Things that don't deserve their own thread

[Sandstorm]

I am so going to Hell........

https://x.com/InternetH0F/status/180513 ... Il-eQ&s=19

Me too

[fishfoodie]

So it's hot at night now, so it would be nice to open the window to let some air flow. However, last night we had some cunt burning something, and tonight the fucking farmers have decided today's the day for muck spreading!

I hate hot weather.

They're supposed to only do so when there's no rain forecast for 2* days, to avoid runoff into waterways.

I think I've lived too long out in the Country, as I barely register it now when my neighbours are out spreading the toxic.


* I think that's the timing from EU legislation

[Insane_Homer]

IMG_20240624_220412_123.jpg (28.2 KiB) Viewed 969 times

[laurent]

Wow



I am going to go to this blokes museum it's incredible

[mat the expat]

Fun trailer only or also a hope that someone will front more money so they can make a feature length? (Take note of the 'production company' titles! )

Has potential - Manic hair dude is from Walking Dead

[Kiwias]

Fun trailer only or also a hope that someone will front more money so they can make a feature length? (Take note of the 'production company' titles! )

I would definitely watch it.

[inactionman]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.

This has got me wondering how to stop or block them, given they just flick to a new number once they're blocked by the network operator after getting a certain number of reports. The issue is that they need to receive reports before blocking, so the spammer or scammer gets a period of time before they need to change number and then the cycle repeats.

You could block all unknown numbers - but then there might be someone who legitimately needs to call you but isn't in your contact list

We can't really manage a blocking or blacklist, as the numbers keep changing,

Would a whitelist work? I note that my phone can recognise business numbers automatically, is there a way of individual persons registering their phone numbers and declaring they're valid, non-spamming numbers? A registrant could provide simple proof of address or similar - indeed, the phone company could probably provide an attestation on their behalf - so there's some verification of people on the whitelist. you could then set your phone to only accept calls from registered businesses or people on the whitelist.

I understand numbers can be spoofed, but I'd hope there would be easier solutions to spoofing than for just registering a new number every time a scammer is busted. I also seem to get spam calls from the same numbers for reasonably lengthy periods of time, even after I've reported them.

Am I being daft, or would this actually help? I appreciate it would be an administrative cost, but I'd be happy to pay a few pence extra a month for negligible spam.

[tabascoboy]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.

...

The ones I get (landline) are almost all from valid looking UK dialling codes and a few other times from ones that aren't quite right UK numbers and show as international or unknown. Whoever made the decision to allow the sale of directory numbers for marketing purpose needs to be locked in a room with speakers playing a telephone sound non-stop for a week.

Although I've been ex-directory since I was given this number some 7+ years ago, still get calls where the caller asks for a name that is presumably the previous holder.

At least with caller ID and answering service ( which spam callers very rarely bother with) it's easy enough to filter them out and pick up genuine looking calls, but still a nuisance. I know it's especially bad for more elderly people though who can get very upset or worried by scam callers.

Doesn't seem to me impossible that the telecoms industry should be able to find a technical solution to this, but it appears that increasing availability of VOIP has made this even more prevalent.

[Insane_Homer]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.
...

I got one yesterday from "Cheshire RFU" on my train journey home, so I answered it.

whiny Indian woman "Hello Sir, we have a special offer on your Vodafone..."

"Fuck Off!"

-----
Last week was more fun,

Another Vodafone 'upgrade' offer (on my work number this time)
Strung him along for a good 20 mins,
An iphone 14 Pro, yes I want it, storage 1TB please, only 33 a month, 24 months contract, bargain...eventually get to business end of the call, is this your number? No, it's my work phone on o2... Is that going to be a problem? <click>

[vball]

I love getting them. String them along.
I have been known to be a 20 year old guy looking for a job; a 70 year old Lord; an unemployed brickie; the secretary for a stately home .... and many others.

I have found that by saying .... oh hello tell me about it. Then when they do say, hold on, let me get a chair, pen and paper so I can sit down and listen carefully. They often then just hang up.

I read the newspaper sometimes to them.

[robmatic]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.

This has got me wondering how to stop or block them, given they just flick to a new number once they're blocked by the network operator after getting a certain number of reports. The issue is that they need to receive reports before blocking, so the spammer or scammer gets a period of time before they need to change number and then the cycle repeats.

You could block all unknown numbers - but then there might be someone who legitimately needs to call you but isn't in your contact list

We can't really manage a blocking or blacklist, as the numbers keep changing,

Would a whitelist work? I note that my phone can recognise business numbers automatically, is there a way of individual persons registering their phone numbers and declaring they're valid, non-spamming numbers? A registrant could provide simple proof of address or similar - indeed, the phone company could probably provide an attestation on their behalf - so there's some verification of people on the whitelist. you could then set your phone to only accept calls from registered businesses or people on the whitelist.

I understand numbers can be spoofed, but I'd hope there would be easier solutions to spoofing than for just registering a new number every time a scammer is busted. I also seem to get spam calls from the same numbers for reasonably lengthy periods of time, even after I've reported them.

Am I being daft, or would this actually help? I appreciate it would be an administrative cost, but I'd be happy to pay a few pence extra a month for negligible spam.

I just have my phone on silent and don't answer calls. Problem solved.

[Uncle fester]

Out of working hours, if I get a call from a number I don't know, I answer but don't say anything. If it's a robocall, they are waiting for you to answer to verify the number is in service.

Haven't had a real human scam call in a long time.

[inactionman]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.

This has got me wondering how to stop or block them, given they just flick to a new number once they're blocked by the network operator after getting a certain number of reports. The issue is that they need to receive reports before blocking, so the spammer or scammer gets a period of time before they need to change number and then the cycle repeats.

You could block all unknown numbers - but then there might be someone who legitimately needs to call you but isn't in your contact list

We can't really manage a blocking or blacklist, as the numbers keep changing,

Would a whitelist work? I note that my phone can recognise business numbers automatically, is there a way of individual persons registering their phone numbers and declaring they're valid, non-spamming numbers? A registrant could provide simple proof of address or similar - indeed, the phone company could probably provide an attestation on their behalf - so there's some verification of people on the whitelist. you could then set your phone to only accept calls from registered businesses or people on the whitelist.

I understand numbers can be spoofed, but I'd hope there would be easier solutions to spoofing than for just registering a new number every time a scammer is busted. I also seem to get spam calls from the same numbers for reasonably lengthy periods of time, even after I've reported them.

Am I being daft, or would this actually help? I appreciate it would be an administrative cost, but I'd be happy to pay a few pence extra a month for negligible spam.

I just have my phone on silent and don't answer calls. Problem solved.

I'm very tempted by the misanthrope approach, but sadly I do get genuine work calls from numbers I won't immediately recognise, and waiting for a voicemail isn't always practical.

[Enzedder]

Today is a public holiday in NZ as we celebrate Matariki

Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

Those of you not in the know will think this cluster is called Pleiades.

[Slick]

I've just had my second scam/spam call of the day, all from random mobile numbers.

This has got me wondering how to stop or block them, given they just flick to a new number once they're blocked by the network operator after getting a certain number of reports. The issue is that they need to receive reports before blocking, so the spammer or scammer gets a period of time before they need to change number and then the cycle repeats.

You could block all unknown numbers - but then there might be someone who legitimately needs to call you but isn't in your contact list

We can't really manage a blocking or blacklist, as the numbers keep changing,

Would a whitelist work? I note that my phone can recognise business numbers automatically, is there a way of individual persons registering their phone numbers and declaring they're valid, non-spamming numbers? A registrant could provide simple proof of address or similar - indeed, the phone company could probably provide an attestation on their behalf - so there's some verification of people on the whitelist. you could then set your phone to only accept calls from registered businesses or people on the whitelist.

I understand numbers can be spoofed, but I'd hope there would be easier solutions to spoofing than for just registering a new number every time a scammer is busted. I also seem to get spam calls from the same numbers for reasonably lengthy periods of time, even after I've reported them.

Am I being daft, or would this actually help? I appreciate it would be an administrative cost, but I'd be happy to pay a few pence extra a month for negligible spam.

I just have my phone on silent and don't answer calls. Problem solved.

This is me

[Guy Smiley]

[Slick]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

[Uncle fester]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

He's supposed to be fairly sound.
Is coffee with Feargal a regular thing for you? :)

[sockwithaticket]

Would assume it's to do with Slick's sterling activism over water quality. Feargal's big into that.

[Slick]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

He's supposed to be fairly sound.
Is coffee with Feargal a regular thing for you? :)

Not yet

He was here endorsing the local Labour candidate who is also a clean water campaigner, but had been told about our local work and asked if we could have a chat about it all.

[Biffer]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

Big clang.

[PCPhil]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

I think he would be my perfect cousin.

[mat the expat]

Today is a public holiday in NZ as we celebrate Matariki

Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

Those of you not in the know will think this cluster is called Pleiades.

Also what the 3 Sisters were representing in the Blue Mountains - obviously, 4 have nicked off!

[Guy Smiley]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

A good heart these days, is hard to find.

[tabascoboy]

I'm just back from a coffee with Feargal Sharkey, what a lovely and engaging man.

A good heart these days, is hard to find.

I know 'cause I listen when the experts say that

[Niegs]

I'd never heard of 'Kid Cities' until seeing this. Looks like it was a lot of fun (or completely shit if you got stuck in a drone job - the quotes from kids in this were proper LOL stuff!).

It'd be interesting to learn more about 'Adult Night' ... can imagine it was even more chaos than when the kids ran amok. When I worked at a YMCA camp, we also ran corporate retreats through the ropes/obstacle courses and there was always some dude trying, and often failing, to be funny (and a few people getting flirty! ). Hell, forget escape rooms and axe throwing... sign me up for one of these now!

[Guy Smiley]

c'mon now, Prue....

[ASMO]

Out of working hours, if I get a call from a number I don't know, I answer but don't say anything. If it's a robocall, they are waiting for you to answer to verify the number is in service.

Haven't had a real human scam call in a long time.

On my mobile I have whosecall app installed, screens all calls and texts, if call is a scam or sales it tells me so I can block without answering. It also has a community report function so collects intelligence and adds to the call database.

[Uncle fester]

Out of working hours, if I get a call from a number I don't know, I answer but don't say anything. If it's a robocall, they are waiting for you to answer to verify the number is in service.

Haven't had a real human scam call in a long time.

On my mobile I have whosecall app installed, screens all calls and texts, if call is a scam or sales it tells me so I can block without answering. It also has a community report function so collects intelligence and adds to the call database.

What if they are spoofing a number?
Sometimes I'll get a call from a real person "returning my call".

One of the robocalls I got was "from" a real veterinary clinic in Cork.

Also have to be careful with work phone. Because I'm the site manager, I will get calls from randomers that I actually need to answer.

[Raggs]

Out of working hours, if I get a call from a number I don't know, I answer but don't say anything. If it's a robocall, they are waiting for you to answer to verify the number is in service.

Haven't had a real human scam call in a long time.

On my mobile I have whosecall app installed, screens all calls and texts, if call is a scam or sales it tells me so I can block without answering. It also has a community report function so collects intelligence and adds to the call database.

What if they are spoofing a number?
Sometimes I'll get a call from a real person "returning my call".

One of the robocalls I got was "from" a real veterinary clinic in Cork.

Also have to be careful with work phone. Because I'm the site manager, I will get calls from randomers that I actually need to answer.

I always answer, since I get calls about new kids joining rugby. However since the only scams I seem to get are from my "network" I just ask them which network, and they never get it right. I presume because I'm with ID, and they generally say 3.

[SaintK]

Young lass locked up accused of attempted suicide and her passport destroyed by the authorities after being physically assaulted.
Just love the UAE......bastards!

Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have withdrawn the charges against Irish woman Tori Towey, a lawyer assisting her case has said.
The 28-year-old from Roscommon was facing charges including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol and had her passport destroyed.
She had been working as a flight attendant based in Dubai - the largest city in the UAE.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c897jlr9274o

[ASMO]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

[Biffer]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

That's terrible ASMO, sorry to hear that. I lost one of my best friends a few weeks back, heart attack out of the blue, only 53. It's shit.

[Tichtheid]

I’m sorry to hear that ASMO, awful.

[Raggs]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

Sorry ASMO, that's shit.

[Sandstorm]

Sorry to hear that ASMO, best wishes to you and your family.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

That really sucks, I'm so sorry.

I've lost 2 friends to brain cancer in the last 3 years. In both cases the last stages went pretty quickly.

[Guy Smiley]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

Jesus mate.... that's awful.

[Gumboot]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

Very sorry to hear that, ASMO. Kia kaha.

[Uncle fester]

Just had to put my younger brother into a hospice, 54, terminal lung and brain cancer, the brain cancer is the fucking worst. Memory, cognitive functions get degraded pretty fast, he has a few weeks left to go, cunt of a disease

Sorry mate. That is beyond awful.
A good friend of mine died from leukaemia just over a year ago and it's still raw.