For Canadians specifically, what are your resources online for cheap/refurbished laptops to buy?

Doesn't have to be powerful, just at least 16GB of RAM. I'm trying to avoid Amazon, but have sourced some local options as well to go in person (Toronto). Any good experience with online sources, especially recently post tariffs?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 4 days ago
▲ 0 r/SQL

With Europe looking to ditch as many American companies as possible, what RDBMS will they be migrating to?

Will they stick to Oracle/SQL Server and run it on Linux, or are they starting to look into migrating into Postgress/MariaDB, or something homegrown.

OS migration is straightforward, but not sure about these two behemoths. Or they'll still buy them and just run them locally or on European cloud infrastructure?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 13 days ago

My transition away from hardcore SQL server DBA roles finally happened...

Never thought this would happen. But saw an internal opening in my company for a DB Engineering position. While I only had SQL and Azure SQL experience, I did not have the requisite other experience (python, automation, etc). However, I had a chat with the manager, and he decided to take me on.

I'll be coming on as a subject matter expert, evaluating their SQL requirements for some critical products, with the understanding I'll be learning other technologies in the DB engineering track such as a ansible, Azure DevOps, etc

It can happen, it's a long road, but no more on call support work and I can sleep better (that was a big motivator for me TBH).

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 14 days ago

PSA: If someone on social media looks pretty and is flirting with you, chances are it's a scam, and likely AI as well.

Apologies, but you (and most of us) are not good looking enough to attract the attention of models randomly, or scoring a connection with a bombsell on Tinder. I'm seeing too many of these "Is this AI?" type of posts and worried beyond just the AI component of it.

At least, please do your due diligence if you must proceed. Ask where they live, get a local phone number you can text (NOT whatsapp), do a video call. Hell, meet up for coffee.

Once again, unless you are very good looking, you will not be attracting these beautiful women.

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 1 month ago
▲ 2 r/tdbank

EOY evaluations are here. Does TD just pay lip service to career advancement?

L9 in a tech role. I have no direction on what to train for upcoming work, they say there is no money for a raise (I'm just past the middle for L9 pay), and reaching out to other teams I get crickets.

Am I not playing the corporate game well, or is becoming L10 or getting a significant pay bump within my band just in the cards for a heavier tech role (I'm a database admin). I've only been getting the nominal 2% increase each year.

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 1 month ago

If you were to design a diet aims at increasing butyrate production, how would you go about doing it, without going very low carb or keto?

I know fiber, fiber, fiber. But if I were to build a daily base of food sources with the right types of fiber, which would be a core group?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 1 month ago
▲ 0 r/korea

I was watching some Korean prank clips on Youtube for classical music, and was wondering what this repeating symbol is?

https://preview.redd.it/tqj42btvltmh1.png?width=382&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f76716e236f0284a002f91bde4e41a8e47d2f2a

Sometimes I saw three or four, somtimes I saw ten or fifteen. Is it something like applause, or something expressing great appreciation? I don't think it's a laugh.

EDIT: So it is a laugh. I stand corrected. 😄

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 1 month ago

If using an airlock and weights to keep the ingredients submerged, am I correct in assuming the carbon dioxide at some point makes those weights unnecessary?

The whole purpose of keeping everything submerged is to prevent mold and oxygen. But if it's a closed lid with just a water air lock, carbon dioxide will displace all the air. If for some reason the ingredients rise up above the liquid because bubbles beneath, there is no worry about having to resubmerge them, correct?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 1 month ago

Are there any pouteneries in Europe?

I've always been curious. The limiting factor in any good poutine is proper squeaky cheese curds, but I'm surprised it's not popular in the UK, Ireland, and other potato forward countries that have access to fantastic cheese and cheese manufacturing.

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

More CNE Poutine Crimes...

I made a comment on another post with this, but thought it deserved its own attention. The only one I would have considered is possibly the lobster mac 'n' cheese offering.

u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

How much damage did my chilaquiles do?

Tortilla chips, shredded chicken, sauce, two fried eggs, small serving of refried beans.

I'm hoping no more than 900

u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago
▲ 1 r/tdbank

Odd question, filling out passport info, and they need a TD contact number for employment verification?

I'm checking with my manager to see if I can use his (late, so no answer yet), but can I use the HR one? It doesn't seem to give options for outside parties to verify my employment. Anyone recommend a number I can use in Canada? (Toronto area) 😄

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

Found this video interesting...basically, fill up a bowl with the foods that you are focusing on.

The idea, every meal, fill up a bowl with your list of low calorie but high volume foods. It's not sexy (at least not if I would implement it), but at home, may be a great way for me to set my eating on autopilot.

youtube.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

Is there a reason I can renew via mail up to 12 months ahead of time but only 6 months before online?

EDIT: apologies about the weird formatting/link showing.

This struck me as peculiar. I have a trip in December, but my passport expires April 2027 (going to Spain). Meaning I can't apply online until October. I don't mind doing so via regular mail, but I don't want to enter my CC details on paper if I can avoid it.

Anyone know the reasoning for this? Or just the Government of Canada not keeping up?

canada.ca
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

For those who have had the reports done on the newer v5 genotyping, how much more did you learn compared to the previosu v4?

Trying to justify the current $109 (Canadian) upgrade. For what it's worth, my current reports show no risk factors for anything serious, but I'm also considering taking my raw file and uploading it to a 3rd party instead of this upgrade.

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago
▲ 0 r/KLM

When transiting through Schipol from Schengen to non-Schengen, would it be easier to just exit to landside via customs, then re-enter?

I'm hearing nightmares about the transition airside. So if i land international, and go through passport control as if I'm going to baggage claim, THEN go back through security with my boarding pass for ongoing schengen flight, would that be quicker?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

Anyone still use use MA crossovers as a filter or trigger?

Granted, I lean towards longer options than a lot of you, including LEAPs, but curious if this trend following method has worked for you?

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago

Now that Plastique Tiara's skills have become even more appreciated with her latest makeover of Crystal Methyd, who should be next to truly test her?

My top two candidates are Trixie and Bianca. Their looks are so iconic and legendary, I feel a Plastique makeover will break gay Internet.

reddit.com
u/TravellingBeard — 2 months ago