1984

i never even burn disks. i just put everything on my mp3 player or a 16 gb stick i have that plugs into my home and car stereos. im sure the sound is not as good as a regular cd, but i'm a cheap date and the quality isn't really an issue as i really can't tell the difference.

i have a separate card just for online purchases. it has a small limit set so that if i do get scammed i am not out too much money. as well, i have a PO box for all my mail so they don't even have my home address.....and i never give out my home number (blocked and restricted) just a prepaid cell that i use for emergencies that doesn't have any of my personal information attached to it....

I never use spell checkers. I just learned to spell.

i gave it a try and right now have zero interest. but i can definately see the potential for it to grow into a great browser. There are things i like about all the main browsers out there, but, just like everything from cars, to computers, to houses, there is never the perfect one with everything.

ok. i did that, they are now saved. how do i manage to transfer them into my firefox on the other computer?

quick question. is there a way to save all the cookies for sites that i visit to a file and then put on a usb stick and then transfer to my other computer and then import them so that i dont have to go to each and every site and sign in and save the cookies? as well, is there a way to import those same cookies into my safe cookies list in CCleaner so that i don't wipe em when i run CCleaner?

1. Common sense. 2. Update programs when necessary. 3. Hardware firewall, with a software firewall on each computer. 4. Anti-malware software. 5. Alternative browsers with add-ons for added security, such as NoScript, Adblock Plus etc. 6. Keep everything on external drives not hooked to the internet when surfing. That way, no matter what happens with malware, if infected, just reformat, reinstall, several hours later you are back in action with no harm done, nothing lost.

Well that's true. But it's really no different then lots of other big industries with their hands out. Like forestry for instance. Or farming. It's tough to hear the mantra of free trade and free markets, see the companies in the good years raking it in, pocketing millions and billions and squandering it, then when things get tight coming open handed to the government. I would bet that in number of years, as technology increases, and eventually the need and want for oil disappears, the oil companies will be coming open handed about their dying industries. THAT will fun to watch when they've been price fixing and gouging for so long. As for the auto industry, I could personally care less if the big three themselves saw a demise- as long as a someone actually stepped in to fill the gap. Making cars offshore and shipping them in does nothing for north american economy. I think the problem that a lot have (although not the unions, they are looking out for their members, and the ceos are looking out for their personal fortunes) is the making of the cars elsewhere and the loss of jobs here in NA. If toyota created a job for each one lost (sustainably) i would be in favor of that vs. the bailout for the big three. Because there would still be jobs and no tax dollars used for private commerce. Just a point. It's interesting to see that the US and Canada government seem to be able to dig up dollars for private corporations that build cars, or whatever, but cant create affordable, sustainable health care or advanced education that everyone can access. Priorities, priorities.

Oh yeah a reunion would be awesome. They should all just suck it up and make millions.

That's for sure. What a wasted opportunity they had. Axl killed that band.

Keep in mind that the costs in canada at the big three are also much lower dollar per dollar as they do not pay the high health care premiums that they do in the states. at one time the cost advantage was about 12 per hour. not sure what it is now. And "might not" is a big gamble. Only 25 years or so will tell if that is true or not.

It's actually flawed accounting. If you see that it uses the term "legacy" in it when showing the difference in costs, it shows that the costs include pensions to retirees-something that Toyota doesn't have factored into it's costs as of yet as it doesn't have the lengthy history -read retirees and associated costs- that the big three have. The Toyota workers will retire too, and thus the costs will increase to the same measurable level. Apples and oranges at this point. The piper will come a calling for Toyota and others. It's amazing the cost analysis that can be done on the various industries and the wide differences in numbers too. Much like governments balancing budgets, it depends what you do and don't factor into the costs. I can remember doing benefits cost analysis' for several companies years ago and it's amazing the gap that can be seen between the benefits actual costs depending on how you figure the deductions, carriers, tax benefits, etc. Another point of interest. UPS workers wages are near DOUBLE that of DHL in the US. All unionized with Teamsters. Yet DHL is having its death throws while UPS flourishes? It comes down to the business practices and product. UPS delivers. As does Toyota. Toyota makes a quality product that outshines most if not all other ones. The big three didn't see the writing on the wall and kept making big, ugly gas guzzling machines that don't last. Toyota pushed business models that work. The big three didn't. Interesting thing, half these vehicles are bastardized anyways with parts made here, there, everywhere....all over. But that was a good article you posted.

Well I got a chance to listen to it, and I have to say I LOVE IT! I'm not much for the ballads, but never really was. But there are some pretty good tunes on there that make it worth the purchase! And 2000 albums? Holy that's a lot! I don't think i even KNOW 2000 albums!

I rarely ever get stoked about an album, but this one is totally gonna be a trip to the store for me! Even bad Guns N Roses is better then good music by a lot of bands! And rridgely, I think you were in diapers when gnr first came out, but i (and probably andavari too) can recall the awesomeness that it was when appetite came out! lol......i still think its one of the best albums of all time!

I dont think the fact that you know somebody has any bearing on hiring at the big three anymore (at least not officially, but then its unofficial at most companies isnt it?). There was a ruling that was brought down that struck a clause from the labour agreement at CN many many years ago that used to state that preferential hiring would go to the "sons and daughters of current employees". This was struck down on the premise that it violated the human rights code, as a large majority of the workers were 2nd, third generation canadians (read white) and that made for a biased selection process for non white applicants. I know that it still goes on of course, but if you think that it doesnt go on at toyota, or whereever you are dreaming. Masonry is never dead.lol.... I'm not saying that there are not lazy union workers. Yokenny, you make a great point, and that example you gave is an excellent one of the wrong kind of thinking that takes place on SOME shop floors. There are definately people out there that are like that, and it should not be condoned. But from my experience, there are people that will not do something because "its not their job" in non union shops too. I've seen it in both. But thats just one negative example of some idiot that probably doesnt see the light in regards to if his company is not prosperous, neither is he. Anthony, i dont believe that toyota threatens their workers to keep a union out. In exact contrast they treat them WELL to keep the union out. Providing dignity, fair wages, safe conditions, etc. so that the union wont get a foothold. keep in mind that whenever there has been a vote there, approximately 40% of the workers voted YES for a union, which is indicative of there being unsatisfaction. just not 50 % plus 1. and it works flipside at the big three. there are definately people, a lot of people that do not like the union for various reasons. But if the big three and their unions go belly up, i would bet dollars to donuts that the asian manufacturers that have SO FEW jobs here in comparison will start to slide wages and working conditions. I have read a few human rights complaints by workers at toyota and honda and there are some pretty shady things going on there too. And don't take me as a ccpa or rabble junkie here either (not saying you are). As a flip side to the overpriced executives, any idea what the wages and fringe benefits are for a caw rep? Would kind of make you want to puke. but remember that the caw (as do all unions in canada nowadays) represent workers from pretty near every industry including transportation (CN has 5 unions, does very well), hospitality, manufacturing of every kind, health, etc....not just auto, so they shouldn't all be painted with the same brush..........i mean there are 250000 canadian auto workers in canada....... Just a last point of notice. Many years ago I had occasion to attend an autoworkers summit and meet with workers from the various companies. The one thing that stuck out in my mind was the HUGE number of people missing fingers. No joke. So many of them had lost digits on the job years back before stricter safety measures were introduced. Just a point of interest.

Completely wrong again. Many of the asian plants are also unionized-just not in north america. as for the flexibility of the workers at the big three, have you read their contracts? i have. BIG take backs at the UAW with 50 percent drops in new starts wages, which is now a two tiered pay structure. The auto federation in japan represents over 700,000 unionized autoworkers. and yet the makers are still profitable and progressive. Interestingly, it wasn't the union representatives, or their "lazy workers" that showed up in private jets for government hand outs. it was those running the companies. the same ones that made the decisions that are tanking their businesses. the workers have very little say in how the company is run. those decisions are made by the executives and such. and if you follow the news, you will see that the asian automakers are actually SUPPORTING the bailouts due to the impact that it will have on their businesses when there are problems with the parts plants. Keep in mind that a large proportion of korean automakers are also unionized. And this goes as well for germans and italians. If you understand the reasons why one plant can become unionized and another is not it helps. Plant A is unionized. The workers, through their union, provide demands for increased wages at the open period of the contract. Lets say they make 20 bucks and hour. They as for a three year contract with 1 buck each year. The company comes back with 50 cents, they settle on 75 each year you get the picture. The plant B down the road sees this. So what do they do? Well they hear the rumblings from staff that "hey those guys make a couple bucks more then us for the same work". So plant B offers a raise, sometimes as good, but usually just a little lower. This keeps their costs down a touch, gives the workers a raise, enough to keep them from wanting a union. And so the union plant has helped raise the wages in the non union plant. I've seen it in hospitality, aerospace, auto, building manufacturing, etc. This is a simplified example, but gives people the gist of it. And as for chrysler, companies have ups and downs. Chrysler got some intervention and made a lot of people money. People counted Apple out at one time and look at it now. nothing is forever, but sometimes government intervention is a good thing. Im not saying i agree with a bailout for the industry, but when the Canadian government agrees to remove pro canadian trade barriers that then kill one of the most important industries in the country, it should have some responsibility to help after the fact. I can tell you that i have been on both sides of the bargaining table, and know intrinsically what goes on behind closed doors with both unions and managers. Most of the managers are in no different position then the general workforce, and many wish they had more protection as well. Look what happened in the states for example with recent announcement that DHL is pulling out most of its operations in the states. The company was highly profitable when it was Airborne Express. The the german post office (the company that owns 100% of DHL worldwide) bought it, ran it into the ground, and now 10000 jobs lost. At that was totally about their business model. UPS is expanding and growing. How is that DHL can have 300000 employees worldwide, with such a network, purchase a profitable company, and then have it die? I can't answer that, but i do know that they had a mix of union and non union workers, and it died nonetheless. Oh, and UPS is almost fully unionized with 250000 employees in the US alone, and is highly profitable. FED EX is almost exclusively non union and is profitable. (though they nearly died out years ago too). It comes down to business models and practices more then worker output. I find that most people that dislike unions are usually from a silver spoon upbringing where they have been taught the other side of the coin, or they simply don't understand the way that unions operate. The most exposure that people get to them is when a strike occurs that slows their drive to work or school and annoys them, thus giving them a bad impression. I think if you see the big three left to die, you would see a LOT of workers out of work, which would strain the economy, and since they wouldn't be pumping those high earner dollars (about 35 bucks an hour in canada) into taxes, and the general economy, you would see a breakdown of services and spending. Also, I believe the current figures are that there are 6 or 7 spin off jobs from every auto manufacturer job. Thats a lot of jobs. And don't believe that any of the foreign automakers will create new jobs here. They are liking it the way it is now, creating work in their countries, selling to us. Then again mcdonalds is always hiring so im sure the numbers will still look good on paper. Oh, and personally, I could care less if the big three died as a result of their mismanagement. I do care that no automakers will create jobs in the gap.. I buy toyota anyways. For the product, because its quality. Nothing more, nothing less.

Completely inaccurate. Unionization and low productivity have NOTHING in common. People are lazy the world over, union or not. The unions just protect the working people from the exploitation of their employers. Most people have ZERO knowledge of unions, labour, history, or business and the various business models. And experts are bought and paid for by the groups that fund them (think jim stanford on the left, fraser institute on the right). I think the fact that people want to make enough money to buy a nice home, car, and send their kids to nice schools and work in a safe and harassment free environment is much more palatable then someone needing to attend vacations, meetings, etc. on a private jet drinking 400 dollar drinks at resorts and lavishing themselves in excess. If you notice, the asian automakers pay very near the same as the big three, as well as benefits....a direct reflection that the going rate for labor is established. the dying of the big three has more to do with business model then anything else. and here in canada, it has a LOT to do with NAFTA and WTO decisions which destroyed the autopact which provided that for every vehicle sold in canada, one had to be built here. industry was doing fine till that went and started the slow decline. And dont forget that chrsyler nearly died two decades ago and with government help, rebounded and made a LOT of money for everyone involved. Or you could keep watching FAUX news and reading the national post (for pidgeons) As for the crisis, its not bad for everyone. With mortgage rates at rock bottom and houses going up for sale and prices dropping, its been great picking up houses at a bargain and renting them out. I for one am loving the current state of affairs, but that is just from a personal perspective.

great article. the ignorant unwashed masses complain about the "overpaid, lazy union workers"yet these kings of commerce live like royalty and extol the virtues of fiscal frugality. unbelievable. another example was the latest fiasco of the AIG "conference" which cost about 400 grand.....

yeah that one looks good too. i was also looking at the iphone, played with a couple and they are definately a lot of fun, but i already have an ipod touch, so i get a lot of the fun out of that already........the storm should be a powerhouse for fun though....if only it had wifi, i wouldn't even consider anything else.

This baby definately has my eye.... http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/

I just didnt bother with the update and left the old service pack called Vista on my computers...

yeah we go back a bit on this forum eh rridgely? it was one of the first sites i started to frequent regularly that i liked and stuck around with. quality product, quality people.

ditto to YoKenny. and i like the avatar Ken.

I just cant get into opera. Tried and go back every once in awhile, but firefox just seems so much more customizable and i like the look and feel much better. I had spent a few years on ie6 and it was ok, but once i went to firefox my surfing got so much more fun. I do like ie7 with the pro add on, it works pretty good, but still like firefox better. I just keep ie set up for the kids and my wife so they dont muck with my setup. As for opera, it does seem a touch snappier then firefox, but for that millisecond of speed the loss of the functions that I use and like is not worth it.

never say never, but i dont see myself ever leaving firefox.....just too many things i like about it.