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Today is Server Move Day – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,126
edited February 4 in General
Today is Server Move Day – politicalbetting.com

The current PB server, which I shall call Icarus, has been doing excellent service for six years. But is now beginning to show its age. With this year having both US elections and UK elections, it’s time for an upgrade.

Read the full story here

«13456

Comments

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,869
    Oh, and obligatory first.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,801
    Backup hamsters on standby?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,344
    edited January 31
    rcs1000 said:

    Oh, and obligatory first.

    You do know you're gonna pay for that first with a glitch?
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
     Thanks (part-time server admin),
    Is this the new letter sign-off replacing Your humble servant?
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
    DavidL said:

    Any chance you could switch the PM at the same time?

    Be good if he were switched on

  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,800
    Good luck with this.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,182
    rcs1000 said:

    Oh, and obligatory first.

    Why not dust down the Donate button while you're at it? Always happy to toss the bums a dime.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
    Just been watching Putin's War on the iPlayer. Quite gripping and also terrifying even though we've been watching it in real time. Boris, Liz and baldy Ben come over well - but MRD applies
  • TimSTimS Posts: 12,720
    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    Good luck! I say this as a full-time server admin! If you need any help just shout and I am more than capable of rolling my eyes and whistling through my teeth. Possibly even a sarcastic comment or two before actually helping...
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 4,874
    rcs1000 said:

    Oh, and obligatory first.

    I hope you’re not using Horizon. I don’t want to owe you ££££££.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,154
    geoffw said:

    DavidL said:

    Any chance you could switch the PM at the same time?

    Be good if he were switched on

    With Johnson, he was rarely turned off.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,965
    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    As judges mull presidential immunity, Trump reaps the benefits of delay
    For over three weeks, the D.C. Circuit has been sitting on a potentially decisive question.
    https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/31/trump-trial-immunity-delay-00138688
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,825
    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    SandyRentool said:

    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!

    I spent almost 6hrs in meetings about corporate IT systems today.

    I say hurrah for absolutely anything that isn't another meeting at this stage.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Never underestimate Excel's ability to do the wrong thing. sqrt(-3) might well turn out to be 15.7.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,154
    Stuartinromford said:



    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Whereas if you want imaginary numbers, look no further than the government's fiscal projections.
    Or the average British Gas bill.
  • El_CapitanoEl_Capitano Posts: 4,238
    sudo rm -rf /srv/gov.uk should do the trick.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,869
    DavidL said:

    My 50,000th post on PB since we went to Vanilla. I thought I might give you something insightful, original or witty. But then, I thought, why break the habits that have got me this far?

    The problem is that you can now never post again. Once you do, that 50k mark is gone for ever.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,869
    ohnotnow said:

    Good luck! I say this as a full-time server admin! If you need any help just shout and I am more than capable of rolling my eyes and whistling through my teeth. Possibly even a sarcastic comment or two before actually helping...

    I've just been struggling with RSA keys, having previously been password only.

    But I seem to have surmounted that issue :-)
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    rcs1000 said:

    DavidL said:

    My 50,000th post on PB since we went to Vanilla. I thought I might give you something insightful, original or witty. But then, I thought, why break the habits that have got me this far?

    The problem is that you can now never post again. Once you do, that 50k mark is gone for ever.
    Hasn't he already done that in remarking on it?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    Carnyx said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DavidL said:

    My 50,000th post on PB since we went to Vanilla. I thought I might give you something insightful, original or witty. But then, I thought, why break the habits that have got me this far?

    The problem is that you can now never post again. Once you do, that 50k mark is gone for ever.
    Hasn't he already done that in remarking on it?
    No, he remarked on it in his 50,000th post.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,573
    SandyRentool said:

    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!

    Planned site maintenance:
    Due to the change of National Lottery operator, planned maintenance will take place from 11pm on 31st January. National Lottery games will be available again on 1st February.
    https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    Benpointer said:

    Carnyx said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DavidL said:

    My 50,000th post on PB since we went to Vanilla. I thought I might give you something insightful, original or witty. But then, I thought, why break the habits that have got me this far?

    The problem is that you can now never post again. Once you do, that 50k mark is gone for ever.
    Hasn't he already done that in remarking on it?
    No, he remarked on it in his 50,000th post.
    Oh, is that counter updated retrospectively for even previous posts? Hadn't realised. Thanks.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    SandyRentool said:

    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!

    You still got paid, so you achieved something!
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,891
    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
    Benpointer said:

    SandyRentool said:

    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!

    You still got paid, so you achieved something!
    jobsworthy
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,573
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    My top secret troubleshooting sauce was to have bookmarked the status pages of various infrastructure providers, so when an alert came in I could quickly say, not our fault, Cloudflare's DNS is down, or some such.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,909
    edited January 31
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    Almost anything can be fixed by taking it apart, cleaning it, and putting it back together again.

    Except children. They frown on that with children.
  • Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 4,993
    I just want to tell you good luck.
    We’re all counting on you.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,573
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    SandyRentool said:

    As someone who spent five and a half hours today failing to achieve a simple task on a corporate IT system I say hurrah for server upgrades!

    Planned site maintenance:
    Due to the change of National Lottery operator, planned maintenance will take place from 11pm on 31st January. National Lottery games will be available again on 1st February.
    https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
    Speaking of the National Lottery, something odd has just happened. Tonight's winning numbers are: 5 10 11 22 27 54

    Three pairs of numbers where the second is double the first! Unfortunately there is no prize for spotting that.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    Probably didn’t like the company she keeps.

    Alina Habba on Donald Trump:

    “He is the most ethical American I know.”
    (July, 2023)
    https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1752753505905869246
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,154
    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,787
    Look at the bright side. I have had a HDD drive failure that will cost me hundreds if not thousands to reconstruct involving a clean room, plus a rather hurried lawyer consultation to ensure that the (work related!) surgical/medical imagery on there does not constitute obscenity. Incidentally, apparently the only bright point is the fact that as it's an old HDD they can clone it, but if I had splurged for a SSD they couldn't have without proprietary software. Back up your data, padawans, back up your data.
  • eekeek Posts: 28,076
    Nigelb said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    Probably didn’t like the company she keeps.

    Alina Habba on Donald Trump:

    “He is the most ethical American I know.”
    (July, 2023)
    https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1752753505905869246
    For Trump to appeal he needs to deposit $90m or so with the court within 30 days - so I would be surprised if things go ahead.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,787
    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    It's the antilog of (2.1*loge2). Kids today, what do they teach you in schools... 😃
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    I like your thinking. Soon you'll find the lost chord. Eat your heart out Schnozzle Durante

  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    3. Have you tried switching it off and switching it on again?
  • eekeek Posts: 28,076
    ohnotnow said:

    Good luck! I say this as a full-time server admin! If you need any help just shout and I am more than capable of rolling my eyes and whistling through my teeth. Possibly even a sarcastic comment or two before actually helping...

    Happy to volunteer for similar reasons. After all there is nothing more conducive to things going wrong than 2 people with half a clue stood behind watching your every move while whispering "Don't think you wanted to do that"...
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    eek said:

    Nigelb said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    Probably didn’t like the company she keeps.

    Alina Habba on Donald Trump:

    “He is the most ethical American I know.”
    (July, 2023)
    https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1752753505905869246
    For Trump to appeal he needs to deposit $90m or so with the court within 30 days - so I would be surprised if things go ahead.
    Probably not. but this all consumes another couple of media cycles.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    viewcode said:

    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    It's the antilog of (2.1*loge2). Kids today, what do they teach you in schools... 😃
    Thanks for clearing that up. I must have been bunking off during that A level maths lesson.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    Nigelb said:

    eek said:

    Nigelb said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    Probably didn’t like the company she keeps.

    Alina Habba on Donald Trump:

    “He is the most ethical American I know.”
    (July, 2023)
    https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1752753505905869246
    For Trump to appeal he needs to deposit $90m or so with the court within 30 days - so I would be surprised if things go ahead.
    Probably not. but this all consumes another couple of media cycles.
    Question: will Elizabeth Jean Carroll ever get her money and if so through what route. Can she sue Trump for bankruptcy?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    Hmmm... Am I the only one to survive the server upgrade?
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,573
    It is a potential record! Darwin Nunez has now become the first player on record (since 2003-04) to hit the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.

    The BBC stats team has survived their server upgrade.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,177
    Benpointer said:

    Hmmm... Am I the only one to survive the server upgrade?

    No, but not a lot of posting going on tonight…
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,965
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    The IT bods come in half an hour before the rest of us to unplug and switch off kit, just to make themselves look clever.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,573
    Nigelb said:

    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith

    Hadn't it also been decided it was OK to shout abuse at Prince Andrew or am I misremembering HIGNFY which is my primary legal resource?
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,909
    Nigelb said:

    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith

    I dislike the idea of any unpleasant language being treated as criminal.

    Racist language? Yes, ok maybe but I am not sure. But this? No. Taunting over Hillsborough or Munich? No.

    Being a knob should have all sorts of consequences in life (in my latter two examples, being banned from football clubs perhaps) but not criminal records.
  • TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 1,873
    Time to crack out my old favourite.
    Disk drive error warning.

    Anyone remember where its from?

  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,509
    The Guardian has a humdrum article on bad mascots, but it does link to this amazing (?) Superbowl ad I never saw.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsCI_gOG_ks
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 4,780
    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    You can better understand why -2^2.1 does not produce a real number by rewriting the power of 2.1 as a rational number i.e 21/10. Then 21 is the power and 10 is the root.
    Now an odd power of any negative number always gives you a negative number. eg The cube of -2^3=-8, -2^4=16, -2^5=-32 and so on, alternating between positive and negative results.
    That means that -2^21 gives you a negative number.
    Now to get a number to root 10 you first take the result of the number to root 2 (SQuare RooT), then take the square root of that result and keep going until you get the 10th root.
    But that means you are trying to take the square root of a negative number (several times over), and that can't give a real solution.

    The same reasoning explains why -2^2.2 gives a real result, because -2^22 gives a positive result as 22 is even, so you do not subsequently have to take repeated square roots of a negative number.








  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    I remember the time an elderly family friend called me in because the PC from a local independent specialist wasn't working properly despite having just beem checked and delivered. Took me over an hour to spot the almost invisible slider switch on the bottom of the keyboard that switched on the IR beam. MInd, I got a roast pork dinner for my pains.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,575
    edited January 31
    Wulfrun_Phil said:

    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    You can better understand why -2^2.1 does not produce a real number by rewriting the power of 2.1 as a rational number i.e 21/10. Then 21 is the power and 10 is the root.
    Now an odd power of any negative number always gives you a negative number. eg The cube of -2^3=-8, -2^4=16, -2^5=-32 and so on, alternating between positive and negative results.
    That means that -2^21 gives you a negative number.
    Now to get a number to root 10 you first take the result of the number to root 2 (SQuare RooT), then take the square root of that result and keep going until you get the 10th root.
    But that means you are trying to take the square root of a negative number (several times over), and that can't give a real solution.

    The same reasoning explains why -2^2.2 gives a real result, because -2^22 gives a positive result as 22 is even, so you do not subsequently have to take repeated square roots of a negative number.
    "-2^2.2 gives a real result"

    Er... is that a wind-up?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Nigelb said:

    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith

    Hadn't it also been decided it was OK to shout abuse at Prince Andrew or am I misremembering HIGNFY which is my primary legal resource?
    No; the chap got done all right, by an 'alternative to prosecution'.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63716064
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11457739/Heckler-allegedly-called-Prince-Andrew-sick-old-man-not-face-court-prosecutors-say.html
  • CookieCookie Posts: 13,583
    TheValiant said:

    Time to crack out my old favourite.
    Disk drive error warning.

    Anyone remember where its from?

    Has an air of Pratchett about it?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,134
    Nigelb said:

    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith

    Of course it shouldn't be criminalised.
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,909
    Cookie said:

    TheValiant said:

    Time to crack out my old favourite.
    Disk drive error warning.

    Anyone remember where its from?

    Has an air of Pratchett about it?
    I think it was Cannon Fodder. I used to love that game.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,226
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
    Even Trump says in his tweet today any lawyer who works for him is either 'crazy' or an 'American patriot'
  • MattWMattW Posts: 22,700
    algarkirk said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    3. Have you tried switching it off and switching it on again?
    I can guarantee 100% that if you switch it on, then off, it still won't work.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 22,700
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
    Since Habbadabbadoo has copped around $3-4m, if she has been paid and most of it sticks to her she may step back and be a good little Maga Housewifey. Perhaps.
  • No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 4,465
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    It is a potential record! Darwin Nunez has now become the first player on record (since 2003-04) to hit the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.

    The BBC stats team has survived their server upgrade.

    And by missing a penalty and gettng a yellow card, he scored -1 points in my Fantasy Football team.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,306
    Nine hurt after 'corrosive substance' thrown in London

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68161937
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,151
    edited January 31
    Hey Mike and Robert, I just want to tell you both, good luck (with the move) we're all counting on you.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 8,314
    No_Offence_Alan said:

    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    It is a potential record! Darwin Nunez has now become the first player on record (since 2003-04) to hit the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.

    The BBC stats team has survived their server upgrade.

    And by missing a penalty and gettng a yellow card, he scored -1 points in my Fantasy Football team.
    He got an assist, so ended up +2.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    rcs1000 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Good luck! I say this as a full-time server admin! If you need any help just shout and I am more than capable of rolling my eyes and whistling through my teeth. Possibly even a sarcastic comment or two before actually helping...

    I've just been struggling with RSA keys, having previously been password only.

    But I seem to have surmounted that issue :-)
    You'll be onto 'Teleport' next .... https://goteleport.com/

    No need to thank me for leading you down yet another rabbithole.... ;-)
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
    Any lawyer worth their money will be demanding an up front payment I should think. Even he's surely not silly enough to treat the lawyers handling his criminal cases like he does the ones in the civil cases?
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,891
    Carnyx said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    I remember the time an elderly family friend called me in because the PC from a local independent specialist wasn't working properly despite having just beem checked and delivered. Took me over an hour to spot the almost invisible slider switch on the bottom of the keyboard that switched on the IR beam. MInd, I got a roast pork dinner for my pains.
    I ended up on a train sitting behind 2 consultants from a rival IT outsourcing company on their way to an "important client meeting" to give an "important presentation" but they had run into a snag...

    The presentation was on laptop A, but they needed it on laptop B.

    The only mechanism for transfer they could come up with was IR, but neither of them could find the transceivers on either laptop.

    I was able to put them out of their misery, but unable to collect my HUGE fee for doing so.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    MP for Golders Green stands down

    https://x.com/finchleytories/status/1752801834144608298?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 8,314
    It would appear that the server upgrade hasn't worked, as the site has been taken over by IT nerds and maths types. Where have the politicos gone?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    3. Try google

    I've seen IT professionals do it, and why not?
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    Labour’s MP for Manchester Gorton endorses Rochdale candidate in what I assume is Urdu

    https://x.com/afzal4gorton/status/1751564104848777520?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,704
    Scott_xP said:

    Carnyx said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    I remember the time an elderly family friend called me in because the PC from a local independent specialist wasn't working properly despite having just beem checked and delivered. Took me over an hour to spot the almost invisible slider switch on the bottom of the keyboard that switched on the IR beam. MInd, I got a roast pork dinner for my pains.
    I ended up on a train sitting behind 2 consultants from a rival IT outsourcing company on their way to an "important client meeting" to give an "important presentation" but they had run into a snag...

    The presentation was on laptop A, but they needed it on laptop B.

    The only mechanism for transfer they could come up with was IR, but neither of them could find the transceivers on either laptop.

    I was able to put them out of their misery, but unable to collect my HUGE fee for doing so.
    I remember being in Dixons many years ago. Someone looking at a typewriter (yes). Salesperson wandered over sensing a sale.

    "Urm - is this IBM compatible? I need it to be IBM compatible. For 'the disks'?"

    ...

    "Yes! Sure! It's 100% IBM compatible!"

    Ker-ching!

    The same shop used to sell more Amiga's than AtariST's as they always advised potential customers it was easy to get pirate Amiga software down the local market. Kickback's all the way...

  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,062
    HYUFD said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
    Even Trump says in his tweet today any lawyer who works for him is either 'crazy' or an 'American patriot'
    But mostly crazy
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,787
    isam said:

    MP for Golders Green stands down

    https://x.com/finchleytories/status/1752801834144608298?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    https://nitter.cz/pic/orig/enc/bWVkaWEvR0ZNei1rT1gwQUE5OGQ3LmpwZw==
  • TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 1,873
    ohnotnow said:


    I remember being in Dixons many years ago. Someone looking at a typewriter (yes). Salesperson wandered over sensing a sale.

    "Urm - is this IBM compatible? I need it to be IBM compatible. For 'the disks'?"

    ...

    "Yes! Sure! It's 100% IBM compatible!"

    Ker-ching!

    The same shop used to sell more Amiga's than AtariST's as they always advised potential customers it was easy to get pirate Amiga software down the local market. Kickback's all the way...

    I don't think I ever bought a single game for the Amiga (nor anyone in my family), despite the family owning two in the house.

    My brother still has an Amiga 1200 - working, and I believe modified to connect to the interwebs.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,891
    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    3. Try google

    I've seen IT professionals do it, and why not?
    It is true these days that knowing what to Google (sic) is at least as useful as knowing the answer.

    It is also true that no IT professional in search of an answer to a problem will use Bing...
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,389
    Republicans against Trump
    @RpsAgainstTrump
    ·
    3h
    NEW Quinnipiac poll 2024 GE:

    Biden- 50%
    Trump- 44%
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,796
    Carnyx said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    I remember the time an elderly family friend called me in because the PC from a local independent specialist wasn't working properly despite having just beem checked and delivered. Took me over an hour to spot the almost invisible slider switch on the bottom of the keyboard that switched on the IR beam. MInd, I got a roast pork dinner for my pains.
    A roast pork dinner? Ah, the Dell Replicator 2000.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    edited January 31
    isam said:

    MP for Golders Green stands down

    https://x.com/finchleytories/status/1752801834144608298?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Majority went down to under 2k in 2017, that seat is a goner unless there's epic confusion over the main challenger.

    That'll be up to 86 MPs standing down so far, almost dead on the average between 1979-2010. But considering in 1997 it was 117 and in 2010 it was 149, I'm almost surprised it is not even more at this stage.

    Turnover in the Commons is actually a lot higher than my memory makes it seem - even in 2017 15% seats changed MP one way or another.

    One interesting calculation would be length of service of those standing down - according to the Commons Library it was around 18.5 years in 2019, but some youthful ones have definitely jumped this time.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,637
    Benpointer said:

    viewcode said:

    Benpointer said:

    BartholomewRoberts said:

    ohnotnow said:

    TimS said:

    Back to server 1.

    It does seem like the Conservatives have decided “don’t let Starmer take us back to square one” is a good slogan that will turn the election round for them. Here it is seen in the wild again today:

    https://x.com/mailonline/status/1752491416993857760?s=46

    Well, I'm convinced. Otherwise ... urm... we might be at square 4? Or -3? Or... something?

    How does Rishi's spreadsheet work again?
    Square minus three is the same as square three of course.
    Which got me thinking.

    2^2.1 is =4.287 (to 3dp) but -2^2.1 is not a number (according to Excel and my calculator). But:

    1. How can you logically multiply 2 by itself a non-integer number of times? And...

    2. If you can, shouldn't the answer to -2^2.1 be ±4.287 (to 3dp) where only the sign is indeterminant? It's got to have a value of 4.287 we just don't know if it's positive or negative.

    Then again -2^2.1 is maybe 10% (0.1) of the way from positive (^2) to negative (^3), but that would imply that -2^2.5 = zero.

    Then again I could just be spouting b*ll*cks. Again.
    It's the antilog of (2.1*loge2). Kids today, what do they teach you in schools... 😃
    Thanks for clearing that up. I must have been bunking off during that A level maths lesson.
    Yes I can't see a thing
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    Scott_xP said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    3. Try google

    I've seen IT professionals do it, and why not?
    It is true these days that knowing what to Google (sic) is at least as useful as knowing the answer.

    It is also true that no IT professional in search of an answer to a problem will use Bing...
    DuckDuckGo?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    Northern_Al said:

    It would appear that the server upgrade hasn't worked, as the site has been taken over by IT nerds and maths types. Where have the politicos gone?

    Driven away by the knowledge that the jocks will be incoming soon, once the Cricket starts up again.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 8,314
    HYUFD said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Looks like Trump just fired Habba, over social media.
    https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1752690235895410788

    After she possibly put her bar license on the line.
    https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1752759146309444010

    I'm amazed that he's interviewing new lawyers, even if he's firing that complete fool Habba.

    Who'd be desperate enough for work to appear for him?

    He never follows advice. He never pays. And he always loses because his cases are pretty much slam dunk.

    Very good news for the plaintiff that he hopes to appeal though. It means she will get her money, as he has to deposit it with the court to appeal.
    Even Trump says in his tweet today any lawyer who works for him is either 'crazy' or an 'American patriot'
    Why not both?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,389

    Republican Accountability
    @AccountableGOP
    ·
    2h
    Reporter: “Are you thinking of trying to use campaign funds to pay some of the penalties?”

    Trump: “What penalties?”

    Reporter: “In the New York fraud case and the defamation case.”

    Trump: “I didn't do anything wrong. I mean, that's been proven as far as I'm concerned.”

    https://twitter.com/AccountableGOP/status/1752789598496076229
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,706
    edited January 31
    rottenborough said:

    Republicans against Trump
    @RpsAgainstTrump
    ·
    3h
    NEW Quinnipiac poll 2024 GE:

    Biden- 50%
    Trump- 44%

    If only someone had predicted that Biden's numbers would improve as it became obvious that (a) the economy is doing far better than projected and (b) Trump is losing even more court cases than expected.

    Oh, wait a minute, I think I did.

    January 26
    US economy grows 3.3% on an annualised basis in the 4th quarter and by 2.5% in 2023 as a whole. The latest growth was driven by consumption and reflects a surge in consumer confidence: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/19/consumer-sentiment-surges-while-inflation-outlook-dips-university-of-michigan-survey-shows.html

    Even Fox News reports that the economy is in a sweet spot with good growth but not so much as to reignite inflation.

    I remain of the view that these economic performance figures are going to drive Biden's popularity northwards during the coming months. If we end up with a Biden Trump rematch (and I think we will) it will not be as close as it was in 2020.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 49,586
    Scott_xP said:

    A depressingly high number of technical problems can be solved with this sophisticated 2 step troubleshooting routine, developed over years of practical experience.

    1. Is it plugged in?

    2. Is it switched on?

    My bill is in the post...

    As I’ve mentioned previously, in the instructions for a pre-WWI gunnery fire control table (early electro mechanical computer) I found online, if a problem occurred -

    1) switch off
    2) restore dials to start position
    3) wait a few seconds
    4) switch on

    Over a century of “switch it off, wait, switch it on”
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,825
    biggles said:

    Nigelb said:

    What do we make of this ?
    It might be rude, and indeed unreasonable - but should it be criminalised ?

    DPP appeals to supreme court in case of protesters who called MP ‘Tory scum’
    Exclusive: Move follows high court ruling that it was reasonable for them to have called Iain Duncan Smith the term
    https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/31/dpp-supreme-court-appeal-protesters-tory-scum-iain-duncan-smith

    I dislike the idea of any unpleasant language being treated as criminal.

    Racist language? Yes, ok maybe but I am not sure. But this? No. Taunting over Hillsborough or Munich? No.

    Being a knob should have all sorts of consequences in life (in my latter two examples, being banned from football clubs perhaps) but not criminal records.
    As the great philosopher Simon Phoenix once stated:

    You can't take away people's right to be assholes

    In more legally expressions, emotive political subjects will engender a certain amount of obnoxious and insulting commentary, but to lose that would also mean much useful commentary may be lost, as valid points can be made in offensive ways.

    Just rambling about Tory scum is not very useful or edgy in most cases, but the offence of 'using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent' does seem rife for overuse.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,637
    77 year old male seeks young girl for fun and legal representation.

    Must be at least as pretty as my daughter and open to be grabbed by the fanny.

    Will be paid on a no win no fee basis or not at all.

This discussion has been closed.