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  • Showing only topics with the tag "recommendations". Back to normal view
    1. Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs!

      This one's a two parter- I'm traveling to Portland for the week so I have a bit of a plane ride ahead of me. Recommend me some deep dive hour + YouTube videos I can download for the flight! I tend...

      This one's a two parter-

      I'm traveling to Portland for the week so I have a bit of a plane ride ahead of me. Recommend me some deep dive hour + YouTube videos I can download for the flight! I tend to drift towards science, technology, psychology, and some hank green esque talking heads about whatever.

      Also if you have anything in particular you think I should check out in Portland let me know! Particularly interested in the niche spots. Still a bit tentative stuff but mostly plan to do the Tillamook factory, a tea room, PSU Farmers market, and ten falls hike.

      8 votes
    2. Non-Logitech replacement for G502 mouse?

      My G502s are starting to exhibit the dreaded double-click problem. Now they're old -- I think one is around 10yrs old, the other 6-7yrs old -- so I've gotten solid use out of both. And G502s are...

      My G502s are starting to exhibit the dreaded double-click problem. Now they're old -- I think one is around 10yrs old, the other 6-7yrs old -- so I've gotten solid use out of both. And G502s are cheap enough these days (like US$35 on Amazon) that it'd be inexpensive to replace them with new G502s.

      But I'm still annoyed that this is happening. Plus, this isn't my first time having problems with Logitech gaming peripherals. I've had issues with my G305 wireless mouse (dongle stopped working), and I will never buy Logitech gaming keyboards again since replacement keycaps can't be purchased; gotta buy a whole new keyboard. So yeah, trying to avoid Logitech if possible.

      Anyway, I like the G502 because it has multiple buttons, particularly the main thumb button (G6), which I use for PTT on Discord/Teamspeak. I then use the other two thumb buttons (G4/G5) as forward/back in browsers or game bindings (along with G7/G8).

      Any good alternatives? Let's say ≤US$80. Preference is wired, but non-BT wireless is fine, too. If wireless, ideally it'd AA/AAA batteries so I can quickly swap rechargeable batteries. Lastly, I'm right-handed.

      TIA!

      23 votes
    3. Wireless light/fan switch reccomendations

      I have a light/fan combo in a bathroom that are controlled with a single switch. I want to control them separately, but running a new wire would require ripping out drywall, which I don't want to...

      I have a light/fan combo in a bathroom that are controlled with a single switch. I want to control them separately, but running a new wire would require ripping out drywall, which I don't want to do. It is in a guest room, so it can't be controlled with an app, even though I know there are ways to give guest access to certain home automation systems.

      The power runs up from the floor, through the switch, and then up to the fan, so I have power at both locations. The wiring for the fan is in the attic, so putting something up there is easy.

      What I imagine exists is a remote double relay that can be controlled by 2 physical switches(preferably single gang, but I am prepared to open up the wall a bit to install a double gang box). I would prefer that the relay be powered by 120v, rather than a 12v device that needs a plug somewhere, but its not a total deal breaker.

      Anyone have any ideas?

      4 votes
    4. Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist...

      A new entry to go with my previous two posts in the same vein NYC and Denver, but this time in... TOKYO! The "Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist..." isn't entirely true...

      A new entry to go with my previous two posts in the same vein NYC and Denver, but this time in...

      TOKYO!


      The "Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist..." isn't entirely true like it was in my post about NYC as anyone that has seen me talk about sumo can imagine, but everyone was extremely helpful and threw out suggestions I wouldn't have even thought about looking for in previous posts. So here I am again to bug you wonderful people for Tildes Travel Guide III: Tokyo Trilogy Part Minus One

      The overarching details:

      • 7 days in Tokyo from Friday, January 9th to Friday, January 16th.
      • Except for Jan 9, I am completely solo for the entire trip.
      • There are two specific events I will be attending, one is Friday the 9th, the other is TBD but can be nearly any day during the trip.
      • I don't know where I'm staying yet. Where is kinda dependent on what I decide to do/be regularly near, am open for accommodation recommendations. I would prefer to stay in one place the entire trip, not real interested in packing up all of my things to move to another part of Tokyo (or another city) unless I can be convinced to do so.
      • I'm not the sightseeing tourist-y type so there's little interest in the things that are on every "Tokyo Top 10" list.

      And so I beseech you fellow Tilderinos, as someone that doesn't care about being a tourist and doesn't have a social media presence to feed I'm-here-and-you're-not selfies to, what should someone with nearly a week entirely alone with nothing but free time in Tokyo actually do?

      If you're reading this and thinking there's not much to go on interest-wise...

      ...that's the point.
      I know what I like.
      I know what I don't like.
      I don't know what I don't know about and experimenting and trying new things is paramount to life.

      30 votes
    5. D&D campaign recomendation for solo/two people

      I'm really tired of finding groups of people to play D&D (in person), is there any solo/two people campaign that me and I friend can play with? Please something simple, I have a little more...

      I'm really tired of finding groups of people to play D&D (in person), is there any solo/two people campaign that me and I friend can play with?

      Please something simple, I have a little more experience playing it but have never DM'd before, but we're both very creative, so I can think we both can still have fun

      28 votes
    6. Looking for a particular kind of computer speaker

      so I need computer speakers that are less than 6 inch high either the left or right speaker has controls that allow me to increase or decrease the volume have 3.5 mm headphone port [optional]...

      so I need computer speakers that

      • are less than 6 inch high
      • either the left or right speaker has controls that allow me to
        • increase or decrease the volume
        • have 3.5 mm headphone port [optional]
        • button to power on/off [optional]
      • wired, either via 3.5 mm headphone jack or USB-C cable

      I've tried looking for it but I am having a damn hard time trying to find something that fits all these.

      16 votes
    7. Looking for casual hotseat game recommendations

      Every year my friend group and I have a long weekend meetup where we rent a house and communally nerd out with each other. Lots of tabletop gaming; plenty of Magic matches; handheld consoles...

      Every year my friend group and I have a long weekend meetup where we rent a house and communally nerd out with each other. Lots of tabletop gaming; plenty of Magic matches; handheld consoles everywhere; etc.

      I always bring my Steam Link so people can cast their Decks to the TV, and I'm looking for recommendations for games that would be good for hotseat play where people can pass around a Deck and each play a little bit of. (So, specifically single player games rather than multiplayer games.)

      In past years Peggle and Peglin have been big hits with the group. They're immediately pick-uppable even by people who don't play a lot of videogames (of which there are a few in our group). They're also eminently entertaining to watch because it's easy to tell what's going on.

      I'm looking for other games that would fit the bill: casual, simple, fun, easy to hand off to others, relatively quick intervals between players. If you have any recommendations, let me know!

      17 votes
    8. Ideas for Arduino/microbits projects for my kids and me

      What projects would you think would interest my daughters the most? The oldest is 11 years, super creative and builds the most intricate stuff out of plain paper, tape and cardboard. I have...

      What projects would you think would interest my daughters the most? The oldest is 11 years, super creative and builds the most intricate stuff out of plain paper, tape and cardboard. I have learned programming from about her age, but feel like software would not catch her attention the same way hardware would. They already experiment with programming and microbits in school (what a truly lucky generation!!!).

      I am looking for stuff that is not too complicated/expensive that it will just collect dust on a shelf because it took a lot of time to build. Specifically I would like to try something that could be dismantled and reused for other projects. Maybe a barcode scanner or something that has a connection with real life applications.

      11 votes
    9. Alternative to Spotify?

      I’ve been meaning to switch streaming platforms from Spotify for some time now, for many reasons. To me, it seems like good alternatives are challenging to find, so I figured I’d solicit some...

      I’ve been meaning to switch streaming platforms from Spotify for some time now, for many reasons. To me, it seems like good alternatives are challenging to find, so I figured I’d solicit some discussion here on Tildes to see how people like other platforms.

      My Only Requirement:

      • Mobile App for iOS with Offline Capability

      I Strongly Prefer:

      • Good Search Functionality
      • Niche Artist Availability

      Alternatives I’m Considering:

      • Apple Music
      • Bandcamp
      • Tidal
      • Deezer
      • Qobuz

      If anyone has used any of these applications, I’d love a review of the pros and cons. I’m leaning towards Bandcamp right now, but am concerned that I will fail to discover new artists because of the need to pay for albums.

      21 votes
    10. Food place recommendations in Paris?

      Me and my girlfriend will be in Paris for 2 nights soon. Since this is such a short trip, we'll mostly be visiting the most popular "essential" tourist attractions - so we will generally be around...

      Me and my girlfriend will be in Paris for 2 nights soon. Since this is such a short trip, we'll mostly be visiting the most popular "essential" tourist attractions - so we will generally be around the center of the city. However, most advice I found online seems to agree that you probably shouldn't just enter a random restaurant in the center of Paris, because it is very likely to be a tourist trap with very high prices and relatively low quality.

      So, if any of you have suggestions on good places to eat for a reasonable price, I would really appreciate that!

      Also, the end of our trip happens to fall on valentine's day, and we were thinking about having a nice early dinner (late lunch? around 15:00) before we leave, preferably in a pretty place. I'm fine with spending a bit more (~50€ per person) on that one. So if you know any places that fit, please suggest those as well.

      Thanks!

      21 votes
    11. Youtube channel recommendations 2026

      Previously Tildes have had a few discussions on good quality Youtube channels one, two, but I couldn’t find a recent discussion. I would be interested in peoples recommendations! Personally I...

      Previously Tildes have had a few discussions on good quality Youtube channels one, two, but I couldn’t find a recent discussion.
      I would be interested in peoples recommendations!
      Personally I would like to get recommendations for intermediate/harder science or engineering videos. Most are too basic, or very dry lecture based. I know a few good ones like:

      • 3blue1brown
      • Smarter every day
      • Looking Glass Universe

      But I would like to know other people’s favourites (including non science ones)!

      65 votes
    12. Where to buy mp3s legally?

      Recently I bought a mp3 player and I want to know the best place to buy mp3s (or similar). Biggest priority is things that are in Swedish and stories for kids . Maybe the things I want there...

      Recently I bought a mp3 player and I want to know the best place to buy mp3s (or similar). Biggest priority is things that are in Swedish and stories for kids . Maybe the things I want there counts as audio books, some of it, but not all I think? All input is good :).

      22 votes
    13. Any good sites for e-book bundles besides Humble Bundle?

      Hello, I want to pick your brains for recommendations for good, cheap e-book bundles. I buy a lot of my e-books the old fashioned way, one at a time, but Humble Bundle book bundles has scored me a...

      Hello,

      I want to pick your brains for recommendations for good, cheap e-book bundles. I buy a lot of my e-books the old fashioned way, one at a time, but Humble Bundle book bundles has scored me a ton of great reading for cheap, including the entire Wheel of Time series, the entirety of Discworld, lots of Comic and Manga bundles, and such, usually for $18 a bundle which is a crazy discount. I'm very happy with them and will continue to refresh their bundles regularly, but my desire to hoard books is great and I'd love to know if there's any similar sites out there regularly offering those kinds of sales.

      My only strict requirement is said books have to be either DRM-Free or (the very trivially-cracked) Adobe DRM. I'm also looking specifically to purchase books, I know libraries etc are really cool (and also easy to crack) but I get a lot of enjoyment from owning the books I own (and don't feel good about cracking library copies, I don't judge anyone else for doing so but I'm privileged to have the ability to easily afford my books and figure I should do my part, even if my part is heavily discounted ha).

      As an aside, for anyone who doesn't already know, humble bundle normally has at least half a dozen book bundles at any given time, and there's some crazy value on occasion (see above), would highly recommend if you're into ebooks!

      20 votes
    14. Looking for a simple lists app

      I've been using Google Keep (check boxes mode) for my work and personal to-do lists for a while now, and it's almost perfect for my use case. I love the simplicity and lack of options gumming up...

      I've been using Google Keep (check boxes mode) for my work and personal to-do lists for a while now, and it's almost perfect for my use case. I love the simplicity and lack of options gumming up my process, and specifically I like the UI of having nested subtasks that all move with their head task when you reorder the top level tasks. That is to say, when you drag a headline task, all of its subtasks "roll up" inside it and "unfurl" when you drop the task into its new location. The fact that it syncs across devices is also really great, but not necessarily a deal breaker.

      What is becoming a deal breaker is that you can only have 2 levels: top level or nested. I want more nesting levels, but with the simple touch-and-drag UI to which I've become accustomed.

      Have any of you heard of/used an app such as I've described? I have issues using bigger, more fleshed-out apps because all the features distract my goblin brain, and the friction of having to use various touch menus or the keyboard on my phone to adjust indent levels keeps me from getting crap done.

      Thanks in advance!

      Edit: for now, I have settled on Workflowy. It seems to offer the most similar functionality with an acceptable number of interactions to do the things I want to do. Thank you to everyone who offered their experience!

      20 votes
    15. Recommendations needed: Favorite “comfort” movies

      Warning: this post may contain spoilers

      Hi Everyone,

      I am looking for recommendations of your favorite “comfort” movies. Movies, I don’t have to take too seriously and can be watched over and over and can fall asleep to.

      As an example a few of mine would be:

      MoneyBall
      Jesse Stone movies
      Dave
      Avengers Infinity War and Endgame
      Star Trek Generations
      Major League
      Clear and Present Danger
      Ghostbusters Afterlife
      Batman Begins
      Batman Returns
      Grinch animated movie
      Indiana jones dial of destiny
      Rocky balboa
      Moonfall
      Goldeneye
      X-men 1 & 2, Days of Futures Past
      Rainmaker
      Runaway Jury

      41 votes
    16. I recently finished the Cradle series by Will Wight and have post series depression. What shall I read next?

      I cannot recall the last time I devoured a series so quickly. I loved Cradle. The characters were so colourful and endearing, the plot was permanently escalating at a pace the resonated perfectly...

      I cannot recall the last time I devoured a series so quickly. I loved Cradle. The characters were so colourful and endearing, the plot was permanently escalating at a pace the resonated perfectly with me, and honestly, I found the writing style to be spot on.

      And now I've left feeling rather empty... (perhaps rather on point!).

      Others who have enjoyed this series, what else did you love?

      To give a sample of books I've enjoyed recently: Children of Time, Stormlight Archive, Kingkiller Chonicles, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Red Rising.

      23 votes
    17. What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one.

      The recent discussion of Baldurs Gate 3 tempted me to play a video game after a long break. What games do you suggest for someone who likes getting emotionally involved and likes intriguing...

      The recent discussion of Baldurs Gate 3 tempted me to play a video game after a long break. What games do you suggest for someone who likes getting emotionally involved and likes intriguing twists?

      I've played the Mass Effect series and the first Bioshock. Apologies if this is information that is easily found.

      41 votes
    18. Tablet suggestions?

      Looking to get a tablet for my birthday but I'm so disconnected I don't know what specs to look for, where to get one or a decent price range to expect. I do need something on the cheaper side,...

      Looking to get a tablet for my birthday but I'm so disconnected I don't know what specs to look for, where to get one or a decent price range to expect. I do need something on the cheaper side, but am ok with something good if refurbished. Only ever had a tablet once and it was a "free*" one from Verizon over a decade ago. I'm also open to other device suggestions.

      Wants:

      1. Not an iPad
      2. To be able to use it with an attachable keyboard as a light laptop replacement for the couch.
      3. To be able to use it to play mobile games similarly while on the couch.
      4. To set up in the kitchen when cooking with recipes or a video.
      5. To work for playing/running D&D or Pathfinder (Foundry VTT is the biggest memory user.

      I am wanting to be able to disconnect from my phone and all the work apps and social media and such while still playing farmrpg on a lazy night watching a panel show on TV.

      Or watch something on the tablet while knitting or something.

      18 votes
    19. Looking for Backroom games with something to do in them other than walking

      For example, games like Superliminal (solving puzzles), The Stanley Parable (exploration) and the upcoming Subliminal. The backroom games I've looked at tend to be just about walking and walking...

      For example, games like Superliminal (solving puzzles), The Stanley Parable (exploration) and the upcoming Subliminal.

      The backroom games I've looked at tend to be just about walking and walking and it gets really boring. I played the game called "Pools" and though I liked the aesthetic, I just got so bored because there wasn't anything to do at all other than just looking around and walking. any suggestions?

      14 votes
    20. Looking for goals, mostly fitness but other are cool too

      Hello, I seem to be in a write it down phase and have gotten to the physical health part. I'm looking for fun, absurd, dumb, exaggerated, vanity goals related to fitness. What I have now is:...

      Hello,

      I seem to be in a write it down phase and have gotten to the physical health part.

      I'm looking for fun, absurd, dumb, exaggerated, vanity goals related to fitness.

      What I have now is:

      • standing front/back flip
      • cartwheels as a mode of transportation
      • being able to touch my chins with my forehead with straight legs
      • doing 10 handstand push ups
      • running on all fours
      • being a human flag
      • holding my breath under water for 10min
      • walking with a total weight of 150kg for 4hrs in mixed terrain with an average speed of 5km/h
      • jumping up 1m from standing
      • doing the splits (both ways)
      • gripping my forearms with the opposing arm behind my back from top/bottom
      • going down into the bridge from standing and then get up to a handstand

      The idea is to have these feats as goals so that I have something to strive for... I have well over 40years to reach them.

      Think of something that you would cringe at when shown or talked about, but secretly you think it's kind of cool.

      Like that uncle that always has to show off...

      My list is mostly gymnastics, but I sure welcome pure strength, endurance or other things too.

      16 votes
    21. Fitness tracker smart watches that work well without a smartphone app?

      A family member of mine recently got a cheap smart watch online. They weren't planning to use it with a phone app for privacy/security reasons. They thought using it without a phone would be fine,...

      A family member of mine recently got a cheap smart watch online. They weren't planning to use it with a phone app for privacy/security reasons. They thought using it without a phone would be fine, since they just wanted it for the time and for the health features like steps, blood pressure, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, etc. and didn't need to see their texts or other notifications on the watch.

      Unfortunately, when we tested the watch, we found that basically all of the features required connecting to a shady no-name company's app. You couldn't even set the time! You can't set the time on a watch without an app!

      Also, the watch was a bit bulky for their wrist, and they would prefer a slimmer one.

      People of Tildes, do you know of any smart watches that allow you to use the health tracking features without ever connecting to a smartphone? If so, are there any that are slimmer instead of being bulky?

      14 votes
    22. Gift recommendations

      What are some things that you enjoy, are useful, or recommend. I'd ask that you include the price in your native currency to give a ballpark and save folks the trouble of following links that are...

      What are some things that you enjoy, are useful, or recommend. I'd ask that you include the price in your native currency to give a ballpark and save folks the trouble of following links that are out of their budget.

      38 votes
    23. Reading my first Stephen King novel - What are your favorites?

      I picked up Fairy Tale because I like fantasy. I'm really enjoying it. Also in the time I have spent on the book suggestions and book discussions subreddits, I have noticed that he is still a much...

      I picked up Fairy Tale because I like fantasy. I'm really enjoying it. Also in the time I have spent on the book suggestions and book discussions subreddits, I have noticed that he is still a much loved author.

      So if I want to explore his work, where should I start?

      23 votes
    24. Does anyone use Ground News?

      I tried a quick search here and just wanted to see if anyone uses and recommends Ground News. Since I got my new phone I realized that I haven't really installed any news apps yet, I used to use...

      I tried a quick search here and just wanted to see if anyone uses and recommends Ground News.

      Since I got my new phone I realized that I haven't really installed any news apps yet, I used to use Boston Globe, AP News, and the BBC for just general goings on, but I don't live in Boston anymore, AP News gives SO many notifications about sports and random topics, and I think(?) BBC is in some hot water right now.

      So I've been looking for a new news digest so I can keep current events in mind again. I've been getting a lot of ads for Ground News and some creators that I like have done ads for them.

      I'm definitely left leaning and in the US and would primary like to keep up with news around home if that helps!

      39 votes
    25. Want to get a 3D printer for miniatures that work well with open source software

      I've started to look into getting a 3D printer mainly for printing minis and terrain for TTRPGs. For the aficionado and print quality the best printer type seem to be resin based printers, but I...

      I've started to look into getting a 3D printer mainly for printing minis and terrain for TTRPGs. For the aficionado and print quality the best printer type seem to be resin based printers, but I don't think I'd be able to deal with the toxic fumes in a safe manner. As such I've settled on looking at filament based printers and I don't really need super high fidelity prints.

      I need one that works well with Linux and preferably OSS. I am willing to pay for closed source software (or OSS) if it runs on well on Linux. So if you know of any software that is easy to get started with I'd be happy to hear about it. If you know of any models or makes that I should avoid I'd also appreciate a heads up!

      Any other advice for someone just getting started with 3D printing?

      13 votes
    26. Advice/Suggestions on headphones or earbuds while listening to voices in the same room

      Scenario: I am frequently playing video games with my partner, and we have our PCs side-by-side. I am looking for a comfortable set of headphones or earbuds that will also make it easy to hear...

      Scenario: I am frequently playing video games with my partner, and we have our PCs side-by-side. I am looking for a comfortable set of headphones or earbuds that will also make it easy to hear each other so we can talk while gaming.

      Main priorities:

      • Openness / Ability to hear physical surroundings
      • Comfort for long wear duration (I wear glasses, which rules out most over-the-ear)
      • Budget

      Nice to haves:

      • Audio quality decent enough for gaming (doesn't have to be 3D positional or anything)
      • Audio quality acceptable for listening to music while playing some games (but nowhere near audiophile level, not expecting much bass from something light)
      • Wireless (but not against a wired option - can be USB or 3.5mm since this will be used exclusively with my PC)

      I've really only ruled out one thing: I'm not interested in bone induction headphones. I tried out a pair of JLab JBuds Frames that sit on your glasses, and while they aren't bone induction, the pressure against that area of my head, combined with nothing in my ears, would give me a headache after an hour or two. I suspect I'd have a similar issue with bone induction.

      In a world that seems to prioritize noise cancelling, my search for other options has been inconclusive. There's a lot of negative reviews about comfort in options like the Cleer ARC series and Baseus clip-on styles. I found some of the suggestions in a previous thread on bone induction headphones to be interesting, but nothing seems to meet all of my criteria perfectly.

      16 votes
    27. Winter boot recommendations for women

      Not really sure where this fits in terms of topic. My wife and I live in Minnesota, and we can get some gnarly snow and cold weather. This year she had repeatedly expressed desire for a high...

      Not really sure where this fits in terms of topic.

      My wife and I live in Minnesota, and we can get some gnarly snow and cold weather. This year she had repeatedly expressed desire for a high quality, durable boot for the winter.

      I've seen various recommendations but honestly most of them feel astroturfed.

      Does anyone here have a good suggestion on a boot that will last, be high quality, and keep her warm in the winters in deep snow?

      30 votes
    28. [SOLVED] USB hub with a detachable cable?

      My life story before the recipe. Been working on cable managing my desk, and figured that mounting a USB hub behind my monitor would be an easy way to keep some ports in reach without them being...
      My life story before the recipe.

      Been working on cable managing my desk, and figured that mounting a USB hub behind my monitor would be an easy way to keep some ports in reach without them being on my desk.

      I don't need anything fancy, just a couple usb ports. I thought it'd be pretty straightforward to find a cheap hub, that either had a long integrated cable or let me bring my own to route from my monitor to my desktop.

      Boy was I wrong.

      It seems that the vast majority of USB hubs have integrated cables, and those cables are super short. Detachable cables seem to only become common above my budget (~$50), and also include a bunch of features I don't need (charging, networking, display out, etc...).

      "but /u/zoroa, why not just grab the first hub you see, a usb extender, and call it a day?" As far as I understand, USB-C male to USB-C female cables aren't compliant with the USB standard and can potentially cause issues. My google-fu isn't good enough to tell whether the same applies to USB-A male to USB-A female cables, so I'm just assuming that they are also non-compliant.

      I'm looking for a USB hub that:

      • Has at least 4 usb ports
      • The USB ports are all along the same edge of the device. (For easy access even when the hub is behind my monitor)
      • Can be bus-powered (i.e. doesn't need to be plugged into an outlet)
      • Has a detachable cable for the connection from the hub to my computer

      It'd also be nice if it:

      • Was USB 3.0
      • Cost less than $50 USD
      • Had a mix of USB-A and USB-C
      • Didn't look ugly

      I've spent a couple hours looking, and the only hub I've found that hits my hard requirements the 4 port and 7 port variants of a hub from StarTech.com . I was curious if anyone was aware of anything better in this price range, before I just pull the trigger.

      17 votes
    29. I built an arcade cabinet for my four year old and need some Switch game recs

      His Christmas present is going to be a custom-built arcade cabinet. The internals are simply a Nintendo Switch, an 8bitdo arcade controller, a computer monitor, and some speakers. Pretty simple...

      His Christmas present is going to be a custom-built arcade cabinet. The internals are simply a Nintendo Switch, an 8bitdo arcade controller, a computer monitor, and some speakers. Pretty simple stuff!

      He has next to zero experience playing video games and I haven't really exposed him to my games either (screen time and all). So, he's probably got about zero coordination when it comes to using controllers or playing platformers, etc. Also, he tends to get very frustrated with himself if he can't do something, causing him to want to give up.

      What are some recommendations for Nintendo Switch (1, not 2) games that will ease him into gaming?

      Thanks!

      19 votes
    30. Modern Christmas carol renditions that aren't mediocre CCM?

      'Tis the season, and it's nice to sit down and listen to some traditional Christmas carols in a cozy candle-lit room with plenty of biscuits. And sometimes it's nice to hear more modern takes on...

      'Tis the season, and it's nice to sit down and listen to some traditional Christmas carols in a cozy candle-lit room with plenty of biscuits. And sometimes it's nice to hear more modern takes on these ancient (and not so ancient) classics.

      Unfortunately, whenever I look for this sort of thing, what I usually find is really bland CCM — some woman breathily singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" so slowly I can feel my life draining from me with every beat, a completely unnecessary modern bridge replete with painful key change, and so on. I know this stuff can be done right — Annie Lennox's Christmas album is a great example of taking classic carols and setting them to new music in such a way that it can completely change how you hear them. But finding more stuff in that vein is surprisingly hard.

      So does anyone here have any suggestions or ideas for modern takes on classic carols that actually try and do something interesting?

      21 votes
    31. Tips for FL Studio

      I have about a week of funemployment left before I start my new job, and one of the things I picked up this month was FL Studio to see if I can make a song. Does any have any tips/tricks or any...

      I have about a week of funemployment left before I start my new job, and one of the things I picked up this month was FL Studio to see if I can make a song. Does any have any tips/tricks or any recommended video tutorials? If it helps, I have some background in music theory and I play a couple of instruments and have a preamp setup with line in's and stuff.

      17 votes
    32. Non-metal spoons for dining?

      Hoping this fits, because... well, it is about eating. I swear my mouth is more sensitive to physically hot temperatures than other people's. I burn the roof of my mouth with pizza multiple times...

      Hoping this fits, because... well, it is about eating.

      I swear my mouth is more sensitive to physically hot temperatures than other people's. I burn the roof of my mouth with pizza multiple times a year while others with me can eat it just fine, and I have burnt my tongue on metal spoons just as often. Just last week my mom asked if I was going to eat my soup because I'd been sitting at the table for 5-10 minutes, and I was waiting for it to cool down because the spoon had already burnt my tongue. I even use a disposable plastic spoon for eating ramen, but obviously that's not good for the long-term.

      So we tried to look for silicone spoons to use for eating... except apparently they might not exist? I can find silicone cooking ware, baby spoons, and some really hideous spoons that have a weird shape I automatically loathe, but not a single regular-shaped spoon for eating. Cursory research suggests some other non-metal silverware sets exist made of materials besides silicone, but I have no idea where to begin.

      So, can anyone recommend some spoons that aren't metal and made for dining?

      22 votes
    33. Opinions on NPU laptops?

      Looking to buy a new laptop, and of the model I'd like (thinkpad carbon x1), it seems like I can choose one with or without an NPU. My surface-level understanding is they make built in AI...

      Looking to buy a new laptop, and of the model I'd like (thinkpad carbon x1), it seems like I can choose one with or without an NPU.

      My surface-level understanding is they make built in AI processing and a couple other niche uses more efficient. Flip side, they're maybe a marketing gimmick?

      Price aside (price difference doesn't seem too great), I'm wondering: should I buy a model with an NPU to help potentially future proof? Are there potential downsides to an npu model? Upsides?

      I know there are lots of technical people here, I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences!

      18 votes
    34. Suggestions for uses of old computer hardware?

      I recently “upgraded” my wife’s computer, since it was about 7 years old and I think the WiFi chip in the motherboard was starting to go (and the motherboard wasn’t Windows 10 compatible either,...

      I recently “upgraded” my wife’s computer, since it was about 7 years old and I think the WiFi chip in the motherboard was starting to go (and the motherboard wasn’t Windows 10 compatible either, and she wanted to upgrade to Windows 11).

      Of course, upgrading the motherboard to the latest WiFi standards meant upgrading the CPU (also swapped from Intel to AMD), which resulted in getting new RAM as well (a rough time for that, given the prices).

      All of that to say, I’m now sitting on a mostly functional old motherboard, cpu, and ram. Basically an entire computer sans case and power supply (I’m sure I have a hard drive laying around somewhere).

      Any thoughts on what I could do with it? I’d thought of trying to build out a NAS (or some other home server of sorts), but I’ve been thinking that for 2 years and haven’t done it yet because I haven’t really found a “need” for one. I basically just use my computer for gaming, and I don’t really have or plan to have media collections with seem to be the main use case of a hobby NAS.

      23 votes
    35. Looking for a non-smart watch recommendation

      I'm looking for a digital watch with a step counter that ideally resets every day. I've had a few smartwatches and my latest Garmin is nearing the end of its life. I've decided that time and step...

      I'm looking for a digital watch with a step counter that ideally resets every day. I've had a few smartwatches and my latest Garmin is nearing the end of its life. I've decided that time and step counting is really all I need out of a watch. Can anyone reccomend a watch like this?

      35 votes
    36. Looking for recommendations for a new home router

      I currently have a Netgear R6700 - Nighthawk AC1750 router that has reached end of service and am looking for a replacement. When I set up the router, I had issues with some of my devices not...

      I currently have a Netgear R6700 - Nighthawk AC1750 router that has reached end of service and am looking for a replacement.

      When I set up the router, I had issues with some of my devices not connecting to either WiFi 6 or the 5 GHz band (I can’t remember which was the issue) so I had to set up a guest network for those devices to live on.

      I would like, if possible, to have one network that everything in my house can connect to, but that’s a preference not a necessity. Are modern routers fully backwards compatible with older devices?

      I’d also like something with a relatively long life ahead of it (though security is paramount and I’d rather have a secure router that I have to replace sooner over an insecure one that lives longer).

      My house is just over 1000 square feet so coverage area doesn’t need to be huge. I do stream a lot of games to my laptop via Moonlight though, so being able to continue to do that without lag/hiccups is a necessity for me.

      Let me know your recommendations and avoids, as well as any advice you have.

      29 votes
    37. Is there a lookup tool for credit card leaks?

      A few months ago, my credit card number was used in a few unauthorized transactions. The charges were reversed, and I got a new card, so overall, no big deal. But I am curious as to how the thief...

      A few months ago, my credit card number was used in a few unauthorized transactions. The charges were reversed, and I got a new card, so overall, no big deal. But I am curious as to how the thief actually got their hands on my information.

      Are there any lookup tools for leaked credit cards, similar to Have I Been Pwned, that might tell me how my credit card number was exposed? Since my card has already been cancelled, I don't even mind typing the number into a somewhat sketchy site.

      14 votes
    38. Looking for watch recommendations as my partners Apple Watch doesn't even last a day anymore

      She currently has apple everything, but is open to getting something like a Garmin watch. Rough requirements are: Batter life of at least a few days with normal use, ideally up to a week Physical...

      She currently has apple everything, but is open to getting something like a Garmin watch.

      Rough requirements are:

      • Batter life of at least a few days with normal use, ideally up to a week
      • Physical activity tracking for swimming. She isn't a runner and doesn't need running-specific features.
      • Heart rate / sleep tracking
      • Receive and view emails / texts / notifications from her iphone

      Some watches she is most interested in are:

      • Enduro 3 even though she's not doing multiple day expeditions, she loves the idea of the battery lasting that long, but it is a bit heavy / bulky and has a lot of features that she won't use for the price
      • Another apple watch, but even the upgrade is only a day and a half of battery
      • Garmin forerunner, we were taking a look at this comparison chart and if she doesn't care about all the running features, would the cheapest version like https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1611937/pn/010-02863-33/ to just act as a budget apple watch with better battery as long as she still gets all the notifications and it works with her iphone?

      Also taking suggestions from other brands, I'm just mostly familiar with Garmin and have an instinct solar 2 for 4 years that I really enjoy.

      23 votes
    39. Digiphile - Return of the immersive sim

      After this Tildes post I was curious about the review scores, Steam Deck compatibility and ProtonDB ratings for the first Digiphile bundle and figured it's worth sharing. I've added two extra...

      After this Tildes post I was curious about the review scores, Steam Deck compatibility and ProtonDB ratings for the first Digiphile bundle and figured it's worth sharing. I've added two extra columns compared to the Humble Bundle posts:

      • Early access because some of these games are "early access" releases.
      • All Time Low sourced from isthereanydeal

      Digiphile - Return of the Immersive Sim is now available with the following games, grouped by payment tier.

      $9 Tier (aprox £6.85, €7.77)

      Steam Page OpenCritic Steam Recent/All Operating Systems Steam Deck ProtonDB Early Access All Time Low
      Blood West 81 89 / 89 Win ✅ Verified 🎖️ Platinum No $9.37
      Ctrl Alt Ego N/A 93 / 93 Win ❓ Unknown 🟨 Gold No $9.45

      $13 Tier (aprox £9.89, €11.23)

      Everything in the $9 tier and the following:

      Steam Page OpenCritic Steam Recent/All Operating Systems Steam Deck ProtonDB Early Access All Time Low
      Shadows of Doubt 68 67 / 82 Win ✅ Verified 🎖️ Platinum No $9.24
      System Shock (2023) 77 88 / 90 Win 🟨 Playable 🎖️ Platinum No $16.08
      Fallen Aces N/A 95 / 98 Win ✅ Verified 🟨 Gold Yes $10.83

      $20 Tier (aprox £15.22, €17.27)

      Everything in the $13 tier and the following:

      Steam Page OpenCritic Steam Recent/All Operating Systems Steam Deck ProtonDB Early Access All Time Low
      System Shock 2 (Remaster) 82 81 / 86 Win ✅ Verified 🎖️ Platinum No $12.60
      Peripeteia N/A 72 / 88 Win 🟨 Playable 🟨 Gold Yes $20.80

      $5 DLC add-on (aprox £3.80, €4.32)

      They all sell this as a separate addon for an additional $5:

      Steam Page OpenCritic Steam Recent/All Operating Systems Steam Deck ProtonDB Early Access All Time Low
      Blood West: Dead Man’s Promise N/A 80 / 80 Win N/A N/A No $5.58

      Does anyone have experience with any of the games and, if so, would you recommend them? Is there anything in here that you're particularly excited to play? Should we post other Digiphile bundles or is this a terrible selection compared to Humble Choice?

      20 votes
    40. Zen browser / chrome alternatives

      I'm getting a little bit worried these days about the tracking features in chrome and was looking into Zen Browser. Does anyone here use it? Any thoughts? Also looking for any simple non tracking...

      I'm getting a little bit worried these days about the tracking features in chrome and was looking into Zen Browser. Does anyone here use it? Any thoughts?
      Also looking for any simple non tracking browser alternatives!

      16 votes
    41. Shrinking number of free news outlets

      We've had discussions around here before about where we get our news, and one of mine has been The BBC. I've used them as an occasional source for several years now. It seems that today (Nov 15th)...

      We've had discussions around here before about where we get our news, and one of mine has been The BBC. I've used them as an occasional source for several years now. It seems that today (Nov 15th) marks a shift in their policy regarding access to their online site. BBC.com is no longer readable for free. I can look at their headlines, but as soon as I try to read an article, a subscribe pop-up appears, and there is no way around it. Archive sites will still have the articles, yes, but that is a different subject entirely.

      As far as I'm concerned, that drops them from my list of news sources. I have tentatively replaced them with Reuters, which is visually clunky, but still free. The AP site, PBS and National Public Radio are other sites I frequent. For a British viewpoint, I'm also trying out The Guardian, which bombards me with SUBSCRIBE notices, but those can still be zapped out of sight.

      Are there any other obvious sites I haven't mentioned? Not interested in right-wing propaganda by the way and I find most of the major American networks intolerable.

      36 votes
    42. Best Bluetooth controller for sub $50?

      Hey all I own a pixel 8a if that's relevant and am looking for a controller that is Bluetooth and costs 50 dollars or less on Amazon. I'm not too picky as long as it can hold the phone and is of...

      Hey all I own a pixel 8a if that's relevant and am looking for a controller that is Bluetooth and costs 50 dollars or less on Amazon. I'm not too picky as long as it can hold the phone and is of good quality. Thank you!

      10 votes
    43. Do you watch TV in the morning? If so, what do you watch? I'm looking for recommendations.

      Ever since I was a kid, the kitchen TV has been on in the morning while we eat breakfast and get ready for school. I remember Flipper and Rocky and Bullwinkle being on when we were younger and...

      Ever since I was a kid, the kitchen TV has been on in the morning while we eat breakfast and get ready for school. I remember Flipper and Rocky and Bullwinkle being on when we were younger and then Katie Couric and Matt Lauer on The Today Show later on.

      As an adult, I've been looking for something linear to watch in the morning while I eat breakfast to put a stop to my bad habit of doom scrolling. I have about 30-45 minutes between walking my dog and logging onto my work computer where I eat breakfast and sit at the kitchen table. This is kind of "me time" to get ready for the day and try to get my brain to ramp up into work mode that has taken the place of my morning commute ever since COVID now that I work remote. Here's what I've tried and why I don't like them:

      • The Today Show (and other mass-market morning news): honestly these have some "real" news in them but I feel like there's too much time wasted on filler & fluff & pop culture that I don't really care about.
      • CNBC, usually Squawk on the Street: I like that this is more straight to the point but it's more heavily financial than I really need it to be. I'm not an active investor so, while I like getting business/market news, I don't need 45 minutes dedicated to it.
      • Bloomberg's Bloomberg Brief on YT: this is a bit broader than the previous option, but still more heavily focused on financial markets than I really need to be.

      I'm mostly interested in major world events, economics, tech, and business. I specifically do not care to hear about pop culture and sports (that's for after work) and I'm so tired of hearing about American political theater (although I'd like to know when something concrete happens).

      So yeah. What do you watch in the morning? Do you have any suggestions?

      9 votes