The totally off-topic thread

[JessicaTam]

If Kent is not there on Friday night I think you and the rest of England will be in trouble.

News reports say there is a bit of a smell around that part of the country. There was a spill of sorts from a chemical plant in France and it has drifted over the channel.

 

[JohnK]

Wonder what benefits they could offer in a loyalty scheme :?:

One hour free for every 6 paid hour slots!

 

[Mal]

News reports say there is a bit of a smell around that part of the country. There was a spill of sorts from a chemical plant in France and it has drifted over the channel.

Damn Frenchies causing havoc. As if the smell of their croissants and baguettes wasn't enough already!

 

[Julesmac]

I have used airbnb a few times.

It is a step away from the world of miles, points and hotel status, but for longer stays (e.g. several days to several weeks) it can be good. A furnished apartment/basement/granny flat is more "homely" than hotel rooms. It is especially good for groups and families as paying for several hotel rooms can add up quickly. Naturally there is a range of quality and price points, but the site tells you most of what you need to know.

Also, often times the hosts can give you invaluable local knowledge. Purely by chance we stayed with a guy who shared a dorm room with the founder of airbnb. He was super friendly and we shared a meal or two. He picked us up from the airport and showed us a few places around town to check out.

A very different style of travel, but something which has already started to take off, and could grow even more. Also a great way to rent out apartments, etc on a short term basis. Potentially quite lucrative if you can establish a steady stream of tenants.

Both my girls (late 20's and adventurous) have used air bnb successfully, one in NYC, 2 apartments, 1 in Manhattan was fabulous - and she would never have been able to afford the equivalent position/outlook/fitout in a hotel, second place in Brooklyn a bit grotty but hey it was NY after all. The other girl's experience was London,pretty good all round, and ditto with the cost comparison with hotel. Added benefit of a pleasant owner who came round with info and advice. It seems fabulous value for travellers, as with anything look closely at the details, and have a go

 

[Hvr]

Here we go, a job where you can tell pilots where to go.

Air Traffic Controller in Training 2012/13 - Nationally


Do YOU have what it takes to control 11% of the planet's airspace?

• Be the envy of your friends
• Be paid to train
• Be an Air Traffic Controller

Why would you be the envy of your friends?

 

[Katie]

How to use a calculator! Surely she should have basic numeracy.

She should, but there's a basic calculator in the grade 1 booklist for her school ...

 

[Mal]

She should, but there's a basic calculator in the grade 1 booklist for her school ...

That is very sad. No wonder the education system is failing many people.

 

[Mal]

Why would you be the envy of you friends?

Well you can claim to be an elite ATC employee. Going to win you friends in airline circles, and I am sure it's a great line to pull at a bar when chatting to women (or men).

 

[anat0l]

How to use a calculator! Surely she should have basic numeracy.

Numeracy is not first and foremost how to use a calculator! Adding, subtracting, multiplication, division.... learn that first then use the calculator.

First year physics lecturers beat using a calculator out of me. They were generally not interested in numbers to 5 decimal places and preferred us to use simplifications like pi is about 3, so 3x pi is about 9

And using 3 as an approximation for pi introduces an error of around 4%. Not too critical if you're doing an in-head estimation; not good if you're using this for engineering design. 3.14 and 22/7 give much better approximations and are ample to be used for pen-and-paper calculations.

Unless there was that many significant figures to start with, calculator or no calculator someone who quotes 5 decimal places when it is not appropriate should have their hands removed. That's just not on.

Engineers measure with a micrometer, mark with a chalk and cut with an axe.

 

[medhead]

Here we go, a job where you can tell pilots where to go.



Why would you be the envy of you friends?

I don't know about being envied, but I'd love to do that. Shame about the 70% pay cut....

 

[medhead]

Numeracy is not first and foremost how to use a calculator! Adding, subtracting, multiplication, division.... learn that first then use the calculator.

Yeah, that was kind of my point. Instead of having a calculator in year 1, basic numeracy first. My youngest is going into year 4 and still needs to learn stuff.

And using 3 as an approximation for pi introduces an error of around 4%. Not too critical if you're doing an in-head estimation; not good if you're using this for engineering design. 3.14 and 22/7 give much better approximations and are ample to be used for pen-and-paper calculations.

Pi was an example only. There are many approximations that can be used in university physics to see what ballpark your in.

Unless there was that many significant figures to start with, calculator or no calculator someone who quotes 5 decimal places when it is not appropriate should have their hands removed. That's just not on.

My eyes are rolling around my head. You've reminded me of a fun computing subject I did at UQ on modelling and such, you knowing using computers for models that kinda thing. First assignment included a question about significant places in calculations, using that double precision function thingy. The question specifically asked you to calculate to 2 5 and 9 places and then explain what you saw. So I did that, outlined how 9 and 5 was clearly pointless. Stupid, stupid dipstick demonstrator/Post grad student marking it, deducted marks for doing the 5 and 9 place calculations. Only time I've been marked wrong for doing what was asked.

But anyway, glad you got my point.

 

[Simo]

Here we go, a job where you can tell pilots where to go.



Why would you be the envy of your friends?

Shame about the hours of work.

I struggle to get to work by 9am somedays.

 

[Flashback]

... and ... it's snowing again :shock:

 

[anat0l]

... and ... it's snowing again :shock:

You're not telling a white lie, are you? :mrgreen:

 

[Flashback]

You're not telling a white lie, are you? :mrgreen:

Ha ha Hopefully enough will settle by the time I pop out to grab some lunch as the ice was quite slippy last night!

 

[Mal]

... and ... it's snowing again :shock:

Yep. Got my dusting too. Nothing seems to have to settled though and most of the snow from late last week has melted away now.

 

[Flashback]

Yep. Got my dusting too. Nothing seems to have to settled though and most of the snow from late last week has melted away now.

Yeh, it's about the same here now. Sludge everywhere....

 

[Mal]

Yeh, it's about the same here now. Sludge everywhere....

Started showing again a little bit. But yeah slush is the main bit left.

In canning town area this afternoon. Hasn't changed in scaryness level since I was here a couple of years ago.

 

[Major]

Engineers measure with a micrometer, mark with a chalk and cut with an axe.

Builders measure twice and cut once

 

[medhead]

Engineers measure with a micrometer, mark with a chalk and cut with an axe.

Builders measure twice and cut once

I still remember intense discussions around the dinner table about the appropriate use of vernier calipers between my uncle (a builder) and my grandfather (a fitter and turner) went they worked together on the building site.