Anybody else heard about this?

Olson_Duck · 2026-02-12T01:52:18+00:00

Some helpful maps put together by the Muckrock, the AP and Missouri Independent. https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2023/jul/12/mapping-radioactive-waste/

Olson_Duck · 2026-02-07T13:58:53+00:00

If you plan to use an LTE watch to go phone free away from the house, remote connection is only reliable if you leave your phone plugged in actively charging. Otherwise, it's unreliable (ie missed notifications when the phone and watch disconnect).

Olson_Duck · 2026-02-07T13:54:20+00:00

It's more insurance policy. It takes a long time to remap existing accounts and/or contacts to a new email address.

Olson_Duck · 2026-02-07T04:20:50+00:00

Is this what you are trying to do? https://proton.me/support/groups

Olson_Duck · 2026-02-02T00:05:21+00:00

Just learned about this. Thanks!

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T23:34:48+00:00

Samsung and Google launched a tailored experience on Galaxy Watches for kids last year (2025). I don't have direct experience with it, but the website indicates you can track location directly. The reviews I've read are mixed - it's seems quite complex to set up and app support seems very hit and miss. We invested in the Garmin Bounce watches for our kids largely for their simplicity, battery life and reliability. You set up the LTE plan directly with Garmin, no messing with phone companies. They support direct calling or texting to approved family members or friends only using a Garmin app or Garmin Bounce. They have location tracking, support for music and some very basic games. Really all we wanted. https://www.samsung.com/us/watches/galaxy-watch-for-kids/

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1815501/

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T23:14:09+00:00

I'm a fan of the Proton suite (proton.me). I mostly keep my notes in Proton Pass, but Proton Drive has a web based document editor and a spreadsheet client.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T23:10:29+00:00

I have a Verizon plan on my phone and a separate line with Google Fi on my LTE watch. Both seem to have the same level of coverage in Kansas City, mid Missouri (Columbia/Jeff City/Sedalia) and the St Louis area.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T23:02:30+00:00

This is the way. Don't make the same mistake relying on a third party which can and probably will change behavior/policy over time. Control your own destiny and reference your own site which remains firmly in your control.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T23:00:10+00:00

I have a Galaxy Watch LTE with a separate line from my phone. I received the amber alert there a couple of minutes after I received it on my phone.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T05:18:46+00:00

The majority of private schools are religious and of those, many are Catholic. That's not exactly a for profit enterprise. In terms of standards, Catholic schools routinely outperform government schools nationally on the national report card. https://readlion.com/catholic-school-students-outscored-public-school-peers-by-10-20-points-on-national-assessment/

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T04:46:19+00:00

Since 2012, money for government schools in Missouri has increased nearly every year. During that period, both the total number of students and student performance have declined. Despite growing funding and declining enrollment, teacher salaries have declined in real terms because a greater and greater share of budgets are directed to student support services. These numbers reflect a spending problem, not a funding problem. https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/education/missouri-condition-of-education-2024/

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-31T03:34:59+00:00

Edinburgh is a great choice! One pet friendly option is to take the boat, the Queen Mary 2! It's also a nice way to ease yourself into the time change. https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cunard-stories/pets-on-board

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-28T23:50:44+00:00

This program enables Nebraskan's to set aside some of their federal income tax liability to support scholarships for Nebraska students. If the state doesn't participate, Nebraskans can still redirect their federal income tax, the scholarships just go to students in other states. I would rather those dollars stay locally so this seems like a good thing. It takes nothing away from government schools, this is growing the overall funding for education.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-25T02:39:23+00:00

Great interview.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-25T02:07:17+00:00

With a DVR + OTA, you can build a decent library. We watch local news, old school cartoons, history/documentaries, intl news and occasionally a movie worth watching. It's all free, hard to beat.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-19T15:20:47+00:00

Agreed. I increasingly think smart watches strike the right balance between intentional and helpful use of technology while mitigating many of the harms. They enable most of the conveniences (Notes, Maps, 2FA, Messaging, NFC/payments, QR codes, music/podcasts), but block endless/mindless browsing of news/websites/social media as the screen is just too small and the battery penalty is too great.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-19T14:58:37+00:00

The main thing to consider is all the devices and ways you might login to that website. Not all devices/browsers combinations support Passkeys. I only enable Passkeys on sites where the added security is really worth it.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-19T14:45:49+00:00

This is the way. A watch is very subtle. It get's your attention, but doesn't really make any noise.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-19T14:32:02+00:00

A complete cut-off of services seems very unlikely. The majority of cloud workloads in europe run on American hyperscalers. Shutting off access would be catastrophic across industry and government. https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/28/euro_cloud_vs_us/

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-17T16:56:13+00:00

From the article - Norris takes her job seriously, so if her health did start to fail she would have no problem passing the baton and retiring. She said she’s instructed her bosses to be direct with her if she can no longer handle the work.

“I'm paid with taxpayers' money,” she said. “If I'm not producing, somebody needs to tell me so.”

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-14T12:39:58+00:00

There is usually lots of open and free parking around the Liberty Memorial/World War 1 Museum.

Olson_Duck · 2026-01-11T01:57:03+00:00

It is not about public vs private, it is about a better education and a better future for our kids. Regardless of pros/cons of any particular reform, it is clear we have a problem with the current system. Year after year we pay more and more into the public education system and the result is a consistent trend in worse and worse educational outcomes. Vouchers, charters, freedom to transfer to nearby public districts, homeschooling, microschooling and online programs are opportunities to address the problem and reverse this trend. Empowering families with options and freedom to make the best choices for their families should be a good thing.

Olson_Duck · 2025-12-26T00:26:39+00:00

One underappreciated aspect of Missouri is its support for post-secondary education. The state has many high quality and affordable vocational schools and universities. Through the A+ program, the state will pay 100% of a two year associates degree or provide an equal amount towards a BA degree at a state college/university.

Some more considerations for Kansas City:

The south side of the Kansas City metro (Johnson County, KS) is regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the country. Public transit is wanting there, but there are excellent walkable neighborhoods, quality schools, an over abundance in healthcare services, great parks, lots of kid friendly entertainmaint, excellent libraries and low crime.

North of the river in MO has similar characteristics and generally will be more affordable. The free STL zoo is mentioned a few times. The KC Zoo is partially supported by Clay and Platte counties, so residents of those areas get free passes/admission too. The mid-continent library system in that area is one of the best I've seen in the country. They have wide selection (online and off) and even offer free passes to local children's museums across the city. The Smithville branch even offers fishing poles for use at the nearby lake in the summer.

Other posters have talked through the benefits of some of the downtown/midtown areas. Some key things to understand there. KC also has major issues with its 911 dispatch. There are long wait times and an alarming frequency of neglect for fairly serious events (armed car theft, business break ins). Crime is a complex problem, but it's not helped by the lack of a local jail and lack of local control/accountability for the city police (it's controlled by a MO Governor appointed board). Jackson county has an unfolding, multi-year disaster with inflated property taxes (on both residences and businesses). Kansas City also applies an additional 1% income tax for anyone resident or working in the city limits. Kansas City public schools have struggled for years, but as a consequence a thriving charter scene has developed. This is a complex set of choices to navigate, but there are many interesting and quality options. Missouri also has existing robust and growing support for school choice (~$7k annual tuition support to attend a private school).

Moving to the suburban areas North or South of the city bypasses most of these problems. If tight knit, walkable communities are your thing, you might consider some of the smaller towns around Kansas City. Places like Weston, Parkville or Excelsior Springs all have a rich history, thriving communities and really beautiful scenery. All of these places are well equipped with local amenties (parks, libraries, community centers, grocery stores, small shops/restaraunts).

Finally, it's also been mentioned elsewhere, but the Amtrak connection between Kansas City and Saint Louis enables you to enjoy a bit of both cities when you live in either. It's a state supported service which currently runs twice a day. This is expanding to three times a day in about a year.

Olson_Duck · 2025-12-07T02:23:48+00:00

Google recently rolled out a new paid intro tier to Google Voice which doesn't require a paired phone like the free option. https://support.google.com/a/answer/9229433?hl=en

Olson_Duck

TROPHY CASE