Give Us This Day Our Daily Thread Feb 1st - Feb 28th 2026

[connie9030]

ChatGPT is scary. Grok says it's being deliberately trained to mislead us.

 

[wibbleflea]

Showing how old I am... I remember being so excited to upgrade my 2400 bps modem to 28.8. And then many years later I got 256k DSL and I was living a life of luxury!!! I'm so glad those days are behind us!

I started at 9,600. I will never forget the sounds of those modems during handshake and speed negotiation. Each speed had its own distinctive sound.

Remember strict email etiquette? Don’t reply above the email you were responding to, only quote the parts of earlier messages that were relevant. Save bandwidth!

An iPhone app icon at 3x now takes more RAM than the total installed in my first computer (long before the web existed). And I did a lot of coding (in BASIC) on that computer!

 

[Bodhi]

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY THREAD FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 15TH 2026
​

Hey Everyone.
I'm going to start moving the off-topic posts on the Guthrie thread to this thread. Above this post are posts about why senior citizens won't use Life-Alert.

Thank you for moving mine to this thread.

 

[GatorsNorth]

Showing how old I am... I remember being so excited to upgrade my 2400 bps modem to 28.8. And then many years later I got 256k DSL and I was living a life of luxury!!! I'm so glad those days are behind us!

Seriously! I don’t have a Life Alert device either and I’m 72, but my younger brother and stepson know where I am at all times.

Remember those days, @HoveringWombats? We had dialup for the longest time and my even older parents complained that they could never get through! We installed a second phone line and eventually we went to DSL. My hubby died in 2020 and I was left muddling through on my own with a kinda sorta tech background lol. Went to cable Internet a few years ago and my signal kept dropping so I went with EERO. Haven’t had any problems since! BTW, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the Internet revolution!

 

[HoveringWombats]

Remember those days, @HoveringWombats? We had dialup for the longest time and my even older parents complained that they could never get through!

Oh yes! I am a bit younger, but I definitely clearly remember family fights about being able to use the phone line for actual phone calls when I always wanted to have the computer dialed up to the internet

 

[birdbox]

Hey this page is pretty cool. What are the rules for this page?

 

[tricia]

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY THREAD MONDAY FEB 16TH 2026​

Here is a great video I found about AI. the guy turns a glass upside down and...well watch it. It is too funny. AI ain't so smart. Chatgpt to be exact

 

[hopeprayer]

As someone whose elderly mom was targeted by people who knew her in real life as well as by strangers through online means (she regularly downloaded viruses; my cybersecurity son even found spyware on her laptop!)...I keep wondering if the perp(s) were after more than just the typical valuables like cash on hand and jewelry. Is it possible that they were after bigger things like access to her bank accounts?

Some of the reasons this comes to mind: 41 minutes (longer than a typical home invasion, which could have bought time to look through files), the adult protective services business card stuck in the door, dealings with bitcoin (if the ransom notes are legit and tied to the perps), bungling lantana man's efforts (might be cyber savvy but not burglary savvy), no mention of valuables stolen (there might have been, but LE has said her wallet and other things were left behind).

My mom would keep a paper list of her passwords. She was old school, no matter how much we told her it was dangerous to do that.

JMO

 

[tricia]

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY THREAD TUESDAY FEB 17TH 2026​

1706 – Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston. Printer, inventor, diplomat, lightning enthusiast. Not bad for a guy who started as a runaway apprentice.


1773 – James Cook becomes the first recorded explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle. Imagine sailing toward literal ice doom in a wooden ship and thinking, “Yes, this seems fine.”


1893 – The Hawaiian monarchy is overthrown and Queen Liliuokalani is deposed. It marks the end of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the beginning of a long and controversial chapter in U.S. history.


1917 – The United States officially purchases the United States Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold. Strategic move during World War I — and one of the more unusual real estate transactions in history.


1920 – Prohibition officially begins in the United States. As of this day, the manufacture and sale of alcohol becomes illegal nationwide. Spoiler alert: it does not go smoothly.


1929 – The comic strip character Popeye makes his first appearance. A squinty-eyed sailor fueled by spinach debuts the same decade America bans booze. The irony writes itself.


1950 – The Great Brink’s Robbery takes place in Boston. Eleven men steal over $2.7 million from Brink's in what was then called “the crime of the century.” They almost got away with it — almost.


1991 – Operation Desert Storm begins as coalition forces launch air strikes against Iraq. The Gulf War enters a new phase watched live on television around the world.


1994 – The Northridge earthquake strikes the Los Angeles area at 4:31 a.m. A 6.7 magnitude quake causes massive damage and kills 57 people. Freeways collapse. It becomes one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.

 

[cait2007]

As someone whose elderly mom was targeted by people who knew her in real life as well as by strangers through online means (she regularly downloaded viruses; my cybersecurity son even found spyware on her laptop!)...I keep wondering if the perp(s) were after more than just the typical valuables like cash on hand and jewelry. Is it possible that they were after bigger things like access to her bank accounts?

Some of the reasons this comes to mind: 41 minutes (longer than a typical home invasion, which could have bought time to look through files), the adult protective services business card stuck in the door, dealings with bitcoin (if the ransom notes are legit and tied to the perps), bungling lantana man's efforts (might be cyber savvy but not burglary savvy), no mention of valuables stolen (there might have been, but LE has said her wallet and other things were left behind).

My mom would keep a paper list of her passwords. She was old school, no matter how much we told her it was dangerous to do that.

JMO

My mom’s elderly MIL was taken advantage of a couple years ago. She was 86yo and living alone at the time. She had been contacted many times by overseas scam artists, but one finally worked. A man called impersonating a LEO and said her granddaughter was being incarcerated for some bogus crime. He put her “granddaughter” on the phone crying, begging to help get cash for the bail. She actually thought this was real! They wanted $25k cash, but the bank only let her withdrawal $10k. The scammers said for her to drop it off at a specific location, but she said she refused and they had to pick it up at her house. They actually send someone to the house to pick up the cash! It was recorded on her ring camera. The family figured it out and reported it. Police set up a sting operation to catch the guy, but the car was a rental, phone was a burner, and the guy was just a money runner with no info on who he was working for oversees. This happens ALL THE TIME! The scarier part was he groomed her for a while and knew things about her family.

I wonder if NG had received any weird calls or had scam attempts. They prey on elderly people. It’s so common now!

 

[submarine7]

My mom’s elderly MIL was taken advantage of a couple years ago. She was 86yo and living alone at the time. She had been contacted many times by overseas scam artists, but one finally worked. A man called impersonating a LEO and said her granddaughter was being incarcerated for some bogus crime. He put her “granddaughter” on the phone crying, begging to help get cash for the bail. She actually thought this was real! They wanted $25k cash, but the bank only let her withdrawal $10k. The scammers said for her to drop it off at a specific location, but she said she refused and they had to pick it up at her house. They actually send someone to the house to pick up the cash! It was recorded on her ring camera. The family figured it out and reported it. Police set up a sting operation to catch the guy, but the car was a rental, phone was a burner, and the guy was just a money runner with no info on who he was working for oversees. This happens ALL THE TIME! The scarier part was he groomed her for a while and knew things about her family.

I wonder if NG had received any weird calls or had scam attempts. They prey on elderly people. It’s so common now!

The APS card makes me wonder. I'm not elderly, but if I was and I got financially scammed, I'm not sure I would tell my family and friends. I suppose it's situational.

 

[Alyce]

Today is Chinese New Year​

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse​

It occurs on the day of the second new moon following the winter solstice - which means it can occur any time between 21 January and 20 February annually.

The 12 creatures in the Chinese Zodiac, which follow a repeating 12-year pattern, are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake,
Horse, Goat (also known as Sheep/Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Each creature is linked with particular character traits and corresponds to a year in the lunar calendar.

In Chinese culture, the Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolises vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent."

The horse is also thought to bring success and prosperity, meaning individuals born in the year of the horse (2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942) are likely to enjoy fortunate periods.
Those born during a fire horse year, such as 2026, are expected to be "smart, charismatic, lively, overflowing with enthusiasm, but stubborn".

In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year and to make space for good fortune. Houses are decorated with red lanterns, banners, paper cuttings, and images of the zodiac animal representing the new year.

Red is the dominant colour, as it symbolises luck, happiness, and prosperity. People also shop for new clothes, festive foods, and gifts to prepare for the celebrations. On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a large and elaborate reunion dinner, which is considered the most important meal of the year. Traditional dishes such as dumplings, fish, and glutinous rice cakes are served, each carrying symbolic meanings of wealth, abundance, and togetherness.

Chinese New Year 2026 is Year of the Fire Horse and it has special meaning

Chinese New Year 2026 begins on 17 February, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac, but what do all the different animals mean?

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[Emerald1328]

My mom’s elderly MIL was taken advantage of a couple years ago. She was 86yo and living alone at the time. She had been contacted many times by overseas scam artists, but one finally worked. A man called impersonating a LEO and said her granddaughter was being incarcerated for some bogus crime. He put her “granddaughter” on the phone crying, begging to help get cash for the bail. She actually thought this was real! They wanted $25k cash, but the bank only let her withdrawal $10k. The scammers said for her to drop it off at a specific location, but she said she refused and they had to pick it up at her house. They actually send someone to the house to pick up the cash! It was recorded on her ring camera. The family figured it out and reported it. Police set up a sting operation to catch the guy, but the car was a rental, phone was a burner, and the guy was just a money runner with no info on who he was working for oversees. This happens ALL THE TIME! The scarier part was he groomed her for a while and knew things about her family.

I wonder if NG had received any weird calls or had scam attempts. They prey on elderly people. It’s so common now!

This exact thing happened to my grandma a few years ago by people posing as me. They (me) asked for $12,000 so she went to the bank to get it. The bank actually pulled her into an office and convinced her to not take it out until she confirmed directly with me or my husband by calling our phone numbers directly. The bank got ahold of me and put me on speaker phone so I could assure my grandma that I was ok. I was so mad that this happened to her (but also it was sweet in a weird way, that she would take out $12,000, no questions asked, to help me). Thank god for her bank.

ETA: At first she made up a story of what the money was for which was very reasonable, but they were very suspicious and after questioning her a few times, she told them.

 

[Silverstorm]

As far as DNA matching goes heres what happened to me. Ive been adopted since birth. My grown daughter took a DNA test and boom! I was meeting my biological mother and sister within the month.(I myself never took the test). But there was a genetic match with my sister and her cousin with my daughter.I was open to meeting them and it all went well. But it happened fast!

 

[Arkay]

This exact thing happened to my grandma a few years ago by people posing as me. They (me) asked for $12,000 so she went to the bank to get it. The bank actually pulled her into an office and convinced her to not take it out until she confirmed directly with me or my husband by calling our phone numbers directly. The bank got ahold of me and put me on speaker phone so I could assure my grandma that I was ok. I was so mad that this happened to her (but also it was sweet in a weird way, that she would take out $12,000, no questions asked, to help me). Thank god for her bank.

ETA: At first she made up a story of what the money was for which was very reasonable, but they were very suspicious and after questioning her a few times, she told them.

Also @cait2007


Same w my dad, someone called saying his cousin was in jail and my dad had to pay bail. A cousin btw who’s in his 70s and was head of the blood bank in his state. Not someone likely to be in jail. Dad fell for it, paid $7500 in cash, EVEN THOUGH it’s a gated community with cameras and yet they weren’t caught.

All my dad heard was his cousin needed help. Dad was 91 then, mom is in memory care / hospice and he can’t think straight.

Somehow though I feel like Nancy would be too savvy to fall for that and let someone in while she got some money together.

But who knows?


Come home, Nancy!!!!!

 

[missy1974]

WOW Ok the one thread wins, but I really like your suggestions. Thank you. Always feel free to come to the Daily and post suggestions or off-topic things.
I hope to make the Daily thread a must go to place every day for our members.
However,r I have not been doing my part to add to this thread. I hope to change that soon. It's been a bit crazy.
Thanks again, everyone.
Tricia

I know this was discussed days ago.. BUT.. my 2 cents lol

I LOVE the long threads, it's great for searching!

I do wonder if the 'rules' for a specific case could be put on the 1st page/post and update as things change?

For example.. the Nancy Guthrie thread, allowed/not allowed media has evolved over the course of the last few weeks, who we can discuss and how to discuss them (initials). Just the basic rules in one post so new posters, posters coming in midway, and even for every day posters that just cannot keep on the threads (raises hand lol), we end up missing the Mod posts sometimes. If something changes, it's easy to go look or to direct newer posters to that specific post.

 

[tlcya]

I recently updated my filtering so that mod posts are highlighted, all the better to stand out on busy hectic long threads.