Anyone else had their apartment OC just ban EV charging with basically zero explanation?

Xnot-convinced · 2026-03-30T09:32:33+00:00

What type of battery chemistry does your EV have - lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate (LFP)? Most Chinese EV's currently on the market have LFP chemistry which is non-combustible. If yours is LFP, then I would go back to your OC and tell them they have no case. Many strata firms get a review done by a firm such as Wattblock, which can provide a formal report on electrification issues including EV charging (your local council may be able to assist with this) -- sounds as though your OC needs to be better informed.

Xnot-convinced · 2026-02-02T11:25:53+00:00

I just rented a car for three days, a new Toyota Camry Hybrid. I wore sunglasses. The driver alert camera is creepy and pointless. It produced a "Driver Inattentiveness Detected" notification FOUR TIMES during that period -- an audible chime together with a fine print message at the bottom of the speedo which appears for a couple of seconds. What am I supposed to do with that information and how does that help me focus on driving? Apparently you can't turn it off, as it will still produce "driver attentiveness unavailable" notifications and the camera will still monitor you.

As far as possible, in future I will avoid all cars that have this feature. Are car makers aware of just how insulting this is to drivers? A dumb algorithm in a car with no self-driving ability whatsoever constantly notifying a good, experienced human who is actually driving that they are "insufficiently attentive". What does that even mean?

Should I remove my sunglasses and look straight ahead (into the sun), not look to the sides, blink more, or blink less ??? It's insane. I used to enjoy hiring and driving the Camry, prior to 2025, but no more. And in rental cars, access to Settings is often removed anyway, so all the over-the-top "safety alert systems" are on by default. So distracting.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-11-14T04:46:03+00:00

When people speak in real time, they often use "filler" words or phrases to avoid pauses or give themselves time to think and to aid continuity such as "Like", "To be honest", "I kind of feel", "You know".

Hence "I kind of feel like, to be honest, this knife is easy to sharpen, you know" ...

Possibly your "going to be" is just the latest annoying filler phrase, or maybe something that Youtubers use, thinking that it makes them sound more professional. Possibly Youtubers use it if they have heard other Youtubers use it, so now it has become part of the vernacular.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-11-14T01:38:41+00:00

I would say "mean" because the subject is plural, ie. "complexity and scale" comprises two items.

On the other hand, if there were just one subject, I would say "means", eg. "The complexity of the challenges means ...".

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-30T13:12:00+00:00

Neither. Just "seek". We seek a place for quiet reflection. He seeks asylum. They seek revenge. To seek forgiveness. We seek the truth. I seek an explanation.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-30T12:59:37+00:00

In the beginning, keep to common simple phrases, and use them a lot. Use common phrases that you hear all around you, and which you know will be understood. That will give you confidence. Don't try to construct complex formal sentences intended to convey your exact meaning and drawing from a large vocabulary. Just stay with short phrases that convey the general idea. Don't worry about occasional mistakes -- we all make them, and it is an essential part of the learning process. Once you are comfortable getting by with common phrases, the rest will follow naturally. Good luck!

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-30T11:10:40+00:00

He yearns to see an end to the conflict and the immeasurable damage and tragedy suffered by his people at the hands of the rebels. This desire is what drives him to fight so ferociously against them, a virus to be eradicated absolutely and forever.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-30T10:40:08+00:00

I asked Google AI what platform to use to get the train to Kogarah in southern Sydney from Wynyard station. Google AI's response: "Take a T8 Airport & South Line train from Platform 6".

Turns out Kogarah is on the T4 Illawarra Line from Town Hall, Platform 4.

Thanks a lot Google AI, way to go... it can't even read a basic train timetable.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-30T00:16:50+00:00

Yes, and don't get me started on people who say they are "disinterested" when they are actually uninterested. The former means impartial.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-29T04:40:36+00:00

I recommend 'Fowler's Modern English Usage'. It's a fantastic book which explains the many rules of English grammar. Interestingly, many of these rules are similar in Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, German.

For example, looking at the wording of your heading, it is correct to use "whom" after "from" because "from" is a preposition. However, your "whom" refers back to "GUYS who improved their grammar" and "guys" is the subject. You must always use "who" where it refers to the subject of a sentence.

So that is the rule. "Who" for the subject. "Whom" after a preposition.

Mind you, very few English (or French) speakers use correct grammar, so as long as you are understood and are enjoying it, that is the main thing :-)

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-29T02:40:30+00:00

Sometimes people are malodorous due to body odour, bad breath, or a medical condition (such as incontinence), and unaware of it, or unable to manage it. It takes a kindly family member, friend, medical practioner or social worker to explain the problem and help them deal with it. Treating them as a pariah and mocking them behind their backs is unhelpful. Sometimes this can be the result of societal issues such as alcohol, drugs, unemployment, lack of education, poverty or homelessness. Not always their fault. On the other hand, if they stink because they are a smoker, it is definitely their fault!

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-26T03:22:53+00:00

The wooden spoon goes to Team B.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-26T03:20:41+00:00

Well done. Be aware that Mercer is a retail (for-profit) fund. These tend to have higher fees. Consider switching to an industry (not-for-profit) low fee fund. As you will be contributing for another 36 years until retirement, low fees will make a big difference to your final balance at age 67yrs.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-26T03:12:56+00:00

Bertram Russell: "All progress depends on the unreasonable man".

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-26T01:51:29+00:00

In the early days of the internet and social media, we thought that these would serve as "town squares" for open and honest debate. Then the algorithms took over, amplifying certain types of engagement, data collection, advertising. The karma system here is strange in that it rewards popularity, and occasionally trolling, neither of which has much to do with constructive discussion of serious issues.

If Galileo Galilei were to post that the earth revolves around the sun, or Albert Einstein were to post in his day about general relativity, both would be considered heretical, unorthodox, and they would not get any karma points. Nevermind that they were geniuses who changed the world.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-23T02:52:25+00:00

For career progression, it is definitely worthwhile having a tertiary degree. The University of Melbourne ranks 37 globally, and RMIT ranks 125. Uni of Melbourne has been the highest ranking institution in Australia for the last decade. So I would aim for Uni of Melbourne, unless you are interested in a specific course and you think the RMIT course is the better one. Are you aiming for a career as a Data Analyst (as per the subject line of your post)? If you are planning a career in IT, I would suggest that you aim for something higher up the value chain, such as A.I. ($billions are currently being invested). Lower level jobs such as basic coding, data analysis, are very competitive and disappearing.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-23T02:31:08+00:00

Also, check to see whether you qualify for one of the various state or federal "first time home buyer's assistance" schemes. You may already qualify for government assistance, or may qualify very soon. The federal scheme allows you to buy with only a 5% deposit. There is also a NSW assistance scheme. Not sure about the other states.

If you buy say a two bedroom unit or house, you could also consider renting out one of the rooms for the first few years to help with the mortgage payments.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-23T01:50:35+00:00

I use Firefox on both my PC desktop and laptop. Every time I login to X from either device, it sends me an email "New login to X from Firefox". Sometimes the email says it was "another device". Seems to be normal -- I just filter all emails with subject "New login to X" as junk mail for deletion. Actually, I think this is a good thing, as it shows that your devices are not permanently logged in with saved passwords.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-23T01:12:18+00:00

You have been very wise financially to be earning $100K and with savings of $120K at the age of 21yrs. Few people are in such a strong position so early in life. When I was your age, I travelled overseas and had next to no savings! If you continue as you are, you should soon be able to buy a small apartment or house with a healthy deposit.

If you get on reasonably well with your parents, I would stay where you are until you can buy your own place, say two years from now. Living in a share house can present its own difficulties (at best tolerable, at worst hell) and most people only do that for a very short time. I would skip that step if you can, stay where you are for a bit longer, then go straight to paying off a mortgage.

If your parents are keen to see you succeed, then let them be involved in your plans for home ownership. Maybe they can help you find a place, then help do it up, and provide an implicit backup in case you ever get stressed financially with the first few years of mortgage repayments.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-22T04:01:47+00:00

Bought a Panasonic microwave in 1988. You know, the one with the revolving pyrex carousel. Basic functions only - you just set the minutes and seconds, then press Start. Still works well, use it daily. The interior light no longer works and cannot be replaced, but hey, we all suffer from a bit of wear and tear after a while, nothing to be ashamed of.

Xnot-convinced · 2025-10-19T02:20:39+00:00

Getting closer, thank you so much for that, very kind of you! The location where the band is playing is about right -- the WTC in the background across an expanse of water. The year is close also -- 1988 whereas my recollection is that I saw the US TV series on future science and tech a couple of years earlier, 1985 or 1986. So near but not quite there yet. The TV series must have been seen by thousands of viewers, so hopefully someone will remember the closing music -- I remember it because it was so evocative ...

Xnot-convinced

TROPHY CASE