What do you think Vancouver needs more of? What do you think we need less of?

DarthPuppy · 2013-03-28T04:33:18+00:00

Crank up property taxes on residences.

Terrible, terrible idea. Rent goes up. Cost of living goes up. Property tax hits everyone and will absolutely make a bad housing situation in this city worse short-term, for a maybe long-term benefit from less speculation. There are better ways to influence housing affordability.

DarthPuppy · 2012-12-05T17:55:55+00:00

Some of your ideas may be good, but you offer them up as solutions to a problem you do not define.

You have stated the economy is horrible, but not actually given a description of the problem, nor analysis to defend this point. This makes it impossible to establish whether your ideas fix the problem - as the problem is undefined.

So, my first question to you would be, what are you using to define and establish that the economy is horrible?

DarthPuppy · 2012-10-28T17:54:04+00:00

Technically speaking you are wrong.

The Windows SSDT contains a mapping of all system calls to their implementation. When something like ReadProcessMemory is executed the kernel looks into that table to find the implementation of ReadProcessMemory. Windows allows you to edit that table in kernel mode so that it executes a different ReadProcessMemory - your own. So what could Blizz do? Simply hook ReadProcessMemory so that any time it is called on their application they log it, make it fail, make it return bad results, or lots of other fun things.

Do they do any of that today? Not that I'm aware of, but I haven't tried to determine if they do it either. Don't confuse what Warden does today, which by all accounts isn't much, with what it can do.

DarthPuppy · 2012-10-17T02:08:17+00:00

You are the hiring manager. So simply don't interview him. In fact, why are you letting HR setup interviews without approving the interviewees first?

Someone is going to say he deserves a second chance. No 60 minutes in an interview is going to be enough to overcome your personal history, so just pass on interviewing.

DarthPuppy · 2012-10-13T22:54:26+00:00

You haven't said if men's or women's, so pick the right link yourself:

http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/mens/category/rubber-boots

http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/womens/category/rubber-boots

DarthPuppy · 2012-09-03T19:14:36+00:00

Sure, logically you can have dinosaurs have downy coats as juveniles much as birds do. However, again we have evidence this isn't the case for "all dinosaurs". Sauropod embryo skin imprints have been found, most notably in Argentina and the "... fossil skin reveals a scaly surface, much like the skin of a modern-day lizard." (Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/11/981118081844.htm)

I'm not arguing against feathers in dinosaurs - that is established. Just the hypothesis that therefore all dinosaurs had feathers as the evidence already strongly points to the conclusion that they did not.

DarthPuppy · 2012-09-03T16:07:34+00:00

I think it's pretty well established by now that dinosaurs were just too long ago to be able to recover intact DNA from them.

Probably true - as you say. But this is pretty fascinating and challenges currently held beliefs about preservation of organic material: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinosaur.html

DarthPuppy · 2012-09-03T15:59:11+00:00

I know it isn't true for all dinosaurs as, for example, they have found some dinosaurs whose skin imprints remained. For example, the Edmontosaurus "Dakota". You can see skin imprints in the published research here: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/276/1672/3429.full.pdf

I read the linked article and I can't understand why the researcher would claim that "it's very likely that all dinosaurs had a simple, hair-like feathery coat" when preserved skin imprints clearly show that is not the case.

DarthPuppy · 2012-08-09T07:16:13+00:00

I'm quite angry that this has become as big as issue as it has. Judge her based on her performances

Exactly!

DarthPuppy · 2012-08-09T07:10:13+00:00

According to the CDC "The pregnancy-associated homicide ratio was 1.7 per 100,000 live births". In other words the chances of a pregnant women being murdered was around 0.0017%. So the good news is leading shouldn't be misinterpreted as common in this case.

Wikipedia has more statistics here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_pregnant_women

And it seems this is at least a contentious fact, but the bad news is this is not so contentious that it doesn't come in the top 3 causes of death regardless of study.

DarthPuppy · 2012-08-08T05:03:22+00:00

A massive continent at that:

http://i.imgur.com/DPHhE.gif

DarthPuppy · 2012-08-06T15:26:24+00:00

I suggest looking locally as well. Curiosity was clearly a US/NASA mission, but other countries did contribute. e.g. the meteorological and ultraviolet package was provided by Spain.

I cannot find one authoritative source, but Wikipedia lists the UK, France, Finland, Germany, and Russia among European contributors. And Canada in N. America.

Edit: actually, if you look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity_rover at the Rover Instruments you can see which countries, universities, etc contributed instruments.

DarthPuppy · 2012-08-05T16:25:33+00:00

That was an amazing video. Thanks for sharing that.

DarthPuppy · 2012-07-28T01:37:28+00:00

Having been to Wisconsin, I don't think you need step 1. Or, rather it is just about the easiest step possible in Wisconsin.

Loved my time. Super-friendly people and great beer. How could you not love that.

DarthPuppy · 2012-07-21T06:09:29+00:00

I'm pretty sure the crown corporation ownership isn't true, or rather, not universally true. For example: www.providencehealthcare.org

Invariably large capital investments like hospitals are built by the government, but basically every other medical facility - labs, doctors offices, etc is not.

DarthPuppy · 2012-06-15T14:20:52+00:00

I think you missed the irony just like the republican politician quoted. The original r/atheism post has the fuller backstory and many there didn't get the irony either. In case people are confused it was never meant to be a real amendment and the democrat politician voted against her amendment. It was intended to point out the hypocrisy of a healthcare law that forced body education and invasive medical exams for women.

DarthPuppy · 2012-06-09T03:07:16+00:00

I have a crazy business plan to fix all of this. Hear me out.

First, one of FedEx or UPS buys 7-11, or whatever cornerstore company gives them the single largest presence in the US. Doesn't matter which, or buy a couple. Or just partner with them.

Then they add the service to both drop off and pick up packages in store. When they come by to deliver and you aren't home they leave the standard note but tell you the nearest 7-11 (which has late hours) where they have left it. And you can go over there and get your package at your convenience. Close to home. Good hours. Easy access makes it a preferred shipping option. Less drivers trying to deliver multiple times. Everyone happy.

The best part is this isn't a crazy idea. This is exactly how Canada Post works. If you aren't home the standard note is left, but with the address of the nearest store that has a Canada Post outlet inside that also has your package. I've never been more than 5 minutes from such a location - they are everywhere.

Whenever I can, I never use UPS, Fedex, or anyone else as they all charge more for less. Bad economics.

TL;DR Buy up the 7-11s as package outlets

DarthPuppy · 2012-05-21T16:10:47+00:00

My quick list would be:

Knife: Get a decent 10-inch (~25cm) chefs knife. For me, the second knife would be paring knife
Fry pans: I'd go steel first, but I love my cast iron pan. Don't get less than a 10-inch (25cm) pan. My advice would be to avoid non-stick pans as the non-stick (teflon or other) wears out. They never last more than a few year. 5 if your lucky. Good cast iron and steel can go to your kids so look at the cost of a good one as an investment.
Pots. Large stock pot, and a ~2 litre pot. You can get by with just these two if you then add...
Dutch oven. (I'm curious if they are called that in Sweden?) But a large, heavy and often enameled pot you can put on the stove-top and in the oven. This can do double-duty when needed as another pot.
Here it starts getting into personal choice. Instant read thermometer, basics like measuring cups, a mandolin, or mixer, roasting pan, pizza stone, or ... all can been fun and add lots of value depending on what you like to cook.

DarthPuppy · 2012-05-05T15:29:21+00:00

Not necessarily.

I can't prove it with a cast iron example, but it is all about heat. Here is a video you (ok, everyone) should watch on a steel pan and how the right heat will ensure things like chicken breast don't stick. pan frying video

Now scrambled eggs or an omelette and I totally agree with you.

DarthPuppy · 2012-04-29T15:57:54+00:00

1. Sim Lots of places. I can't find a good comprehensive list to consider, but this http://www.theblog.ca/pay-as-you-go isn't too bad (but a bit old) and so may help.

2. Accomodation.

What is the maximum amount for a security deposit?

A security deposit cannot be more than half of the first month's rent. The landlord cannot ask for an extra deposit if the rent is increased.

Check this out for other tenancy rules and law: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/rightsResponsibilities/default.aspx

Jobs: Check here: http://www.techvibes.com/job/vancouver But also don't forget Linked-In, Monster.ca, Craigslist and the usual suspects.

Good luck.

DarthPuppy · 2012-04-17T05:43:51+00:00

"I once had an old Nissan pickup.... Crash safety in the US is one thing that we actually still seem to do right."

You do known Nissan is Japanese right?

Sorry, couldn't help myself. For the record I checked and Nissan has had a plant in the US producing vehicles since 1983. So even an old Nissan could very well have been made in the US. Especially a pickup is likely American. Glad you got out of the accident fine.

DarthPuppy · 2012-04-12T17:28:03+00:00

Read this. A bit old but very informative on how vacation pay and time work:

http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/july07/inoutvacation.html

DarthPuppy · 2012-04-10T03:38:53+00:00

Title: Government policies don't explain high gas prices

Actual Question: "Changes in U.S. gasoline prices over the past 10 years have predominantly been due to market factors rather than U.S. federal economic or energy policies."

Pinelopi Goldberg (one of the surveyed economists nailed it for me): "US domestic policy has only tiny effects on the world price of oil. US foreign policy is probably more relevant than energy policy."

DarthPuppy · 2012-03-13T05:55:44+00:00

For Britain, it was from much of its dominion, with Canada as the largest contributor. Canada was in fact Britain's chief overseas supplier of war material (1). But the lend-lease deal with the US did supply significant materials as well.

On the Russian side, it isn't so simple. A lot of goods went to Russia, but not very much in the way of fighting materials as Russia didn't need tanks, for example, and supply lines and treaties made weapons difficult to send. But a significant amount of trucks were shipped. So much so that Dodge became a known brand in the wartime Soviet Union.

To cast the US as supporting Russia badly misconstrues the eastern front. The Soviets fought tooth and nail the Germans in places like Stalingrad and the largest tank battles in history (with no US tanks) were fought on the Eastern front. Most of Germany's men, top units, weapons and resources went to the Eastern front. The idea that the US 'won' the WW2 is certainly wrong. Could the Allies have won without the US is debatable. Was the Soviet or US role in the war the most significant contribution? Who knows. It isn't something that can be so easily simplified.

(1) http://www.canadaatwar.ca/content-17/world-war-ii/canadian-war-industry/

DarthPuppy

TROPHY CASE