The Vent and Rant Thread - Page 1870

Rumpelteazer · 07-04-2016, 04:49 AM

On the 16th I'm going to house and dog sit again for a couple of weeks. And I just realised that the 16th is a Saturday, which sucks. In the past my friends always left on a weekday, usually on a Friday. I would take a day off, in the morning cycle over to my friends' house with some of my stuff. I would go shop for groceries and anything else I want/need and potter around the rest of the day until in the evening my father would bring the rest of my stuff.

I can't take a day off work on a Saturday; it's the busiest day of the week. And because it's the busiest day I don't want to have to go to the supermarket after work. So, the plan now is that I'll get some essential food and drink before the store opens at 10am. I'll go over to my friends' place after work and my father will bring my stuff. I'll either get something quick and easy for dinner in the morning or I'll order take out. And on Sunday I'll go over to the supermarket to get my shopping done. Other things I want/need I will need to get next week.

Hitch · 07-07-2016, 04:20 PM

Well.

Life's been swell here, lemme tell ya.

First, I get a person who wants us to make an eBook from a game he designed, using an online game-making SAS system. It's a "choose your adventure" type game.

I take a look at the gaming system/software, and it's heavily text-based. Now, we can't use javascript and all that, but we can use links. So, okay. I explain all this to the prospective client.

He comes back with a sort of heated response--I'm getting lectured here--as to how eBooks aren't keeping up with the tech, yadda. (Whatever). Then he proposes that I do some sort of "hybrid" deal with him...he says he's "too rusty in my programming skills..." (oy. This is always "warning, warning! Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!") to do the work himself. He further lectures me about how his wife is an educator, blabbety and so on. And how he had some decades in education, as well. Then he lectures me all about how "retailers like Kindle" are so behind the times.

So his proposal is, apparently, that we "join" with him in the development. (I had three of these, this week, alone. I guess nobody notices that we don't have the word PUBLISHER on our website...)

So far, most of this is just...water, meet duck's back. I get a LOT of these. A bunch. Not usually this heated, so early on, but...hey. NP, right?

I respond, and I lay out all the issues that surround app development, if you're trying to work with a client that's not in your immediate state. The wireframing, the development of the graphic understanding, more blabbety, and how customers always want to know "how much" going in, but that before the app development aspect, the "how much" can't be known. I tell him what I've seen, in terms of numbers, what we have to spend in terms of time, video conferences and the like, just to get to the "how much" point.

And we don't hear back from him, after that.

But lo...that's not the punch line. We look him up (I forget why, TBH).

Spoiler:

and then...(I bet you already see this coming, don'tcha?)

Spoiler:

Thus, I'm all for taking the "never heard back" option.

I had another doozy this past week, but I'll have to leave you with that one, as I'm not sure that I had one to top it. Not this week, anyway.

Oh, the other doozy, the last two weeks or so--doesn't compare to the other guy, but...:

Spoiler:

<sigh>

Hitch

Cinisajoy · 07-07-2016, 05:03 PM

Well now, if you are bored I have a client for you. She promises not to ask you to insert

Spoiler:

into the book. She will even let you decide the best layout.
The only thing is she will have to pay you in

Spoiler:

.
You like

Spoiler:

.

Spoiler:

Hitch · 07-07-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Well now, if you are bored I have a client for you. She promises not to ask you to insert

Spoiler:

I'm good with that plan. For a year?

Quote:

...into the book. She will even let you decide the best layout.

....<grumble, more common than you'd expect>...

Quote:

The only thing is she will have to pay you in

Spoiler:

.
You like

Spoiler:

.

Spoiler:

I'm afraid to ask which friend? Oh...THAT friend? OISH!!!

Although...that's not really out of the normal realm. Sowwy.

Hitch

Cinisajoy · 07-07-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

I'm good with that plan. For a year?

....<grumble, more common than you'd expect>...

I'm afraid to ask which friend? Oh...THAT friend? OISH!!!

Although...that's not really out of the normal realm. Sowwy.

Hitch

I thought it was good but I didn't (don't ) think I would make that much.

Spoiler:

Hitch · 07-07-2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I thought it was good but I didn't (don't ) think I would make that much.

Spoiler:

I LOVE cookbooks! I have a hall-pantry, that is half-filled with same. :-)

Yup, that's definitely part of the hassles of self-pubbing--having to pick up all the costs, against a (reasonably) expected ROI. Bummer.

Hitch

Cinisajoy · 07-07-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

I LOVE cookbooks! I have a hall-pantry, that is half-filled with same. :-)

Yup, that's definitely part of the hassles of self-pubbing--having to pick up all the costs, against a (reasonably) expected ROI. Bummer.

Hitch

PM your Gmail and I will share via Google docs.
I need to find 14 more big cookbooks to give me an even 1000 big cookbooks and I have 560 little cookbooks. Not counting e cookbooks and 2 file cabinet drawers of recipe cards.

CRussel · 07-08-2016, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

I LOVE cookbooks! I have a hall-pantry, that is half-filled with same. :-)

Yup, that's definitely part of the hassles of self-pubbing--having to pick up all the costs, against a (reasonably) expected ROI. Bummer.

Hitch

It's funny, I keep buying cookbooks, but rarely use them and when I do, I almost always return to a small handful of old faithfuls. But I still love to buy them -- mostly for ideas. Much less for actual recipes.

cromag · 07-08-2016, 12:54 AM

I've got a bunch of cookbooks but I find that I only use a couple (sometimes only one) recipe from each. Lately I've stopped buying//using cookbooks and I go online.

Cinisajoy · 07-08-2016, 01:28 PM

Did someone say allrecipes.com?
I am the same way.
Most of the cookbooks I get are either 10 cents or 25 cents.
One of our thrift stores marks down their books on the 3rd day of the month for books from the previous month to 10 cents each.

Glorfindel · 07-08-2016, 01:32 PM

My rant: WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE GO BE HAPPY ABOUT YOUR COOKBOOKS SOMEWHERE ELSE?! I can't take this kind of positivity!

Kidding, ignore me and continue

Freeshadow · 07-08-2016, 01:48 PM

Don't understand cookbooks. That paper pulp can't be palpable.

5thWiggleWife · 07-08-2016, 04:49 PM

It's okay once you add ketchup!

ApK · 07-08-2016, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

Don't understand cookbooks. That paper pulp can't be palpable.

It's important not to overcook them.
That's why book burning is bad.

Blossom · 07-09-2016, 10:38 AM

Ugh! How can I get Maisy to take her pill. I've tried the pop down the throat method. Doesn't work! I've tried pill pockets. Doesn't work. I've tried grinding into fine powder and hiding it in Liquid, food, treats. Doesn't work.

Maisy is SMART. She needs the Pepcid but this cat refuses to eat anything she doesn't like.

It's such a tiny pill which makes the pop in mouth method not work.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

07-07-2016, 04:20 PM	#28037
Hitch Bookmaker & Cat Slave Posts: 11,503 Karma: 158448243 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Device: K2, iPad, KFire, PPW, Voyage, NookColor. 2 Droid, Oasis, Boox Note2	Life in the Fastlane, for a maker of eBooks.... Well. Life's been swell here, lemme tell ya. First, I get a person who wants us to make an eBook from a game he designed, using an online game-making SAS system. It's a "choose your adventure" type game. I take a look at the gaming system/software, and it's heavily text-based. Now, we can't use javascript and all that, but we can use links. So, okay. I explain all this to the prospective client. He comes back with a sort of heated response--I'm getting lectured here--as to how eBooks aren't keeping up with the tech, yadda. (Whatever). Then he proposes that I do some sort of "hybrid" deal with him...he says he's "too rusty in my programming skills..." (oy. This is always "warning, warning! Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!") to do the work himself. He further lectures me about how his wife is an educator, blabbety and so on. And how he had some decades in education, as well. Then he lectures me all about how "retailers like Kindle" are so behind the times. So his proposal is, apparently, that we "join" with him in the development. (I had three of these, this week, alone. I guess nobody notices that we don't have the word PUBLISHER on our website...) So far, most of this is just...water, meet duck's back. I get a LOT of these. A bunch. Not usually this heated, so early on, but...hey. NP, right? I respond, and I lay out all the issues that surround app development, if you're trying to work with a client that's not in your immediate state. The wireframing, the development of the graphic understanding, more blabbety, and how customers always want to know "how much" going in, but that before the app development aspect, the "how much" can't be known. I tell him what I've seen, in terms of numbers, what we have to spend in terms of time, video conferences and the like, just to get to the "how much" point. And we don't hear back from him, after that. But lo...that's not the punch line. We look him up (I forget why, TBH). Spoiler: And first, we stumble across a battery arrest, for throwing acid in a woman's face. (uhhhhhhhh....) He asserted self-defense, and I don't know the outcome here. My Queen of Customer Service continues, now, because...well, wouldn't you? and then...(I bet you already see this coming, don'tcha?) Spoiler: He is a registered SEX OFFENDER. Yup....kids. Thus, I'm all for taking the "never heard back" option. I had another doozy this past week, but I'll have to leave you with that one, as I'm not sure that I had one to top it. Not this week, anyway. Oh, the other doozy, the last two weeks or so--doesn't compare to the other guy, but...: Spoiler: I get a guy who wants me to do a "personal conversion" for him, of his copy of Poor Charlie's Almanac...which is in copyright, EVERYWHERE. I told him that while I don't have a personal objection to format-shifting, as a pro, I can't risk that type of thing. I didn't even have any real way to discern that it was, indeed, his book, as all I saw was a godawful scan from print. I told him, nicely, that I really couldn't risk it; even if we had, from that file, it would be in the 4-digit range, to format to our standards, and I recommended that he continue his Calibre efforts, and do the nitty-gritty clean-up himself. I mean...I don't want ot turn down work, especially in the summer, which is slooooooooooooooow, but still.... <sigh> Hitch

07-07-2016, 05:03 PM	#28038
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Well now, if you are bored I have a client for you. She promises not to ask you to insert Spoiler: cookies into the book. She will even let you decide the best layout. The only thing is she will have to pay you in Spoiler: cookies . You like Spoiler: cookies . Spoiler: Seriously I thought you needed a laugh. Your friend quoted me a price of at least $300 to even get it halfway ready for publication.

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07-04-2016, 04:49 AM	#28036
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,335 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	On the 16th I'm going to house and dog sit again for a couple of weeks. And I just realised that the 16th is a Saturday, which sucks. In the past my friends always left on a weekday, usually on a Friday. I would take a day off, in the morning cycle over to my friends' house with some of my stuff. I would go shop for groceries and anything else I want/need and potter around the rest of the day until in the evening my father would bring the rest of my stuff. I can't take a day off work on a Saturday; it's the busiest day of the week. And because it's the busiest day I don't want to have to go to the supermarket after work. So, the plan now is that I'll get some essential food and drink before the store opens at 10am. I'll go over to my friends' place after work and my father will bring my stuff. I'll either get something quick and easy for dinner in the morning or I'll order take out. And on Sunday I'll go over to the supermarket to get my shopping done. Other things I want/need I will need to get next week.

07-08-2016, 12:54 AM	#28044
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,360 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I've got a bunch of cookbooks but I find that I only use a couple (sometimes only one) recipe from each. Lately I've stopped buying//using cookbooks and I go online.

07-08-2016, 01:28 PM	#28045
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Did someone say allrecipes.com? I am the same way. Most of the cookbooks I get are either 10 cents or 25 cents. One of our thrift stores marks down their books on the 3rd day of the month for books from the previous month to 10 cents each.

07-08-2016, 01:32 PM	#28046
Glorfindel Force-Aware Elf Posts: 4,762 Karma: 11557898 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Valinor Device: Kindle 4 w/SO	My rant: WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE GO BE HAPPY ABOUT YOUR COOKBOOKS SOMEWHERE ELSE?! I can't take this kind of positivity! Kidding, ignore me and continue

07-08-2016, 01:48 PM	#28047
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	Don't understand cookbooks. That paper pulp can't be palpable.

07-08-2016, 04:49 PM	#28048
5thWiggleWife I’m a Happy Boy! Posts: 12,791 Karma: 96828311 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Evil Canada (goatees ya know) Device: iPad 2017, Acer A500, Kobo Glo, iPad mini	It's okay once you add ketchup!

07-09-2016, 10:38 AM	#28050
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Ugh! How can I get Maisy to take her pill. I've tried the pop down the throat method. Doesn't work! I've tried pill pockets. Doesn't work. I've tried grinding into fine powder and hiding it in Liquid, food, treats. Doesn't work. Maisy is SMART. She needs the Pepcid but this cat refuses to eat anything she doesn't like. It's such a tiny pill which makes the pop in mouth method not work. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

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