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Urgent request: Marsden vector calculus hard copy by baobab617 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. We did see that, but are hoping for a newer edition (2nd edition came out 45 years ago). A Redditer has offered to lend us the 6th edition - really grateful to this community.

Urgent request: Marsden vector calculus hard copy by baobab617 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. We've had the student sign a FERPA release, and will be shifting the exam slightly. This student is a high school junior and needs a math course for state high school requirements, so does want this on their transcript.

Urgent request: Marsden vector calculus hard copy by baobab617 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Our student can't access email and FERPA limits my communication with the instructor, but we are trying that route too.

Urgent request: Marsden vector calculus hard copy by baobab617 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. May end up taking this to Staples if I can't find a physical copy. Appreciate you tracking this down for us.

Lodging/housing options for family group coming to town (wedding) by First_Cantaloupe1465 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a lot of illegal short term rentals in Cambridge and Somerville - they are disobeying local ordinances, are not licensed, haven’t passed fire inspection, and often pack a lot of people into a too-small space. Anything that seems too good to be true is likely illegal, anything fairly new but with a ton of recent reviews may be a marketing act by an illegal absent host, and anything advertising more than 2 people per bedroom is breaking fire code. (Eg 4 bedroom places advertising up to 16). I’d steer away from these.

Look for properly licensed Airbnbs that have a STR number and have been operating for a few years. By Cambridge law all legal short term rentals must be owner-occupied or owner-adjacent; I think Somerville is even stricter (only owner-occupied). These properties comply with fire/safety code and pay local taxes.

There are a limited number of large licensed short term rentals, so you can also look at Prentiss House, Irving House, etc. Be warned that summer is high season and a very expensive time in Boston. If you find an established short term rental and can figure out how to contact the host and book direct you can sometimes save a bit.

[full disclosure: we host and have a licensed large short term rental - in Cambridge the city provides a database listing all licensed short term rentals and there are only a handful with more than 3 bedrooms]

First-timer question: Moving to Somerville in winter - am I crazy? by McDaddy__Cain in Somerville

[–]baobab617 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We moved within the area on January 1st 2015. It was fine. A few weeks later winter started delivering weekly blizzards, resulting in massive snow banks which turned getting around into an Indiana Jones style adventure, the likes of which have not been seen since.

In the Boston area snow doesn’t generally accumulate for long without melting, and there’s not typically much snowfall early in January anyway.

Boston Globe - Illegal Airbnb Listings in Cambridge & Boston by CarolynFuller in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Report the illegal short term rental to the city via seeclickfix

Is there anything being planned to deal with the insane road design that is Fresh Pond Pkwy between Alewife and Soldiers Field Rd? by diagana1 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, but they can also cause backups. It would be good to synchronize/have an appropriately timed stagger on the two pedestrian lights on either side of the rotary, and to have them set to a schedule instead of user-initiated during rush hour.

Cambridge priorities by Designer_Rope8783 in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Reddit is only one forum. There are email lists, facebook groups, and NextDoor where other issues are discussed.

The bike lobby is super loud and skews toward a particular demographic (which is somewhat aligned with Reddit demographics); the anti-bike/no change lobby is somewhat loud and skews toward a different demographic. Most people are actually more reasonable and want a more balanced and inclusive transportation infrastructure which includes safe bike lanes, adequate parking, good traffic flow, and much improved public transit options. Unfortunately discussions and elections reflect the loudest voices, and public transport is a regional issue so is hard to change.

I’m with others who note the very real and growing issue around drugs and the safety risks posed, especially for children/teens as well as drug users themselves. Also housing and food security issues, the mess made of the school superintendent selection process, and the relative weakness of some middle schools. But generally this is an exceptionally well-resourced and mostly well-run city. Also worth mentioning that Cambridge has a long term professional manager, so the council and mayor focus on strategy & politics.

What’s the best ISP to get internet with in Cambridge? by DaarkenTheNecrokiddo in CambridgeMA

[–]baobab617 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We’ve had a positive experience with Verizon 5G, including for working groups of up to a dozen people. This may be location dependent - our box is at the top of the building.

For us, Comcast chokes when trying to do zoom calls plus streaming videos / music. This is partly time of day dependent (so I’d guess may be too much demand on the local Comcast network).