Minor things that bother you

[vdeane]

People who insist on leaving their trash bags next to the dumpsters rather than putting them in the dumpsters.  I think there's one specific person at my apartment complex who's like this, because it seems to happen once a week, every week, these days.

One UI quirk that Linux gets right and the other two seem to be increasingly failing at is producing useful error messages. It is scary and cryptic when a program crashes and barfs out a traceback at you, but you can at least paste it into Google and see if there's a workaround or a fix coming. The trend on the other platforms is to just say something unhelpful like "Oopsy, the computer did a poopsy" and leave you guessing as to what just happened or whether it's fixable.

Well, I know what I'm changing my site's error page to on 4/1/26 (if I remember).  Oddly enough, it used to be more helpful than it presently is; I don't remember exactly why I changed it, but I do remember that it happened when I moved to external hosting, so I'm guessing it was some kind of IONOS problem in relaying the correct error codes; I even have the old code commented out, waiting to be restored if/when circumstances warrant.

[bugo]

I disagree on that ^^ Mac statement...to a point.

What I'm referring to is to connect to a Bluetooth device, instead of just right clicking on the device and clicking on "connect" or something similar, you have to select the device, click on the wheel icon and go to "Update Device Services". Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

[Scott5114]

Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

I don't know what it's like on Mac, but a thing that irks me on Windows is that you cannot scroll a window that isn't the currently active (in focus) one. On Linux, if you put the mouse over an inactive window and spin the mouse wheel, it still scrolls. Very helpful when you're referring to information on the inactive window for something you're doing in the active one.

[kernals12]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

[kkt]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

[Max Rockatansky]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

One could always do two years at a Maricopa Community College and roll it up to Arizona State.  Certainly saves some money on credit hours for a couple years of schooling.

[bugo]

Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

I don't know what it's like on Mac, but a thing that irks me on Windows is that you cannot scroll a window that isn't the currently active (in focus) one. On Linux, if you put the mouse over an inactive window and spin the mouse wheel, it still scrolls. Very helpful when you're referring to information on the inactive window for something you're doing in the active one.

If I understand you correctly, you can do that on Windows, at least 10 and before.

[Scott5114]

Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

I don't know what it's like on Mac, but a thing that irks me on Windows is that you cannot scroll a window that isn't the currently active (in focus) one. On Linux, if you put the mouse over an inactive window and spin the mouse wheel, it still scrolls. Very helpful when you're referring to information on the inactive window for something you're doing in the active one.

If I understand you correctly, you can do that on Windows, at least 10 and before.

It may have been something they added after I stopped using it. I distinctly remember not having that on XP (the last version I used at home extensively) and being surprised that Linux allowed it.

[1995hoo]

Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

I don't know what it's like on Mac, but a thing that irks me on Windows is that you cannot scroll a window that isn't the currently active (in focus) one. On Linux, if you put the mouse over an inactive window and spin the mouse wheel, it still scrolls. Very helpful when you're referring to information on the inactive window for something you're doing in the active one.

If I understand you correctly, you can do that on Windows, at least 10 and before.

I just tested this on both my home (Windows 10) and office (Windows 11) PCs and it worked on both of them.

[I-55]

Another thing that irks me about Macs is that to resize windows, you have to grab the bottom right hand corner of the window. In Windows and Linux, you can grab the window anywhere and resize it. Little things like that are just annoying.

I don't know what it's like on Mac, but a thing that irks me on Windows is that you cannot scroll a window that isn't the currently active (in focus) one. On Linux, if you put the mouse over an inactive window and spin the mouse wheel, it still scrolls. Very helpful when you're referring to information on the inactive window for something you're doing in the active one.

If I understand you correctly, you can do that on Windows, at least 10 and before.

I just tested this on both my home (Windows 10) and office (Windows 11) PCs and it worked on both of them.

I think the issue is within certain MS Office applications. For instance, if I have two windows of excel open, it will still scroll the active excel window if I'm hovering over an inactive workbook. I can still scroll over Chrome or even zoom out in CAD when excel is active, but I can't scroll an inactive workbook

[D-Dey65]

Here's another computer problem. Years ago, Kurumi's SignMaker website taught millions the way to capture your own copies of the signs you make starts with pushing the "Print-Screen/SysReq" button, and I've been applying this to the capture of a lot of other images. Lately, I've been forced to push that button quite a few times (sometimes more than several times) just to capture images I want.

[vdeane]

Microsoft seems to have fixed the scrolling issue sometime between Windows 7 and Windows 10... except in Office.  This isn't the only place where all Office windows are treated as the same window, either; if you have one minimized and open a document from the same program, it will open up the minimized window first.

Also: the fact that the forum likes to go down whenever I try to reply to a post with a quote (especially if it's the first time in a session).

[kernals12]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

[bugo]

It's not "minor" to me, but I recognize that in the scheme of things it is.

A cat is never "minor". They are sentient beings, and their existence is just as valid as a human's existence. A cat's love is unconditional. Unlike humans, they don't fake liking you. If they don't like you, they will let you know. A human will tell you they like you to your face while stabbing you in the back. Sorry about your kitty.

[bugo]

Here's another computer problem. Years ago, Kurumi's SignMaker website taught millions the way to capture your own copies of the signs you make starts with pushing the "Print-Screen/SysReq" button, and I've been applying this to the capture of a lot of other images. Lately, I've been forced to push that button quite a few times (sometimes more than several times) just to capture images I want.

Off topic, but I've noticed that older folks will screenshot a photo and post the entire screenshot on social media instead of saving the image and posting it themselves. I've always said that a lot of boomers just don't understand technology. Gen Xers typically don't have a problem with technology, but the older generations don't get it.

[DTComposer]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

[kernals12]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

That's what I'm going with, but I don't think having a community college certificate looks as impressive on a resume

[Max Rockatansky]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

That's what I'm going with, but I don't think having a community college certificate looks as impressive on a resume

Costs way less though.  Maricopa Community Colleges ran one third the cost per credit hour than ASU when I was living out there. 

I was under the impression that you had a degree?

[kkt]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

That's what I'm going with, but I don't think having a community college certificate looks as impressive on a resume

If the community college is the only place in Arizona to get an accounting certificate, you'll probably have a lot of company.  But if it concerns you, the best person to ask would be an established accountant in your state.  Do you know any?

[kernals12]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

That's what I'm going with, but I don't think having a community college certificate looks as impressive on a resume

Costs way less though.  Maricopa Community Colleges ran one third the cost per credit hour than ASU when I was living out there. 

I was under the impression that you had a degree?

I do have a degree. But apparently it's not enough for the career path I want to go down.

[1995hoo]

It's not "minor" to me, but I recognize that in the scheme of things it is.

A cat is never "minor". They are sentient beings, and their existence is just as valid as a human's existence. A cat's love is unconditional. Unlike humans, they don't fake liking you. If they don't like you, they will let you know. A human will tell you they like you to your face while stabbing you in the back. Sorry about your kitty.

Thanks. I appreciate that sentiment and certainly it was by no means a minor event in our household and I was obviously not trying to trivialize her death. What I meant by that word was simply that I recognize it was not even a blip on the scale of global news or current events.

One of the things that I don't think I was prepared for is how the changes in your daily routine continue to hit you afterwards. Nobody waiting at the bottom of the stairs meowing at me when I go downstairs in the morning. No need to go downstairs and check the litterbox or look for signs that she threw up somewhere. No sitting down on the stairs to brush her fur before I go upstairs to start work. It feels like I'm ahead of schedule each morning and it feels like I've forgotten to do something. Intuitively had I thought about it I would have known to be prepared for those feelings, but for obvious reasons my mind was focused on other parts of the process.

What was so brutal was how quickly all this happened. The weekend of April 27 she seemed fine. Last week she started losing interest in food and we got her a steroid shot at the vet. On Saturday night she jumped up into my wife's lap at the dinner table as usual, though she didn't try to steal any food. But over the weekend we could see clear signs of discomfort in her hindquarters, she was no longer passing waste, and by Monday night she could no longer jump up onto the couch. The vet confirmed that if the steroid shot hadn't helped, nothing they could do would, and on Tuesday morning the clincher came when she was unable to get up and walk. I strongly suspect it was an undiagnosed kidney issue. The lady next door had to put her cat down several years ago after an extremely similar turn of events. Her cat was far more hyper than ours and raced around the house constantly (ours was more sedate) and he abruptly stopped eating and then his energy just evaporated despite multiple treatments. Her vet concluded it was kidney failure. Kidney failure in cats apparently happens fairly quickly. It strikes me as similar to how pancreatic cancer in humans usually goes undetected.

[mgk920]

Dillard's would come to small markets like Grand Junction CO and Sioux Falls SD but will not come to bigger markets like Milwaukee or even Chicago. Try to make sense out of that.

No competition in smaller markets.

Also, both 'major' markets have seen many malls dying in recent years.  They're over saturated.

Mike

[mgk920]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

Higher level 'academic' institutions have been imploding BIG TIME in recent years.

Mike

[SEWIGuy]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

Higher level 'academic' institutions have been imploding BIG TIME in recent years.

LOL. Not really. Maybe spend a little less time watching Fox News.

[SEWIGuy]

Arizona's choices in higher education are either public universities or a bunch of for-profit diploma mills.

You've got something against public universities?

Putting a bit of distance between your place of origin and where you go to college is a good thing for many students.  Promotes self-reliance.

In my case I do. I'm trying to get a certificate in Accounting. ASU doesn't offer on, U of AZ does but they make it mighty hard enroll.

What type of certificate? According to Google, Maricopa Community offers an AAS in Accounting, and Phoenix College offers a CCL in Accounting.

That's what I'm going with, but I don't think having a community college certificate looks as impressive on a resume

Costs way less though.  Maricopa Community Colleges ran one third the cost per credit hour than ASU when I was living out there. 

I was under the impression that you had a degree?

I do have a degree. But apparently it's not enough for the career path I want to go down.

What career path do you want and how is a certificate program going to get you there?