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Off Key - General Discussion

4.1k Topics 29.8k Posts

A place to talk about whatever you want

  • Pinned threads

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    Great!
  • Non sequitur Thread

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    AxtremusA
    Brb
  • Switzerland

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    AxtremusA
    That Matterhorn looks ominously evil!
  • LLMs and the dwindling number of people who appreciate and value language

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    M
    The presumption in the writing community is that attorney's fees will be taken out of the $3000, but I haven't seen that confirmed. I also have not seen anything confirming how much the attorney's fees will be. Splitting the payout with the publisher 50/50 seems to be the default. I looked over my contracts to see whether this was true for me. My subsidiary rights clauses specify a 50/50 split for most rights sales, but I didn't see anything on the list of specified rights that I thought definitely applied in this case. My agent, however, said that the 50/50 split applied in my case, so that's what I put on my claim, since she negotiated the contracts and presumably knows. (Interestingly, I know of no route for agents to be paid. My agent has gotten her 15% for things like audiobook sales, but I don't think this is the case with the Anthropic settlement.) Some publishers, including big ones like Wiley, are trying to take 100%, which is unconscionable. Those writers' claims, and those of writers who didn't go with the 50/50 default, are finding that their claims are being disputed by their publishers. Will this result in lawyers' fees eating the claims up? Nobody knows, but it will certainly delay their checks. My 50/50 claims were not disputed, so I am supposed to receive my first payment in December, but I will believe it when the checks are in my hand.
  • Tell us about your schools

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  • Goodbye, Landlines

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    D
    Well, I'm on 5G with a major carrier in my bedroom in the urban core of the 23rd largest US Metro and I have 1 bar now, and my phone at this time not connected to WiFi (or should we be expected to pay for WiFi to have reliable phone service?) is working and not. I could turn the WiFi on but then what's the point of mobile service? I'm on the flattest land mass on earth. There is no inclement weather. Good luck to everyone in the US about to be screwed by the FCC for the nth time.
  • Written English, Misc.

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    I would pack up and leave. I'd stand up. I'd smile. I'd say I'm leaving. Excuse me. Goodbye.
  • Word association thread

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    Synergy
  • What are you watching?

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    Oops. Lost the link when switching between pages. I'll find it. Edit- Link to video Link to video
  • How Costco became a 'third place'

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    Is it a 'safe space'? (Sort of kidding) I don't think so myself unless you're traveling in a pack. @jodi I remember your posts about Costco. Yikes. Btw, speaking of warehouse stores, I have an acquaintance who got crushed and mangled by a loading door at Publix. He couldn't work after this. I just want a 'human scale'. My house is a huge, heavy, structure with a cathedral ceiling. This means my bedroom ceiling is 12'. This is 4' higher than my bedroom in my old place. I feel very comfortable with it, but it's talking to get used to... My favorite Martha Stewart quote (during one of her K Mart adds)- "Think of your back your backyard as a living room with a very high ceiling".
  • Bird photographer of the year

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    AdagioMA
    Yes, the bittern. And the sage grouse. And the frogmouth!
  • Best way to clean car windshield?

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    MikM
    Here's how to fix it. How would you clean the windshield after an improper application Park in the shade and let the glass cool. Rinse the outside of the windshield with clean water to remove dust and grit. Wash it with warm water and a small amount of dish soap or automotive glass cleaner. Use a clean microfiber towel or a dedicated glass-cleaning towel. Rinse thoroughly, then dry with a separate, dry microfiber towel. Wipe in straight, overlapping passes rather than circular motions. If the haze remains, use a stronger glass-cleaning step: Apply a small amount of automotive glass polish or a mild 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water to the exterior glass. Work it over the windshield with a clean microfiber cloth. Rinse completely and dry. Clean the wiper blades with glass cleaner or diluted rubbing alcohol on a cloth. If they still smear, replace them—the residue may have transferred onto the rubber. Test the windshield with water. If water beads unevenly or the haze persists, repeat the cleaning once. Don’t apply more Rain-X until the glass is completely clear. Avoid abrasive household powders, razor blades, ammonia-based cleaners around tinted film, and mixing cleaning chemicals. If visibility is still impaired—especially at night—don’t drive until the windshield is clear. Rain-X’s application guidance emphasizes wiping the product off thoroughly; its product line also includes dedicated automotive glass cleaners. rainx.com
  • Gift ideas for the coming holidays (2026)

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    AxtremusA
    If you haven't bought it yet, it's too late! https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/its-500-toothbrush-disappeared-from-stores-dyson-wont-fully-explain-why/
  • Jesus Christ just no

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    That's ok. The Florida choices have been non-existent since before DeSantis. This was a Democrat state when I was born in '67 until the election in 2000.
  • House for sale

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    @AndyD said: And I'd have to change all the furniture, which irks when you're handing over 55 million. That's like 13million per bedroom. Lol!
  • Saving Seals

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  • Laughter is the best medicine

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    [image: image.jpeg]
  • Leafscrolling - fall color?

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    AndyDA
    View from one of our living room windows this arternoon [image: 11850.jpg] [image: 11846.jpg]
  • Karl Rove impersonating Trump

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  • Meta-thread: Word association thread

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    Um... are we allowing multiple-word responses?