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steve2470
steve2470's Journal
steve2470's Journal
March 17, 2014
question about electric air and heat (combined unit)
When you get someone to service it, what should you look for/ask for ? I'm only looking for regular maintenance and not a repair type situation. Thanks.
March 16, 2014
Stickied thread: Safe internet browsing habits
I'm going to keep this thread open and stickied at the top of CHaS for the aid of our members. Feel free to post helpful advice about safe internet browsing habits here.
March 16, 2014
Anyone mind if I become a Host of this group ?
1- I promise not to abuse my powers, if granted, honest 
2- I'm very aware that my computer-related technical expertise is very limited. I won't attempt to be more than I am. Many people here are very skilled and knowledgeable.
3- I'm here a lot.
4- I'd like to be able to pin some FAQ's type threads to the top of the forum, so we don't have to retype everything all the time (i.e, safe browsing habits).
Canetoad has gone AWOL and I hope she's OK. The only other host is struggle4progress.
Any questions ? If it's ok with everyone, I'll point Skinner to this thread. Thanks all.
Steve
March 15, 2014
Tiraspol - As the political crisis in Crimea deepens amid the prospect of the region joining Russia after the looming referendum, it is easy to overlook another post-Soviet republic's gestures to the West and the potential flashpoint coming from its own restive Russophile region.
Compared to Ukraine, Moldova got away lightly following its departure from Moscow's patronage. When deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign the EU Association Agreement in November 2013, deadly riots erupted on the streets of Kiev. Reacting to the newly installed pro-European government in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent the Russian army to annex Crimea. Moldova, however, did not see Russian troops enter its territory; they had been already there for over 20 years.
Despite attempts to attract some of their former satellite states like Belarus and Kazakhstan into an "Eurasian Union", Moldova, whose economy depends heavily on agriculture and remittances from expatriates, paved the way for strengthened ties with Brussels. Russia duly suspended Moldovan wine imports (allegedly on grounds of poor quality), and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin warned officials: "I hope you won't freeze," darkly implying that the country's dependence on Russian gas may be in jeopardy.
Such a bold move by Moldova's governing Pro-European coalition may be seen as progress for the tiny nation of 3.5 million, wedged between Romania and Ukraine, which in 2001 became famous for being the first post-Soviet state to re-elect a Communist government. Moldova, however, faces a simmering territorial dispute which accentuated following Crimea's planned succession from Ukraine.
Transnistria: Europe's other Crimea
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/03/transnistria-europe-other-crimea-2014313132814552215.htmlTiraspol - As the political crisis in Crimea deepens amid the prospect of the region joining Russia after the looming referendum, it is easy to overlook another post-Soviet republic's gestures to the West and the potential flashpoint coming from its own restive Russophile region.
Compared to Ukraine, Moldova got away lightly following its departure from Moscow's patronage. When deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign the EU Association Agreement in November 2013, deadly riots erupted on the streets of Kiev. Reacting to the newly installed pro-European government in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent the Russian army to annex Crimea. Moldova, however, did not see Russian troops enter its territory; they had been already there for over 20 years.
Despite attempts to attract some of their former satellite states like Belarus and Kazakhstan into an "Eurasian Union", Moldova, whose economy depends heavily on agriculture and remittances from expatriates, paved the way for strengthened ties with Brussels. Russia duly suspended Moldovan wine imports (allegedly on grounds of poor quality), and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin warned officials: "I hope you won't freeze," darkly implying that the country's dependence on Russian gas may be in jeopardy.
Such a bold move by Moldova's governing Pro-European coalition may be seen as progress for the tiny nation of 3.5 million, wedged between Romania and Ukraine, which in 2001 became famous for being the first post-Soviet state to re-elect a Communist government. Moldova, however, faces a simmering territorial dispute which accentuated following Crimea's planned succession from Ukraine.
March 15, 2014
(CNN) -- Katie Hall was shocked the second she saw it: a light-bulb glowing in middle of a room with no wires attached.
Looking back, it was a crude experiment, she remembers: a tiny room filled with gigantic cooper refrigerator coils -- the kind you'd see if you cracked open the back of your freezer.
She walked in and out between the coils and the bulb -- and still the bulb glowed.
"I said: 'Let's work on this. This is the future.'"
Wireless electricity? It's here
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/14/tech/innovation/wireless-electricity/(CNN) -- Katie Hall was shocked the second she saw it: a light-bulb glowing in middle of a room with no wires attached.
Looking back, it was a crude experiment, she remembers: a tiny room filled with gigantic cooper refrigerator coils -- the kind you'd see if you cracked open the back of your freezer.
She walked in and out between the coils and the bulb -- and still the bulb glowed.
"I said: 'Let's work on this. This is the future.'"
March 15, 2014
11 March 2014 Last updated at 20:47 ET
In an emotional speech in Kiev on Sunday, former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky - recently released from 10 years in jail - told the Maidan "there is another Russia", one opposed to military action in Ukraine. Russian writer and broadcaster Andrei Ostalski agrees but says it's a small and embattled community.
On 2 March, one day after the Upper Chamber of the Russian parliament passed a motion allowing President Putin to use Russia's armed forces anywhere on Ukrainian territory, a Muscovite decided to stage a one-man protest. He knew it was a rather risky affair as the streets were full of "patriotically" minded people rejoicing and celebrating the prospect of a quick victorious war against their neighbour.
Nevertheless, Alexei Sokirko found a place on the pavement on Nikolskaya Street and unfolded his "Stop the war" banner.
Russian law allows one-man pickets to be staged without prior permission or advance notification so the police didn't do anything at first. In fact, they didn't need to as Alexei immediately started getting harassed by angry passers-by. To begin with they called him "fascist" and "scum". Then a woman spat at him. A few men started threatening him, and finally one of them snatched the banner from his hands and tore it up.
Ukraine crisis: Russians opposed to Putin
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-2653131011 March 2014 Last updated at 20:47 ET
In an emotional speech in Kiev on Sunday, former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky - recently released from 10 years in jail - told the Maidan "there is another Russia", one opposed to military action in Ukraine. Russian writer and broadcaster Andrei Ostalski agrees but says it's a small and embattled community.
On 2 March, one day after the Upper Chamber of the Russian parliament passed a motion allowing President Putin to use Russia's armed forces anywhere on Ukrainian territory, a Muscovite decided to stage a one-man protest. He knew it was a rather risky affair as the streets were full of "patriotically" minded people rejoicing and celebrating the prospect of a quick victorious war against their neighbour.
Nevertheless, Alexei Sokirko found a place on the pavement on Nikolskaya Street and unfolded his "Stop the war" banner.
Russian law allows one-man pickets to be staged without prior permission or advance notification so the police didn't do anything at first. In fact, they didn't need to as Alexei immediately started getting harassed by angry passers-by. To begin with they called him "fascist" and "scum". Then a woman spat at him. A few men started threatening him, and finally one of them snatched the banner from his hands and tore it up.
March 15, 2014
The U.N. Security Council will vote Saturday on a U.S.-drafted resolution urging countries not to recognize the results of an upcoming Crimean referendum.
The vote comes as Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported Saturday it had repelled Russian forces trying to move into an area of Ukraine that is parallel to the east of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
“Units of Ukraine's armed forces today...repelled an attempt by servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to enter the territory of Kherson region on Arbatskaya Strelka,” a ministry statement said. “This was repelled immediately." The statement was released by the Reuters news agency which reported that Ukraine used paratroops and and aircraft in the operation.
Sunday's referendum gives residents of Crimea only two choices: joining Russia or the significant strengthening of their autonomy within Ukraine. A vote in favor of joining Russia is widely seen as a forgone conclusion in the majority Russian-speaking region on the Black Sea, which has hosted czarist and Kremlin navies since the 18th century.
UN to Vote on Crimea Resolution as Ukraine Says it Repels Russian Forces
http://www.voanews.com/content/un-to-vote-on-crimea-resolution/1871773.htmlThe U.N. Security Council will vote Saturday on a U.S.-drafted resolution urging countries not to recognize the results of an upcoming Crimean referendum.
The vote comes as Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported Saturday it had repelled Russian forces trying to move into an area of Ukraine that is parallel to the east of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
“Units of Ukraine's armed forces today...repelled an attempt by servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to enter the territory of Kherson region on Arbatskaya Strelka,” a ministry statement said. “This was repelled immediately." The statement was released by the Reuters news agency which reported that Ukraine used paratroops and and aircraft in the operation.
Sunday's referendum gives residents of Crimea only two choices: joining Russia or the significant strengthening of their autonomy within Ukraine. A vote in favor of joining Russia is widely seen as a forgone conclusion in the majority Russian-speaking region on the Black Sea, which has hosted czarist and Kremlin navies since the 18th century.
March 15, 2014
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama, aiming to allay concerns about the viability of his signature healthcare law, said on Friday enough people have enrolled to make its insurance marketplaces stable.
"Well, at this point, enough people are signing up that the Affordable Care Act is going to work," Obama said in an interview with the medical website WebMD. "The insurance companies will continue to offer these plans."
The Obama administration is mounting an enrollment drive aimed at adults aged 18 to 34, whose participation in the marketplaces is vital to the success of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In his latest bid to persuade people to enroll before a March 31 deadline for 2014 coverage, Obama found himself on the defensive, noting for example that some enrollees might have to change doctors.
"For the average person, many folks who don't have health insurance initially, they're going to have to make some choices. And they might end up having to switch doctors, in part because they're saving money," said Obama. That was a change from his assurance to Americans in 2009, when he was trying to get the law passed, that "if you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor."
*end*
Good news, on our way to single payer !
Obama says enough people signed up to make U.S. healthcare law work
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/14/usa-healthcare-obama-idINL2N0MB0T820140314(Reuters) - President Barack Obama, aiming to allay concerns about the viability of his signature healthcare law, said on Friday enough people have enrolled to make its insurance marketplaces stable.
"Well, at this point, enough people are signing up that the Affordable Care Act is going to work," Obama said in an interview with the medical website WebMD. "The insurance companies will continue to offer these plans."
The Obama administration is mounting an enrollment drive aimed at adults aged 18 to 34, whose participation in the marketplaces is vital to the success of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In his latest bid to persuade people to enroll before a March 31 deadline for 2014 coverage, Obama found himself on the defensive, noting for example that some enrollees might have to change doctors.
"For the average person, many folks who don't have health insurance initially, they're going to have to make some choices. And they might end up having to switch doctors, in part because they're saving money," said Obama. That was a change from his assurance to Americans in 2009, when he was trying to get the law passed, that "if you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor."
*end*
Good news, on our way to single payer !
March 15, 2014
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has been urged to ‘come out’ in support of American gay and lesbian rights groups when he visits Boston as part of his St Patrick’s Day tour on Sunday.
MassEquality, the Boston advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people has urged to make a public statement supporting their right to march in the Boston parade.
The Irish Times reports on their call for the PM’s support for their bid to march openly with gay pride banners and colors in the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade.
The group told the paper that comments by Kenny supporting their campaign to end the long-time exclusion of LGBT groups from marching in the South Boston parade with gay pride signs and banners would help their campaign.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/Irish-PM-Enda-Kenny-urged-to-back-gay-and-lesbian-groups-in-Boston-parade-row.html#ixzz2w2mcxK64
Follow us: @IrishCentral on Twitter | IrishCentral on Facebook
Irish PM Enda Kenny urged to back gay and lesbian groups in Boston parade row
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/Irish-PM-Enda-Kenny-urged-to-back-gay-and-lesbian-groups-in-Boston-parade-row.htmlIrish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has been urged to ‘come out’ in support of American gay and lesbian rights groups when he visits Boston as part of his St Patrick’s Day tour on Sunday.
MassEquality, the Boston advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people has urged to make a public statement supporting their right to march in the Boston parade.
The Irish Times reports on their call for the PM’s support for their bid to march openly with gay pride banners and colors in the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade.
The group told the paper that comments by Kenny supporting their campaign to end the long-time exclusion of LGBT groups from marching in the South Boston parade with gay pride signs and banners would help their campaign.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/Irish-PM-Enda-Kenny-urged-to-back-gay-and-lesbian-groups-in-Boston-parade-row.html#ixzz2w2mcxK64
Follow us: @IrishCentral on Twitter | IrishCentral on Facebook
March 15, 2014
NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is calling on newly announced Republican challenger Scott Brown to sign the same pact in New Hampshire that helped prevent outside groups from pouring millions of dollars into his last Massachusetts Senate election.
In a letter sent Saturday, less than 24 hours after the former U.S. senator from Massachusetts entered the race, Shaheen said she "very much admired the People's Pledge" that Brown signed with Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2012. Brown lost his Senate seat to Warren.
"I believe it limited the influence of outside groups and allowed the people's voices to be heard," Shaheen wrote. She asked Brown to make a similar pledge this year to give New Hampshire voters "the assurance that their voices will not be drowned out by third-party expenditures."
The challenge comes as national outside groups gear up to send a river of money into a New Hampshire Senate contest that could be the most expensive in state history.
Shaheen wants to limit outside cash in Senate race
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Shaheen-wants-to-limit-outside-cash-in-Senate-race-5320052.phpNASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is calling on newly announced Republican challenger Scott Brown to sign the same pact in New Hampshire that helped prevent outside groups from pouring millions of dollars into his last Massachusetts Senate election.
In a letter sent Saturday, less than 24 hours after the former U.S. senator from Massachusetts entered the race, Shaheen said she "very much admired the People's Pledge" that Brown signed with Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2012. Brown lost his Senate seat to Warren.
"I believe it limited the influence of outside groups and allowed the people's voices to be heard," Shaheen wrote. She asked Brown to make a similar pledge this year to give New Hampshire voters "the assurance that their voices will not be drowned out by third-party expenditures."
The challenge comes as national outside groups gear up to send a river of money into a New Hampshire Senate contest that could be the most expensive in state history.
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