Re Netflix, end of previous thread, I think puddle may be referring to Netflix CD's by mail, and listener to Netflix by cable. Netflix by mail was renamed, and might still be available.
Netflix by mail replaced by DVD.com [Click] And yes, dvd.com still exists as a subsidiary of Netflix. The movie database (which was one of the great features) evidently became corrupted, and one can’t, for instance, find a list of silent movies. But they are still there and searchable by other means; I searched for “buster keaton” and up popped 14 titles, some of which were unfamiliar to me. The minimum price subscription (one disc out at a time) has increased to $9.99 per month, but that’s not surprising. I haven’t copied a DVD in so long that I am not sure I remember how.
I am reminded of studies of Neanderthal tools and weapons that I recently read; pretty sure I linked to the story here. Their stone blades were simpler than the ones associated with early modern humans. A researcher learned how to make the Neanderthal blades; it took him a year and a half to learn, but they worked very well, and he could make as many as fifty or sixty in a day; that led him to conclude that Neanderthals might have prized utility over esthetics in their weapons. Another study, using the same sort of strong gelatin used to recover bullets for comparison, clearly demonstrated that the thrusting spears used by Neanderthals had far more penetrating power and did far greater damage than the throwing spears brought by early modern humans (all the better for hunting big beasts).
"Thousands who had been deceived by their lying papers into the belief that we were being whipped all the time, realized the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience."
Letter, Wm. T. Sherman to Henry W. Halleck, December 24, 1864.
There seem to be reports that large numbers of Russian troops managed to flee Lyman, but had considerable casualties along the way. They had only one seconday road out, and it was within range of Ukraininan small arms fire as well as artillery.
Conscripted Russians will be the best thing that could happen for Ukrainians. They don't want to be there and will likely flee or surrender. It doesn't hurt that President Zalenskyy announced that Russian soldiers who surrender would be fairly treated. I thought that was a brilliant stroke.
I suppose it could just be a coincidence that the day after Zelensky called on Russians opposed to the "partial mobilization" to set fire to conscription offices that there was an increase in such fires all across Russia.
Ukrainians Rejoice as Russian Troops Flee Lyman [Click] From WSJ via MSN. This doesn’t look like an organized withdrawal— it looks like the Russians fled in panic. One can’t call it a rout because there was no direct engagement with Ukrainian troops.
Putin is rapidly going the way of Giuliani. That is, he once had a good reputation among his people, but threw it all away in later years by turning into an obsessed fool.
I think it looks more like he is going the way of Emperor Nicholas--either Nicholas I, who lost the Crimean War and died of natural causes, or Nicholas II, who lost the Great War and was assassinated by the Bolsheviki. His window of opportunity to flee the country and thereby save his life is closing.
Wil and I are making good progress on the split rail fence. We just have 4 or 5 sections left to complete. We could do that in an afternoon, easy, but that we have had to clear a LOT of greenery that has grown up behind the fence, including a large quantity of Bittersweet vines. They are climbing (and attempting to strangulate) every little tree around. But we are knocking it back nicely, pulling out roots wherever possible, and plan to keep the area mowed. Originally, we let it go wild because there was a lot of Milkweed there. But the Bittersweet has killed that all off. So, we'll mow and we'll have to establish a new little area for the gorgeous Sweet William that has long grown along the fence, at the forest's edge.
♥
ReplyDeleteRe Netflix, end of previous thread, I think puddle may be referring to Netflix CD's by mail, and listener to Netflix by cable. Netflix by mail was renamed, and might still be available.
ReplyDeleteNetflix by mail replaced by DVD.com [Click] And yes, dvd.com still exists as a subsidiary of Netflix. The movie database (which was one of the great features) evidently became corrupted, and one can’t, for instance, find a list of silent movies. But they are still there and searchable by other means; I searched for “buster keaton” and up popped 14 titles, some of which were unfamiliar to me. The minimum price subscription (one disc out at a time) has increased to $9.99 per month, but that’s not surprising. I haven’t copied a DVD in so long that I am not sure I remember how.
DeleteAh, thanks for the clarification, Alan. i had never even heard of Netflix by mail...!
DeleteGenetics Spills Secrets From Neanderthals’ Lost History [Click] Sounds very reasonable, and bridges the gap between paleontological and genetic estimates of population sizes.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of studies of Neanderthal tools and weapons that I recently read; pretty sure I linked to the story here. Their stone blades were simpler than the ones associated with early modern humans. A researcher learned how to make the Neanderthal blades; it took him a year and a half to learn, but they worked very well, and he could make as many as fifty or sixty in a day; that led him to conclude that Neanderthals might have prized utility over esthetics in their weapons. Another study, using the same sort of strong gelatin used to recover bullets for comparison, clearly demonstrated that the thrusting spears used by Neanderthals had far more penetrating power and did far greater damage than the throwing spears brought by early modern humans (all the better for hunting big beasts).
DeleteSounds like my forebears were efficient and effective!
DeleteNo reports yet of the number of Russian soldiers captured in Ukrainian advance at Lyman.
ReplyDeleteRUSSIANS ARE SURRENDERING AS THEY RUN IN PANIC FROM LYMAN
Delete"Thousands who had been deceived by their lying papers into the belief that we were being whipped all the time, realized the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience."
DeleteLetter, Wm. T. Sherman to Henry W. Halleck, December 24, 1864.
There seem to be reports that large numbers of Russian troops managed to flee Lyman, but had considerable casualties along the way. They had only one seconday road out, and it was within range of Ukraininan small arms fire as well as artillery.
DeleteUkrainians Rejoice as Russian Troops Flee Lyman [Click] From WSJ via MSN. Sorry, it took me several tries to get a good link in place.
DeleteConscripted Russians will be the best thing that could happen for Ukrainians. They don't want to be there and will likely flee or surrender. It doesn't hurt that President Zalenskyy announced that Russian soldiers who surrender would be fairly treated. I thought that was a brilliant stroke.
DeleteI suppose it could just be a coincidence that the day after Zelensky called on Russians opposed to the "partial mobilization" to set fire to conscription offices that there was an increase in such fires all across Russia.
DeleteUnbelievable fiasco in Russian air force! I Not Enough Pilots—Civilian Pilots to Be Conscripted—Maintenance Personnel Also [Click]
ReplyDeleteUkrainians Rejoice as Russian Troops Flee Lyman [Click] From WSJ via MSN. This doesn’t look like an organized withdrawal— it looks like the Russians fled in panic. One can’t call it a rout because there was no direct engagement with Ukrainian troops.
General Petraeus: ‘Putin’s annexation announcement is significant, but it’s also desperate’ [Click]
BREAKING: Ukrainians Launch NEW ATTACK in the SOUTH [Click] 30 Km in one day A later report says 60 Km.
Putin is rapidly going the way of Giuliani. That is, he once had a good reputation among his people, but threw it all away in later years by turning into an obsessed fool.
DeleteI think it looks more like he is going the way of Emperor Nicholas--either Nicholas I, who lost the Crimean War and died of natural causes, or Nicholas II, who lost the Great War and was assassinated by the Bolsheviki. His window of opportunity to flee the country and thereby save his life is closing.
DeleteWil and I are making good progress on the split rail fence. We just have 4 or 5 sections left to complete. We could do that in an afternoon, easy, but that we have had to clear a LOT of greenery that has grown up behind the fence, including a large quantity of Bittersweet vines. They are climbing (and attempting to strangulate) every little tree around. But we are knocking it back nicely, pulling out roots wherever possible, and plan to keep the area mowed. Originally, we let it go wild because there was a lot of Milkweed there. But the Bittersweet has killed that all off. So, we'll mow and we'll have to establish a new little area for the gorgeous Sweet William that has long grown along the fence, at the forest's edge.
ReplyDelete