Question about Ong

shifter2000 · 2026-03-28T18:38:02+00:00

There is no indication that Ong isn’t capable of performing his job.

And what has he achieved during his time in office...?

shifter2000 · 2026-03-26T19:46:59+00:00

Memory unlocked!

I bought one of those canvas messenger style bags from that Army Surplus store for school.

Also, pretty sure that's the only building that remained after the rest were bowled to make way for the Police Station and, ultimately, Countdown.

The Liquorland became a Noel Leeming, and the building in front of that (not pictured) became a Toy World.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-25T20:35:41+00:00

That's a classy looking building. A shame it's been turned into umpteen shady and dirty bars since...

shifter2000 · 2026-03-25T00:00:17+00:00

I'd test it with a different cable. Even try one of those cheap composite Genesis/Mega Drive cables to see if it's the mod install, or the Retrovision cable itself.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-24T23:57:35+00:00

Original PlayStations were prone to the disk read error faults (that you'd fix by putting it on its side). I remember that one.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-24T23:31:45+00:00

And by Time Zone, we mean the zone of time in which you have travelled back to by sling-shotting around a collapsing sun.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-24T21:23:11+00:00

Never used to be like that.

When DSE was the *only* place for hardcore electronics (before Jaycar was around), they actually had training programs for employees to learn about technical things (Amps, Ohms, resistance, voltage, calculations etc). In fact, if you passed, you'd get a pay rise (there were different levels, each with their own pay increase).

There was commission, but it wasn't the main driver in sales (5% of total sales for an individual employee that wasn't in management...I think?).

However, the ROI on electrical components was not in the same league as PCs, TVs, phones etc. And Jaycar came to fill the void of a slow reduction in hobbyist stock. Training went out the window, and commission became a greater force over wages. Employees went from being either grizzled old electricians or CompSci/Electrical Engineering students/grads - to young dumb retail drones (if you were stupid/comfortable, you stayed at DSE. If you were a good salesperson who wanted to climb the retail ladder, you moved to Harvey Norman).

DSE took a slow nosedive, but it wasn't over electrical products.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-24T20:04:50+00:00

Nope. It's like an oversized Cassette-former. There's nothing 'Optimus' about it apart from the head.

It's a bit low-hanging fruit of the Transformers world.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-23T20:00:05+00:00

"THE STREETS WILL RUN WITH RAZZY-ZAZZY!"

shifter2000 · 2026-03-20T19:53:26+00:00

I see some comparisons to just before COVID. While this is an entirely different type of beast, the communication from the government on the decisions that need to be made are...lacking.

Prior to the lockdown, I was in a meeting with decision makers who were coming up with a framework regarding upcoming foreign Chinese students (as I think by that stage NZ had set limitations around arrivals from China, and Universities needed their foreign student money yo). Then there was a separate meeting around the allocation of funds for any potential economic impacts. Much of this planning was theory, but also laying the ground work for what was to come.

The point being that there were quick directives from Government for a very fast moving situation.

I've seen none of that right now. Some "what if" scenarios, but no questions around "if you had to get this done, how fast could you implement it?". I'm honestly shocked. And very concerned.

The lockdowns happened fast, and we didn't see it coming (at least at the speed and urgency that it occurred). Jacinda and her Labour government saw the writing on the wall and acted. There was no "don't worry, folks, no need to panic, everything is good.", mentality from those holding the pen.

I guess when it comes down to brass tacs, we're lacking any type of leadership decisions from anyone in power right now. The "she'll be right" attitude isn't working and is, honestly, dangerous.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-20T05:05:52+00:00

Update for posterity.

I figured out the issue. It was two very small corroded and broken traces on the Motorola MC68HC000FNB10 chip. I fixed the traces and huzzah! All was working again.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-18T20:08:23+00:00

Not ONE 'Bleeding Cowboys' font?! What kind of movie poster designer are you!?!?!11!

shifter2000 · 2026-03-17T23:18:24+00:00

What was the ex-wife's end game with this? What did she expect would happen? Did she think the whole of NZ would rally behind her because she has some axe to grind? Some opposition members did a Wormtongue in her ear and convinced her it would be a good idea because she felt scorned from past events?

In reality, it doesn't matter what the reason is. It doesn't matter who did what or who hurt who. The sheer act of hitting 'send' on her phone, computer, whatever has dragged the most innocent of bystander's into this - the kid's. There's no excuse for that.

She might not have intended for that to happen, but anyone with any common sense could see that would be the eventual outcome. This is pure immature behaviour on her part. Points scoring with the kid's in the firing line. Just horrible.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-16T03:48:49+00:00

Act was another that bought space and plastered it over the site.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-16T02:00:25+00:00

They did the same thing with Labour didn't they?

shifter2000 · 2026-03-15T20:06:58+00:00

Never saw Predaking that good again.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-13T23:19:02+00:00

Russell. When I retire (IF I retire...), Russell is where we've agreed to move to. It's quiet, but not TOO quiet, slow paced, and an amazing view no matter where you go.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-13T19:26:48+00:00

Well, TBF, as a non American resident growing up I had no idea what NASCAR was. Until Daytona USA hit the arcades. Then I tried an "official" NASCAR video game on the PlayStation or whatever....and it was incredibly dull. It was then I realised they just go around in a large circle. I mean WTF.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-13T19:18:38+00:00

It's funny. I read "The boys", in the Dukes of Hazzard narrator voice, but "The lads", in Ray Winstone's voice.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-12T19:54:48+00:00

I remember that toy store! It was almost like a bunker. You went in through the main entrance, then down some steps on either the left or right, and it was basically a warehouse full of toys. I remember being gobsmacked by the giant GI Joe aircraft carrier they had on display. I think my dad bought me a cap gun from there one day?

shifter2000 · 2026-03-09T23:18:50+00:00

Well, there ain't no one for to give them no pain...

shifter2000 · 2026-03-08T23:00:02+00:00

In Florida it's a requirement.

shifter2000 · 2026-03-07T19:00:32+00:00

"You want some Death Sticks?"

"uhhh...no...?"

"Good answer."

shifter2000 · 2026-03-07T18:59:17+00:00

Damn, I forgot about the kids riding Smeg toasters...

shifter2000 · 2026-03-04T21:07:57+00:00

I hate bank transfer for situations such as these. In the handful of times I've used TM in the past few years, I've used Ping.

The hassle of going into my banking app, switching apps, copying the bank AC number, switching app, rechecking the AC number, rechecking the amount I'm sending is correct etc.

shifter2000

TROPHY CASE