Word Association Game

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Where is everyone?   

Sami, are you OK?

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hobby


I remember, long long time ago, I bought in USA a handtool to make tapestries.
We, me and my wife, spent a lot of time with this hobby.


Sorry for the long absence, this has been a long week for me.
We had a family mourning. My mother passed away   

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obsession

Tony, so sorry to hear about your mum. Please accept my condolences.

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Stalking





Thank you Rick.

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haunt

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ghosts

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riders

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adventures



After looking in Internet for ‘riders’, I noticed that this word is strongly associated with any kind of adventures.

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thrill-seeker

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Adrenaline

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coffee

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stimulation



Quote:
"Americans are the largest coffee drinkers in the world - with a dazzling record of 420 million cups drunk every single day."

Took from an interesting article about coffe: "Coffee: The Great Energy Sapper"  -  h**p://www.fredericpatenaude.com/articles/coffee.html



 
Guys, I have being testing my English comprehension listening on TV part of films setting original audio.
Well, let me tell you that it has improved significantly, I can understand more words, depending on who and how he speaks, and all this thanks to this game.
I just hope that none of you stop playing so that some day we may hear each other in person.
The worst part of this is that I never speak English... 

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inspiration

Your two comments are very interesting, Tony. I am especially happy that this game has been helpful to you.

I would also like to talk to you. Do you have my email address? (I still cannot access PMs). If you have it, would you like to send me your phone number? I would be happy to give you a call sometime.
Rick

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lamp

...Do you have my email address?...

I should have it, I will look for it in my address book, but let me tell you that it will be very embarrassing for me letting you noticing how bad is my spoken English. How about if, in turn, you speak to me in Spanish? It will surely make me feel much better.   

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genie

Haha, Tony, estoy seguro de que me va a entender su Inglés. Pero si voy a hablar español, no tendrás oportunidad de entenderme!

 

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wishes



Wao Rick! that's a good start! Congratulations!  You don't imagine my happiness when I hear somebody trying to communicate with me in my language. 
I'm watching on TV an Australian series called "Airport Security" and sometimes I set the original audio...
The accent is quite different from American, to my ears is a mix between British and American. Unfortunately, I can’t understand everything…

Have you listened the different accents between Latin-American countries? I'm able to tell you the country where the person comes just hearing a couple words, and there are 21 countries, excluding Brasil wich talks Portughese and Haití wich talks Creole.

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three

Haha, Tony I have to admit that Google translate helped me a lot with my writing in Spanish! 

I like that show "Airport Security". Because Australia is an island continent, we are free of many of the animal and plant diseases in other countries. So there are many restrictions on what you can bring into the country. It is a real inconvenience going through those procedures when entering Australia, but I guess it is for a good cause. But it is certainly an interesting program, to see what people will do to come into the country, and what they try to bring with them.

I have to say I have no experience with the different accents in Latin-Amerian countries. But I know what you mean. Australia is a big country with a small population, so the people are spread out everywhere. I can tell the different accents of people from the north, south and west, even they may sound the same to you.

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prime


I assumed you had used Google Rick, I knew it when I noticed the classic mistakes that it makes.   
I use it very often, but to use this help you must know a little the other language, however, you will always make mistakes, as in my case in this forum.

Regarding the different accents of people from same country, you are right, and I think that same happens in all countries.
Here the Italian TV sometimes uses Italian subtitles when some person, coming from a particular region within Italy, talks.


 

I miss Sami...

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mover


I miss Sami too. I hope she is OK. Surely it cannot be only internet problems for so long.   

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prime -> mover ? 



 
the backup service?

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A prime-mover is the person or agent (electricity, device etc) which puts an action or machine in motion.

For example, a large truck which tows a trailer (in Australia, sometimes three or four trailers) is called a prime mover.

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locomotive



I've got it Rick, thanks     

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steam

I love steam-driven machines! I have two model steam boats (about 1.3 metres), with real steam engines, and three model train locomotives also driven by real steam engines.

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cooking

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dumplings

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gnocchi




Dumplings: never seen/heard before...



Is little more than a month that we do not hear Sami .... 

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potato

Yes, it is not like Sami to disappear like that for so long. I hope she is OK 

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salsa


In Italian (also in Spanish), salsa used on pasta is made from plum tomatoes (the oval variety, not round) called "San Marzano".

Now, the “high society” and “refined language” calls it “sugo”. I’ve always known it as “salsa” since I was a kid (not the dance…  )


People around here use to conserve it for the whole year, when tomato is out of season.

h**p://www.scattidigusto.it/2012/08/22/pomodoro-preparare-a-casa-la-salsa-e-la-conserva-anche-sotto-sale/

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Salsacate (Argentina)

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Tango

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Paris

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tower

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Mars

(The Eiffel Tower is located on the Champ de Mars)

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RED

Mars was called the RED PLANET.

Tony, please accept my condolences for your mother.      I am so sorry to hear of it.

I've been at my mother's home for a couple weeks taking care of her. It's been a rough time here.  My mother is fighting to stay out of hospital. Long story. Doctor has her on STRONG MEDS and promised hospital if they do not improve her health quickly. This is beginning of a road I DO NOT want to go down.  This end of it is NOT nice for the smoker or the loved ones.  Smoking CAUSED her problems.   Gentlemen, my friends  , if you smoke, please quit. 

I have been fighting with technology... wifi router that drops out whenever it feels like it. Phone that wont get on internet (cant afford to replace right now) but can get calls and texts. The last UPDATE that I applied made it start misbehaving. Maybe they will patch it...

On the bright side, I have had some really wonderful clients lately, and I am handling more calls for APPLE products too.  Windows 8 has been good to me and so has XP discontinued.  The more people leave windows xp, the better I like it!      http://www.aWebWench.com  My ad in the local CoffeeNews has been great getting new clients. This little paper is at local restaurants, doctors offices, etc.  People get bored, read the little paper, see my ad!   

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blood


Sami, thank you for your condolences    and welcome back. We missed you.

Sorry to hear that your mother is not in good health. I imagine for what you are going through.   
I also was a smoker. I quit at the age of 35, after smoking for 18 years. Hope my lungs have recovered a little.

I’m glad that you are receiving more calls on your web. Talking of Windows, I’m about to make some changes on my PC. Yesterday I ordered a new HD (Western Digital, 500 GB) to replace actual disk (Seagate, same capacity, only 100 GB used...). It is two years old and tests told me that is in regular conditions, not 100% good and has a bad sector. So before something happens…

I don’t like Windows 7, I have it in a small laptop and definitely I don’t like it! I haven’t seen Windows 8 yet, but my big problem is, as some of you know,  that I still working with dBase which is DOS based. It works perfect with XP, but this OS, as you said, is discontinued.

Any suggestion?

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cells

Welcome back Sami! We sure missed you!!

Sorry to hear of your mother's health problems. I had the same issues with my mum about 10 years ago. She was a heavy smoker. I am happy to say, I have NEVER smoked.

Happy to see you have broken through the dodgy technology barrier!  Stay with us!

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skin

I rarely work on web these days.  And aWebWench.com sees very little traffic. Mostly working as tutor for adults in their own home.  I REALLY enjoy it. Helping people use their iPads, phones, computers, tablets, ereaders, gps, dvd, vcr, learn how to use email, attachments, photos, twitter, etc.  I don't charge a lot so I try for as many appointments as I can each week. The newspaper ads cost, but they also bring me clients so I must do them.  My oldest client was 93 so far!!  She did GREAT!     

Tony Windows 7 is MUCH nicer to work on than Windows 8!  Sorry to hear you don't like it.
I expect your version of dBase would run on Windows 7. It supports MANY things that Windows 8 (& 8.1) do not.

Windows 8 is half tablet and half computer software. It is a nightmare, with a split personality. Really confusing for most people. (Which is good for me!  ).  Swipe from top to bottom of window to close it, a desktop side with no start menu, and a "pretty" "new" START TILES side that opens windows without an X to close them.  Internet Explorer hides tabs and address bar... and far more confusing things. SO GLAD that Windows 8.1 latest update brings back many things Microsoft took away for over a year!   FINALLY gave users the ability to close windows with X in upper right corner of window like XP. And shut down the computer easily. 
Sadly, many Windows 8 computers can not go UP to Windows 8.1 (even though Microsoft offers it for free).  The computer manufacturers are not providing drivers for some computer models so some of my clients are STUCK with the really bad version of Windows 8.

I am surprised you have to replace your drive so quickly.  Did you have bad shut-downs that caused corruptions?  Have you taken an electric jolt from a storm or something like that? I plug into a battery-backup to limit the spikes in electric current. Need that here...LOTS of storms.

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Cryotherapy

The many years of tropical fishing sun are passing they retarded invoices to me. 


Sami, thank you for letting me know about Windows 8, now I know that I should stay away from it   
I really hate to work on the small laptop  (10”) which has W-7, it is EXTREMELY SLOW, ok, it has only 2 GB of RAM (can’t be expanded) and a 250 GB of HD. Any time that I click or hit Enter I’d better do anything else, because the wait for a response or screen change is agonizing. And changing every time from XP to W-7 is not funny.

I use it as a backup of the big one, but I mostly use it in the workshop to be notified when I get an e-mail or simple put a working background music on YouTube. I always think to replace it for a bigger one, but when time comes there are always other priorities…

I’m convinced that it is a good idea to replace the HD when it is still working, even if this is not in my actual case, where tests say that something is not completely good. I think that it is the same as periodically revise and change the oil in your car; you do it for maintenance purposes, not for a damage. Remember that, at the end, a HD is a mechanical objet which spins at more than 5000 RPM every day during years! And not to mention the fragility of the small heads… Today's relative low prices in confront with the time and headache saver well worth it.

Could dBase runs on W-8? On the small laptop with W-7 it works, but with a ¼ of screen, I haven’t find a way to enlarge it to a full screen.

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ice

Sami, my desktop PC runs XP, and also an old laptop, which is dedicated to controlling my model train layout. I am thinking to ditch both of them (they are both old), buy a new ultrabook to use as my everyday, everything, computer, and use my current laptop (W7) to run my trains, and also as a backup PC.

If I buy a new ultrabook/notebook, it will certainly run W8. So I note your point to make sure it is 8.1. I want that ultrabook to be lightweight, slim, but fast and powerful. Probably a 13" screen would be best. (My current W7 laptop is a bit of a brick to lug around, and I travel quite a bit!). I have been travelling sometimes with only my iPad mini, which is great, but certainly has some limitations.

Could you give me your recommendation on what would be a good ultrabook/notebook to buy, or at least, what would be your spec recommendations? I also don't do much web work these days, so I no longer need the power for fancy graphics. I just want a fast, nice-to-use, easy to carry, notebook PC for general use. Also, I notice these days, some have a touch screen. What do you think of that option?

Rick

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cream

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doughnut

Hmmm...cream doughnuts! 

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hole


Time ago I read that the center donut hole was created and intended to get the dough being better fried ...   

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round

Why are most holes round? Why not square holes in doughnuts?

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drill



They have invented a way to open a square hole with a drill...

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soldier

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march!   

Could dBase runs on W-8? On the small laptop with W-7 it works, but with a ¼ of screen, I haven’t find a way to enlarge it to a full screen.

Can you attach a monitor to this laptop?  I used a second monitor often. Do you have a monitor port on side or back of laptop? or HDMI port that can connect to a tv/monitor?  You could connect bigger screen to computer when you want to work in dBase on the small computer.  Just an idea.  I do that if working in big excel file so I can see more columns.   

As I mentioned before, Microsoft FINALLY gave us back the X to close windows and easy shutdown option on the "metro" (new) side of windows 8.1!   YAY!!!  This update (combined with previous) makes windows 8 much more better.  I am now telling my mother it is time to upgrade...

Touch screens on laptops/desktops. It costs extra for this option.
My observations about TOUCH technology:
Tablets & Phones: YES. No doubt.
ALL IN ONE:  touch screen is convenient.  This works well in restaurants, etc where waiters walk by, chose something onscreen to add to an order, etc then leave.   Touch doesn't work as well in home, using as standard desktop unit.

Laptop and Desktop in a home and business (desk) environment, most people forget they have touch.  They use a keyboard to write letters, emails, spreadsheets, surf the web, watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. Hands are down.  To use TOUCH screen you must lift arm constantly. This gets tiresome so most people I work with choose to ignore the TOUCH screen, then forget they have it till someone points to something on the screen. Surprise! 
   

Functionality of TOUCH screen on laptop is also redundant for most people. And not so practical.  Windows 8 brought in the SWIPE from top to bottom to close a window. This worked on TOUCH screens for the tablets just fine.  But people using mouse had to do same movement while holding the left mouse button. It was not practical for touchpad or mouse movement so Windows just brought back the X to close windows. Much quicker and easier, even in TOUCH environment. Remember that monitors are bigger than tablets.  Swiping 4 to 6 inches is different than constantly swiping 10 inches or more.  Tiresome. Tedious.

A tablet is in your hands, or next to your hands, and laptop screen is separated from your hands.  Using TOUCH on a tablet (ipad, kindle fire, Surface, etc) makes sense. On Laptop it is an extra option.  The windows 8.1 machine I have (Toshiba) came in 2 models, with and without TOUCH.  After working with so many people, hearing their comments and using their equipment, I found I could save the money easily and was not tempted by it at all. I do not regret that decision on a laptop. 

Bottom line for ME...laptop does not need TOUCH screen for MOST applications. Save the money. Choose larger drive, more ram, more speed. You get more use for your money than the TOUCH option.

Hope that helps Rick....

Reference.....
   Desktop:  stationary box CPU with external Monitor, keyboard, Mouse.
   ALL-IN-ONE:  CPU hard drive is in the large stationary Monitor, external keyboard and mouse.
   Laptop: Portable Folding L shaped machine with monitor connected to keyboard.
   Tablet:  small hand-held screen that acts as monitor and keyboard in one.  Even some "phones" qualify in this category if large enough. (Ipad, kindle fire, surface, and so many brands)
 

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month


Yes, I had attached the small laptop to my TV via HDMI to see some films. Never used to work.

Guys, right now I'm really disappointed.  Some minutes ago I’ve finished the clone copy of my C: drive to a new one hoping that the SLOW (very slow) startup would be fixed… No, it didn’t. 

I'm writing this post using the new disc just to test if the copy was OK.  I’ removed the wires from original C: and plugged in the recent copied disc. It booted OK and so far, regardless the slow startup, I haven’t seen any problem.
It stuck when the desktop image appears. It stays there for almost three minutes I haven't measured exact time, but if you wait watching the screen it takes an eternity!! The background image has been changed several times, just in case…[/i]

It lasts 4 ½ hours to clone it, there was only one Read Error and the program said that the copy was not 100% ok (I don’t remember the exact wordsof the message) and recommended a chkdsk.

What do you say guys, should I leave this new disc or go back and connect the old one?   

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calendar

Tony, I have never done a clone copy of the complete hard drive, including operating system, and then replaced it directly as you have done. (I think)

Normally I would install the new hard drive, reinstall the operating system from CD, which gives you a clean install without carrying over problems you may have had before, which could have been causing the slowness.

Then reinstall your various programs, data files etc. I know that is a much more laborious process, but you start off with a new PC (software, not hardware) which has more chance of running sweetly.

Let's see what Sami thinks.

Sami, thanks for the advice on laptops, particularly re touch screen. I think your advice is sound.

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time



Yes Rick, I also had considered that, but restart a PC from scratch is a big-BIG task, mainly because of programs installed…
It is the first time I do a clone, but I think that it makes a mirror copy of the original, thus copying everything, including errors.
Right now, I’m still working with the copy, I imagine that all I’ve done since yesterday, including the mails received are not visible on the old disc, so I’m considering to keep working with this copy, at least is 1 ½ years younger and it has a five years warranty.

Meanwhile, I posted the problem in which I consider one of the most capacitated forum on the web on this matter: h**p://forums.majorgeeks.com/ to see if they help me, as they had done in other occasions, with the startup slowness.

Thanks Rick and let's wait for the Sami's opinions.

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flies

Time flies when you are having fun.

I used to run clones in the old server at the office.  One drive dies, swap to exact duplicate and keep moving forward.  I don't have that software available at home.

Rick is right that if you start at the beginning, load operating system, drivers then move files you will have cleaner results on the new drive. Takes longer, but you don't inherit problems.

If you do want to clone instead, you need to be sure the original drive is clean and repaired BEFORE you make the copy.

Then run software that cleans system of adware or malware, etc. (Like Malwarebytes free or SUPERAntiSpyware free). These are put in, run, then deleted. They get rid of trash that can slow your computer and internet connection.  Be Careful with Registry Cleaners like CCleaner (also free). CCleaner is good. But if used wrong can take out too much and cause worse problems.

Run system check (chkdisk), run repair on the drive, defragment, etc. Then check your startup programs. Do you NEED everything to start when you start the computer?
Then you are ready to make the clone.  It will be as clean as you can make it.

If you clone before you clean the drive, you bring all the problems from the old drive to the new drive.

If it takes a long time to start up, you may have a driver that is not loading properly.
(I have a SOUND driver that gives me problems.  I updated it and have less problems. I think my sound card is not seated tight in this laptop...) Or you may have a bad sector on the drive.  If you have a bad sector, I'm not sure that cloning is a good idea.

I'm not sure which drive I would use Tony.
Probably put the old drive in and try to fix the problems, then clone again.