English Language & Usage: Multi-Layered Discourse Room

Medicine and healthcare stuff probably has a very poor bang:buck as it is paid for with tax money by design. Add regulations to that and I think it is 2x guaranteed.

@Mahnax have you read Snabba Cash? I usually don't read much crime but really like the style of this one.

Matt Эллен

7:50 AM

@Cerberus which particular phone?

The replacement shell for an iPhone 5 seem to be between £30 and £60

For the Galaxy S2 it's between £3 and £15

HTC One is about £50

KitFox

12:21 PM

Morning!

Matt Эллен

Hello!

MετάEd

@Mitch Pi Day and Tau Day are meaningless. They depend on an accident of the decimal system.

Depending on your pi or tau preference, the best day would be the day on which the earth has traveled one diameter (or one radius) of its orbit since January 1.

KitFox

Today is Monday alright.

Matt Эллен

what tipped you off?

KitFox

I left my coffee on the brewer.

Matt Эллен

12:34 PM

ah

KitFox

Also, I didn't charge my phone last night.

And the charger is being finicky.

Matt Эллен

it's only charging when you don't look?

KitFox

When I hold the connector at the right angle.

And threaten it.

Matt Эллен

oooo. sounds loose

KitFox

I think it's bent.

I need a new phone.

Matt Эллен

12:38 PM

well, the nexus 4 is on discount

KitFox

Well, we're going to change plans, but we haven't yet.

I can't get my head out of my ass this morning.

What am I supposed to be doing right now?

Matt Эллен

programming?

KitFox

OK, so what was I actually going to do instead?

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

morning

@MattЭллен There's a strong chance that the Nexus 5 will be launched in October

KitFox

Right, I was going to finish outside work on my day job's dime, because I am shady like that.

Matt Эллен

12:44 PM

nice :D

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 I see. stronger, faster, better

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

you forgot "harder"

Matt Эллен

are phones getting harder?

I want them to get easier

KitFox

I thought you were going to say "softer".

Matt Эллен

I like my phones like I like my women: with a touchscreen interface

KitFox

spittake

Mellen!

Matt Эллен

12:47 PM

:D what?

MετάEd

> I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone. —Bjarne Stroustrup

2

KitFox

You made me mess my keyboard.

Matt Эллен

sorry! ;)

KitFox

Oops! I probably ought not to leave my other work sitting on my desk where everyone can see it.

Matt Эллен

seems like risky business

KitFox

12:49 PM

I like playing it fast and loose.

I am disgruntled and my ass is showing.

Matt Эллен

double take

skullpatrol

triple take

Matt Эллен

have you seen Patrick Stewart's quadruple take?

KitFox

No.

I have seen almost the whole first season of The Guild though.

Matt Эллен

yay!

are you enjoying it?

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

12:51 PM

Oh I forgot about that show

KitFox

It's very funny.

Matt Эллен

Patrick Stewart's quadruple take master class

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

I think I watched the first 3 seasons. Then closed the tab and didn't go back.

KitFox

And we liked the girl from Dr. Horrible.

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

@MattЭллен What I learned from that video is that his girlfriend is like 12.

Matt Эллен

12:53 PM

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 actual age must be in there

Mitch

@MετάEd less accidental than the networks' broadcast schedules.

Matt Эллен

hmmm, apparently not

KitFox

He seems very charming.

skullpatrol

he lost count?

KitFox

I mean, you never know with actors, but that was quite a funny candid video.

@skullpatrol I think he might have been under the influence.

skullpatrol

12:56 PM

still it's only to 4

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

@MattЭллен okay so she's my age. Still.

gotta run, meeting time

Matt Эллен

CU

skullpatrol

later

KitFox

He probably wooed her with the Picard Manuoevre. Irresistible.

Matt Эллен

@KitFox Felicia is pretty and funny

@KitFox lol

skullpatrol

12:59 PM

where is he from?

Matt Эллен

I saw a fox last night. It was too far away for me to get to know it

@skullpatrol Patrick Stewart? UK

skullpatrol

yes

Matt Эллен

Yorkshire is his birth county

KitFox

@MattЭллен I was feeling shy and you looked scary in the dark.

skullpatrol

he sounds well educated

KitFox

1:03 PM

I'm quite sure he is.

Matt Эллен

@KitFox sorry foxy! I didn't mean to spook you

KitFox

'sok. just been that kind of couple-of-weeks for me.

I think all my books are unpacked now, though.

So that's something.

Matt Эллен

yeah. that's always a good place to be

in books

skullpatrol

where is the biggest library in th UK?

Matt Эллен

hmmm

either Oxford or London

Both the Bodleian (Oxford) and the National Library are massive

but neither are properly open to the public

Getting to look at the books at the national is easier than getting into the Bodleian

The Bodleian is quieter, though, due to tourists not being allowed inside, only in the grounds

skullpatrol

1:15 PM

pop quiz: where is the biggest in the US?

Matt Эллен

Library of Congress

skullpatrol

bingo

Matt Эллен

sorry, I was just looking up the largest libraries, so I saw the answer a moment before you asked the question :D

skullpatrol

;-)

Matt Эллен

The biggest in the UK is the British Library (I was calling it the national)

skullpatrol

1:17 PM

how about the world?

i think its in Moscow

Matt Эллен

According to Wikipeida, the Library of Congress is the biggest, with The Biritish Library a close second

then New York, then Moscow

The Bodleian only has 11 million books! not enough to even make the list. :(

List of largest libraries

This sortable list of largest libraries includes libraries that store 15 million items or more since 2008. {| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" |- !Name !Location !Size (number of items) !Visitors per year !Budget !Staff |- | Library of Congress | , Washington, D.C. | _0144600000150 million | _00017500001.75 million | _19523722680 | _036243624 |- | British Library | , London | _0150000000150 million | _00017500001.75 million | _06840748300 | _019771977 |- | New York Public Library | , New York City | _005310000053.1 million | _001800000018 million | _07546275000 | _0...

skullpatrol

I read some where that the Harvard library is 10 times bigger than the average university library ...

10:1

Matt Эллен

could be

skullpatrol

:O

-
----------

KitFox

The UToronto library is quite big.

RegDwighт

1:59 PM

I see @robusto is being overly generous again. Clearly at this point @jasper has used up everybody's quota of LOLs, not just his own.

user87637

@RegDwighт I just returned home, LOL.

Matt Эллен

as they say in the fashion world: LOL is the new QED

skullpatrol

maybe if you switch to lower case lols?

RegDwighт

I don't think Jasper's home is that funny.

user87637

@MattЭллен I just emailed Maria to tell her my new email address.

RegDwighт

2:03 PM

You mean you just loled Maria to lol her your new lol?

user87637

But I don't think Maria will reply, in which case I will forget about her for good this time...

Matt Эллен

you should

user87637

I hope Maria is happy with Mario.

RegDwighт

Apr 10 '12 at 18:09, by RegDwight Ѭſ道

Oh Maria, wie schön war es früher!

user87637

Yes, I recall that.

RegDwighт

2:05 PM

Mario is in another castle.

skullpatrol

please, don't make fun of my friends lols

user87637

It's OK.

Matt Эллен

@skullpatrol you have many friends called lol?

user87637

Anyway, now that I have attained 1k on Eng and Math, it's time to retire.

Matt Эллен

you've attained more than 1K, so that means it's time to start again!

user87637

2:08 PM

It's time to take a nap. Ouvert et haut !

skullpatrol

later pal

Matt Эллен

CU, @Jasper

KitFox

2:21 PM

I just gave away my bookcase. Classic signals of 'employee preparing to quit'.

Matt Эллен

:D

KitFox

I have to figure out how to get my bike home.

Noah

Hi

KitFox

I brought it up here when I had a station wagon.

Hi @Noah.

Matt Эллен

maybe you culd ride it home and get your Mr. to take you in in the morning

Noah

2:23 PM

Asalamu Alikum, Ya Okhtey @KitFox

KitFox

And also with you, @Noah.

Noah

@KitFox Did you understand what I said?

KitFox

Yes.

Noah

What did it mean?

Not the first part. But the last part of it.

KitFox

Something like 'sister'.

Noah

2:25 PM

Yeah.

Excellent.

I wonder why my SE account logs out itself over time.

If I don't log in for a week, I have to re-log in. But it doesnt happen if I log in sooner.

RegDwighт

It is but to remind you of the transience of life.

All things come to an end. Even SE logins.

Noah

@RegDwighт I am immortal.

KitFox

Even immortality has an end.

Noah

How's that?

KitFox

How else would it sit?

RegDwighт

2:29 PM

Yeah, right after the Y it's over.

Noah

The word does. But not the sense.

RegDwighт

imgur.com/a/3a7Oq

KitFox

All my life, I've been slow and senseless.

RegDwighт

That's because you've been looking at Arnie too much.

KitFox

@RegDwighт Aww. Too cute.

Noah

2:32 PM

Because you were born in New England.

never mind

KitFox

minds not

Noah

@RegDwighт He's not immortal.

RegDwighт

Kit was made in New England out of Cadillac muscle.
She had Little Richard and that black piano,
Oh that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy from Tupelo.

KitFox

Haha. You love me so, you silly shark.

Noah

That's why he's gotten so shabby @RegDwighт

@KitFox Maybe he does. You know never know what these European communists might come up with.

KitFox

2:36 PM

So are you Noah's dad or something? Out trolling today?

Noah

HAHAHA

I am his grand dad.

LOL

KitFox

Oh, his brother. I see.

Noah

@KitFox How is grand dad= brother?

KitFox

Because you're not his granddad. You must be a sibling trying to cause trouble for him then.

Or maybe just a friend.

A frenemy.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

I'm my own grandpa.

Noah

2:41 PM

How do you know I am not him(Noah)?

KitFox

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 It's so awkward at family gatherings when that happens.

@Noah If you were him, you would know the answer to that question.

Matt Эллен

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 an accident with timetravel in a lift?

Noah

And how can I cause trouble for him?

KitFox

Noah's a good kid. I'm not going to help you get him into trouble.

Noah

Don't like the cone of shame. Walks out with head down.

Matt Эллен

2:50 PM

I guess strawberry would be a preferable flavour

KitFox

Pardon?

Matt Эллен

to shame

KitFox

blinks If you say so. I rather like my ice cream bitter.

Matt Эллен

I tried green tea flavoured ice cream the other day. It wasn't to my taste

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

@MattЭллен IIRC

Pennf0lio

3:08 PM

Hey guys, what's one thing to remember when using "perhaps" and "maybe"?

I find my self using "maybe" a lot because it's more natural for me and i've been using it ever since, but lately, I find perhaps more formal and I wanted to know if "perhaps" can replace "maybe".

KitFox

Perhaps.

Matt Эллен

mayhaps

KitFox

It's more formal in the US, and seems British-ish.

So you might raise some eyebrows if you are in a casual setting.

But otherwise, I think they are pretty close to completely overlapping synonyms.

Pennf0lio

oh, i see

KitFox

Perhaps sounds more educated.

Matt Эллен

3:10 PM

I am trying to come up with a time where they're not, but I'm struggling

KitFox

@MattЭллен perchance

Pennf0lio

@KitFox, yeah, that's what i also thought.

Matt Эллен

I suppose it should really be mayhap

Pennf0lio

@MattЭллен, I just learned that word :) thank you.

Matt Эллен

no probs :)

KitFox

3:13 PM

@MattЭллен I was going to say so, but I didn't want to embarrass you. ;-)

Matt Эллен

maybe can be used as a noun, but perhaps cannot

or, at least, is not

KitFox

I can't say yes or no, but I can give you a perhaps.

Sounds silly.

Pennf0lio

I'm learning... :)

Matt Эллен

yeah

Matt Эллен

3:25 PM

(↔_↔)

KitFox

Nice butt.

Matt Эллен

lol

I was going for sleepy face, but butt will do

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

@skullpatrol que?

Butt man!

Don't cry, Butt Man!

Matt Эллен

lol

RegDwighт

Hey Matt. Jasper's used up your lols.

You're living on borrowed lol.

skullpatrol

3:31 PM

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Thanks for softening up the Jags for us :-)

Matt Эллен

(↔⅄↔)

that's a butt with pockets

lol

@skullpatrol :D

\o/

A shaplier butt

3:32 PM

We'll probably lose our asses to the Cowboys.

Yep.

:D

Commute.

3:35 PM

later

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Wow! That much, really? Why do you think the Iphone's case is that much?

Have you seen Isuppli's estimate of the cost of the Iphone 5?

Pennf0lio

@skullpatrol lol at Billy Crystal :D

Cerberus

http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/pages/iPhone5-Carries-$199-BOM-Virtual-Teardown-Reveals.aspx

skullpatrol

@Pennf0lio :D

Cerberus

Is the aluminium exterior part of "Mechanical / Electro-Mechanical"?

@JohanLarsson If you think phone manufacturers have low profit margins, you're wrong! That's a a mark-up of 200–300 % for the Iphone 5 (see link/image).

Matt Эллен

3:43 PM

@Cerberus I don't know. possibly to encourage you to just buy a new phone

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Haha, no, I mean, what do you base that amount on?

Matt Эллен

oh, I googled for "iPhone 5 replacement shell"

Cerberus

Ohh right.

I strongly suspect you pay many times what Apple pays for a replacement shell...?

Matt Эллен

I imagine so

given that a galaxy s2 shell is so cheap

there won't be much difference in manufacturing expense

if any

Cerberus

But I actually hadn't thought of looking at consumer prices for replacement shells, good thinking! It may be an indicator of sorts.

Matt Эллен

3:46 PM

:D I thought that's what you were looking for. I didn't realise it was for manufacturing cost

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Between the aluminium shell of the Iphone and the plastic shell of the Galaxy? Isn't aluminium harder to work with or something?

Matt Эллен

the shells must be the cheapest part

@Cerberus probably a bit.

Cerberus

So I would imagine...but people keep saying "oh, HTC only picked an aluminium shell for its top-tier phone, because it's too expensive for its other phones"...

Matt Эллен

hmmm

Cerberus

@MattЭллен But only a few pounds max, right?

Matt Эллен

3:48 PM

i mean, plastic is real easdy to mold, but the raw materials probably aren't much different in cost?

Cerberus

@MattЭллен I don't believe it either. I just wanted...confirmation, or even proof, that an aluminium exterior is still not that expensive to manufacture.

@MattЭллен I think aluminium is probably many times more expensive as a material, resulting in a raw-material cost of € 0.01 v. € 0.10, or something like that.

Matt Эллен

@Cerberus yeah, I would think so

Cerberus

OK I am glad you confirm my suspicions.

Matt Эллен

> Aluminium can prices were broadly stable in the seven months to March 2013 at around £700

> Natural HDPE bottle prices averaged £385 per tonne in August 2013

Cerberus

Ah, right.

Matt Эллен

3:50 PM

seems it's about twice as expensive

Cerberus

So that's still very little.

Matt Эллен

although I don't know what plastic they use...

from here: wrap.org.uk/content/%C2%A3-prn-one-tonne-plastic

Cerberus

Oh! So HDPE is the kind of plastic they might use?

OK.

skullpatrol

@Cerberus We had another "gay" incident in the math room yesterday.

Matt Эллен

@Cerberus maybe. I'm not hot on manufacturing.

Cerberus

3:51 PM

@skullpatrol Oh, dear. Same user?

@MattЭллен Heh.

skullpatrol

@Cerberus No

Cerberus

@MattЭллен So the only theoretical possibility is that an aluminium exterior is somehow much more expensive to mould or polish or whatever they do with it.

@skullpatrol So what happened?

Matt Эллен

@Cerberus yeah

skullpatrol

@Cerberus The user came in singing a love song to Peter " where have you been all my life..."

Cerberus

But, as you say, it seems highly unlikely that the cost difference will be more than, say, 10 pounds.

Matt Эллен

3:54 PM

yeah, not per unit

Cerberus

@skullpatrol Oh, is it that lolol guy?

skullpatrol

@Cerberus Yes

Then he told Ted how handsome he was...

...and switched his avatar to the gay-pride rainbow

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Right. So 10 pounds extra for a phone that already costs several hundreds is not really that much. And I actually suspect that it will be closer to 1 pound. I happen to know manufacturing one can of coke cost 5 guilder cents when I was 12. So it will be 5 eurocents now, perhaps. So how hard can shaping metal be?

@skullpatrol Ugh. I didn't know whether he was serious of joking, but it was annoying either way.

I saw the rainbow flag and some compliments, then I switched out.

skullpatrol

at least he was not a hater

like anti-gay

Cerberus

Unless it was his way of mocking gays?

Either way, how did it end?

He was told off?

Matt Эллен

3:58 PM

@Cerberus harder than plastic, for reasons of energy required.

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Sure, but still not that hard.

Matt Эллен

I don't know how much more difficult, but there are desktop 3d printers for plastic, but not for metal

skullpatrol

@Cerberus hmmm... I shut him up and he said he was sorry several times to Peter

Cerberus

@MattЭллен ebay.nl/itm/…

@skullpatrol Okay, I see. So he was probably just a lunatic, but not malicious?

skullpatrol

yes

Matt Эллен

4:00 PM

@Cerberus ha! well, that's pretty damning

time for me to go.

skullpatrol

later

thanks for looking up those libraries

Cerberus

@MattЭллен Thanks for lending me your mind, later!

TheGuyWhoCouldn'tTalkToTheGirl

4:12 PM

> Some of the things written on that page is not true at all.

> Some of the things written on that page are not true at all.

Which one is correct?

Cerberus

Are.

Things = plural.

Johan Larsson

@Cerberus I'm not sure what mark-up means but perhaps it is a narrow view. It makes sense if the sales pays for R6D and programming costs for example.

Cerberus

@JohanLarsson Mark-up = selling price - cost price. You can express it as a percentage of the cost price, which is what I did.

Johan Larsson

ok

Cerberus

And, yes, these are marginal costs, so there is some testing and marketing that needs to be paid for by all sales.

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