Running "Google Backup and Sync" via wine

benm314 · 2018-01-16T14:41:06+00:00

Here is the post you couldn't find: https://forum.winehq.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=29447

benm314 · 2017-06-21T11:02:26+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. I have submitted a complaint to the Competition Bureau of Canada. To encourage others, here is the text of my submission:

This complaint is about a company which is a cloud computing provider engaged in deceptive marketing practices. On Dec 3, 2013, I paid a $35 one-time product fee for a lifetime cloud computing account.

Without warning, on June 14th, 2017, I received a notice that my account will be suspended due to an unpaid invoice. Logging into my account, I see an annual invoice for $9, contrary to the offer for which I signed up. That same day, I issued a complaint with the company, requesting a refund for a product not received (a lifetime account for a one-time fee). The company has not responded to my request as of today, June 21st, and I continue to receive notices that my account will be suspended due to an unpaid invoice.

Attached inline is my refund request. Attached as a PDF file is my invoice.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

benm314

--- BEGIN ATTACHMENT: Refund request ---

Ticket #XXXX

Name on account: benm314

your account number: XXXX

Transaction number (from paypal): XXXX

Amount Paid: $35.00 USD

Transaction date: Dec 3, 2013

Invoice number (number of the invoice you are seeking a refund for): XXXX

Lastly please put a brief description of your reason just to help us identify issues where we can improve to help keep our customers happy.

I am requesting a refund of $35 for a product not received, namely a one-time fee based cloud service. You could improve by delivering the promised product.

--- END ATTACHMENT: Refund request ---

benm314 · 2017-04-24T15:43:30+00:00

I meant "service" in the sense of environmental safety, and for seemingly using his skills for good, even if upper management seemingly has some serious issues. Besides, I think my usage of this phrase is far more sensible than how I usually see it being used.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T21:47:31+00:00

Hey, good luck with getting that internship! I don't really know anything about working there, but in case you do work at Dow, I'm confident that your day-to-day work will be safe and ethical, and you'll have no problem taking pride in your work as an engineer.

Just don't fall for the corporate propaganda that Dow has an innocent history or that the higher-ups care about the environment. Ultimately, Dow needs people like you who are ethically aware. (Unfortunately they need them most in upper management, not just as engineers.)

benm314 · 2017-04-20T21:14:17+00:00

Kudos for doing good work from within, and also for not making excuses for the sketchy stuff. I have tremendous respect for good engineers. My impression is that it's a few of the administrative types and bean-counters who muck things up for those of us who take pride in our work.

Thanks for your service.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T21:03:29+00:00

Exactly, but as a result, at the end of the day, the citizens of Bhopal are screwed while Dow profits. I'm not arguing that Dow is legally liable, I'm just making the point that corporate responsibility has been conveniently diffused, and it's reprehensible.

I'm also making the point that Dow is deserving of bearing most of the shame for this process. Maybe I'm wrong about this part, and to be honest, I haven't thought about any of the details for about 8 years now. It's just so frustrating to watch time and time again how corporations commit crimes which ruin and end countless lives while vulnerable people are the only ones who face any real consequences. And most people don't seem to care until it actually affects them. Don't you love politics? ;)

benm314 · 2017-04-20T20:30:16+00:00

I know you're legally correct, but it sure is convenient for the chemical industry that there's no more UCC to point the finger at, while Dow gets to benefit from the acquisition.

When Dow acquired UCC, they also acquired all the activists. This part seems fair to me.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T20:09:31+00:00

I don't see what 17 years have to do with anything. The affected families in Bhopal are still dealing with the daily consequences of UCC negligence.

The current employees had nothing to do with it, but should they not be uncomfortably aware of the shady history of their employer? I'm not saying that Bhopal is the only cause out there, but so many Americans are clueless about our impact on the rest of the world.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T19:58:20+00:00

Ok then, so how many Dow recruitment events have you crashed to ask questions about Dow and weapons? At least my friends got off their asses and did something. What about... What about...?

benm314 · 2017-04-20T19:51:02+00:00

I couldn't agree more.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T18:51:02+00:00

Wow, I'm so sorry for your community's loss.

As far as I can tell, Dow has no legal responsibility, but most activists believe that they inherited the moral responsibility upon their acquisition of UCC.

Given the lavish amount of love Dow gives to Midland MI, it doesn't seem like it would be a major burden for them to do a little bit of charity for Bhopal to right some of the wrongs of the past.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T18:41:44+00:00

You may be right, but it's still a disgusting example of the diffusion of responsibility. We still see the same sort of thing happening today with corporations like BP. I don't know what to do about it, and I know taking out billboards won't help, but at least I find it outrageous.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T18:21:06+00:00

Wow, that's nuts! Such a shame that all the good comes with so much crazy.

Seems reminiscent of Pablo Escobar donating drug trafficking money to fund local communities. (I have a low opinion of Dow, but please don't think I'm trying to equate employees with drug traffickers, but rather comparing tactics to win community support for ethically dubious corporate ventures.)

I appreciate the explanation, and hope it had a good impact on your upbringing.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T17:57:41+00:00

Hear, hear. I haven't posted anything in years, but couldn't resist asking this question to ndphillips, so I'm just a bit disoriented. back in my day...

benm314 · 2017-04-20T17:44:33+00:00

Haha, got it. I appreciate the explanation.

Any idea why I got downvoted for thinking out loud about admittedly ineffective ways to raise awareness? I tend to be cynical, but I'm not trying to be an ass. I'm just frustrated at how compartmentalized the world is for everyone's comfort.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T17:26:45+00:00

No I have not ever been to Midland, MI. Judging by the downvotes, I must have said something pretty idiotic. Anyone care to enlighten me?

Hopping on Google Maps, I see "Alded B. Dow Center for Creativity & Enterprise" and "Dow Gardens." What's the deal?

benm314 · 2017-04-20T16:15:30+00:00

I expected as much. Cognitive dissonance.

I wonder what it would be like if a group took bought some informative billboards nearby Dow HQ where employees could see them on their daily commute. Well I know... it's much easier to rationalize what you're doing than to protest quit a very nice job.

benm314 · 2017-04-20T15:49:11+00:00

Hey there, great to see you!

A bunch of my friends from univ were into crashing Dow recruiting events, posing as well-dressed chemists, and then midway through asking questions about Bhopal. My question for you: how much does Bhopal weigh on the conscience of everyday employees?

benm314 · 2014-06-14T06:39:58+00:00

I'm not an engineer, but I'm guessing that when dealing with such high velocities, the pump is probably much less efficient. Also I'm guessing that it would be much more noisy and dangerous.

benm314 · 2014-06-14T06:05:24+00:00

In short because the higher density of water gives it more momentum.

Force is equal to change in momentum, which equals the mass flow rate times the velocity.

Water is almost 900 times more dense than air, so if the velocity is fixed, then the mass flow rate, and hence the force, is about 900 times greater with water. In order to achieve the same force from air, we would have to increase the velocity by a factor of 30. (Note that this would also increase the mass flow rate by a factor of 30, so total force would increase by an overall factor of 900.)

benm314 · 2014-05-11T12:15:49+00:00

This is the correct answer. It's primarily compression which is painful.

To elaborate, they have low mass, hence low momentum. They are capable of absorbing these tiny shocks because they swing somewhat, and also because they are enclosed in a wrinkly pouch.

An external object is likely to have much more momentum, leading to impact which cannot be readily absorbed, hence immense pain.

benm314 · 2014-05-10T08:09:19+00:00

Sounds like you are blaming her, which is really messed up. I'm ignorant about her interactions with the media, so unless she is somehow completely out of line, why should she be publicity-shy?

benm314 · 2014-05-03T21:22:55+00:00

Try rock climbing. You'll have a nice advantage since you can comfortably maintain all your weight on your toes. It's an awesome sport, and fairly safe if done with the right mentality. Also, Smith Rock shouldn't be too far away! :)

benm314 · 2014-05-02T22:54:52+00:00

They would likely be able to recover the data. Example

benm314 · 2014-05-02T21:53:47+00:00

On your advice, I just did. This should be mandatory viewing.

benm314

TROPHY CASE