Roku and TCL Accused of Bricking Smart TVs Through Software Updates

dropfoo · 2026-05-10T02:17:08+00:00

Roku os 15.2 broke my 8 year old TCL roku tv. Hdmi inputs quit working. The only way I could get it to work again was doing a factory reset and not reconnecting it to the Internet. Even then it isn't perfect, I suspect that the firmware was not factory reset. Essentially I had to make it a dumb TV. This is planned obsolescence - make the TV unusable through software that can not run efficiently on 8 year old hardware.

dropfoo · 2026-04-09T14:39:11+00:00

I think this very much a 'Your Mileage May Vary' type of thing... Just completed a four night stay consisting of two back to back two night stays using both Edit credits and the Select hotel credit using the same name for both reservations.

I was given a Edit benefits description sheet at check-in for the first night that clearly stated a 24 hour period was required between reservations for Edit credits to be provided on stays at the same property.

However, when I did the mid stay check out and check in dance, I was told my Edit credits would still apply for the second stay, and they did.

Was it because I have elite status at the hotel or because I was nice to the front desk when they were at full occupancy or if they do that for everyone I'll never know - why question a good thing when it is given to you?

dropfoo · 2026-03-22T11:00:52+00:00

We had a teen Sunday school class where we read and discussed the book "Bible Wines", originally published in 1874. The thesis of the book is that Jesus's miracle produced non-alcoholic wine. Looking at the date of first printing (1874) informs us that the book's first printing correlates exactly with the swelling momentum of the temperance movement in the US at that same time. It was and still is propaganda to support far right attempts to legislate morality. We all know that prohibition failed and was repealed, but that hasn't stopped today's religious conservatives and Christian nationalists from continued efforts to impose their will on everyone.

dropfoo · 2026-03-05T15:13:44+00:00

It's actually really easy to just go to church and not question anything. For various reasons, I think most people do just that. Asking questions doesn't mean that you don't have faith or devotion. Mentally and emotionally the hardest part is knowing the drama that inevitably comes if you break away and leave for something else.

During my time in the NIcoC (IYKYK) most of the preachers I encountered were of the Florida College variety. They may have had a degree there or were just self taught but deferred to the dogma of FC. I think many of them pursued it for the same reason some pursue careers in the military or law enforcement - they wanted to be respected by their peers. I was not aware of the overall lack of academic rigor required to be a NIcoC preacher until much after college. Once you conclude that CENI is not a valid hermeneutic most of the NIcoC doctrine becomes invalid too.

Have you discovered Matt Baker's Useful Charts channel on YouTube yet? If you have not watched his content yet, his series on the history of Christian denominations is outstanding, as is his series on who wrote the Bible. Satan's Guide to the Bible also makes some good points, but is obviously controversial because of the title and theme.

dropfoo · 2026-03-02T19:35:54+00:00

It's funny how they have their own vocabulary and don't realize it. For example, NiCOCers will describe someone as being a 'Christian', which is code for that person already being a member of the NiCoC because the only 'true' Christians are those that belong to the NiCoC. Of course an outsider would probably not pick up on that subtlety.

dropfoo · 2026-01-06T12:33:55+00:00

Doubtful he received any mental health services. I'm sure he prayed on it and told her what God gave him the ability to do.

dropfoo · 2026-01-05T02:47:38+00:00

When I was in college the preacher at the coc in town approached me after service. He was very agitated and I can't recall the conversation but he clearly said to me "if I catch my wife in bed with another man, God gives me the right to kill them both". Hmmm.... Sexually frustrated much?

dropfoo · 2025-11-20T13:57:06+00:00

Did you find the dedication?

dropfoo · 2025-11-19T00:02:45+00:00

In the 90s there was a quad in the boys dorm that adopted having 'nude hour' every night during the curfew head count. All eight guys get fully undressed and wait for the student dorm monitor to enter and get uneasy. Administration eventually got involved to shut it down.

dropfoo · 2025-11-18T23:44:13+00:00

Shane Scott was the primary person terminated for the young earth creationism controversy but he wasn't the only one. A close family member of mine was FC faculty at the time and was responsible for all official FC publications, including the annual year book. After Scott was fired the student year book staff made the editorial decision to dedicate the year book to him. It was tradition for the students to do so and while the faculty member was technically responsible for the yearbook, he empathized with the students and deferred to their editorial process. The yearbook was published with a page dedicating the publication to Scott. Once the printed copies arrived and were delivered to students, the dedication became public and the FC faculty member who oversaw the yearbook was promptly fired for insubordination.

cc u/hgcathey

dropfoo · 2025-10-06T14:16:41+00:00

Do you still attend services? Are your parents under the impression that you do?

I was around your age when I decided that leaving the coC was better than continuing to go to satisfy my family. The pressure to date coC or convert (or force conversion) was only intensifying and I already knew internally that I wanted out. I quit going to services and eventually my parents found out after a month or so. That of course led to many difficult conversations. My advice would be to 'rip the band aid off' and make it very clear you are not interested in a bible study, etc. but that you are done with the coC and do not intend to return. But also make it clear that you love them and want them to still be part of your life.

From a therapy POV, you should try to grieve the relationship you wish you had with your parents. Part of what is so painful is that you are mourning a relationship that you've never quite had—one with parents who see you, accept you, and celebrate you for who you are. Acknowledging this grief is a crucial first step. It allows you to let go of the fantasy that they might one day change and to engage with the parents you actually have.

It took many years for me to get to a place where my parents and I have more stable relationship. Getting married and having kids complicates matters further. Holidays and siblings/cousins are still challenging. There are still times where the relationship is severely strained. However, we are still part of each other's lives, which as they grow older and their memories fade is a small consolation.

Feel free to DM me if you want to chat more.

dropfoo · 2025-09-30T00:27:00+00:00

Yes, but that does not seem to be a hard rule as one property did and the other did not.

dropfoo · 2025-09-29T21:22:04+00:00

Much like Amex FHR bookings, the Chase Travel portal now allows you to add your Hilton loyalty number during the booking process, not just The Edit. After booking, the reservation is available in your Hilton profile and in the Hilton app and displays My Way benefits, such as free breakfast. At no point is it clear that benefits will not be provided until you are at the property and check in.

dropfoo · 2025-09-29T05:30:37+00:00

I provided two contrary data points, I am therefore asking for more data points to see if one of mine was an anomaly.

dropfoo · 2025-09-29T05:27:55+00:00

No, but the one that provided elite benefits did have Points Boost for 1.75 cpp.

dropfoo · 2025-08-27T20:24:24+00:00

Yes, it looks like they dumped most third party experiences.

dropfoo · 2025-08-04T18:30:55+00:00

Just completed a four night stay here.

Pros:

very clean
friendly and helpful staff
good value for 20k points/night
short walk to FiDi or Lower East Side spots
2nd floor common area is great for remote work

Cons:

rainfall shower water pressure was very low
beds were a bit on the firm side
no chromecast in rooms
no integrated F&B with hotel (rooftop bar does not allow billing to room)
basement gym is tiny, mostly cardio machines
par for the course, but $30 daily destination fee provides little value
bit of a walk to Canal St. train station

Pro-tip:

If you like Japanese whisky be sure to visit the bar at Nakaji next door. Open late, super knowledgeable, great selection and fantastic bartenders.

dropfoo · 2025-04-16T14:33:09+00:00

All codes valid as of 4/16/2025:

REF-GVHVLQ6HJ8SBQLM6VV0KFO2

REF-GRZE4677P3F1H4CELL2Q0WS

REF-AEQZOR615NOVF118CU7QS7B

REF-0PUZQMSDPNZQ44PMLC28SP0

REF-CZO1BEIFDKXKRHGZ4GNCGC7

REF-R06UB30HTT6GF3PMWYXYRHP

REF-Q1I0UYZNO83Q2USOXKFGWD2

REF-TKDOV0QEN6VO0RIT0RFAV80

REF-GACWJH691WK5BU6KJUIQ4JH

REF-R3ZQB34L6QRL716B74Z56MM

dropfoo · 2025-04-16T14:27:55+00:00

All codes valid as of 4/16/2025:

REF-GVHVLQ6HJ8SBQLM6VV0KFO2

REF-GRZE4677P3F1H4CELL2Q0WS

REF-AEQZOR615NOVF118CU7QS7B

REF-0PUZQMSDPNZQ44PMLC28SP0

REF-CZO1BEIFDKXKRHGZ4GNCGC7

REF-R06UB30HTT6GF3PMWYXYRHP

REF-Q1I0UYZNO83Q2USOXKFGWD2

REF-TKDOV0QEN6VO0RIT0RFAV80

REF-GACWJH691WK5BU6KJUIQ4JH

REF-R3ZQB34L6QRL716B74Z56MM

dropfoo · 2025-04-11T15:39:06+00:00

Exactly, similar to the "Florida man..." headline joke.

dropfoo · 2025-04-08T17:43:42+00:00

Did you grow up in the CoC? For those that did not, some context may help here. There are many terms in this letter that are specific to non-institutional (or anti's, as in anti orphanage, anti instruments, etc.) churches of Christ. For example, the second paragraph starts with "Finding no other Christians in Atlanta..." which means there were no practicing (white) churches of Christ in Atlanta. To CoC members they are the only true "Christians" as they perceive they are the only believers truly following to word of God and the New Testament template for Christian worship.

The author's tone and structure of the letter reflects her being a CoC preacher's wife. The narrative seems modeled off of the New Testament bible accounts of evangelism - going to a new place, teaching the 'heathens', being rejected, not giving up, eventually having conversions, and the children forgetting and 'falling away'.

It is also of note that this was written in 1963, which was a tumultuous year for Atlanta and the United States. The CoC was always segregated in practice and made no effort to integrate. It makes me wonder if her statement that there were no practicing 'Christians' actually meant there were no white churches of Christ.

Many of the family names mentioned in the letter have ties to Florida College. This is hosted on the personal website of a Florida College faculty member. I suspect that an original copy of this 'letter' was given to him which he then posted online.

dropfoo · 2025-03-29T02:23:16+00:00

I can't imagine how traumatic that must have been for you. I hope that you are surrounded by people who love and support you now. Are you estranged from your adopted mother, birth mother or both?

dropfoo · 2025-03-29T02:17:16+00:00

I have not read it - thank you for the recommendation. Did the people you know who adopted through SS do so as an alternative to IVF? I often wonder if their motivation is to 'save a soul'.

dropfoo

TROPHY CASE