Questions you want answered.

LarryC wrote:
BadKen wrote:

Naw man, 4X games are like, super sexy games. Like a XXX movie is hardcore, well a 4X game is even MORE hardcore than that. Man.

Too true. The truth of it is that 4X games have a tendency to kill your sex life, so 4x refers to it beating XXX events by an X.

Or maybe they just go well with Australian beer?

Not sure if this should go in one of the more techy threads, but I'm looking for an online back up solution for company. Some details:

4 users, might go up in the future. Around 300-500gb we would like to have backed up, but with space for 1-2tb in the future.

We need some more functionality than the straight backup solutions. Automatic backups of specific directories is great, and I would much prefer that than manual FTP uploads. But the thing is, we would like the ability to share files online with each other. Obviously something like Dropbox, but without needing to sync and unsync files you don't want on your computer indefinitely.

Anyone come across a small business type system that sounds like it could work for us?

trichy wrote:

Does anyone know of any studies/articles regarding gamification in a business setting; specifically the use of score chase mechanics (like leaderboards) to drive competitive sales numbers? I suggested something in passing to my boss, and now I have to write up a proposal to implement company-wide and present it to our CEO next week.

:?:

Studies, no. Personal experience and anecdotes, yes. We've used aspects of gamification (before it was called that) in several instances, and it works wonders.

You could try the Gamification Wiki.

Anyone have a copy of The Quality Technician's Handbook they want to pass on to a fellow GWJer or sell on the cheap?

ringsnort wrote:
Chairman_Mao wrote:

Is it normal for one-way air tickets to be negligibly cheaper than round-trip ones these days?

One way air tickets are never as competitively priced when compared to the more commonly purchased "round trip" tickets. Unless you are moving (perhaps emigrating) permanently to your planned destination, you'd be better served buying a round trip ticket and having the "return" ticket date an approximation. Many airlines allow you to change your return date for a fee once you decide on the actual date of departure. Alternatively you may purchase an "open return" ticket but these tend to be rather expensive.

Also, many nations tend to frown on "one way" travel for security reasons.

Actually, now a days most airlines charge you a fee to change dates (75 to 150 bucks) PLUS the difference in the ticket cost.

I am now the boy who cried wolf. I ask this in all seriousness. Please know I'm really not joking around.

What do you do if your obese roommate literally falls through your door into your room naked and mumbling? He's not drunk, but I can't understand him. I don't think he's epileptic, but he does seem to be having some issues. He's insisting that he's fine, I think, but he can't seem to get up. After about 5 minutes, he got into his room and closed the door and now all he'll say is that he's fine. I don't want to call 911 if he's just light headed from being sick today. Where's the line?

Grenn wrote:

I am now the boy who cried wolf. I ask this in all seriousness. Please know I'm really not joking around.

What do you do if your obese roommate literally falls through your door into your room naked and mumbling? He's not drunk, but I can't understand him. I don't think he's epileptic, but he does seem to be having some issues. He's insisting that he's fine, I think, but he can't seem to get up. After about 5 minutes, he got into his room and closed the door and now all he'll say is that he's fine. I don't want to call 911 if he's just light headed from being sick today. Where's the line?

Is he having a stroke? Seriously. Knock on his door and see if you can talk to him, and if he refuses say you're worried enough to call the paramedics. Then he'll either tell you enough to get you off his case, or you really should go ahead and call them.

Paramedics just left.

Grenn wrote:

Paramedics just left.

Yikes. They left alone, I hope... fingers crossed that everything works out. :/

Nope, the tubby jerk went with them. Looks like he's going to be ok.

I just finished bleaching everything in the bathroom as he left a mess all over the toilet and floor. Including breaking the seat. Add that to my busted door frame and I don't think I'm getting my deposit back. And why am I not more sympathetic? I was sympathetic until the cop asked me if the empty bottle of muscle relaxants was mine. Looks like he took one too many.

I'm too tired and frustrated right now. I gotta get up for work in four hours. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Quick update: Muscle relaxants plus 105.1 fever equal bad news.

Yikes!

I have a speech impairment that is hereditary in all males on my father's side. It can be classified as a hesitation or studder. It comes and goes in spikes. It has really started to affect me in the past year, but it's mainly due to my increase in school and job responsibilities, so it's probably due to stress. I've had it my whole life, and I've found ways to counteract or avoid words or phrases that I know I have problems with.

HOWEVER, I have always been worried that it negatively impacts first impressions - especially during job interviews. How can I handle this? I don't want to put a disclaimer on my resume, or have to send follow up emails after every interview I have, but I would really hate if I have missed/will miss valuable opportunities because the recruiter thought I was nervous when really it's just something I can't fully control. I'm a good employee - I know I am. I just want my full potential and value to show through before a door has closed.

Thoughts?

Vrikk wrote:

I have a speech impairment that is hereditary in all males on my father's side. It can be classified as a hesitation or studder. It comes and goes in spikes. It has really started to affect me in the past year, but it's mainly due to my increase in school and job responsibilities, so it's probably due to stress. I've had it my whole life, and I've found ways to counteract or avoid words or phrases that I know I have problems with.

HOWEVER, I have always been worried that it negatively impacts first impressions - especially during job interviews. How can I handle this? I don't want to put a disclaimer on my resume, or have to send follow up emails after every interview I have, but I would really hate if I have missed/will miss valuable opportunities because the recruiter thought I was nervous when really it's just something I can't fully control. I'm a good employee - I know I am. I just want my full potential and value to show through before a door has closed.

Thoughts?

I think it depends what kinds of jobs you're trying to get. It might have a seriously negative impact on, say, a sales position interview. Personally, I have a ton of patience and respect for people dealing with that type of challenge, and I would hope others have a similar attitude, but of course that's going to be hit and miss depending on the individuals interviewing you. Some people will dislike you because of your skin color, or who you choose to bone, so obviously some jerks are going to be fooled by a speech issue. I like to tell myself anyone who can't see my value doesn't deserve me as an employee

If you think it will negatively impact your interview, just be forward and honest about it. If they judge you for it even though it wouldn't effect your performance, don't pay jerks any mind and leave with your head high.

I understand that it'll be partially dependent on what type of job I'm looking at, but since most (if not all) positions require office relationships and discussions I can't rule it out entirely - unless I want a job where I never have to open my mouth.

Hey, don't we have some goodjers that work for Google? I would like to pick his/her/their brain about a project my company is working on.

[font=tiny]Also cross-posted to the Twitters.[/font]

Vrikk wrote:

I have a speech impairment that is hereditary in all males on my father's side. It can be classified as a hesitation or studder. It comes and goes in spikes. It has really started to affect me in the past year, but it's mainly due to my increase in school and job responsibilities, so it's probably due to stress. I've had it my whole life, and I've found ways to counteract or avoid words or phrases that I know I have problems with.

HOWEVER, I have always been worried that it negatively impacts first impressions - especially during job interviews. How can I handle this? I don't want to put a disclaimer on my resume, or have to send follow up emails after every interview I have, but I would really hate if I have missed/will miss valuable opportunities because the recruiter thought I was nervous when really it's just something I can't fully control. I'm a good employee - I know I am. I just want my full potential and value to show through before a door has closed.

Thoughts?

Cognitive behavioural therapy? If it's exacerbated by stress/nerves, it might be worth your while to do a few sessions where a therapist can guide you into a mental and emotional spot for interviews that will minimise the magnitude of your impairment, and instill a situational sense of confidence that will outweigh any issues your stutter causes. Sort of like how aviators will chair-fly a sortie before actually flying it.

At the awkward phase of my relationship where we've started scouting houses to upgrade our living conditions.
What the hell is the origin/point/attraction of nested eaves? What I mean is the layout where if you're looking at the front of the house or the roof it looks like they took a small house and then put a bigger house around it and then took a long house and cut it through the middle and just sort of overlapped the plans so that the roof and front are just a cascading mess of peaks, corners, and inches-deep protrusions...
Edit.
Don't care enough to rehost example pic so let's see if I can hotlink. Here's a mild example of what I mean.
IMAGE(http://ia-swiar.photos.mlsfinder.com/photos/1/2/_/1/6/6/0/12_1660-1.jpg)

Some of the other houses in that area are insane with bulbous modules and 6 or 7 different crest-lines on the roof. What benefit is there to making more nooks and crannies for spiders to hide and repair contractors to salivate over?

MyBrainHz wrote:

Hey, don't we have some goodjers that work for Google? I would like to pick his/her/their brain about a project my company is working on.

[font=tiny]Also cross-posted to the Twitters.[/font]

I believe HedgeWizard is the goodjergoogler you're looking for.

Where would be the best place for me to share some files with a friend? It is for a mod we have been working on and the files might be large.

Bonnonon wrote:

Where would be the best place for me to share some files with a friend? It is for a mod we have been working on and the files might be large.

I'm the friend!!!11

I'm thinking of trying DropBox. Do you guys think DropBox is a good idea?

Vector wrote:
Bonnonon wrote:

Where would be the best place for me to share some files with a friend? It is for a mod we have been working on and the files might be large.

I'm the friend!!!11

I'm thinking of trying DropBox. Do you guys think DropBox is a good idea?

Depends. Are they individually very large files or just a whole lot of very small files that in total can get pretty big? If it's the former, I guess DropBox would be fine. If it's the latter, you might want to consider trello instead, which is specifically meant for small teams and allows unlimited attachments upto 10Mb each.

Dropbox maxxes out at about 5 or so GB. I have 52 GB free right now, but that's because of a new phone plan. It's convenient and simple, but you have to not have files or folders beyond the 5 GB limit or so. I mainly use it to carry documents around so I don't have to use a USB drive.

I love Dropbox. Dead simple, everything I need is everywhere, and no more e-mailing myself like a pleb.

Gravey wrote:

I love Dropbox. Dead simple, everything I need is everywhere, and no more e-mailing myself like a pleb.

LarryC wrote:

Dropbox maxxes out at about 5 or so GB. I have 52 GB free right now, but that's because of a new phone plan. It's convenient and simple, but you have to not have files or folders beyond the 5 GB limit or so. I mainly use it to carry documents around so I don't have to use a USB drive.

avggeek wrote:
Vector wrote:
Bonnonon wrote:

Where would be the best place for me to share some files with a friend? It is for a mod we have been working on and the files might be large.

I'm the friend!!!11

I'm thinking of trying DropBox. Do you guys think DropBox is a good idea?

Depends. Are they individually very large files or just a whole lot of very small files that in total can get pretty big? If it's the former, I guess DropBox would be fine. If it's the latter, you might want to consider trello instead, which is specifically meant for small teams and allows unlimited attachments upto 10Mb each.

I think DropBox is good for now but trello looks like the better option for in the future. Hmmmm.

Yousendit?

After some weird issues with DropBox I have switched to Google Drive and been very pleased with it. Also their prices for additional space were better last time I looked.

I have Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive, and now Trello as well (thanks for the suggestion!). Trello looks a tad too complicated for casual file transfer use. You have attach it to cards and stuff. With the other cloud services, there's a folder on your directory and you just save the file there, which is what you would have done anyway. All the finagling is done by the app behind the curtain.

Google Drive is the most convenient for group document projects because it links directly to Google Docs which allows you to make document changes directly to the cloud. Hosts comments and cloud undos as well. It syncs to the Google Account as well. Not sure how it interacts with Instant Upload and G+. I'll have to find someone to explain that to me.

As an overseer on a project, I would use Trello to keep everyone on the same page, but host the meat-and-potato files on Dropbox or Google Drive.

I used to have SugarSync and Box but their management protocols were just too unwieldy.