Author Archives: dontai

Chatgpt On Chinese Social Media QQ

I have been on QQ Chinese social media for quite a number of years, and am now an administrator for a couple of QQ groups. Recently a couple of QQ groups have been able to use the Chatgpt API to connect with and allow Chinese group members to have a first-hand try at Chatgpt. Here are my observations.

QQ is one of China’s largest social media platform, where you can find friends, video chat, send pics and videos, participate in group chats, exchange money, listen to music, and more. The platform is less invasive than WeChat. Both are run by Tencent. I have become an administrator on a couple of English-only QQ groups.

This is a preview of Chatgpt On Chinese Social Media QQ. Read the full post (1301 words, 0 images, estimated 5:12 mins reading time)

Value Village feedback: Not a Smooth Experience

I donated something to to Value Village (Canada) and they gave me a coupon. I had to input my purchase date and time, then do an online survey for a small discount. Unfortunately the online experience was flawed at best.

There are many different types of people that shop at Value Village, many of them over the age of 50. These people often do not carry nor rely on their smartphone for their existence. In other words, they are normal.

This is a preview of Value Village feedback: Not a Smooth Experience. Read the full post (452 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Toto Toilet Fill Valve Cleaning and Maintenance

The Toto toilet fill valve looks quite robust. It was pretty easy to take apart and clean, even though the first time I missed the final step. Here is a simple and short video of how to take it apart: How to quickly fix a hissing leaking Toto toilet with a new flush valve cap

I’ll quickly summarize:

This is a preview of Toto Toilet Fill Valve Cleaning and Maintenance. Read the full post (317 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

Searching for Information on the Web in China

I did not really think about the importance of searching the web. It seemed straight forward, just like a card catalogue library. You want something, there are available resources, you search those resources and find what you are looking for, or perhaps not. On Chinese social media there are a few other major issues to consider that, almost always, give you sub-optimal results.

Search Results are useful for China-internal content
There is Baidu search in China, their largest search engine. By all accounts this search engine is quite bad, where people in China often cannot find what they are looking for. Baidu is invariably only roughly effective in China, even though they have huge bots that scour the world’s web. I know this because I see it hitting my web sites on a daily basis.

This is a preview of Searching for Information on the Web in China. Read the full post (1019 words, 0 images, estimated 4:05 mins reading time)

Importing Table Data from the Web to a Spreadsheet

It is not very difficult once you know how:

  1. highlight and copy ctrl-c your web table
  2. open your spreadsheet, paste ctl-v into the spreadsheet
  3. you may have headers you want to delete, remove the whole row
  4. you can also delete any columns, remove the whole column
  5. to remove images: home > find & select > go to special > objects. All images will be selected, delete
  6. then you can manipulate your spreadsheet
  7. save your spreadsheet

To highlight an area, click on the top left box, manipulate to the bottom right box, hit shift enter

This is a preview of Importing Table Data from the Web to a Spreadsheet. Read the full post (111 words, 0 images, estimated 27 secs reading time)

Cataract Surgery Lens IOL Options: Simple Explanation and Notes

When you age, your body gets older and parts begin to wear out. This cannot be disputed for eyes. Over time the eye become inflexible, it will be harder to read fine print, your lens will cloud over and will need to be replaced. This is called cataract surgery.

This is a preview of Cataract Surgery Lens IOL Options: Simple Explanation and Notes. Read the full post (1050 words, 2 images, estimated 4:12 mins reading time)

City of Toronto Election 2022, Managing Deputy Returning Officer: Comments

After 3 previous elections I thought I’d try this year’s 2022 Oct 24 City of Toronto election as a managing deputy returning officer. The experience running an election site was interesting, and despite the low turnout, busier than I had thought.

The managing deputy returning officer (MDRO) position manages a complete election site with up to 10 other election workers.These include:

This is a preview of City of Toronto Election 2022, Managing Deputy Returning Officer: Comments. Read the full post (1420 words, 0 images, estimated 5:41 mins reading time)

Exercise Handles for Weight Training Cable Machines and Resistance Bands: DIY

Commercial exercise handles for strength training cable machines or exercise bands are quite easy to make yourself.

Commercial exercise handles for strength training cable machines or exercise bands are quite easy to make yourself.

If you strength train using a cable machine, or use resistance bands, you will probably need exercise handles. These plastic and nylon webbing handle attachments clip to the cable with a carabiner, allowing you to more comfortably pull as well as allowing your wrist and arm to rotate in a more natural position. This rotation is much easier on your joints and greatly adds to your comfort. Conversely straight and rigid attachments such as a lat pulldown bar usually offer no flexibility of wrist angle, which is harder on your joints. A neutral grip for rowing is easier on the wrists, and therefore better for long-term use.

This is a preview of Exercise Handles for Weight Training Cable Machines and Resistance Bands: DIY. Read the full post (992 words, 6 images, estimated 3:58 mins reading time)

Hose Clamp Comparison by Brand: from Youtuber Project Farm

I’ve always hated using hose clamps. I’d buy them from Home Depot and curse when they are installed and leak. I’d tighten them more and they’d deform and sometimes break. It did not dawn on me that, like everything else, there are different quality hose clamps than the crappy “All Gain” ones I use. This is particularly true for my compressor hose, which, over time, loosen and then leak. My compressor only needs 125psi.

This Youtube video Best Hose Clamp> Let’s Settle This! Ideal, Precision, Koehler, Norma, Skandvik, Mishimoto, Breeze compares various brands of hose clamps.

This is a preview of Hose Clamp Comparison by Brand: from Youtuber Project Farm. Read the full post (197 words, 2 images, estimated 47 secs reading time)