General Questions Thread

[Vexx]

How they would address each other depends on who else is involved in the conversation and where they are at. That would dictate the formality of suffix.

Honorifics are contextual.

[HasuMasu]

My internet flipped out while Java was trying to do an update, so basically I can't get anything done on Facebook...what should I do?

[Paranoid Android]

Any large multi-million-population cities out there with privatized garbage removal services?

I've been kind of out-dated with Toronto and just found out it's converting to private services. Looks great on paper, especially compared with past experiences with city-run services but it would be cool to look at a city that already adopted such a system.

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by Hasumi

My internet flipped out while Java was trying to do an update, so basically I can't get anything done on Facebook...what should I do?

That doesn't make much sense. As far as I know facebook doesn't use Java for anything. I'm guessing you have a different issue there.

Btw have you tried to completely uninstall Java? Unless you have a specific usage for it there's no good reason to keep it around nowadays. Unless you deal with some bank or government website that still uses it or you play minecraft there isn't much reason not to get rid of it.

[HasuMasu]

What seriously? Facebook has a seizure like this every now and then but I aways blame it on Java.

[Ledgem]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Android

Looks great on paper, especially compared with past experiences with city-run services but it would be cool to look at a city that already adopted such a system.

What do you mean "compared with past experiences with city-run services"? When it comes to utilities, there are many historical examples where privatization was a true disaster (if not an outright failure). I suppose Toronto is introducing some hefty regulations along with this.

[Paranoid Android]

Originally Posted by Ledgem

What do you mean "compared with past experiences with city-run services"? When it comes to utilities, there are many historical examples where privatization was a true disaster (if not an outright failure). I suppose Toronto is introducing some hefty regulations along with this.

We've had several continuous-weeks without disposal services because the staff feels entitled to higher wages and better benefits and refuses to work. In a private company, they would simply be laid off and replaced. And they do this on a yearly basis. (1~2 weeks)

The employers would lose their profit when they don't deliver their services. Where the current public-sector system gets paid through our taxes without having to work according to any schedule or meet a quota.

Because private garbage removal service was illegal, every time they go on strike, we literally have 0 options to dispose of garbage ourselves. It's also a hefty fine for illegal dumping ($2000). People resorted to feeding their garbage into lawn mowers and pour it down their toilet to get rid of the garbage. This isn't like bus services where we can at least walk to our destinations. The city seems to stop functioning once there's a strike.

I also heard that one of the major things the current mayor promised that got him to being elected. It seems like everyone is sick of it. I actually don't live in Toronto but it's right on the other side of the street. So I never had the full experience of their garbage frustrations.

When a garbage strike happens here, many public services close because they don't want to create more garbage. And then we start zoning parks, sports fields and playgrounds as temporary landfill. Then we get disease/infestation problems.

I haven't witnessed any failures with privatization. Telecommunication for one is a huge industry that I am glad isn't part of the public sector. Another is construction/design that I am a part of.

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

I will be away for 16 days starting from the 1st of September to embark on an European tour. What worries me most is my passport and my credit card. Please suggest to me the best way to keep them safe. Some of my friends suggest a pouch, but is that safe enough?

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Android

We've had several continuous-weeks without disposal services because the staff feels entitled to higher wages and better benefits and refuses to work. In a private company, they would simply be laid off and replaced. And they do this on a yearly basis. (1~2 weeks)

The employers would lose their profit when they don't deliver their services. Where the current public-sector system gets paid through our taxes without having to work according to any schedule or meet a quota.

Because private garbage removal service was illegal, every time they go on strike, we literally have 0 options to dispose of garbage ourselves. It's also a hefty fine for illegal dumping ($2000). People resorted to feeding their garbage into lawn mowers and pour it down their toilet to get rid of the garbage. This isn't like bus services where we can at least walk to our destinations. The city seems to stop functioning once there's a strike.

I also heard that one of the major things the current mayor promised that got him to being elected. It seems like everyone is sick of it. I actually don't live in Toronto but it's right on the other side of the street. So I never had the full experience of their garbage frustrations.

When a garbage strike happens here, many public services close because they don't want to create more garbage. And then we start zoning parks, sports fields and playgrounds as temporary landfill. Then we get disease/infestation problems.

I haven't witnessed any failures with privatization. Telecommunication for one is a huge industry that I am glad isn't part of the public sector. Another is construction/design that I am a part of.

How much are your sanitary engineers paid? Over here, I feel that higher wages are fine for them because they are only paid S$600 per month the last time I heard.

Originally Posted by MUAHAHAHAHAHA

I will be away for 16 days starting from the 1st of September to embark on an European tour. What worries me most is my passport and my credit card. Please suggest to me the best way to keep them safe. Some of my friends suggest a pouch, but is that safe enough?

Carry a fountain pen, a sharp nib pen or a nail file. Keep the pen beside your wallet, so when you reach for it, you can grab and alternative and swing at the poor bastard.

Either that, learn self-defence or don't carry a wallet/pouch to keep it incouspicious. Just stuff them in your pockets.

[Dhomochevsky]

If you think 2-3 weeks out of service a year is bad, then you'll be in for treat with privatized crucial infrastructure.

The politician that seals the deal gets a nice bonus and can retire in the pricate sector afterwards. The company that buys the stuff uses the tax paid infrastucture for moneyprinting until its run down, so that it does not work anymore, then gets out of that business.
After that it's just an endless chain of companies, trying to make a quick profit leeching off the tax players money. They can do this, because the infrastructure is important. They got a local monopoly as soon as they own the stuff... They can then ask for whatever they want from the city.

Privatizing infrastructure and crucial services.
Don't do this! Worst idea ever.

Originally Posted by MUAHAHAHAHAHA

I will be away for 16 days starting from the 1st of September to embark on an European tour. What worries me most is my passport and my credit card. Please suggest to me the best way to keep them safe. Some of my friends suggest a pouch, but is that safe enough?

Where are you planning to visit? This sounds like you are expecting to see some real bad places.
In some countries, there might be pickpockets at famous tourist spots. In that case, just put yout values into a pouch that you can wear around the neck, or use any pockets on the inside of clothes.
There shouldn't be any need for weapons. *lol*

[Paranoid Android]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

How much are your sanitary engineers paid? Over here, I feel that higher wages are fine for them because they are only paid S$600 per month the last time I heard.

For 2009:
Average salary for the garbage truck driver or the loader (they're positions are interchangeable) is $25.11/hr Canadian. The starting base is $19/hr. Which is approximately 1:1 ratio.
Their work hour is 10 hours a day, 4 days a week.

So $4017.6 a month, $52,228 /year. Keep in mind that's with full benefits. I don't know about this part of the public sector but many of the city workers of Toronto have 24 days of paid holidays a year. (2 days a month, but it compounds each month and each year).

I'm paid $30/hr. But I don't have my engineers license yet. I need to graduate first. I'll probably make $35~40/hr when I'm a full fledged p.eng. I don't care about how much they're paid.

I don't like the idea of 'give me a raise or I will stop working'. If I want a raise, I suck up to the boss and ask for one. I can't just not show up to work and expect a raise while being paid for not showing up.

The data was the result of the negotiation from their biggest strike in 2009. I moved to another city a few hours away so I don't know much of what goes on in Toronto anymore.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Android

For 2009:
Average salary for the garbage truck driver or the loader (they're positions are interchangeable) is $25.11/hr Canadian. The starting base is $19/hr. Which is approximately 1:1 ratio.
Their work hour is 10 hours a day, 4 days a week.

So $4017.6 a month, $52,228 /year. Keep in mind that's with full benefits. I don't know about this part of the public sector but many of the city workers of Toronto have 24 days of paid holidays a year. (2 days a month, but it compounds each month and each year).

I'm paid $30/hr. But I don't have my engineers license yet. I need to graduate first. I'll probably make $35~40/hr when I'm a full fledged p.eng. I don't care about how much they're paid.

I don't like the idea of 'give me a raise or I will stop working'. If I want a raise, I suck up to the boss and ask for one. I can't just not show up to work and expect a raise while being paid for not showing up.

The data was the result of the negotiation from their biggest strike in 2009. I moved to another city a few hours away so I don't know much of what goes on in Toronto anymore.

You guys could copy us and import more willing workers from Bangladesh. [/sarcasm]

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

Originally Posted by Dhomochevsky

Where are you planning to visit? This sounds like you are expecting to see some real bad places.
In some countries, there might be pickpockets at famous tourist spots. In that case, just put yout values into a pouch that you can wear around the neck, or use any pockets on the inside of clothes.
There shouldn't be any need for weapons. *lol*

I will be going to Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. My friend was once "bewitched" to hand over her travel money and passport. I am kinda afraid that might happen to me. At the very least, I am going with a large group of people.

[NorthernFallout]

Speaking for Sweden, depends on the city. I'm assuming it might be Stockholm or Gothenburg, so yea, inner pockets and the like should be enough at the tourist attractions. For other cities, just common sense. It is quite rare outside the big ones.

[Ledgem]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Android

We've had several continuous-weeks without disposal services because the staff feels entitled to higher wages and better benefits and refuses to work. In a private company, they would simply be laid off and replaced. And they do this on a yearly basis. (1~2 weeks)

The employers would lose their profit when they don't deliver their services. Where the current public-sector system gets paid through our taxes without having to work according to any schedule or meet a quota.

Are there no unions in Canada?

The problem with privatizing utilities is that they're essential. Who isn't going to pay for garbage disposal? That company is going to get paid even if they do a crap job, simply because there's no true alternative. Worse, because they're a private company (profit-driven), they can raise the prices and get away with it.

Originally Posted by Paranoid Android

I haven't witnessed any failures with privatization. Telecommunication for one is a huge industry that I am glad isn't part of the public sector. Another is construction/design that I am a part of.

If you're not familiar with it, you should read about the early days of sewage construction and design in America. I'm pretty sure that was the ultimate example for how privatization of utilities isn't always that great, and how social works (the government) is necessary to come in and make things happen at times.

[Azuma Denton]

Originally Posted by Hasumi

My internet flipped out while Java was trying to do an update, so basically I can't get anything done on Facebook...what should I do?

Facebook doesnt have anything to do with Java.
If any, you can uninstall java and reinstall it...

[dragon4dudes]

Going by http://www.quora.com/What-programmin...ed-at-Facebook, Java is used by Facebook, but it's entirely backend so it shouldn't affect the user. Maybe you were referring to Javascript?

[Vexx]

And kids, remember the only thing Java and Javascript have in common are the first four letters of their names. They are completely unrelated programming languages.

[HasuMasu]

Originally Posted by Vexx

And kids, remember the only thing Java and Javascript have in common are the first four letters of their names. They are completely unrelated programming languages.

Kids these days with their fancy modern technology.

[Azuma Denton]

Originally Posted by Vexx

And kids, remember the only thing Java and Javascript have in common are the first four letters of their names. They are completely unrelated programming languages.

Somehow this statement reminds me of a certain tv show where one dad is reminiscencing about his younger days with 4 friends of him trying to search for the perfect 'one'...


"Kids, in 2012, your uncle *sensored* and me bla bla bla bla..."