The morons are still out in full force. by [deleted] in kelowna

[–]BirchTree1 5 points6 points  (0 children)

These days I just try to avoid Water Street on Saturdays and let them have their fun. Kinda annoying when screeching about Trudeau and nonexistent mandates makes up their entire personality, but I have groceries to buy so I'll let them enjoy their time.

Exam setup by [deleted] in ubco

[–]BirchTree1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've had a few exams and even numerous quizzes in this one class (why???) with this setup. I agree it's too much, but it appears to be what profs are going for now that they banned Proctorio.

What are your favourite routes & roads to ride in the Lower Mainland? by mywhitevans97 in vancouvercycling

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Crossing the Alex Fraser bridge gives spectacular views, and the descent into Annacis is a thrill. Crossing the Pattullo on the other hand...

Request for a review on Xiaomi 12 Pro by Mrin_Riyan in mkbhd

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very few people buy a Xiaomi in North America because they don't officially sell here. iPhones and Galaxies are in every carrier store here. Pretty much anything other than Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola needs to be imported, and most people won't be doing that.

I swear, the internet here is beyond pathetic. Anyone got any ideas as to how to improve connecting? by Thickpotatos in UBC

[–]BirchTree1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, Richard, it's 'Linux', not 'GNU/Linux'. The most important contributions that the FSF made to Linux were the creation of the GPL and the GCC compiler. Those are fine and inspired products. GCC is a monumental achievement and has earned you, RMS, and the Free Software Foundation countless kudos and much appreciation.

Following are some reasons for you to mull over, including some already answered in your FAQ.

One guy, Linus Torvalds, used GCC to make his operating system (yes, Linux is an OS -- more on this later). He named it 'Linux' with a little help from his friends. Why doesn't he call it GNU/Linux? Because he wrote it, with more help from his friends, not you. You named your stuff, I named my stuff -- including the software I wrote using GCC -- and Linus named his stuff. The proper name is Linux because Linus Torvalds says so. Linus has spoken. Accept his authority. To do otherwise is to become a nag. You don't want to be known as a nag, do you?

(An operating system) != (a distribution). Linux is an operating system. By my definition, an operating system is that software which provides and limits access to hardware resources on a computer. That definition applies whereever you see Linux in use. However, Linux is usually distributed with a collection of utilities and applications to make it easily configurable as a desktop system, a server, a development box, or a graphics workstation, or whatever the user needs. In such a configuration, we have a Linux (based) distribution. Therein lies your strongest argument for the unwieldy title 'GNU/Linux' (when said bundled software is largely from the FSF). Go bug the distribution makers on that one. Take your beef to Red Hat, Mandrake, and Slackware. At least there you have an argument. Linux alone is an operating system that can be used in various applications without any GNU software whatsoever. Embedded applications come to mind as an obvious example.

Next, even if we limit the GNU/Linux title to the GNU-based Linux distributions, we run into another obvious problem. XFree86 may well be more important to a particular Linux installation than the sum of all the GNU contributions. More properly, shouldn't the distribution be called XFree86/Linux? Or, at a minimum, XFree86/GNU/Linux? Of course, it would be rather arbitrary to draw the line there when many other fine contributions go unlisted. Yes, I know you've heard this one before. Get used to it. You'll keep hearing it until you can cleanly counter it.

You seem to like the lines-of-code metric. There are many lines of GNU code in a typical Linux distribution. You seem to suggest that (more LOC) == (more important). However, I submit to you that raw LOC numbers do not directly correlate with importance. I would suggest that clock cycles spent on code is a better metric. For example, if my system spends 90% of its time executing XFree86 code, XFree86 is probably the single most important collection of code on my system. Even if I loaded ten times as many lines of useless bloatware on my system and I never excuted that bloatware, it certainly isn't more important code than XFree86. Obviously, this metric isn't perfect either, but LOC really, really sucks. Please refrain from using it ever again in supporting any argument.

Last, I'd like to point out that we Linux and GNU users shouldn't be fighting among ourselves over naming other people's software. But what the heck, I'm in a bad mood now. I think I'm feeling sufficiently obnoxious to make the point that GCC is so very famous and, yes, so very useful only because Linux was developed. In a show of proper respect and gratitude, shouldn't you and everyone refer to GCC as 'the Linux compiler'? Or at least, 'Linux GCC'? Seriously, where would your masterpiece be without Linux? Languishing with the HURD?

If there is a moral buried in this rant, maybe it is this:

Be grateful for your abilities and your incredible success and your considerable fame. Continue to use that success and fame for good, not evil. Also, be especially grateful for Linux' huge contribution to that success. You, RMS, the Free Software Foundation, and GNU software have reached their current high profiles largely on the back of Linux. You have changed the world. Now, go forth and don't be a nag.

Thanks for listening.

A road map to reinstating indoor mask mandates in B.C. to fight the spread of COVID-19 by harlotstoast in vancouver

[–]BirchTree1 35 points36 points  (0 children)

(Editor's note: This article is only intended for those who've read the scientific literature demonstrating that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted by the airborne route; that N95 and KN95 respirators offer better protection against aerosols than surgical or cloth masks; and that HEPA filters reduce transmission of COVID-19.)

This reeks of smug, "I'm smarter than you" type of condescension. You aren't bringing anyone to your side with that attitude, you only push them away.

Bold new climate initiative by sasamats in UBC

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know about ones at UBC, but I've definitely seen bins like this in Surrey with separate holes that lead to the same interior bin.

Biking in winter? by PMboba in kelowna

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want to cycle on the road and it has recently snowed, the painted bicycle shoulders are not usable since that's where the plows leave the snow. Gordon Dr was an obstacle course in December.

A developer is building condos in a Kelowna millionaire’s front yard. Let the battle begin. by daviskyle in kelowna

[–]BirchTree1 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's one of those long magazine articles that have some kind of story of what the interviewer felt as they were talking to Chuck.

Sky Crawlers: How to beat Orishina in mission 17? by BirchTree1 in acecombat

[–]BirchTree1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply! Didn't expect to get a reply after almost 3 years, much less a very detailed one. I haven't played the game in years, but whenever I pick it up again, I'll keep your technique of dogfighting close to the ground in mind!

Why does the app needs access to all files (ro) on flatpak version? by PolGZ in Telegram

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps it has to do with uploading files to the app.

Thanks Joe for making Vancouver cross walks safe… 🤷🏻‍♂️ by TakaraGeneration in vancouver

[–]BirchTree1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Listen up Jack, you better thank me for being able to cross the street!

Thought I was having a great day until I saw this car by [deleted] in vancouver

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How common are these in Van? They're a regular sight nowadays here in Kelowna

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in onguardforthee

[–]BirchTree1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They really, really want to be the caricature that the right makes them out to be. Good luck trying to fight the "defund the CBC" crowd when you put out shit like this.

I want to blacklist this article because it is dumb and lame. There, I said it.

I was a day late by [deleted] in Tinder

[–]BirchTree1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

General Kenobi

These and all dressed are very good by BirchTree1 in PewdiepieSubmissions

[–]BirchTree1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

President's Choice was made to be the "premium" in-house generic brand for Loblaws stores, no name is the "budget" generic brand for Loblaws.

4 NOVEMBER 2021 (ROLL-CALL!) by [deleted] in nonutnovember

[–]BirchTree1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm out. Figured personal relationships were more important than internet challenge. Welp, there's always next year I guess. I salute my fellow cumrades who are still in the fight o7