bpate4home

I from Northern Ohio and lived in Texas the last 15 years so I can relate. Although as a kid in Ohio I did ride year around for a couple of years as I didn't have a car. You can get heated gear though that can help get you some wind Therapy.

I do a lot of windows scratch installs in a corporate style environment. The boatware isn't with MS but with the equipment sellers. This was actually a big reason why MS introed the Surface and the Surfacebook lines. It was to get a competing product with an iPad style but they even said to the hardware mfgrs "If you cannot sell hardware without all the junk - we will." they followed that too. My first SurfacePro had 0 bloatware. Not even an Office iteration option. Just plain Windows, was a great option. Now we use Windows LTSB for the Firm. This is a non-bloatware or addon Windows and not tied to the quarterly large update that MS produces. IMHO Apple is far worse with their updates and they relied on security through obscurity for the longest time.

I use this all the time. I wrote my first program on an early CP/m machine (I think) when I was 14 or 15. Wrote an inventory DB for a small auto parts store in trade for parts for a 66 Mustang we picked up for me to drive ('nother story there). That was somewhere around 1980 or 81. They were given a PC with a 'piece of junk' monitor in trade valves and rings to someone rebuilding an engine. Turned out the Monitor was the best part. It was a 'touch screen' so to speak (part of the other story). Any way I started using SCO Xenix and then Linux very early on. At that point they were a PIA to get setup right. Loading from a 5 /14 disc was lengthy process. I've even had to compile the kernel myself many times. Ran my own business on it with early SMTP/UUCP for email before email was a thing. I should grab an old machine out and try it again. I have no issues with MS in general other than the constant phone home stuff. What I really dislike is Apple and other like them. IE Apple and other sued MS years ago for 'forcing' apps onto customers and now Apple does this to the delight of everyone. The general populace is force to get 'stuff' only from their store and it is not as secure as MS at this point there's a 3rd story behind this one). I've been thinking of getting my wife a newer machine as hers is a pig at the moment. Maybe I use that machine to try a Linux variant. Who knows, when I get home from work I don't want to see another computer. LOL

Our Condolences and Prayers for you and your family. We all can only hope to be as enduring as your Father.

Thanks to both of you. Being in IT an know what it takes to migrate an outdated system I'm sure you both had your hands full and then some. Well done by both of you.

Hey @cowpuc, I've used eBay heavily for the first few years but sparsely the last 5 years or so. I did use them to 'attempt' a purchase of a $10K CAN AM Spyder for my wife. Everything seemed legit including the payment method and the transaction was insured by eBay so I pulled the trigger. It was around Easter and while trying to arrange pickup/delivery the seller stopped responding. Figured it was because of the Holiday - nope. I got in touch with eBay and filled out their forms for insurance, filed reports with local authorities here in Katy TX and in Boston MA where the seller was located. Then I went one step further by getting the FBI involved for interstate fraud. I stayed on top of Boston folks and the FBI and they caught the guy about 6 months later. I told them to tell me when the trial was and I would come and testify. Since we had talked on the phone I would recognize the voice and besides I wanted to look the SOB in the eye. I travel a lot for the company I work for so I would have very little out of pocket expenses. They were surprised by this and told the guy I was coming up to testify and be disposed. The detective said he freaked out because it would be 20 years in a federal pen and not 2 - 5 in a local. He flipped and they ended up busting 10 - 15 other people involved in a large eBay fraud ring. It took about 6 months but eBay sent me a check for the full amount. Quick side note - there was only 1 tell in the add for the Spyder that gave it away. The year of the Spyder in the ad. That year they did not produce a yellow Spyder, it was the year before that had the yellow one.

Woo hoo. Well done Sir.

Thanks @VentureFar, I've ridden with a 1/2 helmet the last 8 - 9 years. I tried the Scorpion 3 in 1 helmet and just could not get pas the fit and how everything came together. Started looking at the modular helmets in the dealership I was at and was not impressed with their selection. I like the idea of the convertibles and given that I'm in Houston riding year round the face covering would be good for a couple of months at best. Outside of that - air, I need air. I've tried a buddy's full face and just didn't seem to get enough airflow over the noggin. I'll have to find a place around here that has a good selection of stock that I can try on. I did try on a Bell which fit really well but it was a full faced unit and I am suspect of the air flow.

@VentureFar Another good review with good information. Have you written any reviews on the modulars. I'd be interested in your input as I am starting to look that route. I really like the style that folds all the way to the back as my impression would be less wind pull that way.

I am right there with you. I tell people I am not a frugal person - I am proudly a Cheap SOB.

Man that is a MEME in waiting if I ever saw one. Still glad your OK. Being bald I can't hide anything - not even the scratches from crawling around in the attic. Darn roofing nails. Freebird Don this should be a contest or something. I'll throw a 10 spot into a kitty for the prize. BTW reminds me of 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan

Sorry to hear this @ucledj;. Hope your OK. But I think that stretchy thing . . . Well . . . um . . . them there are her panty hose:doh:

Unfortunately not. I didn't even know about it or I may have set it up as a quick weekend camping trip.

Had something similar happen just as we were leaving a buddy's house for a small group ride. I was in the lead and a doe came out of the tree line, ran next to me for what seemed like and eternity and then finally darted away from us. After recovering from the 'Oh Sh!7' moment I asked the others over intercom if they got that recorded and of course not. no one was going to turn on their cameras until we filled up 30 minutes later. Like you I fully expected her to dart in front of me.

LOL -- Hey wait a minute there, I'm one of those Tech guys --- LMAO

That rant was hysterical but the Nuclear core presentation was very cool. I've been trying to explain to people for years how much more efficient nuclear power really is and the fact that the overall emissions are very low. BTW and electric car is not a 0 emissions vehicle. Just because the unit may produce 0 emissions by reference of only that unit you have to factor in where it gets the electricity to charge the unit. The electrical power plant which has its own emissions and it will also have to increase those emissions with the increase in demand for electrical output.

LOL In Houston there's not much of a change especially compared to up north. Use to ride the fall color change in northern OH. When the kids came along would have to use the car becasue the kids loved it too.

Last year I hit a road gator while doing 75. It was dark and there were a lot of pieces. Bent the oil cooler line and bent the oil filter enough that I lost all oil. here's the post https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?141960-Little-bit-of-a-pucker-moment-this-morning

VPN's for stealth browsing are definitely not allowed in China. VPNs in general are not allowed unless it is solely in country traffic or traffic that has been authorized for in country companies / government agencies and all 'permissions' are aquired. I.e. you have to let the government watch. I worked for a company about 15 years ago that was opening a Shanghai office. Couldn't get a phone line installed there for some reason although we had internet. I sent over a Vonage setup and we used that for about 6 months before the Chinese government shut it down and threatened us. They did get a regular line installed a week or 2 later though. It was fun calling Shanghai using a 216 area code LOL.

Got a new rubber on the front. 17K miles on the front tire. also put on about 150 - 200 miles taking the long way to the shop LOL.

The 2 best features for staying current on the site -- What's New and then under that Mark All Forums Read. I see everything new since my last visit. When I read all the posts I want to read I mark the forums read. Next visit sme thing. Keeps the list short and covers the entire site.

An acquaintance from Sweeden called them Marshmallow fields LOL

Ride'm like you stole'm. I used mine as a daily commuter also after buying it with about 30,000 miles on it in late 2012. I added the extra 78,000 in just over 6 years. With the exception of 2020 impacts I've averaged about 14K per year on my bikes. Again mostly as a daily commuter riding between 60 - 80 miles round trip. Add to that the fact I only have 1 bike, live in Houston which makes riding year round a breeze and try to ride an additional 500 - 1000 miles at least 1 weekend a month and it becomes easy to do. I only put 3400 miles on my truck in 2019. Love the Venture line.

Yeah that was A great feeling when I did that on My '06. Sold it 8000 miles later to buy the 2018.

The IP Address ranges could be used to Block China. IP address ranges are tightly controled and assigned by region. Here is a site with a good list https://www.xmyip.com/ip-addresses/china