Saying hi from Linux Mint! It went reasonably well... about 6 attempts, but three of those were because I kept going back to make sure I wasn't overwriting what Windows calls my "C:" drive. A few hitches with compatibility but easily fixed. It was almost like being at work again. One glitch was quite alarming (it was fatal) because it couldn't write the boot partition, but again, that was a compatibility problem that was, after some fretting, an easy fix. So, $35 for a 512 Gig flashdrive from which to install Linux and 2.5 to 3 hours work and waiting. Much better than forking out for a new PC or MAC (which I seriously considered). And when I want (unlikely) or need (probably) to go back to my Windows PC, it's still here. Bye, Windows. It's been an interesting 40 years.

Those utility offers are often a great deal. I insulated the attic at one house for exactly what the utility rebate covered. Even better was the water company offer to swap older toilets for new ones. I swapped out 6 toilets in the apartment building, mostly because the old ones were shot.

Edit as of late Thursday: University of Pennsylvania and USC have joined the “no, thanks” list. The battle for academic freedom and institutional sovereignty in higher education continues to play out as another university has rejected a White House offer for expanded access to federal funding in return for agreeing to a series of demands. Brown University on Wednesday declined an offer by the Trump administration to join a compact that would potentially give preferential funding in exchange for a list of changes to school policy, including no longer considering sex and ethnicity in admissions and capping international enrollment. The letter was sent to nine universities at the beginning of the month. The compact is aimed at “the proactive improvement of higher education for the betterment of the country,” according to a letter sent to the universities. Out of the nine offers, only Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have rejected the proposal. Other schools – a mix of public and private universities – have either said they are reviewing the compact or haven’t commented publicly. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/16/us/trump-universities-compact-funding

Have wondered where all the tariff money goes. Do I want to know?

Will wait for the movie.

I am an alcoholic living with a Parkinson's patient. Having no luck trying to find a joke for this.

@wtg said in About those shutdown firings: “And we have laws here, and the things that are being articulated here are not within the law.” Louder for the people in the back!!

@CHAS said in Checking out the competition: @AndyD A two liter, two turbo gas burner should be quite zippy. Also 7speed automatic and 4wd, with 328bhp... so everyone can drive it 0-60 in under 5sec and max 172mph. Sat in a couple, about £23k for a 3yr old with 30k miles on the clock. Maybe get one late next year. Sorry off topic. Back to the threats of China. Their spying on and hack of our government was discussed in Parliament today.

I remember that. Seems so ancient watching the clip.

@Steve-Miller thanks!

Oops

Charlie Brown is involved I am sure.

"Barbarians" is what they called us. Ok, so we lack some manners.

@Steve-Miller said in Daughter's wedding: What a beautiful wedding and such beautiful people! Even the old man looks pretty good! Ha, scrubbed up quite well in my new Beckham@Boss suit & old tie. It is nice to occasionally dress like a gentleman, put on some handmade wingtips.