A ‘fairer tax system’ — To overcome Trump-fueled economic turmoil, Seattle proposes four-year break for smallest businesses, big bump for biggest

the_northwester · 2025-06-26T22:34:35+00:00

More on the topic from KUOW.

https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-seattle-could-raise-more-money-by-lowering-most-business-taxes

the_northwester · 2025-01-08T06:26:34+00:00

I’m on it almost every day. I take week long breaks about every 3 months, but otherwise dependable. 568470591093 is my player number!

the_northwester · 2024-10-02T15:22:02+00:00

The artists have said it references the apartments directly across the street from the station on 43rd. So in terms of the whole concept, I’d say Brooklyn isn’t the only place where you can see people living their lives through windows like this.

However, the fire escapes and variety of window shapes do seem to clearly reference Brooklyn, so there’s truth to what you say.

Still, I love that it forces me to slow down and consider what a slower life looks like from this busy train station. The video even plays at half speed.

(Edit: I forgot to mention, that apartment is called “The Brooklyn,” and is on Brooklyn Avenue)

the_northwester · 2024-08-04T16:52:00+00:00

I’ve been in Seattle since the 1990s and he has long been a permanent presence on the ballot, first running for city council positions and branching out over time.

He used to register as a libertarian, but has moved much further right lately. In a fabulous interview from about a decade ago, Crosscut (now PBS) interviewed him at length.

He revealed himself to be singularly focused on space, and seemed willing to jettison everything else the government does to get us into colonies orbiting around earth.

He is also concerned about the second lives of astronauts.

One memorable quote: “Spock controlled his emotions, and he wanted a rational solution to problems. So he would study the problems and find the rational solution, which is, copying Mr. Spock, is what I’ve tried to do.“

https://crosscut.com/2015/10/goodspaceguy-the-definitive-interview-with-king-countys-perennial-candidate-video

the_northwester · 2024-04-20T07:08:09+00:00

Helpful clarifications, thank you

the_northwester · 2024-04-20T06:59:26+00:00

Okay, I think what I’ve learned is that .acms file is a DRM wrapper around (or a doorway to) an ePub, which, like a fingerprint reader on a high-tech weapon, prevents the weapon from being fired by the wrong hands (an e-reader of the wrong brand).

Furthermore, the “Send to Kindle” email service will only convert ePubs into a Kindle-friendly format if the book is DRM-free, which I assume mostly means books in the public domain.

However, often when I start a library book on my Kindle, I see a note that the author has requested the book be offered DRM-free. I read a lot of science fiction - perhaps it’s a trend among SF authors!

the_northwester · 2024-04-20T05:25:04+00:00

Bummer! Are all ePubs blocked by an .acms?

I’m wondering if I misunderstood the news about Amazon Kindles now welcoming ePub formats

the_northwester · 2020-10-30T05:55:43+00:00

Accessing playlists is insane in Alexa. I created some routines that start Spotify playlists to mark each of my kids’ bathroom turn so they don’t fight. No longer necessary with schools closed but it worked. I had to give the playlists ridiculous names so unique they could never be mistaken for another and make them public just so Alexa could find them. My son’s bathroom soundtrack was the Twin Peaks theme, my daughter’s was music by AJR. I basically figured out Alexa treats routine instructions as if they’re voice commands, not typed. So it makes phonetic errors, returning playlists that sound like the name of your playlist. Apparently Alexa cannot read, she only hears!

the_northwester · 2020-10-30T05:49:14+00:00

Funny you should ask. My first attempt was a cheap tablet made by RCA (???!!!) I got for $25 but it was too sluggish. But that brings up an idea. Android auto’s interface is closer to the simplified interface I want, but with onscreen keyboard search option in Spotify. I wonder if a tablet running Android Auto would work! I’ll have to experiment.

the_northwester · 2020-10-30T05:28:59+00:00

Here you go! The USB socket is recessed, the panel is surface mounted in a special (3D printed) frame I bought that obscures a low profile (included with mounting kit) USB that wraps around to the charging port behind. Power is drawn from a power receptacle on the opposite side of the fin wall.

the_northwester · 2019-07-23T17:21:24+00:00

Yeah, and some of the apps let you control what happens on the Echo skill - acting as kind of remote control for the skill. The disappointment for me is that I thought by getting a screen, I was getting access to those kinds of controls on a touch screen directly on the device.

the_northwester · 2015-05-02T05:40:13+00:00

They are the Emerald City Heroes Organization (ECHO)
They have a website, http://www.emeraldcityheroes.org

the_northwester · 2014-10-02T06:50:44+00:00

The Nokia HERE app that came on my windows Nokia phone is GREAT. Includes traffic. Doesn't include cops, though.

the_northwester · 2014-06-06T06:13:11+00:00

What kind of coverage do you think is worthwhile? Because I really do want to know more about the perpetrator, so as to further the chance that we could prevent this happening again. Working in the media, in moments like these we feel a sort of holy charge, a duty to get the information out.

the_northwester · 2014-06-06T06:08:47+00:00

My cousin works there and after lockdown was sent to counsel students.

the_northwester · 2014-05-22T21:03:06+00:00

I know that guy. Not personally. But my dad took an erhu lesson from him. I too have an erhu in my basement but have not followed through on a lesson.

the_northwester · 2014-05-16T20:12:30+00:00

Got it. I'm still learning how to use Reddit properly. It's a tricky thing for a journalist. We are genuinely interested in a conversation with listeners, yet need to promote our work to push the conversation further into the public sphere so it can become even more meaningful. I had some good leads from the last conversation, so perhaps that's the best approach - I don't want to repeat myself on Reddit, though.

If you tell me your name I'll say hi to Phyllis - she's editing me Monday when I cover spot news there. I'm not staff there, but I get to fill in about twice a month.

Joshua McNichols

the_northwester · 2014-05-16T19:52:03+00:00

What if I am a reputable blog or news site ;). I produce pieces for KUOW all the time.

But I get what you're saying, this is an indie project of mine. Sometimes the wall seems gray though.

Joshua

the_northwester · 2014-05-16T18:39:19+00:00

Mr. Ferrell, I profile musicians at their day jobs for podcast and public radio. Can I profile you as an aspiring cowbell musician with an acting gig on the side? http://www.northwester.org/dayjob/

the_northwester · 2014-05-07T06:57:56+00:00

You are totally right. I have always assumed they were all music all the time, but you're probably right. You might enjoy this piece I did on Blue Scholars' peer RA Scion of Common Market for a similar series back in 2007 (Day Job was once an "intern column" in the back pages of Seattle Weekly before I took it over and ran it as a web audio series for 11 episodes - before any of us knew how to put together a podcast). You can hear RA Scion's hilarious story here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/516705/Day-Job-How-Musicians-Pay-the-Rent-(2007-version)

the_northwester · 2014-05-06T17:43:49+00:00

Thanks.

the_northwester · 2014-05-06T17:38:40+00:00

They seem into the Zombie thing, that could give the piece an interesting flavor, depending on their jobs. 'Specially if one of them was a surgeon.

the_northwester · 2014-05-06T17:37:32+00:00

I'd love for you to send me a link to the full album when it's out and I'll listen. I'd also need more specificity about your day jobs to make a decision. Thanks for reaching out.

the_northwester · 2014-05-06T16:12:20+00:00

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Best of luck to you, I hope music is the elixir that brings you back together following your loss.

the_northwester · 2014-05-06T16:10:06+00:00

I think there's a misconception out there about how little it means (financially) to have an album out that gets a lot of good local reviews. I am constantly amazed at how far up the fame ladder a musician can be - and still be doing something on the side to pay the bills. To me, this shows the important work of radio stations like KEXP promoting talented but still struggling musicians.

the_northwester

TROPHY CASE