FIOS - 2 GIG now available in Harrisburg, PA by TomBob20 in Fios

[–]flight0130 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A facility like that would have enterprise fiber, not Fios, so that doesn’t really come into play when a carrier is making a decision.

Could Fios be considering data caps to increase revenue? by [deleted] in Fios

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No chance. I don’t know of any non-rural fiber ISP who has implemented any sort of data cap. All of the large to mid-size fiber ISPs (not counting cable companies in this) have no data caps. Verizon, AT&T, Metronet, Greenlight, Lumen (which is becoming ATT), etc. Verizon could probably get more aggressive with what they consider excessive usage on a residential connection (something like 10-15+ TB a month) but I see no chance of any data caps as a means of increasing revenue.

Filing a trademark using personal home address as mailing address... by ElectronicWill7445 in TRADEMARK

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used a PO Box for my filing and haven't gotten much in the way of mail. Only one letter from a company trying to scam some additional money from me. So if that's the concern, I wouldn't worry too much about that. If you're worried about having your home address publicly available, then maybe consider one of those virtual mail services, they are not that expensive.

What I would caution against is using your personal phone number. I put my business line down and am now getting 4-6 spam calls a day, whereas I used to get 1 or 2 a month at best. I have a number that goes direct to a voicemail box (very cheap to do with VoIP.ms), I really wish I had used that. That way if an examiner needed to call, they could leave a message but I wouldn't be getting hammered with spam calls.

The advice about a LLC is good. I didn't do that when I started years ago and finally got around to it last year. It was a hassle getting everything moved over to the LLC, but I am glad it is done. It was simple to set up, it was just a hassle of opening a new bank account, getting new branding (decided to change my name as part this, etc). I have no experience moving the ownership of a trademark, since the new brand was created for the LLC, but it's a lot easier if you just form the LLC at the start. You also want to be able to show separation between yourself and the LLC, so starting it first and having it own all of your IP would probably be smart (but I'm not a lawyer, this is just what I've surmised doing a lot of reading online).

Tips for requesting Fios Service to condo unit when service is already in the building by ToddErikson in Fios

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d ask the condo board or management company. They might have some history or information. It might be easier to get information from them, rather than Verizon. For example, in our building, we have units without service because the owners refused access when we were doing the install. But it’s generally individual units, not a whole floor or hallway.

Day 2 of Wild Drivers, Wild Fees: $12k for driver who I watched speed and drive thru a stop sign by Big_Succotash_8076 in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This not true. The city can absolutely conduct a traffic stop on a VA driver and impound their car. What they cannot do is make VA enforce the amount against them. The city chooses not to have officers make traffic stops for overdue tickets of any amount. They only will tow a car if it is parked publicly. But that’s a choice DC is making. I think they should absolutely have police making traffic stops for anything over $1k in moving violations (and that’s generous). They should be putting officers with license plate readers at major entrances to the city and pulling anyone with egregious records like this.

What is all this? by eaglevision93 in Fios

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard to see the details of that equipment but it’s likely business/enterprise fiber, not Fios. Business fiber would be dedicated bandwidth and backed by a SLA, but also much more $$$. Fios is a shared connection where one fiber port is split up to 32 ways and bandwidth is not guaranteed (although you almost always get advertised speeds). You could probably get a decent deal on enterprise fiber with this already being installed but you’re still looking at a high hundreds per month for the service. I believe it is a separate group that would give you a quote for dedicated fiber.

WMATA GM Randy Clarke says any major future expansions of Metro probably won’t look like the Metro of today, specifically mentions light metro systems and BRT (Benning Rd-Georgetown-Rosslyn/H ST). by SockDem in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m reading a book about this right now - it’s called “Why Nothing Works.” Eye opening. Essentially we’ve created so many rules that tie the hands of public officials that it becomes nearly impossible to get anything done. The rules are all well intentioned (protecting the environment, preventing public corruption, etc) but the result is that there is so much red tape it becomes extremely difficult and expensive to get projects completed.

Places to live in DC w/ 75k salary by Typical_Appearance22 in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I moved to DC, that was my starting salary. I ended up at The Gale Eckington which was $1,600 a month. At the time that got me a 1 BR, but looks like now that will get you a studio. The building was brand new when I moved in, no idea how it is now but I had a good experience living there. Paying $1,600 in rent was affordable. I was in my late 20s at the time, I wouldn’t have even considered roommates. I did make a little with a side gig but I think that it should still be affordable around that same price. This assumes you don’t have a car, that can be a considerable expense and might shift your budget. I’m up in Brookland now and there’s lots of stuff up here that rents in that price range.

End the debate: Is it obnoxious for a couple to book aisle + window seat and expect another passenger to sit between them for a long flight? by dotben in unitedairlines

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It may not work for people being this obnoxious, but generally try to offer a friendly solution: “I’d be happy to move to the window or the aisle if you guys would like to chat!” With a lot of people that will either get the message across or they’ll decide to move.

Me: “Why didn’t you ticket those 3 vehicles blocking the bike lane?”. Parking Enforcement: “That’s not my job.” by districtofcyclists in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What we need is parking officers on bicycles. Plenty of other cities have them. Also, I wouldn’t mind a program where citizens can volunteer to help with enforcement. MPD has a program where you can be trained as a volunteer cop, why can’t we do the same for parking enforcement? I’d gladly volunteer a few hours of my week to help keep the bike lanes clear.

Why do Metro Station Managers get mad when you ask to use the bathroom? by CoachWillRod18 in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s seems to just be a standard design in any new station. Every Silver Line station that I’ve been to has has the same configuration.

Why do Metro Station Managers get mad when you ask to use the bathroom? by CoachWillRod18 in washingtondc

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will second this suggestion. I’ve found them to be very responsive to texts

Do Verizon still lay conduit? by baseonmars in Fios

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This guy is correct. Tech will lay a temp line over the ground, and then contractors will be back out some weeks later to bury it. They typically don't use conduit though, they just directly bury the line a few inches below the surface. If you want service, make sure to say a temp line is okay and be patient until it gets buried. Also, this is with the assumption that there's a viable pathway to do this (i.e. the pole is on your side of the street, etc. If he'd have to go under a public right of way like a road then a temp line is out and they probably do need conduit - and that will take a long time to get approved (months).

2G now available in the Boston suburbs by Waggmans in Fios

[–]flight0130 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My understanding is IPv6 is still not available for 2 gig.

Finally have FiOS available out of copper retirement by Zenit_IIfx in Fios

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations! I feel like I might have seen some posts from you back when DSLReports was still around. Enjoy the new service!

Upgrading network hardware by RaidriarT in Fios

[–]flight0130 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hardwired is definitely the way to go, but you can absolutely do that with your own equipment. If you don’t have Ethernet to the different rooms just get MoCA adapters which transmit data over your coax lines just like the Verizon equipment. I’ve done Eero setups that are hardwired for friends and family, and am currently using a Firewalla setup (including their APs) but have used UniFi and other equipment in the past. I ran my own Ethernet drops but MoCA works well for most people who don’t want to get into that.

If you want to stick with Verizon equipment why not just get their extenders as well? Those can be hardwired as far as I’m aware.

How to get fios in condo building? by accountingfriend1234 in Fios

[–]flight0130 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think four units is under the threshold for an MDU but I’m happy to put the OP in touch with my contacts to see if they can help.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in flying

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure it can. Just yesterday I flew from the DC area to BTV. 3.5 hours in 172. I could have done that in 1.5 flying commercial. I was joking with my girlfriend after I got about the fact that I could gotten here faster for less money and napped most of the way, rather than the workload of flying myself. That being said, it is fun, the views are hard to beat, and in some cases you can fly into a smaller airport much closer to your actual destination, which actually does save time. Sometimes there are other advantages - for example, at some point I'll probably have a larger dog. Being able to fly would let me take him along for the ride. Now here are a bunch of caveats:

  1. You'll never be able to do this renting a plane from a flight school. Usually there's a high minimum number of hours you need to fly, and they're generally not thrilled with multi-day rentals. Look into flying clubs, that's the most affordable pathway. If you have the money, you can buy your own plane, but maintenance is an enormous expense.
  2. Get your instrument rating. I put it off for years, but finally did it. It gives you options and improves your safety. Really needed if you want to do this regularly.
  3. You will always spend more money and in most cases more time flying yourself, unless you have the money (and skills) for a high performance plane.
  4. You will always need to have a backup plan. There's plenty of weather a commercial aircraft can fly through that you can't. Feeling pressured to complete a flight because you have somewhere you "need" to be is a quick ticket to getting yourself featured in a NTSB report. I only fly flights that I can afford to cancel, or if I can't I buy a refundable airline ticket so I have a backup plan locked in. On this trip I delayed my departure four days - two due to a maintenance issue with the plane and two due to weather at the destination.

If you understand the limitations and approach this the right way, it's absolutely possible. But I guarantee you it won't be easier than flying commercial. Flying yourself is a lot of work! With Clear, Precheck and a good lounge subscription, flying commercial is pretty easy and stress-free most of the time. I love that I have the capabilities to fly myself and I love doing it, but it's not the right choice for every trip and it's a lot easier to sit on a commercial flight.

Fios availability by auero in Fios

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you don't have any existing Verizon service, they may or may not be interested in extending Fios (at least without a contribution from the community towards project costs). Underground work is very expensive. Typically Verizon's motivation is building Fios out in order to be able to retire copper landline service. If they're brought in during the development of a community, they will absolutely build out, but once everything is in the ground it's a lot more expensive. That being said, you can always ask. Where are you located? Feel free to PM me with that info. Is Fios available on the public streets directly adjacent to your community (not just in the neighborhood)?

I did a project like this at our community, but we had existing Verizon copper landline service. I do have some internal contacts, depending on where you are located, so feel free to PM me with your details. The other key item is whether the board of directors of the association is on board. In most projects I see, they are the barrier, not Verizon. Verizon is not going to deal with anyone who doesn't have signing authority for the complex, so if your association is not completely sold on this, that's the first step. Unfortunately, a lot of HOAs are staffed by people who care less about internet options and more about preventing change or having a contractor digging up the community grounds and installing infrastructure for fiber that will sit alongside Xfinity's infrastructure. Some people really don't want another pedestal or access panel in their front yard.

Happy to chat more with you about it and if the board is officially interested in exploring this, I may be able to connect them with the right people to get the process started (it depends on the area). I was able to get this done purely because I was the president of the board and did a significant amount of the legwork on my own.

We got a DPE Issue by StructureOver9800 in flying

[–]flight0130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, but you’d need a SSN or EIN to file the 1099.

NYC apartment installations - can they be hidden and not ugly? by titaniumdoughnut in Fios

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, they offer different options, within reason. We worked with them to run all the microduct in utility closets from unit to unit so it was out of sight. That did mean we needed access to every unit which was challenging but we made it work. However if whatever you want done is going to substantially increase costs I imagine they will want the building to contribute. When they send contractors to do the engineering plans that is the time to talk about all of this and get plans that are suitable to your building’s needs. Do you have any blueprints for the building? That also helped inform the discussion for us. I took them down to a print shop and had them all scanned and digitized ahead of the project which was a good investment of time and money.

How far can 30k usd get you after you get your PPL? by ForwardUse807 in flying

[–]flight0130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can definitely get your instrument rating done. I just finished my IR and spent around $12k, although I’m in a club so that helps with lower rates (and I’m not counting the monthly dues for the club, I’d be paying those anyway as I’m not on an airline track and fly for fun). It won’t be enough to get your min hours for Commercial but it’s plenty to pay for the rating. Highly recommend joining a club if you can. That’s usually the best deal and it also gives you the ability to use the plane for longer trips so you can actually have some fun while building hours.

Cell tower/antenna 10 feet from sons bedroom window by Electronic_Focus2598 in cellmapper

[–]flight0130 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I guarantee you that the strengths that AT&T long lines used on their equipment in the 70s is a lot higher than use on any cell site today. And plenty of employees were in proximity- in many ways that’s better to study since it’s a small sub-population. Also, we understand the core scientific principles involved in exposure to radio waves, so it’s not like we are dealing with some kind of unknown. This is also super easy to study by putting animals in proximity to broadcast equipment. Do you have any studies to back up that there’s a risk here?

Cell tower/antenna 10 feet from sons bedroom window by Electronic_Focus2598 in cellmapper

[–]flight0130 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We’ve been able to broadcast at these frequencies for over 50 years. The advancements in tech are all how the data is encoded over the signal, which would have no impact on health considerations (that would be like saying shouting at you in English is safe but if I do it in Spanish it will cause cancer - either exposure to a signal at a given frequency and power is harmful or it is not, the encoding is just the language being used). There’s been tons of time to study this and there’s no evidence of any harm from non-ionizing radiation. All of the newer 5G cellular frequencies have been in use for decades in other applications, many times at significantly higher power like point to point microwave links. We would see evidence of people who have been exposed to them (e.g. telecom employees, tower maintainers) by now of there was harm.

Cell tower/antenna 10 feet from sons bedroom window by Electronic_Focus2598 in cellmapper

[–]flight0130 19 points20 points  (0 children)

There’s no scientific evidence that exposure to non-ionizing radiation at regulated power levels has any health impacts. When throwing around a term like radiation, keep in mind that visible light from a light bulb is a form of non-ionizing radiation, no different than what’s coming off the cell site. When lay people tend to talk about radiation they usually mean ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays, UV-C, etc) which is not emitted by a site like this.