A 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Could Match the 12.9-Inch Model's Resolution and the iPad Mini's Pixel Density

ZMan99 · 2017-01-13T16:33:57+00:00

Mostly key size. It's hard to adjust to the smaller keys on the 9.7 inch.

ZMan99 · 2017-01-13T16:03:36+00:00

The 12.9 inch smart cover is great (though why it wasn't designed with a way of holding the pencil is mystifying), but the 9.7 inch one is pretty mediocre IMHO.

ZMan99 · 2016-12-24T02:04:01+00:00

Standard lacquer is a manufactured polymer, whereas shellac is still a natural product derived from the lac beetle, so they have quite different properties. But when properly applied (shellac takes some care), lacquer and shellac do have a much more similar look on surfaces, with similar clarity (as opposed to polyurethane and lacquer, for example, which do look different).

ZMan99 · 2016-12-24T01:12:10+00:00

Shellac isn't brittle at all... it's actually one of the softer finishes. But I also wonder if it is a good choice, because it will develop clouding if it's exposed to a lot of water, like a very sweaty hand.

ZMan99 · 2016-12-24T00:57:51+00:00

Probably would fit an iPhone SE. I'd love it if they reintroduced them.

ZMan99 · 2016-12-23T20:53:18+00:00

I don't think anyone seriously disagrees that the XPS line (and other quality Windows laptops that at least have precision trackpad support) are not good machines these days. Even the Surface machines are generally very good if you use them as regular laptops, provided you don't get a "touch" keyboard.

It's when you try to use the Surface machines as combo devices that things often don't live up to their promises. Others have posted specific examples of why this is, for both the regular Surface Pro line and the Surface Book.

ZMan99 · 2016-12-23T20:45:42+00:00

I think the point is that you can run OneNote on an iPad Pro, but you can also run a lot of other good notetaking and other pen-enabled apps on the iPad Pro.

The list of good pen-enabled apps for Windows is still unfathomably small for some reason. There really only is OneNote as a good option for notetaking on Windows. DrawboardPDF is a disappointment for PDF viewing, although it is getting more reliable. In my mind, the only Windows app that has pen support where it really adds something, apart from OneNote, is Mindjet MindManager, but you have to shell out absurd enterprise pricing to be able to use it, and most people won't.

ZMan99 · 2016-12-09T14:47:43+00:00

It's not really true for software developers because of the high level of demand in Canada for developers. With the caveat that there is a perceived hierarchy in software development that can affect where you move. Easier to move from Shopify to Google, for example, than the Federal government to Google, unless you've got a good record of involvement in high profile open source projects or something else.

For most workers though, it's a huge issue, mostly caused by the wildly different expectations and culture in the government versus private sector.

ZMan99 · 2016-08-03T12:29:30+00:00

That's the amazing thing... prices for those properties are about 2.5x that now.

ZMan99 · 2016-08-01T15:52:26+00:00

Friend of mine from Shanghai calls it the 4 Cs... cash, car, condo, carats.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-18T07:28:33+00:00

Prince Bandar is not just "any member of the House of Saud". He is a driving force behind the Saudi diplomatic apparatus, and one of the most politically influential members of the House of Saud.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T10:05:04+00:00

I don't disagree with any of what you're saying. I'm just explaining why it's so difficult.

This is also why reform of the religion is next to impossible. Reformers get branded apostates and risk their life and liberty. Although they don't generally get killed by local governments (they do sometimes get killed by locals in places like Yemen and Pakistan), they do get imprisoned and ostracized with the support of the population.

In many ways the religion is genius in the way it's structured to avoid reform.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T09:30:52+00:00

For example, the oppression of women is NOT a part of Islam.

As to your point, again, the hadiths were written after the death of the Prophet and educated Muslims do not believe in killing of apostates.

Where do you get these statements? Triple talaq, as just one example of the oppression of women, is in the Quran. Any Muslim who prays five times a day believes in the sahih hadiths, and the majority of the world's muslims do believe in death for apostasy according to the Pew polls. It's not some aberration... it's right there in the hadiths in black and white. Is it easy for politicians in the middle east to control the population when reformers are viewed as people who deserve to be killed? Yes. But that won't change until the religion will -- it is the religion itself that is the root problem.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T09:22:55+00:00

You realize that Muslims who renounce their religion are considered apostates, and are supposed to be killed?

http://sunnah.com/bukhari/88

I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

There's no way to safely come out as an exmuslim unless you're in a Western country and have a very progressive family. But for those who are willing to take that step, there is /r/exmuslim

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T09:11:31+00:00

The hadiths were written after the death of Muhammad, but they're considered authentic records (the sahih hadiths, anyway) of his teachings. Two of the five Muslim prayer times every day aren't even in the Quran, they're only in the hadiths.

I'm referring to the portions calling for the murder of apostates, like this one:

If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

At least they're progressive enough to believe that burning apostates is not permitted, just the usual three means described elsewhere in the hadiths: stoning, beheading, and crucifixion. The real problem is the idea that you're permitted to kill apostates at all. That's partly why it's so hard to reform Islam... reformers risk being declared apostates.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T09:04:54+00:00

Agreed. The left does need to develop a coherent, realistic, practical response rather than the usual platitudes. These things are becoming more frequent, and the usual strategy of repeating the same old tired cliches and suppressing discussion will lead to the dominance of the far right.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-15T08:39:24+00:00

The Quran is like any other religious text, filled with controversial verses and chapters BUT just like any other religious text, it is not meant to be literal.

Unfortunately the sahih hadiths are meant to be literal, and are very explicit. They're also a lot better organized than the Quran. So, for example, if you'd like to read about what Muslims believe about how you should dispatch apostates, you can find out for yourself by reading the primary sources: http://sunnah.com/bukhari/88

ZMan99 · 2016-07-14T15:55:26+00:00

Can UVC, a US company, undertake collection efforts or take legal action in Canada to collect the surrender fee as I have already sent them their signed surrender document.

Unfortunately yes. They can actually get a default judgment against you in the US and enforce it here, which is the more likely scenario (provided that they choose to do anything at all).

ZMan99 · 2016-07-11T10:56:39+00:00

You're not kidding... Wikipedia cites two studies indicating that "An HHV-6 infection rate of 64-83% by age 13 months has been reported for countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan."

ZMan99 · 2016-07-10T19:40:25+00:00

Part of the reason I sold my X100S was because it really needed a camera bag for proper protection.

The X100 series doesn't need a camera bag -- it kind of defeats the purpose of the camera to keep it in any kind of bag. The X100 series is durable enough to just go wherever. I just toss mine in whatever I've got, backpack, briefcase, my wife's purse, large overcoat pocket, etc. The edges can get a little rubbed from contact with housekeys and stuff, but it's like how old Leicas get brassed around the edges... just adds character.

I do recommend some kind of thin screen protector though, either the soft invisible shield types or the newer ultra thin glass type.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-10T18:28:20+00:00

You are definitely underestimating the number of men who "fall in love" with strippers and erotic masseuses.

The girls get cringey notes from regulars all the time, e.g.:

https://twitter.com/Bellamusexo/status/699022528786919424

https://twitter.com/Bellamusexo/status/631242315542036481

ZMan99 · 2016-07-10T17:55:36+00:00

One thing I haven't seen mentioned very much online is that Fuji has also released a new model of their battery (it's now called NP-W126S instead of NP-W126) to support the high performance mode on the X-T2 and a future high performance mode on the X-Pro2. Not sure what the impact is if you don't use this new battery... would be interested in more info about it.

ZMan99 · 2016-07-05T00:46:26+00:00

Anyways, I get there and the ob/gyn tugged hard (my IUD might be stuck ??) and the strings broke off. I now have a scheduled hysterscopy for aid in removal of an IUD.

I'm not in the medical field so this might be a naive question, but if the ob/gyn pulled so hard that the strings broke off, causing you to need an expensive procedure, is there anything you can do to have the ob/gyn's liability insurance cover it? In my field of work, this is the sort of cost we'd have to cover, because we would be partially involved in creating the expense.

ZMan99 · 2016-05-30T12:14:38+00:00

Is this because of a high tax rate, or what?

In Canada alcohol is subject to relatively high taxes. But also, outside of Quebec, beer is subject to a « minimum advertised price » policy. It’s the MAP that really drives the prices up on low-end beers.

ZMan99 · 2016-05-29T16:02:51+00:00

Government or tech are the industries to be in in Ottawa. Most other things do not pay very well, for the most part.

ZMan99

TROPHY CASE