Asinine's recent activity
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Comment on What’s a point that you think many people missed? in ~talk
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentThanks, I've never had an explanation as to what API actually is. I gathered most of what you've said by what I've noticed (signing up for API access to location for my phone so I can supply phone...Thanks, I've never had an explanation as to what API actually is. I gathered most of what you've said by what I've noticed (signing up for API access to location for my phone so I can supply phone tower info, etc.).
Additionally, the rest of your comment is incredibly enlightening for me on a few levels. I always presume anything on the internet is fair game, but you've sort of given me a bit of comfort. That being said, I'm never shocked when I receive that notification that "my data has been stolen"... that's usually my top reason I don't like putting anything out there, but the close second is attaching the spiderweb of what I am and what I do irl, and selling that information out (whether for advertisers or trackers, as someone else stated, like insurance companies or whatnot, to track what I'm doing).
Edit: I kind of wish Tildes had an award option like Reddit... I'd totally throw a gold star for this reply! :D
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentWow, that's kind of interesting. I worked at Home Depot and did the stocking of gift cards, but never dealt with the POS aspect. I suspect you're a little higher up on that, but that story is...Wow, that's kind of interesting. I worked at Home Depot and did the stocking of gift cards, but never dealt with the POS aspect. I suspect you're a little higher up on that, but that story is quite interesting and makes me wonder about them overall.
Ultimately though, this is what I'll likely be doing for purchasing a card. -
Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentYeah, I read the ToS when I first encountered it. It seemed like a great idea but after reading some stuff I didn't like, it was a hard nope. @tibpoe I'm not really sure what API really entails,...Yeah, I read the ToS when I first encountered it. It seemed like a great idea but after reading some stuff I didn't like, it was a hard nope.
@tibpoe I'm not really sure what API really entails, but my two banks are on that list. Not really pertinent to this topic, but I may have to start figuring that stuff out.
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentMostly I don't want any personal info going out to apps. They typically have an email or know I use Google Play, but that's about it.Mostly I don't want any personal info going out to apps. They typically have an email or know I use Google Play, but that's about it.
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentYes, but where I live liquor stores are a state-run business; so if I go to the store next to it beforehand, I'll pull out cash for the liquor. Beer can be sold in grocery stores, which I know is...Yes, but where I live liquor stores are a state-run business; so if I go to the store next to it beforehand, I'll pull out cash for the liquor. Beer can be sold in grocery stores, which I know is filed under "groceries".
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentI'm not sure it's reached that point ... yet. But with how all our data is so easily bought/sold, I've been wary of stuff like this for a while. I mean, with law enforcement able to purchase paid...I'm not sure it's reached that point ... yet. But with how all our data is so easily bought/sold, I've been wary of stuff like this for a while.
I mean, with law enforcement able to purchase paid tracking systems to see where my car goes on the regular, why not add in where my last CC purchase was when they pull me over... "Oh, you were at a brewery? Are you driving drunk?" -
Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentDang, yeah I've avoided Plaid like the plague. Thanks for pointing this out. I would have likely noticed when signing up and going to purchase - I'd rather them not have any info like that,...Dang, yeah I've avoided Plaid like the plague. Thanks for pointing this out.
I would have likely noticed when signing up and going to purchase - I'd rather them not have any info like that, especially now that I know that Plaid's in the background.
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentThanks, I believe I was hoping for something like this. I did want a physical options, but depending on how fees and whatnot play out, this may work just as well.Thanks, I believe I was hoping for something like this. I did want a physical options, but depending on how fees and whatnot play out, this may work just as well.
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Comment on "Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at? in ~finance
Asinine Link ParentI would prefer the app to not know, vs the CC, though I'd also not prefer that. But I really hadn't thought of looking into it, thanks.I would prefer the app to not know, vs the CC, though I'd also not prefer that. But I really hadn't thought of looking into it, thanks.
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"Visa" gift cards - What should I be looking at?
(Not sure this should be under ~finance, but not sure where else to post?) I've been de-googling and going more privacy-based for most anything I can lately, and I always love when my company...
(Not sure this should be under ~finance, but not sure where else to post?)
I've been de-googling and going more privacy-based for most anything I can lately, and I always love when my company gifts me a $100 Visa gift card for Christmas.
I find myself paying for a lot more of the booze in our lives (usually one shot at going out, and before additionally replenishing a few dollars on my TouchTunes account because I've only used gift cards on it) because now nothing's tracking my sinful habits. :)
Honestly, I mostly would like to use this card to do online things with apps I honestly don't want to be attached to (specifically Discord, and I'd like to recharge TouchTunes, but... that's more of a secondary option).That being said, I'd like to get some sort of non-"traceable" type of card (that is, physical and not requiring an account or app), and I'd prefer to keep as much of my "investment" as I can (purchase charges, fees, or whatnot). I would like a rechargeable option, but I feel that would be too pinpoint-y. I could just go to my local store (in the US) and buy cards with cash, but while I have no problem with that, I'm also not that paranoid and I am a little lazy heh.
I asked my DDG search, and AI has highlighted "toasty choice" (at toastycard dot com) which looks sketch AF, probably because it appears you need an app. Maybe I'm paranoid, but it just looks too sketch for me.
So, I would like to hear folks' thoughts on this. Do you have a spot you'd recommend to purchase "gift" cards online, or a local spot (as I mentioned, US companies would be required), and any strings attached you'd highlight that may be avoidable?
20 votes -
Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Asinine Link ParentOh yeah, they made sure I knew I had to have strong legs... didn't pay for my college and while they were fine with me living at home, the rules imposed were ridiculous. So grow legs or stay home!...Oh yeah, they made sure I knew I had to have strong legs... didn't pay for my college and while they were fine with me living at home, the rules imposed were ridiculous. So grow legs or
gostay home!I think yours will end up okay. I did! (hopefully... hahaha)
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Comment on I no longer trust the stats that companies publish on the gender equality in their tech roles in ~tech
Asinine Link Parent100% this. I work for a pretty diverse company that mostly tries to get equalization gender-wise, but most STEM female types don't get into power generation. There are a few of us, but even the...Any company that really cares about this needs to be doing outreach to high schools, not posting company statistics.
100% this.
I work for a pretty diverse company that mostly tries to get equalization gender-wise, but most STEM female types don't get into power generation. There are a few of us, but even the departments that have a higher percentage are corporate and more "office" jobs, not [power] plant-type.
For example, where I work there are 32 people. Three are women, and I am one of those women. I'm the engineer. The other two are the business manager and office admin - so the jobs we typically are "used" to seeing women in. I know our HR rep stops in 2-3 times a year to visit local schools for recruiting and always pushes for increasing diversity (of those 32 people, 31 are "standard" white American; the one other is from Spain), but even when I was going for my degree in a very racial-diverse environment, females were not the majority. There were a decent amount, but not equally based on what a general representation of the population could suggest.
You have to start deeper. I am lucky, I suppose, as my parents were fine with me wanting to do what I chose (even if it took WAY too long to figure that out), and my dad did encourage me quite a bit, but not in a corralling way. But the hard fact is that most females do not gravitate towards STEM. [And I'm using that simply because that's where I work, that's what I see.] My sister was a firefighter for years before she had a few kids and settled down. My other sister's only daughter is doing some nursing type stuff for her education, but she has a side job working with a local business that builds custom motorcycles. I know we (that is, us as a society) are slowly breaking the mold, and that's where it has to start to succeed.
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Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk
Asinine Link Parentomg me toooo! At least I actually was when I was 18...omg me toooo!
At least I actually was when I was 18...
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Comment on Has anyone else intentionally lowered their phone's screen's saturation? in ~tech
Asinine LinkI used to use extra darkening options apps for my Android. Now it's sorta built in, but I still don't really feel it quite works as well. But I definitely utilize "night light" and "extra dim"...I used to use extra darkening options apps for my Android. Now it's sorta built in, but I still don't really feel it quite works as well. But I definitely utilize "night light" and "extra dim" manage to hit the proper aspects, especially for nearing bedtime.
Night light reduces blue light for a red scale, and extra dim takes it down that other notch. -
Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Asinine Link ParentI'm tail-end of GenX, and that song is pretty legit. I mean fire? I dunno... but I'm always rooting for parents trying to do better by their kids. Seems at least yours won't end up worse than I...I'm tail-end of GenX, and that song is pretty legit. I mean fire? I dunno... but I'm always rooting for parents trying to do better by their kids. Seems at least yours won't end up worse than I did...
Mom was the grammar Nazi and I had to diagram sentences to a T, and dad came home and explained all the maths stuff. But hey, I'm making 6 figures and I love my job and all my other siblings are doing well and have many children who are also seeming to be doing well...I think you'll be good in the long run, and what "failures" you may have, there are so many kids out there with sheit parents who still manage to excel in life. I'm pretty sure yours will be ending up on the good side!
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Asinine LinkI joined a derby league at age fo^H^H^H way too old. I was literally starting up roller skating 30 years after I last skated as a teen. It's a cult. Seriously. But, not a bad cult... until I break...I joined a derby league at age fo^H^H^H way too old. I was literally starting up roller skating 30 years after I last skated as a teen.
It's a cult. Seriously. But, not a bad cult... until I break something. -
Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Asinine Link ParentOkay, was gonna skip past but had to see what you were hiding. Lol'd slightly at the Sum41 reference. But um, I was homeschooled by a mother starting in the early 80s when it was illegal in...Okay, was gonna skip past but had to see what you were hiding.
Lol'd slightly at the Sum41 reference.But um, I was homeschooled by a mother starting in the early 80s when it was illegal in California (also I believe you're in the US as well). And based on what I remember (and what she's shared from her side), I 1) feel bad that things have gone so screwy, and that so many diagnoses have emerged but also 2) I will always feel that (and this is 120% based on my mom's actual learning with me and my sibs, as well as other homeschooled families I knew) if a parent is that invested in their child's education, that child will benefit. There are so many issues with the public (and even private) school system in the US, and if parents would actually step in even a little, so many of those aspects would work much better. But I also know that not all parents are going to be the best teachers - I had a friend who homeschooled due to life situations, and both her and her daughter were like "yeah, that was a dark time", but it was still better than if she hadn't.
I don't have kids, and actually this is one of the main reasons, but I respect any parent who puts the effort into "raising" one. So big kudos to you and to the song reference :D
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Comment on Steam: Best of 2025 in ~games
Asinine Link ParentMake sure you check out the "top sellers" list, not just the "new releases". I thought the same too until I started poking around.Make sure you check out the "top sellers" list, not just the "new releases". I thought the same too until I started poking around.
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Comment on Half way through the 2020's. What's your favorite games so far? in ~games
Asinine Link ParentGreat to know! I had been eyeing it (and even booted it up and checked out my palace of portals) but I'll hold off until then.Great to know! I had been eyeing it (and even booted it up and checked out my palace of portals) but I'll hold off until then.
The problem in the US with taxes is the 1% and such cannot be taxed, because they do not "make" money. Reminds me of when my literature teacher (which I was going to say "lit teacher", but that's a completely different idea these days haha) explained how many "pounds per year" were derived from bank interest in the Jane Austen books.
In the US, William Buffet isn't taking home all those pounds per year, but he's still got the financial backing to do whatever he wants. And most (if not all?) of his employees pay more taxes than he does.
So, tax the rich all you want, but the real rich ain't paying shit. I finally got to a tax bracket where donations lessen my taxes... which is pure crap, because I'd love to donate because I am able, not because I get more of my money back at the end of the year.