BeardyHat's recent activity
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Comment on Boomer hate in ~society
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Comment on Boomer hate in ~society
BeardyHat Link ParentJust anecdotally, it's a mixed bag, as every generation is. I know a lot of Boomers who are quite conservative and a lot that are pretty liberal. I know a similar handful of younger folks...Also it's a little confusing if you look at the 1960s and see how progressive they were when they were young, and they seemed to forget all that once they had money.
Just anecdotally, it's a mixed bag, as every generation is. I know a lot of Boomers who are quite conservative and a lot that are pretty liberal. I know a similar handful of younger folks (20's-40's) who are the same gamut.
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Comment on DORF: The last, best hope for real-time strategy in ~games
BeardyHat LinkSounds neat with the logistical aspects and multi-weapon aspects of the units. I'll buy it if it ever makes it out the door. I have felt pretty fundamentally disappointed with every RTS that's...Sounds neat with the logistical aspects and multi-weapon aspects of the units. I'll buy it if it ever makes it out the door.
I have felt pretty fundamentally disappointed with every RTS that's come out the door since the original C&C/RA. Not that I've played a ton of them, but I bought Act of Aggression and it was pretty meh and then last year I picked-up Tempest Rising, which was better, but I ultimately fell off of after 10 or so hours. The only "recent" RTS game I stuck with was the rerelease of the original C&C/RA back in 2020, which I've put well over 100-hours into and still regularly go back and play.
Nothing else has really scratched the itch for me, though Dorf looks pretty interesting.
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Comment on CGA-2026-04 🕹️🚀🧑🚀 INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 Space Rogue in ~games
BeardyHat LinkSo I haven't officially started just yet and just as in previous CGA's, I intend to participate, though probably won't make it very far if I know myself, which I'm pretty sure I do. At any rate,...So I haven't officially started just yet and just as in previous CGA's, I intend to participate, though probably won't make it very far if I know myself, which I'm pretty sure I do. At any rate, I'll fill out the Friendship Book anyway:
Your Callsign: Iceman.
It's something that started for me long ago when I first played Descent and has just stuck with me through any space themed game I play; I never use the name anywhere else. I'm guessing I chose Iceman because I was a big fan of Top Gun and saying "Callsign" just made me think of that rather than, "Name." as an input box.Pilot's Choice: I much prefer to game on a Gamepad these days, which is odd for me. I switched to PC only when I was about 11 and thought I'd never turn my back on Keyboard (and later, Mouse), but as I've aged, I'm so much more comfortable with a Gamepad. Probably because I dislike sitting at a desk or using my laptop on my lap or on my couch arm. I'll probably play on Steam Deck, because I love that I can customize the controls pretty drastically. Looking forward to Steam Controller 2...someday.
Your Origin Story: Again, I have to say, "These days", because I prefer slower paced games today, having cut my teeth on FPS games when I first started PC gaming. I still like FPS games and will play them here and there (just finished a rerun of the Half-Life series), but I much prefer a slow strategy game today. I'll probably enjoy the Rogue parts the most...
Previous Missions: I've played a good amount of Elite: Dangerous and a little bit of Ultima 7. I did know of Space Rogue before this, but if I'm honest, I mostly avoided it because while it was intriguing, I don't think it'll be a game I play for very long. Never did play Wing Commander, though I bought Privateer not too long ago on GOG and have yet to play it.
First Flight: Doom. Doom was when I switched to PC gaming full time, because I'd never had an experience like that before coming from the NES and Genesis. Doom was so scary to me at the time and even after I'd clear a level of monsters, I'd just walk around and explore, feeling like it was a real place and imagining what kind of stuff was beyond the boundries of the levels and into the Skyboxes.
A World to Call Home: Dun Morogh in the Vanilla World of Warcraft. I've started and played so many Dwarf characters over the years in that game, being in that space is just warm and cozy to me, in spite of the snowy cold of the zone.
Your North Star: Games for me are always a personal insert and being that I'm a service oriented person, I tend to help people at the cost of myself. I do take things for personal gain, but if there's a Beggar or someone in a game asking for a handout, I give it to them, even if I'm broke. I'll help people, often to my detriment, because I feel that it often becomes a trap in game (literally. You get mugged).
Preferred Mission Type: Probably the Socio-Political? Star Wars bores me, but I loved The Expanse and I'm a huge fan of Star Trek; I've been recently going through Deep Space Nine for the first time. I hated it as a kid, but as a 40-something year old man, I'm just soaking it up, love it. I don't engage with a ton of SciFi, but I definitely like it.
Liftoffs: Used to be very into it when I was a young adult. Followed a lot of space exploration and news, but I've kind of fallen off that as an older person; I care less and less about space the older I get. I probably will not be following the current Moon mission, given I actually wasn't even aware of it until it was mentioned here...
Docking Procedures: Is it cheating if I say a DOS computer? I like the old consoles, but PC gaming has been my jam for a long time and all my absolute favorite games lie there. If I was told no to a computer, I'd probably go with a SNES, I'd suppose. I grew-up with a Genesis and there's a lot of that system I still haven't seen and plenty I've come to know in recent years that I quite like (Shining Force), but there's an absolute heap I don't know or haven't played on the SNES.
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Comment on Megathread: April Fools' Day 2026 on the internet in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentI've been over Warhammer for quite awhile now, but I can't help but laugh at this. This is pretty damned good.I've been over Warhammer for quite awhile now, but I can't help but laugh at this. This is pretty damned good.
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Comment on How to tolerate annoying things in ~health.mental
BeardyHat Link ParentI have this issue, as well. I have no idea if I'm autistic, but things do tend to happen and I can't help but focus on them, which causes me great annoyance. But sleep, yeah. I used to stay-up...I have this issue, as well. I have no idea if I'm autistic, but things do tend to happen and I can't help but focus on them, which causes me great annoyance.
But sleep, yeah. I used to stay-up late all the time and tried to continue doing that when I got into my 30's and had kids and it just doesn't work, I'm a miserable person if that happens and I can't cope with anything. Now I just go to sleep if I'm tired, because I know nothing good is going to come of me staying-up late anymore.
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Comment on Dimmu Borgir – Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel (2026) in ~music
BeardyHat Link ParentMan, what's his bucket in a golfer hat/beret just cracked me up when I saw it. I credit Dimmu with introducing me to extreme Metal back in High School, circa 1999. This? I dunno. It's fine,...Man, what's his bucket in a golfer hat/beret just cracked me up when I saw it.
I credit Dimmu with introducing me to extreme Metal back in High School, circa 1999. This? I dunno. It's fine, but...whatever I don't intend to listen to it any further than this. It certainly exists.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentAll new Civs are controversial when they come out. 5 was, 6 was. I usually like to wait for several years and then when the fervor calms down, I'll go give them a go and I'm generally happy with...All new Civs are controversial when they come out. 5 was, 6 was. I usually like to wait for several years and then when the fervor calms down, I'll go give them a go and I'm generally happy with them.
I've been playing Civ 6 on my Android tablet lately when I just want something easy late in the evening.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentInteresting, I've heard a lot about it on the podcasts I listen to, but didn't realize it was by the same developers. I'll have to give it a look. Any idea how it works on Steam Deck? Per Battle...Interesting, I've heard a lot about it on the podcasts I listen to, but didn't realize it was by the same developers. I'll have to give it a look. Any idea how it works on Steam Deck?
Per Battle Brothers, it's exactly why I'm playing on Easy, Non-Ironman. Stuff can just jump out and kill you and unless you have prior knowledge, there's not much to be done. Just before bed last night, I had some vampires attack me and kill everyone; had no idea vampires even existed or how to fight them. It was amusing, rather than frustrating, but that's because again, I'm playing on Easy and saving regularly.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat LinkI started Half-Life: Alyx last week after finishing HL2 and the Episodes. Though I should say restarted, given I played a good portion of it about two years ago. I am very much enjoying it, but it...I started Half-Life: Alyx last week after finishing HL2 and the Episodes. Though I should say restarted, given I played a good portion of it about two years ago.
I am very much enjoying it, but it does have the problem of being a VR title, which means I can't just jump-in/jump-out of it willy nilly as I could with a game on my laptop or my Steam Deck. And since VR is always a bit of a faff, I'm usually playing it for maybe 30 minutes after my kids are in bed, if I can summon the motivation to be moving around like an idiot. I also find it's got some janky issues like textures often just not loading and necessitating a complete restart of the game, which is obnoxious.
But I do like what I've played so far. I couldn't say how far I am yet, but I've just discovered the Vortegaunt and am about to proceed to the area immediately after him.
For my jump-in/jump-out game, I've been playing Battle Brothers on my Steam Deck. I've put about 50-hours into this game over the years and still have pretty much no idea what I'm doing, but I am very much enjoying it. I'm just playing on Easy and figuring out the systems and rhythm of the game, trying to figure out where I should be going and what I should be doing as I approach day 30 with my team. Thinking I probably need to be a little less protective of my Bros when they die (especially new hires), but I'm also bad at leveling them up, so I have no idea if I'm doing it right.
Also continuing to dabble here and there in Civ 6 when I'm bored of everything else and just want to poke at my tablet in bed.
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Comment on Are you a morning person or a night owl? in ~talk
BeardyHat LinkFor the first 20-something years of my life I was a night owl. Once I started working, I started getting up around 7am and now with kids, I'm usually up at 6-630 and in bed no later than 10pm, so...For the first 20-something years of my life I was a night owl. Once I started working, I started getting up around 7am and now with kids, I'm usually up at 6-630 and in bed no later than 10pm, so I've definitely shifted over to being a morning person.
Staying-up late was nice, I would usually hit the sack around 3am, but I wasn't doing much either. I'm much more personally productive as an older, morning person than I ever was as a young night owl.
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Comment on Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core | Official Early Access release date trailer – 20th May 2026 in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentI definitely had this experience. Thought I would absolutely love it, but playing by myself, with friends or with randoms, I just felt intensely bored. I tried different rolls, but nothing ever...I definitely had this experience. Thought I would absolutely love it, but playing by myself, with friends or with randoms, I just felt intensely bored. I tried different rolls, but nothing ever made the game feel sticky or interesting to me and I generally like exploration focused games.
Couldn't tell you what they could change to make it more appealing to me, however.
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Comment on open_slate: private and powerful 2-in-1 tablet in ~tech
BeardyHat Link ParentI've had a few of these 2-in-1's, including: Surface Go 1 Thinkpad X12 Gen 1 Surface Go 2 Surface Pro 7 Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 I got the Thinkpad and the Surface Pro because I thought I'd...I've had a few of these 2-in-1's, including:
Surface Go 1
Thinkpad X12 Gen 1
Surface Go 2
Surface Pro 7
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7I got the Thinkpad and the Surface Pro because I thought I'd appreciate the extra power and the slightly bigger size over the rest of the tablets which are 10", but I ended-up not liking them because of the size. The power was acceptable, though not significantly better than either of the Surface Go's because all of them were fanless.
Ultimately, between the Thinkpad and the Pro, I went back to the Go 2, because a 10" keyboard is perfectly useable for regular PC tasks, it had enough power for older games and to run most simple applications and they were a great size for actually using as a tablet. I often like to play stuff like Heroes of Might and Magic in tablet format, as well as read magazines or guides for games in tablet mode and the 10" form factor is perfect for that; I can hold it with one hand and scroll, the screen is a reasonable size and it's even mostly comfortable to laydown and hold up or hold on my side.
The 12" just never felt great. They felt like too much of a compromise to me. Too large and uncomfortable to use strictly as a tablet, but using them as a laptop felt stupid because (at the time) I had a Thinkpad X1 Nano which was only a hair bigger, offered more power and a better keyboard/mouse experience. Even now, I have a big old 16" Thinkpad P1 Gen 4 and at 4lbs, it's about twice the weight of a Surface Pro, but still feels very portable and is significantly more powerful, so again I think, "Why am I not just using my proper laptop?"
The Samsung Android tablet has taken some getting used to, but it's grown on me quite a bit. I've actually stopped using my Surface Go 2 and am considering selling it because the Samsung is significantly better in terms of screen and speakers. It has sufficient enough power to play some Android games such as Civ 6, unlike the Surface Go and it still has access to Heroes of Might and Magic. Plus can emulate DOS, as well as a lot of older consoles (Dreamcast Typing of the Dead plays great. Can you tell I'm mostly game focused?) with ease and the battery life, while obviously worn, is quite good.
I do dislike how Android is pretty locked down and I need to use hacks to get to some of my files deep in the OS, but obviously you don't seem too concerned with Android given you're interested in Linux.
Anyway, all that said, 10" is absolutely where it's at for me and it feels like a perfect compliment and travel companion to my Steam Deck for when I want more intensive games, but still want the opportunity to use a proper keyboard for stuff like this post (I am using the Samsung Tab to type this. Though irritatingly, no spellcheck with the Samsung keyboard attachment), as well as have the versatility to use it how I like to use tablets.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat LinkLast year I decided I wanted to play through the original Half-Life again, as it's been awhile for me. So I played through it on my Steam Deck, loved it and then jumped into Black Mesa, which was...Last year I decided I wanted to play through the original Half-Life again, as it's been awhile for me. So I played through it on my Steam Deck, loved it and then jumped into Black Mesa, which was pretty great, up until Xen where it falls off a cliff.
But I finished that back in March of 2025 and I've been flitting around to other things lately, until recently when I was bored and looking for something to play, so I thought to myself: Why not play Half-Life 2? It's been ages since I last played it and in spite of loving it, I never did play it as much as I played the original game, given it came out when I was a teenager and I was obsessed with it.
So I ended-up finishing Episode 2 this week having polished off the main game and the first Episode and man, what a fantastic series, though the ending of Episode 2 leaves me disappointed allover again, which sucks. So at this point, I'm going to try and motivate to see if I can finally play Half-Life: Alyx. I have the setup for it, it's just the motivation is lacking; I generally don't want to jump around and do VR in the evenings when I finally have time to game, once the kids are in bed. But I know my wife would like to watch, so that may help.
I'll probably also end-up playing through Portal again as well, since it's also been awhile for me there and it adds some to the story. I do feel a little guilty replaying old stuff I've already played, when there's so many games I really want to play, but just don't feel like.
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Comment on Survey reveals almost 50% of California teachers may quit teaching soon in ~life
BeardyHat LinkTeaching seems very hard right now. Last week I chaperoned my oldest kids class on a field trip. There's a "friend" my child has, who isn't really a friend, but has glommed on to my kid, so I...Teaching seems very hard right now.
Last week I chaperoned my oldest kids class on a field trip. There's a "friend" my child has, who isn't really a friend, but has glommed on to my kid, so I ended-up watching him along with my kid. And man, I don't think he's a bad kid, but he clearly lacks for attention and discipline at home, acting out pretty aggressively at school. I could just see my kid's teacher's exasperation with this particular child and I know he's not the only one like this that she has in her class of 22.
I don't know how she does it, other than being young and having the energy to deal with these kids.
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Leon S. Kennedy is a car salesman now
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Comment on What are you no longer a fan of? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentMy cars now are a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan with 247k miles, a 2013 Honda Fit and my project 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I still get enjoyment out of working on my cars, but there's just no reason to...My cars now are a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan with 247k miles, a 2013 Honda Fit and my project 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I still get enjoyment out of working on my cars, but there's just no reason to go fast. I've got nothing to prove, I just want to get my family to my destination safely.
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Comment on Lenovo’s new ThinkPads score 10/10 for repairability in ~tech
BeardyHat LinkAwesome to see and I'm excited to own one in a couple of years when they're fully depreciated and sold off by the businesses buying them now. I'm a sucker for Thinkpads. I've owned more than half...Awesome to see and I'm excited to own one in a couple of years when they're fully depreciated and sold off by the businesses buying them now.
I'm a sucker for Thinkpads. I've owned more than half a dozen now in 10 years or so and currently own two, I look forward to many more.
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Comment on What are you no longer a fan of? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentIt's hard for a lot of people to care. They're overworked, underpaid and generally just trying to get by. I get your frustration, I feel it too, even in the little things. I've been a board member...It's hard for a lot of people to care. They're overworked, underpaid and generally just trying to get by.
I get your frustration, I feel it too, even in the little things. I've been a board member and President of my community association for near 6 years now and basically begged people to show up and still nothing. I've had people complain at me about neighborhood issues when these same people do not pay their (voluntary) dues, do not come to the meetings, do not participate in neighborhood activities and generally just don't try to be a part of our community, but expect everything in return. I've told these people off... Politely and diplomatically, of course.
But we're a nation of 400-million, so attitudes vary. I've been out on the streets, marching in utterly packed protests, been out there since 2016, in fact. Didn't feel like our participation changed anything at that time, so it's understandable that people don't feel like bothering when they're already feeling the pressure and running as fast as they can just to get by.
But I've seen attitudes changing. My parents won't change, much as I've talked to them, but they're in their 70s. My sister, who is one of those who didn't care, hardly voted, not really politically active had her blinders ripped off. She's not out there in the streets or anything, but she realizes now that this shit matters and has come to understand that her vote matters and that it needs to be cast a certain way right now.
I have other friends who are similar, but are now more active. They've come to those protests, finally. People are becoming more engaged. Look at Minnesota, we won a small victory there because Americans kept up the pressure. It's minor and the fight must continue, but those brave people were out there in the cold, getting their asses kicked, getting murdered by jack booted thugs. That ain't nothing.
And that's the kind of stuff that makes me proud to be an American. I'm 41, I've voted in every election since I was 18. My first Presidential election was Bush/Kerry in 04; I was never proud to be an American. I was always ashamed of my country and my people, because I felt similar to you: "what the fuck is happening?"
But I've had that change of heart relatively recently. Seeing people out on the streets with me, seeing people pissed off and trying what they can to do something about it, it reminds me that I'm part of a long lineage of Americans, of all stripes, of all races that came out and protests and said, "this shit ain't right and I want a change." A lot of those people died, plenty in my own state.. But you have Americans like Jane Addams, MLK Jr., W.E.. Debois, brave Americans who I'm not comparable to, but who fought the power and won, who changed things, some at the cost of their lives. That's the shit that makes me proud to be an American.
I'm not saying I don't understand your frustration, I do, I feel it. But we're not all the same and many of us are doing what we can to fight those in power while still struggling along in our daily lives, to get through work, pay our bills, take care of our kids and all the other little frustrations and difficulties that come with life and life in the USA right now.
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Comment on Apple announces Macbook Neo, a new budget Mac in ~tech
BeardyHat LinkHonestly looks pretty nice and I like that they're bringing back colors. For reference, I am and have always been a PC guy. Never owned a Mac, do not like Apple products generally, but this looks...Honestly looks pretty nice and I like that they're bringing back colors.
For reference, I am and have always been a PC guy. Never owned a Mac, do not like Apple products generally, but this looks nice and it's wonderfully affordable. Don't think I would ever buy one, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at it either.
I got to do it to a teenager whom I played against in a tournament not too long ago. Our score at the end of the game ended-up being me 6 points, him 7; so I was like, "Oh hey, you know what...?" and dropped it on him. To watch him cringe was absolutely hilarious to me as a 40-something year old man.