Minor things that bother you

[1995hoo]

In regard to starting up new credit cards, once upon a time Discover was just that. It was originally owned by Sears. And I recall in the early 1980s there was a card called "Choice." I don't remember who issued it, but I seem to recall my mother had one.

A consortium in which Ted Leonsis and Steve Case were involved introduced a new card, the Revolution Card, maybe 15 years ago or so. I had one because Leonsis's involvement meant I got discounts if I used it at Washington Capitals games. But it didn't last long because American Express acquired the operation and then discontinued the card (Amex's main interest was in a PayPal-type electronic payment system Revolution owned).

[kphoger]

The monopoly (well, duopoly) being strengthened here is Visa/Mastercard from Discover ceasing to exist, as now American Express is their only competitor that's not tiny.

I'm confused.  If the monopoly/duopoly didn't exist when it was Discover, how does it exist now that it's Capital One instead?

(And American Express isn't nothing.)

[vdeane]

That's a pretty hot take, that Capital One has a monopoly on the credit card business.

The monopoly (well, duopoly) being strengthened here is Visa/Mastercard from Discover ceasing to exist, as now American Express is their only competitor that's not tiny.

Wait, I thought the whole reason Capital One was interested in Discover in the first place was for Discover's payment network?

The monopoly (well, duopoly) being strengthened here is Visa/Mastercard from Discover ceasing to exist, as now American Express is their only competitor that's not tiny.

I'm confused.  If the monopoly/duopoly didn't exist when it was Discover, how does it exist now that it's Capital One instead?

(And American Express isn't nothing.)

I think he might be under the impression that the Discover payment network might be discontinued in favor of whatever Capital One uses (I think MasterCard).

[hbelkins]

The fact that the Commonwealth of Kentucky sells my vehicle information to third parties is a minor thing that bothers me.

How else do auto part companies know what kind of vehicle I have for part fitment purposes when I input my license plate number if they don't get that information from the state?

Even my insurance company doesn't know my license plate number. It only knows my VIN. The only entity that can link my specific vehicle to my license plate number is the state.

Sure, it makes it handy if I'm looking for a gonkulator if I can merely enter my license plate number and not have to choose year/make/model/style/engine/etc. on a Web site, or not have to enter my entire VIN, but it's the principle of the thing.

[vdeane]

Any mentions of solar eclipses.  I can't stand seeing them mentioned in the news and the like, especially people talking about how awesome they are.  After missing the 2024 eclipse due to clouds and likely never having another opportunity to see one in my entire life, I'm intensely jealous of everyone who has and wish I could just pretend that solar eclipses don't exist.

The fact that the Commonwealth of Kentucky sells my vehicle information to third parties is a minor thing that bothers me.

How else do auto part companies know what kind of vehicle I have for part fitment purposes when I input my license plate number if they don't get that information from the state?

Even my insurance company doesn't know my license plate number. It only knows my VIN. The only entity that can link my specific vehicle to my license plate number is the state.

Sure, it makes it handy if I'm looking for a gonkulator if I can merely enter my license plate number and not have to choose year/make/model/style/engine/etc. on a Web site, or not have to enter my entire VIN, but it's the principle of the thing.

Aren't vehicle registrations/licence plate numbers public information?  Otherwise Google wouldn't need to blur them out in street view.

[Scott5114]

Any mentions of solar eclipses.  I can't stand seeing them mentioned in the news and the like, especially people talking about how awesome they are.

[kphoger]

Aren't vehicle registrations/licence plate numbers public information?  Otherwise Google wouldn't need to blur them out in street view.

Are people's faces public information?

[1995hoo]

Aren't vehicle registrations/licence plate numbers public information?  Otherwise Google wouldn't need to blur them out in street view.

You're correct that Under United States law, those would not need to be blurred because our law recognizes no reasonable expectation of privacy for anything done in a public place. But other countries' laws differ, Germany in particular, and it's just easier for Google to blur all such information. In general, and admittedly this is painting with a broad brush, many western European countries (except the UK) are both more advanced and more proactive with regard to things like privacy law, usage of mobile phones while driving, etc., than the USA. The US approach seems to be to wait until the horse has left the barn and it's difficult, if not impossible, to get it back inside.

[vdeane]

Any mentions of solar eclipses.  I can't stand seeing them mentioned in the news and the like, especially people talking about how awesome they are.

<snip>

I've been told that it's an otherworldly experience to see the moon eclipse the sun in person, the night sky appear, etc.  Photos/videos aren't enough.  I waited for literal years to see it and then the whole thing got ruined by overcast skies that the meteorologists kept insisting would thin out or move east but didn't.  Literal years of waiting, and I ended up in the one place outside of Texas to be cloudy.  I would have been better off booking a hotel in New England, but the window of opportunity for that closed months before the forecasts were out even saying that there would be clouds that week at all.  Unfortunately, in the 12 years that I've lived in the Capital District, I had forgotten just how cloudy the Rochester area is.  I'm used to having a few clouds high in the atmosphere, while Rochester's weather is prone to low-hanging overcast skies, so a similar percent chance of clouds leads to a very different experience.

It actually happened again yesterday.  Rochester had no view of the partial eclipse due to overcast skies, while it was sunny around here!

Aren't vehicle registrations/licence plate numbers public information?  Otherwise Google wouldn't need to blur them out in street view.

Are people's faces public information?

Well, you can certainly identify people you know from one, and facial recognition is increasingly a thing.

Aren't vehicle registrations/licence plate numbers public information?  Otherwise Google wouldn't need to blur them out in street view.

You're correct that Under United States law, those would not need to be blurred because our law recognizes no reasonable expectation of privacy for anything done in a public place. But other countries' laws differ, Germany in particular, and it's just easier for Google to blur all such information. In general, and admittedly this is painting with a broad brush, many western European countries (except the UK) are both more advanced and more proactive with regard to things like privacy law, usage of mobile phones while driving, etc., than the USA. The US approach seems to be to wait until the horse has left the barn and it's difficult, if not impossible, to get it back inside.

I was thinking more along the lines of "they can look up the plate number and figure out who's car it is".

[Max Rockatansky]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

[Rothman]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

You sure you have a soul?

[kphoger]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

You sure you have a soul?

something something Goat Jesus mumble mumble

[Max Rockatansky]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

You sure you have a soul?

Back in 2017 I was staying in Houghton, Michigan the day prior to taking the Copper Harbor ferry to Isle Royale National Park.  On that particular day I was aware that there was a partial eclipse passing by. 

I was more interested in seeing relic copper mining towns in the area versus the eclipse.  As I was walking out of my hotel room to my rental car I saw a couple people looking up at the eclipse.  I looked up for a couple seconds, said "that's neat" and carried on with my day. 

A couple people staying at the hotel actually had traveled to Houghton specifically to see that partial eclipse (I got to talking to them at a bar).  I asked if they were in the area for anything else and they said "no."  They were actually heading back home the next morning.  I thought that was a pretty "underwhelming" reason to drive to the Upper Peninsula.

[Rothman]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

You sure you have a soul?

something something Goat Jesus mumble mumble

87% ain't 100%

[kphoger]

87% ain't 100%

I am aware.  I've also experienced nighttime.  A couple of minutes of midday darkness is not something I'd plan a vacation around.

[JayhawkCO]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

[Max Rockatansky]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

Can we stop for a minute and acknowledge that this forum would be a better place if it had more The Mummy movie series references?  The Mummy Returns is solid aside from that really bad end scene CGI Scorpion King.

[1995hoo]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

I would love to see next year's eclipse from an even more unique location, but I can't legally travel there, so I'll have to look at pictures. That location would be Mecca. It would be really cool to see a total solar eclipse over the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, and the odds are there won't be much risk of clouds or rain there (maybe a sandstorm?).

Gibraltar is also in the path of totality, but my gut tells me there's more chance of clouds there.

[JayhawkCO]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

I would love to see next year's eclipse from an even more unique location, but I can't legally travel there, so I'll have to look at pictures. That location would be Mecca. It would be really cool to see a total solar eclipse over the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, and the odds are there won't be much risk of clouds or rain there (maybe a sandstorm?).

Gibraltar is also in the path of totality, but my gut tells me there's more chance of clouds there.

Something job related I assume for why you can't visit Saudi? Or do you mean actually entering Mecca as a non-Muslim? Delta has a very highly subsidized route right now from Atlanta to Riyadh so I was toying with the idea of visiting for a weekend now that they have tourist visas.

[kphoger]

Something job related I assume for why you can't visit Saudi? Or do you mean actually entering Mecca as a non-Muslim? Delta has a very highly subsidized route right now from Atlanta to Riyadh so I was toying with the idea of visiting for a weekend now that they have tourist visas.

Our family has an open invitation from a former housemate from Al Jubail, that we can stay with them if we ever want to visit Saudia Arabia.  Of course, that still wouldn't get us into Mecca.

[1995hoo]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

I would love to see next year's eclipse from an even more unique location, but I can't legally travel there, so I'll have to look at pictures. That location would be Mecca. It would be really cool to see a total solar eclipse over the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, and the odds are there won't be much risk of clouds or rain there (maybe a sandstorm?).

Gibraltar is also in the path of totality, but my gut tells me there's more chance of clouds there.

Something job related I assume for why you can't visit Saudi? Or do you mean actually entering Mecca as a non-Muslim? Delta has a very highly subsidized route right now from Atlanta to Riyadh so I was toying with the idea of visiting for a weekend now that they have tourist visas.

The boldfaced.

[JayhawkCO]

I have eclipses to be underwhelming versus being a minor thing that bothers me.  I've seen a couple but I don't feel the need to seek another out. 

There was one that reached about 87% in Wichita several years ago.  I admit that it was kind of cool, but I wouldn't even think of planning a vacation around an eclipse.

I'm very loosely toying with the idea of visiting the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during the eclipse next year. I've always wanted to meet Brendan Fraser and the Rock. (Joking about the last part but not the first.)

I would love to see next year's eclipse from an even more unique location, but I can't legally travel there, so I'll have to look at pictures. That location would be Mecca. It would be really cool to see a total solar eclipse over the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, and the odds are there won't be much risk of clouds or rain there (maybe a sandstorm?).

Gibraltar is also in the path of totality, but my gut tells me there's more chance of clouds there.

Something job related I assume for why you can't visit Saudi? Or do you mean actually entering Mecca as a non-Muslim? Delta has a very highly subsidized route right now from Atlanta to Riyadh so I was toying with the idea of visiting for a weekend now that they have tourist visas.

The boldfaced.

The previous company I worked for had Saudi on a list I was not allowed to officially visit, that's the only reason I asked.

[GaryV]

87% ain't 100%

I am aware.  I've also experienced nighttime.  A couple of minutes of midday darkness is not something I'd plan a vacation around.

Back at the 2024 eclipse, SE Mich was about 95% total. It got slightly dusky, but certainly not dark.

I volunteer at the Detroit Zoo, and they sent out notices about how they were preparing for the eclipse. Street lights would be turned on, staff would have flashlights, etc. C'mon people, 95% means about as dark as a few minutes before sunset - like not at all dark.

[kkt]

Eclipses are not that hard to see if you're willing to travel a bit.  Google for a list, find one with totality somewhere where the weather is fairly dependable for that time of year and go there.

I saw the Augusgt 21, 2017, eclipse from eastern Oregon.  It was a kick.  Yes, it required driving away from my home town.  Also have other things to do on the trip that will be fun even if the eclipse is not observable - roads to clinch, maybe?

I wouldn't bother with a partial.  It's not the same experience

Do bring eclipse glasses, or a dark film rated for solar observing.

[hbelkins]

People posting off-topic stuff in Facebook groups like "There is NO way that is MUTCD-compliant."

Canadian signs -- The MUTCD is a USA-specific document. It doesn't apply to our evil top hat, a/k/a our northern neighbors.

Sign errors -- there's a group for that.

Faded/peeled/other older or damaged signs.

Signs that aren't located on public roads and therefore the MUTCD isn't applicable. (Think parking lots or even signs inside buildings).

Things that aren't traffic control devices (like Flock cameras where people complain about them not being mounted on breakaway posts).

Basically, both of those groups (there are two identically-named groups) are catch-all for road-related stuff where the posters appear to be too lazy to seek out the right group.