Random Stuff

[griffin]

I couldn't find a related topic, and didn't see this as being significant enough to warrant its own topic... so am creating this one for Random (clean) Stuff, that can be for things found online or in the real world, that can be shared with everyone publicly.


I saw this on one of the Chinese News programs on SBS the other day, so looked up youtube to see if it was on there... and it was. :)

100 dancing robots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJFVm1rCfqg) that are independently activated, so the synchronisation is slightly off like a group of humans.
I did a search for some details, and it is called Robi (pronounced Robby), and is apparently interactive with electronic devices, with potential to do anything a smart-device can do around the house. A video clip here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E6mXMgsGiY) of the company CEO talking about it.

[lancalot]

that so cool...i love the way he move... quite fluid ... wish they release the kit as a whole complete kit in the future ....

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Those robots have been advertised on the TV here lately. You can build your own through buying the magazine and getting parts dealy. I wonder how long it will take. Issue 1 is only 999Yen!!

Looks pretty awesome though! I want one (for 999yen!) :D

[Sinnertwin]

i prefer Pepsi Max over Coke 0.

[griffin]

Those robots have been advertised on the TV here lately.


(looks at the location listed top right of your post) In Perth?

:p

hehehe....

[griffin]

i prefer Pepsi Max over Coke 0.

Pepsi Max is good for pouring into drinking devices (like cups or glasses), as it has a lot more gas fortified in it than other soft-drinks... but not good to drink straight from a bottle (because of all that gas it releases as you drink it).


Coke Zero was only created to combat the rising threat of Pepsi Max against Coke's monopoly of the Cola market in this country. Pepsi was insignificant in our Country before they created "Max" (it does better as a brand in America though)... and even still, the regular Pepsi variety hasn't really benefited from Max's success. If it wasn't for Pizza Hut and KFC exclusively stocking Pepsi brands, it probably would have disappeared as a product long before Max was created to save the brand.

And now, a couple months ago both Coles and Woolies introduced a "Zero" generic brand cola despite already having a "diet" variety that is basically the same thing, especially when it comes to generic branded softdrink. :rolleyes:


I know way too much about junkfood... :o

[Handsprime]

I just came back from a Drum & Bass show

Woo Drum & Bass :cool: :) :D :p ;)





Hey I'm allowed to be random it's called Random Stuff right? :P

[Trent]

I know way too much about junkfood... :o

Yes. Yes you do. Have you ever considered working in the industry? Putting all that knowledge to good (profitable) use?

[CoRDS]

diet coke has more caffeine than coke zero or coke

[Deonasis]

Coke is releasing a New variety this year that is the same as Pepsi Next.

[CoRDS]

store bought bread has a 5 day BB time. so if the date on the tag is less than 5 days from now its old bread.

[Skullcruncher]

store bought bread has a 5 day BB time. so if the date on the tag is less than 5 days from now its old bread.

All the tags are colour coded too, as a former 'bread merchandiser' we used to pull anything with a tag 2 days old, then it was off to the pigs.

[Sinnertwin]

All the tags are colour coded too, as a former 'bread merchandiser' we used to pull anything with a tag 2 days old, then it was off to the pigs.

that's the good thing about pigs, they'll eat almost anything

[CoRDS]

that's the good thing about pigs, they'll eat almost anything

not sure feeding them plastic tags is a good idea.

[Sinnertwin]

not sure feeding them plastic tags is a good idea.

or barstools

[Mythirax]

or barstools

Yet somehow it all gets eaten.

[CoRDS]

aarnots BBQ shapes have http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcestershire_sauce

in them which means they are not good for vegans or vegetarians.

[Mythirax]

aarnots BBQ shapes have http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcestershire_sauce

in them which means they are not good for vegans or vegetarians.

I wouldn't of thought BBQ anything is any good for a vegan of vegetarian :\

[Sinnertwin]

Yet somehow it all gets eaten.

amazing how they do that, isn't it?

[GoktimusPrime]

I've seen these Buddhist run vegetarian restaurants in China and Malaysia, where they have faux-meat products made from tofu etc. Tastes pretty darn close to real meat, but... I wonder if just eating real meat might be healthier than chowing down on tofu laden with all sorts of artificial flavouring and colouring to approximate the taste of meat. I guess their target market are former-meat eaters who've switched to veg because they morally object to eating animals; but from a nutrition POV I don't think it's much better (arguably worse) than eating proper meat.

[DELTAprime]

This isn't Transformers but I just had to share my amazement. I was shocked today when I opened my first Japanese Xbox One game the Japanese exclusive PuyoPuyo Tetris and instead of just the disk in the case I found a 29 page full colour manual along with the disk!!! I have not seen one of these in so long I can't remember the last time I saw a game with a full colour manual. Now if I could just read Japanese.:p

[griffin]

Just flicked over to the Transformers Movie during a commercial break to see the chase scene of Barricade and Bumblebee with the heavy music thumping away...

I remember how exciting that scene was the first few times I saw it, especially in theatres the first couple times.
They had such limited robot footage in the first one due to budget, but it's quality over quantity that still makes it the best one of the four for me. And being caught up in all that explosion of hype from the public and even fans made it even more exciting... the cheering and reactions in screenings added to the atmosphere and enjoyment.

I can't believe it has almost been eight years... damn, what I remember of the release and the first screenings I went to (Sydney and America), it only feels like yesterday.

[5FDP]

I can't believe it has almost been eight years... damn, what I remember of the release and the first screenings I went to (Sydney and America), it only feels like yesterday.

Yep... I was only just in my 30's with the world at my feet :(

[Sinnertwin]

Ah, to be young again *le sigh*

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I just realised, with the new RiD Drift out, that means we're only one Drift away from being able to customise a Driftotron (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=172715&postcount=20).
Helicopter Voyager for the torso, cars for the limbs.

C'mon Hasbro, just one more...:D

[5FDP]

It only just dawned on me how cruel my parents were to me as a kid. They bought me Scrapper knowing full well that it takes SIX Constructicons to form the mighty Devastator. Who would do that to a kid...

[griffin]

I just realised, with the new RiD Drift out, that means we're only one Drift away from being able to customise a Driftotron (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=172715&postcount=20).
Helicopter Voyager for the torso, cars for the limbs.

C'mon Hasbro, just one more...:D

Well, it could be done already....

You have Classic-verse Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28G1%29#Generations) and Mirror-verse Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28SG%29#Toys) as the legs. The RID Drift as one arm, with the Movie Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28ROTF%29#Generations) as the Helicopter torso AND as a car arm... because Drift is so awesome and fast, he's able to keep transforming from both modes, that the naked eye sees them both at the same time. :cool:
And then you have the Arms Micron redeco of the Minicon Dirtboss (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dirt_Boss_%28Armada%29#Armada) (who was called Drift in Japan), as a chest piece.

:p

[griffin]

It only just dawned on me how cruel my parents were to me as a kid. They bought me Scrapper knowing full well that it takes SIX Constructicons to form the mighty Devastator. Who would do that to a kid...

Mine were like that too... They gave me a Beachcomber as a kid, and I saw on the packaging "collect them all", and they said to me, "that's your problem now"... and almost 30 years later, and I'm still not finished yet. :p

[Skullcruncher]

It only just dawned on me how cruel my parents were to me as a kid. They bought me Scrapper knowing full well that it takes SIX Constructicons to form the mighty Devastator. Who would do that to a kid...

Man, mine swindled me with swindle. Then pulled the same stunt with nosecone.

Lucky I was more switched on and managed to get 3 out of 6 of the orange constructions a couple of years later. :D

[jazzcomp]

I had to have every birthday/christmas event to get one combiner for Computron as a kid. Never got Scattorshot or Nosecone. Just got those now. :)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Well, it could be done already....

You have Classic-verse Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28G1%29#Generations) and Mirror-verse Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28SG%29#Toys) as the legs. The RID Drift as one arm, with the Movie Drift (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Drift_%28ROTF%29#Generations) as the Helicopter torso AND as a car arm... because Drift is so awesome and fast, he's able to keep transforming from both modes, that the naked eye sees them both at the same time. :cool:
And then you have the Arms Micron redeco of the Minicon Dirtboss (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dirt_Boss_%28Armada%29#Armada) (who was called Drift in Japan), as a chest piece.

:pI considered SG Drift as another limb, but I was hoping for different molds for each limb...not really sure why come to think about it since Takara's plan for their combiners involves a lot of repaints/minimal remolds. The chest-piece idea is brilliant though.:cool:
Either way, Hasbro is totally missing an opportunity with their choices for their Fan-built combiner. C'mon Hasbro...where's Driftotron?:D

[GoktimusPrime]

Street Fighter II: Angry Goat Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma2-VF7QXWs) ;)

[Mythirax]

Street Fighter II: Angry Goat Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma2-VF7QXWs) ;)

Loved it :D

[griffin]

I just realised, with the new RiD Drift out, that means we're only one Drift away from being able to customise a Driftotron (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=172715&postcount=20).
Helicopter Voyager for the torso, cars for the limbs.

C'mon Hasbro, just one more...:D

Hehehe... I immediately thought of this posting after seeing the Kreo display at the US Toyfair having a Bumblebee combiner and Optimus combiner that were just 5 Kreons of each character.
I think none of us would have been remotely serious about having an officially released combiner made up of just the one character... but then Hasbro comes out and does it. :rolleyes:

It kinda ruins the whole pun of a Driftotron being a combiner of Drifts to maximise his awesomeness... :(

[GoktimusPrime]

Chinese Snickers commercial w/ Rowan Atkinson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnd0CAloRHo)

[Trent]

It only just dawned on me how cruel my parents were to me as a kid. They bought me Scrapper knowing full well that it takes SIX Constructicons to form the mighty Devastator. Who would do that to a kid...


Mine were like that too... They gave me a Beachcomber as a kid, and I saw on the packaging "collect them all", and they said to me, "that's your problem now"... and almost 30 years later, and I'm still not finished yet. :p


Man, mine swindled me with swindle. Then pulled the same stunt with nosecone.

Lucky I was more switched on and managed to get 3 out of 6 of the orange constructions a couple of years later. :D


I had to have every birthday/christmas event to get one combiner for Computron as a kid. Never got Scattorshot or Nosecone. Just got those now. :)

My parents bought me Scattershot, who came with all the combiner bits, but they never bought me another Technobot:(

[griffin]

A 5.2 earthquake struck near Bundaberg this morning at around 2am (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-16/earthquakes-hit-queensland-town-eidsvold/6113728)... that's stronger than the one I felt in Japan a year ago, and the shaking of that one scared the heck out of me.
I wonder if any of our members in the area felt it?

[griffin]

Happy New Year... for those who go by the Lunar Calendar, or were waiting for the CNY before they could play with their YOTG Transformers. :p

[ampoldj]

It only just dawned on me how cruel my parents were to me as a kid. They bought me Scrapper knowing full well that it takes SIX Constructicons to form the mighty Devastator. Who would do that to a kid...

Mate my mom only buys me 2 of the limbs of the gestalts, always...
Gives you one is hard but gives you two make you cling to some hope
Now because of that i got the completist syndrome :D

As far as i can remeber i got:
blades, first aid
Dead end, wild rider
Cant remember my two aerial bots

[VERT]

Mate my mom only buys me 2 of the limbs of the gestalts, always...
Gives you one is hard but gives you two make you cling to some hope
Now because of that i got the completist syndrome :D

As far as i can remeber i got:
blades, first aid
Dead end, wild rider
Cant remember my two aerial bots

Yeah I had that too. Try having 4 out of Six Constructicons in 1985. Only got Scavenger and Mixmaster to finish Devastator in 1998 :rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

So the Year of the Goat begins with two tropical cyclones bearing down on the Coast of Capricorn, and one of the cyclones is called Lam(b). :eek:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Sounds like a good barbeque.

[Trent]

Sounds like a good barbeque.

I laughed :D

[Sinnertwin]

you think they just gave up and called it a day? (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT82842)

[griffin]

you think they just gave up and called it a day? (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT82842)

And I shall call him... hand-face. :p

(now where has that topic for officially mis-transformed toys gone?)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

And I shall call him... hand-face. :p

(now where has that topic for officially mis-transformed toys gone?)

I was checking out the listings of those guys on amazon japan, and they all have a mid transformation shot. Made me wonder why, as none of them are flattering.

[Sinnertwin]

I was checking out the listings of those guys on amazon japan, and they all have a mid transformation shot. Made me wonder why, as none of them are flattering.

defeats the purpose though when HLJ have a shot of good old Hand Face and two shots of his alt mode instead :D:p

[Paulbot]

The BBTS Listings (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=3609) listings also have the three official images for each toy (each mode and a mid transform pic). For some reason, maybe a misnamed file, Knockout's mid transform gets used more than the other two photos (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK12042&mode=retail).

[lancalot]

you think they just gave up and called it a day? (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT82842)

:eek::D:D i couldn't stop ,laughing ...that just made my day .... did the photographer though it actually transformed like that!!?? :confused::rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :D

[griffin]

Commercials showing up on TV this week by facebook, promoting their "charity" to bring affordable internet to people in parts of the world who don't have it... which is rather self-serving, because if they can get more people on the internet, they can make more money from them joining Facebook.

I guess they've gained all the money they can now from the markets that have affordable internet that Facebook have reached saturation point, to now need to get more people from developing markets onto the internet so that it opens up more markets, or else their profits will plateau/stagnate or drop off.

It's like a drug dealer setting up a charity to give out free needles to the community... and leave it up to the drug-users to find something to use them with, which the dealer can then profit from.

[Tober]

Unbelievable!

When Johnny and I broke up our band, we drifted apart. He started hanging out with all those rock star hairhead types, like the late Bobby Black. And when they needed money to get high, they did 'Rock Against Drugs' commercials.

- The Adventures of Ford Fairland

[griffin]

Couldn't find a smaller box???

(posted from overseas, which cost me more in postage than a much smaller box would have)

:rolleyes:

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c503.jpg

[Mythirax]

Couldn't find a smaller box???

(posted from overseas, which cost me more in postage than a much smaller box would have)

:rolleyes:

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c503.jpg

Wow.... that's crazy!

[griffin]

Commercials showing up on TV this week by facebook, promoting their "charity" to bring affordable internet to people in parts of the world who don't have it... which is rather self-serving, because if they can get more people on the internet, they can make more money from them joining Facebook.

I guess they've gained all the money they can now from the markets that have affordable internet that Facebook have reached saturation point, to now need to get more people from developing markets onto the internet so that it opens up more markets, or else their profits will plateau/stagnate or drop off.

It's like a drug dealer setting up a charity to give out free needles to the community... and leave it up to the drug-users to find something to use them with, which the dealer can then profit from.


For my own amusement, I had a look to see what sort of financial return Facebook are looking at with this Charity...

http://internet.org/press
It says that 2/3s of the world do not have internet access.

http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/#milestones
Global population is currently estimated to be about 7.3B.

That equates to 2.43B who have access to internet.

http://www.statisticbrain.com/facebook-statistics/
There are currently 1.3B users of Facebook, which equals 53% of those people who have internet access. (I doubt they will get too much more saturation, like maybe 60-70%, which means they need other means to increase Revenue & Profit, as it's not enough to keep earning Billions of Profit each year, Shareholders demand an increase in the Profit amount, or else they'll sell up and buy something else, which lowers the total value of the company and drive off other Shareholders)
Facebook was worth US$104B in February 2012.
Revenue from things like advertising on Facebook and on the other entities they have bought-out, earned them US$6B in 2013.

If their "charity" succeeds in getting affordable internet to the other 2/3s of the population in the world, and continues with a minimum of 53% saturation of the internet marketplace, that's a potential increase of US$12B annual revenue, taking it up to US$18B every year, back into the pockets of Facebook shareholders.

Charity?
Due to a conflict of interest, or just the ulterior motives of greed, Facebook is looking at a potential return of US$12 Billion profit from a "charity" venture that should be done without the hope for a reward... so who's really benefiting from this so called Charity?

And why do people in developing and impoverished conditions "need" internet so desperately?
Facebook (and other Billion Dollar corporations) should be trying to end poverty and starvation first, then maybe help provide luxuries to the world like internet and personal devices/computers for them to profit from.

Their true motives are clearly being spun to look like the impoverished people in the world would rather have internet access than food or shelter, or living free of fear from the injuries, raping or death of war. :rolleyes:

(unlike Microsoft's founder who is spending half a Billion US Dollars trying to eradicate Malaria... which isn't being done to generate future sales in Windows computers)


Okay... that was a little rantish, because I hate seeing the excessive corporate greed of companies and people who already have Billions of Dollars to them, and yet, that's still not enough to satisfy their greed. :mad:
All the while, there are millions of their fellow Human Beings suffering with nothing, that they could be helping... but instead want to find ways to make money off them, like having them work for slave rates in 3rd world countries, or make them become a consumer of their products even if they can't afford it, or it is a product that is over-priced (like necessary common medications that are patented by corporations) or has poor quality... or completely unnecessary (billions were made from cigarettes that were designed to be more addictive than regular tobacco or cigars, yet became more toxic as a by-product of those added chemicals).

[jazzcomp]

Couldn't find a smaller box???

(posted from overseas, which cost me more in postage than a much smaller box would have)

:rolleyes:

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c503.jpg
How much? I want those too :)

[griffin]

How much? I want those too :)

More than I was happy with, because I only ended up needing the Megatron.

They were from Florida, costing me US$35 postage. :mad:

When I bought them at US$45 on the one listing, I thought they were the last two that I needed from the Micron Legend SCF figurines, so I was willing to spend US$80 for the pair, but I should have double-checked my shelf, because the title of the listing had me thinking they were both Chase figures, and I needed the Chase Optimus and Megatron. But in the description paragraph, it was clearly stated that only Megatron was a Chase, so it was my fault for not checking.

So I have the Optimus w/ gun spare, which is just the regular version. The Chase version of this one has him holding the Star Saber, while the Chase Optimus figurine that I am missing is the Cybertronian pre-formatted Optimus. (there were three Cybertronian pre-formatted figurines - Red Alert, Megatron, Optimus - and they were all Chase figures across Act 9 & 10 of the SCF series)

For something pretty to look at, below is a comparison of the Chase Megatron and Chase Optimus/Star Saber figurines with their regular release figurines.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c504.jpg

[Sinnertwin]

Couldn't find a smaller box???

(posted from overseas, which cost me more in postage than a much smaller box would have)

:rolleyes:

talk about opposite ends of the spectrum in regards to packaging.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

For my own amusement, I had a look to see what sort of financial return Facebook are looking at with this Charity...

That's quite despicable of Facebook.

I talked to a girl at work and she told me she couldn't imagine a world without the internet (admittedly she was pretty stupid*). I was shocked. Sure the internet is handy, but It's by no means a necessity. I'd miss it if it broke forever (Check that lingo!), but life can exist without it....


*She wrote an essay on David and Goliath, the whole time thinking David was a sheep, because she didn't know what a shepherd was.

[Paulbot]

I can't see a blue and black dress.

I can't trust my eyes.

Reality is an illusion!

[GoktimusPrime]

The dress looked black and blue to me when I saw it on TV (evening), but gold and white when I see it on my computer (night time). :confused:

[Hursticon]

The dress looked black and blue to me when I saw it on TV (evening), but gold and white when I see it on my computer (night time). :confused:

Oh god, it's not here too is it!? - That whole thing is on Twitter and everywhere! O_O

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! :eek::eek::eek:

[Sinnertwin]

yep. Black and blue
Hee hee hee :p

[5FDP]

4 and a half pages of new posts over the weekend! What happened that I missed??! Oh wait...

[lancalot]

The dress looked black and blue to me when I saw it on TV (evening), but gold and white when I see it on my computer (night time). :confused:

you're the only other person that has seen it change colour!! :D.... no one believed me!! yeah it strange that way.... some time it changes when i see it at different times during the day....!!

[griffin]

I only see blue and black and blue and gold (at the top where the light or flash is shining off the material so it looks metallic or golden).
I can't see any part of the lighter fabric NOT having a blue tinge to it... and the bottom half where the light or flash didn't hit, is quite deep with the blue.
(I don't know how people are seeing white. :confused: )

[Trent]

I can't see a blue and black dress.

I can't trust my eyes.

Reality is an illusion!

"Today a young man on acid realised that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we're the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather (http://youtu.be/eDHTcXP0f3E)."

:D

[griffin]

What the heck... both Allspark and TFWiki are offline right now, when I need to check them for something.

[griffin]

I was just watching the 2009 movie Mulan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulan:_Rise_of_a_Warrior) on channel 34 today (oddly enough that's an Indigenous Australian channel, but is still part of SBS so I guess foreign programs are still allowed), and it is certainly more interesting (and graphic) than the 1998 Disney version.
Not that there is much you need to stick religiously to from a short vague poem from the 6th Century, that may or may not be based on anyone who really existed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Mulan).

[griffin]

I was looking up the movie Willow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_%28film%29) online, and was surprised that the actor Warwick Davis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Davis) was only about 17 when it was filmed, but his character had children who were at least 8-10 years old.... which must have been weird for him when he was acting out those scenes to be convincing as a father of at least 10 years.

But that wasn't the most interesting thing... his bio page mentioned that he starred in something called "Return of the Ewok (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_of_the_Ewok)" a year before ROTJ came out, and while he was only 12 years old (I didn't realise he was so young when he played the role of Wicket). So I had to find out what it was.
Iit was filmed during the filming of ROTJ, and was intended to be a behind the scenes, promo piece that went for about 24 minutes, but was never officially released outside of a few convention screenings. It mentioned that there has been some bootleg copies make its way online, so I looked on youtube, and it is well worth watching (just be mindful that the bootleg copy I linked to below is the one noted as being made from a cutting of several minutes that was released officially, with crappy vision from someone video taping a convention screening of it).

Part 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH5weIKLRsM) - Part 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-itVa17ps40).

Each part is about 10 minutes, so is missing a little at the end. It is worth noting that it was still the early stages of the movie, so it was still being called Revenge of the Jedi.

Damn... that Carrie Fisher... Damn. :p

[Sinnertwin]

i love the Holiday Special :D

[lancalot]

Amazing Hologram with a dragon ballz figure ...Don't know if its real but it would be cool if we can get a hologram display like that for our figures .....
http://www.pointnet.com.hk/news/toy/18240/%E5%A0%85%E6%AD%A3!!!s.h.figuarts%E8%B6%85%E8%A5%B F%E6%82%9F/

[griffin]

For those who have been to Times Square in New York, or were planning to soon, the iconic ToysRUs store at Times Square is moving (http://www.giftsanddec.com/article/517751-tru-close-iconic-times-square-location?nid=2376) when their lease expires at the end of this year.
The new location is likely to be within a few blocks of the old location, but that old location became a photographic icon of Times Square... especially for toy enthusiasts... with three stories of toys and its exterior wall of lights and animations.

Demonac and I were there in 2007, but the whole Times Square was so lit up, the TRU store probably won't be missed.
Actually... I remember the M&Ms store on Times Square more than the TRU store. :p

[griffin]

I'm not a fan of shoplifting, especially when it is something that isn't a necessity for life (like basic food or water)... and this was something I saw at Woolies tonight. A desk fan that was already at almost half-price at $5...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c562.jpg

They couldn't even afford $5... how pathetic.

[Hursticon]

I'm not a fan of shoplifting, especially when it is something that isn't a necessity for life (like basic food or water)... and this was something I saw at Woolies tonight. A desk fan that was already at almost half-price at $5...

*snip*

They couldn't even afford $5... how pathetic.

When you see the amount of theft that takes place at OpShops mate, you'll learn how truly pathetic people really can be! :rolleyes:

It's not due to an inability to afford the items either, they can afford them - They just choose to flog it anyway because they're outright, low-life, pieces of s***!

Takes a certain level of scum to steal from charity.

[Megatran]

I'm not a fan of shoplifting, *snip*

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c562.jpg

Boom boom. :p

(edit: tried to shrink the pic but can't :o).

[Tober]

Comic Relief 2015 - Little Britain with Stephen Hawking (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2jgfof)

[griffin]

Best not to watch this at work, or a public place...

A 17 minute compilation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-ZzyNTpQo) of "Who's Line is it Anyway", which is an improvised comedy show... and the clip is from a segment that has the audience submit ideas that Drew Carey reads out at random, that the four comedians have to act out the first thing that comes to mind. And this particular compilation are all things that the comedians do or say that picks on Drew.

[Golden Phoenix]

Best not to watch this at work, or a public place...

A 17 minute compilation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-ZzyNTpQo) of "Who's Line is it Anyway", which is an improvised comedy show... and the clip is from a segment that has the audience submit ideas that Drew Carey reads out at random, that the four comedians have to act out the first thing that comes to mind. And this particular compilation are all things that the comedians do or say that picks on Drew.

Man I loved that show. I do wish they had been able to get Drew back on when they brought it back.

[CoRDS]

$5 for an electric fan

the metal in it needs to be dug out of the ground, refined and processed into metal. the plastic has to be made from oil which is also expensive. the copper wiring in it.

all the bits and pieces , have to make their way to china to be built into that, then shipped out here , mining, processing, refining, shipping, manufacturing , shipping again and again until it gets to end point retailer.

for $5

and at every single step of the process from start to someone buying that fan a profit has been made. and yet its still sold for $5

blows my mind

[griffin]

Slave labour isn't just something from the 19th century... we just outsource it now, to be out of sight so that it isn't visible enough to the general public, who would call for better treatment or payment (like the US Civil war 150 years ago).
Big business and governments just don't want it to be common knowledge because it is more profitable, and keeps inflation (and subsequently wage rates that are pegged to CPI) lower.

It might not be obvious to most people a world away, but we've seen leaked footage and photos/info of what their working conditions are like, and how most are forced to work for 12-18 hours a day and still struggle to cover their basic living expenses (the food, clothing, and accommodation that was given to black slaves in Europe and America in the 18th-19th Centuries). The only difference is that contemporary "slaves" are not executed for trying to leave their masters... but can still be punished, because it would be a breach of contract from signing away their rights just to get the job. :(

(end of rant from someone who is a strong advocate of fair workers rights)

[Demonac]

Slave labour isn't just something from the 19th century... we just outsource it now, to be out of sight so that it isn't visible enough to the general public, who would call for better treatment or payment (like the US Civil war 150 years ago).
Big business and governments just don't want it to be common knowledge because it is more profitable, and keeps inflation (and subsequently wage rates that are pegged to CPI) lower.

It might not be obvious to most people a world away, but we've seen leaked footage and photos/info of what their working conditions are like, and how most are forced to work for 12-18 hours a day and still struggle to cover their basic living expenses (the food, clothing, and accommodation that was given to black slaves in Europe and America in the 18th-19th Centuries). The only difference is that contemporary "slaves" are not executed for trying to leave their masters... but can still be punished, because it would be a breach of contract from signing away their rights just to get the job. :(

(end of rant from someone who is a strong advocate of fair workers rights)


Kinda like how Amazon (http://www.salon.com/2014/02/23/worse_than_wal_mart_amazons_sick_brutality_and_sec ret_history_of_ruthlessly_intimidating_workers/) treat their workers.

[Tober]

TIE Fighter - short film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN_CP4SuoTU)

[Paulbot]

Cool, I saw a teaser for this a year or so ago, good to see it complete

[M-bot]

Is it just me, or do the Fast & Furious 7 ads on TV really play very hard on the death of Paul Walker? In a very meta textual way of course. Seems a tad exploitative to me, in that the ads to promote the film exist to make the film as popular and profitable as possible. I think if I was Paul Walker's family, I'd feel a bit aggrieved.

[Golden Phoenix]

Is it just me, or do the Fast & Furious 7 ads on TV really play very hard on the death of Paul Walker? In a very meta textual way of course. Seems a tad exploitative to me, in that the ads to promote the film exist to make the film as popular and profitable as possible. I think if I was Paul Walker's family, I'd feel a bit aggrieved.

I had forgotten they were still going with that series.

[griffin]

I actually thought that they weren't cashing in, and was surprised that they were missing out on that opportunity. Most of the ads I've seen on TV didn't have much of him in it, nor did they make mention of "the last movie role" like they do with other big actors who had recently died.

[Paulbot]

Just saw an ad for Robots in Disguise 1-step and 3-step changer toys during The Simpsons.

[Firestorm]

Just saw an ad for Robots in Disguise 1-step and 3-step changer toys during The Simpsons.

I saw that too, bought a smile to my face, which is more than could be said of the episode of The Simpsons

[griffin]

I saw it the other day too... during an early evening tv show that will remain nameless. :p

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I had forgotten they were still going with that series.

They have plans for 10.

Enjoy ;)

[SkyWarp91]

For the last few months I've been considering putting an end to collecting toys for various reasons.

I'm running out of space at home and I don't know if it's me but there's such a massive influx of toys from different brands these recent years I can't afford keep up with all that's being released.

I'm thinking of doing that 'grown-up thing' :rolleyes: and focusing my money in buying a house soon in the future (with my job at the moment most of my disposable income ends up on toys). Maybe a few years down the track I can start buying toys again but for now, I think I'm hanging up the mantle after 2015.

[Paulbot]

It's a common though (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12154) and RID2 is a line I'm jumping off for these reasons.

I can't believe Top Gear and One Direction are over. no only one person has left Nope, over!

[Tober]

Maybe they will start it again later.

Like this show (http://news.yahoo.com/x-files-coming-back-guide-212054603.html;_ylt=A0LEVj9hKhNVhNYAobwnnIlQ). :eek:

[Golden Phoenix]

They have plans for 10.

Enjoy ;)

I was going to make a joke about beating a dead horse but I thought it might be too soon.

[Trent]

It's a common though (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12154) and RID2 is a line I'm jumping off for these reasons.

I can't believe Top Gear and One Direction are over. no only one person has left Nope, over!

I can't believe that the British PM defended Clarkson. The guy punched his producer in the face because he didn't like the meal he served him. Thus, rightfully, he lost his job. I question the mental capacity of anyone that thinks he shouldn't have been sacked and hopefully, charged.

[Megatran]

For the last few months I've been considering putting an end to collecting toys for various reasons.

I'm running out of space at home and I don't know if it's me but there's such a massive influx of toys from different brands these recent years I can't afford keep up with all that's being released.

I'm thinking of doing that 'grown-up thing' :rolleyes: and focusing my money in buying a house soon in the future (with my job at the moment most of my disposable income ends up on toys). Maybe a few years down the track I can start buying toys again but for now, I think I'm hanging up the mantle after 2015.
Its never an easy decision. But good to hear that you are taking the time to think it through. You might pick up the second wind in your sail & get into collecting again after 2015.

I've been contemplating the same issue several times over the last 12 months. Collecting, whilst fun, is no comparison to (trying) starting a family.

[SkyWarp91]

Its never an easy decision. But good to hear that you are taking the time to think it through. You might pick up the second wind in your sail & get into collecting again after 2015.

I've been contemplating the same issue several times over the last 12 months. Collecting, whilst fun, is no comparison to (trying) starting a family.

Yeah I'm thinking maybe instead of spending so much of my income on toys maybe I'll just allocate a certain amount every year, like a toy budget.

[lancalot]

this is abit late ....but interesting....on 25th March in lord of the ring ...
http://geekandsundry.com/this-day-in-geek-history-destruction-of-the-one-ring/

[5FDP]

Re-watching TF:Prime ATM. Forgot how good this show was, especially the soundtrack. I was compelled to download it after watching an episode. So epic! :cool:

[Sinnertwin]

They have plans for 10.

Enjoy ;)

i can see it now...

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w661/sinnertwinsphotos/863_zpsffan5ahv.jpg (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/sinnertwinsphotos/media/863_zpsffan5ahv.jpg.html)

[Megatran]

An unscheduled power blackout in our 'hood. We fully stocked our freezer only yesterday. :mad:

It's actually darker inside our place than outside.

[griffin]

I saw this on the ABC's Insiders program the weekend before last, and since it has been showing up in other places, it's reminded me to look for it on youtube to post here.

One of the Federal government ministers did an interview a couple weeks ago on SkyNews to say that he's fixed the education stalemate he created a few days earlier... which led to someone do this parody of him being the fixer, in Star Wars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWa0WmMo-1Y).
(his laugh at the end looks so evil... it sorta suits most Federal politicians :p )


The original interview can be seen here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyCb4_QmuqE).

[Trent]

I saw this on the ABC's Insiders program the weekend before last, and since it has been showing up in other places, it's reminded me to look for it on youtube to post here.

One of the Federal government ministers did an interview a couple weeks ago on SkyNews to say that he's fixed the education stalemate he created a few days earlier... which led to someone do this parody of him being the fixer, in Star Wars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWa0WmMo-1Y).
(his laugh at the end looks so evil... it sorta suits most Federal politicians :p )


The original interview can be seen here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyCb4_QmuqE).

That, was great :D

[BigTransformerTrev]

I saw this on the ABC's Insiders program the weekend before last, and since it has been showing up in other places, it's reminded me to look for it on youtube to post here.

One of the Federal government ministers did an interview a couple weeks ago on SkyNews to say that he's fixed the education stalemate he created a few days earlier... which led to someone do this parody of him being the fixer, in Star Wars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWa0WmMo-1Y).
(his laugh at the end looks so evil... it sorta suits most Federal politicians :p )


The original interview can be seen here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyCb4_QmuqE).


That, was great :D

Almost worthy of MicCallef :D

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Oh my.

I'm not sure which is funnier, the real interview or the Stars Wars adoption!

LOVED IT

New internet meme coming soon methinks.
"I'm a fixer"

[griffin]

Google maps currently has a pacman feature. At the bottom of the page where it has the satellite view icon, there is a pacman icon, that zooms into a set scale, and turns the streets into a pacman maze, complete with ghosts and cherries.
It was sooo funny... especially doing it around my streets.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, that's Google Map's April Fools thing. :) I remember a few years ago when Google Street View went in RGB colours. ;)

Sydney CBD
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/th_googlemap_aprilfools_SydCBD.jpg

Hasbro AU
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/th_googlemap_aprilfools_Hasbro.jpg

Other April Fools pranks from this year include:
Doctor Who cancellation after Capaldi fracas (http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who-future-in-doubt-after-capaldi-fracas-72735.htm)
Wonder Woman's invisible jet on display at the Smithsonian museum (http://blog.nasm.si.edu/behind-the-scenes/wonder-womans-invisible-jet/)
Disney/Pixar's X-Wings movie trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ3n_D1zBrg)
Fast to the Future (Fast & Future/Back to the Future Crossover) trailer (http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/awesome-fast-to-the-future-crossover-trailer)

[Megatran]

For all those in NSW, VIC, SA, ACT & TAS, we get an extra hours sleep (or what ever tickles your fancy) due to daylight savings.

[Mythirax]

For all those in NSW, VIC, SA, ACT & TAS, we get an extra hours sleep (or what ever tickles your fancy) due to daylight savings.

Hah, for me it just feels like longer till works over for this week :(

[Sinnertwin]

Hasbro AU
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/th_googlemap_aprilfools_Hasbro.jpg


why am i not surprised?
:p

[Megatran]

Anyone want to go on the Super Slippery Slide at the Sydney Easter Show during after hours? Thrown in for free are broken legs, ribs, etc :rolleyes:

[BigTransformerTrev]

For all those in NSW, VIC, SA, ACT & TAS, we get an extra hours sleep (or what ever tickles your fancy) due to daylight savings.

Ha! I've got two tiny kids! Sleep? Bwah ha ha - Nothing but a cherished memory of something I lived long long so

[griffin]

Everyone is going green these days...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c576.jpg

The Pepsi came out a couple weeks ago, but is just a rebranding in green instead of light blue... but I saw the Coke one today, and thought it was strange colour to compete with, and a really bad set of names - "life" and "next".

Both are trying to be "healthier" by replacing a *small* amount of the sugar with a natural sweeter (instead of an artificial one, as there are growing claims of being worse than sugar). Pepsi has 30% less, while Coke has 35% replaced.

Meh... if healthy is an issue, just drink water, milk or juice... or soda water if you want fizz. Worrying about a 30-35% difference in sugar in something that still has artificial colours and flavours, is like worrying about having two slices of cheese instead of one on a cheeseburger. :p

[kurdt_the_goat]

Tell that to the fatties who swear by diet coke :D
I was excited when i saw it thinking it was the flavour with lime added!

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Everyone is going green these days...

Saw these in the shops in Japan recently. Wondered what the deal was. Don't really care TBH. Coke is bad no matter how you have it. Sheesh.

Tell that to the fatties who swear by diet coke :D

lol. You'd be surprised how many fatties I'd serve a big ass popcorn, icecream and large drink to back in the early days of my cinema career. They'd all go for the diet coke.

How about you don't eat so much?:D:p;) Or excercise more.

Anyhoo.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Just browsing ebay and stumbled across this (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Limited-Edition-Fire-Emblem-Awakening-3DS-XL-Console-GAME-Installed-NEW-/171097217223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item27d63058c7)

First i was like ok, $1999.99 is ludicrously high.. then they have the gall to charge $19.99 shipping on top lol.
Then i realised '10 available, 2 sold'!
Has to be some kind of falsifying of the listing going on there!

[griffin]

This is so wrong, but so funny (https://twitter.com/AllsparkNews/status/585010263511924737).

[Mythirax]

This is so wrong, but so funny (https://twitter.com/AllsparkNews/status/585010263511924737).

Hahaha, that's awesome :D

[AJ_Prime]

This is so wrong, but so funny (https://twitter.com/AllsparkNews/status/585010263511924737).

Aaaaw, so cute all those wittle baby Optimi... The best part is they all fit in their mother's pouch/trailer....

[BruiseLee]

This is so wrong, but so funny (https://twitter.com/AllsparkNews/status/585010263511924737).

Lucky it's not the Beast Hunters Cyberverse. That lil one has teeth!!

[Skullcruncher]

Wow, at first I thought this was for the dude http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/very-large-staghorn-approximately-25-years-old-/271833313506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f4a8730e2 :o

[griffin]

Licensed ice-cube/chocolate trays from Japan (http://www.hlj.com/product/KBYGZ-462).

Ultra Marginal kept recommending these, and I finally got them from HLJ with my recent order, because they were 20% off.

They are nice as a novelty, but not very effective for ice, as they are not easy to fill and keep flat, and the sculpting isn't too prominent... unless you were able to fill them with two colours of water to make the details stand out.
I think they are probably best for chocolate or candy.
They are supposed to be silicone, so should be oven-safe for cookies... but I think I'd do some research on them first before risking it.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c582.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c583.jpg

The box they come in is double-sided, with Optimus on red on one side, and Megatron on purple on the other... each with a window to see the tray inside.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/1504b.jpg

[tinyJazz]

Griffin! Do these!

make crystal clear ice! (http://www.instructables.com/id/make-crystal-clear-ice!/)

Chocoley: Molding Chocolate, how to mold chocolate candy (http://www.chocoley.com/resources/molding-chocolate)

There's instructions on how to make ones with fillings too! :D

[prjkt]

I do like Rook's design but with him being one arm, Blades is just not bulky enough to make the other arm look symmetrical

Im just going to leave this here (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/bashabiru/thedangersofmasturbation.jpg)

[griffin]

The Water Diviner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Water_Diviner) is on Channel 7 on Monday, less than four months after it was released in theatres.
A pity that we have to wait so long for other movies to appear on TV or DVD here.

[Paulbot]

Weird but I see from your link that the Seven Network was behind the production which explains it. (I think there was another film recently that aired quickly for the same reason). And of course they'd want to rush it on for ratings while Anzac Day is on people's minds.

[griffin]

Weird but I see from your link that the Seven Network was behind the production which explains it. (I think there was another film recently that aired quickly for the same reason). And of course they'd want to rush it on for ratings while Anzac Day is on people's minds.

Yes, the Seven Network part-funded the movie, but I don't know why they can get a movie onto TV screens within 4 months, but other Movie producers can't... or won't.

[Paulbot]

They want to so they can make advertising revenue for their core television business. Other producers want to sell the DVD, rental, on demand, streaming, and pay tv rights first before the low end of the pool tv rights.

[GoktimusPrime]

This clip (http://www.mamamia.com.au/news/elmo-vaccination-video/) from Sesame Street is aimed to teach children (and parents) about the importance of vaccinations. But it also delivers an awesome message about super hero movies! :D

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/meme_elmoreboot_zpsfeep6sxs.jpg

[griffin]

This is sorta news, but I wasn't sure if it deserved to be in the News section, so will just post it here.

Earlier today (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/site-updates-18/transformer-world-2005-15th-anniversary-is-today-182513/) was the 15th birthday of the current TFW2005 website, as it was launched April 20th 2000.

Even though we are three years older, that's a great achievement for a major fansite to still be running so long unchanged and with the same administration running it. Especially after a number of the major fansites in the late 90s fell apart or died off.
EDIT - looks like the TFW2005 domain was not being used from about 2001 to 2003 because of a partnership with another fansite (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/1039761-tfw2005-15-years-old-today-3.html#post12451032)... so about 12 years as an unchanged ongoing entity. (to be fair, our site/group has evolved over our 18 years as well, in both name and location, so they still deserve the milestone of 15 years for being in some form as a single entity)


I joined there in July 2005, not for interacting, but to get to know more of the people who were going to BotCon, which was on in two months time. (I actually tried to join the four major fansites at that time, but only TFW2005 and Allspark activated me... as it was still a manual process back then on most sites), so those were the two sites I would log into and occasionally post for a while, and then more recently just TFW. So I'm just 3 months away from being a member there for 10 years... which I'm surprised to realise that it is two-thirds of their existence, as I didn't think that I was a member there that long.

[5FDP]

And for 15 years I've refused to join that website. I do read their forums however and visit the site daily, there's just a really bad element of people flaming each other which goes unchecked and unmoderated. There's a definite elitist attitude amongst many of their members. Ozformers is the complete opposite which is why it's my site of choice for interacting with other fans. Long live Ozformers!

[UltimateGalvatron]

And for 15 years I've refused to join that website. I do read their forums however and visit the site daily, there's just a really bad element of people flaming each other which goes unchecked and unmoderated. There's a definite elitist attitude amongst many of their members. Ozformers is the complete opposite which is why it's my site of choice for interacting with other fans. Long live Ozformers!

I agree I've gone there a few times and it looks pretty heated.

[The_Black_Sheep]

I've been a member on that site for 4-5 years now under the same name I use here & after thousands of posts over there, I've bought things at fantastic prices & made quite a few good mates from all around the world. I'm not saying there aren't a few whack-jobs who frequent those boards (there are parts of those boards that I stay well away from) but all-in-all, I don't mind that site - it's alright.

[griffin]

The 7 Network are really cashing in on the second Avengers movie.
Last weekend they had the first Avengers movie and the Hulk movie on Channel 7, and this Sunday they are playing both again on Channel 73.
:rolleyes:

And I'll probably still watch the Avengers movie again on the repeat... :p :o

[Trent]

The 7 Network are really cashing in on the second Avengers movie.
Last weekend they had the first Avengers movie and the Hulk movie on Channel 7, and this Sunday they are playing both again on Channel 73.
:rolleyes:

And I'll probably still watch the Avengers movie again on the repeat... :p :o

Pfft. Watch it on Blu Ray or not at all :p

I watched most of the Hulk movie the other night. First time since it came out. It wasn't as bad as I remember it being, but maybe that is just my expectations.

[GoktimusPrime]

A capella versions of...
The Mortal Kombat theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHiY4aRDb0) (parental discretion advised; graphic violence)
The X-Men theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djzxNUS_Hjk)
And more! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zdhsy78mI4&list=PLZDR60uwDDxQlOwlsZ1yS8OK-nYEnrmjF&index=1&feature=iv&src_vid=djzxNUS_Hjk&annotation_id=annotation_392973787) :D

[griffin]

David Letterman is finally leaving late night TV this week, with the final show on Thursday night in Australia.

[jazzcomp]

25 80's toys that are worth a lot more now (http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/25-toys-of-the-80s-that-are-worth-an-absolute-fortune-now#.xdOZPoJNa)

[tinyJazz]

25 80's toys that are worth a lot more now (http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/25-toys-of-the-80s-that-are-worth-an-absolute-fortune-now#.xdOZPoJNa)

They used a picture of MP Megatron to represent G1 megs?

They seem to think the He-man/Battlecat pack "commands a high price because it's rare", when it's actually an AFA.

This listicle pisses me off because they didn't use completed listings. Anyone can list a toy for ten grand, doesn't mean it's worth that amount.

just uggghhh. worst. and someone got paid to "write" this. :rolleyes:

[Trent]

Clickbait journalism.

[griffin]

Seen at Target the other day... thought it was funny...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c825.jpg

[5FDP]

Clickbait journalism.

I blame Starship Troopers. Want to learn more? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I8RdUCBwjE) :p

[Tober]

Toy gun laws: Sighting of boy with realistic fake prompts call to amend laws surrounding sale (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/toy-gun-laws-sighting-of-boy-with-realistic-fake-prompts-call-to-amend-laws-surrounding-sale/story-fni0cx4q-1227392042991)

[UltimateGalvatron]

Only making things worse for the sale of Gun-Mode Megatron...

[G1Optimal]

Sorry if old news but

Brontosaurus Stomps Back to Claim Its Status as Real Dinosaur

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150407-brontosaurus-back-return-apatosaurus-sauropod-dinosaurs-fossils-paleontology/#

Source: national geographic

[griffin]

I only found out about this a few hours ago because I didn't catch the news last night... yesterday morning (Thursday) at around 9.41am, there was a 5.3 earthquake off the coast of Fraser Island (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-30/earthquake-rattles-south-east-queensland/6659264)... and it made sense of something from yesterday morning.

I was on the north side of Brisbane doing a First Aid course on the fourth floor of a building, and I remember feeling a vibration during our first session between 9am to 10am - the sort of vibration you get when a heavy dual-trailer gravel truck drives past you or your house... and I dismissed it as something like that, but looking back, we were too far away from a major road, so after hearing tonight about the earthquake, I recalled what I felt in the Earthquake in Japan in November 2013, and it was the same sort of feeling (just more intense)... and it now made sense.


Did anyone else feel it?
People from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast have been claiming to have felt it.

[Megatran]

Ikea 2015 catalogue has Detolf glass cabinets priced at $129. Lighting option is extra.

[UltimateGalvatron]

Just joined TFW2005.

UltraGalvatron1

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm watching a show on TV Tokyo (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gaia/) atm that's showcasing a hotel in Japan that's entirely staffed by robots! :eek:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/16/japans-robot-hotel-a-dinosaur-at-reception-a-machine-for-room-service

[Megatran]

It's a sad day when Kermit the Frog & Missy Piggy have decided to go their separate ways. It was Miss Piggy's decision.

What hope is there for the rest of us......

[jazzcomp]

It's a sad day when Kermit the Frog & Missy Piggy have decided to go their separate ways. It was Miss Piggy's decision.

What hope is there for the rest of us......
I guess they finally accepted the reality that interspecies relationships doesn't really work :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Who remembers watching 'Hunter' in the 80s? ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJxKky6iA8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_(Australian_TV_series)

[Sinnertwin]

I'm watching a show on TV Tokyo (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gaia/) atm that's showcasing a hotel in Japan that's entirely staffed by robots! :eek:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/16/japans-robot-hotel-a-dinosaur-at-reception-a-machine-for-room-service

and when we're foraging for food in the wasteland, dodging plasma fire from the T800's, we'll look back at this moment & wonder why.


http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w661/sinnertwinsphotos/Terminator1001_zpswipajc6m.jpg (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/sinnertwinsphotos/media/Terminator1001_zpswipajc6m.jpg.html)

[GoktimusPrime]

and when we're foraging for food in the wasteland, dodging plasma fire from the T800's, we'll look back at this moment & wonder why.


http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w661/sinnertwinsphotos/th_Terminator1001_zpswipajc6m.jpg (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/sinnertwinsphotos/media/Terminator1001_zpswipajc6m.jpg.html)
Nah, this (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/03/us/hitchbot-robot-beheaded-philadelphia-feat/) is why. Always remember, we struck the first blow.

[Sinnertwin]

Nah, this (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/03/us/hitchbot-robot-beheaded-philadelphia-feat/) is why. Always remember, we struck the first blow.

Well played, sir...
I see your Tom-Hanks-robot-beheading-Streets-of-Philidelphia & raise you Autonomous Weapons Systems (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-28/stephen-hawking-elon-musk-warn-of-ai-weapon-arms-race/6652466).

[griffin]

I wonder if Megatron will make a cameo in the new Man From UNCLE movie...

[Paulbot]

One of the horses in today's Race 5 at Murtoa (http://www.racing.com/form/2015-08-15/murtoa/race/5) is "Gift of Primus".

[Megatran]

Moto GP has great characters! Goes to show you can have 'personality' without being a d!ckhead.

[griffin]

Big Brother has been shelved and the house has been partially dismantled. :)

One less reality show for us to have to sit through this year... but never fear, there's plenty more reality shows to replace it. :(
Even SBS has jumped on the bandwagon with a cooking competition show, with a Masterchef style show from China called Celebrity Chef.

The Block and X-Factor have also started their "sneak peek" advertising for their next series, that is likely to go for more weeks than the actual programs. :rolleyes:

[Megatran]

Big Brother has been shelved and the house has been partially dismantled. :)

One less reality show for us to have to sit through this year... but never fear, there's plenty more reality shows to replace it. :(
Even SBS has jumped on the bandwagon with a cooking competition show, with a Masterchef style show from China called Celebrity Chef.

The Block and X-Factor have also started their "sneak peek" advertising for their next series, that is likely to go for more weeks than the actual programs. :rolleyes:
For a guy who shows little to no interest in reality shows, you seem to know a hell of a lot. :D

[5FDP]

The words 'reality' and 'television' should not be in the same sentence ;)

I was watching the footy on the weekend and when the camera panned over the crowd they all just went feral. It's amazing how differently people act when they're on TV.

[kup]

It's a sad day when Kermit the Frog & Missy Piggy have decided to go their separate ways. It was Miss Piggy's decision.

What hope is there for the rest of us......

They break up all the time. In the first new Muppet movie they had been broken up for years! Nothing new here.

[griffin]

For a guy who shows little to no interest in reality shows, you seem to know a hell of a lot. :D

I channel surf a lot, because there are so many programs now that I avoid... and I have to sit through their advertisements in just about every ad break. :(
And when I set the machine to record evening programs, most of them will have in their description, a "sneak peek" at something.... and that something is months away, which gets really annoying seeing over and over and over again.

Or I could just stop watching TV altogether...... Naah. :p

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Or I could just stop watching TV altogether...... Naah. :p
Almost at that point myself. I tells ya, Japanese TV is pretty awful!

[CBratron]

It's why everything I've watched this year has been streamed or torrented, except for infomercials on Extra1+2. They're funny.

[GoktimusPrime]

Almost at that point myself. I tells ya, Japanese TV is pretty awful!
I find both Australian and Japanese TVs have their strengths and weaknesses. I prefer scifi shows that we get on AU TV, although imported from the UK (e.g. Doctor Who, Humans). But AU TV has all these rubbish reality shows. The thing that I don't like about Japanese TV are all the 'housewife' programmes, which seems to be a lot more prevalent now. On the plus side, Japanese TV has animé. And I personally find that they have far superior game shows too which I find a lot more intellectually challenging than any Australian game show. The most intellectually challenging show we have atm is The Great Australian Spelling Bee, which is challenging for kids (and to be fair, the contestants are aged 8-13), but aside from the odd obscure word here and there, it's generally not terribly challenging for the average adult. I've seen Japanese game shows that pitch students in a "Kanji bee." And it's no secret that Kanji is a lot harder than spelling! They play all sorts of interesting games with various Kanji compounds that they have limited time to construct etc.

I find that AU TV has generally better docos on nature, animals & Western history etc., but Japanese docos are better on Asian history, anthropology etc. Oh yeah, Japanese TV totally has better commercials too! :D

But ultimately I can't watch TV for too long. Thankfully I have my TF toys to entertain me! :)

[Megatran]

I channel surf a lot, because there are so many programs now that I avoid... and I have to sit through their advertisements in just about every ad break. :(
And when I set the machine to record evening programs, most of them will have in their description, a "sneak peek" at something.... and that something is months away, which gets really annoying seeing over and over and over again.

Or I could just stop watching TV altogether...... Naah. :p
It's OK to admit to enjoying Reality TV. We won't judge nor think less of you. :p

[Trent]

I channel surf a lot, because there are so many programs now that I avoid... and I have to sit through their advertisements in just about every ad break. :(
And when I set the machine to record evening programs, most of them will have in their description, a "sneak peek" at something.... and that something is months away, which gets really annoying seeing over and over and over again.

Or I could just stop watching TV altogether...... Naah. :p

I am intimately familiar with most of the edaytime shows on ABC Kids. The Wiggles, Small Potatoes, In the Night Garden, Curious George, Chuggington, etc. But that is because I have a baby that will only eat solid food whilst distracted by the television.

Other than that, I can honestly say that I haven't watched TV in over 6 months. Can't say my life is any worse off. I just make up for it by spending more time on the internet.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

The thing that I don't like about Japanese TV are all the 'housewife' programmes, which seems to be a lot more prevalent now. On the plus side, Japanese TV has animé.

But ultimately I can't watch TV for too long. Thankfully I have my TF toys to entertain me! :)
The housewife programmes drive me nuts, which is why I only really watch the occasional comedy show, scary shows and Hajimete no otsukai (coz it's cute and only on once or twice a year. I always manage to miss the anime on free TV :(

While the wife enjoys watching the TV, I myself read books/play with toys/do some work on the computer/nothing.


Other than that, I can honestly say that I haven't watched TV in over 6 months. Can't say my life is any worse off. I just make up for it by spending more time on the internet.
When I first got here, I didn't have a TV for a month, When I did get one, I didn't have a working aerial cable, so I just used it for video games. Then eventually I got around to setting it up and realised I preferred it when it was off/showing my video game skillzsz. Regret.

Could happily live without.

On the 'reality' TV side of things, I always despised them. They are just cheapass lazy ways for channels to fill in time when they can't be bothered producing anything. No need for script writers, or much planning and they can just use excess footage as much as they like. Pffah! Humbug! Humbug I say!

[griffin]

For anyone in the UK for the next month, and are lucky enough to get one of the limited tickets... consider checking out Dismaland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dismaland). An artistic parody of themeparks like Disneyland, that is not suitable for children... created by a number of artists at an abandoned aquatic park in south west England.

It's fascinating just to scroll through the images, and might be some fun to visit, but this isn't a themepark for rides... it's more like an art gallery, with the theme of a perverse, morbid look on modern society.

Some recommended links for photos - here (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/20/arts/banksy-dismaland-art-exhibition/index.html) - here (http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/aug/20/banksy-dismaland-a-theme-park-unsuitable-for-children-in-pictures) - here (http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/08/dismaland/) - here (http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/20/banksy-dismaland-amusements-anarchism-weston-super-mare).

[lancalot]

Hey you can send you name to mars on their next mission ... got my boarding pass... :)

"Mars enthusiasts around the world can participate in NASA’s journey to Mars by adding their names to a silicon microchip headed to the Red Planet aboard NASA's InSight Mars lander, scheduled to launch next year"

http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/send-your-name-to-mars-on-nasas-next-red-planet-mission

http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/insight/

[griffin]

Cast & crew of Star Trek Beyond's dedication to the memory of Leonard Nimoy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHKSCDRVzgs)

The thing I find disappointing is all the youtube trolls, posting up random videos with the same title just to get page views (and revenue)... which I saw listed on the right among the "related videos".
Clicking on one of them and seeing their other videos, there are a lot of other videos they have put up that don't match their titles.

[UltraMarginal]

I wonder if Megatron will make a cameo in the new Man From UNCLE movie...

Or Dr Mallard from NCIS


The thing I find disappointing is all the youtube trolls, posting up random videos with the same title just to get page views (and revenue)... which I saw listed on the right among the "related videos".
Clicking on one of them and seeing their other videos, there are a lot of other videos they have put up that don't match their titles.

its cheap and disrespectful

[griffin]

I saw on the news last night, the legendary horror master Wes Craven died yesterday. :(

Most famous for the Freddy Kruger series, he was also responsible for the Scream series, as well as directing the movie Red Eye, which was one of his most profitable movies.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Big Brother has been shelved and the house has been partially dismantled. :)

One less reality show for us to have to sit through this year... but never fear, there's plenty more reality shows to replace it. :(
Even SBS has jumped on the bandwagon with a cooking competition show, with a Masterchef style show from China called Celebrity Chef.

The Block and X-Factor have also started their "sneak peek" advertising for their next series, that is likely to go for more weeks than the actual programs. :rolleyes:


The words 'reality' and 'television' should not be in the same sentence ;)

I was watching the footy on the weekend and when the camera panned over the crowd they all just went feral. It's amazing how differently people act when they're on TV.




On the 'reality' TV side of things, I always despised them. They are just cheapass lazy ways for channels to fill in time when they can't be bothered producing anything. No need for script writers, or much planning and they can just use excess footage as much as they like. Pffah! Humbug! Humbug I say!

I've always despised Reality TV with a passion. Hate Hate Vomit Hate! :mad:

The only two good reality TV shows ever were Iron Chef because it was cool to watch these professional Japanese chefs and the voiceovers were funny as, and the other was Trinny and Susannah as they spent every episode playing with the boobs of whoever they were doing a makeover of :p


I am intimately familiar with most of the edaytime shows on ABC Kids. The Wiggles, Small Potatoes, In the Night Garden, Curious George, Chuggington, etc. But that is because I have a baby that will only eat solid food whilst distracted by the television.

Other than that, I can honestly say that I haven't watched TV in over 6 months. Can't say my life is any worse off. I just make up for it by spending more time on the internet.


Great ABC Kids shows - Peppa Pig, Ben & Hollys Little Kingdom, Thomas and Rob the Robot

Awful Shows - Miffy, Charlie & Lola, lots of the others

I saw the freakin funniest thing on Postman Pat the other day! He got the top half of him caught in a hole in a tree, was bent over and his pants had split and there was a big round hole right over his..... evacuation point. I said to Sarah "He looks like he is ready for it, he better hope its not a pervert that finds him". Anyway, a bloke came along and found him, grabbed him by the hips from behind and began to pull via the motion of continually thrusting his hips forward, throwing his head back and grunting. :D:D

My wife, who is more mature than I, even she was almost crying with laughter! Our kids were laughing at us laughing but thankfully I don't think they got the joke :p

[Megatran]

Train strike in Melbourne tomorrow. Brace yourself for road & public transport carnage.

[GoktimusPrime]

Who remembers this TV commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScThCYgEm7g) from 1991 when mobile phones came along? ;)

"Nah mate, mobile phone!" :D

#nostalgia

[5FDP]

Sure do. We've got one of those old phones on display here at our office. It's pretty amazing when you think about it that what we carry in our back pocket is in essence a tiny computer far more powerful than anything released back in 1991.

[Trent]

Anyone know who this is? This half a figure has been on my colleagues monitor for years.

It's stamped Hungry Jacks and Marvel 2007.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/1BF70776-3711-40DA-9BE8-512F2B5FD8A2.jpg

[BruiseLee]

Probably a tie in with spidey 3. If so, only one I can think of is the Harry Osborn Goblin.

[UltimateGalvatron]

RIP Daniel from Cyndago. Myself, Mark, Matt, Ryan and all your fans will never forget you.

[Deonasis]

Probably a tie in with spidey 3. If so, only one I can think of is the Harry Osborn Goblin.Yep i agree he is even holding one of those bombs in his hand. Also that workspace looks soo much like a Qld Health (or atleast public servant) cubical and work attire it aint funny.

[Trent]

Probably a tie in with spidey 3. If so, only one I can think of is the Harry Osborn Goblin.


Yep i agree he is even holding one of those bombs in his hand. Also that workspace looks soo much like a Qld Health (or atleast public servant) cubical and work attire it aint funny.

Thanks gents. I feel a little silly for needing it pointed out to me :o

And yes, public servant, but wrong industry and state.

[Deonasis]

And yes, public servant, but wrong industry and state.Yes! I spent 8 years at those desks.

Unrelated, keep posting stuff for me to read everyone. I am into my 2nd day in hospital* and bored sh!tless so I am scouring the boards for places i can leave my 2 cents.

* Just some lower abdominal pain which is probably not appendicitis. They are still investigating it all. But enough about me ..POST STUFF!

[griffin]

Looks like some sort of new scam going on with the phones this week, as it called me and I had a look online to see what was going on (https://www.shouldianswer.net/phone-number/21693335060).

I'm not sure what it leads to, but a phone number with a Tunisia area code, is calling random numbers and hanging up after two rings.

I don't know if calling back slugs you with an extra fee that they then earn (like one of those premium rate phone numbers that charge $5 per minute), or if it is a way to cold-call a scam (to send them money for something in return that they don't have).

So if you get a missed call from overseas, check first to see if it is someone you know... and if it isn't do a dialing-code search (the first block of numbers) to see where it is coming from, or do a google search of the entire phone number to see if it is a scam.

[griffin]

In the last ten minutes of September, my TV kept popping up messages every 3-4 minutes to say that a new channel had been found... and all three new channels (91, 92, 93) are just duplicates of existing Nine Network channels (9, 90, 99) in the same Definition level... which was an annoying tease, thinking some new content was starting this month. :p

[Megatran]

Perfect weather hitting Melbourne this long weekend ... not too hot either. It's time to flame up those BBQs. :)

[Handsprime]

Apparently Top Ryde is really starting to show change. I think last year they shut down the IGA and for a while nothing appeared to happen. Yesterday I was there and I learnt they are gonna open a Kmart and a Coles there. All I know is that they relocated the Reject Shop and the party store.

I don't really care as much since I usually only go there to see if they have anything interesting in Toymate, and sometimes Big W.

[UltimateGalvatron]

At McDonalds and the person behind you says "Should I get nuggets or a burger?" #firstworldproblems

[AJ_Prime]

Well, that dreaded time has finally come. I have to make a decision about which transformers to remove from my display and put into storage. I attempted to negotiate moving the bookshelf from the study into the front lounge in order to accommodate more shelving/cabinets, but the wife said no. :(

Sadly, upgrading the house is not an option at this stage...

I've already started transforming some of the unlucky contenders in preparation for their home in a safe, dark place in a plastic tub at the bottom of the wardrobe. Who knows, perhaps one day they will again see the light of day, proudly displayed once again with their comrades who made the original cut. Or they may eventually be joined by others who lost their place amongst the plastic shrine.

[UltimateGalvatron]

Do not grieve...soon, they will become one with the container...

That sucks man :(

[M-bot]

Do not grieve...soon, they will become one with the container...

That sucks man :(

You REALLY like the '86 movie, don't you?:D;)

(Me too lol)

[UltimateGalvatron]

Hehe, yep :p

[AJ_Prime]

Do not grieve...soon, they will become one with the container...

Haha, nice reference.

[lancalot]

Finally i found out where you buy them hologram display for your figures , i think everyone seen hologram overlay of the dragonball one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYTw4zdG4FU) and the ironman ones...


now i got to save up for one ....

https://3dshk.myshopify.com/

[drifand]

At McDonalds and the person behind you says "Should I get nuggets or a burger?" #firstworldproblems

Better than jokers who are lining up (6 people in front of them and you are behind this person) and then its their turn to order, "Now what should I order?" . I mean seriously you had 6 people in front of you and you still can't make a decision?

lol

[drifand]

Finally i found out where you buy them hologram display for your figures , i think everyone seen hologram overlay of the dragonball one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYTw4zdG4FU) and the ironman ones...


now i got to save up for one ....

https://3dshk.myshopify.com/

Holy crap on the price.

[Trent]

Finally i found out where you buy them hologram display for your figures , i think everyone seen hologram overlay of the dragonball one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYTw4zdG4FU) and the ironman ones...


now i got to save up for one ....

https://3dshk.myshopify.com/

Awesome. Do it. Buy one.

[lancalot]

Awesome. Do it. Buy one.

lol... you got to buy the vf11b off me first before i could afford it :p

[GoktimusPrime]

The moral dilemma of robot cars (http://www.technologyreview.com/view/542626/why-self-driving-cars-must-be-programmed-to-kill/)

Here's the thing; robot cars are safer than human operated cars. They are cleaner, more fuel efficient, never get road rage or tired etc. Road injuries and fatalities are likely to be drastically reduced with more robot cars on the road. But what happens when a fatal emergency is about to occur? Should robot cars be programmed to act upon the idea of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"? Or otherwise make 'logical' life saving decisions which would mean sacrificing other lives.

This is a question which science fiction has long debated, particularly among science fiction writers, including Isaac Asimov who of course created the 3 Laws of Robotics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics):
1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws

But of course, there may be situations where the robot cannot save every human around it. What then? The film I, Robot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Robot_(film)) touched upon this question with the flashback scene where Spooner (Smith) is involved in a car crash, and a nearby robot jumps into the water and saves him instead of a young girl, despite Spooner ordering the robot to sacrifice him and save the girl. The robot only calculated likelihood of survival and determined that it only had an 11% chance of success if it attempted to save the girl vs. a much higher chance of success if it tried to save Spooner; and its calculations proved correct as Spooner was saved, but the girl drowned. But if the robot had attempted the save the girl instead, there would've been a higher probability that both parties would have perished, thus violating the First Law of Robotics.

So what do you guys think? Should robot cars be programmed to consider the needs of the many over the needs of the few, even if it means sacrificing its owner/occupants, or should they be programmed to protect their owners/occupants, even if it means sacrificing a greater number of people outside the vehicle?

[Trent]

The moral dilemma of robot cars (http://www.technologyreview.com/view/542626/why-self-driving-cars-must-be-programmed-to-kill/)

Here's the thing; robot cars are safer than human operated cars. They are cleaner, more fuel efficient, never get road rage or tired etc. Road injuries and fatalities are likely to be drastically reduced with more robot cars on the road. But what happens when a fatal emergency is about to occur? Should robot cars be programmed to act upon the idea of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"? Or otherwise make 'logical' life saving decisions which would mean sacrificing other lives.

This is a question which science fiction has long debated, particularly among science fiction writers, including Isaac Asimov who of course created the 3 Laws of Robotics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics):
1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws

But of course, there may be situations where the robot cannot save every human around it. What then? The film I, Robot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Robot_(film)) touched upon this question with the flashback scene where Spooner (Smith) is involved in a car crash, and a nearby robot jumps into the water and saves him instead of a young girl, despite Spooner ordering the robot to sacrifice him and save the girl. The robot only calculated likelihood of survival and determined that it only had an 11% chance of success if it attempted to save the girl vs. a much higher chance of success if it tried to save Spooner; and its calculations proved correct as Spooner was saved, but the girl drowned. But if the robot had attempted the save the girl instead, there would've been a higher probability that both parties would have perished, thus violating the First Law of Robotics.

So what do you guys think? Should robot cars be programmed to consider the needs of the many over the needs of the few, even if it means sacrificing its owner/occupants, or should they be programmed to protect their owners/occupants, even if it means sacrificing a greater number of people outside the vehicle?

it's a poor question. Who are the few? Who are the many? Are you referring to the occupant/s of the vehicle as the few? What if they are the many? What if both parties are equal in number?

It's too complicated a thing to program. The car, just like the autopilot on a commercial airliner, should be programmed to protect the occupants. It would naturally do so by obeying the road rules and scanning for hazards to avoid safely.

I can't say I'd be at ease with a car that was programmed to, in the event that 2 people (unintentionally) disobey the road rules and step out in front of me, potentially sacrifice me to save those 2 people. What if to avoid those 2 people the car made a decision to plow into the lounge room of a house and killed the single occupant? What if it turns out that there was a children's birthday party in that lounge room and your car just made a pre-programmed decision that resulted in the death of 6 children, all to save 2 people that were at fault?


Imagine the law suits.

[TAAUBlaster]

I can't say I'd be at ease with a car that was programmed to, in the event that 2 people (unintentionally) disobey the road rules and step out in front of me, potentially sacrifice me to save those 2 people. What if to avoid those 2 people the car made a decision to plow into the lounge room of a house and killed the single occupant? What if it turns out that there was a children's birthday party in that lounge room and your car just made a pre-programmed decision that resulted in the death of 6 children, all to save 2 people that were at fault?


Imagine the law suits.

Not that I disagree with you, (I think the car should prioritise the safety of the occupant before anyone outside - I'm not against sacrificing my safety depending on the situation, but I would like that decision to be left entirely up to me, not a computer) but if you were driving by yourself and two people stepped out in front of you, wouldn't you instinctively attempt to swerve to avoid them?

To be honest, I don't like the idea of programmed robot cars. Every piece of technology up until now (including cars) has been hackable by someone at sometime. I think it naive to think any type of robotic car in the future would be hacker proof.

Not to mention potential software conflicts/ bugs, etc. In a future that is heading towards a majority wireless society, how will people control the software/firmware updates that the robot car will no doubt require? Look at Microsoft as an example. They roll out Windows patches and updates very often. And sometimes a particular update will cripple or severley damage a Windows install (granted it is rare, but it happens.) And with companies being more and more sneaky about updates these days, I think there is a high probability that such updates would just get transmitted wirelessly as you are driving - without any knowledge to the driver.

And I'm sure robot cars will need some sort of GPS connectivity to be able to drive. And again, we all know how unreliable GPS can be sometimes.

Maybe I've seen too many SF movies and anime ( :p ) but those are my main concerns about robot cars in the future. And maybe I'm in a minority, but I actually like driving my car with my own two hands. :D

[Megatran]

Wow. Just heard George Street Sydney CBD will be closed off to vehicle traffic for 3 years due to light rail work.

I remember some years back visiting Sydney & heading to the Rocks along George street in a taxi. Ended up walking part of the way. Faster too.

[Sinnertwin]

So what do you guys think? Should robot cars be programmed to consider the needs of the many over the needs of the few, even if it means sacrificing its owner/occupants, or should they be programmed to protect their owners/occupants, even if it means sacrificing a greater number of people outside the vehicle?

Neither. There are too many variables to even consider such notions and attempt to implement.

[UltraMarginal]

Can you imagine the state of the car industry if cars were programmed to prioritise the safety of others over the occupants? there would suddenly be a lot of push bikes on the road.

[Golden Phoenix]

Wow. Just heard George Street Sydney CBD will be closed off to vehicle traffic for 3 years due to light rail work.

I think they have similar plans for Swanston St in Melbourne if start work on the train tunnel under the city.

[CHILENO20]

I think they have similar plans for Swanston St in Melbourne if start work on the train tunnel under the city.

Not as bad now as they will now tunnel with a burrowing machine and the tunnel itself will be deeper.

[Handsprime]

The other day the talented Diane Charlemagne passed away. For those who don't know her she is a singer who sang on many tunes including a bunch of Drum & Bass tunes from artists like High Contrast, Netsky, S.P.Y., Cyantific, Taxman and Goldie.

RIP Diane you'll be missed :(

[UltimateGalvatron]

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

[5FDP]

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

This!

[Autocon]

Seraphim Prime - inbox full

[M-bot]

Today is White Ribbon Day. A day for men to take a stand against violence against women. Did you know that violence from an intimate male partner claims the life of one women EVERY WEEK (on average) in Australia? According to the World Health Organisation, 30% of women worldwide experience violence from an intimate partner. It's utterly unacceptable.
"I swear never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women."

[griffin]

Where's the meat?

I was at my nearby Woolworths last week and I saw some Goat Sausages in the meat section, and since I'm one to try the more obscure meats that Coles and Woolies have been stocking lately, I had a look at them to see what percentage content of goat meat is in them (to see how they compare to normal sausages that often have about 60-80%).... but I was amused and worried to find that "meat" wasn't even listed.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d008.jpg

It was probably just a mistake from the printers... but it probably leaves them liable to a recall if they don't declare all of the ingredients. At least, I hope there is goat meat in them.
(I didn't try them - I'll wait until I know its contents first.)

[Megatran]

^ That is a fail. Most reputable food companies have packaging artwork checked & approved by several sets of eyes (R&D, Quality, Marketing, Nutrition & Legal). Although mistakes can & do happen, the omission of the key characteristic ingredient in the ingredient declaration, in this case, goat meat (including the % in the sausage), would constitute a withdrawal of the product from sale.

[GoktimusPrime]

What an insult to the Year of the Goat!

[griffin]

I got a reply email today from them, noting that it has 75% goat meat... but they didn't comment on it missing from their label, or if it would be fixed.

[griffin]

So we have this one-time QLD billionaire who should still be worth several hundred million, refusing to spend $45 million of his fortune to save one of his companies... but instead, is behaving like the rich American Bank CEOs in 2008, by demanding that the QLD government use taxpayer money to bail out his Nickel company, to save 800 jobs (but more importantly, save him millions of dollars).

And Clive Palmer wants us to believe that he set up a political party to stand up for the common people, against the major parties who only look after themselves and their corporate donors... when he is more willing to sacrifice 800 jobs than spend a small fraction of his wealth to save his company from collapse.

:rolleyes:

(and no, I don't believe he set up the PUP for any benevolent reasons... he only did it up to take on the Liberals who would no longer accept the conditions he would put on his hefty Liberal party donations... not to mention, to be able to help pass laws or revoke taxes to make his mining companies more profitable)

[Akky82]

So we have this one-time QLD billionaire who should still be worth several hundred million, refusing to spend $45 million of his fortune to save one of his companies... but instead, is behaving like the rich American Bank CEOs in 2008, by demanding that the QLD government use taxpayer money to bail out his Nickel company, to save 800 jobs (but more importantly, save him millions of dollars).

And Clive Palmer wants us to believe that he set up a political party to stand up for the common people, against the major parties who only look after themselves and their corporate donors... when he is more willing to sacrifice 800 jobs than spend a small fraction of his wealth to save his company from collapse.

:rolleyes:

(and no, I don't believe he set up the PUP for any benevolent reasons... he only did it up to take on the Liberals who would no longer accept the conditions he would put on his hefty Liberal party donations... not to mention, to be able to help pass laws or revoke taxes to make his mining companies more profitable)

Mate he needs the funds for the replica titanic from somewhere! (Which ironically, isnt it being buit offshore? If it really is still a goer).

[Sinnertwin]

Where's the meat?

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d008.jpg


Look at all of that synthetic goodness!
It's scary that Salt [with the exception of the unlisted 75% Goats Meat] is the 3rd most prominent ingredient.

[Megatran]

It's raining. Actually bucketing down. Last few days of 35+ degrees Celsius has been intolerable for me .... and my poor young marigold flowers. Been watering it each day with recycled water.

[Jaxius._]

It's raining. Actually bucketing down. Last few days of 35+ degrees Celsius has been intolerable for me .... and my poor young marigold flowers. Been watering it each day with recycled water.

Not a single drop over here! I planned on going out this weekend, to goddamn hot

[UltimateGalvatron]

Not a single drop over here! I planned on going out this weekend, to goddamn hot

Me and my mates go to the pool pretty much every other day... it so humid and hot in my area!! :mad:

[snaketales]

I seem to have turned into a technological black hole... yesterday both my work computer and my mobile died on me.

[Jaxius._]

It's raining now :D

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Japanese research institute earns right to name element 113 (http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20151231/p2g/00m/0dm/064000c).
I wonder how you say "Lost Light" in Latin? Lux amissa?

Help me Goki-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!

[griffin]

When is it too early?

We see Christmas stock showing up in stores earlier and earlier each year but Easter items are stuck with having Christmas preventing them from getting out any earlier... but for how much longer?
The Woolworths near me had these out in the week of Christmas, with me taking this photo on December 31st (so could have been out earlier).

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d069.jpg

Very soon, I think stores will just have Christmas and Easter items out all year long.

[gamblor916]

Can't complain, I wish they were available year round.

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Yeah, it was funny a few months ago seeing Halloween and Christmas stuff right next to one another in Target... asides from the clash of holidays it just shows how Americanised we're becoming.

[Handsprime]

I swear if I ever see Christmas and Easter stuff next to each other in the stores, you know something is wrong with society.
At the moment the earliest I've heard of stores selling Christmas stuff is August, which is not even in the same quarter or even third :eek: !

[janda the red]

Can't complain, I wish they were available year round.

Me too! :)

[i_amtrunks]

I walked into a Target on December 30th and they already had signs saying"this way to our Australia Day shop".

Which consisted of an empty display about half the size of the special Star Wars section...

[GoktimusPrime]

I wonder how you say "Lost Light" in Latin? Lux amissa?
Correct! Well done. :)

[Jaxius._]

I swear if I ever see Christmas and Easter stuff next to each other in the stores, you know something is wrong with society.
At the moment the earliest I've heard of stores selling Christmas stuff is August, which is not even in the same quarter or even third :eek: !

uh there was valentines day stuff next to easter stuff and Christmas stuff in 2014

[AJ_Prime]

When the Halloween and Christmas decorations are out at the same time you can really have some fun with the displays LOL! Zombies in the nativity scene? Oh yes!!

[Jaxius._]

When the Halloween and Christmas decorations are out at the same time you can really have some fun with the displays LOL! Zombies in the nativity scene? Oh yes!!

Zombie Jesus and the hunt for the atheist

(don't want to offend anyone. I myself am an Evolutionist not an atheist (i believe in the theory of evolution, just to make it clear))

[UltimateGalvatron]

I'm Batman.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I'm Batman.

No, I'm Batman

[Paulbot]

I'm Batman.


No, I'm Batman

I'm Batman

[UltimateGalvatron]

I'm Batman.


No, I'm Batman


I'm Batman

No, I'm Batman.

[Jaxius._]

No, I'm Batman.


I'm Batman


No, I'm Batman


I'm Batman.

I'm Manbat /\/(0vvv0)\/\

[GoktimusPrime]

Nein! Ich bin die Fledermaus (http://tick.wikia.com/wiki/Die_Fledermaus)!

[Handsprime]

Why are people claiming they are a City in Turkey? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman,_Turkey)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Why are people claiming they are a City in Turkey? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman,_Turkey)

I hear they don't need a police force there.

[Paulbot]

I thought we were having a Spartacus moment.

[i_amtrunks]

Went indoor skydiving tonight out at Penrith Panthers as part of my birthday present from work colleagues.

Whilst it is nothing like actual skydiving, it was a lot of fun, and best thing is, since it is indoor the weather and wind do not affect it at all!

[Megatran]

So, we were doing grocery shopping at our local Coles today. I see a scruffy looking man get out of a black BMW X3 in the car park. About a minute later I see him again. He's sitting at the Coles entrance as a beggar. Dodgy bugger!

[jazzcomp]

So, we were doing grocery shopping at our local Coles today. I see a scruffy looking man get out of a black BMW X3 in the car park. About a minute later I see him again. He's sitting at the Coles entrance as a beggar. Dodgy bugger!
He could've at least gotten a crappy car to match his clothes ;)

[Trent]

So, we were doing grocery shopping at our local Coles today. I see a scruffy looking man get out of a black BMW X3 in the car park. About a minute later I see him again. He's sitting at the Coles entrance as a beggar. Dodgy bugger!

He's obviously doing it right.

[Jaxius._]

So, we were doing grocery shopping at our local Coles today. I see a scruffy looking man get out of a black BMW X3 in the car park. About a minute later I see him again. He's sitting at the Coles entrance as a beggar. Dodgy bugger!

Where in Melbourne was this? He needs to beg to pay it off I bet :p