Rick Schummer

Software Dev, Biz Owner, SWFox/VFF Conference Organizer, Speaker, Visual FoxPro, SQL Server, Geek, Space Nut, starting foundation, and retired Microsoft MVP

[CleverFox Backup @cleverfoxbackup]

It is World Backup Day today, do yourself and your customers a favor and take a look at CleverFox Backup from Forward Thinking Software. Scheduled offsite backups for Visual FoxPro and SQL Server data. https://t.co/D1JU8PK0yc.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

@psherwood Thanks for wearing your helmet. I never ride my bike without one.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

@Marty_Cantwell Talk about saving expenses: it would be real cool if T-Mobile fiber would find its way to our town. I could save a lot and get close to 10x speed improvement over the molasses in January performance I get with current carrier.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

For the 22nd consecutive year, the stockholders of White Light Computing have decided to not run a Super Bowl commercial saving the company millions of dollars.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

@paulmrozowski Two words: Rice Maker. There is no going back.

[RV Lifestyle Mike Wendland @rvlifestylemike]

How to find free or cheap RV campsites in National Parks ? If it’s your first time boondocking, heading to a National Park campground is a great way to dip your toes in the water. Make sure to get reservations as early as possible. https://t.co/pXbTAj0RRQ

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

Not to jinx anything, but everything is coming together nicely for Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May) this Wednesday. Looking forward to the conference and learning (and possibly re-learning) some new things. One of my favorite days in May each year.

[Calvin and Hobbes Fan Account @Calvinn_Hobbes]

Calvin and Hobbes are ready for the weekend! 🎉 Today is a Happy Friday—TGIF, let’s have a GREAT day!!! #CalvinAndHobbes #TGIF #FridayVibes

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

You probably know that Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May) is on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, but maybe you haven't had a chance to take a look at our great set of sessions. https://t.co/uMve4PDp6e.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

Registration is US$119 before April 23rd, so save yourself US$20 by registering today. This cost includes admission to all live sessions, all session materials, immediate access to all recorded videos, and access to online social events. Register here: https://t.co/3SUbFEbo5E.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

The Geek Gatherings YouTube Channel has over 65 videos with session content from past Virtual Fox Fest and Southwest Fox conferences over the last five years. That is over 80 hours of viewing. https://t.co/mMWonPNb5B.

[CleverFox Backup @cleverfoxbackup]

It is World Backup Day today, do yourself and your customers a favor and take a look at CleverFox Backup from @FwdThinkingSoft . Scheduled offsite backups for #VisualFoxPro and SQL Server data. https://t.co/D1JU8PK0yc.

[Rick Schummer @rschummer]

Registration for Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May) is open. The event is Wednesday, May 7 and we have great speakers delivering great sessions (some classic, some new). Details at https://t.co/7Fx1SbVgrQ.

Register at https://t.co/FbHpEmhOTK.

You can also follow conference on Bluesky.

[Dr. Levi Cowan @TropicalTidbits]

I never publicly comment on political matters because they are usually irrelevant to my work of providing hurricane data and forecasts to people in my personal capacity. Today though, it is highly relevant, and as a member of the meteorological community, I am angry.

Planned or ongoing bulk workforce cuts would irreparably harm the National Weather Service, NOAA, and their scientists who save innumerable lives by warning people in advance of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, blizzards, and other life-threatening hazards. Many of you reading this may knowingly or unknowingly be alive today because of their work, or know someone who is. As a direct consequence of wounding the NWS and NOAA, the public would be less safe.

My personal mission to bring hurricane science, data, and forecasts to the public would not be possible without the weather observations, doppler radar stations, computer models, hurricane hunter aircraft, and weather satellites provided by NOAA and the NWS. Your favorite weather apps, TV meteorologists, and private weather companies would also be unable to function without this data or the civil servants who live and breathe it to synthesize it into public safety information.

All of these benefits cost each taxpayer the equivalent of a few cups of coffee per year, and surveys show most would be willing to pay much more. The American weather enterprise saves many, many times more money than it costs to run, making it one of the biggest bangs for your buck in the government. The impact of quality weather forecasts and infrastructure on society is multiplied many-fold by preventing economic disruptions, keeping public transportation efficient, and providing lead time to prepare for and mitigate disasters. Most importantly, it saves priceless lives.

Careful, long-term plans to streamline or reorient the weather enterprise in an evolving world are not bad, but *this plan* is insane. A feverish rush to take a cleaver to this workforce is self-destructive and dangerous to Americans who rely on the services they provide. It also cuts off the legs of young, passionate scientists who represent the future of meteorology in the new age of AI and other emerging technologies -- the very people we need in the field right now.

As a part of this community since the age of 8 when I began analyzing hurricanes with dial-up internet, I am heartbroken and concerned by what appears to be planned or already in motion. It also directly impacts my friends and family. I cannot be silent, despite knowing I do myself no favors by speaking out. I ask you to join me in advocating for @NWS and @NOAA if you value their work or the work that I am able to do because of them. There are many ways to make your voice heard.

That's all for now, thanks for reading.

[📸Trevor Mahlmann🚀 @TrevorMahlmann]

Personal insults, ad homenim attacks, and knocks on someone’s character are a dime a dozen these days. It costs nothing to be kind, even to someone you really disagree with.

Why is it so much to ask—of prominent voices especially—to treat others with civility and respect?🤦‍♂️

[Small Business Association of Michigan @SBAM]

We're breaking down all the legislative changes to the #EarnedSickTimeAct in this new FAQ based on legislation passed last night. Check it out and join us at one of our upcoming webinars. https://t.co/Kf7ZxbeWv7

[Neil deGrasse Tyson @neiltyson]

At the moment, mansion-sized Asteroid 2024-YR4 has a one-in-fifty chance of hitting Earth in the next eight years.

Now might be a bad time to reduce spending on Science. Just sayin’.

[📸Trevor Mahlmann🚀 @TrevorMahlmann]

this is what it's like to log onto social media or check the news lately:

[Small Business Association of Michigan @SBAM]

"Benefits are not a one-size-fits-all proposition," says Ginny Sherrow. The new Earned Sick Time Act forces small businesses into a rigid system that hurts both owners & employees. SBAM is pushing for reforms. #EarnedSickTimeAct https://t.co/ApVZCJhuAA

[Small Business Association of Michigan @SBAM]

Michigan's business community shares disappointment about the unemployment tax increase on job providers. Learn how this decision impacts small businesses. Read more - https://t.co/afkH1OAW42

#SmallBusiness #MichiganEconomy