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    1. Can I hope to defeat telematics in a new car?

      Could you recommend a make of vehicle whose spy tech is easy to disable? This is the highest hurdle and single most important factor in my search for a car, so my other preferences and needs fall...

      Could you recommend a make of vehicle whose spy tech is easy to disable? This is the highest hurdle and single most important factor in my search for a car, so my other preferences and needs fall far second. I would like an electric vehicle or hybrid model with no less cargo room than a Prius, and not larger than a mid-sized station wagon, with a track record of low repairs. Correct me if I'm misinformed, but applying those criteria seems premature until I can identify something I can make private.

      I have only ever bought used cars, and have lived the same story many times: I will construct elaborate spreadsheets, research models until I could host a video walk-through of trouble spots to watch for, then will shop and cavil until I make a purchase I'm proud of. Sure, it ends up 25% over my initial budget, but I pat myself on the back for a full 18 months afterwards. Nice work, careful consumer. But it's then the repairs begin, and soon I'm spending $3-4,000 a year maintaining my certified reliable used car.

      So, I am searching for a newer used car or a new car whose telematics can be disabled. I have read through discussion boards, but weary quickly at the comments defending the cozy convenience of the corporate surveillance net or chiding people like me for even trying. I don't care. If lacking or disabling spy features means I can't use my car as a phone, that sounds like a win to me. I know a little about cars and have alright technical know-how. Most importantly, I am resolute. I will not drive a car that listens to me or transmits video of my travels. Has anyone had success here?

      13 votes
    2. Is there a lookup tool for credit card leaks?

      A few months ago, my credit card number was used in a few unauthorized transactions. The charges were reversed, and I got a new card, so overall, no big deal. But I am curious as to how the thief...

      A few months ago, my credit card number was used in a few unauthorized transactions. The charges were reversed, and I got a new card, so overall, no big deal. But I am curious as to how the thief actually got their hands on my information.

      Are there any lookup tools for leaked credit cards, similar to Have I Been Pwned, that might tell me how my credit card number was exposed? Since my card has already been cancelled, I don't even mind typing the number into a somewhat sketchy site.

      3 votes
    3. Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 - Race Weekend Discussion

      Warning: this post may contain spoilers

      Las Vegas Grand Prix
      Las Vegas Strip Circuit
      November 20-22, 2025


      Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
      Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
      1 4 Lando Norris McLaren 1:55.473 1:51.379 1:47.934 25
      2 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:53.458 1:51.593 1:48.257 24
      3 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:54.873 1:51.144 1:48.296 24
      4 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:53.144 1:50.935 1:48.803 25
      5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:54.544 1:52.126 1:48.961 23
      6 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1:54.828 1:51.621 1:49.062 25
      7 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:53.739 1:51.865 1:49.466 25
      8 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls 1:55.613 1:51.120 1:49.554 25
      9 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:54.814 1:51.952 1:49.872 24
      10 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:54.432 1:51.760 1:51.540 25
      11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Kick Sauber 1:54.555 1:52.781 18
      12 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:54.416 1:52.850 18
      13 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:54.635 1:52.987 17
      14 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:56.016 1:53.094 17
      15 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:54.847 1:53.683 17
      16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:56.220 8
      17 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:56.314 8
      18 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Kick Sauber 1:56.674 9
      19 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing 1:56.798 9
      20 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:57.115 9

      Source: F1.com

      Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
      POS. NO. DRIVER TEAM LAPS TIME / RETIRED PTS.

      Fastest Lap: //
      DOTD:

      Source: F1.com


      Next race:

      Qatar Grand Prix
      Lusail International Circuit
      November 28-30, 2025

      6 votes
    4. Library exhibit brainstorming

      Hey, tildes - cqns here, I work in a library and, once in a while, when I have time, I make something called a "display", which is essentially a curated selection of books for the public to check...

      Hey, tildes - cqns here,

      I work in a library and, once in a while, when I have time, I make something called a "display", which is essentially a curated selection of books for the public to check out, which lasts for approximately a single month. Usually, most people do things very linearly with their displays, a single letter-sized paper that serves as the title label for the topic of the display, and then the physical books in an array on the shelf. I, however, think that most of the displays are particularly boring in the way that they approach the public, hence my need for brainstorming.

      What I have in mind is an interactive one-stand exhibit, akin to an art gallery in a museum. The title of the exhibit is "Libri Insoliti", which roughly translates to "strange/unusual books". It is a nine item list that includes the following titles in order:

      1. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (BOOK, AUDIOBK, EBOOK, DVD, BLU-RAY)
      2. The Mezzanine - Nicholson Baker (AUDIOBK only)
      3. Several People Are Typing - Calvin Kasulke (BOOK, AUDIOBK, EBOOK)
      4. Hopscotch - Julio Cortázar (BOOK - as compilation, EBOOK)
      5. Ficciones - Jorge Luis Borges (BOOK, BOOK en espanol, AUDIOBK en espanol, EBOOK en espanol)
      6. The Employees - Olga Ravn (BOOK, EBOOK)
      7. House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski (BOOK only - Read one page to find out why.)
      8. "S" - Doug Dorst (BOOK only - some cutouts missing)
      9. Finnegans Wake - James Joyce (BOOK, EBOOK)

      Of each title, I have my written piece on the side that informs the public on what to generally expect when reading the specific titles...and then a QR code that links to a Vocaroo recording of yours truly narrating that which I've already written. Therein lies the rub - in my side of town, it appears as though the general public may not know how to use a QR code, hence my idea being to go a bit above and beyond.

      With the QR code method, people may not realize their device's volume level is extremely high and cause distraction. The library is ideally a quiet place for people and I would like for the exhibit's audio to be non-intrusive, leading me to another idea: the purchasing of some type of equipment that allows patrons to listen to the exhibit audio with attached headphones only. There are many things to consider, because the exhibit is in an area which a plug is not easily accessible, so ideally, it may need to work with a battery pack of some kind. I do have, in my possession, a Raspberry Pi5, but, it needs to be plugged in to work. So, does such a device exist? I've searched it up extensively and came across this (https://www.digitalaudiotechnologies.com/product/soundclip-2-2-button-looping-or-pir/), but I don't know whether or not this would even work. Any suggestions?

      14 votes