, but in
>> my own case I was certainly wrong.
>
> Probably the old version of Thunderbird is not related, but any support
> channel would say that you have to upgrade before they talk to you :-P

Low expectation is the key. It's nice to be surprised when 'help'
actually does.

> I would try to install aside a copy of the current TB version. A
> portable install, I think they call it; it goes onto an USB stick and
> doesn't touch your current install on the hard disk. But to be safe you
> can make a backup of your current profile and message base; sorry, I
> don't remember what directory is used on Windows for this.
>
> Then, try the news on that new install, see if the problem reproduces
> (using the same nntp server).

Too much trouble. I already have a lot of operable (I assume) previous
versions, each with its own profile.

I have the extensions set to update automatically, which might have
caused the problem. I'm going to leave them that way on the assumption
that perhaps a future update might solve the problem without my
intervention. Sometimes Deus ex machina works.

--
Cheers, Bev
Exercising would be so much more rewarding if calories
screamed while you burned them.

On 2023-11-15 20:55, Arno Welzel wrote:
> Alan, 2023-11-13 18:42:
>
>> On 2023-11-13 00:00, Arno Welzel wrote:
> [...]
>>> What's your theory about the changes in repairability then? The
>>> manufacturers did all this just for the good of the customers because
>>> the *want* to have devices which can not be repaired easily?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> My theory is that people aren't sheep.
>>
>> The change happened quite slowly.
>>
>> There was a time when there were lots of laptops that had removable
>> batteries. If people had overwhelmingly preferred them, then
>> manufacturers would have kept selling them.
>
> You don't understand marketing.
>
> People don't ask for devices without a swappable battery. They also
> don't ask for a device which can not easily be opened. Instead
> manufacturers tell people what advantages they will get by removing
> things like a removable battery or screws to keep devices together, like
> for example a water proof device. With swappable batteries water proof
> devices as possible as well - but that makes the device a bit bulkier.
> And since marketing taught people that only slim device is desirable,
> nobody wanted to have thicker devices any longer.

They ask by where they spend their MONEY.

>
> In the end customers buy, what is available and what they believe is
> "good". And this is not always a logical decision but also influenced by
> product reviews, what your friends and collegues also use and so on.

And out comes the arrogance. Everyone is a gullible rube... ...but you?

>
> When Apple once decided to remove the headphone jack many people
> complained about missing a feature and Apple . But at the same time
> Apple also invented Air Pods and told the customers that using Bluetooth
> is much better than using cables. Before this was the customers choice,
> afterwords the customers *had* to either buy an USB-C adapter to be able
> to use their existing headphones or they had to get a new USB-C
> headphone. And many decided to get bluetooth headsets instead.

But what you fail to understand is that those people could CHOOSE to buy
some other phone that still had a headphone jack.

>
> Yes, afterwards some tech guys explained why it was the right decision
> to get rid of that old jack and why using cables makes no sense any
> longer since many people prefer wireless solutions anyway. But
> personally I totally understand why having a high quality headphones
> *without* a battery is also viable option: this will never fail because
> the battery won't work any longer once.
>
> One day manufacturers also may decide to get rid of USB-C completely and
> just keep wireless charging. This may sound stupid at the moment, but
> many people who use wireless charging and bluetooth headsets won't miss
> USB-C at all.
>
> Manufacturers don't only sell what people prefer, but also design
> products and make people buy them. Also keeping people to buy new
> products is a big part of that.

They don't...

....EVER...

....MAKE anyone buy anything.

On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
> On 2023-11-16 04:55:59 +0000, Arno Welzel said:
>
>> Alan, 2023-11-13 18:42:
>>
>>> On 2023-11-13 00:00, Arno Welzel wrote:
>> [...]
>>>> What's your theory about the changes in repairability then? The
>>>> manufacturers did all this just for the good of the customers because
>>>> the *want* to have devices which can not be repaired easily?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> My theory is that people aren't sheep.
>>>
>>> The change happened quite slowly.
>>>
>>> There was a time when there were lots of laptops that had removable
>>> batteries. If people had overwhelmingly preferred them, then
>>> manufacturers would have kept selling them.
>>
>> You don't understand marketing.
>>
>> People don't ask for devices without a swappable battery. They also
>> don't ask for a device which can not easily be opened. Instead
>> manufacturers tell people what advantages they will get by removing
>> things like a removable battery or screws to keep devices together, like
>> for example a water proof device. With swappable batteries water proof
>> devices as possible as well - but that makes the device a bit bulkier.
>> And since marketing taught people that only slim device is desirable,
>> nobody wanted to have thicker devices any longer.
>
> For Apple, it wasn't helped by Steve Jobs and Johnny Ive having a huge
> dislike for visible screws, so everthing started to be glued down instead.
>
>
>
>> In the end customers buy, what is available and what they believe is
>> "good". And this is not always a logical decision but also influenced by
>> product reviews, what your friends and collegues also use and so on.
>
> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there are
> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(

Ummmmm.... ...no.

SOME company came out with the first crossover...

....and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.

On 2023-11-16 00:48, Hank Rogers wrote:
> Joerg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> wrote:
>> On 16.11.23 06:22, Your Name wrote:
>>> On 2023-11-16 04:55:59 +0000, Arno Welzel said:
>>>
>>>> Alan, 2023-11-13 18:42:
>>>>
>>>>> On 2023-11-13 00:00, Arno Welzel wrote:
>>>> [...]
>>>>>> What's your theory about the changes in repairability then? The
>>>>>> manufacturers did all this just for the good of the customers because
>>>>>> the *want* to have devices which can not be repaired easily?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My theory is that people aren't sheep.
>>>>>
>>>>> The change happened quite slowly.
>>>>>
>>>>> There was a time when there were lots of laptops that had removable
>>>>> batteries. If people had overwhelmingly preferred them, then
>>>>> manufacturers would have kept selling them.
>>>>
>>>> You don't understand marketing.
>>>>
>>>> People don't ask for devices without a swappable battery. They also
>>>> don't ask for a device which can not easily be opened. Instead
>>>> manufacturers tell people what advantages they will get by removing
>>>> things like a removable battery or screws to keep devices together, like
>>>> for example a water proof device. With swappable batteries water proof
>>>> devices as possible as well - but that makes the device a bit bulkier.
>>>> And since marketing taught people that only slim device is desirable,
>>>> nobody wanted to have thicker devices any longer.
>>>
>>> For Apple, it wasn't helped by Steve Jobs and Johnny Ive having a huge
>>> dislike for visible screws, so everthing started to be glued down
>>> instead.
>>
>> You are the biggest idiot and permanently trying to spread FUD and lies.
>>
>> The worst is that you post in technical groups but you have neither a
>> smartphone nor an Apple computer. Otherwise you would know that the
>> massive Aluminium chassis of MBPs and MBAs are fixed with visible screws
>> without an exception.
>>
>>
>
> But jughead, these groups are for mobile phones, not macs.
>
> Are you lost?

But his argument was about a GENERAL preference, and that argument
doesn't need to be rebutted with an example that is specific to mobile
phones

On 11/16/23 1:40 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
>>
>> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
>> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there are
>> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(
>
> Ummmmm.... ...no.
>
> SOME company came out with the first crossover...
>
> ...and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.

When they first came out I really wanted a RAV4. Toyota, tiny, seemed
to have a reasonable amount of room inside to haul stuff, and kept the
spare tire out of the way. Time passed and they got bigger and bigger
and ultimately the only significant difference from a Corolla was an
inch of ground clearance and a bigger engine. I bought a Corolla.

--
Cheers, Bev
Salesmen welcome -- dog food is expensive

On 2023-11-16 14:05, The Real Bev wrote:
> On 11/16/23 1:40 PM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
>>>
>>> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
>>> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there are
>>> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(
>>
>> Ummmmm.... ...no.
>>
>> SOME company came out with the first crossover...
>>
>> ...and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.
>
> When they first came out I really wanted a RAV4.  Toyota, tiny, seemed
> to have a reasonable amount of room inside to haul stuff, and kept the
> spare tire out of the way.  Time passed and they got bigger and bigger
> and ultimately the only significant difference from a Corolla was an
> inch of ground clearance and a bigger engine.  I bought a Corolla.

That does seem to be a pattern with many auto makers: introduce a small
car, then make it bigger and bigger until there's now enough space for a
new smallest car in the range.

But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...

....and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't possible
for you.

;-)

On 11/16/23 2:10 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-11-16 14:05, The Real Bev wrote:
>> On 11/16/23 1:40 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
>>>> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there are
>>>> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(
>>>
>>> Ummmmm.... ...no.
>>>
>>> SOME company came out with the first crossover...
>>>
>>> ...and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.
>>
>> When they first came out I really wanted a RAV4.  Toyota, tiny, seemed
>> to have a reasonable amount of room inside to haul stuff, and kept the
>> spare tire out of the way.  Time passed and they got bigger and bigger
>> and ultimately the only significant difference from a Corolla was an
>> inch of ground clearance and a bigger engine.  I bought a Corolla.
>
> That does seem to be a pattern with many auto makers: introduce a small
> car, then make it bigger and bigger until there's now enough space for a
> new smallest car in the range.
>
> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>
> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't possible
> for you.

I don't understand that. I am NOTHING if not sensible!

If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.

--
Cheers, Bev
Salesmen welcome -- dog food is expensive

On 2023-11-16 22:39:25 +0000, The Real Bev said:
> On 11/16/23 2:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2023-11-16 14:05, The Real Bev wrote:
>>> On 11/16/23 1:40 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>> On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
>>>>> >>>> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there
>>>>> are >>>> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(
>>>>
>>>> Ummmmm.... ...no.
>>>>
>>>> SOME company came out with the first crossover...
>>>>
>>>> ...and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.
>>>>> When they first came out I really wanted a RAV4.  Toyota, tiny, seemed
>>>>> >> to have a reasonable amount of room inside to haul stuff, and kept
>>>>> the >> spare tire out of the way.  Time passed and they got bigger and
>>>>> bigger >> and ultimately the only significant difference from a Corolla
>>>>> was an >> inch of ground clearance and a bigger engine.  I bought a
>>>>> Corolla.
>>> That does seem to be a pattern with many auto makers: introduce a small
>> car, then make it bigger and bigger until there's now enough space for a
>> new smallest car in the range.
>>> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>>> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't possible
>> for you.
>
> I don't understand that. I am NOTHING if not sensible!
>
> If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.

Nope, that would not be sensible because the parts are difficult /
impossible and expensive to get. You could buy the new Honda S2000 that
is rumoured to be being released soon ... but it's likely to be nothing
like the original in anything but name. :-(

On 11/16/23 10:12 PM, Your Name wrote:
> On 2023-11-16 22:39:25 +0000, The Real Bev said:
>> On 11/16/23 2:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> On 2023-11-16 14:05, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>> On 11/16/23 1:40 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>>> On 2023-11-15 21:22, Your Name wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Similar happed with cars. Some fool decided everyone wanted an SUV or
>>>>>> >>>> "crossover", so every manufacturers started making them and there
>>>>>> are >>>> now few real cars available to buy.  :-(
>>>>>
>>>>> Ummmmm.... ...no.
>>>>>
>>>>> SOME company came out with the first crossover...
>>>>>
>>>>> ...and it sold well enough that other companies decided to build them.
>>>>>> When they first came out I really wanted a RAV4.  Toyota, tiny, seemed
>>>>>> >> to have a reasonable amount of room inside to haul stuff, and kept
>>>>>> the >> spare tire out of the way.  Time passed and they got bigger and
>>>>>> bigger >> and ultimately the only significant difference from a Corolla
>>>>>> was an >> inch of ground clearance and a bigger engine.  I bought a
>>>>>> Corolla.
>>>> That does seem to be a pattern with many auto makers: introduce a small
>>> car, then make it bigger and bigger until there's now enough space for a
>>> new smallest car in the range.
>>>> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>>>> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't possible
>>> for you.
>>
>> I don't understand that. I am NOTHING if not sensible!
>>
>> If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.
>
> Nope, that would not be sensible because the parts are difficult /
> impossible and expensive to get.

And the tires worthy of the car cost a small fortune. Nonetheless, it's
the most fun I've ever had driving a car even if I botched more than
half the shifts. SIX gears? In a 3" square area? My Corolla is a lot
of fun on that mountain road, but the S2K was better.

I asked the friend to give my car-mad grandson a ride, but only scare
him a little. He was happy.

> You could buy the new Honda S2000 that
> is rumoured to be being released soon ... but it's likely to be nothing
> like the original in anything but name. :-(

Probably electric.

Cheers, Bev
Salesmen welcome -- dog food is expensive

Alan, 2023-11-16 22:38:

> On 2023-11-15 20:55, Arno Welzel wrote:
[...]
>> In the end customers buy, what is available and what they believe is
>> "good". And this is not always a logical decision but also influenced by
>> product reviews, what your friends and collegues also use and so on.
>
> And out comes the arrogance. Everyone is a gullible rube... ...but you?

No - why do you think so? I am also influenced by product reviews etc..

That's the reason why I use a Google Pixel because this seemed to be the
best choice after reading many product reviews and asking others who
already own this device.

>> When Apple once decided to remove the headphone jack many people
>> complained about missing a feature and Apple . But at the same time
>> Apple also invented Air Pods and told the customers that using Bluetooth
>> is much better than using cables. Before this was the customers choice,
>> afterwords the customers *had* to either buy an USB-C adapter to be able
>> to use their existing headphones or they had to get a new USB-C
>> headphone. And many decided to get bluetooth headsets instead.
>
> But what you fail to understand is that those people could CHOOSE to buy
> some other phone that still had a headphone jack.

Apple still sells iPhones and in certain regions iPhones even start to
become really popular - so the missing headphone jack seems not to be a
problem.

[...]
>> Manufacturers don't only sell what people prefer, but also design
>> products and make people buy them. Also keeping people to buy new
>> products is a big part of that.
>
> They don't...
>
> ...EVER...
>
> ...MAKE anyone buy anything.

They do. That's what marketing is about. Convincing people that your
product is the best and they should buy it.

Are your really that naive to believe that all customers will always
ignore advertising and product reviews? And did you ever think about the
questions, why even well YouTube influencers with a wider reach can ask
for quite high prices for product placement? Manufacturers wouldn't pay
for such things if it wouldn't have any effect at all.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

On 11/15/2023 1:07 PM, AJL wrote:

> It appears my Amazon tablet Android days will be coming to an end.
> With the latest OS update it now says unauthorized when I sideload an
> and try to run an Android app. Oh well, it was good while it
> lasted...

It is worse than I thought. No more Android based Amazon tablets. On the
other hand a future Linux based toy might be fun...

"Amazon has been working on an in-house replacement for its
Android-based Fire OS, codenamed "Vega""

"Vega would replace the Fire OS that is installed on...Kindle Fire tablets"

"Vega, based on "a flavor of Linux..."

"Vega could start shipping on Fire devices as early as next year"

"There's an enthusiastic community built around buying Fire tablets for
their economy-cheating low price, then side-loading the Play Store and
other Google services onto them"

Wonder who does that...

"Abandoning Android removes that channel for tinkerers—at least until
one of them gets into the bootloader."

Perhaps all is not lost then...

<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/amazon-fire-tablets-and-other-gear-will-reportedly-switch-away-from-android/>

The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 11/15/23 1:13 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
> >
> > On 2023-11-15 22:03, The Real Bev wrote:
> >> This is very strange.  I can see neither my nor Frank's post, although
> >> clearly others can.  Every once in a while a post which should be
> >> visible isn't.  WTF?
> >
> > Huh?
>
> Post is listed, but nothing happens when you click on it. Control-u
> shows a blank page. Happens rarely and randomly, but this is the first
> time it happened to one of MY posts.

Maybe as simple as repairing the newsgroup folder in question?

Right-click the folder - i.e. comp.mobile.android - -> Properties ->
Repair Folder.

Shouldn't do any harm (Yeah, *RIGHT*! :-)) and might fix the problem.

[...]

Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote

> That's the reason why I use a Google Pixel because this seemed to be the
> best choice after reading many product reviews and asking others who
> already own this device.

Adults on this newsgroup will notice this "Arno Welzel" is a herd animal.
He doesn't make any of his own decisions - he only follows marketing.

And, so far, he's always been dead wrong in everything as a result.

For example, he insisted that aux ports don't exist on any Androids, and
then when he was confronted with the fact they do, he tried to insult
Carlos with kindergarten taunts because Carlos provided proof with cites.

In those ways, this new "Arno Welzel" is no different than the iKooks are.

On 2023-11-17 07:02, Arno Welzel wrote:
> Alan, 2023-11-16 22:38:
>
>> On 2023-11-15 20:55, Arno Welzel wrote:
> [...]
>>> In the end customers buy, what is available and what they believe is
>>> "good". And this is not always a logical decision but also influenced by
>>> product reviews, what your friends and collegues also use and so on.
>>
>> And out comes the arrogance. Everyone is a gullible rube... ...but you?
>
> No - why do you think so? I am also influenced by product reviews etc..
>
> That's the reason why I use a Google Pixel because this seemed to be the
> best choice after reading many product reviews and asking others who
> already own this device.
>
>>> When Apple once decided to remove the headphone jack many people
>>> complained about missing a feature and Apple . But at the same time
>>> Apple also invented Air Pods and told the customers that using Bluetooth
>>> is much better than using cables. Before this was the customers choice,
>>> afterwords the customers *had* to either buy an USB-C adapter to be able
>>> to use their existing headphones or they had to get a new USB-C
>>> headphone. And many decided to get bluetooth headsets instead.
>>
>> But what you fail to understand is that those people could CHOOSE to buy
>> some other phone that still had a headphone jack.
>
> Apple still sells iPhones and in certain regions iPhones even start to
> become really popular - so the missing headphone jack seems not to be a
> problem.
>
> [...]
>>> Manufacturers don't only sell what people prefer, but also design
>>> products and make people buy them. Also keeping people to buy new
>>> products is a big part of that.
>>
>> They don't...
>>
>> ...EVER...
>>
>> ...MAKE anyone buy anything.
>
> They do. That's what marketing is about. Convincing people that your
> product is the best and they should buy it.

No. The literally DO NOT.

The may persuade, they influence, but they do not—CANNOT—"MAKE" anyone
do ANYTHING.

>
> Are your really that naive to believe that all customers will always
> ignore advertising and product reviews? And did you ever think about the
> questions, why even well YouTube influencers with a wider reach can ask
> for quite high prices for product placement? Manufacturers wouldn't pay
> for such things if it wouldn't have any effect at all.

I'm wise enough to know the difference between "influence" and "make".

On 2023-11-16 22:55, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>>> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>>>>> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't
>>>>> possible
>>>> for you.
>>>
>>> I don't understand that.  I am NOTHING if not sensible!
>>>
>>> If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.
>>
>> Nope, that would not be sensible because the parts are difficult /
>> impossible and expensive to get.
>
> And the tires worthy of the car cost a small fortune.  Nonetheless, it's
> the most fun I've ever had driving a car even if I botched more than
> half the shifts.  SIX gears?  In a 3" square area?  My Corolla is a lot
> of fun on that mountain road, but the S2K was better.
>
> I asked the friend to give my car-mad grandson a ride, but only scare
> him a little. He was happy.

I've been a race driving instructor since 2016. I get a chance to scare
people "just a little" on a semi-regular basis.

:-)

On 11/17/23 9:48 AM, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-11-16 22:55, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>>>> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>>>>>> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't
>>>>>> possible
>>>>> for you.
>>>>
>>>> I don't understand that.  I am NOTHING if not sensible!
>>>>
>>>> If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.
>>>
>>> Nope, that would not be sensible because the parts are difficult /
>>> impossible and expensive to get.
>>
>> And the tires worthy of the car cost a small fortune.  Nonetheless, it's
>> the most fun I've ever had driving a car even if I botched more than
>> half the shifts.  SIX gears?  In a 3" square area?  My Corolla is a lot
>> of fun on that mountain road, but the S2K was better.
>>
>> I asked the friend to give my car-mad grandson a ride, but only scare
>> him a little. He was happy.
>
> I've been a race driving instructor since 2016. I get a chance to scare
> people "just a little" on a semi-regular basis.

My other grandson scared me in his drag-designed car. Minor
differential problem resulting in tiny skid to the left. Ultimately the
car broke in half. We had told him about the danger in buying 'salvage'
cars previously, but kids know everything.

My S2000 friend scared me the first time, but I've ridden with her long
enough to know she's really good, has been driving this way for a long
time (are you familiar with Frogger?) and has no death wish -- so I just
sit back and enjoy the ride that I'm not capable of doing myself. Not
sure that I ever was...

--
Cheers, Bev
"Incontinence hotline, can you hold?"

On 2023-11-17 15:05, The Real Bev wrote:
> On 11/17/23 9:48 AM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2023-11-16 22:55, The Real Bev wrote:
>>>>>>> But amazingly, you chose not to buy a RAV4 once it changed...
>>>>>>> ...and there are people here who insist that that choice wasn't
>>>>>>> possible
>>>>>> for you.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't understand that.  I am NOTHING if not sensible!
>>>>>
>>>>> If I weren't sensible I'd buy a Honds S2000.
>>>>
>>>> Nope, that would not be sensible because the parts are difficult /
>>>> impossible and expensive to get.
>>>
>>> And the tires worthy of the car cost a small fortune.  Nonetheless,
>>> it's the most fun I've ever had driving a car even if I botched more
>>> than half the shifts.  SIX gears?  In a 3" square area?  My Corolla
>>> is a lot of fun on that mountain road, but the S2K was better.
>>>
>>> I asked the friend to give my car-mad grandson a ride, but only scare
>>> him a little. He was happy.
>>
>> I've been a race driving instructor since 2016. I get a chance to scare
>> people "just a little" on a semi-regular basis.
>
> My other grandson scared me in his drag-designed car.  Minor
> differential problem resulting in tiny skid to the left.  Ultimately the
> car broke in half.  We had told him about the danger in buying 'salvage'
> cars previously, but kids know everything.
>
> My S2000 friend scared me the first time, but I've ridden with her long
> enough to know she's really good, has been driving this way for a long
> time (are you familiar with Frogger?) and has no death wish -- so I just
> sit back and enjoy the ride that I'm not capable of doing myself. Not
> sure that I ever was...
>

Honest advice:

Go out with a professional and learn more about what you and your car
are capable of. It could save your life some day.

On 11/18/23 1:28 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-11-17 15:05, The Real Bev wrote:
>> On 11/17/23 9:48 AM, Alan wrote:
>>> On 2023-11-16 22:55, The Real Bev wrote:

>>>> I asked the friend to give my car-mad grandson a ride, but only scare
>>>> him a little. He was happy.
>>>
>>> I've been a race driving instructor since 2016. I get a chance to scare
>>> people "just a little" on a semi-regular basis.
>>
>> My other grandson scared me in his drag-designed car.  Minor
>> differential problem resulting in tiny skid to the left.  Ultimately the
>> car broke in half.  We had told him about the danger in buying 'salvage'
>> cars previously, but kids know everything.
>>
>> My S2000 friend scared me the first time, but I've ridden with her long
>> enough to know she's really good, has been driving this way for a long
>> time (are you familiar with Frogger?) and has no death wish -- so I just
>> sit back and enjoy the ride that I'm not capable of doing myself. Not
>> sure that I ever was...
>>
>
> Honest advice:
>
> Go out with a professional and learn more about what you and your car
> are capable of. It could save your life some day.

She actually DID take the Bondurant (I think) course. I rely on my MC
experience, which is probably insufficient.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I love this country...
...and the freedoms we used to have..."
--George Carlin