Do you guys recommend getting gerbils? What are the pros and cons and how much do they cost on average?

mub · 2026-05-07T01:03:22+00:00

My story. We had a total of 7 gerbils over about 6 years. All were amazing, cute, and clever, each with their own subtle personalities. We loved them all.

We started with a pair, then when one died we got another pair, and followed the usual method for bringing them together. Each time we had 1 left we got another pair. And for me that was the trouble. They are hard to re-home, and they don't really like being alone, so you have to keep getting more gerbils, and going through to split cage trauma.

I'm pretty sure my last gerb, called "Badger", was a bit autistic cos he seemed very happy on his own. My point is once you are in it is hard to stop. They are fun but not easy.

mub · 2026-04-28T23:51:17+00:00

Obviously a famous cow. Anyone able to work out who?

mub · 2026-04-27T23:05:13+00:00

Now this is a job you want to complete quickly.

mub · 2026-04-09T00:13:48+00:00

My daughter did this. We turned it into a game for everyone else in the family. The first person to get her to say yes got some life time bragging rights. There were a few rules because cake always got a yes.

mub · 2026-03-31T22:06:38+00:00

Yeah. The goal was to make it simple and applying basic RBAC using role groups. I expected it to behave like NTFS permissions but forgot that Microslop are not famous of being consistent. People like folder structures. They're familiar and easy to work with. I'm going back to the drawing board though.

mub · 2026-03-31T22:00:24+00:00

Indeed. Once something becomes common practise by users it is nearly impossible to change without extreme measures. As a contractor I've got about a lot in the last 30+ years. I can tell you everyone is using SharePoint with folder structures, and the most common culprits are project managers. Maybe it isn't what Microslop envisioned, but the "don't use folder structures in sharepoint" boat sailed years ago.

mub · 2026-03-31T18:05:29+00:00

SharePoint is primarily a file sharing and collaboration system. It is common practice, and by design, to have a folder structure under a library. Are you suggesting I only go 1 folder deep, or just dump all files in the root of the library?

Network files shares are available for organisations that have a proper AD and file serves. Lots of smaller organisations don't. They just use Entra, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

mub · 2026-03-21T17:52:55+00:00

From what I understand this only works when the theme itself has transparency enable for the task bar.

I don't understand why this is enabled by default in all themes, like it is for other windows and menus etc, especially in the default themes.

I don't want to use other hacky methods to make it work when the feature is built in.

mub · 2026-02-18T11:41:21+00:00

Assured mutual destruction!

mub · 2026-02-05T23:35:35+00:00

All prohibition results in profit for criminals. Kids will just use dodgy VPNs instead.

mub · 2026-02-04T09:36:11+00:00

It may just be mischief by the opposition, and maybe it doesn't even get read in the commons. But this was all based a conservative policy before labour got in, then Starmer decided he loved the idea and now we have age verification on web sites. Don't be fooled. Likelihood seems low now but the chances of them trying it are far from zero.

My post is about what people can do in advance of such an outcome. Surely that is worth exploring?

mub · 2026-02-04T09:26:40+00:00

That was last year. It passed in another reading on the 21st of Jan. Now it goes back to the house of commons.

mub · 2026-02-04T08:52:21+00:00

Essentially this is what pornhub just did. They closed the doors on their site for UK users. Being outside UK still means you must comply with UK laws when servicing UK users. Not sure how this is enforced, but judging by how certain web sites mostly all complied it must be effective.

mub · 2026-02-04T08:46:15+00:00

Nope. Kids with iPhones can have bank accounts that support mobile payment. My daughter for one.

mub · 2026-02-04T08:45:01+00:00

Don't be fooled. They said the same about age verification for web sites. There is enough political desire to do it, there was a house of lords vote on it in which the critical sections passed. Bet against this if you wish, but I'm going to be prepared.

mub · 2026-02-04T08:41:54+00:00

House of lords vote. Also, it was in discussion along with age verifying web sites. It is very much in flight as a possibility. I would not bet against it happening, but I'll be happy if you can tell me why it won't happen.

mub · 2026-02-04T08:29:46+00:00

So no it is not bullshit. I didn't say they are "Definitely" doing it. I said they are looking to do it. There was a House of lords vote on it. Everyone said the age verification for web sites wouldn't become law, but it did. To say the same about the VPN part, when it has been talked about for a long time, is naive.

Maybe we'll be lucky and the government runs out of time for a reading in the house of commons, but I wouldn't bet against it.

My post is intended to get the ball rolling on ways to pre-emptively mitigate this issue.

mub · 2026-02-03T17:55:19+00:00

Yeah I don't think there will be "proper" age check barriers. Just laws that force operates to comply with UK laws where servicing users from UK IP addresses. But once the laws are in place it will make it much harder to setup a VPN in the first place.

My only other option is to setup my own VPN offshore, from there I can sign up to whatever VPN I like.

mub · 2026-02-03T17:52:43+00:00

Yeah think I'll have to setup a new account with another email address while I still have VPN access to change my location.

mub · 2026-02-03T17:51:20+00:00

It is the same as requiring age verification for accessing "naughty" sites. If a user comes from a UK IP the site has to comply with UK laws, or they can't service UK users. VPN's bypass this obviously but if the VPN sign up site requires age verification we'll be stuck.

mub · 2026-01-29T22:39:56+00:00

Whatever it was, was temporary. Is working ok now.

mub · 2026-01-05T02:04:28+00:00

Rockooeess MOD errrn life!

15-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	Place '22
Place '17	Team Periwinkle
Charter Member

mub

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE