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by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 8:45pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Site response is slow
Replies: 31
Views: 6253

Re: Site response is slow

20:43 V v v v slow again. Had a few "Server is not responding" failures from browser

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 7:34pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Site response is slow
Replies: 31
Views: 6253

Re: Site response is slow

19:32. Suddenly back to normal.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 7:31pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Site response is slow
Replies: 31
Views: 6253

Re: Site response is slow

19:30 Not for me. All access v v v slow )viewing & posting)

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 6:09pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Site response is slow
Replies: 31
Views: 6253

Re: Site response is slow

Jdsk wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 6:06pm Very slow.

Jonathan
For me too. For at least the last 45 mins (probably longer). Both viewing anything, not just posting.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 5:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet
Replies: 15
Views: 455

Re: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet

scandalxk wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 5:23pm
Psamathe wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 3:08pm I suffer the bunions (one foot) and I've mostly switched to the Shimano sandals (SD5?)...
Thanks, Ian. I should have mentioned that my bunions don't hurt in themselves, but they just make it awkward finding shoes to fit around them. I am tempted by Shimano sandals, but as I will be touring in Donegal I probably need something a bit more...weather-appropriate!
I wear my SD5s all year round, always with hiking socks (which provide some padding and avoid rubbing). Right through winter. Been in some horrendous thunderstorms in them (in France) and they dry quickly (plenty of air movement).

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 3:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet
Replies: 15
Views: 455

Re: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet

I suffer the bunions (one foot) and I've mostly switched to the Shimano sandals (SD5?). The straps are velcro adjustable so can be set as lose as you want. https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... SD500.html

They are clipless sandals but come with a clip covers (mine did) so should also work with flat pedals.

That said, I'm finding a fair amount of my bunion pain is aggravated by big toe movement rather than pressure or rubbing on the bunion.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 3:00pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Academic surveys
Replies: 8
Views: 253

Re: Academic surveys

Without commenting on the current survey (which I have completed), sometimes the survey designer appears not to be a cyclist and doesn't understand aspects of cycling. This comes out in the questions, revealing questions based on "cycling stereotypes" and not being relevant to groups of cyclists.

Questions can become all but impossible to answer if you are not in the inadvertently selected target group ("inadvertently " because of the cycle stereotypes the researcher considers). This can prompt reply postings about the researcher's (lack of) understanding.

Less of an issue where the research is stated as eg regular city cycle commuters.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 2:52pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Replies: 33
Views: 823

Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?

Carlton green wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 2:02pm ...
The country can turn around but it will take time and I suspect that there’s going to be pain too. ...
My worry is that with Starmer and his current direction the pain will be endured by those already struggling. Lower down the income scale and more in meed will be endure more of the pain. Bit those at the top will continue not even being aware there is pain. Bankers getting their unlimited bonuses, company bosses enjoying no tax increases, etc.

But Starmer seems to be pursuing votes rather than good governance and doing what the country meeds.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 11:55am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Replies: 33
Views: 823

Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?

I agree.

In terms of getting the economy back on its feet, we fighting hard against self-imposed obstacles (Brexit).

In terms of getting some sort of ethical behaviour back into our governance, I can't see it happening with the current incumbents in Westminster. Conservatives happy to accept vast sums from people who feel it acceptable to throw out racism, misogynistic abuse and suggest MP are shot! Where Government Ministers suggest they'd be using violence against Civil Servants going about their business (Keegan). Where Government Ministers post untrue, unfounded defamation against innocent people on their personal Twitter account and get taxpayer to pay for compensation (Donelan).

And Labour have major issues eg 11+ months to investigate 8 sentences (Dianne Abbot). I had great hopes for Labour when Starmer took the Leadership but now they seem to be happy to do anything for a vote eg very happy with unlimited banker bonuses, dropping environmental budgets, dropping most commitments, etc. They now seem to be Conservatives under a different name.

My hope is for a hung Parliament. I don't thing that would be a good outcome but I suspect it might be the least worse option.

Ian
by Psamathe
17 Mar 2024, 11:18am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Loire campsite recommendations?
Replies: 1
Views: 79

Re: Loire campsite recommendations?

Campsite in Angers (Lac du Maine) recently changed ownership and I've not stayed under new ownership but was warned off by others - expensive, not very good and only useful if you are doing something on the lake. I stayed a short distance to the north in Avrillé (not much in the town except shops/restaurants but nice campsite, good for cyclists).

Campsite at Amboise is massive and it's a touristy town. Campsite can get busy but they have a separate no vehicle area for tents. The town is nice to wander around and not horrendously crowded when I've stayed there. Book ahead online.

A lot of French campsites are now using the online booking services which charge a booking fee and some (eg Amboise) wont even accept telephone reservations but say to go online). For 5 maybe less of an issue but as one person the booking fee can be a significant amount on top of the overnight fee. also, when booking day before the online booking systems are a nightmare as you book in the evening and get "We're checking your reservation and will let you know when it's conformed as available" ... then next day arrive, check-in, get setup, make coffee, etc. then get the e-mail from the booking service "Your reservation is available and confirmed". I try to phone ahead.

But on a shorter trip I'd expect your camp sites to be determined by daily distance rather than the site itself ie start end end points defines, given number of days so you'll want sensible distances between overnights not a fee 10 mile days and then a massively long day.

Ian
by Psamathe
16 Mar 2024, 9:51pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Should the BBC be privatised?
Replies: 114
Views: 4347

Re: Should the BBC be privatised?

Mike Sales wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 8:55pm
Psamathe wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 8:38pm
Mike Sales wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 7:56pm

Podcast?
Two minutes?

Yes. It's BBC. I pay ie it's not advertising funded. Independent podcasts sometimes ask for donations to cover costs. Some podcasts I listen to have an ad free subscription version as well as a free version with/funded by advertising again to cover costs. BBC is license fee funded so they have no need to be pushing stuff through ads.

Comparing to TV commercials is not a sensible comparison as TV program making is expensive and commercial stations depend on ad revenue. BBC mostly license fee funded and we are discussing audio content already created anyway for radio.

Ian
I make a distinction between a trailer and an advertisement which you refuse to recognise.
...
I don't refuse to recognise it. It may be a relevant distinction for you but to me it's all unwanted irrelevant pushing something I don't want (and something most listening to the podcast wont be interested in based on subject genre). I'm sure some others see it the same way as you and I'm sure some others see it the same way as me.

My comment is it's excessive irrelevant and they ate not dependent on it as s funding source. If it were shorter (and not multiple ads) and/or for something even slightly related then not do bad but long and unrelated makes it something I object to.

Ian
by Psamathe
16 Mar 2024, 8:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike recommendation or considerations
Replies: 35
Views: 826

Re: Bike recommendation or considerations

TheWho wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 7:05pm ...
Looks like I'm not getting out on to any tracks for a long while.
Don't give-up. If you want to resume cycling and from your other thread one option is to reconsider the type of cycling. If you are really set on getting out on tracks then maybe less specialised, less niche bike. Or reconsider your reasons for avoiding roads?

Ian
by Psamathe
16 Mar 2024, 8:42pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Max Heart Rate (Setting & Meaning)
Replies: 42
Views: 1683

Re: Max Heart Rate (Setting & Meaning)

Paulatic wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 6:00pm Those variations must be disappointing....
Not disappointing as I didn't purchase the watch for yhe HRM, it just happened to have one and I'm messing around with it.

Interestingly it seems to read sensibly and continuously when used recording calisthenic type exercises (push-ups, etc.) and when walking. I din't know it's accuracy as I've never checked against anything when doing activity but what it says makes sense and looks reasonable.

Ian
by Psamathe
16 Mar 2024, 8:38pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Should the BBC be privatised?
Replies: 114
Views: 4347

Re: Should the BBC be privatised?

Mike Sales wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 7:56pm
Psamathe wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 7:37pm
What prompted me to post was 2 mins such ads at the start of a BBC podcast and I don't regard 2 mins of ads as short. And even less justified when pushing content completely unrelated to the podcast you are listening to. BBC are starting to over advertise and for me this highlights the "no ads" others have raised as no longer the case.

Ian
Podcast?
Two minutes?
How many minutes of commercials in a 1 hour show?
Typically there is an allowance of 13 to fourteen minutes of advertising, promotional messages and the like in each broadcast hour and in fact the content makers create content that is 23 minutes per half hour and 46 minutes per hour to accommodate this.4 Oct 2023
Yes. It's BBC. I pay ie it's not advertising funded. Independent podcasts sometimes ask for donations to cover costs. Some podcasts I listen to have an ad free subscription version as well as a free version with/funded by advertising again to cover costs. BBC is license fee funded so they have no need to be pushing stuff through ads.

Comparing to TV commercials is not a sensible comparison as TV program making is expensive and commercial stations depend on ad revenue. BBC mostly license fee funded and we are discussing audio content already created anyway for radio.

Ian
by Psamathe
16 Mar 2024, 7:37pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Should the BBC be privatised?
Replies: 114
Views: 4347

Re: Should the BBC be privatised?

Mike Sales wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 5:51pm
Psamathe wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 5:36pm With a lot of stuff eg apps, podcasts, etc. if you watch/use/listen for free you get ads but if you pay a subscription you get rid of the ads. BBC seems an exception where you pay AND still get the ads!

Ian
“When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
...
Trailers which alert you to a programme you might like to watch for no extra charge are a different kettle of fish to me. They are usually short and useful. ...
(My bold & colour)
What prompted me to post was 2 mins such ads at the start of a BBC podcast and I don't regard 2 mins of ads as short. And even less justified when pushing content completely unrelated to the podcast you are listening to. BBC are starting to over advertise and for me this highlights the "no ads" others have raised as no longer the case.

Ian