Maher's Digital World

Quote from: Shadow.97 on May 31, 2012, 01:18 PM

Quote from: katana on May 31, 2012, 01:09 PM
@Shadow.97

Sometimes, I do that to a lot of people.  :( Unintentionally... With how I phrase my words, perhaps?

Ill paste what got me confused:
"I'm looking forward to a long geeky relationship with you, guys, here in this forum"
"it's just that I belong to their sexual orientation."
Explain please, are you here for the uhm sexual things? Or do i get you wrong?

She asked about girls, right?

Quoteit's just that I belong to their sexual orientation

Replace the words in red with "girls" or "females" ;)

Quote from: BLADESHARK on May 31, 2012, 06:43 PM

Quote from: katana on May 31, 2012, 08:45 AM
I know that I'll get a lot of help from here.  ;)

Definitely you will. :)

Quote from: Shadow.97 on May 31, 2012, 01:18 PM
are you here for the uhm sexual things?

(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing025.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing024.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Serisouly, i think i missunderstood something..

Quote from: Shadow.97 on May 31, 2012, 01:18 PM
Explain please, are you here for the uhm sexual things? Or do i get you wrong?

Oh dear Pete, NO!  :o  Now, you must think I'm some kind of pervert...  :-[

Quote from: Shadow.97 on May 31, 2012, 01:18 PM
"I'm looking forward to a long geeky relationship with you, guys, here in this forum"

I believe it was humbert who said that girls tend to be less geeky so there might not be other female members here, hence the geeky bonding comment with you guys...

Quote from: Maher
Replace the words in red with "girls" or "females"

;D I'm a woman.

Quote from: katana on June 01, 2012, 06:06 AM

Quote from: Shadow.97 on May 31, 2012, 01:18 PM
Explain please, are you here for the uhm sexual things? Or do i get you wrong?

Oh dear Pete, NO!  :o  Now, you must think I'm some kind of pervert...  :-[

Absolutely not!! Here on our forum, we pride ourselves on tolerance and respect, and we condemn those who discriminate against anyone for any reason. Rest assured the simple fact that you're a gay woman is meaningless and you are every bit as welcome and loved as anyone else. I can assure you you're going to learn quite a bit, and not just about computer-related matters. Here on the forum I've made great friends with people whose culture, religion and language are very different from mine. For me this is just great because it gives me the opportunity to learn more, not to even mention the friends I've made. I certainly hope you'll keep getting on and posting. In fact, in this brief time you've been with us, the way you come across in your posts somehow tells me I'm going to like you and you too will be not just my great friend, but that too of many others here as well.

Quote from: katana on June 01, 2012, 06:06 AM
I believe it was humbert who said that girls tend to be less geeky so there might not be other female members here, hence the geeky bonding comment with you guys...

Yes, you're right. Naturally I was generalizing. Usually when I make a statement such as this, I usually mean no less than 50%+1 of the population (i.e., a simple majority). I only say this because, given so many people, it's impossible to look at everyone individually.

Incidentally, whereabouts in your 7,000 island country do you live? Even it it's a small town, tell me anyway -- gone are the days when we had giant atlases to find places. Finding your city is a simple matter of opening another tab and going to Google maps. That's why on here nobody hesitates to name places simply because others might not know where they're located.

As all the guys know, I'm a very inquisitive guy. May I ask you NON-personal questions regarding your culture, country and even sexual orientation? Referring to the last 2 words in the previous sentence, take special notice what I wrote in blue.

Hope to see ya soon,

Quote from: BLADESHARK on June 04, 2012, 07:42 AM
So SWEET :-* of you ;D
For your info - I can't upload it via torrent because I don't have a Hardwired Internet Connection. :( :-[

Excuse me? You told us yourself you contact us from your bedroom. What's going on over there? ???

In the e-mails I receive and it's probably posted somewhere I haven't gotten to yet, our great leader explained his solid reasons for almost being forced to use those detestable file sharing sites. I often wondered why the profiteering gluttons don't target them, and now I know why -- they're no threat because their service is so lousy! Makes perfect sense to me.

(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused013.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Quote from: BLADESHARK on June 06, 2012, 12:48 PM
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused013.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

OK sweetie, let's see. What's got you all confused this morning?  :) ;) ;) :D 8)

@humbert

Hey! I've been kind of off the grid these past few days, went to my brother's and they didn't have net there...

I hope we'd be great friends in the future, too! I look forward to exchanging opinions & ideas with you, guys. I went to a university which has a pretty radical populace so I'd like to think of myself as very wide and open-minded in a lot of things, may it be culture, religion, beliefs and other things...

Before I let you ask away, did I come off as gay to you?  ;D Having asked that, you can now ask away, my friend!

Quote from: katana on June 07, 2012, 12:53 PM
I look forward to exchanging opinions & ideas with you, guys. I went to a university which has a pretty radical populace so I'd like to think of myself as very wide and open-minded in a lot of things, may it be culture, religion, beliefs and other things...

Believe me, you'll.
Just keep visiting this forum and read... You'll gain much about everything specially from our dear traveler friend "Humbert".  8)

Quote from: katana on June 07, 2012, 12:53 PM
Before I let you ask away, did I come off as gay to you?

I was the first one to reply to you on this forum, and from your introducing, I didn't notice anything except you're a new female member asking for other females.
Why did this matter become so big ?!!  ;) :D

Welcome back and Take care.  :)

Quote from: katana on June 07, 2012, 12:53 PM
@humbert
Hey! I've been kind of off the grid these past few days, went to my brother's and they didn't have net there...

KATANA!!!! I'm so happy to see you back! For a second I thought we'd scared you away or something. I think I'm going to be in your situation soon (i.e., no internet). I'm currently in Mexico (Sabinas Hidalgo) where there's still internet, but in Monterrey I might not have that luxury. Also, be advised as I have said so often, gone foever are the days when people had to have thick atlases in the house to locate a remote place. If you're curious to where the places I've mention are, it's a simple matter of opening another tab and going to Google maps. You'll locate me momentarily. Incidentally, what city in your 7,000 island nation do you live in? I'll locate you immediately, so be specific.

Quote from: katana on June 07, 2012, 12:53 PM
I hope we'd be great friends in the future, too! I look forward to exchanging opinions & ideas with you, guys. I went to a university which has a pretty radical populace so I'd like to think of myself as very wide and open-minded in a lot of things, may it be culture, religion, beliefs and other things...

Last time I said I thought I was going to like you. Feel free to delete the word "thought" from my comment. I don't "think" anymore, I "know"  :). We are all honored by your presence, and I strongly believe I speak for everyone else as well as myself. :) :)  Please keep logging in whenever you can.

Quote from: katana on June 07, 2012, 12:53 PM
Before I let you ask away, did I come off as gay to you?  ;D Having asked that, you can now ask away, my friend!

It all started when you asked if they were women. I believed you were a straight guy looking for a girl. Here on the forum we have no problem with this, but since we do mostly computing stuff, I simply felt it was a good idea to simply point you in the right direction. It was only later that you came back and clarified the situation for us, which is when I learned the truth. Regarding coming off as gay, with the vast majority of gay people you'd never imagine this was their sexual orientation. I've run into men that are affeminate and women that are "dikes"(no deratory implication), but even then, this is not proof positive of anything. As you might know, right now I'm in an uncomfortable position roasting in the unbearable heat, so when I get back home I'll ask you stuff. Incidentally, if anyone sees the temperature of this place, don't post it online, I don't want to know.

I'm BAACK!!! I missed this place! Been really busy, doing research, overseeing things, talking with some people and took some much needed R&R.

@Ahmad
I think it has to do with the fact I confuse a lot of people with things I say or do.  LOL Believe me, it's unintentional. I have my brain to blame for that, it's scattered all over.

(http://www.world-of-smilies.com/wos_auto/lol_vw.gif)

@humbert
I'm from Bicol Region. Where are you now, my traveler friend?

Quote from: katana on June 16, 2012, 11:12 AM
I'm BAACK!!! I missed this place! Been really busy, doing research, overseeing things, talking with some people and took some much needed R&R.

@Ahmad
I think it has to do with the fact I confuse a lot of people with things I say or do.  LOL Believe me, it's unintentional. I have my brain to blame for that, it's scattered all over.

@humbert
I'm from Bicol Region. Where are you now, my traveler friend?

KATANA!! So happy to have you back!

You said you confuse people? Hmm... maybe I don't know you that well, but here you've been very easy to understand and have never misled anyone. You're also extremely friendly and very charming when you post messages. As I've said many times, I like you very much and I'm delighted you're here.

As for me -- now I'm finally back home in San Antonio, TX (USA), which is where I live. The heat in Mexico was killing me - we're talking 42°C and higher during the day with no A/C until bedtime. Here in San Antonio it can get just as hot, BUT at least here A/C is everywhere you go and I can have mine on at home all day. If I tried to pull this stunt in northern Mexico, I'd have to file for bankrupcy because the government imposes stiff electricity taxes to subsidize the poorer South.

I found you on the map. What I didn't see was a town or city called "Bicol", it was a region with a national park not too far away. I haven't researched it, but I imagine Bicol National Park is a tropical forest chok full of insects, frogs, snakes, vampire bats and everything imaginable. Is there a town or city where you live?

You know, one thing that always intrigued me was the fact that, after nearly 400 years of Spanish occupation and when you consider that almost all Filipinos have Spanish names, that the language isn't spoken there. I researched the subject and found out why, and I was just shocked! The events that transpired after Dewey's invasion of Manila Bay in 1898 were simply deleted from history class. It's just incredible! I did learn that the goverment in Madrid established the "Instituto Cervantes de Manila" in an attempt to bring the language back (or at least try). Let's see what happens.

@humbert

I sympathize with you, I imagine that the temperature in Mexico is almost the same here in the Philippines. Today, it went as high as 39ºC! It's not just the heat but the humidity, as well... Hormones & humidity can get people really cranky!  ::)

QuoteI found you on the map. What I didn't see was a town or city called "Bicol", it was a region with a national park not too far away. I haven't researched it, but I imagine Bicol National Park is a tropical forest chok full of insects, frogs, snakes, vampire bats and everything imaginable. Is there a town or city where you live?

LOL I don't live in a tropical forest though I live in a little town in one of the provinces of Bicol Region.

We retained our own language though we borrowed some español words & phrases & integrated it in our native tongue. My eldest sister had a Spanish class in college, I used to pore over her activity manuals when I was still in grade school.  Some oldies still can speak & understand Spanish and there's a province in the south which uses a dialect similar to Spanish language though there might be some colloquial differences.

History is written or deleted depending on who wrote it and on which side that writer was.

Quote from: katana on June 24, 2012, 09:02 AM
@humbert
I sympathize with you, I imagine that the temperature in Mexico is almost the same here in the Philippines. Today, it went as high as 39ºC! It's not just the heat but the humidity, as well... Hormones & humidity can get people really cranky!  ::)

Katana! So nice to see you back. In a way you remind me of the Chief -- you are a person we'd love to have on here daily, however we also know you work and have your priorities, and accordingly this simply isn't possible.

Regarding the heat, tell me about it! The temp here today was also 39°C, with 40° to 42°C on tap for next week. The A/C here just doesn't stop. I'm terrified of my electric bill. As you correctly stated, over there it's far worse due to high humidity. I'm willing to bet the heat index over there approaches 50°C. At least here during mid-afternoon my hygrometer is reading 30% relative humidity, over there it's probably much higher.

Quote from: katana on June 24, 2012, 09:02 AM
LOL I don't live in a tropical forest though I live in a little town in one of the provinces of Bicol Region.

Oh no! What I was referring to was a place I saw on the map called "Bicol National Park", and I imagined it to be a tropical rain forest. Of course you live in a city, although I'm not 100% sure which. The Bicol region, however, is clearly on the map.

Quote from: katana on June 24, 2012, 09:02 AM
We retained our own language though we borrowed some español words & phrases & integrated it in our native tongue. My eldest sister had a Spanish class in college, I used to pore over her activity manuals when I was still in grade school.  Some oldies still can speak & understand Spanish and there's a province in the south which uses a dialect similar to Spanish language though there might be some colloquial differences.
History is written or deleted depending on who wrote it and on which side that writer was.

ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Here's a quick question - when was the last time you ever heard of a war criminal in a victorious army? I refuse to believe that in any war, the winners weren't guilty of sin. They were probably worse than the losers, but we'll never know.

I'm glad you brought this up because I want to pick your brains. Responding to what you said in another post, your are NOT boring me with Phillipine history, au contaire, I want to learn and most importantly, learn the truth. I'm familiar with the your overview of Phillipine history. What I want to know is something that either I was absent from school the day it was taught, or it was simply deleted from the curriculum. I refer to the events shortly preceding and especially after the American invasion in 1898. Somehow I'm beginning to think that the Americans were up to something nasty, and this had everything to do with the reason why today Spanish isn't spoken in the Phillipines. This contrasts with what happened in Puerto Rico and my native Cuba at about the same time. Nobody was mistreated, in fact, very much to the contrary. I often wonder if the simple fact that the majority of our population (and that of Puerto Rico) just happen to be causasian maybe have had something to do with it. I might add that to this very day, Spanish is very much the first language in Puerto Rico -- and the Americans have simply looked the other way.

I also heard somewhere that Madrid had established something called "Instituto Cervantes de Manila" (no translation necessary) in an effort to bring Spanish back. True? Also, somewhere recently I heard of someone named Emilio Aguinaldo. Ever heard of the man?

I'm asking you because I'm tired of looking up sources of information. Frankly, I don't know what to believe any more. I want to hear this from a real Filipina who, I believe, would be far closer to the truth. Now I'm the one who hopes isn't bothering YOU by asking so much - all I want is to learn the truth.

Quote from: humbert on June 25, 2012, 06:57 AM
Katana! So nice to see you back. In a way you remind me of the Chief -- you are a person we'd love to have on here daily...

I'm honored. Thank you! :)

Quote from: humbert on June 25, 2012, 06:57 AM
ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Here's a quick question - when was the last time you ever heard of a war criminal in a victorious army? I refuse to believe that in any war, the winners weren't guilty of sin. They were probably worse than the losers, but we'll never know.

I think they call them HEROES complete with medals and other such awards! It's a bit ironic, really.  :(

QuoteI'm glad you brought this up because I want to pick your brains.

I can feel the onset of a nosebleed already. Just kidding!  ;D

QuoteI refer to the events shortly preceding and especially after the American invasion in 1898.

The books where most Filipino children got their history knowledge were those distributed by the government in schools so I'm assuming that it was written based on a collective memory of some people who were given the authority to write what happened or what they thought happened. If someone comes out (or came out) with a different version of what transpired during those periods, people will initially have doubts regarding the credibility of that person or group since an entirely different version had been grilled to our memory ever since.

My history professor in college (she had a very radical outlook in life) once urged our class to read a book about the Commonwealth era, she said it was the closest we'll read of what really transpired during those years. Me, being a typical student, read only the part needed to survive her class & put it out of my mind until now.  :-[

QuoteInstituto Cervantes de Manila

I've heard of it or read of it in the news. It's a school/institution which teaches the Spanish language & culture located somewhere in Manila City. I don't think they (the Spanish Government) should worry about bringing back or teaching us their culture. It is very much embedded in who we are as people & as a country that even the new generation is still very much influenced by it.

Emilio Aguinaldo was one of the leaders of the revolutionaries against Spanish rule and the one who established the Republic.

I welcome the chance to use my brains again, it's been sitting in the corner accumulating dust lately.  ??? It's no bother, really. But I must apologize bcoz I'm rusty when it comes to history. I'm not much of a history buff though I had my nationalistic moments. :D

Do you reckon we won't be alienating other members with all this talk about my country's history and what-not?  :)

Thanx, Bladeshark for putting this under a different topic... :) I'll be more comfortable discussing anything else here.

Quote from: katana on June 25, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote from: humbert on June 25, 2012, 06:57 AM
Katana! So nice to see you back. In a way you remind me of the Chief -- you are a person we'd love to have on here daily...

I'm honored. Thank you! :)

I'm firmly convinced you're an extremely intelligent person and an asset to your forum. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm happy to have you with us.

Quote from: humbert on June 25, 2012, 06:57 AM
[I'm glad you brought this up because I want to pick your brains.

Quote from: katana on June 25, 2012, 10:24 AM
I can feel the onset of a nosebleed already. Just kidding!  ;D
I welcome the chance to use my brains again, it's been sitting in the corner accumulating dust lately.  ???

I'm probably the biggest brain picker around here :). You're my next victim ;) :D. Also, I know perfectly that nobody has all the answers. Just tell me what you know, never mind the rest. :-*

Quote from: katana on June 25, 2012, 10:24 AM
Do you reckon we won't be alienating other members with all this talk about my country's history and what-not?  :)

Don't worry! My friends here know me and I know them. They know all about my brain picking and so far if someone has objected, nobody's told me anything. My first victim was the Chief when here was here longer, followed the other guys (notably Ahmad). The only thing the Chief objects to is creating a situation where all this degenerates into a debate, and naturally proselytization. Not only do I faithfully follow the rule because the Chief said so, but more importantly because we see eye to eye on this matter. I despise proselytization, it's disrespect multiplied by a factor of 10.

Loved to be a victim, buddy.  ;D

Quote from: Ahmad on June 27, 2012, 08:14 AM
Loved to be a victim, buddy.  ;D

I appreciate that very much :)! There have been times when I thought I was just taking up your valuable time. Please know that all you've done is teach and enlighten me, and I owe you a debt of gratitude. Naturally the very same applies to all who've been kind enough to do the same.

Quote from: humbert on June 29, 2012, 01:35 AM
I appreciate that very much :)! There have been times when I thought I was just taking up your valuable time. Please know that all you've done is teach and enlighten me, and I owe you a debt of gratitude. Naturally the very same applies to all who've been kind enough to do the same.

I've learnt a lot from you, so it's me who thank you for this.
Love you, buddy. :)

hello  there all! my name is Cochise and i am from Washington, DC. in the short time that i've been visiting this site i've gained some invaluable knowledge and insight by reading the forums. thank you all very much.

Quote from: cochisedc on June 29, 2012, 10:16 PM
hello  there all! my name is Cochise and i am from Washington, DC. in the short time that i've been visiting this site i've gained some invaluable knowledge and insight by reading the forums. thank you all very much.

Hi Cochise! I'm really glad you like it here. Stick around and you'll learn much more. Our diversity is what makes us so great and gives us the chance to learn from each other. You're probably the 2nd person here who lives in America (I'm the 1st)  :). Welcome to our world.

Quote from: humbert on June 27, 2012, 04:16 AM
I'm firmly convinced you're an extremely intelligent person and an asset to your forum. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm happy to have you with us.

Oh, thanx! You just fed my ego a big chunk of something really tasty!!!  ;D ;D ;D

QuoteI'm probably the biggest brain picker around here :). You're my next victim ;) :D. :-*

:o *starts running as fast and as far as I can* :o

QuoteDon't worry! My friends here know me and I know them. They know all about my brain picking and so far if someone has objected, nobody's told me anything. My first victim was the Chief when here was here longer, followed the other guys (notably Ahmad). The only thing the Chief objects to is creating a situation where all this degenerates into a debate, and naturally proselytization. Not only do I faithfully follow the rule because the Chief said so, but more importantly because we see eye to eye on this matter. I despise proselytization, it's disrespect multiplied by a factor of 10.

;D I was about to say "poor them" but I believe that "brain picking" is a good activity to enhance our ability to reason & practice logical thinking. Both parties tend to learn a lot from brain picking sessions however bloody it becomes. :D But you have to do all the asking since I sometimes tend to "just answer" & not ask questions back. Mostly I gather conclusions by observation.

Can't properly pronounce the word but I share your views in proselytization. It's something that I wish educated & civilized people won't do since it usually pulls their respectability & integrity in my eyes a couple of pegs down.

Quote from: cochisedc on June 29, 2012, 10:16 PM
hello  there all! my name is Cochise and i am from Washington, DC. in the short time that i've been visiting this site i've gained some invaluable knowledge and insight by reading the forums. thank you all very much.

Hi, Cochise! Nice to meet you here!

QuoteI'm probably the biggest brain picker around here :). You're my next victim ;) :D. :-*

Lol... Humbert, stop frightening a girl.  ;D

Quote from: katana on July 19, 2012, 12:06 PM
;D I was about to say "poor them" but I believe that "brain picking" is a good activity to enhance our ability to reason & practice logical thinking. Both parties tend to learn a lot from brain picking sessions however bloody it becomes. :D But you have to do all the asking since I sometimes tend to "just answer" & not ask questions back. Mostly I gather conclusions by observation.
Can't properly pronounce the word but I share your views in proselytization. It's something that I wish educated & civilized people won't do since it usually pulls their respectability & integrity in my eyes a couple of pegs down.

Katana, you're very cool and I'm glad you're back. Surely you were away for all this time due to the fact that you either had to work or had other priorities which took up your time. Naturally this is understandable. The Chief is in the same situation.

I'm not surprised you share my logic on what we've talked about. Someone as smart as you knows better. :)

I saw the awesome name Daniil suggested for your business. When I saw it, I fell in love with it immediately. In my opinion, the name simply blew away all other competitors. What if on your logo you put a heart (or a kiss symbol) with a computer in front overlapping it, placed slightly south-east of the center. Incidentally, like I asked Daniil, what goods or services does your business provide?

No Daniil, if Katana runs off I don't think it'll be my fault :) :)

Quote from: Daniil on July 19, 2012, 07:22 PM

QuoteI'm probably the biggest brain picker around here :). You're my next victim ;) :D. :-*

Lol... Humbert, stop frightening a girl.  ;D

No problem, Daniil. You're probably on his list next after me!!! LOL  ;D :D ;D

Quote from: humbert on July 20, 2012, 05:49 AM
Katana, you're very cool and I'm glad you're back. Surely you were away for all this time due to the fact that you either had to work or had other priorities which took up your time. Naturally this is understandable. The Chief is in the same situation.

I'm not surprised you share my logic on what we've talked about. Someone as smart as you knows better. :)

I saw the awesome name Daniil suggested for your business. When I saw it, I fell in love with it immediately. In my opinion, the name simply blew away all other competitors. What if on your logo you put a heart (or a kiss symbol) with a computer in front overlapping it, placed slightly south-east of the center. Incidentally, like I asked Daniil, what goods or services does your business provide?

No Daniil, if Katana runs off I don't think it'll be my fault :) :)

Sorry, I'm not on here as much as I want to.  :( I found out that it's hard to start a business. I haven't even finished the business plan & there are other things which needed attention, it's just crazy! And we haven't even started yet! But, I'm hoping that once we're up and running, I won't be doing so many things all at once anymore.

Yeah!  ;) Daniil's suggestion is really interesting! It has a naughty connotation (K.I.S.S.) which will really attract people's attention. It's fairly short so anybody can easily remember it while at the same time, it's kinda visual. Thanx, Daniil! I've found a marketing expert in you!  :-*

If my partners choose the name, the logo is certainly going to be the kiss symbol but it is made of bits & binary numbers.

By the way, we will be offering encoding, photocopying & printing, Id lamination, School Supplies, Rush ID services, Photography, Computer Parts Retail, Hardware-Software Installation, Network Troubleshooting, HDD Format/Reformat. Do you think the "IT" in K.I.S.S. will be justified by our services?

LOL I won't be running off anytime soon, humbert. No worries.

@Daniil

Along with my very limited knowledge of your country, the word "Russia" conjures vast plains & rolling hills in my mind! I guess I got that from a book I once read, can't remember it's title & I can't find it though I've tried to. It was about an English Engineer's life who worked in Moscow before & during the Revolution and his beloved whom he met when he traveled to the Caucasus.

:D ;D ;D ;D :D

@katana
Yeah, you're really right, it's very hard to start a business. :P First, the huge pack of "Yet Another License", and you must pay (in Russia, at least) for almost every of them.  >:( Then, the banks, they don't want to give you any mony, even you have just brilliant buisness plan.  >:(

I can say that my business was started as effective business 1 month ago and if strictly follow the laws, it can names illegal - I have no licenses. Here is so difficult to get a license that I at one day looked into my pockets, couldn't found any money there, and said "To hell all of that papers!", and go and start to work with customers. :) Well, no license, yes - but, among customers, who cares?

If you will provide all of this things, IT in you brand is just in place.  :D
Maybe it can be useful to create a "Remote printer". It may give an additional profit.

@Daniil

Yeah, it really is hard. I think the process of registering and getting it started in a legal way is more tiring & stressful than managing it when you're already up and running. Actually, I've been running the same business from home since last year along with a childhood friend but it's very small scale. This one where I've asked for name suggestions will be legal (with all the necessary papers & licenses) and will be at a prime spot. I've already built a small client base from our home business. This one I'm partnering with a couple of friends who can finance it coz as you said it's hard to ask for a loan from banks. They're just too cautious which, really, I can fault them for that though it can get really frustrating for us.  :'(

What is a remote printer, by the way?

Quote from: katana on July 20, 2012, 11:05 AM
@Daniil

Along with my very limited knowledge of your country, the word "Russia" conjures vast plains & rolling hills in my mind! I guess I got that from a book I once read, can't remember it's title & I can't find it though I've tried to. It was about an English Engineer's life who worked in Moscow before & during the Revolution and his beloved whom he met when he traveled to the Caucasus.

:D ;D ;D ;D :D

Yes, I've heared about that book, but can't remember tha name and the author. As to your knowledge about Russia - it is slightly far from real. A long vast plains is on south about 500-1000 km southern than Moscow. Here on the north-west of Russia is cold forests and dark swamps, with small, poor villages and great sullen cities. Here is great factories, and large military plants, and other big industry objects, from here to Northern Ural. Petersburg is at the center of this land, with highways and railroads thrown from it like a steely tentacles of a Kraken. North-West is grim land, but with it's own dim sullen beauty.
As for me, I too have very limited knowledges of your country. When I hear "Philippines" I started to think about white sand, and ocean, and palms on the sandy beach... And as I can remember, there on your islands was a fights between Americans and Japanies at Pacific War. I can say more, it's hard to me even to imagine how you look like.

Quote from: katana on July 20, 2012, 11:05 AM
Yeah, it really is hard. I think the process of registering and getting it started in a legal way is more tiring & stressful than managing it when you're already up and running. Actually, I've been running the same business from home since last year along with a childhood friend but it's very small scale. This one where I've asked for name suggestions will be legal (with all the necessary papers & licenses) and will be at a prime spot. I've already built a small client base from our home business. This one I'm partnering with a couple of friends who can finance it coz as you said it's hard to ask for a loan from banks. They're just too cautious which, really, I can fault them for that though it can get really frustrating for us.  :'(

What is a remote printer, by the way?

You are right again. In your situation you have a good "platform for start" coz your friends can finance your startup. I have no such friends, and find a starting capital is the most difficult question for me. I based on my expirience in IT and computers - before starting a business, I worked for some years on a great military plant as IT director.

Well, remote printer is a web printing solution. I think about creating this service in St.Petersburg. Look, let's imagine that you are a student. It's a 02:00 AM, and you creating an important course work for tomorrow examination. You type the last dot, click "Print", and... "No ink" error. FFFFFRRUSTRATION!!!111  ;D
But there is remote printer! You go to webpage of remote printer, upload your document there, and pay with webmoney (or by card, or through PayPal, not means).  Then, you'll got a numeric code (to your browser, or to your cell phone). Then you can go to Remote Printer Office - well, a table with printer and touchscreen display somewhere in 24-h supermarket or something like this. You type your code on  touchscreen, and a printer prints your document. (And I, as an owner of RP, got my PROFIT $$$  ::))
Somehow like this. Understanding me?  ;)

I agree with you, Russia is much more than my romantic notion of it. The most I know about it is from what I've seen of it's seemingly vast area on the world atlas, the movie Rasputin and from my readings of the Orthodox religion. For such a big country with a long history, I'm sure every plain, desert, cities & tundras have their own share of stories. Maybe, if I'm fortunate enough to travel one of these days, I'll learn & see some of your vast but fascinating country.

Being in the tropics and consisting of more than 7000 islands, Philippines has too many sands - some white, some not too white, and dotted with palm trees! It's a beautiful place but just like your country, it also has it's ugly side. We've been run by misguided puppets & corrupt people for so long that sometimes we think that corruption is just a way of life!  >:( :'( >:(

Uhmm... I look like just about any average Asian girl though my hair's really curly & frizzy. My avatar's a good representation just lighter skin (didn't bother to edit it, you see).

I'm very thankful that I have enterprising friends who are interested in doing business with me. And I'm hoping that they won't change their minds. :) I've worked in this kind of business before when I temporarily stopped my studies, the owners were old friends & they needed someone they can leave behind whenever they're out of town, guess I fit the job description so I got hired. After I finished college, I briefly worked in a gov't office as a clerk though I did almost all the techy issues.

Yeah. I get the gist. Remote printing is a great business idea, problem is, we're in a province and people here are not really in PayPal or credit cards. But, I think it can still be done using a different mode of payment & with a slightly different approach. Hmmm... I'll have to keep the original idea of our business though, I need it to up and running soon before I start thinking promos.

Thanx for your ideas & time, Daniil! :-*

Quote from: katana on July 21, 2012, 01:44 PM
Being in the tropics and consisting of more than 7000 islands, Philippines has too many sands - some white, some not too white, and dotted with palm trees! It's a beautiful place but just like your country, it also has it's ugly side. We've been run by misguided puppets & corrupt people for so long that sometimes we think that corruption is just a way of life!  >:( :'( >:(

Name me a country on this planet that can claim it has zero corruption. Corruption is as human as laughing or crying.

Quote from: katana on July 21, 2012, 01:44 PM
Uhmm... I look like just about any average Asian girl though my hair's really curly & frizzy. My avatar's a good representation just lighter skin (didn't bother to edit it, you see).

Asian girls (and guys) generally have straight hair. Is your curly, frizzy hair due to what's in your genes or to a hairdresser who did it that way?

BTW, I also had never heard of remote printing. To my knowledge there's nothing like that here.

@ katana
Romance is always near you, it's not a thing or a place, it's a feeling. Russia is big, and I promise, if you come here, somewhere you can catch those romantic feeling from your notion. :)
And, btw, Rasputin was killed not far from building where was my first workplace.

Ah, tropics and palm trees... It sounds like joke, but last time I swam in warm sea almost 10 years ago... And you can have that at any day. :) As for corruption - I can say that in Russia also too much of this crap to feel good.  :( >:( Every day in news - somwhere caught one of official, somewhere caught another... Now punishment for bribe is 25 years of prison, but they don't stop...

If you looks like a bit like your avatar, you look very exotic and interesting, as for me. :) You said that you did tech issues in office - where did you learn computer knowledges? By youself, or studied somewhere?

As for remote printing - this is new technology, and I'm just "develop" it. Well, in fact there is nothing rare or specific - Printer + Linux-based print server + web portal/web "store". Connect it all together, and we get a new tech.

Quote from: Daniil on July 25, 2012, 11:37 PM
Romance is always near you, it's not a thing or a place, it's a feeling. Russia is big, and I promise, if you come here, somewhere you can catch those romantic feeling from your notion. :)
And, btw, Rasputin was killed not far from building where was my first workplace.

Rasputin was one hell of a guy. He probably screwed half of Russia's women, and quite possibly the Tsaritsa plus all 4 grand duchesses! Does anyone know how he was able to get Alexei to stop bleeding?

Quote from: Daniil on July 25, 2012, 11:37 PM
Ah, tropics and palm trees... It sounds like joke, but last time I swam in warm sea almost 10 years ago... And you can have that at any day.

DON'T SAY THAT! ;) I've lived almost all my life in tropical environments and it's NO FUN. The heat and humidity are constant and incessant. In Miami we used to pray for a winter cold front to drop the temperature to maybe 10°C. And of course the number of insects is incredible. If you don't fumigate regularly your house will be eaten by ants and roaches, some being 5 to 6 cm in size. Little lizards enter your house constantly. They are harmless to humans but since they're beneficial nobody does anything to stop them. The only thing is you're there eating dinner and see a lizard crawling on your wall.

Quote from: Daniil on July 25, 2012, 11:37 PM
:) As for corruption - I can say that in Russia also too much of this crap to feel good.  :( >:( Every day in news - somwhere caught one of official, somewhere caught another... Now punishment for bribe is 25 years of prison, but they don't stop...

What country has no corruption? Not even the cleanest countries in the world (Finland and Denmark) are 100% corruption free.

@ humbert
Well, humbert, not a half, and even not a half of womans from Tscar's family. Maybe only Tscaritsca. I don't know exactly how he was able to "whisper down" bleedings, but sometimes in Russia (and I think, all over the world in fact) some peoples can do some strange things. Maybe this is a mental mutation, or something like this, but it gives a man unexplained powers...

Next, to talk about heat and warm weather.
In fact, I'm really hate heat, just as you. And if you say that "heat" is 35C-45C - for me "heat" is any more than 23C. :) I like to the cold and clouds. But for a one or two weeks - beaches, and sea... Eh... And girls in bikini...  ::) Yes, girls in rich furs on a white snow background looks very, very nice and cute, but, sometimes...  ::) Eh... Lol...  ;D ;D ;D
And maybe it's because we had rainy weather and +13C for a week... Damn, it's summer or not, at the end point?

A tropical insects which you mentioned really terrifying me. But on the seashore - there is windy, they'll blown out? Or no?

And all you said about winter in Piter is right. Somethimes here is really beautiful. Mostly at second part of winter, when there is more sunny days, and a bit frosty, about -10 .. - 15... But even in snowy days here may be really beautifull and specific weather, for example "no shadows serenity". It is when falls very-very small snow, almost like fog, but a fog "consists from ice". All becomes white, there is no shadows, and you can not understand, how far is one or another thing, and any sounds are bit muted. Cars move slower, all covers with big snow piles, all metal and stone things - roofs, streetlamps, granite walls and sculptures, parked cars - is covered with snow "fur".

As for words you told about War - legends of 1 rifle for 3 men - is not quite correct.  >:( Situation with 1 rifle for three man was only at the end of 1941, when Moscow Defending Operation begun. That was most hard time of all War, when there was regrouping of military factories and plants, when they was departured from european part of Russia and rebuilded near Ural. In Stalingrad there was just... Mass massacre with millions of casualities. Faschists wanted to destroy the city, because in that case they could force the Volga river (and got a free path to made a ring around Moscow and a path to Caucasian and Kazakhstan oil (i.e. gasoline)), and also they wanted to destroy city very much because it could be a psycological victory - destroy the Steel City, the City of Stalin.
But in Stalingrad there was a victory, so the casualities was acceptable and this battle is now well known. And there is much more horrible and dark pages of War history, very less known. Have you heared about Sinyavino operation, or about Meat Forest or Bone Swamps? Or about burned out belt?

Quote from: Daniil on July 25, 2012, 11:37 PM
@ katana
Romance is always near you, it's not a thing or a place, it's a feeling. Russia is big, and I promise, if you come here, somewhere you can catch those romantic feeling from your notion. :)
And, btw, Rasputin was killed not far from building where was my first workplace.

Hmmm... Russia is definitely one of my future destinations! :)
It must have been awe-inspiring for you to be near a history-driven place. I mean, in as much as there are many conflicting stories about him, Rasputin is part of your history and Russia won't be what it is today without the things which happened during Rasputin's time.

QuoteAh, tropics and palm trees... It sounds like joke, but last time I swam in warm sea almost 10 years ago... And you can have that at any day. :) As for corruption - I can say that in Russia also too much of this crap to feel good.  :( >:( Every day in news - somwhere caught one of official, somewhere caught another... Now punishment for bribe is 25 years of prison, but they don't stop...

I sympathize with you... When two kids from the mountains lived with us for a couple of months, we brought them to the beach to celebrate one of my niece's birthday, the youngest kid didn't want to go near the water because she said she was afraid. We later learned that it was the first time she saw a shore!!! There were lakes & rivers in the mountain where they lived but apparently their parents didn't have the means to take them to the beach even though the nearest one was only about 15 miles away.

Regarding corruption, events in your country closely mirror what's happening in mine. It's so rampant & those who are doing it don't even have the decency not to be blatant about it. For example, if you go to a government office to have something processed, people there won't even look at your papers if they know that you didn't put money somewhere in it!!!  >:( :( Others are just so thick-faced and tell you outright that if you give them money, your transaction will be finished in no time at all! It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth just thinking about it.

QuoteIf you looks like a bit like your avatar, you look very exotic and interesting, as for me.  You said that you did tech issues in office - where did you learn computer knowledges? By youself, or studied somewhere?

I had to laugh to this. Pardon me. Exotic for me is when foreigners refer to Asians/natives/mixed blood which don't look like them or something which is unusual for them - which I guess is what it really means. I'm sorry, it was just that way with me & my friends, we have a good laugh about it sometimes. But I know that you meant it as a compliment. Thank you! :)
Is that really you on your avatar? You're very handsome!  :-*

I took Computer Science in college though mostly it was software & programming. I learned to tinker with comp hardware installation & configuration when I worked in my friends' shop, I also took a short course in computer hardware servicing offered by one of the government's organizations... Plus, I have what I call my elite circle of friends (all men) who are as geeky as they come when it comes to computers. When I see them, all we talk about are computers and things related to it that sometimes I wish there's another female in the group just to see & hear an opinion from the same gender. & of course, through experience. :)

QuoteAs for remote printing - this is new technology, and I'm just "develop" it. Well, in fact there is nothing rare or specific - Printer + Linux-based print server + web portal/web "store". Connect it all together, and we get a new tech.

I have thought of something similar... When they don't have the time to personally come, they can email their files, pick it up & pay at a later time or I'll just bring it to where they are...

Quote from: humbert on July 22, 2012, 06:01 AM
Name me a country on this planet that can claim it has zero corruption. Corruption is as human as laughing or crying.

Corruption is human nature... Nobody's perfectly innocent but if you'd seen or witnessed what it's like here, you'd understand.

QuoteAsian girls (and guys) generally have straight hair. Is your curly, frizzy hair due to what's in your genes or to a hairdresser who did it that way?

There are indigenous people here called Aetas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeta_peoples), who are, I believe, closely related to the Aborigines of Australia... Somewhere, somewhen, one of them must have been my ancestor. :) Nothing I do will make my hair behave as I want it. Along the way, I got tired of coiffing it the way I want that I just left it to grow the way it wants... I now have a head full of it!

Katana: If you think corruption is bad in the Phillipines, you haven't been to Colombia. Over there corruption is the only thing that works and doing things legally is next to impossible. In Miami where I used to live, it's out of control.

Now it makes perfect sense where you get your curly hair. One of your ancestors was a Aeta or probably an Australian Aborigine.

Daniil: As far as I know, Hitler's battle plan at Stalingrad was not just to capture the Man of Steel's city, but to reach the other side of the Volga. This would effective cut Russia in two and give him access to both the oil fields in the Caucasus and to launch an attack on Moscow. As we all know, Zhukov beat him with the two-pronged attack to Rostov, which left Hitler's army isolated in a pocket where they eventually froze to death.

I WISH summertime temps were 23°C during the day! Here it's about 38°. In Miami temps rarely exceed 35°, but the high humidity will absolutely kill you. Naturally, insects, reptiles and amphibians just love it. In my yard over there had toads the size of your hand, salamanders, lizards, red ants that sting, and goodness knows what else.  Also, sure there are girls in bikinis and even a nude beach, but after a while you get tired of that. Personally I prefer a pool to the ocean - I just don't like the salt and the bright sunshine plus the intense sunburn it produces.

Ahmad: I'm surprised to see you on here. The Chief said he wasn't logging in as often due to Ramadan. I wonder if it's OK for you to continue to be with us during the holy month. I'm thinking the Chief's hesitation might not be due to Islamic rules.

He also told me that for Muslims having a beard is mandatory - in fact it's not even permitted to trim it. Do you have an untrimmed beard also?

I commented with him that if it were possible, I'd love to ask President Morsi why he trims his beard. Of course it's possible he may not be as devout as you or the Chief, but what confuses me is that he represents an Islamist party. Even though he has promised no sharia law for Egypt, I'd imagine he'd be under pressure from his party members to follow Islamic law more closely.

As usual, just curious. ;)

@ katana
Thank you for back compliment, girl. :) Really nice and interesting to talk with you.

If speak about corruption - it just causes hate and annoys. Sometimes I think that it'll be better if government's services becomes payware, in that case we can just have a fixed table of bribes, for the end...

If about historical places - whole Piter is one big historical place. Anywhere in center of the city you can make 100 steps and found a next famous place. :) Black and red stone, well-known light yellow "classical" buildings, and gold of Imperial churchs and Soviet emblems everywhere. And any place can tell a story - about Emperor family, about crazy Lenin, about Great War or about poets and artists of city. :)

Very nice and interesting to talk with a girl about computers. And what config (hardware) of your PC?

@ humbert
Crossing the Volga couldn't cut Russia in halves, it could cut an oil transportation from Caucasus, and Kaspian sea shore. And not Zhukov beat Friedrich Paulus army, but Vasilevsky. Zhukov in fact was only a field commander, who only could roar loudly and "throw yet another thousand into battle", but knew very little in science of strategy and tactics.

If about heat and ocean - pool is good, but ocean smells great.  ;D
And I, just at Tuesday, found a way to reduce heat here in room without a conditioner. Blinds made from metallized cloth! Take a two large piece of cloth, take a metalized duct tape, and ducttaping the cloth! :)  It reflects most of sun rays, and in a room temperature is at 5 - 8 degrees less than without them. In +30C here, in my workroom, was 23C. :)

@ humbert
And some more, before I forget.

I can name you a country without corruption. ;D ;) North Korea! ;D ;D ;D No corruption, no crime, no drugs and prostitution... Food is also not.  ;D ;D ;D

And, humbert, where you work, i mean, what is your profession?

Daniil - according to the Corruption Perceptions Index of 2011, North Korea is the 2nd most corrupt country on Earth - only Somalia is worse! It's clear that the fact that the conditions in North Korea are deplorable is no deterrent to corruption, if fact it just makes it worse.

As for me, I worked for many years at a company that sold refrigeration and A/C parts and equipment. In 2006 I came down with cancer, but managed to escape after some very rough chemotherapy and radiation. When I returned to my job, I found that I had been essentially replaced and there was nothing more to do. They retired me and I'm now living on a government pension, plus a part of what my mother collected from selling her share of the company.

As for the war, the historical inaccuracies are incredible. I never heard of Vasilevsky despite the fact that he was the true hero of Stalingrad. Was Zhukov Stalin's kissass or what? I imagine he must have been, he (and Vasilevsky) both managed to survive Stalin's bloody purges. Also, by "cut Russia in two" I meant exactly what you said, i.e., create a situation where the north and south would be essentially separated at Stalingrad.

I'm curious as to how you got your little A/C to work. Certainly the shade blocks the heat from the sun, but if your room is already hot it won't cool it down. Let me ask you - what are the typical nighttime temperatures in St Petersburg - or at least where you live? Also, how often does the temp reach 30°C or higher?

Very interesting everything else you posted about St Petersburg. Let me ask you - when did it become Russia's capital? I know the Bolsheviks moved the capital back to Moscow in 1917, and I also know Napoleon went after Moscow precisely because it was the capital - so obviously at one time someone must have changed the capital from Moscow to St Pete.

Quote from: humbert on August 05, 2012, 06:54 AM
Daniil - according to the Corruption Perceptions Index of 2011, North Korea is the 2nd most corrupt country on Earth - only Somalia is worse! It's clear that the fact that the conditions in North Korea are deplorable is no deterrent to corruption, if fact it just makes it worse.

Oh!.. Well, actually, it was expected. Socialism cannot exist without corruption, in USSR there was the same...

Quote from: humbert on August 05, 2012, 06:54 AM
As for me, I worked for many years at a company that sold refrigeration and A/C parts and equipment. In 2006 I came down with cancer, but managed to escape after some very rough chemotherapy and radiation. When I returned to my job, I found that I had been essentially replaced and there was nothing more to do. They retired me and I'm now living on a government pension, plus a part of what my mother collected from selling her share of the company.

Sympathy to you, buddy.

Quote from: humbert on August 05, 2012, 06:54 AM
As for the war, the historical inaccuracies are incredible. I never heard of Vasilevsky despite the fact that he was the true hero of Stalingrad. Was Zhukov Stalin's kissass or what? I imagine he must have been, he (and Vasilevsky) both managed to survive Stalin's bloody purges. Also, by "cut Russia in two" I meant exactly what you said, i.e., create a situation where the north and south would be essentially separated at Stalingrad.

Well, actually Stalin used them two like a parts of one mechanism. Vasilevsky was a "brain" of the company, he was a strategical genius and served as Chief of Staff. Also, as can be expected in USSR, he was a classified person, and most of peoples never even heared about him.  Zhukov was a Stalin's "scarecrow for naughty children", like a very big comissar. If somewhere begun another great massacre, Stalin was needs someone for terrorizing officers, to maintain the rate of advance. And Zhukov was a best person for that - violent, aggressive, angry, and ready to shot anyone who dare to contradict.
So, Vasilevsky invents the plans, and Zhukov had provide them to life.

Quote from: humbert on August 05, 2012, 06:54 AM
I'm curious as to how you got your little A/C to work. Certainly the shade blocks the heat from the sun, but if your room is already hot it won't cool it down. Let me ask you - what are the typical nighttime temperatures in St Petersburg - or at least where you live? Also, how often does the temp reach 30°C or higher?

The idea of "reflecting blinds" is to reflect sun rays and heat. Well, sun here in St.Petersburg is lower to horizon than somewhere at the south, and it rays flow into a room under angle. They heats floor very fast. If we set up a standart, "cloth only" blinds, they blocks direct light, but they'll be heated and will transfer heat into a room. But if we set up my blinds with metallic foil cover, they blocks the direct light, and also they reflects sunrays and not be heated. And they don't transfer heat into a room. One detail - we must raise foil blinds early in morning, before sun turns to windows.
In summer here typical night temperatures is about +18 - +20 C. At day temp rises to +25 ... +27, rare more than +30.

Quote from: humbert on August 05, 2012, 06:54 AM
Very interesting everything else you posted about St Petersburg. Let me ask you - when did it become Russia's capital? I know the Bolsheviks moved the capital back to Moscow in 1917, and I also know Napoleon went after Moscow precisely because it was the capital - so obviously at one time someone must have changed the capital from Moscow to St Pete.

St.Pete becomes a capital in 1703.

Quote from: Daniil on August 05, 2012, 10:25 AM
Oh!.. Well, actually, it was expected. Socialism cannot exist without corruption, in USSR there was the same...

True, but keep in mind that corruption is everywhere. Even the cleanest country according to this report (New Zealand) isn't 100% free of it.

Quote from: Daniil on August 05, 2012, 10:25 AM
Sympathy to you, buddy.

Thank you. Fortunately, I'm OK. My health is fine, the cancer never returned and, while I am not rich, I do eat every day.  :)

Quote from: Daniil on August 05, 2012, 10:25 AM
Well, actually Stalin used them two like a parts of one mechanism. Vasilevsky was a "brain" of the company, he was a strategical genius and served as Chief of Staff. Also, as can be expected in USSR, he was a classified person, and most of peoples never even heared about him.  Zhukov was a Stalin's "scarecrow for naughty children", like a very big comissar. If somewhere begun another great massacre, Stalin was needs someone for terrorizing officers, to maintain the rate of advance. And Zhukov was a best person for that - violent, aggressive, angry, and ready to shot anyone who dare to contradict.
So, Vasilevsky invents the plans, and Zhukov had provide them to life.

That's interesting. Stalin did a very good job of hiding Vasilevsky. I never even heard that name except from you. By comparizon, Zhukov is on every show about the war. I even remember watching a victory celebration is Moscow - Zhukov was riding a beautiful white horse. It was explained that Stalin was afraid of falling off the horse if he had ridden it.

Quote from: Daniil on August 05, 2012, 10:25 AM
The idea of "reflecting blinds" is to reflect sun rays and heat. Well, sun here in St.Petersburg is lower to horizon than somewhere at the south, and it rays flow into a room under angle. They heats floor very fast. If we set up a standart, "cloth only" blinds, they blocks direct light, but they'll be heated and will transfer heat into a room. But if we set up my blinds with metallic foil cover, they blocks the direct light, and also they reflects sunrays and not be heated. And they don't transfer heat into a room. One detail - we must raise foil blinds early in morning, before sun turns to windows.
In summer here typical night temperatures is about +18 - +20 C. At day temp rises to +25 ... +27, rare more than +30.

Preventing the sun's heat from getting in is certainly very important to keep your room from getting hot. In your case, given the fact that it's not too hot, the room cools off at night pretty fast, and especially if the sky is clear. I envy your summertime night temps - here summertime night temps are 26° to 28° - day is 38° to 40°. Without the A/C you're dead, especially since houses here don't have a tropical construction.

Quote from: Daniil on August 05, 2012, 10:25 AM
St.Pete becomes a capital in 1703.

Why did Napolean go after Moscow in the early 1800's if St Pete was the capital? In those days invading armies almost always went after the capital first since doing so would effectively knock out the enemy's government and put his resistance in disarray.

QuoteKatana: If you think corruption is bad in the Phillipines, you haven't been to Colombia. Over there corruption is the only thing that works and doing things legally is next to impossible. In Miami where I used to live, it's out of control.

Yeah, it's bad here. I have seen people here who practice it while justifying their actions without compunction. Some acquaintances, even friends, do it like it's normal. Somehow I believe that corruption is as rampant in Colombia as it is in my country. I have seen & read it in the news, though I know that there are always other sides of the stories that reach the outsiders.

lol We both sound really jaded, no?

QuoteAs for me, I worked for many years at a company that sold refrigeration and A/C parts and equipment. In 2006 I came down with cancer, but managed to escape after some very rough chemotherapy and radiation. When I returned to my job, I found that I had been essentially replaced and there was nothing more to do. They retired me and I'm now living on a government pension, plus a part of what my mother collected from selling her share of the company.

You have my sympathies. I lost relatives & close friends from cancer. I cannot even begin to imagine what you went through.  :( But I hope all's well with you now.

Quote from: Daniil on August 03, 2012, 11:42 PM@katana
Thank you for back compliment, girl. :) Really nice and interesting to talk with you.

If speak about corruption - it just causes hate and annoys. Sometimes I think that it'll be better if government's services becomes payware, in that case we can just have a fixed table of bribes, for the end...

If about historical places - whole Piter is one big historical place. Anywhere in center of the city you can make 100 steps and found a next famous place. :) Black and red stone, well-known light yellow "classical" buildings, and gold of Imperial churchs and Soviet emblems everywhere. And any place can tell a story - about Emperor family, about crazy Lenin, about Great War or about poets and artists of city. :)

Very nice and interesting to talk with a girl about computers. And what config (hardware) of your PC?

Hi there, Daniil! Pardon me if sometimes I become absorbed with my opinions. :)

History is an inspiring subject. With it, we learn so many things from our past but it branches out to so many occurrences & events that it sometimes become daunting. I wish I have my bro's penchant for history, he can talk anything about your history. One day... I may visit Russia. One day...

I will agree with you on that one if I come across another girl who will talk about computers & other things related to it all day just like some of my boy friends...

Oh. The one I'm using right now is a really old model, I think it's even extinct! Built by Samsung, one of their DeskTop System models. It runs on Chief Maher's XP with Pentium 4 3GHz, 1 Gb RAM, only 80Gb HDD. Kinda hate it...  :)

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
Yeah, it's bad here. I have seen people here who practice it while justifying their actions without compunction. Some acquaintances, even friends, do it like it's normal. Somehow I believe that corruption is as rampant in Colombia as it is in my country. I have seen & read it in the news, though I know that there are always other sides of the stories that reach the outsiders.

In Colombia [for example], the authorities do nothing more than create problems and threaten you with getting into trouble. That is, of course, until you take the guy to a corner and grease the wheel. From the very start they're looking for a bribe. One thing that causes this is the low pay and horrible conditions under which these guys work. If they don't solicit bribes, simply putting food on the table becomes difficult.

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
lol We both sound really jaded, no?

Naaah... I enjoy all this. Helps to vent frustration :).

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
You have my sympathies. I lost relatives & close friends from cancer. I cannot even begin to imagine what you went through.  :( But I hope all's well with you now.

I too lost my father to pancreatic cancer some 12 years ago. Sitting there and helplessly watching him die was no fun. Fortunately, I was luckier - the treatment was rough, but it worked and eliminated the cancer entirely. Doctors say that if by now - 6 years later - the cancer hasn't come back, it probably won't.

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
If speak about corruption - it just causes hate and annoys. Sometimes I think that it'll be better if government's services becomes payware, in that case we can just have a fixed table of bribes, for the end...

This would probably do it, but only it would create a situation where those who receive the bribes get a decent salary and better working conditions. Even so, you'll never get rid of people who are just plain dishonest.

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
If about historical places - whole Piter is one big historical place. Anywhere in center of the city you can make 100 steps and found a next famous place. :) Black and red stone, well-known light yellow "classical" buildings, and gold of Imperial churchs and Soviet emblems everywhere. And any place can tell a story - about Emperor family, about crazy Lenin, about Great War or about poets and artists of city. :)

20 years later the hammer-and-sickly hasn't been replaced by the double-headed eagle?? What are they waiting for?

Quote from: katana on August 07, 2012, 09:55 AM
History is an inspiring subject. With it, we learn so many things from our past but it branches out to so many occurrences & events that it sometimes become daunting. I wish I have my bro's penchant for history, he can talk anything about your history. One day... I may visit Russia. One day...

I totally agree. It's almost impossible to understand how people are today unless you know where they've been. And of course the lessons to be learned from history are incredible. I wish I could visit Russia, especially in the winter. I haven't seen snow in 12 years.  :(

@ humbert
As for replacing Soviet symbols to modern russian ones - it's not so easy. First, there is enormous count of that symbols. In districts, built at 1940-1960, stars, hammers, Stalin portraits and granite banners like "Слава XVIXLVID съезду КПСС!!!" ("Glory to can't-understand-what-number meeting of Communist Party!") is almost on every big building. All that stuff built with crude stone, and built very well. :) And sometimes it's just economically uneffective to destroy something like this.

As for your question about Zhukov and Stalin - no, that rumors about Stalin was afraid to fall off the horse is just rumors. He never liked horses, and he probably could met the troops on the Red Square on some monster like IS-2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iosif_Stalin_tank).

But it looks like that Stalin just didn't want to go to peoples at victory celebration, because he understand that massive defeats in 1941 was his fault. As you may know, soviet propaganda before the war promised that the war will flow only on enemy territory (Looks like that soviet leaders themselves wanted to begin the war, to bring the Red Revolution far to Europe and America. But nazis attacked before commies could started the war, and all Stalin's preparing falls to hell, with millions of russian soldiers).
And Stalin sent Zhukov, beacuse Zhukov was an "expendable material" after the war.
And, if to talk about Vasilevskiy - a lot of famous russian commanders known bad not only at Western countries, but even here in Russia. This is because of Zhukov actions after Stalin death. Zhukov had understand, that in eyes of Stalin and many other communist leaders he is a criminal (and he really was, because millions of casualities in his military operations is his crime). When party leaders "helped" Stalin to become dead, "gang" of Zhukov and Khruschev started to fight with other "gang" leaded by Beria. And Khruschev asked Zhukov, who had power in army, to help him to get on the top of power, in exchange to cover Zhukov's crimes. And since that time Zhukov was "become" a "Victory Marshal". He always tried to refined his image in books, firstly because he covered his crimes under unreal heroism, and, secondly, because his sore ego. At the end of Soviet Period there where so many literature about Zhukov's victory, that the other, really good commanders was known only for the historical scientists.

As for Napoleon - he wanted to attack Moscow because at that time it was an economic center of Russian Empire. And he could not attack St.Petersburg, because of climate and topography of the city. There is woods and swamps for hundreds of kilometers around here, and at the begin of XIX c. here was almost no roads, and very cold northern winter without any covers, in swamps and under the meters of snow.

And a new question. :) You mean a "tropical construction" of the houses. What that means?
And one more. In theme about forum bots you mentioned "drink" of alcohol. I heard about them, but don't know what it is. Is it a volume measure, or what?

@ katana
I understand, there is sometimes is boring to read that "Stalin, Zhukov, nazi, Smolensk, T-34, KGB, vodka, war, war, war", and other my talks with humbert.  ;D
I agree with you, history is very interesting thing, but, as you implying, there is a lot of other interesting things.  :) ;) As for me, there is always interesting to know, how people lives in other countries. You say that you lives in Phillipines. And, as i know now, there is a lot of bad official guys, which wants to get a bribe even when they asleep.
Tell us more about your city, about your territory, what it is, is there a warm sea and how far it is from your home, is there a rainy season (I heared that they are present in tropical countries). In news I heared that here is flooding on Phillipines now, and somewhere all power and electricity is shut down and some of cities is up to meter water on the streets. Is that right? Tell us about sky of your beautifull country, it's always interesting, sky is an "mirror of nature". :) Tell us about religion of your country, I remember that you mentioned russian "Ortodox religion", what you mean? Tell us about anything you want.  :)

Your notebook isn't so old. Well, objectively it's old, but I often meet PCs with configs like this among my customers PCs. Just at 7 of August I repaired PC like this, it had a trouble with Windows (a teenager wanted to install XP by himself, so I got a HDD with 3 partitions and with a copy of Windows distribution folder on each.) :)
My PC is like your, an old and big steam loco too. :) It's a dual Intel Xeon 3GHz with two videocards and bunch of turbine-sounded fans. :) Scream like hell, but it's good in winter. Came to room from a frost, starts it, play about a hour in UT2k4 or something like this, and - that's it, i can take off shirt!  ;D

Quote from: Daniil on August 09, 2012, 04:56 PM
@ humbert
As for replacing Soviet symbols to modern russian ones - it's not so easy. First, there is enormous count of that symbols. In districts, built at 1940-1960, stars, hammers, Stalin portraits and granite banners like "Слава XVIXLVID съезду КПСС!!!" ("Glory to can't-understand-what-number meeting of Communist Party!") is almost on every big building. All that stuff built with crude stone, and built very well. :) And sometimes it's just economically uneffective to destroy something like this.

Makes sense. What I'm wondering about is that number they put. Clearly it's a Roman numeral. I'm familiar with them but this one I just don't understand. I wonder why people continue to use them at all.

As for Stalin, we all know that he was a madman with horrendously errant policies. How many people starved under the massive famines his policies create - especially this business of collectivization? We all know he knew the exact date and time of the German invasion but pretended the whole thing simply didn't exist. I even heard he order the death of some spies who told him about this. It's also well known that it the Soviet Union, Lenin's desire to spread Communism to the whole world was central - I think it was finally under Gorbachev that this sort of thing came to an end. Tell me more about Zhukov's crimes - you said he did a few bad things but didn't go into specifics.

Quote from: Daniil on August 09, 2012, 04:56 PM
As for Napoleon - he wanted to attack Moscow because at that time it was an economic center of Russian Empire. And he could not attack St.Petersburg, because of climate and topography of the city. There is woods and swamps for hundreds of kilometers around here, and at the begin of XIX c. here was almost no roads, and very cold northern winter without any covers, in swamps and under the meters of snow.

Makes perfect sense. What good was having a Russian government in St Petersburg when it was in a situation where leadership was impossible? Also, even if Napoleon had gone after St Pete, the scorched earth policy used by the Russian military would have decimated his army in the depths of winter.

Quote from: Daniil on August 09, 2012, 04:56 PM
And a new question. :) You mean a "tropical construction" of the houses. What that means?

If you've traveled to a place sufficiently close to the Ecuator where the sun's rays are more direct, you'd notice that the sidewalk and street hold the sun's heat whereas the grass (or trees) don't. In a tropical construction the houses are made with materials that don't hold heat and allow breezes to flow freely inside the house. I've been to quite a few of them and I've noticed that despite the fact that the temp is easily 32° or higher, you are comfortable and not suffering from the heat despite the fact that there is no A/C. The big problem with this is that if the temp drops to as little as 18°, you're in trouble - heating this type of housing is next to impossible. This is why here in San Antonio air conditioning is almost mandatory -- due to the fact that winter temps here go well below 18°, structures with tropical construction are impossible.

Quote from: humbert on August 08, 2012, 04:35 AM
I too lost my father to pancreatic cancer some 12 years ago. Sitting there and helplessly watching him die was no fun. Fortunately, I was luckier - the treatment was rough, but it worked and eliminated the cancer entirely. Doctors say that if by now - 6 years later - the cancer hasn't come back, it probably won't.

Good to know that. :) You're very fortunate.

QuoteI totally agree. It's almost impossible to understand how people are today unless you know where they've been. And of course the lessons to be learned from history are incredible. I wish I could visit Russia, especially in the winter. I haven't seen snow in 12 years.  :(

Exactly. I have to say that people, us, do not learn (exactly as we're supposed to) from the lessons of history. Sometimes, we still do the same things that people from a hundred years ago did wrong.

Quote from: Daniil on August 09, 2012, 05:31 PM
@ katana
I understand, there is sometimes is boring to read that "Stalin, Zhukov, nazi, Smolensk, T-34, KGB, vodka, war, war, war", and other my talks with humbert.  ;D
I agree with you, history is very interesting thing, but, as you implying, there is a lot of other interesting things.  :) ;) As for me, there is always interesting to know, how people lives in other countries. You say that you lives in Phillipines. And, as i know now, there is a lot of bad official guys, which wants to get a bribe even when they asleep.

Okay, I admit. It's only boring if I don't know much about it.  :D It's my older bro who's more interested in history whereas I'm more into what people are doing (gossip :D) & recent events . And, yeah! There are many corrupt politicians here, even public servants & employees. As I've said before, it seems like it has become a way of life rather than just a mere practice. But, our new president is trying to eradicate that. I know that it's kind of a losing battle but I still believe in what he can do even though I didn't vote for him.

QuoteTell us more about your city, about your territory, what it is, is there a warm sea and how far it is from your home, is there a rainy season (I heared that they are present in tropical countries). In news I heared that here is flooding on Phillipines now, and somewhere all power and electricity is shut down and some of cities is up to meter water on the streets. Is that right? Tell us about sky of your beautifull country, it's always interesting, sky is an "mirror of nature". :) Tell us about religion of your country, I remember that you mentioned russian "Ortodox religion", what you mean? Tell us about anything you want.  :)

Well... Right now I'm in the province and the sea or seashore is less than a mile away. :) As of the moment, the humidity's so high I feel cranky.  ???

Yes, there's massive flooding in the capital city & it's surrounding areas. Lived there last year for a brief period of time. Fortunately, I came here to the province before the flooding. Still, it's sad to watch the devastation it has brought to those people living there. Those of us who aren't there can only offer them prayers and hope that the same won't happen to us.

Philippines is mostly a Roman Catholic countries though there're also other religions. I was baptized as an RC but was converted to Eastern Orthodox later on.

QuoteYour notebook isn't so old. Well, objectively it's old, but I often meet PCs with configs like this among my customers PCs. Just at 7 of August I repaired PC like this, it had a trouble with Windows (a teenager wanted to install XP by himself, so I got a HDD with 3 partitions and with a copy of Windows distribution folder on each.) :)
My PC is like your, an old and big steam loco too. :) It's a dual Intel Xeon 3GHz with two videocards and bunch of turbine-sounded fans. :) Scream like hell, but it's good in winter. Came to room from a frost, starts it, play about a hour in UT2k4 or something like this, and - that's it, i can take off shirt!  ;D

It's a desktop and it's really OLD! :D And you, my patronizing friend, doesn't have an old machine. If you're calling that (dual Xeon) old, mine is ANCIENT!  ;D

@humbert

Quote from: humbert on August 11, 2012, 03:37 AM
Makes sense. What I'm wondering about is that number they put. Clearly it's a Roman numeral. I'm familiar with them but this one I just don't understand. I wonder why people continue to use them at all.

As for Stalin, we all know that he was a madman with horrendously errant policies. How many people starved under the massive famines his policies create - especially this business of collectivization? We all know he knew the exact date and time of the German invasion but pretended the whole thing simply didn't exist. I even heard he order the death of some spies who told him about this. It's also well known that it the Soviet Union, Lenin's desire to spread Communism to the whole world was central - I think it was finally under Gorbachev that this sort of thing came to an end. Tell me more about Zhukov's crimes - you said he did a few bad things but didn't go into specifics.

The number I mentioned in fact is fake.  ;D I intentionally type that jabberwocky, just for show how silly looks that banners.
As for Zhukov - there is three "main" his crimes. First is a failed operations in 1941-1942. Zhukov tried to make an attacking operations when he must make a defensive ops. Of course, armies under his commands was rounded, and destroyed.
The second crime is a Berlin operation. In fact that was a competition between Zhukov and marshal Konev. Zhukov, to atone his mistakes in front of Stalin, wanted to defeat and capture Berlin to the May, 1 (Soviet Celebration of Labourer class). Of course, he couldn't do that in due time, but this attempt had costs millions of casualities.
And the third crime is terrible plundering of Berlin and East Germany after the war. It was medieval-like, and was sanctioned by Zhukov. When Stalin learned about it and understood by who it was autorized, he drop Zhukov from Berlin to Odessa. ;D

Quote from: humbert on August 11, 2012, 03:37 AM
If you've traveled to a place sufficiently close to the Ecuator where the sun's rays are more direct, you'd notice that the sidewalk and street hold the sun's heat whereas the grass (or trees) don't. In a tropical construction the houses are made with materials that don't hold heat and allow breezes to flow freely inside the house. I've been to quite a few of them and I've noticed that despite the fact that the temp is easily 32° or higher, you are comfortable and not suffering from the heat despite the fact that there is no A/C. The big problem with this is that if the temp drops to as little as 18°, you're in trouble - heating this type of housing is next to impossible. This is why here in San Antonio air conditioning is almost mandatory -- due to the fact that winter temps here go well below 18°, structures with tropical construction are impossible.

How interesting! Here we have very different constructions of houses. In old houses (pre-revolution build, and also the "stalin's" houses) there is very large walls, built of bricks or even a granite. In new houses (built mostly after 1960s-1970s) here is thin walls of special concrete. It's reinforced but with expanded clay aggregate or air bags. It is for trap heat at winter. And today modern houses build of bricks again, bricks are more healthy and beauty material.


@ katana

Quote from: katana on August 17, 2012, 10:12 AM
Well... Right now I'm in the province and the sea or seashore is less than a mile away. :) As of the moment, the humidity's so high I feel cranky.  ???

Wow! I feel for you, heat and humidity always is a hard to bear. But, ocean less the two km's away is really cool!

Quote from: katana on August 17, 2012, 10:12 AM
Yes, there's massive flooding in the capital city & it's surrounding areas. Lived there last year for a brief period of time. Fortunately, I came here to the province before the flooding. Still, it's sad to watch the devastation it has brought to those people living there. Those of us who aren't there can only offer them prayers and hope that the same won't happen to us.

Philippines is mostly a Roman Catholic countries though there're also other religions. I was baptized as an RC but was converted to Eastern Orthodox later on.

Under Eastern Orthodox you mean "Православие" (Pravoslavie)? Wow... Wow!  :) I was shocked after Google translates "Eastern Orthodox" to me! ??? :) I can't even expected, that Pravoslavnie is presented somewhere so far from Russia! :) It's very nice, though. I'm not religious, but Orthodox Religion is a part of our culture, so I can call you a little sister. :)

Quote from: katana on August 17, 2012, 10:12 AM
It's a desktop and it's really OLD! :D And you, my patronizing friend, doesn't have an old machine. If you're calling that (dual Xeon) old, mine is ANCIENT!  ;D

Well, maybe, but it is not so fast for modern games. I like computer games, and I want to play in some modern games  in hi-rez and on maximal settings. So for this job my PC is old. But in other tasks it still very good.

@ all
I again faced with very interesting differences between languages. In other theme (here (http://www.nomaher.com/forum/index.php?topic=691.msg5803#msg5803)) i wrote for our dear friend Nawab a request for make an article about application, mentioned by him.  And again a very interesting english idiom "do you mind?". I sat for a long time, thinking how to translate russian "вы не против?" (pronounces as "vi nye prOteevf?"). Google translated it like "do you mind", and at first time I thought that that is an error! I took a vocabulary, and, yes, it's correct. But - if translate if "formally" then "вы не против" is "aren't you against me?".  :D From where you, english-speakers, took "mind" in that phrase?  ;D ;D

Quote from: Daniil on August 19, 2012, 11:30 AM
As for Zhukov - there is three "main" his crimes. First is a failed operations in 1941-1942. Zhukov tried to make an attacking operations when he must make a defensive ops. Of course, armies under his commands was rounded, and destroyed.

Hmm... I was under the impression Zhukov was in Asia when Hitler attacked, and that he was called on to defend Moscow with this Mongol soliers. As for attacking instead of defending, it seems to me this was much more a matter of bad leadership as opposed to a criminal act.

Quote from: Daniil on August 19, 2012, 11:30 AM
The second crime is a Berlin operation. In fact that was a competition between Zhukov and marshal Konev. Zhukov, to atone his mistakes in front of Stalin, wanted to defeat and capture Berlin to the May, 1 (Soviet Celebration of Labourer class). Of course, he couldn't do that in due time, but this attempt had costs millions of casualities.
And the third crime is terrible plundering of Berlin and East Germany after the war. It was medieval-like, and was sanctioned by Zhukov. When Stalin learned about it and understood by who it was autorized, he drop Zhukov from Berlin to Odessa. ;D

I remember speaking to a German lady who was in Berlin at the time (she was 8 years old), even she remembers it was horrendous! Naturally she hated the Stalinist Russians with a passion.

Quote from: Daniil on August 19, 2012, 11:30 AM
How interesting! Here we have very different constructions of houses. In old houses (pre-revolution build, and also the "stalin's" houses) there is very large walls, built of bricks or even a granite. In new houses (built mostly after 1960s-1970s) here is thin walls of special concrete. It's reinforced but with expanded clay aggregate or air bags. It is for trap heat at winter. And today modern houses build of bricks again, bricks are more healthy and beauty material.

Here there's a similar situation. Houses built many years ago are tough and many are still around. Due to fierce competition and other market forces, construction companies now keep their expenses low by constructing houses that just barely pass government requirements. The stuff they put is meant to last just as long as the guarantee. It's a terrible situation.

Quote from: katana on August 17, 2012, 10:12 AM
Philippines is mostly a Roman Catholic countries though there're also other religions. I was baptized as an RC but was converted to Eastern Orthodox later on.

Is this the same as Greek Orthodox? I remember in Miami there were Greek Orthodox churches. I haven't seen one here yet.

Quote from: Daniil on August 19, 2012, 11:30 AM
I again faced with very interesting differences between languages. In other theme (here (http://www.nomaher.com/forum/index.php?topic=691.msg5803#msg5803)) i wrote for our dear friend Nawab a request for make an article about application, mentioned by him.  And again a very interesting english idiom "do you mind?". I sat for a long time, thinking how to translate russian "вы не против?" (pronounces as "vi nye prOteevf?"). Google translated it like "do you mind", and at first time I thought that that is an error! I took a vocabulary, and, yes, it's correct. But - if translate if "formally" then "вы не против" is "aren't you against me?".  :D From where you, english-speakers, took "mind" in that phrase?  ;D ;D

You have to be careful when you answer a "do you mind" question because "yes" means NO and "no" means YES. In other words, they're asking if it would bother you if they did this or that. In Spanish there is nothing like this, and explaining this concept to someone in Cuba, Mexico etc. isn't easy. I remember once at work, a guy who recently arrived from Puerto Rico called an American company in Connecticut. In a few minutes the guy approaches me and says "What's wrong with that guy on the phone? He asked me 'do you mind holding' and I politely answered 'yes' then he hung up." Now I had to sit there and try to make him understand. [not easy]

It's Id al-Adha today, also called Qurban Bairam. I know, that this is main holiday in year for muslims.  :)
So, congratulations to all the forum members, professing Islam.  :)
Blessed be your holiday!

Btw, the winter has begun! :)
That's view from my office window.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img836/5206/image00930.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/image00930.jpg/)
Very, very nice! :D

Thanks a lot, Daniil for your concern.
I just read it .

Wish all of you all the best.  :)

Quote
from salaah
Daniil, I totally agree with your principle in choosing the words, especially for this forum use, If I would find the sience fiction "time machine" then I'll go back to the time when languages where invented and add a word that mean "remote friend" since it will help the humanity when they will invent the networks later.

Also, since  it is all about introducing people in this thread, I want to tell you something that might look strange to you, in most Arab countries, they say to a stranger "brother" which is more friendly than just "friend", a more strange also is that in countries like Egypt you can expect very personal subjects to speak about with someone whom you knew just an hour ago. But, be careful  in Baghdad .. they will give you even more emotions in the first meeting and they will call you "brother" or even "hey, my eyes" or "my soul", but you might get hanged or shot for nothing if you say "comrade", believe me, this word here is a crime by itself, this is because the old regime of Saddam used its Arabic translation "Rafeeq" to say this person is a "member" in the party, but now, because the Shia are ruling, if you accuse someone of being a "comrade", then he might get killed without a question, alot of people used this word to get rid of their opponents, most Arabs that lived in Iraq before where terminated by this word, especially the Palestinians, even if they are innocent.

What you told about many emotions and very friendly attitude actually not very strange for me, because here in Russia (especially in Moscow and St.Petersburg, i.e., in capital cities) also is a widespread of friendly and very polite attitude. Prases like "dorogoy" (dear) or "uvajaemiy" (respectable) is very common in talk even when peoples talk with strangers. Baghdad is a capital city too, so courteous attitude to people is shure thing.

As for your words about "brother", that is true strange for me. Thanks, now I know. (A cultural differences - in Russia "brother" is also much more friendly than "friend", but it's impolite to talk "brother" to stranger, especially someone who elder than you... :D)

And about "comrade"... Oh... Things you talk about is scary. Brother, can you tell, is that a government politic "line"? I mean, is attitude you describe make by Shia's government, or it's going from common peoples? Because (as for me), it looks very like two periods of russian history, and I can understand you very well... (Or if you not sure, don't talk anything. Not only us can read this forum, you understand me.)

@Salaah

Quote from: salaah on November 06, 2012, 03:18 PM
Hi Ahmad,

I was just watching the youtube, I felt interested to see the new president explaining a phrase from the quran, I remembered the old explanations of Mubarak and Sadaat when they reached the damn chair, they where speaking even better -since they had only needed to speak-, "Bin Mursi" was speaking in a way that made me think he is just another one who speaks better than doing, and he does really bad, he reminded me with an Syrian song that translates: "chairs sit on chairs, a corrupted goes then a cruel comes". I wish I am wrong, I wish all the best to the simple, sweet heart, best laughing, and most "alive" Arab people; the Egyptians, I hope you will do better than us in this fight for justice.

If I will squeeze the Iraqi experience and give it in few words to the people who have just came out from revolutions, I tell you: Just kick the Americans and their allies out and you will be fine, even the devil personally cannot hurt worse than someone who follow the Black house.

Regarding our new president "Mursi", I'd love not to judge him right now. He is new and there is a huge corruption in our country left by Mubarak and his team. This corruption managed to reach everything, even people's head.

So, he has 4 years to do his best. After that, I'll decide whether he's good or not.
As for now, I hope he can eliminate that huge corruption and do more than speak. Then, we'll feel better than now.

Thanks for your beautiful words about Egyptians, and for information, people here also love Iraqi people so much.

I wish you and all your people all the best.
Be always well and safe.  :)

Yesterday was Western, or Catholic Christmas, so, for all forum members professing Catholicism, my best wishes in that day!
Merry Christmas, friends! ;D


Sorry for a bit late, couldn't come on forum yesterday.

Quote from: Daniil on December 26, 2012, 08:50 PM
Yesterday was Western, or Catholic Christmas, so, for all forum members professing Catholicism, my best wishes in that day!
Merry Christmas, friends! ;D

Hey! Just for your information, Christmas is celebrated in almost all denominations western Christianity. It's also celebrated by retail stores, which is when the make the most money. People are programmed to buy others gifts they don't need with money they don't have. It's unbelievable how people just do this automatically without questioning the logic of their programming.

Yes, but, just for your information, in Russia, Christianity Orthodox Church, celebrating Christmas at 7-th of January. And Pure Orthodox don't storm the stores like in America (I think that this american "tradition" is programmed  (as you correctly say), but only in last 50 years), but goes to church and praise Christ. And others, who not so churched, comes together at home, blessing each other and enjoyed fellowship, warmth and comfort.

As for gifts, we make them each other at the New Year, and, here is no such "shop rush for gifts-gifts-gifts" like shown in american TV and films.

Quote from: Daniil on December 28, 2012, 10:15 AM
Yes, but, just for your information, in Russia, Christianity Orthodox Church, celebrating Christmas at 7-th of January. And Pure Orthodox don't storm the stores like in America (I think that this american "tradition" is programmed  (as you correctly say), but only in last 50 years), but goes to church and praise Christ. And others, who not so churched, comes together at home, blessing each other and enjoyed fellowship, warmth and comfort.
As for gifts, we make them each other at the New Year, and, here is no such "shop rush for gifts-gifts-gifts" like shown in american TV and films.

Is the January 7th celebration also that of Jesus' birth, or it is something else? BTW, here also most people who aren't "churched" also celebrate with their families at home. It's also great that over there you don't have that mad rush to buy needless gifts.

Yes it is. That's because of difference in old "church" calendars. "Old" Orthodox church calendar was behind the normal calendar for 13 days. When calendars was synchronized, all church celebratings moves 13 days forward.

Dear friends! Happy New Year! Now drink vodka for your luck and success! Wish you all the best!

@Daniil

Good vodka like you said is hard to find here. All they do is keep putting garbage in it. I suppose I'll have to keep looking.  :)

To my Islamic friends. Let me give you something to remember me by. I know many of you have never tasted alcohol in your lives. If some day for whatever reason you decide to try it, your first reaction will be the horrible taste. You will wonder why people bother to drink this garbage. Just take a few more sips and you will have your answer.  ;)

As for the Orthodox church and the calendar, I'm familiar with the change ordered by Pope Gregory in 1583. Since his religion was not too well liked among other Christians, it took many years before they got off the old Julian calendar. So then you're saying that that Orthodox Christmas is December 25 on the old calendar or what? If so, I'm surprised they didn't simply eliminate some dates like the British did in 1758.

Quote from: humbert on January 01, 2013, 03:00 AM
To my Islamic friends. Let me give you something to remember me by. I know many of you have never tasted alcohol in your lives. If some day for whatever reason you decide to try it, your first reaction will be the horrible taste. You will wonder why people bother to drink this garbage. Just take a few more sips and you will have your answer.  ;)

A valuable addition - few, not a LOT more.  :) Islamic culture have many wisdom about alcohol. Remember Avicenna's (Ibn Sina):

Quote
Wine - our friend, but it lives deceit:
You drink a lot - a poison, a little drinking - drugs.
Do not cause a superfluous injury
Drink in moderation - and will last the life of the kingdom ...

Quote from: humbert on January 01, 2013, 03:00 AM
As for the Orthodox church and the calendar, I'm familiar with the change ordered by Pope Gregory in 1583. Since his religion was not too well liked among other Christians, it took many years before they got off the old Julian calendar. So then you're saying that that Orthodox Christmas is December 25 on the old calendar or what? If so, I'm surprised they didn't simply eliminate some dates like the British did in 1758.

Yes, you are correct, Orthodox Christmas is December 25 on the old calendar. I don't know why, but all church celebrations in Russia are numbered on the old (also called church) calendar. Also, that's not so difficult at all. We have two calendars, one for secular celebrations and dates, other one - for church celebrations. That's comfortable.
Also there is many different religions here in Russia, different Christianity and different Islams, also Buddism and some old religions of nothern tribes (different chukchas and other). If do a one calendar for all, and add all this celebrations to it, this calendar would be useless.

There is horrible news from Egypt. A revolution strikes back. From one view, this is not so bad in case if government doesn't follow their promises. From other side, it's terrifying and dangerous for common people.
Hey, Ahmad, how it's going on there?

Egypt is not even close to other places that have extremely high population densities, and yet there is no war nor any kind of violence other than an occasional common crime. As I understand it, those Egyptians who are either Coptic Christian or generally secular are fearing a takeover by Islamists who want to turn Egypt into another Saudi Arabia or Iran. Our dear friend Ahmad has told me many times he believes this will never happen. Hopefully we'll have his input soon.

you should see again your data mister humbert. I think Cairo is the most dense town in the world. But the real problem for Egypt is that it depends on imports for their food. look at that: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-walker/who-will-feed-egypt_b_816495.html
I read the book of San Giorgio and I remember he sayd that Egypt could have big problem when oil is going to lack.

Hello everyone :)

Quote from: scarface on January 26, 2013, 02:55 PM
Egypt is way too crowded, I think a civil war is unavoidable.

God willing, I can assure that this won't happen ever in Egypt. We love each other very much.
The violence you see is not the base.. It happened between the worst people here who start it and Police men.
And yes, Egypt is crowded despite its large area. But this is because we live in a small part of Egypt which is beside the Nile river, and leave the vast area of the desert.

Quote from: Daniil on January 26, 2013, 09:41 AM
There is horrible news from Egypt. A revolution strikes back. From one view, this is not so bad in case if government doesn't follow their promises. From other side, it's terrifying and dangerous for common people.
Hey, Ahmad, how it's going on there?

Some political parties here were waiting for this day to come to remind the government with their demands that were not achieved, so they protest again in many cities demanding with re-making the constitution which has recently been elected and the majority said YES for it.

The vast majority of Egyptian people like me, don't like the president nor his government because we see that they are week and not accepted from most of us, as originally, we had elected him just because we didn't want the other guy of Mubarak who was against him in Elections, NOT because we like him.
Also, we see that he promised with somethings that he didn't achieve but he says that other parties don't help him, yet, they stand against him in every step he takes, and I can assure that this actually happens. BUT this is not our problem.. This proves your weakness.
Despite all these bad circumstances that we see, the vast majority of us keep themselves calm and don't protest like the others and say "ENOUGH" just to work and produce because we are in a critical situation right now.. We are not working nor producing since 2 years till now.. What will the protest give us ?! .. NOTHING, but more falling down.
So, we say.. We wait for him to end his term of office and elect another one who is accepted from us next time. But for now, we work and produce .. Not for him, but for our country.

Quote from: humbert on January 27, 2013, 03:09 AM
As I understand it, those Egyptians who are either Coptic Christian or generally secular are fearing a takeover by Islamists who want to turn Egypt into another Saudi Arabia or Iran.

This is not the case now.. This is not even mentioned in the demands of those protesting parties because it doesn't exist to make them refuse it. The Islamists knew that this is not a matter to discuss any more.. We still as we are.

Most of the protesting people just protest in peace, but you know that there are bad people in every crowd .. Those bad people are the ones who start violence against Police men and who burn and break.. I don't know why they burn buildings and break shops !!  .. They are really strange people. And for that, we don't like protesting because we know that other bad people will do undesired actions under the name of protesting.

BUT the main event right now is in Port Said.. I think this is what you hear about in the news.
There was a football match in this city during the period before the current president.. Someone planned to kill all the audience of the guest team.. They closed gates and started to kill them without mercy.. So, the fans of this team said that they won't be calm until they take their killed friends rights, and this happened yesterday.
After investigations, nearly 21 persons were involved in this disaster and they will be executed. And there are others in prison waiting their judgment.
Of course the families of the executed persons will not stay calm, so they tried to break the prisons in Port Said and get them out, but they failed. However, many people - Police men and civil people - were killed in these events.

The solution I see is to stop protesting even if the government is not good. At least, nobody will be killed, our economy won't fall down and we will elect others next time.
I hope they understand the situation and priorities.

"God willing, I can assure that this won't happen ever in Egypt"
ahmad: for several years, I dont think in miracle any more. if there was a god, my own existence would be easier. You see I dont doubt Egyptians love each other, but I think the problem is physical. If tomorrow you dont have food, you wont only do a revolution.
my mind has been enlightened when I have listened to this specialist, this video has been subtitled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TENdzpC4e8w
you can also read his theory there if you master the french language: http://lesurvivaliste.blogspot.fr/2011/12/rencontre-avec-piero-san-giorgio.html
His book has been a best seller and he predicts there is going to be an economic collapse.

Quote from: scarface on January 27, 2013, 08:40 PM
"God willing, I can assure that this won't happen ever in Egypt"
ahmad: for several years, I dont think in miracle any more. if there was a god, my own existence would be easier. You see I dont doubt Egyptians love each other, but I think the problem is physical. If tomorrow you dont have food, you wont only do a revolution.
my mind has been enlightened when I have listened to this specialist, this video has been subtitled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TENdzpC4e8w
you can also read his theory there if you master the french language: http://lesurvivaliste.blogspot.fr/2011/12/rencontre-avec-piero-san-giorgio.html
His book has been a best seller and he predicts there is going to be an economic collapse.

I think that guy made a video on english is he swiss?? If so i saw a youtube vid about it some days ago on english by him

He's swiss. perhaps the video you saw is the link I put earlier on this thread. He only did a few videos in english.
What is frightening is that all his arguments make sense. He considers the only way to survive is growing its own food in a farm because conflicts and wars are inevitable.
if you want you can check this large video, in french but with many pictures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9usgjSO36mw

@scarface - My facts were correct when I mentioned that Egypt (or Cairo) wasn't close to having the highest population density. Go to this site (http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities) and you'll see what I mean. As for hunger, there are many worse places than Egypt. Sub-Saharan Africa and the horn of that same continent are prime examples. It's also important to take into consideration that when oil supplies inevitably begin to dry up, all these countries that depend on it will be in trouble. Until burning oil becomes more expensive than alternate sources of energy, the status quo will prevail.

I've always said the end of famine is hiding in plain sight. Details on request.  :)

@Ahmad - did I understand you correctly or did you say that people such as Coptic Christians nor those Egyptians who are mostly secular are not the ones involved in the protests against Morsi? Is it that the people doing the protesting are those who are just hungry for power? Also, you mentioned Morsi was weak. What else could he do except impose martial law and call out the army?

I saw the Port Said thing this morning on the news. Was this mass murder caused by a lone assassin or was it politically motivated? Was more than one person involved?

Quote from: humbert on January 28, 2013, 03:37 AM
@Ahmad - did I understand you correctly or did you say that people such as Coptic Christians nor those Egyptians who are mostly secular are not the ones involved in the protests against Morsi? Is it that the people doing the protesting are those who are just hungry for power?

Here, we don't say Christians or not, because we are all in the same ship.
We are all seeking the best for this country.
Regarding who are protesting.. They are from different parties and directions.. And yes, some of them are just hungry for power and want to make Mursi fall down, and others are just expressing their point of view which is against Mursi but they don't like the destruction that is happening now.

Regarding Port Said events, there were clashes between the families whose sons were judged to be executed soon due to the mass murder that they did in the football match months ago, and the police men and people who stood against them defending the prisons.
So, not only one is involved in these events.. Because some were against others and this resulted in nearly 40 dead.

Quote from: scarface on January 27, 2013, 08:40 PM
"God willing, I can assure that this won't happen ever in Egypt"
ahmad: for several years, I dont think in miracle any more. if there was a god, my own existence would be easier.

Let me explain what I meant..
I don't say I'm waiting for a miracle.. It's just because I believe in God, and I don't know the future.. So, I refer the future events to God who knows the future.

i.e. From what I understand about my people, even if we are dying from hunger, we still love each other and this has social and religious reasons to prefer your brother, friend or neighbor than you.. To see him in comfort even if you are NOT.
So, I said it's nearly impossible for a civil war to happen here because of the previous reasons.
Don't care about "God willing" if you don't believe in him.

Ahmad, if you want to survive to what is coming, you can still believe in god, but you had better go to a farm and grow your food, the most important thing being water. Dont forget there is nothing in a town except what is brought from the outside. Find out for yourself information about the concept of overshoot and watch a graphic of human population, and perhaps you will understand that we are in deep ****.
You see, Im forced to live in one the biggest suburbs of europe because Ive got nowhere else to go and Ive found a job recently, but if I could I would go somewhere else, that's sure.

Quote from: Ahmad on January 27, 2013, 08:16 AM
Some political parties here were waiting for this day to come to remind the government with their demands that were not achieved, so they protest again in many cities demanding with re-making the constitution which has recently been elected and the majority said YES for it.

The vast majority of Egyptian people like me, don't like the president nor his government because we see that they are week and not accepted from most of us, as originally, we had elected him just because we didn't want the other guy of Mubarak who was against him in Elections, NOT because we like him.
Also, we see that he promised with somethings that he didn't achieve but he says that other parties don't help him, yet, they stand against him in every step he takes, and I can assure that this actually happens. BUT this is not our problem.. This proves your weakness.
Despite all these bad circumstances that we see, the vast majority of us keep themselves calm and don't protest like the others and say "ENOUGH" just to work and produce because we are in a critical situation right now.. We are not working nor producing since 2 years till now.. What will the protest give us ?! .. NOTHING, but more falling down.
So, we say.. We wait for him to end his term of office and elect another one who is accepted from us next time. But for now, we work and produce .. Not for him, but for our country.

That's a wisely solution, but don't forget, that if there will be no protest at all, that guys from government will start to sence their
impunity very soon (like here in Russia today with V.V. and his gang. Obviously, they are in power just because there isn't good althernatives). Keep it up, friend. If it's truth about egyptan low-agressive menthality, then that's your luck. In other case - keep your guns clean and ears up!
UPDATE: just now had a talk with my father about Egypt situation (he had watch just now TV news bout this), and draws up an idea - if that dumbs in government don't achived people demands, then a peoples can initiate an impeachment procedure, or so-called "vote of nonconfidence". This is a normal procedure, it described in constitution, and peoples of Egypt can throw out bad president before he can destroy a country.

scarface, why so frightened??! Don't read stupid books, written for made you to be a frightened slave. I don't want to discuss, exists the god or not, but your existence is only a product of your mind and lifestyle. Try to change them, and all will change.
BTW, where you from? Are you French?

Quote from: Daniil on January 28, 2013, 02:27 PM
UPDATE: just now had a talk with my father about Egypt situation (he had watch just now TV news bout this), and draws up an idea - if that dumbs in government don't achived people demands, then a peoples can initiate an impeachment procedure, or so-called "vote of nonconfidence". This is a normal procedure, it described in constitution, and peoples of Egypt can throw out bad president before he can destroy a country.

I know, dear friend about this procedure. But this needs new elections..
when shall we stop elections, settle down and work ?!!
If this procedure happens, we'll get into a new period of mess.
I see that our current president was not the man of this time, but at least, he is not bad.

Oh, yes, friend. Now I'm understand.

Here an article that says state could collapse in Egypt
http://www.ledauphine.com/france-monde/2013/01/29/l-armee-egyptienne-met-en-garde-contre-un-effondrement-de-l-etat
If Ahmad wants to live, I advise him to flee to the countryside during this collapse and not to take part to the fighting. It's a binary choice: either he wants to live or he can decide he's going to die.

Only thing left for me to say i think is good luck, and i hope it turns out well/somewhat well. Also i am not afraid of not being able to get food if something like this happens, maybe if it happens on a winter because it is too hard to prepare (roads blocked with snow etc, i think we would move to our summer house because there are massive farm lands there which is being used and if something happens i am sure they would let us use some of it. If it happens were i live now i see a slim chance of survival.)

I said once the end of hunger is in plain sight. It's eating edible insects. I am not kidding! The class Insecta comprises about 75% of all animals on this planet. Insects are resilient, can be easily raised for food and reproduce like wildfire. They are packed with proteins plus all kinds of beneficial ingredients. And believe or not, they are tasty!

Once on a business trip to the city of Bucaramanga near the Colombia-Venezuela border (see map), I found out that people eat a specie of ant that lives there. They raise the ants in farms, fry them, add some salt and bag them for sale. In a reunion with friends and after drinking about 3 beers, they asked me to taste the ants. Not only was I a little drunk, I also believed they were kidding, so I did exactly that. The ants were so delicious that I also ate another full bag they had! I wish I had a bag right now as I type this. Oh, and no indigestion, diarrhea nor any other health problems.

When I brought them back to Miami, you cannot begin to believe how hard it was to so much as get anyone to even taste them! I told one guy they were pretzels and everything was OK, he ate them perfectly. When I told him the truth, he almost vomited!! If this is bad with the guys, with the women it's infinitely worse! I approached the secretary and asked her to taste some 'peanuts'. She immediately responded, "oh no! I'm not eating those cockroaches you like". Only one guy who thinks a little like me said "get me a bag". When I did, he loved them!

When will people get over all this and decide to end hunger once and for all?

@humbert
Are you watch alot of Discovery channel and follow Bear Grills?  ;D BTW, ants really can be tasty i think. All of us had eat shrimps, ants isn't far from them.

As for food - well, there isn't in fact a hunger problem - only a problem of incorrect distribution and bad managing of nature resources. IMHO. Planet can give food for twice more peoples than now presents, even without eating insects.

As for eat insects in a wild nature - I think that it's ineffective way for earning food. In a wild nature you'll tired to harvest ants - they're little but they're fast! But in a middle-climate forests and a taiga like here around St.Petersburg if you knows just a little, you'll never be hunger. At summer it's a lot of mushrooms and berries, you're always can find a pines and make a milk from them, at winter you can hunt a birds (big animals is difficult to hunt), it's many berries and nuts under snow, it's a lot of other ways to find food for clever man.

Also I can say that comrade scarface isn't fully wrong. It's wisely to have a "backup base" somewhere at countryside, if - IF! - a country is in danger of civil war or an enemy invasion. Here in Russia is a lot of a books about how to hide, IF...
But there is some impotant things to know (IMHO).
1) Such hiding place must be prepared BEFORE troubles. When troubles comes "it's late to drink Borjomi"...
2) That hiding place must be exactly "backup base", not a "house for wait till bad times ends". Bad times will not end, don't think that all is such easy!  ;D
3) Practical experience shows, that:
--a) When you alone you have no chances. And if you try to hide alone, you'll loose. Join the resistance, form a guerilla, f**k the badasses. (Damn, that's a russian trouble - we almost lost our ability to join in front of a problems... :( )
--b) Money and knowledges is the best defence and weapon.

In the other cases all words about "A-a-aw! We're all die! Hide fast, dig into a country hill, duck and cover!" is just an empty, foolish panic. Also, all of us will die sooner or later, so it's fool to fear a death.

check this video with the world expert Mosaddeq Ahmed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkrEzD2nmNE
He's speaking of crisis of civilization. But I think he doesnt insist enough on the demographic problem that is essential for me. And for those who speak french, a video with perhaps the best french expert, michel drac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvDQY8QdDo8
He explains there are multiple crisis: crisis of meaning and ecological crisis. The consequence is there will be no choice possible, there will be a dictature. The only hope is war is not certain, but he personnaly has few illusion.

For me, dear comrade, they aren't experts. I don't load my mind by a questions of a world-scale - this prevents me from working for my main targets. Yes ofcourse, we must remember that there's some crisises in a world, but thinking about it all the time isn't wisely. Joseph Stalin often said: "Begin to deal with a problem only when problem comes really in front of you."

So, don't panic. We'll break trough. :)

@Daniil - you are certainly correct in saying that shrimp aren't too different from innsects. What boggles the mind is why they're considered delicacies and yet their land cousins are hated by so many people. You're also correct when you refer to bad distribution of food. One thing that makes me sick is to watch on the news people starving due either to a famine or a natural disaster while in that same place there are tons of food sent by countries who want to help, just sitting there and rotting in the heat. Another thing that happens is that the guards steal that donated food and try to sell it.

You gotta keep in mind that eating insects isn't just going to a tropical jungle and munching on anything that moves. Not all species of insects are edible, and many are toxic. Also, you don't eat them raw any more than you eat raw shrimp. They have to be prepared, cooked and spiced first. Also, they're every easy to raise due to the fact that they're very tough, will eat just about anything and reproduce like fire.

I haven't viewed the video Scarface mentioned because it's a little too long and it's in French. I do know that, if you look at your history, you'll see the 21st century has so far been the best of times. Certainly not perfect, but far better than at least 5 milenia that came before. As for Stalin's logic, I ask myself if this was the reason Russia was totally unprepared for Operation Barbarossa. Didn't he totally ignore warnings from the NKVD that an invasion would happen on June 21, 1941 as 02:00?

Our dear scarface is just frightened a bit. That's can be sometimes with peoples who have a troubles in their live. Don't be afraid all will be fine.:)

@humbert
Yes, you are correct. As for food distribution, I means just the same that you said.
Very important thing of using insects as food is that, as you correctly said, they can eat any crap and reproduced with enormus speed. It would be interesting to calculate an economical parameters of growing an ants for food.

As for Stalin logic - no, I don't think so. Stalin had preparing for war, but for advance, for fast war from Poland to Atlantic. Maybe he didn't know exact date of hit, maybe something else. Maybe in intelligence service information was stuck... Maybe not but... When large army (and it was largest ever - I means EVER, it was about 7 millions!) is ready for attack, you can't do anything when you get info about counterattack on 3-4 hours before it starts... Anyway, it's dark matter, I think we'll never know the truth.
Also, our NKVD mostly not worked with intellegence, it's internal force, like FBI. With intellegence works GRU (it's like CIA).

Daniil - as for insects eating crap, you gotta remember that anything that can be metabolized and used is not crap. Also, these guys know perfectly what they can and cannot eat. For example, I read once that cockroaches will eat just about anything, but not cucumbers! They'd rather starve than eat it.

Any plant or animal that can be easily fed, housed and reproduce like fire will make an awesome food source.

I heard a lot about the NKVD but I've never heard of the GRU. What do the initials stand for? Was the KGB also an internal police force or was it involved in espionage too?

Unless the History Channel's facts are in error, Stalin knew well in advance about Operation Barbarossa. It even says the GRU had spies inside the German embassy in Tokyo who found out and told Stalin, but Stalin chose not to believe them. The TV even showed a memo delivered to Stalin with the information and all he did was take his pen and write all kinds of garbage over it.

I also didn't know Stalin had been planning some sort of war to go all the way to the English Channel. I heard he was still in the process of rebuilding the army after the disastrous purges of the 1930's. Look at how badly they did against Finland in 1939.

And yes, an massive attack with a few hours warning is no different than a complete surprise attack. This is what Israel experienced in 1973.

I only posted one video in french. the video of mosaddeq ahmed is in english. To Daniil, I dont think I'm crazy and problems in my life are not interfering with what I think. We are too many and problems are looming, We just have to read the news to see them. In Egypt Ive just read there are riots and some killed. Well ok, then its a normal situation. The viking of the groenland probably thought things would go well, but they are dead like many civilisations, so saying everything will be smooth is just a way to deny the problems.

I forgot to ask you last time - if you don't mind telling us, what kind of problem do you have personally that could possibly result in you not being here a few months down the road? Did you say it was economic?

For whatever it's worth, I too am looking at a major economic problem some 6 months from now which I still have no clue as to how to begin to address it. Oh well, I guess worrying won't help. Let's see what transpires in the next few months.

In case of a hypothetic war, or suicide. Half of the time I'm sad. I dont see any goal in my life. I have no wife, no money and I dont know if I want anything anyway. I wonder if Im not madder than tyler durden in fact. Im a 30 year old kid you see.

@humbert
BTW, you're right about cockroaches. I had joined a war with them decade ago (I was a shipboy on a tugboat for a while), and - you're correct - they never even touch cucumbers.  ;D

About GRU - this is Glavnoe Razvedivatel'noye Upravleniye, Main Intelligence Control, outer intelligence. It was one of most secret and horrifying parts of soviet war machine. On the east and west almost nobody known about it (and wery few knows today), and even in the USSR only few peoples known this abb. It was "invisible", because formed like a cloud - it have no solid structure, pieces of it was soluted between other soviet war forces, and totally secret. GRU consists by different types of spetsnaz - diversion groups, spys, residents, diplomatic agents. All of them are very skilled, ferociously cruel monsters with minds blown away with communistic ideology - well, very nice and cool guys.  ;D
Their main purpose was:
- at a peace time create a large agent network at an offensive countries, built a net of secret bases and hidings in an enemy countries, recruit traitors and give them a money for military, political and technological secrets
- at a war start time - sneak to an enemy a territory, using bases, agents and traitors, kill all of them who was visited and destroying all used bases, find a launchpads of nuclear weapons, and destroy them at any cost before launch.
- at a war time, for them who stay alive after first mission (previous in this text) - start to destroying a military and industry infrastructure, kill top generals and top government, eliminate any officers.

One man of GRU spetsnaz at a battle cost as 40 best american or german soldiers, one secret agent cost as 3 MI5 "Bonds". Today some of russian historicans and literature autors says that spetsnaz was "the best of russians", but - if thinking logically, they was just a mad killers, monsters who are frightening even their country.

Anyway, that was soviet "wunderwaffe" of nuclear confrontation era, ideal superweapon for nuclear war. After USSR falls, GRU was desecreted and became useless. Most of this guys turn to criminals, joined gangs as butchers, and was eliminated in criminal wars at 90-s. And it's better for us all. Only some of them, ex-agents, could became a normal guys, and became a very good and successfull businessmans and a proud and respectable peoples.

Back to your question, GRU isn't KGB. KGB is reformated NKVD (NKVD was separated to two - KGB, to fight with spys and dissidents, and MVD, which was analog of police), and works mostly with internals treats - spys from other countries, terrorists, guys who thinks different. But - in Soviet Russia even an internal police have a spy residences in outer countries.  ;D I meant, KGB, as a GRU have an agents in other countries, but their main function was not to prepare the diversions, but to steal an information. Our Great Pu-pu (Putin) was one of them.

Also, this dualism of secret services made a bad joke with Stalin. I heared about that memo. But guy in Tokyo was KGB guy, and maybe from GRU Stalin got other information... After a longest cogitation - maybe longest in his life, on his shoulders layed fates of all peoples in Eurasia! - he made a Choice... And it was wrong.
Finlandia was "test run". Finnish "Mannergeim" defence line was very similar to a french and a german one.
Looks like Stalin really was preparing for advance war in Europe. Before war all army was concentrated on western boundaries, also most of weapons was modifiled for an advance, attacking variation. Maybe that was preparation to destroy the Hitler (all of peoples even in that time known what in fact is nazi, and maybe Stalin want to made a preventive strike to avoid an occupation), maybe that was preparation for great communistic crusade from Moscow to English channel - I can't say correct.
I told - we never could know the truth.

Also, sorry for my illiteracy, it looks like i sometimes used wrong times and syntax at a post.

@scarface
Dear friend, you told about a problems of our world... I understand you, and understand your worry. But - is this problems your own problems? :) Forget about the world, start to solving your own problems instead. You say you're a kid and you don't like this? Well... Maybe you should try not to be a kid?

Also, that guy from "Fight club" isn't good exemplar for following to. Sometimes he's cool, but mostly all of his doings just stupid. (BTW anyway Fight Club is good cinema piece).

@Scarface - I'm concerned about your post. It's normal to be depressed because things aren't working out as we'd like, but based on everything you've been saying it seems you're past that point into something a little more serious. This is a medical condition that needs treatment - the sooner the better. I know that Europe is not like here and for you, medical help is available. Any chance you can talk to somebody?

@Daniil - It's one thing not to know of the GRU's existence, but more so that it existed until the day Yeltsin crushed Yanayev, Pugo and those other guys. Surely somebody who is involved in this has to be another Stalin. I'm not surprised PuPu was a member. I do know he was a strong KGB man.

I honestly think Stalin really knew about the invasion and was in denial. I heard that just weeks before June 21, Germany was still buying fuel from Russia and their planes were openly flying over USSR to bomb the Balkans. Stalin was informed of this and did nothing.

Yes, I'm familiar with Finland's Mannergeim line and generally how badly Stalin's army did. All the more reason his first priority was to rebuild after the purges, where the military was stripped of it's best leaders.

BTW - your English is great. I wish I could read and write Russian like you do with English. Do you speak it as well? Oh, and did you learn it in school like Shadow did?

I agree with Daniil in his last post.
Everyone should take care of himself, solve his own problems and do his best to be good.. If everyone does that, we will never suffer.
Even if someone passes through difficult circumstances, he will find who help him then.

I'm not saying we shouldn't prepare for those difficult circumstances.. No, I'm saying we shouldn't be panic about the future.. Instead, [As I believe] we live the present, do our best for better future and leave the rest for our maker.. Believe me, good things come from NON expected ways. After all, human science is NOT too comprehensive to know everything about the future events.

@humbert
;D You aren't understand a scales of a Soviet Army.  :) Only an armies of Leningrad War District joins a fight with Finland. Yeah, I know, that their size (count of peoples) was a 1/5 of all (I mean - ALL) population of Finland. But that was "a drop in a sea", there was 27 War Districts before war, and Leningrad War District wasn't the largest and most powerfull.

As you can know, before the Great War USSR had a peace treaty (Molotov/Ribentropp Pact) with nazis. That's why nazis bombers flied to Balkans through USSR airspace. Hitler had violated that pact, and attacked.

Why he had violated - is a question. A german propaganda about "get a living space for nation" was a half-truth, I think. Maybe Stalin had prepare to attack him, and Hitler had got an information about this and tried to strike first. Try to read memories of H.-U. Rudel (book called "Stuka-pilot"). There is a proofs that soviet army was prepared for attack the Germany, but nazis strikes first. (And also there is a lot of info, why all of us in other countries hates nazis so hard! Just read. Rudel was a professional. But as a man, he's worthy of hatred).

@Daniil - I wasn't aware of the fact that only the Leningrad War District participated in the war on Finland. How well equipped was that district with respect to the Finnish army?

I'm aware of the famous 1939 "non-agression" pact between Germany and the USSR. I also know that Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf in 1924 "in our search for living space we must look to Russia, destiny itself points the way there". Also, even while Molotov was still in Berlin working on the pact, Hitler ordered his generals to plan an attack on Russia.

It makes sense that the Red Army made at least some preparations for an oncoming Nazi attack, and possibly even put together a plan for a pre-emptive strike. The fact that Stalin was "in denial" doesn't mean that others high in the government didn't take the many warnings from the GRU seriously. Not only that, but even before Tsar Nicholas, Russia had been looking to expand their empire. How long have they been saying one day Russian soldiers would clean their boots in a warm water port on the Indian Ocean?

The fact that a pact existed didn't give Germany the right to fly over Russian territory to bomb countries the USSR isn't at war with (i.e., that wasn't part of the deal). Even today in commercial aviation without war, there are many instances where an airline has to pay to be able to fly over another country's territory, and even then only over a specific corridor they're assigned. I firmly believe that this was simply one more symptom of Stalin's mindset, i.e., if he simply didn't bother Germany then any threat or possibility of a clash would go away by itself.

Also, given the atrocities committed during the war, it makes perfect sense that people in Russia hate the Nazis. When I traveled to Asia I also saw the same thing toward the Japanese. You've probably read in the news about Japan and China quarreling about some small islands in the Pacific. I bet anything you want that if this were with any other country, it would not invoke such a reaction. As an example, China has similar disputes with the Phillipines over some islands in the South China Sea, but you don't see them bringing out heavily armed warships.

I'm searching in the book about Winter War...
Russian froces of LWD was about 425 thousands on land with 1476 tanks, 1576 artillery guns; Air forces was about 1200 planes; From sea we had about 200 ships, and about 500 planes.
Hot finnish guys had about 600 thousands on land (all their army, with reserves), about 900 artillery cannons, 270 planes (mostly old) and 29 ships. They have no tanks, but in fact tanks wasn't good in winter swamps.

In fact here in St.Petersburg, we're proud of such a neighbor as Finland. They're cool, at 1939 they had teach us modern winter war, and they didn't help nazis (Yes, there was nazis in Finland. But when Hitler hordes came close to St.Petersburg, Finnish didn't came with them. Altrough they could).
Also today Finland is good place for vacations and rest. Finnish had built constellation of a beautiful aquaparks around the Helsinki, with nice hotels, saunas, treating water springs and other.

Also, don't mix - we hate nazis, not Germans or Italians. Nazis (as any criminals) have no motherland (They may been born in German or in Italy, but they're Germans/Italians no longer - they're nazis).
And in case of China and Japan that reaction isn't only based on war legacy. I think that main reasons is economic reasons - China is old and main economical opponent of Japan in Pacific region. And they do anything for chop Japanese markets and expand their own. (IMHO).

First things first - I'm aware of the fact nobody hates Germans, Italians nor citizens of any nation who sided with Hitler during the war. Their problem is with Nazi philosophy and those who follow it. It's not so much that other Asians hate Japanese people individually, but rather the entire Japanese mindset that prevailed during the war and, in a way, still remains. As an example, back around 2000 the Chinese prime minister visited Tokyo and requested an apology for atrocities committed by Japan during the famous Rape of Nanking. He did not even get that! How would you feel if you were a Chinese sailor off those island with Japanese warships in the distance using the same flags an uniforms as those who could have tortured your grandfather?

By coincidence yesterday on Hulu (a streaming service) they offered a documentary on the Winter War of 1939 which I watched. The mismanagement on the Soviet side was simply incredible, plus the NKVD was interfering everywhere giving orders on topics they knew nothing about. I also agree with what you said concerning Finland. In fact, one thing I wanted to know was how the Winter War ended. It's a real shame that after the fall of Communism in 1991, Finland did not get back even one hectare of the land stolen from them by Stalin as part of the armistice when the war ended.

I'm curious about something - the documentary said NKVD agents reported directly to Stalin. What then was the role of Lavrenty Beria, head of the NKVD and as said in many documentaries, "the only man Stalin feared"?

Well, that's strange documentary, made by peoples who know very few about a Winter War... Mismanagement in army during Winter War was not more than during any other time. Well, you can understand, that giant "war machine" larger than, for example, whole british army, can't be easily managed. NKVD also didn't interfering. Their function was following the army, torturing any dwellers who don't want to build "lightfull communistic tomorrow", and shooting any officers/soldiers who want to desert or flee. "No step back, Stalin watches over you!"
In fact, Winter War was ended draw. (that's why soviet historicans didn't like it - "what, giant USSR can't win a small finland?! No way!") At the beginning of March 1940 Finland, and also a USSR began to understand that forces almost at their end - Finnish army was almost destroyed, as also a forces of LWD.  At March 12 1940 we submit Finnish peace pact.
Also, Finland have no rights for get back any territory. You should know, that ALL territory of modern Finland before soviet revolution was russian territory. During the revolution they just drop us and flee, and unlawfully annexed our territory almost to St.Petersburg. Border was in 10 kilometers of St.Petersburg center, and Lisiy Nos - a part of city, in fact - was on Finnish side. And Mannergeim Line, in fact, was slightly modernised St.Petersburg defence line, built during Emperor Alexander III reign.
Well, you can see, it's all difficult.:) It's old countries with many old and strange offences,
As for Beria - he was raised to power much later, after the Great War. And, of course, NKVD guys almost never talks directly to Stalin (who IS Stalin, and who are they?) There was reporting system, there was special loggings, creating by NKVD every day. That loggings was analised by strategic officers, and main info reported to Stalin.

It's certainly true that history is generally the subject that has most misinformation and all sorts of different versions written by different people. Despite that, this is how I see it.

"Mismanagement" isn't the proper word. Use of bad military tactics is more appropriate. On one occasion the documentary showed that the Red Army was using the same failed tactics used by the British during the Battle of the Somme in 1915. They were rushing waves of soldiers at the enemy and being mowed down by machine gun fire, only to continue the same failed tactic. Also, the Finns wore white camouflage which made them hard to see, but the Russian soldiers wore dark uniforms which made them very visible. Finns destroyed Russian tanks by simply jamming the tread with a log and then using a Molotov cocktail. Also, during the attack on Vyborg in 1940, Russian troops used the frozen Gulf of Finland as a road and it never occurred to any of the generals that the Finns would use their artillery to blast holes in the ice. According to Nikita Krushchev, all these failed strategies may have cost Russia as many as 1 million dead. Of course Krushchev may have exaggerated the number to attack Stalin, they didn't say.

As for what is rightfully Finnish territory, let's look at something. Finland was invaded an captured by Sweden in 1581. This lasted until 1809 when it was taken over by Russia. The Tsar established the Grand Dutch of Finland whose territory included that peninsula between Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland (don't remember the name). In 1917 when the Tsar fell, Finland became independent and it's national territory was the same as had been established first by Sweden then by Russia. In 1939 Stalin decides this is perilously close to Leningrad and goes to war when Finland refuses to surrender that area. If all these historical facts are correct, quite honestly I see no reason that land should not be returned, especially now that the Finns are no longer enemies. What do you think? Where do you believe I'm mistaken?

Also I clarify that the documentary stated it was the NKVD itself that reported directly to Stalin with no intermediaries, certainly not the guys in the field. Of course those guys reported to their superiors, and from there up the chain of command.

Another interesting thing it said was that Mannerheim was once an officer in the Tsar's army and, in fact, did not even speak Finnish when named Marshal of the Finland's armed forces, so much so that he always spoke it very broken. I guess I'm not surprised - from what I've heard that language is so difficult I don't think the Finns themselves speak it.  ;)

What other tactics you can offer?  8)
Mannergeim Line was one of most powerfull in Europe, three times more powerfull then Verden defence line (which was at WW1). Also, it's shorter - you understand, that if the defence line shorter, it's more poverfull. Terrain is very difficult, that's in fact pinetree forests over frosen swamps, almost impassable if you don't know the paths between minefields and swamps. There is (even today) only 2 good roads (good by russian standarts  :) ). There was also another 3 roads, but they was bad even by russian standarts.  ;D
So, in front of you 80 kilometers of swamps, covered with minefields, defence bunkers with machineguns and cannons, and so on. And that's a first, support line. After this 80 kilometers you facing a reinforced concrete of a main defence line, which is about a 40 km deep.

Also, "meat wave" attack is typical feature for eastern european and asian countries armies. Russia, China, Japah, Hungary, Poland, North Korea, Finns themself, even Germany (but during WW1), Middle-Eastern guys today  - all of them had used that tactics. In fact casualities isn't so big, but enemy loosing their mind, when they see a unending waves of attacking troops. Don't try to crush enemy body - crush their mind.

Also - to a question about unequipped russian troops. Grey and black uniform was used mostly by mechanised regiments - tank crews, drivers, and backup, support troops like engineering squads. Infantry troops was looking like this:
(http://1939-1945.ucoz.ru/082528402f04d3ede0c13523fdcc7c95.jpeg)
Of course, that white covers isn't a part of uniform, this is "maskhalat", it wears over the uniform. Sometimes, mostly at earlier period of war, our troops hadn't this covers. But - as well as Finns.

And don't read the Khrushchev, his first target was destroy Stalin's advantages and show that Khrushchev himself is much better leader than Stalin was.

Peninsula name is Karelia. Finland wasn't taked over by the Russia at 1809, finns themself asks for support in war with Sweden. And then they pledging allegiance to russian crown. So their independence is a bit unlawful - Finns, (and, btw, Soviet leaders headed by Lenin) in fact, broke old pacts and that all isn't follow international laws. Because of this, modern leaders made a decision not to change anything - that's cheaper and easier than anything else.

As for finnish language - yes, it's very difficult! Do you know how finns fights against migrant workers? In any job offers they mark as most important "knowledge of finnish language"! :)

Quote from: usmangujjar on September 29, 2013, 06:46 PM
اÙ,,سÙ,,اÙ... عÙ,,يكÙ... ورحÙ...Ø© اÙ,,Ù,,Ù‡ وبركاته
@ Ahmad-
if you know GHAREEB HANY(compiller of Windos Gladiator XP), than mut tell me about him.
18month ago, i have seen a windows (Windos Gladiator XP) on my friend's pc,i installed this windows on my pc, this is not good, but i liked most is in installation screens GHAREEB HANY explain about Islam, Quran and Holy Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). then i cantacted via hotmail to the GHAREEB HANY, he is Egyptian.
he became my friend, he often mail me. but after 3moths of friendship, he never reply   .IF YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM. PLEASE MUST INFORM ME.

Unfortunately, I don't know about him, nor about this XP.. Sorry. :(

Quote from: usmangujjar on October 12, 2013, 07:51 PM
@Daniil-
i hear every time that Russia is very cold,there is no summer, yo can give me some detail?

So, let me explain, comrade. :) It's not every time is very cold here, we just have very long winter. Also, it isn't so cold - typical winter temperature here in St'Petersburg is -10 ... -15 C. It's very nice if it's no blizzard. But such nice weather is rare, here is very wet, Finsky gulf and Neva river is here, and so, strong winds, with snow and blizzards is typical at winter.
Sometimes temp falls to -25, but it's rare.
In the forests around the city at the end of january may be -45, but the city has it's own microclimate, a lot of factories, electric stations, railways and cars warms the air and ground inside the city. Because of this winter inside city starts much later, sometimes at New Year Eve (because all transport and factories stops, and temperature, before this stucked at 0 ... -2 C in two-three hours falls to -10C and a very beautifull snowfall begins).
Also we have almost no sun at winter, day is very short (at December 22 from dawn till dusk is only 3 hour and 45 minutes), and sky is closed with clouds almost all time. But in summer we have so called "white nights" - sun never goes down over the Emperor City.
Summer is short here, typical temp is about +23C, two or three days it can rise to +30, but it's also are. Spring is wet (WET!) with a lot of dirt, and autumn is very beautifull. Like today - it was pink sunfall, with long lines of blue clouds and golden leafs. Now it's dark, +5, looks like it'd be slight frost next morning.

Quote from: usmangujjar on October 12, 2013, 08:36 PM
lot of thanks sir,

You're welcome, brother. Also, maybe you can told me about Pakistan? All that I know, that there is only dry mountains under hot sun, and towns inside the deep valleys...

Thanks, comrade. I took a look over a wiki and a google. Islamabad is very beautifull city - clean and brighty dry. It's bit exotic for me. :)
Also, you working, or you're learning somewhere?

2Gb of 400MHz DDR2 RAM isn't the same as 2GB of 1333 MHz DDR3. Same is with RAM on videocard. Same with processor cores and frequency. Also, there is a lot of differences in main board bus speed, chipset design and many-many other things.
So, two computers with same "volumes" of RAM, same processor speed and same videocard size (and even the graphics chip!) can be different in compute power in 5-6 times.

Probably more open tabs on forum.

Quote from: usmangujjar on October 12, 2013, 08:41 PM
when i have much money & time, i will try to visit some areas, i will must visit Russia, which month is best for me? i don't like winter much.

Well, it's difficult to say. As you understand, Russia is very big, so it's depend on what area you'll visit.
If you want to get the "classic" tour, and visit Moscow, Petersburg, the Golden Ring and other classic tourist places, you should come at the end of summer, it's best time to make a long trips around the cities and watch a culture monuments and beautyfull nature.

If you want to come here to raise your cultural level, it'd be better to come here at the end of spring. It's not a best time for tourist trip (it's wet, and infrastructure isn't ready after a previous season), but it's goot time to went to museums, excursions to different interesting places are also cheaper, at the end of spring you can join student and school selebrations, and at the beginning of May you can join the selebration of May 9 - The Victory Day.(http://yoursmileys.ru/psmile/military/p0210.gif)

If you want to come directly in St.Petersburg, you should come at end of september - beginning of october. It's the best time - the golden autumn. But in fact it all depends on weather. In this year autumn is absolutely nice, but last year autumn was wet and cloudy. And, of course, it's cold here - today, for example, it was +3. Also - good weather means cold, when temp raises, it becomes rainy.

If you want "klyukva" - i.e., funny and a bit stupid view of Russia, like it is in old american films - then it's better to come here at winter. You could walk at frosen gardens, watch New Year fireworks, eat pirojki, caviar and drink vodka (or you can't do that last. Sorry, I don't know how it's with this in Pakistan culture and religion). Snow and cold it's a "required part of show".(http://yoursmileys.ru/tsmile/cold/t09009.gif)(http://yoursmileys.ru/tsmile/winter/t118020.gif)(http://yoursmileys.ru/tsmile/winter/t118018.gif)

Daniil - how do you import those movable smileys into your posts? Where do you get the individual files? I'm asking because usually smiley programs have library files with many in there.

humbert - I took this smileys from sites. It's just a gif images, which I inserted into my messages with <img> tag.

Here's an example:
Smiley address: http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/personal/patsak.gif
Code: [img]http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/personal/patsak.gif[/img]
Result:(http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/personal/patsak.gif)

Smileys collections I took from different sites. Here is some most often used by me:
http://www.kolobok.us (http://www.kolobok.us)
http://yoursmileys.ru (http://yoursmileys.ru)
http://smayliki.ru (http://smayliki.ru)
(Warning! Russian language!  ;D)

Also, humbert some time ago said that he saw snow only on TV. So, for him, for Usman, Ahmad and all of you guys who ever asked me about this. At 29 of November, later at evening, snow at last layed down. I.e., there was snowfalls even at October, but snow "lays down" when it don't melt anymore till spring. So now it's layed down.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img89/8338/0lbh.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/0lbh.jpg/)

That's a snow. I took a bit from a bench.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img853/5343/7jz1.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/7jz1.jpg/)

Snow...youre probably the only one (with shadow97  :-X) to have snow now. Here in Paris snow is not frequent, 2 years ago, 10 cm of snow had paralyzed the roads and sparked discontent. Speaking of Ahmad, when Walking in the streets 2 days ago and looking at the Christmas decorations, I was imagining Ahmad dressed in Santa, then I was thinking it would not fit him.

Quote from: scarface on December 08, 2013, 04:27 PM
Snow...youre probably the only one (with shadow97  :-X) to have snow now. Here in Paris snow is not frequent, 2 years ago, 10 cm of snow had paralyzed the roads and sparked discontent. Speaking of Ahmad, when Walking in the streets 2 days ago and looking at the Christmas decorations, I was imagining Ahmad dressed in Santa, then I was thinking it would not fit him.

I will give a short movie tomorrow I think of me walking to the bus(because I can't go by moped at winters) Snow.. Snow in loads lol! "snowstorm" today, when you look out of the window all you see is just a little red on the neighbors garage 10 meters away(approx). Snow in your shoes, and wet socks all day. Love it!

@Daniil Really great scenery in those photos.

@Shadow - if possible take some pictures of your snowy surroundings and upload them. I haven't seen snow in 12 years. Even when I've traveled during winter where it normally snows, there was none during my visit.  :(  - and of course send us that movie of yourself.

@Daniil - awesome pics you uploaded! Doesn't the river freeze over this time of year? Also, I'm surprised how pristine the Winter Palace is. Wasn't it sacked after Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown in 1917?

It's hard to see the red flags on the monument for Bloody Sunday (I think it was called that). Are they just red or the old Communist hammer-and-sickle?

@Scarface - Ahmad dressed in Santa - that would be interesting!  ;D BTW, today morning we have 10 cm of snow after all-night blizzard. That's not so bad as you can imagine.

@Shadow - How do you walk to get snow in your shoes, comrade? :o

@Humbert - No, Neva doesn't freese till -20. It's very big and strong river. I think this year it will be freesed after a new year, maybe at the middle of January.  Small rivers around it, such as Fontanka, started to freese just now, at Saturday I was on Fontanka and Moyka, near the shore thin ice is started to building.
Winter Palace never be sacked. At  the first year after revolution it was used as a hospital, a place for temporary government, and a headquarters of Red Guards (revolutionary workers-guards). Since 1919 Lenin published directive, obligue to turn Winter Palace into the museum (palaces mustn't be the in ownership of unbridled imperialists, but must serve for people). So all art and jewelery staff started to nomading to Winter Palace from "capitalists" and "imperialists".  Those who didn't want to gave their jewelery to museum, was tortured by ChK. Also, some value stuff was lost somewhere in ChK, and because of that it (ChK) was cleaned (i.e., "to the wall") by NKVD. Then the torturers in NKVD was cleaned... Well, it was very funny here. ;D Anyway, after communism power became strong in Russia, Winter Palace was turned into a museum, and all the time was carefully saved and repaired. BTW, better than today, because, at socialistic era, government didn't spare money to fix culture monuments, and in today government many officials stealing money from budget.

Yes, it's true historical red flags, with hammer and sickle. Why you say "hard to see"? Red communistic flags isn't bad at all. They, and eternal flame, meaning: never forgive and never forget bad monarchy leaders, who had kill this peoples.

Quote from: Daniil on December 10, 2013, 07:25 PM
@Scarface - Ahmad dressed in Santa - that would be interesting!  ;D BTW, today morning we have 10 cm of snow after all-night blizzard. That's not so bad as you can imagine.

@Shadow - How do you walk to get snow in your shoes, comrade? :o

@Humbert - No, Neva doesn't freese till -20. It's very big and strong river. I think this year it will be freesed after a new year, maybe at the middle of January.  Small rivers around it, such as Fontanka, started to freese just now, at Saturday I was on Fontanka and Moyka, near the shore thin ice is started to building.
Winter Palace never be sacked. At  the first year after revolution it was used as a hospital, a place for temporary government, and a headquarters of Red Guards (revolutionary workers-guards). Since 1919 Lenin published directive, obligue to turn Winter Palace into the museum (palaces mustn't be the in ownership of unbridled imperialists, but must serve for people). So all art and jewelery staff started to nomading to Winter Palace from "capitalists" and "imperialists".  Those who didn't want to gave their jewelery to museum, was tortured by ChK. Also, some value stuff was lost somewhere in ChK, and because of that it (ChK) was cleaned (i.e., "to the wall") by NKVD. Then the torturers in NKVD was cleaned... Well, it was very funny here. ;D Anyway, after communism power became strong in Russia, Winter Palace was turned into a museum, and all the time was carefully saved and repaired. BTW, better than today, because, at socialistic era, government didn't spare money to fix culture monuments, and in today government many officials stealing money from budget.

Yes, it's true historical red flags, with hammer and sickle. Why you say "hard to see"? Red communistic flags isn't bad at all. They, and eternal flame, meaning: never forgive and never forget bad monarchy leaders, who had kill this peoples.

I don't use winter boots and rhe snow was up to my knees (wind had pushed it agaist a wall where I had to pass by)  or places where they havnt plowed the roads

@Shadow - take some pics of the snow and upload them here! I'd like to see what I've been missing for 12 years now.

@Daniil - "hard to see" means that in the picture I couldn't see if the flag were those of the bygone Communist era. I do agree that the meaning of the Communist flag stands for something good, but here it has a very bad reputation. Communists were our mortal enemies for many years and the red flag is a hated symbol.

Of course I'm aware of the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905. Stalin may have built that memorial, but he has a short memory - he was 1000 times more despotic than Tsar Nicholas II.

Quote from: humbert on December 12, 2013, 06:24 AM
@Daniil - "hard to see" means that in the picture I couldn't see if the flag were those of the bygone Communist era. I do agree that the meaning of the Communist flag stands for something good, but here it has a very bad reputation. Communists were our mortal enemies for many years and the red flag is a hated symbol.

Of course I'm aware of the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905. Stalin may have built that memorial, but he has a short memory - he was 1000 times more despotic than Tsar Nicholas II.

Oh, I understand what you meant. Maybe if at holidays weather will be fine, I'll shot a flag from shorter distance for you.  I guessed, that you will say that red flag is a hated symbol in USA. That is not surprising after many decades of Cold War. BTW, here is the same reputation of your, USA flag. Stars and stripes was "a symbol of bloody capitalism, oppression of the workers, unprovoked wars..." Sorry, I can't exactly remember the texts of old propaganda booklets. I'll ask my father, he has a number of this booklets and posters somewhere in the larder. ;D
Many people think, that USA is the main enemy of Russia even now.  :)
BTW, was in USA same propaganda against USSR? I saw some old american "Civil Defence" films, there was toon monkeys in caps with ear-flaps with nuclear bombs under one arm (monkeys looks a bit like Khrustchev). Did all children in american schools  was trained to "duck and cover"?

Quote from: humbert on December 12, 2013, 06:24 AM
@Shadow - take some pics of the snow and upload them here! I'd like to see what I've been missing for 12 years now.

@Daniil - "hard to see" means that in the picture I couldn't see if the flag were those of the bygone Communist era. I do agree that the meaning of the Communist flag stands for something good, but here it has a very bad reputation. Communists were our mortal enemies for many years and the red flag is a hated symbol.

Of course I'm aware of the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905. Stalin may have built that memorial, but he has a short memory - he was 1000 times more despotic than Tsar Nicholas II.

Snow is gone but i will try to upload them through my phone. I tried to drag n drop but usb connection wasnt stable enough and well. It's not a fast method.

Quote from: Daniil on December 12, 2013, 08:37 AM
Oh, I understand what you meant. Maybe if at holidays weather will be fine, I'll shot a flag from shorter distance for you.  I guessed, that you will say that red flag is a hated symbol in USA. That is not surprising after many decades of Cold War. BTW, here is the same reputation of your, USA flag. Stars and stripes was "a symbol of bloody capitalism, oppression of the workers, unprovoked wars..." Sorry, I can't exactly remember the texts of old propaganda booklets. I'll ask my father, he has a number of this booklets and posters somewhere in the larder. ;D
Many people think, that USA is the main enemy of Russia even now.  :)
BTW, was in USA same propaganda against USSR? I saw some old american "Civil Defence" films, there was toon monkeys in caps with ear-flaps with nuclear bombs under one arm (monkeys looks a bit like Khrustchev). Did all children in american schools  was trained to "duck and cover"?

It comes as no surprise that the Stars & Stripes would have a bad reputation over there. Keep in mind that in any war (hot or cold) demonization of the enemy through propaganda is critical, otherwise you will never get the population on your side and ready to fight. Here in America the enemy has been replaced - it's no longer the Communists, now it's terrorists such as [for example] Al Qaeda. I think many of the younger people don't know anything about the Communists, or probably wouldn't even recognize the Soviet flag.

I'm familiar with people over there still having a strange fear of the West. Putin is constantly screaming about NATO expanding, more recently about Ukraine wanting a closer relationship with the European Union. Honestly I don't know what he's afraid of, nobody in America or Western Europe has any intention of waging any kind of war against Russia.

As for "duck and cover", the only time it was done extensively was during the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962 when the cold war almost became hot. I remember I was just a little kid starting school, and having to duck and cover several times when a bell rang. Thank goodness it was just a drill and never the real thing. I didn't even know why they were making us do that.

Quote from: humbert on December 13, 2013, 05:38 AM
I'm familiar with people over there still having a strange fear of the West. Putin is constantly screaming about NATO expanding, more recently about Ukraine wanting a closer relationship with the European Union. Honestly I don't know what he's afraid of, nobody in America or Western Europe has any intention of waging any kind of war against Russia.

I think that the main reason of this is economic power in a satellite countries. NATO isn't an enemy for Russia now, but if Ukraine enters in EU, some big business in Russia will loose a part of their profit. Because Putin is "in the profit share", of course he pounding his fist on the table.

Quote from: humbert on December 13, 2013, 05:38 AM
As for "duck and cover", the only time it was done extensively was during the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962 when the cold war almost became hot. I remember I was just a little kid starting school, and having to duck and cover several times when a bell rang. Thank goodness it was just a drill and never the real thing. I didn't even know why they were making us do that.

We had a special subject in school, "civil defence", even in middle 90-s. That was just an atavism of Soviet system, but it is a bit useful. Now on this subject children learns how to survive in terrorist acts and technogenic accidents.

I believe the reason many people in Europe and the rest of the industrialized world have few children is that they've come to the realization that kids are basically a luxury for the very rich. It's not just the heavy financial burden, it's also the amount of time one has to dedicate to the children. This detracts not only from work but also from whatever leisure time becomes available.

It's true that in the past families had more children. Then again the incidence of infant mortality was much higher than it is today.

Well said. But in reality, the poor families still have more children than the average, "luxury of the very rich" is too reductionist. I could obtain the figures for fertility from an institute of statistics for France for example and the figures speak for themselves. The department with the lowest fertility: Paris, and the department with the highest: Seine st Denis (the poor suburb of Paris). And the difference is high (fertility nearly twice as high).

In order to come back to the subject of the topic, Ive been using mcafee virusscan enterprise for years (Im leaving alone Gujjar, who is now full of dreams).
For me it's just a prevention, I think the last virus I had caught was Sasser, in 2004 or 2005.

Once again off the subject  :)

Scarface - believe me, kids are expensive, and not just financially - they drain your other resources as well, time in particular. One reason this planet is so overpopulated is so many irresponsible airheads reproducing like rats. Sometimes I think some people should be forcibly sterilized.

gujjar -> not to imply Pakistani culture is in any way "bad", but I for one have learned that many of the tenets central to my 2 cultures are deeply flawed, and decided not to buy into their guilt trips. I take the best from different cultures and set aside the bad. Thinking and open mindedness is much better than blind obedience.

Off topic again, here is a map of Pakistan, a very interesting country, with an enormous population, 6th in the world. And it's in fact very populated when we know that its population is concentrated in the East, notably in the region of Penjab.
I put a map of the density of population. I guess it has no secret for you anyway. Maybe I should update my topic "anamorphosis maps" with such maps. They are always interesting.

(https://i.ibb.co/YcZzPNy/Pakistan-Landscan-Population.jpg)

I guess Ahmad knows this map quite well too. The legendary density of the Nile delta and the desert of Egypt are famous.
When we look at it, we understand that Ahmad can't drive more than a few kilometers in the same direction without being stopped by the desert.
(https://i.ibb.co/Msq8xZh/Population-density-Egypt.jpg)

But when we look at these maps, we realize that the world is more and more urban. There is a significant number of the population on small territories. At least it's obvious when we look at maps shot by night, towns are all the more visible. This is a strong element of weakness for the future, because towns are sheltering a lot of people, but there is no food in a town, everything must be brought, It's important to be aware of that.

For France, a map that I know quite well, you have that. Once again, the red marks are showing the towns. The rule of Pareto can also be applied here (80% of the population is often on 20% of a territory), it's less obvious, because there is no real desert, but the PR, the region "nord" and the Rhone valley, which includes lyon and marseille, nearly stand for 40% of the population on small territories.

(https://i.ibb.co/r6WfHXf/densite.jpg)