0x29A's recent activity
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Comment on Spotify down? No, your Spotify mod was just blocked—here's why it won't work anymore. in ~tech
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Comment on What do you do with your diplomas? in ~life
0x29A LinkMine is stuffed away with other supposedly important documents, to be never seen again unless there's some extenuating circumstance (that I've yet to encounter). Can't even say I'm proud of it...Mine is stuffed away with other supposedly important documents, to be never seen again unless there's some extenuating circumstance (that I've yet to encounter). Can't even say I'm proud of it because I hate the institution it is from (and tbh the quality of the education I received was fairly awful too), never used the degree as anything more than just "proof of some level of college education / four years of commitment to finishing a thing" . It essentially means nothing to me anymore, but may to an employer, but employers never requested to see mine in person, they just contact the institution or whatever
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Comment on My sixteen-month theanine self-experiment in ~health
0x29A LinkL-theanine (even as an isolated supplement) has helped me from time to time in the past with anxiety. Noticeable difference when using it when I was in bad call center jobs. Mixed with caffeine it...L-theanine (even as an isolated supplement) has helped me from time to time in the past with anxiety. Noticeable difference when using it when I was in bad call center jobs. Mixed with caffeine it worked well as an alert-but-calm kind of experience, but most of my early use of it was on its own, specifically to take the edge off of nerves/stress. Not an extremely sizeable effect, but enough to notice and feel some relief.
I would say, as a drinker of a wide array of loose leaf teas, I've felt it from green and other teas (knowing that teas grown in some amount of shade, like a number of Japanese green teas have increased L-Theanine levels), but most tea is a calming experience for me anyway because of the process surrounding it, so often it's probably the ritual of making it, and it being a hot beverage, that is calming. Though tbf there are some teas that are almost never calming for me so I guess those are the exception to the rule.
However, strangely, and I've seen this anecdotally reported elsewhere but nothing ultra conclusive- I've stopped taking L-Theanine for a long while now, except when in tea or very rare circumstances in supplemental form by itself, because for some reason it is often, and repeatedly, a headache trigger for me. Especially caffeine + L-Theanine together. Caffeine on its own- I'm fine, caffeine + L-theanine has repeatedly given me headaches, no idea why.
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Comment on Ghost – Satanized (2025) in ~music
0x29A Link ParentSure thing! Yeah did a full album listen yesterday and honestly it might be one of the best albums from that era that I never knew about! While I love other Swedish DM too I really like how dark...Sure thing! Yeah did a full album listen yesterday and honestly it might be one of the best albums from that era that I never knew about! While I love other Swedish DM too I really like how dark and evil Repugnant sounds, and I also like its thrashiness.
It's almost like you can even hear a hint of a "gothic" sound (or some kind of atmosphere that would inspire something like Ghost) but done in a measured way and with a level of sincerity that actually makes it feel genuine- there are parts with some interesting vocal choices that really give that feeling to me, like they took a sinister, thrashy Swedeath vibe and layered a bit of experimentation on. One of the tracks also has a weird effected vocal that reminds me of one of my fave songs of all time, Morbid Angel's Where The Slime Live, and I love that too
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Comment on AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reviews and launch in ~games
0x29A LinkWhile I have a new enough Nvidia card that I won't be upgrading for a while, the switch to AMD is the definite path for me going forward. Switched to AMD CPU recently and want to do the same for...While I have a new enough Nvidia card that I won't be upgrading for a while, the switch to AMD is the definite path for me going forward. Switched to AMD CPU recently and want to do the same for the GPU once budget allows for it. Probably one or two more hardware generations in the future I'll make the leap
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Comment on Ghost – Satanized (2025) in ~music
0x29A (edited )LinkLate-era Ghost is no match for their early discography, but I still like it "for what it is". They're a theatrical and gimmicky and over-the-top rock group and venturing more into the pop side...Late-era Ghost is no match for their early discography, but I still like it "for what it is". They're a theatrical and gimmicky and over-the-top rock group and venturing more into the pop side than the rock side as time goes on. It's like an extremely polished but cheesy Blue Oyster Cult.
Even as someone into metal (some metalheads kinda give side-eye to Ghost because they sometimes get touted as metal when they really aren't) and someone that typically doesn't like over-the-top cheesy stuff (like some parts of power metal), Ghost just hits it the right way for me. For some reason they execute so well on the cheese that it works.
I'm pre-disposed to like Satanic / sacrilegious stuff though, whether it is serious or on-the-nose and campy, and that helps a lot and I like that I can enjoy those themes both when very serious and in extreme metal, or when campy and poppy. Of course there's also extreme metal that is Satanic cheese too (looking at you Behemoth and Deicide)
Also TIL that Forge has done both death metal and black metal in his past. Def recommend Repugnant's Epitome of Darkness. Solid Swedish death metal, and even as someone that likes Ghost, I much prefer Repugnant. What a gem! His black metal stuff is harder to find, save a single track from a demo I found online, and it's pretty solid too tbh
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Comment on Framework’s first desktop is a strange—but unique—mini ITX gaming PC in ~tech
0x29A LinkAs long as they don't compromise on their main products in terms of modularity, I'm okay with them taking some experimentation/risks on odd things like the desktop. There's really no need for them...As long as they don't compromise on their main products in terms of modularity, I'm okay with them taking some experimentation/risks on odd things like the desktop. There's really no need for them to build their own bog-standard desktop because there's no real reason for them to point to for it to exist in the crowded desktop PC market. However, going with a new take on it and finding some niche to market to makes sense- and packing a lot of power into a small quiet form factor (but ALSO selling the cpu+ram+mobo by itself too) is intriguing, and maybe even some competition for high end "mini PCs"- if they stick to their ethos but start challenging / competing in more PC markets, that's a good thing.
They know that it's a bit of an odd standout in their lineup- even in their own keynote they stressed that they knew the soldered RAM was a bit of a different choice for them but they saw it as a choice they were willing to make to create this particular desktop. It's still got standard power plugs, it's a standard board size (ITX) so can go in other cases, it's mainly the cpu/ram that cannot be changed. I'm definitely okay with competitors coming into a market like this and shaking things up a bit, and with the ethos they've proven through the rest of their lineup and their increasing revenue, I think that gives them some leeway to try new things. They even mentioned they internally debated about it for a while before going through with it, and spoke to AMD about if they could work around the soldered-RAM requirement, but ultimately made the compromise.
So yes, in contrast to other desktop PCs, it is less modular. But in contrast to a Mac Mini it's more customizable. I think having a powerful laptop internal in a desktop (and thus a very powerful but quiet system as a result, if what they say is true) is a somewhat novel take, and tbh, it, feels like an experimental path maybe inspired by the fact that you can buy their laptop mainboards, and put those in special cases to make super small desktops. I agree it's a different path for them for that particular device, but I don't think they're trying to convince us otherwise.
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Comment on Three Cheers for Tildes: App updates and feedback (February 2025) — Version 1.3 uses edge-to-edge UI on Android in ~tildes
0x29A Link ParentOh, sure enough that was the issue, thanks.Oh, sure enough that was the issue, thanks.
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Comment on Three Cheers for Tildes: App updates and feedback (February 2025) — Version 1.3 uses edge-to-edge UI on Android in ~tildes
0x29A LinkSubmitted feedback in testflight about this- but for some reason my Tildes Home feed is now empty? Uninstalling, reinstalling, viewing logged out and logged in, issue persists in all of those...Submitted feedback in testflight about this- but for some reason my Tildes Home feed is now empty?
Uninstalling, reinstalling, viewing logged out and logged in, issue persists in all of those situations
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Comment on Apple debuts iPhone 16e in ~tech
0x29A Link ParentYeah I use a combo setup. I use Face ID for stuff like app authentication once I'm in the phone, but for unlocking the phone itself I always keep a passcode requiredYeah I use a combo setup. I use Face ID for stuff like app authentication once I'm in the phone, but for unlocking the phone itself I always keep a passcode required
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Comment on Audio enthusiasts share your audio setups in ~hobbies
0x29A Link ParentIt's so frustrating, because if I was able to wear them safely/without pain, they would probably immediately move up to be my #1 favorite headphones. I absolutely love the sound and have like 15...It's so frustrating, because if I was able to wear them safely/without pain, they would probably immediately move up to be my #1 favorite headphones. I absolutely love the sound and have like 15 other pairs of headphones that just don't replicate that exact sound signature
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Comment on Audio enthusiasts share your audio setups in ~hobbies
0x29A Link ParentYeah I got the USB mic many more years ago than the XLR Worker Bee. The USB mic was to upgrade my audio for discord / communications calls / gaming / etc, and I have used it to record acoustic...Yeah I got the USB mic many more years ago than the XLR Worker Bee. The USB mic was to upgrade my audio for discord / communications calls / gaming / etc, and I have used it to record acoustic guitar and vocals in the past before I got the Worker Bee, which is dedicated to music stuff.
I decided to set up a makeshift dedicated "recording studio" room in the house with its own dedicated computer and hardware, and already had the interface for guitar recording, and that's when I got the Worker Bee.
It would be far too annoying to unhook all the wiring and stuff and keep moving my interface and XLR mic back and forth between my bedroom (where the daily driver PC is) and the recording room. That kind of friction is the kind of thing that keeps me from recording, so I try to reduce friction / barriers for myself to habits like practicing/recording so that I do them more often.
I have been tempted to switch from the USB mic to a second Worker Bee + cheap Interface though, just to have an XLR setup on my main PC too, but that's kind of pointless other than I've desired to get more modern since this G-Track is pushing 10-15 years probably at this point, if not more. But it works just fine so.. yeah
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Comment on Audio enthusiasts share your audio setups in ~hobbies
0x29A (edited )LinkAmateur music production/recording: Mac mini M4 with Edifier R1280DB speakers Audiobox iOne interface, Neat Worker Bee (v1) mic Multiple guitars (6-string, 7-string, acoustic, bass) Crate GMX212...Amateur music production/recording:
Mac mini M4 with Edifier R1280DB speakers
Audiobox iOne interface, Neat Worker Bee (v1) mic
Multiple guitars (6-string, 7-string, acoustic, bass)
Crate GMX212 guitar amp
Alesis Nitro Max (w/ Expansion and alternate Yamaha bass pad) e-drumsDaily driver PC:
Fiio E10K DAC -> Bose companion 2 series III speakers
Samson G-Track MicLiving room:
PC and other sources- Audio-Technica Sound Burger Record Player
PC has a Fiio E10K DAC
These go into a Onkyo TX-SR393 receiver and out to a pair of KEF Q150s and a Jamo C 910 SubHeadphones:
Too many pairs to count but my faves are:- SENNHEISER HD 569 (for some reason I like these way more than my higher-priced Senns)
- Philips SHP9500
- Sony MDR10R
- Audio-Technica PRO-ATH700ProMKII
- Philips Fidelio F1
- I have HD280s that I ADORE too but they cause headaches for me, every single time I wear them
- Wireless: Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TWBK earbuds
- Wireless: Anker Soundcore A1 earbuds
- Other assorted earbuds (cheap but decent ones from China, stuff from Drop, other no-name stuff)
Portable Speaker:
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth® speaker II -
Comment on Audio enthusiasts share your audio setups in ~hobbies
0x29A Link ParentThere is a Worker Bee II now and it's pretty well-received also (and kind of a wildly good price atm). I use the original v1 myself and love itThere is a Worker Bee II now and it's pretty well-received also (and kind of a wildly good price atm).
I use the original v1 myself and love it
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Comment on What were some artists, groups or albums that had an influence on you before you were old enough to choose for yourself? in ~music
0x29A Link ParentPTL/Bazan's discography is quite big so hrm... I mean yeah nearly everything on Control is perfect from the first era of PTL, tracks like "Second Best", "Rejoice". From the second era, the Phoenix...PTL/Bazan's discography is quite big so hrm... I mean yeah nearly everything on Control is perfect from the first era of PTL, tracks like "Second Best", "Rejoice". From the second era, the Phoenix album is awesome- songs like "Quietest Friend" and "Powerful Taboo".
Bazan's solo stuff like "Curse Your Branches" is great too, like the track "Hard to Be". The album "Care" is also great, tons of great tracks including the self-titled one. Honestly the discography is so good, there's so many gems and good places to dive in and not many bad spots. Even really old era PTL is great- stuff like "Secret of the Easy Yoke"
Also recommend all the related side projects Bazan has been involved in (Headphones, Overseas, Lo Tom).
As far as nu metal, I can understand the disdain it gets to an extent. It kinda appeared almost as a watered-down version of metal, but it's all about perspective. I like it even knowing and agreeing about some of its flaws. It does feel simplistic, watered down, sometimes lyrically too on-the-nose. It feels like rock "trying to be metal" or something like that and it can land in a weird spot that just never feels "as good as other metal".
It's just a vibe of a particular era of hard rock / gateway metal and I think some of it stands the test of time and even the stuff that hasn't aged as well is still fun to listen to sometimes.
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Comment on What were some artists, groups or albums that had an influence on you before you were old enough to choose for yourself? in ~music
0x29A LinkKind of a weird situation for me, in that especially when I was very young and had absolutely no choice, everything I heard at least in immediate family/social situations was extremely benign...Kind of a weird situation for me, in that especially when I was very young and had absolutely no choice, everything I heard at least in immediate family/social situations was extremely benign Christian music in some form, as nothing else was allowed. I don't think those have any influence left on me as I don't listen to any of it anymore and am no longer religious. It doesn't really affect my preferences much today aside from actively avoiding music that reminds me of that previous life.
That said, there were artists, like Pedro the Lion / David Bazan that were slightly more religious when they started but quickly became "music made by a Christian that is starting to question or challenge some of the notions of it from the inside" then that artist exited evangelicalism and I followed a similar path. Hold a very special place in my heart for Bazan because of treading similar paths. It became a soundtrack to my journey.
That said, when I was that young, thankfully tons of extended family that were not religious introduced me to all sorts of music and that has had a big influence on me, and is likely why I'm such a metalhead today as an adult and why I have a soft spot for nu metal that a lot of other metalheads don't. Multiple family members ended up introducing me to all sorts of metal, from the tamer stuff like Metallica, to nu metal like Coal Chamber and Korn, all the way to extreme stuff (black metal, death metal, etc), and that has had a massive influence on me.
Once I grew old enough to start making my own decisions (with or without approval) then I listened to all sorts of things, hid tons of "not allowed" from immediate family, quietly watched MTV2/Much Music/etc late at night when I was supposed to be asleep and absorbed plenty of cool music that way (Headbanger's Ball, etc). I listened to the full range of Christian music while I was religious (metal, etc) and started listening to more and more outside the faith bubble, the more I grew up and could get away with it and eventually as I slowly exited religion, so did my music preferences.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
0x29A LinkKC Rae, Soundgarden, Rose City Band, Flipturn, Ollie Wride and also stuff from a couple of weeks ago, fave releases of week of 1/31/25: Clean-sung, instrumental, or otherwise non-extreme music....KC Rae, Soundgarden, Rose City Band, Flipturn, Ollie Wride
and also stuff from a couple of weeks ago, fave releases of week of 1/31/25:
Clean-sung, instrumental, or otherwise non-extreme music.
Sarah Belle Reid + Vinny Golia - Accidental Ornithology
Sarah Belle Reid (who makes great videos about synths and music on her Youtube Channel) collaborates here with Vinny Golia, a jazz musician specializing in woodwind instruments to create this collection of experimental, electroacoustic improvised tracks all themed around a concept of unique calls and behaviors of imaginary birds. Combining a wide array of instruments including gongs, woodwinds, horns, and electronic synths, a very specific vision is created here and the intricate hand-drawn artwork makes this a beautiful and complete work.Hellige - Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice
Dungeon Synth from Georgia (USA). Nature sounds, classic dungeon synth keyboards, harp synths, voices as instruments, drums and more give this a warm, enveloping fantasy atmosphere with a human touch.
Extreme heavy music (harsh vocals)
Annihilation Cult - Selftitled
Absolutely hammering and blasting war metal from Minnesota, from members of Aberration and Nothingness. Vocals that at times sound like thunder and explosions. Swirling, plodding, grimy, hellish. Slices and slashes of noise and absolutely forceful guitarwork and drumming. Despite the aggressive themes and titles, any hesitant listeners can rest assured that this particular project and its members are far from anything fascist, which can't always be said of artists in this niche subgenre.Scruda - Fury Among Ruins
Blackened thrash/speed metal from Poland. Filthy, fast, and punky. Guitarwork definitely inspired by black metal in a number of spots on the record, and a more old-school metal feel in others.
Bonus Record (any time, any genre, any reason)
Pandemic Outbreak - Skulls Beneath The Cross
A June 2021 release from an act adjacent to the Scruda recommendation above, as Scruda's drummer was once a member. This is speedy, blasting thrashy old-school death metal both in terms of writing and production. Feels like it could have come out 25 years earlier. The bass guitar is given a proper place in the mix, the riffs are fun, and the drumming and its constant switchups make this a joy of a record.
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Comment on Framework 13 chassis available for $400 in ~tech
0x29A (edited )Link ParentI think the company is worth supporting despite Linus' investment. He gave them money once, as far as I know ($225k). Not to mention the size of his investment is a drop in the bucket compared to...I think the company is worth supporting despite Linus' investment. He gave them money once, as far as I know ($225k). Not to mention the size of his investment is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the funding they've received (like 1/100th or less).
I personally don't like Linus, I don't watch him anymore, soured on him, especially in recent years, but he believed in the company for a number of good reasons (repairability, modularity, etc) and he isn't part of the company or anything. Broken clock being right twice a day kind of situation I guess. Sometimes people we dislike can still occasionally do beneficial things
If he were part of the company or in any position of power or leadership over it, then I'd have a much deeper problem with it given I find it impossible for him to be a competent leader of anything
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
0x29A LinkHEALTH's RAT WARS and then, my fave releases from 1/24/25 week, which I'll post below: Clean-sung, instrumental, or otherwise non-extreme music. Tokyo Tea Room - No Rush Dreamy indie pop from the...HEALTH's RAT WARS
and then, my fave releases from 1/24/25 week, which I'll post below:
Clean-sung, instrumental, or otherwise non-extreme music.
Tokyo Tea Room - No Rush
Dreamy indie pop from the UK. Lush production and a lot of focus on solid basslines and warm sounds layered with beautiful vocals.Jeshi - Airbag Woke Me Up
Rap/hip-hop from London. Nice selective, minimal, complementary electronic beats underlaying solid rhymes and energy that ranges from laid back relaxing passages to fast dance-music moments.Rose City Band - Sol Y Sombra
70's-influenced country rock from Portland, OR. Pedal steel, beautifully warm atmospheres, and catchy writing make this candy for the ears.Wardruna - Birna
Einar returns with more norwegian folk. Massive, filmic soundscapes. Chants, nordic instruments, and majestic voices. Described by Wardruna, "Birna – the she-bear in Old Norse – is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker, and her battles here on earth."Mogwai - The Bad Fire
The Scottish instrumental rockers' 11th studio album adds another solid release to their strong body of work and is as evocative, emotional, and soundtrack-like as ever, conveying a lot without words.Flipturn - Burnout Days
Indie rock from Florida. Has a vibe that reminds me a bit of The War on Drugs at some points and dream/synth/dance pop in other moments. 90s rock, modern indie pop, and textured electronic music all combine to create this enjoyable record.Century - Sign of the Storm
Talented duo of traditional heavy metal from Sweden. Authentic recalling of the late 70s/early 80s era, from 70s rock to epic metal. Epic, anthemic singing, great old-school riffs and solos, and plenty of variety to stay interesting.
Extreme heavy music (harsh vocals)
Θλίψις/Thlipsis - Servants Of Apathy
Greek leftist black metal release this absolute blast of an EP dedicated to the Palestinian people. Piercing and despairful screams, strong aggressive black metal riffs and all-around razor-sharp show of resistive anger.Mura - Needle Cathedral
Blackened death/doom from Prague. Noisy, filthy, heavy slab of death/doom with deep, reverbed growls, crypt-like plodding guitar riffs and ritualistic drums.
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Comment on I hate the new internet. I hate the new tech world. I hate it all. I want out, and I can't be the only one. in ~tech
0x29A LinkI feel this deeply in a lot of ways. I try to spend a lot of my time anymore seeking out things I truly enjoy online (even if that's video content). I just try to curate my experience as much as...I feel this deeply in a lot of ways. I try to spend a lot of my time anymore seeking out things I truly enjoy online (even if that's video content). I just try to curate my experience as much as possible, forcibly if necessary (ad-blockers, very stringent choices about who I follow and what gets in my feeds).
I've joined smaller online communities that I really love. I check out the creative work of others, webrings of "small web" websites (websites of artists, authors, designers, makers, bloggers, techies) and just try to find the places where people are doing cool stuff, often specifically in the service of rethinking computing and so on.
I quit reddit. I'm considering leaving Meta properties (or at least deactivating and using messenger only). I've created a special email address, a signal account, and have notified people when I do leave the options we have for staying in touch.
I've moved to bluesky (though it will probably get shitty too, just a matter of time). I'm on a mastodon instance (since I'm tech-inclined and find community there. NOT as a replacement for other services nor do i recommend it for that).
I've dropped all Windows devices from my life. Nearly everything is linux. I have a single Mac but it's very specifically purpose-driven (creative work, music and visual).
Yeah, a big portion of the big corporate internet sucks and forever will, but I'm glad there's plenty of web out there that is still in the hands of cool people with their own sites and places like Tildes and whatnot.
It's all about doing your best to very specifically curate your experience as strictly as possible and make it work for you, and that can include using the internet less in general if necessary.
Over the decades we certainly have accelerated deeper and deeper into absolute enormous landfills of internet garbage, and many things today are making that worse. While we can't revert that and we can't prevent it, we can each be a force that moves against it in whatever ways we can.
This is exactly what I do! Love it.