Running Bear's November 2022 Coffee Shop

[D&J RailRoad]

Now that we're back on standard time, I feel so much better.
Wait, was that political?

 

[Jaz avalley]

Think I may be done here. It' been nice.

I sympathise with the POLITICS comment, he has to ensure we do not get into a punch up, and sone leave in a huff. Plus let’s be fair, he always gives us enough rope and stops it only when we are a bout to hang ourselves or each other. we have strong opinions, and in the present economic / political blame game that is getting stronger and stronger, so play fair, the coffee shop is a bolt hole for many of us, let’s not smash the place up and lose friend.

I like this place as a bolt hole to let a little steam off, speaking of steam….trains….

And an early tribute

and some models of the type

]

who else has some steam to blow off

 

[santafewillie]

I stayed up late (for me) last night (9:30), so I might not have as hard a time getting used to the "Standard Time". It didn't work!

 

[ctclibby]

Help/Advice needed.

I want a cell phone that doesn't send information to the CCP. Perhaps a Samsung?

Apple...no. I can't see any way Apple phones aren't compromised.

Earlier this year Consumer Cellular told me I needed to upgrade from a 3G to 4G (LTE) phone, and, perhaps because I threatened to take my business elsewhere, they sent a free 4G phone. Made by ZTE (China). At the time, I just used it not knowing it's almost certainly "CCP enabled," but a bit of research showed it to be true. Thus I have as little personal data on the phone as I can: No email links, no contact data other than first names and abbreviations. Any photos I take with it I upload to a PC via a Linux USB stick temporary install, thus there as few links even there as I can manage. Absolutely NO banking. NO GPS, etc. So, and even though 4G, it's as useless as I can make it.

This isn't as hard as it sounds, as this is positively the WORST device I ever bought. It's a wonder ZTE can stay in business if this crEp is the best they can do. "Western Disposal" could better, it's that bad.

But I need an upgrade, and I need something that doesn't report my every keystroke to the CCP.* I was badly infected late last year--someone was into my banking, email and pretty much everything else, such that I went to that temporary Linux stick and closed out my bank accounts, etc. I didn't boot this PC into Windows for ten months, and even then I expected a Ransomware greeting on first reboot: "Greetings. Send $2,000 dollars in Bitcoin to this internet address with the next 48 hours or we will lock all your files," etc.

{* Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you]

Don't want to repeat the mistake. I will still not--ever--put any banking info on a new phone, but it might be nice to use at least something beyond what a flip phone offers. So...any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Although LG does not make phones anymo, we both have them bought 2 years ago.
Which smartphones are not manufactured in China?

Here are five top-shelf smartphones made outside China that you can buy right now.

• LG ThinQ series (LG V60 5G and LG G8X 5G)
• Sony Xperia 1 II.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 series.
• Samsung Note 10 Series.
• Moto G Stylus

When we got the LG ( LM-K500 or LG-K51 ), I wanted a Moto ( Motorola ) as at that time you could get it with NOTHING but talk, pix and text. None of all the other crap they load up on them. I don't know right now if that is still the case. Those were about $170 back then.

In any event, I go through any electronics soon after purchase and dump those app's that I don't need or use: Window$, Linux, Phone, Camera's, toasters and ovens. Ok, so Ima pulling legs a touch, but you get the idea. Wife got new washer/dryer combo and we can talk to it via Bluetooth. What? Why in the world would anybody want to do that as in the end you still need to visit them and deal with stuff inside ... right? I really only worry about devices that can directly connect to the Internet.

One of the most important things you can do when using you phone or PC is to make sure that any site you visit starts with https://. For instance, we both use USAA, USBank and our local credit union to check balances and such. With those three I listed, you don't even use YOUR keyboard to enter your password. It is in a secure session with the keyboard coming in from them. As far as I know, none of your secure session is stored on the devices at all. I guess that if you were compromised, rogue software could screen scrape to get information, but that is a BIG can-o-worms to write and keep updated. Next most important things are eMail and Txt. If you don't know who it is from be wary of anything inside wanting you to click this, or reply to that. All of our purchases are usually done on PC or tablet as they have bigger screens and easier to see. Same thing applies - secure https//.

Do I trust any of them? NO. Do I trust that my Internet provider is not sniffing packets? NO. I get a kick out of those secure tunnels using a VPN ( Nord comes to mind ) as now everybody that 'signs up' is tunneling to the VPN servers/routers that Nord controls. Much easier to sniff a whole bunch of folks packets as they are all dumping in one location or area vs each Internet provider. It is what it is though. I probably am more of a security watcher than most, the wife is learning. I have never had a server compromised probably because they are tested for holes before going on to a public network. I did get a virus once - Happy 99 with fireworks on the screen. It ( at that time ) was cute but what a PITA. All kinds of stuff was popping up everywhere. Took me a couple of days to rid myself of that. VM's are a whole other can-o-worms unless the owner is the only one with root/admin access, you never know what is being done with them, on top of that - trust the owner? What if a ton of money is involved? NOT.

In any event - there is a ton of information floating around you. Have Siri, Alexis or any of the others? BIG can-o-worms as they monitor any voice they can hear. Do they call home with it? YES. Cookies are collected while you are surfing and are available for any other site you visit. That is how targeted ad's show up; almost immediately now. Most site's display some sort of a 'cookie' message that you can opt in or out of. Well, since they wrote the code, is Yes really Yes, No really No, or are both Yes? All it takes is a little Javascript to grab and process all the information about where you have been. Information is BIG business. Is it ever gonna be quelled? Probably not.

Geesh - I wrote a book

Later

 

[ctclibby]

I stayed up late (for me) last night (9:30), so I might not have as hard a time getting used to the "Standard Time". It didn't work!

I forgot about falling back. Got up at my usual body time and looked at the clock. Geesh, forgot said I. Good, get another hour in during the quiet time of the morning. Take a nap later.

Later

 

[Christiaη]

Back to the trains! First run on the NLRR (New Longvallon RR). I can't use the figure 8 because I need a small section of track to complete it. But one day...

 

[Christiaη]

Geesh - I wrote a book

Yep ! A big one.

 

[santafewillie]

Consider this. This Tuesday in the US, it's election day. It's also the day of the full moon and we all know that strange things can happen with the full moon. Let's add to that that there will be a total eclipse of the moon visible in North America for almost 90 minutes sometime between midnight and dawn depending on where you happen to be. Now, that full moon eclipse will be a red moon instead of a blue moon. Will that be a harbinger of what is to come the rest of the day???

 

[Christiaη]

It's also the day of the full moon and we all know that strange things can happen with the full moon.

Something like that ?

 

[CambriaArea51]

Now that we're back on standard time, I feel so much better.
Wait, was that political?

Yep, was discussed in congress. The railroads are overseen by the government too.

 

[bnsf971]

Think I may be done here. It' been nice.

Joe, I'd hate to see you go, but Bob has two rules for the forum that he's really strict about:
No politics.
No religion.
If you can't abide by those, then it's time for you to go.

 

[Smudge617]

Help/Advice needed.

I want a cell phone that doesn't send information to the CCP. Perhaps a Samsung?

Apple...no. I can't see any way Apple phones aren't compromised.

Earlier this year Consumer Cellular told me I needed to upgrade from a 3G to 4G (LTE) phone, and, perhaps because I threatened to take my business elsewhere, they sent a free 4G phone. Made by ZTE (China). At the time, I just used it not knowing it's almost certainly "CCP enabled," but a bit of research showed it to be true. Thus I have as little personal data on the phone as I can: No email links, no contact data other than first names and abbreviations. Any photos I take with it I upload to a PC via a Linux USB stick temporary install, thus there as few links even there as I can manage. Absolutely NO banking. NO GPS, etc. So, and even though 4G, it's as useless as I can make it.

This isn't as hard as it sounds, as this is positively the WORST device I ever bought. It's a wonder ZTE can stay in business if this crEp is the best they can do. "Western Disposal" could better, it's that bad.

But I need an upgrade, and I need something that doesn't report my every keystroke to the CCP.* I was badly infected late last year--someone was into my banking, email and pretty much everything else, such that I went to that temporary Linux stick and closed out my bank accounts, etc. I didn't boot this PC into Windows for ten months, and even then I expected a Ransomware greeting on first reboot: "Greetings. Send $2,000 dollars in Bitcoin to this internet address with the next 48 hours or we will lock all your files," etc.

{* Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you]

Don't want to repeat the mistake. I will still not--ever--put any banking info on a new phone, but it might be nice to use at least something beyond what a flip phone offers. So...any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

My first phone was a Nokia 8210, second phone was a Samsung, and have had one ever since, I have no intention of ever changing to another Manufacturer.

 

[Smudge617]

I sympathise with the POLITICS comment, he has to ensure we do not get into a punch up, and sone leave in a huff. Plus let’s be fair, he always gives us enough rope and stops it only when we are a bout to hang ourselves or each other. we have strong opinions, and in the present economic / political blame game that is getting stronger and stronger, so play fair, the coffee shop is a bolt hole for many of us, let’s not smash the place up and lose friend.

I like this place as a bolt hole to let a little steam off, speaking of steam….trains….
View attachment 155367And an early tribute
View attachment 155370
and some models of the typeView attachment 155373]
View attachment 155372
View attachment 155374
View attachment 155375
who else has some steam to blow off

Well that's brightened my day, Scotsman and Mallard are my two favourite Steam, is the painting your's?

 

[troyphoto]

Joe, I'd hate to see you go, but Bob has two rules for the forum that he's really strict about:
No politics.
No religion.
If you can't abide by those, then it's time for you to go.

With my neurodivergence, I have to be careful of political threads. I knee-jerk replies, and often catch myself just before I hit "Send" or "Post"

Yeah... Most of the time I just delete the post and move on.

For one, I'm glad that Bob has the rule ... and that Terry et al on the moderator team are cautious to allow a few toes in the topic... but rein it in before we start all caps GRUMPING at each other.

That's what Twitter is for... at least for a few more days.

As for Mastadon: It's still fledgling, and doesn't have much in the way of authors or model railroads. Those can be built. We just need to find the right #hashtags to connect with.

 

[Smudge617]

Think I may be done here. It' been nice.

No, just a warning shot across the bows I think.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

ahhh, locomotives. If it doesn't have a standard coupler, a full-throated steam whistle or a spartan cab, it's not a real locomotive. None of those measly, high-pitched things that sound like an old fish wife screaming.
Went out for this morning's walk. Clear sky, sun about 15 minutes below the horizon and the rain began to fall. I look up, still clear sky, no birds flyin over, no lawn sprinkler running astray. Great, I wonder if the rest of my day will be like this.
Politics on other forums vary on how much they allow. On one forum, no problem unless ya make a personal threat toward another member, then you'll get a 30-day suspension. Some people establish several accounts so they can expend em as needed to get their threats in. Name calling is thick unless the post was of the political side you are on. Then there are the trolls who only post comments to try to stir people up. It's just a 24/7 bar brawl.

 

[bnsf971]

No, just a warning shot across the bows I think.

Yes, a word of warning before edits and deletions are needed. It can be looked at as preventative maintenance.

I change the oil in my car before the engine blows up.
I patch rain water leaks before the roof collapses.
I remind people about forum rules before I need to edit/delete.

 

[bnsf971]

 

[TLOC]

For the record, I deleted my political post. There was no institutional censorship, only me.

I wrote it thinking more of decency and respect. After further review and thought it could be easily seen as political.

I need to check myself and respect the rules of this forum.

Forgive me if I have offended anyone.

You didn’t offend me and I see no need for an apology

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Clear and 57°, headed up to 80° later on. The NWS has thrown the previous forecast out and given us a new one for this week. It's still going to be warm through Thursday, but the rain for Friday has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Maybe it will make up for the rain/tornadoes that I didn't get last Friday.

Had a good trip to Dallas yesterday to drop off my wife. I got to visit my granddaughter and her Dad for a bit before heading over to Discount Model Railroad and shopping for me. I didn't make any sort of list ahead of time because I did that about a month ago, I just went to browse and spend $$$. I mostly bought structures, detail parts, vehicles but no rolling stock. I already have as much as I need. Probably too much as a matter of fact. However, I did not unpack the box and it sits out in the train shed as we speak.
On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot and Tractor Supply to browse mower/tractors. The fellow at Tractor Supply advised me to wait a few weeks until they have a clearance sale. Since I am in no hurry, I can wait. At HD, they have a greater selection, and you order and pay there and it's delivered from a warehouse a few days later. Next week I will go to Lowe's and the John Deere dealership to look. I'm still torn between a zero turn and a traditional tractor.

So it's my second day of "home alone", I'm not sure what is in store. Since the living room rearrangement last month didn't get any notice/comments, I may try something else just as aggressive.

Thanks as always for the likes yesterday.

I started moving along on the build of the tank car loading platform out in the train shed yesterday. Since I have built three of these previously, I was able to navigate past the Walther's instruction errors/omissions, starting with this one.

Part #14 is mislabeled in the upper area. I overcame that and continued.

Than an oopsie!

Then we come to a typo.

After some assembly, I have two major components to join together.

To be continued. Yes, more confusing instructions coming up.

Guy - Walther's instructions leave a lot to be desired to begin with, but I haven't run across any of their kits that didn't include them in the box.
That's more snow than we usually get in an entire season.
Tom O - Wetlands as well! I always knew about the quarry but not the wetlands and pond/swimming hole. I still think it's a shame that you are having to sell.
Curt - While any Ethanol facility is massive, I don't intend to use all of the available 25' x 2' for it. The main line and passing siding are set back from the fascia from 3" to 8", it is not parallel but it angles, and while I haven't measured it yet, I guesstimate that it will be about 16' x 1' that has models on it. Much will be low-relief backdrop structures. There will be other scenery and structures at each end and some along the fascia as well. I like the concept of trains going through the scenery instead of just in front of it.
Louis/Joe/Others - I wasn't offended by any posts yesterday and I don't think any of them crossed the politics line. I believe that Terry's post was just a reminder not to take it any further. At least I hope that it was about.

Today is Glenn Fry's (The Eagles) birthday. RIP, he would have been 73.
Everybody have a great day.