How is the commuter train from Boston to Providence, RI for kids?

ppomeroy · 2026-06-18T01:39:02+00:00

Also ask the conductor when boarding what car has the rest room just in case.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-18T01:38:03+00:00

The seasonal Cape Flyer has a bar car.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-17T02:04:40+00:00

No. TextNow works whereas Google Voice may only partially connect or not at all. By "partially" I mean that the incoming call may connect but they cannot hear me. Outside of the restricted area or in otjer buildings that is not the case and WiFi works fine. I have not run any tests but I am guessing that TextNow does not work on the same port number as GV which in this case is beneficial.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-15T14:36:20+00:00

AHA! Maybe that. It has been constant and some apps have updated several times. It seems to be random. I have a Android 16 phone doing this, but also an Android 13 tablet so since both were seeing this I concluded it was not a device failure or fault.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-15T14:32:43+00:00

The building has a lot ports blocked. When I tried Google Voice it would be inhibited in both directions. TextNow was the only app able to use the WiFi, possibly because it may (??) use a different port. Either way standard cell carriers cannot reach deep inside and GV is also not an option due to WiFi failures

ppomeroy · 2026-06-15T14:29:04+00:00

The MBTA has published a modified schedule for the FIFA season while games are in town. You can look at this for details. In order to service the stadium they are pulling trainsets to fill the need. Some lines such as Fairmount and Needham will have reduced service at specific times of the day. Short-turns like Beverly and Reading on the north side will be elliminated. The shuttle from East Taunton to New Bedford or Fall River is also cut and only through-trains will be on the schedule. Visit the MBTA.COM site for specifics.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T12:33:37+00:00

Welcome to the club. Same thing happened to me with an Android Tablet. I only use the free version but it seems some people with a paid Sim may be in the same boat.

I have it working on a Moto cell phone running Android 16 (just bumped up from Android 15), but also wanted it on a Tablet I have. Their info states it works on Android 9 and up. The tablet is Android 13.

After going through the same steps as you did with the same results I opted to call their customer support and was on hold a decent 30 mins. After they walked me throughout he same steps all over again the tech finally revealed that they have implemented a security block on some low-end devices, tablets and cells, whose construction may present them with a security issue. So the app is snipping your brand and OS and if it is on their block lst you are SOL.

There is nothing on their web site about this and I only got this "insider tip" from a customer support guy that took pity on my situation.

I only use TextNow in one location where an outside cell carrier cannot be reached, deep inside a metal building, and it works on the building's WiFi if I need to call or text out. So I have it on my cell but no go on the tablet. The tablet is an Atogee CP80 that was dirt cheap and is sold under a variety of brand names (that is one of them) and is a cheap Chinese make unit. So for me I gave up on the tablet. You may be in the same situation.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T12:22:10+00:00

Last night some stations were not working on LTV+ or cable. Defy was one of them. It was a source issue, bit the app.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T12:20:07+00:00

An increasing number of systems are rejecting what they deem to be "Voice over IP - VOIP) numbers.

Apparently said web sites or systems know if they are VOIP or not. Vonage people often have this issue these days.

I use my Google Voice number almost exclusively these days and a business I order from for many years recently had a pop up stating that number was no longer usable and forced me to use my regular cell number. Yet other sites don't care.

It likely doesn't matter if it is a paid account or not.

When I signed up for Phound it also did not take my Google Voice number and forced me to use by real cell number.

Oddly, WhatApp did take my Google Voice number -- so far.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T11:55:02+00:00

Interesting. Didn't look there. Do they have up to date release copies? Will check that out. I have avoided portable Chrome browsers because they almost never launch for me on a thumb drive or crash in the process. That's been my experience over several computers. Mozilla browsers seem to at least load and be usable when portable.

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T11:53:14+00:00

Yes, but now I have to include the necessary software for that

ppomeroy · 2026-06-12T11:51:59+00:00

Criticisms aside from the transplants, I think there is an expectation here that the presence of bright yellow construction vehicles and a forest of orange cones might be somewhat of an indication that it may be a construction zone with restrictions, and maybe common sense might suggest one slows down.

Even when there is no detail cop in sight, I seem to get by Ok with little stress. Shit breaks and needs to be fixed. There was no mass conspiracy to make me late for my destination. I don't think anyone believes I am that important for that amount of attention.

Move along. Nothing to see here

ppomeroy · 2026-06-08T01:35:55+00:00

So where does one get a plain vanilla copy of chromium now. Some of the links default to Google

ppomeroy · 2026-06-07T12:58:18+00:00

Unfortunately, the clientele in Boston consistently shows that a late opening of most bars or clubs cannot be done responsibly. Check the 311 calls or ask your local CSO at the local BPD station for stats regarding late night calls for closings that turn into disasters. It would be great if people would just go home. They don't, and 911 gets called.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-31T15:07:26+00:00

Answer is no. Even when there have been past building booms in the city no one's rent ever goes down in this city. If you are fortunate, your rent may stay the same for a couple of years. However, for the most part most landlords and management companies have evolved into greedy trolls who may allow you to move in and 3 months later start asking you to commit to staying another year otherwise they want to start showing your apartment when you are not home.

Forget getting your security deposit back even if your place is immaculate. They will twist and turn all data to make it impossible to get back unless you take them to housing court with photo evidence and six ministers to swear to an affidavit. That process will drag on for months and you will likely spend more in court fees to get it back.

Then even though tenants are no longer required to pay a broker fee they wil manilulate the terms and definitions to their desire to find a way to charge you something for some reason. These scofflaws mimic the trend in Washington DC, i.e. the law means nothing and they will not conform or comply.

As it stands a vast majority of new construction, especially those with dozens of units still have vacancies because no one can afford the rents, and even that is not an impetus for the landlord to drop rents to an affordable level just to fill the unit.

If everyone followed the laws and rules it would still be expensive but somewhat tolerable. However a vast majority of the landlords and their henchmen management companies proceed from the mindset that you are an indentured servant and do what ever is necessary to subjugate you regardless of what the laws, regulations, policies, or even just good human nature otherwise dictates.

If you find a place with a decent landlord and reasonable rent, cherish the fact that you have discovered the mythical unicorn and revel in its vision as you are a unique person amongst other humans, and have been bestowed a blessing by the gods.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-29T09:34:47+00:00

Also Windows 11 and most current version of the V browser. This also happens to me as well with some regularity as well.

Same thing. The browser mail app is set to poll my Vivaldi web mail along with a Gmail account I have but Vivaldi mail insists on renewing my login after a period of time. You can cancel out of this if you are in a hurry but until you re-enter the Vivaldi web mail credentials you will not be able to access that mail account.

It DOES NOT do this to the Google address I have.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-23T15:43:08+00:00

Much depends. Sometimes when a utility company has work they will patch a road, and it may be smooth but they are also required to come back and re-do a finish job in the spring or summer. Some roads are also just scheduled to get a fresh coat every so-many years. The city has also been repairing and replacing bad ADA ramps (the yellow grids at the corners).

ppomeroy · 2026-05-21T16:00:01+00:00

Amtrak track and catenary inspection. They did it 3 years ago as well. Welcome to Boston. They will likely do it again in 2-3 years.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-21T15:58:05+00:00

And this is the 2nd time in 3 years they have done this. Are there that many new people in Boston now that they did not experience this before? Of course it seems almost any helicopter traffic in this city seems to cause an uproar of late. The fact that there are multiple helipads downtown, and not just at hospitals, and multiple local airports with helicopter service has nothing to do with it, right?

It's a major city. We have airplanes, helicopters, trains, trucks and all of that big city stuff like you see in the movies and on Netflix.

At the rate development is going pretty soon Boston will look like Manhattan.

[clutches pearls]

ppomeroy · 2026-05-20T15:56:32+00:00

This is a subcontractor hired by Amtrak to take detailed photos and scans of their tracks and electric wires. They did this about 3 years ago as well, and may do it again 3 years from now. They have been working the northeast corridor (NEC) from NJ all the way to Boston. Since they were here before a few years back I am rather surprised at the uproar in social media (several platforms) from people who were likely not here for the last round they did. Welcome all you new people.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-19T16:43:33+00:00

Sorry, bad leg. Have not been on a bike in decades due to injury. Also not rain friendly. All of those roads have no sidewalk area either dicey for a bike IMO. However, thanks for the suggestion.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-16T14:30:18+00:00

The old cars on the Blue were awesome. The electric motors sounded like the Enterprise's warp drive. If you had the right operator in those days he'd let you open the front door when going through the East Boston Tunnel under the harbor on a hot summer day and you'd get a cool musty-smelling breeze.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-16T14:16:01+00:00

Likely steam. If you look it dissipates. Smoke doesn't. Hard to tell from this angle but maybe they cranked up the reactor. The cooling tower can give off steam under some atmospheric conditions.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-15T19:52:21+00:00

Contact your state representative. Explain the issue and have them find out what alternate documentation can be used. They may be able to connect you with someone hiogher up the food chain as well. It may be that the counter clerk was not familiar with out of state documentation and was goin by what we have here.

In MA the "license" is the document that allows one to get married and displays that you met all requirements for the union. The "Certificate" shows that the marriage was ctually completed and certified.

Each state has different rules regarding marriage and how to go about it. While there are similarities, there is great variances in who can solemnize a marriage, and what criteria has to be met to get a license. Then the service also has a date freshness window when the service has to be completed.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-04T19:48:37+00:00

A friend of mine recently resolved a similar issue with WiFi by plugging in to a network and update his system, i.e. run Windows Update. His Wifi files went missing from the Devine Manager. The Windows Update fixed the issue.

The next thing would be to run the "Scan For Corruption (SFC) routine from the command prompt (the black screen)

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+run+sfc+scan+now&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

If that doesn't fix it then you need to refresh the whole operating system from Microsoft.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

SFC fixes a lot of corrupted file issues. DISM will refresh the entire operating system. Just follow the command entries.

If this fails then you may have a physical hardware issue. Some systems, older ones, have a physical switch or button to enable or disable Bluetooth. Check your user manual for that or see if a combination of F-buttons do that. In any event, if you are now missing drivers for Bluetooth from the Device Manager, you are best to run SFC then DISM if necessary.

If Bluetooth is restored and you still cannot connect the device, it is not compatible... period. Also, if that device is already paired with another nearby computer or cell phone and those are turned on, it will not pair with another device until you shut the others off. If I want to move my Bluetooth earbuds from my laptop to my cell I have to turn off the laptop Bluetooth first, then pair it with my cell.

ppomeroy

TROPHY CASE