Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with control

Click here?

JtJ — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:09:22 -0800

On American TV drama shows I have noticed that TV remotes make an audible click when a button is pressed by one of the actors. Living in the UK, I have never heard/seen this in real life. Do all American TV remotes click? Or is this just a dramatic device? UK TV remotes do not click. Why?

Revision/version control software for stuff that isn't source code...

Chunder — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:40:18 -0800

Is there such a thing as version/revision control software for printed documents? Software developers have version control for their source code, but what about people who write sales brochures? I work in a large multinational corporation, the marketing department of which generates a large volume of outward-facing literature - brochures, applications, etc. These are written in-house, artworked by an agency into pdf, and then reviewed/amended/signed-off prior to being printed and distributed; changes to any given item are frequent and reasonably regular (usually 6 monthly), and may need to be amended and reviewed by a number of people (usually 4-6).

Unfortunately, the relevant department has no concept of the re-use of identical elements across documents (e.g. common paragraphs, tables, etc.) - every document is completely independent of the others, no matter how much copy text is duplicated; they manage version control completely manually; they are inconsistent in handling updates to one document, and frequently do not apply them across other similar documents; and lastly, they operate in a non-collaborative manner regarding review and sign-off - so any changes suggested by one person aren't seen by the others until all of the changes have been re-applied to the document, incurring extra artworking costs and time delays.

I'm absolutely certain that there is some software out there somewhere that - in effect - does source-code version control for printed literature, and will help to resolve all of the issues that we have... but I have no idea what I'm looking for! Every search I do just returns source code versioning.

Does anyone out there work for a publishing house, or a document production agency, or something, who use software such as this to control all of these aspects of printed literature lifecycle? Something that gives collaborative review of documents; something that links "paragraphs" between documents (so one change updates multiple documents, or at least identifies them for you); something that helps to control which version of a document was available at any particular time, irrespective of the subsequent changes...
I'm coming at this from a business analysis background (it's not my job any more, it's just a habit I can't shake!), and it really frustrates me that a core part of such a large business is totally dependent upon inefficient and inaccurate manual processes... but is my only solution to roll up my sleeves and learn to code something suitable?

Multiple projects in a single git repository.

bsdfish — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:23:06 -0800

How do I work on multiple projects in a single version control (hopefully git) repository. Alternatively, how do I transparently establish many repositories for different projects? After an embarrassingly long time of poor version control, I decided that it's time to be careful about all my code and documents, and tried to establish a central repository. I have 2 machines: a server which acts as an occasional development machine and does backup, and my laptop. I'm hoping version control will help me keep my work synced between the two machines as well.

The key problem is that git commands operate on the whole repository, not just a particular directory. So if I make some changes in the work directory, and then modify elements of the play directory, running 'git status' inside the play directory informs me of the work changes. Branching in the play directory also puts the work directory on the same branch. With many subprojects, that's really annoying; I would much prefer git operations to apply only to the current and children directories, not parent ones.

Alternatively, I can imagine creating two repositories: a work and play one. However, then whenever I make a new project, I have to init a repository on one machine, pull it on the other; whenever I want to sync the 2 machines; I would need to git pull every single project. It feels like there has to be a better way.

I suspect that some branch trickery may work -- if every project is a separate branch in the same repository, that may be OK -- however, that won't solve the easy sync problem, and feels like a total abuse of branches. Any suggestions?

How can I control my sweet tooth?

rybreadmed — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:08:51 -0800

I want to eat healthy, but have an almost uncontrollable sweet-tooth. What can I do to control myself? I eat pretty healthy. I try to keep processed foods to a minimum, eat well balanced meals, and brown bag it most days of the week. When I go to fast food places, I almost always look at the nutritional information and try to get the healthiest items (baked chicken rather than fried, for instance). I take fruits and yogurts with me to work and school with my lunches (well balanced, whole grains, etc.). I drink diet sodas and rarely put sugar in my coffee. I eat a big heaping bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every morning. I even go to the gym multiple times per week, and always opt for stairs rather than elevators or escalators.

However, I love sugar. I love M&Ms, malted milk balls, and pretty much anything with a chocolate coating. The HR director at work keeps bowls and bowls of this stuff on her shelf. It's like a candy buffet, and I'm quite literally the proverbial kid in a candy store. So through the day, I snack on these candies. I tell myself the occasional two or three M&Ms don't hurt, and I'm going to the gym after anyway...but I'll eat something closer to 30 M&Ms and 15 malted milk balls. Even if I'm being good and stay away from the HR office, someone might bring in cookies, and I may partake. Or birthday cake. Or donuts.

I'm not fat, but know I could be in better shape without the huge intake of this crap (and perhaps I'll live longer). I've tried many things to try taking my mind off the candy. I've tried keeping healthier snacks at my desk--rice cakes, raisins, instant oatmeal, nuts. I've tried avoiding the HR director's office. I've tried bringing bags of fruit, eating graham crackers instead, and drinking sugar free hot cocoa. But 95% of the time, I end up giving in. I crave the stuff.

So what can I do? What tips do you have to keep myself in control? Should I consider hypnotherapy? Is there anything that I can do to reduce my cravings for sweets?

Antibiotics+alcohol+birth control=?

ad4pt — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:57:33 -0800

Antibiotics+alcohol+birth control=? I am currently taking Yasmin and I'm near the end of my cycle (I start the placebos in two days). I have to take antibiotics twice a day for three days (I'm on the second day). I drank alcohol today and I had unprotected sex. Ridiculously stupid decision, I know.
I remembered that antibiotics supposedly don't work when you drink and birth control doesn't work when you're taking antibiotics. Does the alcohol cancel out the antibiotics which now won't effect the birth control? Should I wait until I'm done with the antibiotics and take a morning after pill on monday? What should I do?

Help me figure out why I seem to predominantly attract sexually submissive guys.

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:22:55 -0800

Help me figure out why I seem to predominantly attract sexually submissive guys. I have a more or less set type, young feminine guys, but I meet guys from very different backgrounds, from professionals to school drop-outs, with different looks and characteristics. What puzzles me is that despite that variety, a very high percentage of them turns out to be very submissive in bed. When I say high percentage, I mean about 4 out of 5. It’s always been something that reveals itself in flagrante, so it’s not like I specifically seek out guys that communicate that as their preference in an ad, at the club, etc. The degree of sexual submission also varies substantially, and in my experience has been all over the road – from low (holding down, hair pulling) to medium (spanking, slapping) to pretty serious (being bound, rape fantasies). They also tend to be not very submissive outside the bedroom.

I am dominant in bed but that to me just means control and overpowering resistance. More specifically, I am talking about sort of rough physical control, physically directing the action, holding someone down, and so on. I don’t like submission qua submission because by definition, there is no resistance factor, and I feel almost awkward knowing that I can simply tell the person to do anything and they will do it. I also don’t like BDSM because the ritualistic aspects of it seem to take away spontaneity, and the formalized gear seems very depersonalizing. I enjoy stuff like spanking and hair pulling, not because it causes the other person some discomfort, but because it makes me feel more in control of the situation. Inflicting pain by itself is not at all appealing to me. I've never experienced or even contemplated being the submissive person. That has no instinctive appeal to me.

My main questions are, 1. Why do I attract submissive guys?, 2. What, if anything, does that say about my personality?, and 3. What nature / nurture factors may contribute to someone being naturally dominant or naturally submissive?

To the extent that physical characteristics may have something to do with it, I am gay, male, 26, 6’0, 180, exclusively top, good-looking in a sort of all-American way, muscular, straight-acting but wouldn’t call myself macho. As far as non-physical characteristics: I’m very confident in myself and my abilities in sort of a quiet, understated way (not arrogant), introverted, self-deprecating humor, rational to a fault in my emotions, very good at having an innate anticipation of what the other person wants to hear (ironically, kind of a people-pleaser). More specific to control, etc.: I am never the first person to jump in and take charge, and I usually remain content to let someone else take the lead unless I believe they are going off-course, at which point I take over. Socially, I am more of an observer than an active participant. At the same time, I am used to people deferring to me in areas that I believe are within my expertise. When I meet people in clubs or bars, I never try to consciously project or exert some authority over them, don't ask them about their sexual preferences, and don't consciously try to establish myself as the dominant person in the conversation.

Thanks to everyone for any ideas, hypotheses, suggestions. If you have any questions, I’m at anon5262@gmail.com.

Is there a MySQL version control system or something?

Leech — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:13:56 -0800

What is the best way to work databases like we does with version control (Subversion or CVS) for the source files? I was researching but probably I'm not using the right words or there's some special way to work.

Windows XP sound control question: How can I get the icon for device volume to stay in the taskbar?

anticlock — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:29 -0800

Windows XP sound control question: How can I get the icon for device volume to stay in the taskbar? In the sounds and audio devices control panel, I check "place volume icon in the taskbar" but it will only appear in the taskbar if I uncheck it, click OK, then re-check it and click apply. On startup, it defaults to the "not in taskbar" state and if I want it to appear in the taskbar I have to go thru the above procedure every time. I would like it to appear in the taskbar on startup, without having to set it up in the control panel every time.

Is there any way to use both St. John's Wort and oral contraception effectively?

TNOTGILL — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:50:01 -0800

I've recently started taking St. John's Wort and have had great results. Unfortunately, it seems to cause my pills to stop working. My cycle has been erratic at best since I started taking St. John's Wort. Are there types of birth control pills that have less interaction?

Help me keep data out of the wrong hands

Nothing — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:35:26 -0800

What are some good resources for designing an access control and permissions system? It has fallen to me to build an access control system from the ground up for my company, now that we have outgrown our previous system. I have a lot of experience with access control systems, but I have never designed one, and I want to make sure I am not missing something important as I go forward.

Television Control over Cable

ooklala — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:25:40 -0800

How can I have the channel control on my television control a cable box (rather than the television be on channel 3 all the time). I have a cable box that is in a basement (the signal past the splice box is so weak it cannot support digital cable). I want to be able to control the channels of the cable box thru the television (i.e. if I change the channel on the television to channel 60, the cable box will switch to channel 60). The television is out of range for any other solution to work, maybe I could somehow get the signal to run over cable. Any suggestions would help. Maybe there is a box that works over i.r with the cable box?

How can I completely stop my microwave from beeping?

lorimer — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:18:10 -0800

I want my microwave never to beep (either for setting times or when cooking is done). Any other device I'd just disassemble enough to cut or block the sound source, but I'm guessing disassembly's not safe here. I don't have a manual (it's a GE, no apparent model number, bought secondhand last year). Can you think of a solution other than trying to physically block the sound just from the outside?

Birth control blues

madmamasmith — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:00:19 -0800

I am in my foruth month of Microgestin pills. I started taking the pills to help control my blackheads but just this month I started breaking out with really bad cystic acne. I tend to get deprresed easily and have always had severe cramps. I was wondering if anyone with matching ailments has any advice on birth control. I have taken several and quit early on due to spotting or worsening cramps. I am thinking of switching to Yasmin because of its reputation with acne sufferers. Any suggestions?

The hourly demands of an IT Project Management job?

gttommy — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:42:32 -0800

The hourly demands of an IT Project Management job? Help me with my career planning! I think would like to eventually work in a role that offers high control. High difficulty or complexity is ok, however, it needs to be less than 40-50 hours per week.

I'm assuming any higher positions like business manager or CEO would be impossible. But what about a project manager? How unlikely is a 9am-5pm IT Project Management job?

I'm sure there is variation between different companies in the say way some companies expect a developer to work long hard hours especially nearing deadlines, while some believe in work/life balance and more than 40hrs leads to fatigued, inefficient programmers. Is project management varied in a similar way? If not, how many more hours are generally expected?

I'm assuming they are expected to be more flexible and put in more time, then say a developer, so that obviously means they are expected to work longer hours.

Your collective wisdom is appreciated. Feel free to make suggestions outside of the IT field.

A VNC-like program that can scale high resolutions?

aerotive — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:38:56 -0800

I use VNC on computer A, 1680x1050 resolution, to control computer B, 1920x1080 resolution. This results in a lot of scrolling. Anyone know of a better solution that's also free or very cheap? Since computer A runs at a lower resolution than B, I get horizontal and vertical toolbars that are really time-consuming to deal with.

Are there any alternatives similar to VNC that could scale the resolution down to something more usable? Or a VNC variant that could do this?

Computer A is Vista, B is XP.

How to control ones ADHD

alexplainlater — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:43:46 -0800

Help controlling ADHD? I was diagnosed at about the age of 11 with ADHD and was perscribed to Adderall for a brief period. Due to my lack in diet, and anxiety increases I stopped. I have since been in a battle with my ADHD. I'm in my second semester of college now and it's really taking its toll on me. I am not as bad as I used to be (read: I can usually make myself sit down and do homework) but it takes a lot of my energy.

My question is: Are there any natural NON PRESCRIPTION drugs or techniques to help and develop my ability to focus?

Universal Remote Recommendations

droplet — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:32:24 -0800

How can I determine which A/V component model numbers a universal remote covers before I buy it? I've tried to google the make and model of each component with "universal remote control," but I can't find what I need. I have a Scientific Atlanta 3100 HD cable box, a Pioneer VSX-D711 A/V receiver, a Yamaha DV-C6860 multi-disc DVD player and a Sony KV-32XBR400 HD set. I've bought 3 different universal remotes, none of which were able to control all the components. How can I find out which specific models a URC controls before I buy? Is there a specific brand I should be looking for? Thanks.

Will I go slowly insane?

showbiz_liz — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:51:03 -0800

Could my birth control be giving me vivid dreams? And could this be a bad thing? Backstory: I just started BC for the second time yesterday- the first time I was only on it for a month, it was a while ago, and I don't remember if anything weird happened then. Also important to the backstory is that every time I get my period, for maybe a week beforehand I have vivid dreams which I remember after waking up. The difference between these dreams and normal ones is so pronounced that, as soon as I wake up from one, I KNOW that my period is coming soon. This is my only notable premenstrual change.

So, I took my pill yesterday at 4pm (after ending my period a couple of days ago), and I had a series of vivid dreams all night. They were even more realistic and lengthy than the ones I normally get before my period.

I'm assuming that the pill caused this, but does that even make sense? More importantly, if I keep dreaming like this, could it have some kind of adverse affect on my mental health?

Knocked Up?

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 05:51:00 -0800

ParanoidFilter: Is there *any* chance I could get pregnant? I unexpectedly ended up in bed with a friend last night. He did not ejaculate inside me (his penis didn't penetrate), but he did rub against me and I touched his penis (which was wet...pre-cum?) then myself. I know the odds must be low, but I'm very paranoid that I could somehow get pregnant. Plus, I'm probably ovulating. Really I'm just seeking clarification/reassurance and also wondering if it's worth it to get the MAP just in case.

Sorry for sounding stupid, but I'm pretty inexperienced and although I know logically the chances of me getting pregnant are slim to none, there's a tiny part of me thinking "oh shit, what if?"

How to bend 50 laptops to my will?

robocop is bleeding — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:21:42 -0800

Help me exert dread control of 50 laptops! Well, not really dread control, but control nonetheless.

In my new library, we have 50 laptops that we check out to students so they can wander through stacks and study areas and work via wireless where they like. As the school year progresses and finals/papers season hits, demand for the laptops increase to the point where there's a long queue for them at the circulation desk.

If the past, we tried to enforce a use time limit of two (now stretched to three for the fall) hours through fines. The problem is, students who could afford the fines would just ignore it and keep on typing away. We tried barring students who hoarded laptops from checking them out again for a week, but since many of them only used the laptop in an all day manner once every other week or so, this did little. Attempts to increase the ban period to more than a week were met by wailing and gnashing of teeth and were a non-starter. Plus the circulation system (Innovative) is pretty unforgiving when it comes to late items. It its eyes "five minutes late" and "five hours late" as yielding the same penalty.

Over the summer, use is pretty light, so we let the laptops out all day, no problem. But come the Fall, I'm going to want to limit use in such a way so as to make sure that everyone gets equal access.

What I would like to do is to equip the laptops with some sort of software that would allow me to send messages to the user ("Hey, please return the laptop!" or "Your three hours are almost up!") and should they ignore their time limit, lock their laptop down (with a message, "If you want to save your work, please return the laptop to the circ desk").

I don't want to set a hard counter like in an internet cafe or public library that counts down from three hours then locks because if there's no one waiting to use the laptop, then the patron should be free to keep working without the interruption of bringing stuff down to the circ desk. I'm also not interested in logging keystrokes or chats or anything like that.

Does such software exist? If so, does such software exist that would play nicely with CleanSlate, Fortress, and anti-virus software that we have running on the laptops?

Basically, I'm looking for a good way of enforcing a "You get 3 hours guaranteed with a laptop" policy without driving me, my staff, or my students crazy.

Voice Control over Bluetooth on a k800i.

By The Grace of God — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:46:50 -0800

Does anybody have a bluetooth headset and a sony ericsson k800i that successfully sync with voice control? This k800i's voice control seems not to work with any bluetooth headset. A headset will work for receiving and making calls, but I've not even been able to set up the voice control (voice dialing of numbers) with any bluetooth headset.

For that matter, I can't get the voice control set up even without a headset! I've barely been able to record a name, but it sure won't dial the corresponding number when I say the name, when the voice control's activated.

Any insights appreciated!

They can't ALL be lying...

Wroksie — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:04:21 -0800

Three women I know, two of whom are pregnant and one of whom who had a baby three months ago, SWEAR that they were on the pill and taking it as instructed (same time every day, no missed pills) when they got pregnant. I know one of these women very well (we work together) and she is so exacting and methodical in everything she does that I can't imagine her being five minutes late taking her pill, much less missing one entirely (and according to the birth control instructional insert, you don't even need back-up protection when you miss one pill). Other women I've known in the past have claimed that they got pregnant on the pill, and I assumed they were really bad at remembering to take it, or just trying to abdicate responsibility for the pregnancies. The three women mentioned above just don't seem like the types for that. Are all (or most) of these women lying, or is it that easy to get knocked up when you're doing everything right with the pill? I'm not asking because I want to call anyone out, I am just genuinely curious, and a teeny bit worried as I use the pill and I definitely don't want to get pregnant right now. I take it every night when I go to bed, between 10:30 and 12:00, and I haven't missed one by more than an hour in a year.

Anecdotal and scientific evidence are both welcome!

How can I check myself so I don't lose what may be my last chance?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:19:23 -0800

I'm being given a second chance by my ex-boyfriend. Please help me not screw it up. My boyfriend broke up with me a a few months ago. I won't go into all the reasons why, but trust me when I say that it was my fault (no cheating, but basically I was playing major head games and generally just not being a very good person). In the end, I begged him to stay and promised I would shape up, but he left.

I resolved to move on and we both started dating other people.

I ended up doing a lot of work on my own character issues that led to our breakup. Prayer, meditation, and lots of introspection. I can confidently say that I have no desire to be that way again.

We began corresponding again awhile after the breakup, and it was apparent he still had feelings for me and vice-versa. We hung out as friends.

He says he's ready to give it a go again, as long as we take it from square one. This means we'll be going out on dates again and for now, not in an exclusive relationship. We have our "first date" coming up next week.

I'm worried I'll screw it up this time not because of the same issues in the past, but because I won't be able to take it from square one per se.

I want him back and I don't want to see anyone else, but I can't be desperate and emotional. I have to be as I would on a first or second date. But I'm sure if I follow my instincts I'll end up crying and begging for him back all the way.

So basically, how can I control myself emotionally while I'm with him again? I need to be fun, flirty, sincere, and in control. Not crying, begging, and needy.

Delta 2 Rocket Mars rover mission

mitzyjalapeno — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:59:15 -0800

Where do I find the audio file of the radio communications from mission control of the Delta II rocket launch? Preferably in .wav format. Thanks in advance.

Sending recorded messages by phone

MtDewd — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:31:53 -0800

Looking for a device to send recorded messages over phone line via ethernet control. I need a box or program to accomplish the following:
1.Server is made aware of an event.
2.Using TCP/IP over ethernet, place a call to one of several (4-10) phone numbers.
3.When phone is answered, play one of several pre-recorded voice messages.

Background: We have a customer who used a Sensaphone to monitor temperature. Whenever the temp would go out of range, this machine would place a local call and play a recorded message. Part of our solution for them was that our software would monitor temperature, keep a log of it, and if limits were exceeded, set off the sensaphone using an LT200 relay controller. This uses an ethernet connection to pick or drop a relay which is a switch for the Sensaphone. This worked fine, so we offered this to other customers.

Problem- LT200 is no longer being sold. I can find other devices that are ethernet-controlled relay drivers, but was asked to find something that combines the two. Searching for ethernet and phone brings up mostly VoIP, but I don't need a phone at my end or long distance. I'm looking for something more like voice mail in reverse.

Ideas?