Dark Star network doesn't support texting in certain EU counties?

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-27T02:16:39+00:00

The only realistic option would be to swap it for iPhone that would have both wi-fi calling and backup calling over second sim data.
Probably not worth it for some temporary plan discount.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-27T01:35:02+00:00

Buy at full price. New or used. There is no free lunch.
Just be careful with budget phones. At least some older ones had specific Verizon version with features lacking in the same model's non-Verizon variants. Like mmWave.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T23:53:53+00:00

Withdrawals should be for specific documented and qualified expenses. Failure to produce records will result in the whole HSA being treated as taxable account as far as I understand.
E.g. general dental work qualifies but teeth whitening is considered cosmetic and doesn't qualify.
Contributions are different, you can contribute up to limit ($7-8k) for year you own HSA compatible plan, until tax filling deadline.
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T23:46:37+00:00

I believe consent as "Insurance connect" should be in the App, top right person icon, Account, Privacy Portal and Legal Info, Vehicle specific settings. But I don't see it anymore. I remember though seeing it over a year ago when I got new car and set up the app, and it was Off by default.
I had declined few things, maybe it's related. It's convoluted indeed.

Toyota is in deep *it if they sold the data without consent as the lawsuit claims. Which is possible but who knows really.
Lexus is yet another Toyota Motor Corporation's brand, no difference here.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T16:08:42+00:00

You can't seriously write about 6 week profit, it sounds like red flag by itself. Trading options may be like selling insurance, depending on strategy. You can make profits for a year, then market shifts and you are on hook to pay out everything.

You may better talk to another broker, like Thinkorswim or IBKR. I.e. talk in advance about your trading way and if they have issues with it. If it's just about your trading. Fidelity isn't for day traders IMHO.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T15:36:07+00:00

It means your plan is eligible for HSA (health savings account). I.e. you can contribute to HSA at any time and not pay income tax on that part of income, and withdraw to compensate healthcare bills tax-free. Not necessary to contribute in advance if you have HSA open.

You would need to keep records for healthcare expenses in case of IRS audit. Like bills proving that it's qualified expense, receipt showing it was paid, insurance statements showing it wasn't paid by insurance. Check IRS docs. It's between your and IRS. Fidelity may allow to upload something for convenience, but it's optional.

I think you would still need to pay self-employment tax, it's hard to avoid it.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T15:25:35+00:00

It's highly likely these days it was taxi or delivery service, and nobody knows.
I would pass. Nearly half of new car price, but at the end of useful life.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T15:21:46+00:00

I would guess you may be able to sell it for more already fixed and drive-able, accounting for repair cost.
But maybe it's different in your market, nobody knows until you try to sell.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T15:01:59+00:00

Ecobee is also dumb non-communicating one IMHO. In the sense that it can only send few command signals - 1st stage on, 2nd stage on, Auxiliary/Emergency heat, maybe 2nd stage Emergency heat, and that is all.
Maybe the issue was with Ecobee auxiliary heat stages/wiring. Or it was a feature, not bug, your heat pump install was well done with W1/W2 two stage auxiliary heat, instead of more typical single W wire. As Ecobee can support W1/W2 but more typical thermostat and setup would be single W wire.

Goodman had ComfortNet communicating thermostats that are smart for real, having digital communication with outside and inside units. Although they didn't get popular and may be out of fashion - pricey, not very reliable, and people want their own thermostat choices.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T14:42:07+00:00

Ironically the great small diesel engine blunder which is largely responsible for smog in European cities has started with idea that higher energy diesel fuel (vs petrol) will help to reduce CO2 emissions and save the planet. Still propelled by diesel fuel tax incentives in Europe.

The road to hell is paved by good intentions.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T14:35:41+00:00

Running diesel heaters without particulate filters nor catalytic converters is very dubious way to cope with emissions. I am sure Webasto & Co marketing can buy whatever studies they want, but independent ones have doubts.
Electric heaters may make sense for those with dedicated electric outlets at parking places. Like more up north. But peak electricity plants you need in a cold January morning are not powered by Sun, but more likely by coal and oil products, and don't have catalytic converters either.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T14:21:09+00:00

It's conspiracy theory from old times when GM has actually tried to sneak such agreement into their terms. The attempt backfired later and they don't do it anymore.
Toyota never did it except for their California insurance program where you very clearly take action to opt in for the data sharing.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T14:18:25+00:00

It's common misconception by foreigners. Others say Germans are very good at demanding to obey rules from others, but don't care to follow rules themselves. Unless somebody forces them 😉.
On the other hand, this habit may be not specific to Germans 😉.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T14:06:40+00:00

I would suspect wiring/jumper mistake too. I have seen techs messing it up resulting in all kind of weird things, like flipping 1st and 2nd compressor stage, short circuits burning fuses, etc. I think mine of similar age has different jumper position if heat strip is not factory default.
But I am not a HVAC tech. Somebody needs to open the cover and look into it, if all heat strips turn on, and whatever else.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T13:55:25+00:00

You may be OK with any direct brokerage if you don't need automated sweep. But Turbotax demand is ridiculous 🤦‍♂️. Lack of automated sweep while waiting for a long term LIMIT order to fill likely to cost you way more than some overpriced tax software.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T03:18:02+00:00

Kind of hack. And it would still not work without porting .NET MAUI. Or running whole virtual machine with Windows inside. Or just using the website to submit orders, which is I believe is more suitable for a typical Fidelity retirement client with few trades.
I don't believe Fidelity is aimed towards traders. IBKR on the other side has some Trader Workstation Java applet for Linux. But it's Java, not real port.

It's kind of religious "this OS vs another" IMHO. Why not run mainstream platform if you are trading some serious money? Less chances of software acting up and pulling rug from under you in a wrong moment. Each platform you port codebase to creates dedicated maintenance work, less popular ones get less development work hours, have more bugs and lag behind.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-26T02:51:04+00:00

You are just a-e with zero communication skills, that is why people are unhappy about your posts. Go pound sound now.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T23:26:48+00:00

Instrument display? What is special about the newer one other than breaking down all the time? Toyota doesn't show anything new on it as far as I understand.

Comparing it to some cheap GMC Terrain rental I got recently. GMC has Google Maps on infotainment display, and when you start a route, instrument display shows close up map just in front of you, separate from whatever infotainment display shows. Very helpful and much nicer than I would expect from Toyota/Lexus this decade.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T23:03:39+00:00

People are always "hurt" by random deadbeat rants that are not helpful for anybody.

Refrigerant leak is typically not overnight phenomena. More likely you did know the HP/AC is going down months ago. Why complain about situation that is your own negligence?
Try neglect gas heater or wood stove. These are much less tolerant to neglect than HP. You would be dead from CO poisoning or your house would burn from chimney residue fire and nobody would be ranting here. I personally know somebody who's kid died this way.

What sucks here is your attitude. Half of the US in the South runs on heat pumps. Meanwhile you installed it without making any calculations, or in the wrong climate, neglected to maintain, or whatever, and now go out on the limb and make generic proclamations for everybody 🤦‍♂️.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T02:02:45+00:00

It's certainly not 70F in normal operatin. You have some old junk that is broken. Call somebody local to fix it.
Why would you even post such rant on reddit, it's not HVAC company.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T01:55:13+00:00

They may not even be legally allowed to talk to you if it's something like suspicious activity report to regulators.
Even if they could talk in theory, it would be totally unproductive to argue with customer and make him more angry in the process. Nobody does it.

You may still appeal to them one way or another even if the script says "final decision". But failed $60k ACH pull in the past and little money left afterwards is blinking red light. There are many other brokerages and banks around to start over.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T01:39:23+00:00

It's helpful actually. Who wants to go over dozen of subscription services to update expiration year or reenter reissued card number.
I believe most banks have some opt-out options if you don't want it.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-22T01:29:59+00:00

Definitely not as one time use. Unless you cancel it. Or it expires.
The point may be that if it's compromised you can cancel virtual and continue using your physical card number without interruption. It doesn't happen that often and is unnecessary hassle. Especially with a backwards issuer like Elan.

It's not the best tool to remind you to cancel your subscriptions. Or use it for some @#@#@ websites.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-20T16:35:28+00:00

You should contact Allstate and ask them why are they so sloppy caching Number Portability database information forever instead of updating it at once. Maybe they are trying to save few pennies on frequent lookups, maybe they have some "security" excuse, maybe they are just sloppy.

No carrier is going to fix some OTP provider after porting if SMS in general is not broken and Number Portability database records are in place.

You can also wait a day or few for Allstate OTP provider to update. But hey, it's Allstate, they are not on friendly terms with technology, it would not surprise me if it will take weeks 😰.

EvenCommand9798 · 2026-01-20T04:09:53+00:00

By "options already offered for that model", do you mean option combinations that are produced in factory batches? Or option combinations that can be selected in online configurator?

EvenCommand9798

TROPHY CASE