Does your Thai wife keep you on a short leash?

[JamesPhuket10]

17 hours ago, Expat68 said:

You seem to know a lot about printers, I was in the trade for many, many years, so go on enlighten me and I will tell you whether you are right or wrong 

 

Well, you did ask so here goes.

 

Modern newspaper printing is mostly computer-controlled, and the process is streamlined from the moment a journalist types a story to the actual printing of the paper.

 

Modern Newspaper Printing Process (Today)

 

1. Journalist’s Input:

• Journalists write their stories using word processing software, typically integrated with a content management system (CMS). The CMS allows for collaboration and easy editing by multiple people, such as editors and copyeditors, in real-time.

 

• Photos, graphics, and other multimedia elements are added and laid out with specialised software like Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, often through templates.

 

2. Prepress Process:

• Once the content is finalised, the digital files are sent to the prepress department.

• The layout is converted into a format suitable for printing, like PDF.

• The files are then processed by software that performs imposition (arranging pages on a printing plate for maximum efficiency) and colour separation (breaking down images into the four basic colours for printing: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black — CMYK).

 

• Plates are made using computer-to-plate (CTP) technology. A laser engraves the image onto a printing plate directly from the digital file, removing the need for film-based processes used in the past.

 

3. Printing Process:

• The plates are loaded onto a high-speed rotary printing press.

• Most newspaper printing is done using offset lithography, where ink is applied to the plate, transferred to a rubber blanket, and then to the paper.

• Ink and paper rolls are continuously fed into the press, which can print tens of thousands of pages per hour.

• Modern presses are monitored by computers to ensure proper ink density, colour balance, and registration, ensuring high print quality and minimal waste.

 

4. Post-Printing:

• After printing, the newspapers are cut, folded, and bundled automatically.

• The system tracks the distribution and number of copies for different regions, and they are then sent to delivery services.

5. Distribution:

 

• Distribution is usually integrated with digital services, with subscriber databases feeding directly into the print delivery system.

• In addition to the printed papers, the stories are published online simultaneously or even earlier on newspaper websites and apps.

 

Newspaper Printing 30 Years Ago (1990s)

 

1. Journalist’s Input:

• Journalists wrote their stories on word processors or typewriters. Stories were handed over or sent via early network systems to editors for layout.

 

• The layout was done manually on paste-up boards, where articles and photos were physically cut out and glued onto the page layout. Special machines known as typesetters were used to print articles, which were then pasted into place.

 

2. Prepress Process:

• After paste-up, the pages were photographed using a process camera, creating a film negative for each page.

• These negatives were then transferred onto printing plates using a method called photomechanical transfer (PMT). It was a labour-intensive process and prone to human error and prone to the workers being on strike.

• Colour separation was a manual process and involved the use of specialised equipment to break down images into CMYK films.

 

3. Printing Process:

• Printing was still mostly done using offset lithography, but the setup was less automated. Press operators had to manually set up ink levels, monitor paper tension, and make real-time adjustments.

• Errors in alignment or colour often required stopping the presses and making corrections, leading to more downtime, this time was sometimes longer than the time lost due to strikes. 

 

4. Post-Printing:

• After printing, the papers were manually cut and folded. Automated bundling was not as sophisticated, and more manual labour was involved in preparing the newspapers for delivery.

• Tracking of distribution numbers was less precise, often done through handwritten logs or early digital databases.

 

5. Distribution:

• Distribution was completely manual and relied on human couriers, with minimal digital integration. Delivery was tracked using paper records, that is if they were not on strike.

 

Key Differences Between Now and 30 Years Ago:

 

1. Speed & Efficiency: Today’s fully digital workflow is much faster. What used to take hours or days can now be done in minutes. Automation has streamlined the process from editing to layout and printing.

 

2. Prepress Automation: The introduction of CTP technology has eliminated the need for manual film preparation and photomechanical transfers. The imposition and colour separation processes are handled by computers.

 

3. Error Reduction: Modern systems allow for real-time error correction and colour adjustments. Thirty years ago, errors in typesetting or plate making would lead to significant delays and there was always the threat of the workers being on strike.

 

4. Labour: The printing process used to require much more manual labour, from typesetting to plate making and press operation. Today, much of the work is automated or digitally controlled, digital controllers do not go on strike.

 

5. Digital Integration: Modern systems allow for the simultaneous release of content online and in print, a concept that didn’t exist in the same way 30 years ago. Real-time news updates and digital-first publishing strategies are standard.

 

6. Environmental Impact: Thirty years ago, there was more waste due to inefficiencies in the process and the use of chemical-based film and plate-making processes. Today’s printing is more environmentally friendly, with fewer chemicals and more efficient use of materials.

 

Overall, the modern newspaper printing process is faster, more precise, and more integrated with digital platforms than it was 30 years ago, reflecting advancements in both technology and workflow automation, plus computers do not go on strike every five minutes.

 

It will not be long before newspapers become a thing of the past, it is almost impossible to give them away now e.g. the Evening Standard (London).

Edited October 21 by JamesPhuket10
Addition

[mokwit]

On 10/11/2024 at 2:49 PM, Expat68 said:

Agree. There is no such thing as labour anymore. Two faced Blair was responsible for that

Dystopian. Euthanasia bill being fast tracked through Parliament, injections for the supposedly fat unemployed to get them back to work funded by big pharma, and now wrist devices to monitor our health*. This is not Labour of old, this is the WEF.

 

*no treatment on the NHS if you weren't exercising enough?

[JamesPhuket10]

3 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Dystopian. Euthanasia bill being fast tracked through Parliament, injections for the supposedly fat unemployed to get them back to work funded by big pharma, and now wrist devices to monitor our health*. This is not Labour of old, this is the WEF.

 

*no treatment on the NHS if you weren't exercising enough?

 

Here we go again, the WEF, the WEF, I am tired of hearing about the WEF, don't you realise they do not exist, it is aliens in disguise who really control the world. 🤣

[Expat68]

39 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Well, you did ask so here goes.

 

Modern newspaper printing is mostly computer-controlled, and the process is streamlined from the moment a journalist types a story to the actual printing of the paper.

 

Modern Newspaper Printing Process (Today)

 

1. Journalist’s Input:

• Journalists write their stories using word processing software, typically integrated with a content management system (CMS). The CMS allows for collaboration and easy editing by multiple people, such as editors and copyeditors, in real-time.

 

• Photos, graphics, and other multimedia elements are added and laid out with specialised software like Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, often through templates.

 

2. Prepress Process:

• Once the content is finalised, the digital files are sent to the prepress department.

• The layout is converted into a format suitable for printing, like PDF.

• The files are then processed by software that performs imposition (arranging pages on a printing plate for maximum efficiency) and colour separation (breaking down images into the four basic colours for printing: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black — CMYK).

 

• Plates are made using computer-to-plate (CTP) technology. A laser engraves the image onto a printing plate directly from the digital file, removing the need for film-based processes used in the past.

 

3. Printing Process:

• The plates are loaded onto a high-speed rotary printing press.

• Most newspaper printing is done using offset lithography, where ink is applied to the plate, transferred to a rubber blanket, and then to the paper.

• Ink and paper rolls are continuously fed into the press, which can print tens of thousands of pages per hour.

• Modern presses are monitored by computers to ensure proper ink density, colour balance, and registration, ensuring high print quality and minimal waste.

 

4. Post-Printing:

• After printing, the newspapers are cut, folded, and bundled automatically.

• The system tracks the distribution and number of copies for different regions, and they are then sent to delivery services.

5. Distribution:

 

• Distribution is usually integrated with digital services, with subscriber databases feeding directly into the print delivery system.

• In addition to the printed papers, the stories are published online simultaneously or even earlier on newspaper websites and apps.

 

Newspaper Printing 30 Years Ago (1990s)

 

1. Journalist’s Input:

• Journalists wrote their stories on word processors or typewriters. Stories were handed over or sent via early network systems to editors for layout.

 

• The layout was done manually on paste-up boards, where articles and photos were physically cut out and glued onto the page layout. Special machines known as typesetters were used to print articles, which were then pasted into place.

 

2. Prepress Process:

• After paste-up, the pages were photographed using a process camera, creating a film negative for each page.

• These negatives were then transferred onto printing plates using a method called photomechanical transfer (PMT). It was a labour-intensive process and prone to human error and prone to the workers being on strike.

• Colour separation was a manual process and involved the use of specialised equipment to break down images into CMYK films.

 

3. Printing Process:

• Printing was still mostly done using offset lithography, but the setup was less automated. Press operators had to manually set up ink levels, monitor paper tension, and make real-time adjustments.

• Errors in alignment or colour often required stopping the presses and making corrections, leading to more downtime, this time was sometimes longer than the time lost due to strikes. 

 

4. Post-Printing:

• After printing, the papers were manually cut and folded. Automated bundling was not as sophisticated, and more manual labour was involved in preparing the newspapers for delivery.

• Tracking of distribution numbers was less precise, often done through handwritten logs or early digital databases.

 

5. Distribution:

• Distribution was completely manual and relied on human couriers, with minimal digital integration. Delivery was tracked using paper records, that is if they were not on strike.

 

Key Differences Between Now and 30 Years Ago:

 

1. Speed & Efficiency: Today’s fully digital workflow is much faster. What used to take hours or days can now be done in minutes. Automation has streamlined the process from editing to layout and printing.

 

2. Prepress Automation: The introduction of CTP technology has eliminated the need for manual film preparation and photomechanical transfers. The imposition and colour separation processes are handled by computers.

 

3. Error Reduction: Modern systems allow for real-time error correction and colour adjustments. Thirty years ago, errors in typesetting or plate making would lead to significant delays and there was always the threat of the workers being on strike.

 

4. Labour: The printing process used to require much more manual labour, from typesetting to plate making and press operation. Today, much of the work is automated or digitally controlled, digital controllers do not go on strike.

 

5. Digital Integration: Modern systems allow for the simultaneous release of content online and in print, a concept that didn’t exist in the same way 30 years ago. Real-time news updates and digital-first publishing strategies are standard.

 

6. Environmental Impact: Thirty years ago, there was more waste due to inefficiencies in the process and the use of chemical-based film and plate-making processes. Today’s printing is more environmentally friendly, with fewer chemicals and more efficient use of materials.

 

Overall, the modern newspaper printing process is faster, more precise, and more integrated with digital platforms than it was 30 years ago, reflecting advancements in both technology and workflow automation, plus computers do not go on strike every five minutes.

 

It will not be long before newspapers become a thing of the past, it is almost impossible to give them away now e.g. the Evening Standard (London).

Very good, you were either a printer or it took you a long time to look it up. When I was 15 years old I was what was termed a compositor, ie placing either single metal letters or wooden letters in what was called a stick, after that I moved on to be a paste up artist (film on a sticky membrane, end product positive or negative film, after this I became a desk publisher, then I was a planner/platemaker (this was taping positive or negative film on thick film, creating 8, 16, 32, 48, 64 or 128 page formats) Then direct to plate came in from the pc. This was when I finally took volunteer redundancy. You and many people thought printing was easy (that is your/their opinion) for me working a 12 hour grave yard shift with only 20 minutes break was tough, knowing that many times that product had to be out of the door early morning, in those instances, I will do it tomorrow was not an option 

Edited October 21 by Expat68

[JamesPhuket10]

1 hour ago, Expat68 said:

Very good, you were either a printer or it took you a long time to look it up. When I was 15 years old I was what was termed a compositor, ie placing either single metal letters or wooden letters in what was called a stick, after that I moved on to be a paste up artist (film on a sticky membrane, end product positive or negative film, after this I became a desk publisher, then I was a planner/platemaker (this was taping positive or negative film on thick film, creating 8, 16, 32, 48, 64 or 128 page formats) Then direct to plate came in from the pc. This was when I finally took volunteer redundancy. You and many people thought printing was easy (that is your/their opinion) for me working a 12 hour grave yard shift with only 20 minutes break was tough, knowing that many times that product had to be out of the door early morning, in those instances, I will do it tomorrow was not an option 

 

Most of my comments on this blog are 99% of the time meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

 

Even though I am retired I spend a lot of hours on my computer writing Apple apps as it is good to have interesting things to do in order to keep the brain in gear, and so I take a break now and then for some light-hearted fun as sometimes I am waiting for a build to finish or some more info to be provided. 

 

It was probably around 1984 when I had an interview for a software engineering job at a company called Linotype I think.

 

The job was related to computerising the task and replacing the manual setting of the metal letters in the press which formed the print.

 

So in fact it was probably replacing the 'compositor' as you mentioned above, which as you said allowed you to move onto higher positions. 

 

I did not take the job as it was a bit too specialised and there would not have been much scope for similar work in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

[john donson]

On 9/15/2024 at 9:56 PM, save the frogs said:

one reason I broke up with at least 2-3 gfs was due to arguments on where to live. 

either different country or different city or different area of the city I didnt want to live in. 

it's probably the 3rd biggest cause of divorce after money and infidelity. 

 

did those 2-3 gf found out of each other you had on the side?

[HK MacPhooey]

On 9/15/2024 at 11:25 PM, BangkokReady said:

 

It's amazing how often you see guys being women's emotional punching bags.  Really sad to see.  I think, unlike Thailand, Western society is set up in such a way that if a man is unmarried or divorced, he's kind of an outcast. 

 

Men are often scared to leave their wives, even when they treat them like garbage.  They even seem to end up having their friends cut out of their lives.  It's not a million miles away from what would be an abusive relationship if the genders were reversed, but it's kind of normalised for men.

That idiot, Harry Windsor comes to mind

[radiochaser]

18 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Here we go again, the WEF, the WEF, I am tired of hearing about the WEF, don't you realise they do not exist, it is aliens in disguise who really control the world. 🤣

I heard it was lizards of some kind.   Here's one.

 

 

This is the truth.   Would someone with this honest face lie to you?

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

Some of us need a short leash. My wife says you can do everything but not too much. I say to her how long is a piece of string 😀😀

[crazykopite]

The answer is no as I  would never have a Thai wife I’ve seen to many friends ending up bankrupt or having to return to their homeland to work in order to payoff all the debts accumulated 

[crazykopite]

Who needs a wife Tinder or Thai friendly are wonderful dating apps love  them and leave them when you both get bored with each other and that’s normally within a few days !

[4MyEgo]

On 9/16/2024 at 12:48 AM, NorthernRyland said:

Curious to know what your experience is. Are Thai women different in this regard?

 

It all depends on the gal you married.

 

I go on holidays by myself at times as my wife doesn't want to go at times, suffice to say I might be away for a weekend or a week.

 

If my Mrs wasn't ok with it, I wouldn't be with her, she is secure, as am I, and if she gets a serving on the side, I am ok with that as well, as I do.

 

Each to their own, can't live in each others pockets and eat the same meat all the time.

 

It works for us, so don't care what others think., Been married to her for 2 decades, so know the girl well.

 

Would this work with a western woman, nope, that is why I am not with a western woman, hell no !  

[JamesPhuket10]

On 10/22/2024 at 11:51 AM, crazykopite said:

The answer is no as I  would never have a Thai wife I’ve seen to many friends ending up bankrupt or having to return to their homeland to work in order to payoff all the debts accumulated 

 

Those types of idiots make me laugh, I don't know anyone personally it has happened to as I don't hang around with guys who are married to exbar girls, but I have come across many over the years while having a beer at a bar (non-girly bar) and the story is always mostly the same.

 

Met a bar girl, most of the time much younger as we all know very good-looking bar girls love old farangs (🤣).

 

Get married, move to the girl's village which is usually in Isaan, buy a house and car, pay for the sick parents and maybe the bar-girls two or three kids from a previous Thai marriage.

 

Once the bank account is empty the bloke is out on his arse or while on a trip abroad he comes back and finds the house has been 'sold'.

 

I think if the girl was not worried about selling herself every night in Pattaya etc, then why would she think twice about ripping stupid old guys out of their money?  

[JamesPhuket10]

On 10/22/2024 at 12:00 PM, crazykopite said:

Who needs a wife Tinder or Thai friendly are wonderful dating apps love  them and leave them when you both get bored with each other and that’s normally within a few days !

 

It is an honest and open transaction, you get the sex and the girl gets your money, it happens all the time all around the world daily, it is not something I would make public though, hey look at me I buy my sex. 😄

[Rhys]

It is a different call; it is up to you. I am going through this again, as I lived in a different province from my wife but returned home during the weekends. All was okay. It is a nice break, but I missed my wife's physical presence. We checked in daily on Facebook apps.

 

During her post-retirement,  she works in another province and all is the same.  It is only two years

 

Cheers mates