# What were you THINKING? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532 "2023-10-13T19:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 364
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7651 "2026-07-25T23:57:42Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I really should put him on ignore for fear that I may someday lose it and post something that gets me in trouble [snip] [post v.2.2] Seriously, that thread and several related ones have a LOT of personal attacks going on. Not -just- from Uzi, so please stay strong @wolfpup - I don’t want to issue any more stern mod notes or even Warnings because everyone is enjoying themselves so much they end up flinging personal attacks or insults. Or just (as you did this time) bring it _here_ or another Pit thread. And a sincere “well done” and “thank you” from me for doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7652 "2026-07-26T00:43:02Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > In reality, the chances of even holding a legitimate referendum on the issue are almost nil, and the chances of it actually passing are zero. Back in the day after Trump’s first election, there was a very long and serious (for some) debate on this board about a proposed California secession that went on for over 1400 posts. It was the bizarro version of Alberta - pissed off liberals wanting to take their large economy and liberal/progressive values and fuck off from the nightmare world of the “deplorables.” For obvious reasons I was ideologically in far more sympathy with those folks than with the right-wing Albertan fringe. But it was just as dumb and unworkable a fantasy idea as Alberta was. One of the apparently homophobic founders of the original [CalExit movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_California) turned out to be [deeply enmeshed with Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_J._Marinelli), including actually living there while he was pushing his CalExit idea. Surprise, surprise! Who could have guessed it? 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7653 "2026-07-26T01:04:44Z")
Given that the Trump administration has [openly admitted](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/25/politics/trump-administration-grants-democratic-states) _in court_ that they are actually, systemically holding back money from Blue States for political (read spite) reasons, I’d say California has substantially more right than Alberta to question the good faith of the federal government. But yeah, immensely impractical, despite any sympathies I might have. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7654 "2026-07-26T02:00:00Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Shit, I would _never_ have said he isn’t actually in Alberta, from his posts. Same here. He sounds like a few (certainly not all) Albertans of my acquaintance, which shouldn’t be surprising since I’m in Alberta. So I know a lot of them. It’s getting ridiculous, to be honest. Petitions flying everywhere. Referenda worded in such a way so as to give the provincial premier the answer she wants. Nobody consulting with the First Nations who are mighty pissed about that, given that they have, through their treaties, a stake in Alberta’s future. I might be able to contribute something useful and informative to that thread, but I’ve decided to just stay out of it. No matter how useful and informative my contribution is, I have no doubt it will get knocked down by our friend, on some weird pretext. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7655 "2026-07-26T11:25:54Z")
“You’re wrong, period!” won’t win many actual debates. But it can sure shut down an argument. And that guy is at his best when doing just that; all else is just excess words for camouflage. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7656 "2026-07-26T12:37:04Z")
Doesn’t this guy belong in another thread? Maybe one of his very own? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7657 "2026-07-26T13:06:28Z")
Good point. He’s definitely not the sort who fits the purpose of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7658 "2026-07-26T13:20:28Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > He’s definitely not the sort who fits the purpose of this thread. Ferinstance, there’s no persuasive evidence they actually think. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7659 "2026-07-26T21:25:46Z")
Whakamole has a question about printer cables. He continues to refuse to believe very good and easy to understand responses from experts. He certainly knows better. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7660 "2026-07-26T22:18:23Z")
I agree, what a dork! And all this aggravation because he or his girlfriend is too lazy to type a 13 character password to connect a printer to Wifi. 🤦‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7661 "2026-07-26T22:28:52Z")
I mean, I almost get the latter - I have a long, complex Wifi password (29 characters), and my printer falls off the network once or twice a year… but that’s what the WPA button is for. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7662 "2026-07-27T01:35:53Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > but that’s what the WPA button is for. Yes; you are in proximity, take advantage. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7663 "2026-07-27T04:07:46Z")
Ooof, that’s a drag. I don’t think mine ever needed us to enter the password after the first time we got it connected. I’m sure it’s been offline – we’ve had several power outages since getting it. But it just logs back in like everything else. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7664 "2026-07-27T04:13:35Z")
Eh, I picked the password (nice and secure, a phrase of semi-randomness known to three people as an in-joke), so I’m doing it to myself. And once or twice a year isn’t bad given thunderstorms and random printer weirdness! But when it happens, all hail the WPA button! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7665 "2026-07-27T12:04:42Z")
That’s my experience too. My Brother printer / scanner is wireless on my Wi-Fi. And can go weeks to months without use. If it’s been dormant long enough, it won’t be talking to the router & the router won’t be talking to it. And tapping something on the printer control panel to wake it up does wake it up, but doesn’t reconnect the Wi-Fi. A power cycle of the printer works every time. No PW re-entry required. Now my micro-rant here is the printer company decided to save a few pennies on a machine that retails for ~$500 by leaving off a power switch. The only way to cycle the power is to pull the power cord out of the wall or the back of the printer. Trying to tie back to the thread topic … Now that would really set off **whackamole** and his USB rant. Not only does it have a square USB-B connector, _there’s no power switch!!1!_. 🤬 😡 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7666 "2026-07-27T15:57:20Z")
My HP laser printer is located, by choice, next to my router. It’s connected via ethernet, but it’s available to our laptops via wi-fi. It can be asleep for weeks on end, but always wakes up when summoned to print a page or two. And it has an off/on switch! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7667 "2026-07-27T17:19:46Z")
My HP printer would never connect. I’d have to reboot both it and the computer numerous times. I finally got sick of it and tossed it in the trash. I had to replace those pricy cartridges too often anyway. I now go to Fed Ex/Kinko when I have to print something. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7668 "2026-07-27T17:34:01Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I agree, what a dork! And all this aggravation because he or his girlfriend is too lazy to type a 13 character password to connect a printer to Wifi. To be fair, it’s a real pain to type in that password using only three buttons, like my printer expects. What’s WPA? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7669 "2026-07-27T18:19:52Z")
Quick general answer with additional specifics/upsells for the brand, but should be good explanation (including the risks) > **[What Is WPS on a Router? Setup, Security & NETGEAR Tips](https://www.netgear.com/hub/network/what-is-wps-button-router/)** > > Learn what the WPS button on your router does and how it works. Discover safer, smarter connection options when using a NETGEAR Router or any router with the WPS button. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7670 "2026-07-27T22:16:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What’s WPA? [![](https://oknewdeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a0999958632_10.jpg) ](https://oknewdeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a0999958632_10.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=363) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=365)