ADwS's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: June/July 2024 in ~games
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Comment on How bad are Nvidia GPUs for Linux really? in ~comp
ADwS LinkGoing against the flow, I’m sadly going to have to report issues with my GTX 1080 on both Mint and Ubuntu, specifically regarding rendering in Cycles on Blender. It would detect my CPU without...Going against the flow, I’m sadly going to have to report issues with my GTX 1080 on both Mint and Ubuntu, specifically regarding rendering in Cycles on Blender. It would detect my CPU without issue, and would allow me to render with the GPU, but without CUDA optimization which is a major draw of Nvidia cards in the first place. This was back in 2020 and then again in 2021. I have tried Mint since then (summer of 2023), but I still had issues getting CUDA to render on my currentt build’s 3070ti.
For other applications, such as games, I really had no issue, but with Blender specifically (both standalone and through a package manager) it did not ever want to detect the CUDA competent, which is significantly more efficient for Blender’s Cycles raytracing.
I plan on trying it again once I get a higher vram GPU, but Window’s Blender performance still seems relatively unmatched vs other OS’s for CUDA, which means I’m probably going to be paying an arm and a leg.
I know of several workarounds, and recognize that people with more free time might be able to get it to work, but I sculpt in my free time, and when I do (occasionally) render for clients, it’s imperative that everything works without issue and as efficiently as possible. At the moment, for my specific work case, Linux is not there (circa 2023).
I plan on doing a quick test run again come January prior to upgrading my system, just to see if there have been any changes that might affect my hardware choices, but I’m keeping my expectations low. As much as people hate to hear it, there is a massive benefit and reason to have Nvidia GPUs over the (significantly better on paper) AMD ones. More VRAM would help me significantly, but I personally find optimizing a scene for less VRAM less disruptive than optimizing a scene for less render time. And that goes for running Linux vs Windows. I would love a system that doesn’t track me, but I can’t rely on a system that might refuse to recognize a key feature of my hardware for any number of reasons.
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Comment on Science fiction or fantasy recommendations for children in ~books
ADwS LinkI’m sure this will sound “basic”, but The Hobbit might be a perfect next book if you’re trying to simply expose multiple genres and styles. It (personally) reads more sophisticated than The Narnia...I’m sure this will sound “basic”, but The Hobbit might be a perfect next book if you’re trying to simply expose multiple genres and styles. It (personally) reads more sophisticated than The Narnia series, but is much easier to get into than the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It’s a fantastic read if you keep in mind the idea that the point of the story is the journey itself. If there is interest in the world or style of writing, move onto the Trilogy that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote as a whole.
I mainly suggest this as someone who read it in early middle school and then read Lord of the Rings in late middle school and early high school. I am very biased, but also believe that The Hobbit specifically is a great way to be exposed to older styles of writing and more “generic” cliches as they have now become.
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Comment on Introducing the Light Phone III in ~tech
ADwS Link ParentFrom their blog post about prototyping.It is running the underlying Android we will be building the LightOS on top of, but it currently only has a prototype LightOS app. The prototype helped us commit to our software architecture, ensuring it will be fast enough. It also enables us explore gestures like scrolling on the new screen. We've been experimenting with building the LightOS keyboard natively, and will continue to finesse this. It also has a slideshow where we were able to load different interface mocks to begin to fine tune how we want those to look. The process of integrating the full LightOS functionality will take months.
From their blog post about prototyping.
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Comment on Introducing the Light Phone III in ~tech
ADwS LinkI wonder if they will allow side loading of apps since it’s running android. The biggest draw of the Light phone II was the e-ink display and small size. I honestly wish they had just refreshed...I wonder if they will allow side loading of apps since it’s running android. The biggest draw of the Light phone II was the e-ink display and small size. I honestly wish they had just refreshed that device with newer network bands and usb-C.
If they allow side loading of apps (so I can have my 2 factor authentication apps) I’d be very tempted to use it. That price tag ($800) is insanely tough to swallow though. The $400 early adopter/pre-order price is more in line with what I think is a better value proposition.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
ADwS LinkStarted painting the minis I’ve been printing for the last year. Painting (or rather, any physical medium) has always scared me for some reason, which is funny because I sculpt and make (attempt...Started painting the minis I’ve been printing for the last year. Painting (or rather, any physical medium) has always scared me for some reason, which is funny because I sculpt and make (attempt is a better word) 3D renders in Blender.
It’s honestly a very relaxing thing to do. The first batch I did (just 3 minis) didn’t come out very good, but I was honestly expecting that much. I made the mistake of not buying white or black paint, which meant shading was pretty much a no go due to the extremely limited selection of paints I bought to start off. (Brown, blue, red, yellow, and a “flesh” color that’s somewhat between a pink and tan. I thought I bought a black, but it turns out I bought a metallic one, not a basic matte acrylic one, so add another mistake to my list.)
Over all, I can see myself buying some extra paints for that the majority of my prints would use, along with possibly an actual palette (since I’m just using a paper plate at the moment). I already had primer, so everything from paint brushes, paints, and matte finish cost me less than $40 to start. I’m thinking that a full (basic) setup shouldn’t cost me but an additional $60 assuming I wait for sales and only buy what I will actually use in these early learning stages.
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Comment on Monster Hunter Wilds | First trailer in ~games
ADwS Link ParentAs a Hunting Horn player in Rise and a someone who swapped between the Hunting Horn and Long Sword in World, I’m interested in possibly bringing two Hunting Horns with different buffs to fights....As a Hunting Horn player in Rise and a someone who swapped between the Hunting Horn and Long Sword in World, I’m interested in possibly bringing two Hunting Horns with different buffs to fights. It also makes it possible for solo hunters to slice off the tails of enemies and then switch over to a blunt weapon to focus on the monster’s head. Such a “small” addition has so much potential for planning and execution.
Really hoping it doesn’t cause most fights to become comedically easy like the wire bugs did in Rise. I know you didn’t need to use them, but ignoring game mechanics because they make a game too easy always feels like poor game design in my mind.
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Comment on Are there any backpacks which are both stylish and functional? in ~life.style
ADwS Link ParentI swear I’m not shilling WaterField, but have you by chance looked at their Executive Backpack? It’s a pretty close shape to the first of your links, but has lost of dedicated space. It also comes...I swear I’m not shilling WaterField, but have you by chance looked at their Executive Backpack? It’s a pretty close shape to the first of your links, but has lost of dedicated space. It also comes in a couple of less “techy” materials.
I will be 100% honest, and will fully admit this might just be my lack of style sense; but outside of the two examples “thickness” that you showed, I still have very little idea on what the “tech” style is. That’s no shade on you, I May legitimacy just be style blind haha.
Edit: close in silhouette may be better… it’s not super thin, it’s not “blocky”, and it’s not exclusively a “hyperlite” material. I won’t keep pushing WaterField though. You probably know if you do or do not like it. Apologizes for any misunderstandings.
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Comment on Are there any backpacks which are both stylish and functional? in ~life.style
ADwS (edited )LinkWhat exactly is the “tech bro” style that you’re talking about, if you don’t mind me asking? I was going to suggest sfbags.com, due to their quality and personal style preference, but I...What exactly is the “tech bro” style that you’re talking about, if you don’t mind me asking? I was going to suggest sfbags.com, due to their quality and personal style preference, but I legitimately have trouble knowing if those also fit your definitions of “tech bro” since they have specific pockets for things like your laptop or tablet. Their materials range from lighter synthetics to heavier leathers and canvas, but once again I really can’t tell if you’d consider them too “tech bro-y” or not.
I get not wanting to look like a “hiker” with a 40 liter pack, and I get not wanting to use a tiny bag that can barely hold your wallet, but I legitimately can’t tell if “tech bro” means the number of pockets, the number of zippers, the materials, the size, the weight, or something else.
EDIT: just realized I never mentioned it, and that links aren’t automatically hyperlinked. I was talking about WaterField Bags in San Francisco. I have their “tech sling” which ironically looks very “non-techy” to my eye, but plan on getting a briefcase by them as well in the near future. The sling has been quite abused by myself while holding my iPad, a notebook, my sunglasses, a portable battery, my keys, and my wallet. No issues, it looks amazing, feels sturdy.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
ADwS LinkLaugh at me as you will, but I’ve been playing American Truck Simulator and what I’m pretty sure is a RPG Maker game called Siralim Ultimate while working on my backlog of podcasts. American Truck...Laugh at me as you will, but I’ve been playing American Truck Simulator and what I’m pretty sure is a RPG Maker game called Siralim Ultimate while working on my backlog of podcasts.
American Truck Simulator is exactly what its name implies: driving big trucks across the United States. You pick out a job, pick it up, drop it off, then go and modify your truck or purchase other ones for your company to use. It’s relaxing and slow, and the white noise of the truck while driving is nice while listening to podcasts.
Siralim Ultimate looks and plays like an RPG Maker Pokemonesque game with Warframe-like leveling. I beat the main story, which was honestly pretty easy and boring, and then unlocked end-game content. And holy crap, it’s so much.
The game is not particularly mentally taxing, and is actually pretty boring 90% of the time when you have your party setup. But when you start getting into theory crafting, that’s when it feels like you need to pull out a spreadsheet.
Each of the “pokemon” have their own unique ability, ranging from basic “the character attacks with 75% bonus to damage”, all the way to “when this character is attacked and knocked below 40% max health, every creature you have will cast a random spell that they have equipped”.
Since you can have 6 creatures, you can see how those abilities would begin to synergize. But wait, you can also fuse creatures, giving them two different abilities at the same time. So now, you can have 6 creatures with 2 of these unique effects.
And then there’s items you can equip each creature with that improves stats… and can add on other unique abilities… and those items can be further improved as well. And the spells aren’t chosen statically for each creature; no, they are items that you get to craft and upgrade and assign each creature. There is so many other mechanics I haven’t mentioned, like the player’s class, which has its own skill tree.
Right now I’m fighting creatures double my level because I’ve found a good synergy that lets me kill things early, and stay alive when they don’t go down in the first round.
I will say, the grind to get all the needed resources feels tedious at points, but once you get your build going it can take you really far into the game. The grind is why I’ve been playing it though… as I’ve been using it with American Truck Sim to (once again) get through some podcasts.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
ADwS LinkFor Mother’s Day, I made three sauces to go on top of a New York style cheesecake. The cheesecake was bought from the store (as I was asked very last minute to get one). The three sauces I quickly...For Mother’s Day, I made three sauces to go on top of a New York style cheesecake. The cheesecake was bought from the store (as I was asked very last minute to get one). The three sauces I quickly threw together over about an hour or so were: a Raspberry sauce, a Raspberry ganache, and a plain ganache.
The raspberry sauce was simply lemon juice, raspberries, sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract. The ganache was made by using the left over raspberry pulp and mixing that with some heavy whipping cream and dark chocolate. The regular ganache was just some semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy whipping cream, and a drop of vanilla extract.
Overall, everything turned out great. The raspberry sauce stole the show (dessert wise), and the regular ganache was a good backup for anyone that didn’t like raspberries. The raspberry ganache wasn’t completely eaten, so I have a bit left in my fridge, ready to be put on a bagel or some pound cake.
I initially wanted to add some mint to the raspberry sauce, but I know that my mother isn’t really a fan, so I opted to forgo that ingredient.
Overall, I’m really happy with how everything turned out since I didn’t use any official recipes. Mostly just knowledge from prior projects, like strawberry jams and cherry pie fillings, and then also tasting as I went.
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Comment on Megalopolis | First look clip in ~movies
ADwS Link ParentThanks! Just added these to my list of movies. Hopefully I’ll have time to see The Conversation either this weekend or next!Thanks! Just added these to my list of movies. Hopefully I’ll have time to see The Conversation either this weekend or next!
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Comment on Duck Game rights are returned to developer in ~games
ADwS Link ParentIs there any (preferably sourced or backed by evidence) reason why it’s better to unlist a game versus simply cutting any further development? The unlisting thing is what baffles me as there are...Is there any (preferably sourced or backed by evidence) reason why it’s better to unlist a game versus simply cutting any further development? The unlisting thing is what baffles me as there are lots of games (ignoring ones that use licensed music/assets) that can stay up with a simple disclaimer that it’s sold “as is” and without further developer support.
I’m assuming it’s like what u/MimicSquid or u/Protected said, but I cannot personally find evidence (beyond what is assumed to be the case) of that occurring here. It feels like there’s some other “write off a failed investment” thing possibly going on with this, but that’s my own conspiracy imagination thinking that WB is somehow able to claim lost R&D costs or something similar. This may be my own fault of thinking that corporations are doing 4D chess instead of taking the most straightforward or simple way out.
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Comment on Megalopolis | First look clip in ~movies
ADwS LinkI know it’s been a while since Francis Ford Coppola last made a film, and outside of Godfather part 1 and 2, Dracula, and Apocalypse Now, I’ve seen very little of his filmography. Are there any...I know it’s been a while since Francis Ford Coppola last made a film, and outside of Godfather part 1 and 2, Dracula, and Apocalypse Now, I’ve seen very little of his filmography. Are there any good films from him that I should see to get a feel on his more modern films? I have zero idea what the premise of Megalopolis is, and it seems like a film that’s best seen going into blind.
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Comment on How are you dealing with inflation regarding everyday enjoyment? in ~life
ADwS LinkI was one of those people that used to eat out once a day (on average). Since the pandemic, I’ve been slowly cutting down and am now in the once a week to once every two weeks range, usually...I was one of those people that used to eat out once a day (on average). Since the pandemic, I’ve been slowly cutting down and am now in the once a week to once every two weeks range, usually eating out as a social thing, either with family or friends.
Outside of that change, the rise in prices has (luckily) not hit me too hard. Possibly because of privilege, possibly because it turns out I really didn’t do much, outside of eating out, that cost cost me money. When I hang out with friends, we buy drinks at local stores and have them at my place (due to being the most central and being the one with the most “hosting” space). When I visit with family everyone brings a portion of the meal and we typically meet at one of our places. We normally either stay indoors and play board games or head out back and throw frisbee or just talk. On my own, I regularly hike, usually with my dog, and that is typically free.
I’ve noticed the biggest portion of my circle (of friends and family) that are experiencing the rising prices the hardest are the ones with kids. Going out to eat is basically a no-go, as a basic meal will run them $50+ at even a fast food place, and any location that requires membership is impossible unless it offers a family pass of some sort. I think this is mostly due to the fact that their “free” money to spend on things that are not essential is now being tied up in the constant need for food, clothes, rent/mortgage, and the irregular bill (like a car issue, doctor visit, or home repair) which has seen significant cost increases.
None of my group is struggling, per se, but they are definitely cutting back on anything that has a cost in the first place when it comes to socializing. If it can’t be done online or if it can’t be hosted at someone’s home then it’s too expensive since they need to set aside that money for the inevitable bill coming up. Most of which are close to twice the price they were just pre-2020.
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
ADwS Link ParentThanks! I think everyone had fun, which is the important part, which is good enough for me. I figured that my rocky time DM'ing might help other new DMs realize that even with mistakes, the...Thanks! I think everyone had fun, which is the important part, which is good enough for me. I figured that my rocky time DM'ing might help other new DMs realize that even with mistakes, the session can be an enjoyable experience.
On that note, though, I definitely want to implement some improvements and everyone's suggestions here have been a great source of things to look into. I'm pretty excited to jump back in and have another session.
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
ADwS Link ParentI was pretty overwhelmed by the massive selection of services to simulate tabletops, and so many of them either required or basically required by limiting features subscriptions that I gave up and...I was pretty overwhelmed by the massive selection of services to simulate tabletops, and so many of them either required or basically required by limiting features subscriptions that I gave up and just used a photo editor due to a lack of time. I'm hoping we get to meet in person more often than not, but I'll keep a note to check out Owlbear Rodeo if we ever need to do another remote session!
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
ADwS Link ParentThe random encounter/scenario list was actually an improvement that came to me after my (rocky) one-shot. It seems perfect since I can create possible scenarios and then adapt/improv them to...The random encounter/scenario list was actually an improvement that came to me after my (rocky) one-shot. It seems perfect since I can create possible scenarios and then adapt/improv them to better fit the situation without getting mad that I prepped something that now can't be used.
Improv is definitely something I need to work on though. I think I was able to keep things seemingly smooth, but there were so many curve balls that I needed a few moments to think of a proper reaction.
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
ADwS Link ParentYeah, 5e relies quite heavily on stat-blocks that are a bit tough (at least for someone as inexperienced as myself) to estimate on the fly. I do intend to prep some documents with generic...Yeah, 5e relies quite heavily on stat-blocks that are a bit tough (at least for someone as inexperienced as myself) to estimate on the fly. I do intend to prep some documents with generic encounters and include those stats in it to avoid repeating my mistake of accidentally buffing enemies due to scrambling through the Monster Manual haha!
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
ADwS Link ParentThanks for those links! I skimmed them just now but will do a more thorough read through this evening. A part of the reason I did a one-shot instead of jumping straight into the campaign was to...Thanks for those links! I skimmed them just now but will do a more thorough read through this evening.
A part of the reason I did a one-shot instead of jumping straight into the campaign was to try and catch issues before I ended up accidentally burning myself out. I'm glad I did because I found a ton of spots where I would have been wasting time and energy on things that just don't ultimately matter.
A session 0 is planned to happen before we start the full campaign, and the plan is to go over character creation together, discuss expectations, and finally go over a couple house rules. I 100% plan on discussing if the players will want a more rail-roaded or more open ended adventure.
I'm excited for what will come next!
This giveaway is over
Platform: Steam (unless otherwise specified)
Method: First Come, First Serve
Game Limit: 2 games (but I will start reposting this list every giveaway now that I am aware it exists)
Timeframe: I will start responding Sunday July 7th. Whichever comments exist at the time of me checking will get PM'd their keys
Games Still Available
Claimed Games
I couldn't figure out how to do a strike-through on bullet list elements, so I just separated the claimed games into this section.
I have more in my Humble Bundle, but will list them in future give aways. I'm tired of copy-pasting links to Steam.