4214 chug    100   0  1592K   348K RUN    804:57 87.78% 87.78% nethack

8/12    Been asked several times, sorry. What's _a_ one-liner to remove^M
        ^M's?^M
        \In emacs, M-x replace-string C-Q C-M
        \_ tr -d '\r'
        \_ :%s/^V^M// (in vi)
        \_ perl -pi -e 's/\r\n?/\n/' file1 file2 ...

8/12    What are credit unions? Someone said it's easier to obtain a credit
        card through CU's. From what I've gathered, it just seems like
        another word for bank.
        \_ They're co-op banks (i.e. the customers are "members" who are the
           owners, therefore they care more about the individual customer
           than the big banks who care mostly about the big customers).
           \_ Most CU's offer CC's to anyone who is a member. And as a member
              you get to vote on how you want your CU run. --that someone

        \_ They're banks that are much more liberal on lending.  I went to
           CCFCU for a car loan at 2pts better than what BofA would do.  And
           my visa card with them has been at 11.88% fixed for 5 years.  While
           that looked a tad high early in 1999, it's quite low the rest of
           the time.  CUs also have much lower balance requirements, and junk
           fees are minimal.  What they don't have are a lot of atms, branches
           or well established online banking. -jor
           \_ CC's: most CU's offer CC's to anyone who is a member. And
              as a member you get to vote on how you want your CU run.
              However, they may not give you the super-low CC interest-rates
              that some big banks give their "best" customers. But if
              you are starting out (no credit) it is great. (you shouldnt
              be carrying a CC balance anyways so nevermind interest-rate)
              Savings/Checking: note that CU's sometimes have limits on
              the number of withdrawals or checks you can make per quarter
              in order to get your higher-than-bank savings-interest-rate
              and they do not have as many ATMs as some evil, slow, incompetent
              banks like WF or BofA, but CU's are MUCH MORE responsive
              to you. And they also have Holiday specials, car loan
              specials and lower-interest-personal loans available:
              you keep your savings account filled but take a CU loan and
              pay yourself the interest -- this is cheaper, builds credit,
              keeps you under your per-quarter-withdraw-limit --someone
                 patience."  -- kahogan
              \_ Credit unions?  MUCH MORE responsive? Obviously you've never
                 tried to use my credit union's online banking service. Their
                 3-ring binder for dealing with customer complaints contains
                 exactly two answers: "Please upgrade to the latest version
                 of Internet Explorer", or "I've reset your password. Please
                 try logging in again." Sometimes when they want me to feel
                 like they care, they'll throw in "We appreciate your
                 patience."  (What was the problem? Logging in to online
                 banking and getting nothing but a page declaring "SQL ERROR"
                 for multiple days in a row.)  AEA Credit Union.  -- kahogan
                 \_ the 2 i had were responsive but not online. Very low
                    tech, old-style. I called the lady to make withdrawals,
                    and she sent me check. thanks 4 warning, --someone
        \_ They're banks that are much more liberal on lending.  I went to
           CCFCU for a car loan at 2pts better than what BofA would do.  And
           my visa card with them has been at 11.88% fixed for 5 years.  While
           that looked a tad high early in 1999, it's quite low the rest of
           the time.  CUs also have much lower balance requirements, and junk
           fees are minimal.  What they don't have are a lot of atms, branches
           or well established online banking. -jor
           \_ Well, as far as ATMs are concerned, you can usually find an ATM
              that's part of the Co-op Network and you don't get charged any
                fees usually. Another way to get cash without surcharges is to
                pay for groceries via ATM card and ask for cash back.
        \_ credit unions have a few nifty features, they offer a reasonable
           interested rate on your checking account (slightly less than a
           brokerage money market account but better than 1 or 2% at a bank),
           fairly flexible credit cards with low interest rates, and shopper
           services for things like cars.  The shopper services are probably
           worth it, since you can usually get a car for invoice via a credit
           union. I got a mostly loaded corolla for $15k ($100 over invoice).
           I could have got a civic or a low-end corolla (1.6 l) for $11k.
           \_ All new Corollas have 1.8L engines.
              \_ Actually, they've all got 1.6L engines. You only get the extra
                 .2L worth of power if you have the "NEUSPEED" or "Toyota
                 Racing Development" stickers on the outside of the vehicle.
              \_ I got mine in 96. The only reason I got the 1.8 l is that the
                 gas mileage was 3 miles more according to the window sticker,
                 and they had it with green exterior tan interior, while the 1.6
                 l ones had bad interior colors.
                 \_ Mmm.  American consumers.
                       \_ I forgot to add that the 1.6 l drove very badly and
                          could barely handle merging on the highway.
                    \_ YEAH D00D!!1! He should've taken the car with the
                       smaller engine, poorer gas mileage, and colors he didn't
                       like -- because then he could be a HIP, IRONIC, OUT-OF-
                       THE-MAINSTREAM ANTI-CONSUMERIST EURO SOPHISTICATE like
                       yourself!!1!!!!1!! Maybe you should give classes or
                       something so the rest of us don't make the same
                       horrible mistake.

8/13    Is it worth upgrading an SS10 via the Cycle-UP UltraSparc upgrade?
        Should I just get the prom upgrade and a ross hypersparc instead?
        Cost is a concern to me.

4214 chug    100   0  1592K   348K RUN    804:57 87.78% 87.78% nethack
        \_ So buy an Ultra1 on ebay (they are sold on for less than $1000 on
           ebay) . Leave that poor SS10 alone..

8/13    Is there such a thing as an algorithm that can output another
        algorithm? Kind of like self tuning, self evolving algorithm?
        \_ Yes. Not as glamorous as it sounds; see also: genetic algorithms,
           Remez algorithms, data-directed programming
        \_ bison, yacc, (f)lex, and many many more. not self tuning though.
        \_ There are algorithmns that can learn from data.  It's really not
           as sexy as some people seem to think, just an application of
           statistics.
        \_ self-propagating neural networks
           \_ Neural nets are data structures not algorithms.  And
              there is no such thing as a self-propagating neural net.
              There are neural nets with feedback loops, but they don't
              output 'another algorithm.'  They have some uses in time
                        \_ Tell us of the stars....
              series prediction.  Please don't be an idiot, read Russell's
              book or something.
              \_"A neural network is a processing device, either an algorithm
              or actual hardware, whose design was motivated by the design and
              functioning of human brains and components thereof" from the NN
              FAQ. And I believe it is theoretically possible for a NN to
              output another algorithm. Sign your posts. williamc
                \_ A NN FAQ is not an AI authority.  For one, this "FAQ" seems
                   to imply that an algorithm is a processing device, which
                   is idiotic.  And a neural network cannot 'theoretically'
                   output an algorithm.  It outputs an array or list of
                   floating point numbers.  I recommend Christopher Bishop's
                   neural networks book as an excellent way of learning more.
                \_ It's easier to babble on the motd and toss buzzwords
                   around.
                \_ how dare you call me a "data structure". -brain
        \_ feedback loops
        \_ Does self-modifying code count?
        \_ Optimising compilers fit, too...
        \_ and my thesis!

8/14    Really stinky farts

8/14    Perfect Dark:  How do I get on the damn hoverbike?  Maybe my
        cartidge is broken; in the Air Force One scene
        the president doesn't say anything after Trent mentions
        "America's Industries"          -brain
                \_ okay, I'm back.  According to geordan you press "b"
                   twice.  And the speech in Air Force One:
                   TRENT: give me the pelagic ii.
                   PRESIDENT: no you sniveling whore.
                   TRENT: fine.  we'll kill you and clone you.
                            here come my alien friends.
                   PRESIDENT: aaaah!                        -brain

8/14    I have installed proFTPD and want to change the banner, which
        announces what it is, i have altered /etc/welcome.msg and that
        has changed half of it but not all.  How can i change the rest?
        \_ Use the source, Luke!
        \_ Careful.  Remote root security hole in proftpd's older than
           July 28th.  --dbushong
            \_ Arg. I installed proFTPD because it's supposed to be MORE
               secure
                \_ Try ncftpd.  It isn't based on the same shitty ancient ftpd
                   source as almost everything else out there.
               \_ As did I.  Its track record of one remote root in however
                  many years >>>> wuftpd's "root hole of the month"
                  And, yes, I like the apache-style config.  --dbushong

8/14    This guy needs our help!  http://will.does.it
        \_ it's a stupid hoax.  -tom

8/14    I have a cradle for Palm IIIx.  Is the cradle the same for handspring,
        or palm m100?  I'm trying to get away from spending more $$$ than
        necessary. Thanks.
        \_ Visor:  No (http://handspring.com/products/visorfaq.asp#q3
           m100:  Doesn't use a cradle.  It just has a wire, I believe,
           and the wire doesn't cost extra.
           -wayne

8/14    http://www.c2.net/redhat
        \_ Does this mean Sameer is finally rich?
                \_ Sameer was always rich.

8/14    word for today:  PHYMOSIS

8/14    I need a sound card that has multiple (>3) mic/line-ins to do some
        real-time mixing. It needs to work under Linux. Any good ones out
        there?

8/14    I want to get an APS Film Scanner. BestBuy in Pinole & Frys in Fremont
        don't have them. Anyone have any suggestions? Don't want to order
        off the web.
        \_ A store as big as Fry's don't have them?  Anyway, try MicroCenter
        \_ Fry's carries the Canoscan 2710, which is 35mm and APS, and is
           decently reviewed in the cheap (500$) category).
        \_ A store as big as Fry's doesn't have them?  Anyway, try MicroCenter
           in Santa Clara.

8/14    I have a RED-HATE linux 6.2 box with a few users (none of whom are
        supposed to have root) and the userid's in the password
        file keep getting screwed up.  e.g. i log in a john
        but my uid is lisa's.  I fix it in the passwd file and
        i come back in a week and joe loggs on and has Randy's uid.
        What could be causing it?  What should i do?
        \_ Linux 6.2 does not exist. -<DEAD>www.redhatisnotlinux.org<DEAD>
        \_ post /etc/shadow here
                 \_SURE, but isn't it better if i send it you personally
                    What's your login? - top
        \_ Must be a virus.  Reinstall.
           \_ I've tries reinstalling twice, and it hasn't made any
              difference.  are you sure it's a virus -- it's starting
              to seem unlikely to me.
                \_ Oh god.... I was being sarcastic.  Go install windows or
                   a real unix.
        \_ Did you install 6.2 or did you upgrade to 6.2?  RH upgrade
           was broken last time I used it.  Upgrading made many
           weird things happen like user id's getting messed up,
           LaTeX not working, etc. -emin
            \_ hmm, seems like i'm not the only one with this (I had
               thought VERY WIERD) problem. I have NOT tried reinstall.
               There is a database and many other apps on this box and I
               don't even want to THINK about reinstalling.  Perhaps RH
               or someone has some docs on this prob. since it seems
               rampant.  Who knows where to look for that? -top

8/14    Are "Bank of America" and "Banc of America" the same thing?  I see
        a lot of "banc"s in financial news articles.
        \_ something to do with a law that dates back to the post-depression
           days when they out-lawed any single bank from doing both
           commericial banking and regular banking (or something like that).
           The Ban{c|k} of America, I think, is their little loophole
           to get around this.
        \_ el blanco banco!
        \_ http://www.hoovers.com/co/capsule/1/0,2163,47381,00.html