13 minute read
BITS AND BYTES
Reader Mode
by KEVIN MCISAAC
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Back in the dark ages when the world wide web (remember when we used to call it that) was young there were very limited ways to modify the appearance of a web page. HTML at the time included a few things such as the <blink> tag to make text within the tag blink. This was widely considered a “bad thing” after giving it a bit of thought. Flashing text on a web page is annoying and distracting. The <blink> tag was deprecated and most modern browsers will ignore it if it is in the code.
Flash forward to 2021 and the ratio of useful information on a web page to stuff that’s annoying and distracting is far worse. Most of us would be thrilled to just have the <blink> tag back if it meant getting rid of the myriad of banner ads, video ads, text pullouts, etc. that all distract from us just trying to read what the author of the web page wanted to share with us.
Welcome to Reader Mode. If you’d like to just read the web page you’re on Reader Mode is what you’re looking for. Next time you open a web page on your iPhone or iPad with the Safari browser take a look a the top left-hand corner. You should see a little ‘A’ next to a big ‘A’ icon. Press the icon and either the page will immediately switch to Reader View or a drop-down menu should appear. At the top may be an option for Reader View. If the option is disabled then Safari cannot convert the page. Pressing the AA icon again will disable Reader Mode.
What Reader Mode does is strip away everything that’s not considered part of the article. It removes any text formatting and gives you the Sergeant Joe Friday version of the web page: “Just the facts, Ma’am.” the page using sensible tags to distinguish sections of the web page, but it does work remarkably well a lot of the time.
To go one step further, if you have a website you use regularly and you always want the Reader Mode you can configure this using the same drop-down menu from the double AA icon.
Go to the website. Press the AA icon and in the drop-down menu look for Website Settings. Click that and a Settings page will appear which lets you choose Use Reader Automatically. Once set Reader Mode will always be on for the website you are currently on. that Reader Mode works for them too. Users of Google Chrome will be less delighted.
Users of Chrome Android can get a simplified view, but it may not be available by default. To enable it:
1. Launch Chrome for Android.
2. Tap on the vertical 3dots icon for options.
3. Select the Settings menu from the available list.
4. Scroll down and tap on the Accessibility menu.
5. Enable the check box against the Simplified view for web pages.
Now when you open any website or news article in Chrome for Android you can tap on the bar at the bottom saying show simplified view.
One last tip for iPhone/iPad Safari users. The same AA menu has another nice feature: quick font size adjustment. Web page developers tend to be on the younger side with young eyes. They tend to want to squeeze more information rather than less on a web page. The combination of those two things means often web pages have tiny text. You can use the AA menu to expose two buttons on the top left and right of the settings menu. There is a small A and a big A. Clicking the big A will instantly increase the text size on the web page. Clicking the small A will decrease it. This can be very helpful if you’re trying to read a recipe off your phone in Save On and don’t have your reading glasses. Or so I’ve been told.
November 2021
by ASHLEY KRISTINA
November blessings!
The important note is that most of the planets are out of retrograde after another six months of internal and restrictive time on Earth. I am certain most people are frustrated at this point and patience is so paramount, along with protection of your energy.
The new moon occurs November 4, where the sun and moon sit at 12º Scorpio. I suspect this will be a major time as the symbol and theme of this is Sovereignty.
November 19 brings the full moon and partial lunar eclipse with the sun and moon sitting at 27º Scorpio and Taurus, respectively.
Aries
Mars rules your sign, and it is also co-ruler of Scorpio making Aries and Scorpio placements actually having a special bond of energy. The Sun, Mercury and Mars in Scorpio are supportive to you and give courage to your endeavours.
Taurus
All the Scorpio energy continues to oppose your energy, and this means two things: balance or frustration. Uranus also remains in retrograde in your sign. Uranus is an erratic energy, ruler of Aquarius and full of surprises, which can be unsettling for you. Your theme is Change.
Gemini
In astrological lore, it was only the planet Mercury, which is your ruling planet, that could go into the underworld and come back up with the message for humanity. Scorpio rules the underworld. Pay attention to the messages and truths that come this month.
Cancer
With all the energy continuing in Scorpio for most of this month, plus Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, opposing your energy, it’s truly a time of depth in your life. Depth of emotions especially. A lot may rise to the surface for you and I suggest writing or dancing. It’s truly a time of vulnerable expression for you.
Leo
Scorpio energy is a squared energy to Leo. Leo is lighter and brighter, warmer. Scorpio is cool, dark and dwells in the emotional depths. The movement into Sagittarius in the last week of November is probably relieving for you.
Virgo
Venus and Mercury co-rule your sign and as you do not have any planets directly affecting your energy this month, it’s a month that can feel fairly mundane for you. Venus is in Capricorn for most of the month, so duty and work is the beneficial focus.
Libra
Scorpio is an intense energy with an ability to bond that creates a sense of completion between two people: mind, body and soul. Many wish for this connection however do not have the emotional capacity to truly create it. A month of learning in partnership.
Scorpio
November continues to support your energy and with Mars travelling through Scorpio all month, this can give you the extra fuel to your fire. Huge momentum can happen in your life at this time.
Sagittarius
A passionate month for you. Passion is a form of aliveness that is truly based on Scorpio energy. This creates a fuel for creativity. Both the Sun and Mercury enter your sign toward the end of this month and communication of this passion and fuelled creativity will be your major theme.
Capricorn
Venus, the planet ruling love enters Capricorn November 5 making love and love relations your major theme. What do you truly love? Focus your energy there.
Aquarius
Both Jupiter and Saturn are out of retrograde and travelling through Aquarius. This gives the themes of these energies in your life, which is both expansion and restriction. If you remain noble, do things properly and follow the rules, this can give you incredible luck.
Pisces
Neptune, your ruling planet, remains retrograde in Pisces. Neptune rules all forms of illusions, delusions and magic. Retrograde always means internal energy, and aspects from the past to revisit. Pallas, the planet of wisdom also travels in your sign. Notice the “knowings.”
Kindness, Through Your Lens
Photo by Leanne Nanninga, @born.to.adventure
We can’t heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.
~ Mary Davis
Until I became a parent, I don’t think I ever used the word ‘kind.’ ‘Nice’ was the word I would have chosen.
Now, I like kindness better. It’s an action word. It takes intention and commitment to be kind, but the benefits of a person being encouraged or affirmed by kindness are enormous.
Photo by Summit Ambeault, @summitambeaultphoto
Kindness- defined as the quality of being kind, generous, and considerate. Kindness, a feeling we’ve all given and received, a feeling experienced daily when spending time around animals.
I haven’t spent a day without animals and have spent countless hours mourning the passing of my furry friends, and even longer around rescue animals which were at the end of the road. My mother, and many other lovely people started a local animal rescue, which was not helped by the pandemic. But what these last two years have taught me is the unconditional kindness that animals bring humans. This is something I wish humans could carry on. I wish humans could look at each-other and be kind, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation and many other factors. I wish we could learn something from animals and the sense of love, passion and kindness that they bring us all.
Out in the Community:
Q. What is one act of kindness someone did for you that you have never forgotten?
Jay Carter
On my way to ski Lake Louise once I went in the ditch. There was a pack of wolves chasing elk by Red Earth Creek, I got distracted and drove right in at highway speed. Right up to hood, I had to crawl out the window to get out of the truck. No one would stop (pre cell phone, too), I started digging with my trusty avalanche shovel. Dude stopped, had a radio, called a tow truck and paid for the pull out on his credit card.
Katie Keast
I had an opportunity to hike for a month on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with a friend who was doing the full six months from Mexico to Canada. We were hiking somewhere in Northern California heading towards a town and came across a lightweight tent on the side of the trail. We thought about everyone we had passed and determined that the person who had dropped it was going the same direction as us, and we would leave it in the next town and write a post in the PCT groups.
Early in the day we had stopped for lunch next to a river and met three guys from Texas. They were really kind and friendly and much faster hikers than our group so we didn’t think we would ever see them again.
It was a really hot, sunny day and we were hiking down a steep shaley mountain when we saw one of those guys hiking back up with a man we didn’t recognize. He asked if we had found a tent. We were so excited to say that we had! The other man with him realized what was going on and started crying and hugged our friend with the tent. Turns out he was deaf and had hiked all the way down before realizing he had lost his tent. He was understandably distressed and after some difficulty with communicating he was able to tell those three boys from Texas that he needed help, one offered to hike back up to look with him, while carrying his pack in case they had to share a tent for the night. He said, “He needed help so of course I’m going to help him. We’re all in this together and we need each other for support. I hope that anyone else would do the same as me.”
Klyde DeGroot
Years ago, during a year- long bike packing trip in Western Samoa - Australia and New Zealand, halfway up the east coast of Queensland my bike was stolen. Through an ad I placed in the editorial section of the local newspaper hoping the culprit would return my bike, a random person (among many) offered me cash or an old bike. I offered to help by planting sugarcane on his family farm to help offset the cost of the replacement and eventually completed the journey. He provided room and board, transportation and memories to last a lifetime! True Ozzy hospitality. Thank you Neal Edwards of Eaton, QLD. This was me on my brand new Merida heading North on the Bruce Highway.
With November brings more snowfall and the work to prepare for all things winter! Alongside checking to make sure everyone’s gear still fits and is tuned and ready to go, make sure to get your memberships FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE and passes to ensure when the terrain is ready to go, so are you! Fernie Fernie Nordic Society is doing its annual Membership Drive for 2022 at fernienordic.com. You can purchase annual or day passes for individuals or family, or corporate passes. The Fernie Trails Alliance is also doing its Membership Drive at fernietrailsalliance. com/get-involved/trails-pass/ for the Fernie Trails Pass. These memberships help these non-profit organizations to build and maintain Nordic and multi-use trails, something we are all grateful for!
Stock Photo
The City of Fernie will be offering programming this winter season, at both the Aquatic Centre and Memorial Arena. Family Skate, Parent and Tot and Family Skate and Shoot will be offered at the arena, and Parent and Tot Swim and Public Swimming at the Aquatic Centre alongside classes such as Active Fit, Lane Swim and Therapeutic Swim. Visit the City of Fernie ActiveNet Site to register, find the link at fernie.ca. Don’t miss the Annual Holiday Kick Off event this November 26! Holiday Kickoff It was missed last year due to COVID, and it’s more important than ever to continue to shop local and support our small businesses. An evening full of lights, celebration, knocking those items off your Christmas list, and so much more. Make sure to visit ferniechamber.com for full details! Big thanks to the Fernie Chamber, City of Fernie, Fernie Museum, Fernie Heritage Library, the Arts Station, Fernie Pride Society and the Fernie Seniors Society for making it possible.
In 2020/21 over 2,400 projects received
Columbia Basin Trust
(CBT) support with $71.2 million to support the region! The CBT also offers non-profit organizations support through its Non-profit Advisors Program as well as resources on their site. AND they support business through Small Business Working Capital Loans, Basin Business Advisor programs, Career Internship Program, Wage Subsidy Programs, Training Fee Support and more! Find out more at ourtrust.org.
As the snow continues to fall and accumulate on the mountains, we’re all getting ready for the winter season! What better way to celebrate and ensure we have the gear we need than to attend the annual Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) Ski Swap taking place November 13 from 10am to 2pm at the Fernie Community Centre. Once you’ve got all of your gear sorted, make sure to head on back for the Fernie Ski and Board Film Fest starting at 6pm. Visit the events calendar at ferniefix.com to see what this year’s lineup is!
