Random thoughts thread

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Worked with a guy years ago that was in for 8 years and was only a Master Corporal went he got out. This was a long time ago, though. He had stories about the Quebec crisis, messing with the Americans during war games in Germany, and about how the Soviet guys in Cyprus were pretty cool as long as their Political Officers weren't around.

Yup, not uncommon at all. I've been in for almost 14 years and I'm still a leading seaman. (same as a corporal) I made some conscience decisions that prevented me from getting promoted, but I'm not THAT unusual in the Canadian Forces.

As for stories, I could talk your ear off, but without understanding the context it wouldn't mean much.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Calum

Yup, not uncommon at all. I've been in for almost 14 years and I'm still a leading seaman. (same as a corporal) I made some conscience decisions that prevented me from getting promoted, but I'm not THAT unusual in the Canadian Forces.

As for stories, I could talk your ear off, but without understanding the context it wouldn't mean much.

But are you on the specialist pay scale at least? Another buddy of mine went in as light infantry (PPCLI) and got paid kind of shitty. He remustered as an environmental tech and made almost double, without the risks.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by Want.FR-S

Interesting story. What tools/gadgets were you allowed to bring for the night navigation? If there was a clear night, you can at least use moon/stars to navigate a bit. If it was a cloudy day, you have no ways but to look at your surrounding and remember the map to go thru the ways.

Same as day; map, protractor, marker pen, compass, and a score sheet. They gave us a few confirmed points for reference and told us to spend a good 30 minutes on plotting/planning then get moving. The only exception was that we had to use a flashlight with red light only. There were senior cadets and cadre walking around without flashlights checking for cheaters. Which was creepy as hell BTW.

We had to guess terrain features in dense forest with a 30 year old map. So it was fun to say the least.

Originally Posted by Calum

^^ Thinks officers actually makes decisions.

Officer = over paid clerk

I used to think that but now I know it's not completely true. I'm not trying to downplay the role of sergeants at all but officers have to do a bunch of tedious, mental shit. It makes me want to rage, transform into a meathead, and go enlisted. I actually got Military Enlisted on a career test once.

Originally Posted by Calum

A sergeant at four years would be impossible in the Canadian Army, outside of war time promotions. Typically a sergeant has at least 6 years and most likely 10 years for us. And that's in trades that get promoted quickly. Just something to keep in mind if you're ever playing with the Canadians.

It depends, obviously. During peace time the number of openings will be fewer. My dad had an opportunity to go E-5 after 3.5 years, he was a Specialist(I think). I know the Air Force and Medical corp tend to get pretty crowded with little opportunity for promos.

Probably just a difference in rank and structure, US military is pretty big with room for promos. Plus we have 8 ranks for sergeant and only 4 for non-officers.

[ichitaka05]

WOW! WTF! I never knew this!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBJV56WUDng"]How To Peel A Banana Like A Monkey - YouTube[/ame]

[Re~Mix]

^ I've been doing that for years, ex gf found it odd but it works great!

[wrxgoose]

it takes a college degree to break it (yay ossifers!) and NCOs to fix it



edit: i personally got out as an E3, due to medical problems. i'd probably still be in if i hadn't, but not as 3P0X1 (USAF Security Forces)

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

honestly, tablets are such useless pieces of shit, they can't do anything a phone can't do, they're too bulky so you might as well carry a laptop, and why would you buy data for it when just about everything else has shareable mobile data?

I guess they're good for plugging into your car though, if you're into that sort of thing.

Originally Posted by M-17

I only get one if they were dirt cheap. Laptop over a tablet any day.

I used to say that before I had any access to the tablet. Now I don't say this because I have one. This is just like cellphone. You never know you need that until you have it.

With easy access of tablet, I refused to see my phone besides dialing or doing something simple like calculators. Reading web pages is a pain in the butt that you need to squint your eyes to make out the small words. Totally not worth it.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Want.FR-S

I used to say that before I had any access to the tablet. Now I don't say this because I have one. This is just like cellphone. You never know you need that until you have it.

With easy access of tablet, I refused to see my phone besides dialing or doing something simple like calculators. Reading web pages is a pain in the butt that you need to squint your eyes to make out the small words. Totally not worth it.

How do you carry a tablet though? You can't put it in your pocket. If you need a bag for it, or a hand, might as well have a laptop...

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by Guff

I suppose that works, but the iPad mini is still a bit above the price range of its competition. Whereas the iPad 2 sat at as a nice cost effective tablet in its size.

And although it's unusual that Apple went with a 6 month refresh for this, I suppose they really wanted to get everything using Lightning connectors. Meh, I dont think its a big enough change for to truly consider it a 'new' product, but you are right that it has 'outdated' the iPad 3.

I wonder if there is a Marxh release planned for another gen of iPad, or of they are changing te refresh cycle entirely?

Just to echo your ideas. iPad 2 was at a good price point for a ~10 inch tablet. However, that is still expensive if you compare it with Android devices. $399 with 16GB whereas you can get 32GB for $399 CDN from Asus TF300, with the similar screen density but iPad2 has inferior cameras (what the heck are those cameras in iPad2? oh, did I say iPad Mini has better camera?), and no SD card access. I had a feeling that Apple just made too many iPad2 trying to milk more money and not able to sell those when iPad 3 comes out so they reduce the price hopefully to consume those stocks. Then someone just thought of a good idea to make two-tiered product plan for the introduction of iPad Mini.

And now, I think Apple is trying (forcing) everyone to jump on the "lightening" bandwagon with iPhone/iPod/iPad(mini) all using this new interface, with disregarding of EU's decision on standardizing charging device using micro-USB, so that they can charge more $$$ with all the peripherals that will come out for the new "lightening" interface. People is going to pay for that new interface...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Dimman

the Soviet guys in Cyprus were pretty cool as long as their Political Officers weren't around.

Most Communists are like that.

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

How do you carry a tablet though? You can't put it in your pocket. If you need a bag for it, or a hand, might as well have a laptop...

You carry it as you would to carry a laptop. However, talking about instant access and battery longevity. The laptop is good and portable, but not as sleek as a tablet if all you are doing is browsing the web or reading texts. Frankly, I have seen people actually using iPad in the subway to watch video or reading webpages so that is not uncommon.

I really like the 7" idea first done by RIM/Samsung, but their OS sucks big time with no APPs support. When RIM introduces their 7" playbook I was really excited because that would be a perfect size for a mobile device, small enough to carry but with screen big enough to view. A 7" tablet can fit a big pocket found in some of the old leather jacket that has a internal bag that can cold a CD player (who is still using that? ). In the Apple AD shown today one guy just pulled out the Mini from his jacket pocket. I think that jacket, IIRC, is the one found in many war-place photojournalist with many pockets.

Unfortunately RIM did not succeed on their version of 7" device. Samsung fares OK with their version but it was still too bulky. Google Nexus 7 is getting better. However, as the phone is getting bigger to 5.5" (Galaxy Note II), it is becoming unclear between a large phone or a small tablet.

It is funny that when RIM introduced the 7" device that Steve Jobs laughed so hard about their failure, and now Apple is introducing a 7.9" device to compete with these 7" devices.

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by wrxgoose

it takes a college degree to break it (yay ossifers!) and NCOs to fix it



edit: i personally got out as an E3, due to medical problems. i'd probably still be in if i hadn't, but not as 3P0X1 (USAF Security Forces)

You know, I start to think that this is not only applicable to the military, this also works in Corporate America between managers and their subordinates.

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

Same as day; map, protractor, marker pen, compass, and a score sheet. They gave us a few confirmed points for reference and told us to spend a good 30 minutes on plotting/planning then get moving. The only exception was that we had to use a flashlight with red light only. There were senior cadets and cadre walking around without flashlights checking for cheaters. Which was creepy as hell BTW.

We had to guess terrain features in dense forest with a 30 year old map. So it was fun to say the least.

Thanks for replying. That sounds fun if you have proper clothing. I thought your eyes eventually get used to the darkness if there is moon/start lights in the field.

[Giccin]

Decided to send @ichitaka05 photos of my buffalo wing dinner tonight with my beer.

Turns out he likes it. ;D