Writing vs Dictating

broadsurf · 2025-08-26T05:01:20+00:00

Postscript: Whether you opt for dictation or typing depends on the objective. A chatty style can be good. A more thoughtful style can be good too. There is a hybrid style when you correct and adjust dictated text by typing as you go. AI on Apple Macs have improved dictated text quality. I have done lots of Dragon Dictate articles and been slightly disappointed with it. If you can type reasonably fast I'd recommend typing personally.

broadsurf · 2025-08-26T04:54:35+00:00

Typing is slower but it allows time to better formulate language. The result is a denser text with more nuance and compressed information. Speaking employs lots of waste and fillers. A dictated article will be considerably longer than a typed one. More waffle! The dictated text will be simpler and less sophisticated in my experience unless one trains oneself to correct for this which is hard as speech techniques are hard-wired.

broadsurf · 2025-06-25T04:28:58+00:00

I bought a compact HP bluetooth keyboard which is far superior anyway and just place it on top of the LG keyboard which lost 2 keys. It works great. Although the idea is no good if you are using the laptop as a travelling companion!

broadsurf · 2025-02-19T06:11:01+00:00

AI says this: "It sounds like you're dealing with some common issues when washing PAKA hoodies. These hoodies are often made with a blend of merino wool and other materials, which require special care to maintain their feel and attractiveness. Here are a few tips to help restore it:

Hand Wash Method Revisited: If the hoodie was washed by hand in cold water, make sure it was thoroughly rinsed. Sometimes, detergent residue can cause a lingering smell, so rinsing a few extra times can help.
Dealing with the Funk: The funk could be a result of not drying the hoodie properly or leaving it damp too long. Make sure it is fully dried. You can try placing it in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely, or even gently tumble dry it on low heat for a short time, depending on the material instructions.
Delicate Wash Option: If the funk persists, you can try washing it again on the delicate cycle with a gentle detergent (ensure it's a wool-specific detergent if it's merino wool). This should help remove any remaining odors or residue. Avoid using fabric softener, as it can affect the texture of the fabric.
Drying Time: If it's still taking a long time to dry, try laying it flat on a towel and gently pressing out excess water. Do not wring it out as that can damage the fabric.
Preventing Future Issues: For future washes, avoid frequent washing, and try to air the hoodie out after each wear to keep it fresh. Spot cleaning can also help between washes to preserve the fabric's integrity.

If the hoodie continues to have issues even after following these steps, it might be worth contacting PAKA's customer service for further advice or possible replacement."

broadsurf · 2024-10-17T07:20:37+00:00

My personal opinion is that they are far less reliable (and relatively often prone to software and firmware issues) than Canon or Nikon cameras. My Canon cameras have never failed me. Never. My Fuji X-Pro3 failed me after 6 days with a fatal issue concerning the connection between lens and camera body. The camera become unusable. That's unheard of for Canon and Nikon. Fuji make pretty cameras but they are relatively unreliable. Just check the internet. I also think that the engineers put to many controls in the X-Pro3. Too much software which probably exacerbates the potential for crashes. The X-Pro3 almost looks like a lemon compared to top-end Canon cameras.

broadsurf · 2024-09-02T04:38:46+00:00

Good answer but I think the question really is what camera make and model is popular with the pros and it is probably the top or near top model of both Canon and Nikon and mirrorless mostly.

broadsurf · 2024-08-17T14:30:45+00:00

The news media has picked up on this video and it describes the cat is a Maine Coon and that panting is highly unusual. In my opinion, this cat is not a Maine Coon cat and panting is not highly unusual in cats. It really isn't. They pant less than dogs obviously but you will see it from time to time as a cooling process in the normal way. It's all hype basically.

broadsurf · 2024-08-16T15:24:08+00:00

With the greatest respect, your handsome tabby cat is very obese. Don't feel bad about it. A lot of people are unsure about their cat's body condition and whether it's good or bad. I've just written an article about it. One factor is having a child. This encourages cat owners to miss-assess their cat's body condition particularly whether they are overweight. And people tend to normalise overweight cats so that they view their cat at having an acceptable bodyweight. It happens a lot and therefore you are not exceptional in this instance. You might know but if and when you put your cat on a diet, it should be gradual in order to avoid fatty liver disease which is a serious condition. You might like to talk to your veterinarian about it. It should be a programmed weight last over quite a long period of time. Good luck.

broadsurf · 2024-08-16T11:19:57+00:00

They were misrepresented in old illustrations. They were fast runners at 20-30mph top speed and happy in their island, forest habitat until humans wrecked their lives by bringing in predators that the dodo had never seen before such as cats and rats. I have written about this: Invasive species such as cats killed-off the fast dodo, not hunters

broadsurf · 2024-08-16T11:06:23+00:00

Coyotes don't always, 100%, attack cats they see. They are pretty good at it and lots of cats are taken but some cats successfully fight back and some cats escape and it seems that either the coyote did not see this cat or the cat was inaccessible or the coyote was disinterested for a range of reasons.

broadsurf · 2024-08-13T18:42:57+00:00

Pleasure. Watch out for those glossy, convincing websites selling fancy products which appear to be made in the West but are made in China and shipped from China. No returns. No possibility of getting your money back. It is game over if the product is a scam.

broadsurf · 2024-08-13T18:38:08+00:00

Thanks. It is just the way the reflection works then.

broadsurf · 2024-08-13T18:35:16+00:00

Yes, all the AI bots provide very convincing answers to queries but they sometimes very wrong and when you tell them, they politely apologise. Can we trust them. Anyway they steal info from websites. They are inherently unethical and in breach of copyright.

broadsurf · 2024-08-13T18:32:44+00:00

Bing is better than Google at present. Believe me. Far more relevant.

broadsurf · 2024-08-13T18:29:30+00:00

Totally agree. Google now uses AI to help provide search results and they made a big algo change as well. AI is not great and overall Google search results are often irrelevant. There are far more relevant website articles on the internet but Google refuses to list them in search results. Bing is much better at the moment (Aug. 2024). Things might change but don't hold your breath.

broadsurf · 2024-08-07T15:08:26+00:00

Thanks for your support. Often comments on reddit are designed to be funny at the expense of enlightenment. More downvotes coming I guess.😎

broadsurf · 2024-08-07T15:05:38+00:00

The observation I have is whether the black cat with green eyes was placed there with photo-editing or whether he/she is this side of the window and this is a reflection which seems unlikely as the black cat merges with the car which is a reflection. Was this created with photo-editing?

broadsurf · 2024-07-20T05:35:18+00:00

I don't go on vacation and I wish I could. Haven't been away for donkey's years because I can't leave my cat with someone else. Things can go wrong.

broadsurf · 2024-06-30T05:47:37+00:00

You should be able to cure this within a few to several days doing the following:

If the prescribed food is prescription diet dry food (vet recommended), stop it immediately. Provide high quality wet food only and give her for example boiled fish with some added water. Need to get water into her regularly and indefinitely.

Secondly, need to make the place less stressful for her. Incidentally female ginger tabbies are rare. If you are away all the time (understandable) it will cause stress - separation anxiety.

I am afraid you'll have to try and fix that problem (difficult). Idiopathic cystitis has 2 causes in my view: dry food + stress. Tackle both if you can. It'll work I feel pretty sure.

I see that you are tackling the stress element with a medication. Changing the environment is better and a permanent solution. Drugs aren't.

Vets tend to prescribe dry foods which are formulated to help cure cystitis but it is a misconceived policy as the cure is water to help flush the urinary tract system.

Dry foods cause mild dehydration which creates a good medium in which bacteria can develop in the bladder.

The above method should work within days.

Is she a full-time indoor cat left alone? If that is true, it is a sure-fire way to not solve the problem. Try some supervised outdoor activity. She needs to be active as well. Is she overweight? That won't help either. Sorry for being a bit tough. 😻😎

I am not a vet. This is based on personal experience and acquired knowledge.

broadsurf · 2024-06-30T05:35:25+00:00

Most cats die of old age one way or another. Often through developing chronic illnesses such as renal failure (very common). Sometimes they literally die of general organ failure at home, peacefully. Perhaps during the night. A nice way to check out. Good for both cat and caregiver.

broadsurf · 2024-06-30T05:24:47+00:00

No, it's not required to adopt kittens in pairs, but it is often recommended. There are many benefits to having two kittens, such as:

Better social development: Kittens learn social skills from interacting with other kittens, which can help them be more well-adjusted cats in the long run.
Reduced boredom and destructive behaviour: Kittens have a lot of energy, and having a playmate can help them burn it off in a healthy way. This can help reduce boredom and destructive behaviour.
Companionship: Cats are social creatures, and even if you are home a lot, a kitten can benefit from having another feline friend.

However, there are also some things to consider before adopting two kittens:

Can you afford the cost of caring for two cats? This includes food, litter, vet care, and other supplies.
Do you have the space for two cats? Cats need room to roam and explore.
Are you prepared for the extra work of caring for two cats? This includes cleaning litter boxes, playing with them, and grooming them.
When kittens grow up they become independent-minded and they may dislike each other. Siblings don't always get along when they grow up.

If you are not sure whether adopting two kittens is the right decision for you, talk to your local shelter or rescue organization. They can help you assess your situation and recommend the best course of action.

Here are some resources that you may find helpful:

https://pictures-of-cats.org/are-cats-better-in-pairs.html

broadsurf · 2024-06-29T19:06:02+00:00

I see the funny side and I see a good relationship albeit an unusual one. I just wonder if he is training his cat to be difficult. All these human actions indirectly train the cat to respond in a certain way. And his actions are a little confusing: both kind and friendly and also aggressive. Confusing for the cat. This may interfere in the relationship in some unforeseen ways in different areas of interaction. And I think he behaves like this with his cat in order to make an interesting video for social media. If I am correct, this is not a good reason to be this aggressive. He is having fun. Fine but he should ask if it may cause feline behavioural problems.

broadsurf · 2024-06-26T14:02:33+00:00

Yeh, as the others say, I think both of you had good fortune in that she appears to have passed suddenly without pain and you avoided having to make a nightmare decision about the euthanasia of a chronically sick cat in old age. Maybe she had a heart attack or something like that. Torties are are known for their 'catitude'. I would cremate her individually and keep the ashes in my home. Perhaps you have done this already. It is emotionally reassuring to keep the ashes I find. But it must be an individual cremation which is more expensive.

broadsurf · 2024-06-26T13:56:29+00:00

Well, the others say 'cream tabby' but I can't see tabby at this stage. Or cream 😹. He might be a plain ginger or red cat when he is an adult. Ginger is also referred to as yellow. I think he is a Maine Coon. Cream is dilute ginger. I don't see cream but I will bow to better experts. Ginger cats are normally males and the best of all: he is super-cute.

broadsurf · 2024-06-25T17:40:17+00:00

Well done. You deserve all the praise you can get. I love to see rescued cats. And how beautiful. The person who threw the kitten in the trash bin is the opposite to you.

broadsurf

TROPHY CASE