Running Bear’s June 2025 Coffee Shop
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I guess a couple times a year they revise the acceptable list and do this sort of testing.
I'm still a prime member, but I don't listen to Amazon music. But I do buy some CDs through Amazon occasionally. With many CDs you get a rip copy to download immediately.
YouTube works for me. I'm a boomer, I don't mind ads, I grew up with them. And Google finds music I wouldn't think to listen to based on the songs I play. "Hard and Heavy!"
Google picked this for me the other day.
I'm not big on "country fried" rock, but this one rocks hard!
I think they picked it because I play this one sometimes.
I left, and went elsewhere for a while. I just went back there, and now the very first, third, and fourth posts are ads. I got to see one friend's post--and it was about politics. Sigh...
It's even more egregious than YT.
Noticed that a LOT lately, Facebook has become next to useless with all the ads, span and unrelated garbage now being pushed on it. Similarly YouTube and their really irritating adverts where thankfully, an armarda of adblockers sees off some (but sadly not all) of them otherwise its copy the YouTube link to convert to a MP3 file time...
Social Media was a great invention until it was hijacked by the advertisers.
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I used to stream amazon music through my phone while I was driving, since it was included with my Prime membership. The XM is $7/month, so I listen to that instead. And believe it or not, they play a lot of the same stuff over and over, too. There are just more channels to choose from when it gets too repetitious.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
I actually asked one of the DJs of our local classic rock channel that question. This was a few years ago and he is no longer there but they go out and broadcast "live" from car dealerships and stuff and he was at a local dealership so I stopped by to say Hi. I asked him that same question, more or less. The answer is that they do extensive song testing. They'll bring people into a room and play a bunch of songs and then get their reaction/ratings/rankings. A song has to get a certain number of points in their ranking system to make it on the radio rotation. Which is why such utter turds as "Blinded by the Light" make it. (That was the song I was specifically asking him about).
I guess a couple times a year they revise the acceptable list and do this sort of testing.
I like to listen to Satriani as background noise while building, surfing the web, or working out.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
I think I paid an additional $24.99/year for Amazon's Premium Music service. It allowed me to upload my entire music library. Much of what I listened to was not available through Amazon. Then I get a notice "Premium Music is being discontinued" WTF! After the time I spent uploading my entire library, thank you Amazon!
I'm still a prime member, but I don't listen to Amazon music. But I do buy some CDs through Amazon occasionally. With many CDs you get a rip copy to download immediately.
YouTube works for me. I'm a boomer, I don't mind ads, I grew up with them. And Google finds music I wouldn't think to listen to based on the songs I play. "Hard and Heavy!"
Google picked this for me the other day.
I think they picked it because I play this one sometimes.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
There is a "station" online in Germany called "Radio Bob". They have a ton of different sub-stations like progressive, pop, jazz, blues, metal, hard rock classic rock. etc. (That sort of thing -- that list I just made up). They have like 20 different sub-stations. They're on most of the online streaming sites I think like Apple Music and the others but I think you can also connect to them directly. You have to endure an occasional ad (they're part of a worldwide ad network so the ads are for where ever they think you are located -- not German ads) but its not many ads at all. I occasionally willl listen to the progressive station and they play a lot of stuff you never hear anywhere else, though they repeat as well.
They don't have regular DJs speaking in between songs and stuff but there is the occasional jingle for the station and that's in German.
It's worth checking out.
They don't have regular DJs speaking in between songs and stuff but there is the occasional jingle for the station and that's in German.
It's worth checking out.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
I like rocking train songs; here is another one! Turn it up!
Not a train song, but the name is cool, and this live version is great!
This was my favorite Motorhead lineup Fast Eddie Clark, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor and Lemmey (no last name needed). I saw them open for The Blizzard of Ozz at Ozzy's first show in the US with his new band. Too cool!
Not a train song, but the name is cool, and this live version is great!
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I used to play Youtube on my phone, until they started with the unmerciful ads. It will stop a song in mid-note, play several ads, then go back somewhere close to where you were when the ads started.
The last straw was when I was working and had my hands full. Mid-song, an ad started playing. Then another ad, and another ad, followed by another ad, then yet another ad. By the time I was able to get to my phone and hit "skip ad", I'd listened to 16 ads spanning nearly 10 minutes. I never did hear the end of that song, which is why I am a combatant in the Youtube Ad War.
The last straw was when I was working and had my hands full. Mid-song, an ad started playing. Then another ad, and another ad, followed by another ad, then yet another ad. By the time I was able to get to my phone and hit "skip ad", I'd listened to 16 ads spanning nearly 10 minutes. I never did hear the end of that song, which is why I am a combatant in the Youtube Ad War.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
Luckily I've had very few songs get interrupted by ads. They usually start with an ad and sometimes end with one. Only once or twice on longer songs have I had it stop mid song and play a ad. Even for whole sides of albums I don't see it.
It is however, super annoying for the non-song YT videos. Whether I'm watching Mentour Pilot/Mentour Now, or one of the Ukraine news sites, or whatever (Lehto's Law), once a video gets up to around 8 min it will stop and play 2. One you can skip and one you can't.
I've gotten to the point where I specifically blacklist companies in my mind that advertise on YT...
It is however, super annoying for the non-song YT videos. Whether I'm watching Mentour Pilot/Mentour Now, or one of the Ukraine news sites, or whatever (Lehto's Law), once a video gets up to around 8 min it will stop and play 2. One you can skip and one you can't.
I've gotten to the point where I specifically blacklist companies in my mind that advertise on YT...
Looks like fecesbook is trying to follow in YT's footsteps. I logged in there a couple of hours ago, and the second post in my feed was an ad.
I left, and went elsewhere for a while. I just went back there, and now the very first, third, and fourth posts are ads. I got to see one friend's post--and it was about politics. Sigh...
chadbag
Well-Known Member
BTW, if you want to hear an awesome Jazz album from the 70s, check out this link. It's Chuck Mangione, "Alive!", from the Chuck Mangione Quartet. This was his early 70s group before he went more commercial Jazz in the late 70s and 80s.
It features the great Tony Levin on bass (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Yes/ABWH, and many others including a long list of session playing with everybody). I have this album on vinyl and it's never been released on CD or online digitally (officially).
It features the great Tony Levin on bass (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Yes/ABWH, and many others including a long list of session playing with everybody). I have this album on vinyl and it's never been released on CD or online digitally (officially).
chadbag
Well-Known Member
Yeah FB is mostly ads and sponsored posts and other gunk.
It's even more egregious than YT.
jmupton2000
John M Upton
Noticed that a LOT lately, Facebook has become next to useless with all the ads, span and unrelated garbage now being pushed on it. Similarly YouTube and their really irritating adverts where thankfully, an armarda of adblockers sees off some (but sadly not all) of them otherwise its copy the YouTube link to convert to a MP3 file time...
Social Media was a great invention until it was hijacked by the advertisers.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
I recall Mark Zuck of the berg in a Congressional hearing, and one of the ancient congress critters (Orin Hatch) was incredulous that FB/Meta could even exist with people sharing posts about their dinners and movie choices and would be free. He asked Zuck if that was still the goal? And how they could remain free...
"Senator, we run adds"
Remember, if you don't pay for a service, then you are the product, and not the client.
"Senator, we run adds"
Remember, if you don't pay for a service, then you are the product, and not the client.
Texas Hobo
Well Known Hobo
Good afternoon, all! Mike, that rain you missed, don't worry I got it. Another 1 - 1/4" fell last night. Rain is in every day's forecast for the next 10 days. The eye exam yesterday went well with no progression of the dry MD. 20/20 and 20/30. When I had cataract surgery, I had one eye near- sighted the other far-sighted. Works for most day to day life. However, you won't pass the DMV. So, I got a note from my Dr.
For some time I had a small problem with my layout. A few people wanted to know how the boat got in there, since the bridges there so low. Well for me, my imagination said one of the bridges opens. I mean it's my railroad. So for the last few days I have been working on making something that gives the impression of a bridge that opens. No real prototype.
Before:
Now:
STAY SAFE
LATER
For some time I had a small problem with my layout. A few people wanted to know how the boat got in there, since the bridges there so low. Well for me, my imagination said one of the bridges opens. I mean it's my railroad. So for the last few days I have been working on making something that gives the impression of a bridge that opens. No real prototype.
Before:
Now:
STAY SAFE
LATER
logandsawman
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
T
It bugs me when there are trucks somewhere but no road to get there, something I am super anal about on my layout, there must be a road if there is a truck, or at least a path.
We are forecast to get rain every day here in Minnesota as well. Must be coming up I-35.
Dave LASM
That is super creative!
It bugs me when there are trucks somewhere but no road to get there, something I am super anal about on my layout, there must be a road if there is a truck, or at least a path.
We are forecast to get rain every day here in Minnesota as well. Must be coming up I-35.
Dave LASM
DeaconKC
Well-Known Member
@Texas Hobo that is a great idea and very well executed.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Found an interesting vid on Youtube. I watch the channel occasionally.
Destin with "Smarter Every Day" does a lot of cool science and engineering stuff.
This vid is almost 50 min, and he details his journey to manufacture a product "all" in the USA. A grill scrubber brush.
It's eye opening what he went through in the last four years.
He doesn't mention the politics of it at all, other than to give a brief overview of NAFTA and whatever Bush Jr signed. It's an interesting way to spend most of an hour.
And yes, I ordered one of his grill brushes.
Destin with "Smarter Every Day" does a lot of cool science and engineering stuff.
This vid is almost 50 min, and he details his journey to manufacture a product "all" in the USA. A grill scrubber brush.
It's eye opening what he went through in the last four years.
He doesn't mention the politics of it at all, other than to give a brief overview of NAFTA and whatever Bush Jr signed. It's an interesting way to spend most of an hour.
And yes, I ordered one of his grill brushes.
westtexjohn
Well-Known Member
Good afternoon to all...........
troyphoto said.....Geeks and Nerds are what drives those game stores now.
The same could be said by some that is what drives train stores/shows now.
I never will forget the fellow at a train show explaining about those "Boardway Limited locomotives with pagarons 3 sound".
I paid for XM radio a few years ago when they had a special of $15.00 for a year. I do not pay for any music now. I listen to Pandora or AccuRadio, both are free. I usually listen to Bott Radio Network when I'm working. I have thousands of CDs which I still listen to on occasion. All 3 of my vehicles have CD players and I prefer listening to CDs when on the road.
I watched a special on how your personal information is gathered, used and sold. They showed a graph on what organizations that collect the most info. FaceBook was #1, Instagram was #2 and TikTok was #3. What is interesting is that how some companies price their goods/services based on your net worth, spending habits and what you buy.
An individual was approached by a vendor who was selling equipment geared toward the individuals business. The individual was about ready to purchase the equipment but had a few questions the vendor could not answer. The vendor said "I'll get back to you with the info you need in about an hour". About an hour and a half later the individuals wife called and said she had a text about some questions regarding a piece of equipment. The individual was taken aback on how the vendor had his wifes cell number. The individual called the vendor and questioned him on how he had gotten his wifes info as he did not disclose this info to the vendor. The vendor said the company he represented had purchased a "file" on the individual before he ever called and said all the info he had in the file was of "public domain" and contained his wifes cell number. The individuals net worth and spending was also used to "price the equipment" the vendor was selling. The individual said he was no longer interested in anything the vendor had to sell. True story.
The program also allowed as to some retailers are contemplating not posting prices underneath items in their store but using a scan code. The scan code is tied to your phone and information available to the retailer about your shopping habits, net worth, money in your bank accounts, what area of town you live in, be it an "affluent" neighborhood or on "the other side of the tracks" type hood. The kicker here being is that a box of cookies you want to purchase may be at a higher price to you than say to someone with a lesser net worth. In other words if you are "rich", you would pay more for an item than a "poor" person would based on info collected by the retailer. What caught my attention was that Kroger was one of the grocery stores looking at this option. Kinda adds a new layer to term "GREED".
Auto dealerships also collect this personal data when you go in to purchase an automobile. They can set a "range" of dollars to work a deal already knowing what you can afford, your net worth, according to their calculations.
Remember........What goes out on the net, stays on the net.
Headed out to train room to turn on the A/C. Should be cooled down in about 30 minutes.
Everybody take care........John
troyphoto said.....Geeks and Nerds are what drives those game stores now.
The same could be said by some that is what drives train stores/shows now.
I never will forget the fellow at a train show explaining about those "Boardway Limited locomotives with pagarons 3 sound".
I paid for XM radio a few years ago when they had a special of $15.00 for a year. I do not pay for any music now. I listen to Pandora or AccuRadio, both are free. I usually listen to Bott Radio Network when I'm working. I have thousands of CDs which I still listen to on occasion. All 3 of my vehicles have CD players and I prefer listening to CDs when on the road.
I watched a special on how your personal information is gathered, used and sold. They showed a graph on what organizations that collect the most info. FaceBook was #1, Instagram was #2 and TikTok was #3. What is interesting is that how some companies price their goods/services based on your net worth, spending habits and what you buy.
An individual was approached by a vendor who was selling equipment geared toward the individuals business. The individual was about ready to purchase the equipment but had a few questions the vendor could not answer. The vendor said "I'll get back to you with the info you need in about an hour". About an hour and a half later the individuals wife called and said she had a text about some questions regarding a piece of equipment. The individual was taken aback on how the vendor had his wifes cell number. The individual called the vendor and questioned him on how he had gotten his wifes info as he did not disclose this info to the vendor. The vendor said the company he represented had purchased a "file" on the individual before he ever called and said all the info he had in the file was of "public domain" and contained his wifes cell number. The individuals net worth and spending was also used to "price the equipment" the vendor was selling. The individual said he was no longer interested in anything the vendor had to sell. True story.
The program also allowed as to some retailers are contemplating not posting prices underneath items in their store but using a scan code. The scan code is tied to your phone and information available to the retailer about your shopping habits, net worth, money in your bank accounts, what area of town you live in, be it an "affluent" neighborhood or on "the other side of the tracks" type hood. The kicker here being is that a box of cookies you want to purchase may be at a higher price to you than say to someone with a lesser net worth. In other words if you are "rich", you would pay more for an item than a "poor" person would based on info collected by the retailer. What caught my attention was that Kroger was one of the grocery stores looking at this option. Kinda adds a new layer to term "GREED".
Auto dealerships also collect this personal data when you go in to purchase an automobile. They can set a "range" of dollars to work a deal already knowing what you can afford, your net worth, according to their calculations.
Remember........What goes out on the net, stays on the net.
Headed out to train room to turn on the A/C. Should be cooled down in about 30 minutes.
Everybody take care........John
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