BeardyHat's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentAhhh, ok. I did end some turns like that, but it didn't seem like my BA's were doing anything, so I resorted to hopping them off and then remounting them every turn, which seemed to mostly work....Ahhh, ok. I did end some turns like that, but it didn't seem like my BA's were doing anything, so I resorted to hopping them off and then remounting them every turn, which seemed to mostly work. They got wiped out though by the end of the mission, but that wasn't surprising given how many enemies we were facing. I lost a Mech and an APC on that mission too.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentHaha, I particularly like your gay awakening moment. No, I definitely get what you mean and I agree, it's at least semi-progressive for the time. Though if a game did that today, I'm not sure...Haha, I particularly like your gay awakening moment.
No, I definitely get what you mean and I agree, it's at least semi-progressive for the time. Though if a game did that today, I'm not sure people would blink an eye, as long as you could choose Male or Female, because again, at least it's equal in objectifying people!
But your comment also reminded me that in NFSU2, under the "Rewards" icon that you can go to, it literally has a silhouette of a girl on it. Yikes!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat LinkBeen playing a smattering of Battletech Advanced 3062 after @elight mentioned it here last week. I kind of thought I was done with Battletech after playing over 200-hours, but this mod has me...Been playing a smattering of Battletech Advanced 3062 after @elight mentioned it here last week. I kind of thought I was done with Battletech after playing over 200-hours, but this mod has me going again. The sheer depth of things you can do and customization to your mechs really has me going. Though, I'm not playing a ton, as it does take awhile to load and awhile to complete a mission, so I'm often only doing a mission every couple of days. Though during the week, that'll probably ramp-up a little bit more to a mission or two per day.
I did just have a crazy one where I lost one mech, one APC and two Battle Armor. There was just a lot of enemies on the field and I wasn't doing great with my prioritization, plus the enemy had a lot of LRM artillery, so my stuff was just getting beaten up.
I've also been playing Need for Speed Underground 2. I've been wanting to play it again recently, recently being the past year or two and had actually downloaded a copy, but it just sat there until I got a wild hair the other day and started Googling how to play it on modern systems. I found some guides and got it up and running on my Steam Deck, so I've been having a great time running races and upgrading my starter car on there. It's a little dated, as far as gameplay, graphics and social stuff goes (the flag girls are...ugh. In one instance, before they wave the race to begin, we have two girls kissing, which is just...boy), but it's still fun enough that I'm having a good time with it and intend to continue.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentDo you need to do anything after an initial swarm with BA? I keep being allowed to select my BA to move while they're attached to something, but they can't do anything other than jump off. Are...Do you need to do anything after an initial swarm with BA? I keep being allowed to select my BA to move while they're attached to something, but they can't do anything other than jump off. Are they still attacking?
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentHaven't used a Dell clit in years at this point (though, I think I have an old latitude in my office with it, haven't used it in ages though), but I remember it being fine enough. I've seen other...Haven't used a Dell clit in years at this point (though, I think I have an old latitude in my office with it, haven't used it in ages though), but I remember it being fine enough. I've seen other ThinkPad people complain about it, but I don't recall it ever being much of an issue with me.
Also been years since I've used a Mac touchpad, but I do recall them being quite nice. I won't make any proclamations, but I can't imagine it's so much better I'd switch. It still has the fundamental problems of touchpads, meaning I have to either use gestures and pick up my fingers and replace them when I get to the end of the surface.
That said, I've been using the Thinkpad X1 Series exclusively for well over a year now and recently used a Dell XPS 9560 for two weeks, both have high quality glass touchpads, both of which are very nice and I do use them in conjunction with Trackpoint, but neither are a proper replacement.
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentYou can tweak your sensitivity settings to your liking. I also prefer to set the middle button from scroll to middle mouse click. It takes some getting used to, it's not immediately intuitive like...You can tweak your sensitivity settings to your liking. I also prefer to set the middle button from scroll to middle mouse click.
It takes some getting used to, it's not immediately intuitive like a touchpad, but once you've got it down, it's difficult to go back.
Just as an example, take an icon on your desktop, use the touchpad to drag it from one side to the other. Now do the same with the Trackpoint and see how it works. Just be smooth and gentle, it will accelerate based on how much pressure you're giving it, so start with a light touch.
Just like female anatomy, if you go in there and beat it up, no one is going to be happy.
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentYeah, regarding the MBP, that's kind of what I was thinking when I was considering a gaming laptop. A few weeks ago, I went to Microcenter to take a look at them and I was really impressed with...Yeah, regarding the MBP, that's kind of what I was thinking when I was considering a gaming laptop.
A few weeks ago, I went to Microcenter to take a look at them and I was really impressed with what they were offering compared to the last time I bought one, maybe around like 2009? They were running very strong in the competition for me and honestly, if the Thinkpads didn't have Trackpoint, I probably would have picked-up a Legion. Build quality definitely isn't quite the same, but they still feel pretty good, the keyboards are nice, the trackpads are nice and the high refresh rate screen's just look fantastic.
That's probably the route I'll end-up going if it ever comes down to it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentHuh, that sounds really cool, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for that. Again, still not very far in, only played like one or two missions this entire weekend, so I haven't collected a bunch of...Huh, that sounds really cool, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for that. Again, still not very far in, only played like one or two missions this entire weekend, so I haven't collected a bunch of stuff yet. The TBOLT sounds pretty damned amazing; there's just so much new stuff in here with this mod, it's kind of overwhelming just looking in the stores.
As for the tutorial, it's basically just been random missions in the system I started in. I just kind of hung-out and kept doing missions until I had nothing left I could do and most of them had some sort of tutorialized information going on as soon as you dropped. Just simple text at the beginning of a mission like, "Evasion isn't pips anymore, so you need to make sure you're using Sensor Lock or a BAP in order to bleed evasion" and then another that had text about using height to your advantage, given you get the aim bonus and so on. So, not really a proper tutorial, but just giving the player a heads-up on some of the new mechanics.
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentIt is limiting, for sure. I recently decided to put my X1 Nano up for sale and move over to a P1 Gen 4, but in deciding to replace my Nano, I was looking at gaming laptops. MSI (though they're too...It is limiting, for sure.
I recently decided to put my X1 Nano up for sale and move over to a P1 Gen 4, but in deciding to replace my Nano, I was looking at gaming laptops. MSI (though they're too gaudy) and Lenovo's own Legion and both are quite nice and offer excellent specs for the price.
But a friend recently gave me a Dell XPS 9560, which I decided was the perfect chance to see if I could live without a Trackpoint. I ended-up using it as my main machine for about two weeks before buying the P1. I did like it and it has plenty to recommend it, but the Trackpoint is a huge usability feature for me. Using the XPS with only a touchpad felt like I was trying to use a laptop with one hand tied behind my back; it's what convinced me I need to have another Thinkpad, even if I'm paying more for less (though I got a good deal anyway.)
Also, do you have one of these?
I've been using mine with my Surface Go recently as well as my Steam Deck when I've got it docked. Just using that bad boy makes me realize I'd give up the trackpad in an instant if it meant I could have Trackpoint forever. Though, I do like having both, I kind of consider them Yin and slightly less, but still useful Yang.
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat Link ParentPeople I know in life are utterly baffled by it. I've tried to convince them to no avail and often YouTubers reviewing ThinkPads are again, completely baffled by it and often just complain about...People I know in life are utterly baffled by it. I've tried to convince them to no avail and often YouTubers reviewing ThinkPads are again, completely baffled by it and often just complain about it.
Even people on the ThinkPad subreddit often don't use it and more like it for aesthetic reasons (not everyone, of course, but they're there). It's gotten so bad that Lenovo is even removing it on some newer ThinkPad models, which is just sacrilege. I've been buying ThinkPads almost exclusively for the past 12+ years, not the least of which is because of the Clitmouse.
Honestly, if they get rid of it entirely, I'll probably start buying other brands. I do like the build quality and keyboards of the line, but without the feature that makes them unique and provides them with superior usability over any other laptop, I see no reason to really continue buying them when I can get other extra features for less money in other brands and model lines.
Case in point
https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/lenovo-removing-iconic-trackpoint-thinkpad-180000857.html
The Trackpoint is, in 2025, not very useful.
I scoff at these plebians.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentYeah, I deliberately didn't shoot the mech they were attached to, so maybe it's from it falling? Not entirely sure on that. I've definitely been trying to use the terrain to my advantage. I'm...Yeah, I deliberately didn't shoot the mech they were attached to, so maybe it's from it falling? Not entirely sure on that.
I've definitely been trying to use the terrain to my advantage. I'm really glad the BTA team decided to put in those little extra tutorials to help noobs along, as I wouldn't have thought about it otherwise.
Good to know on the weapons and gear. What is C3?
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Comment on What's an atypical thing you do that you'd recommend to others? in ~talk
BeardyHat LinkUse Trackpoint on a Thinkpad. Most people seem to hate it, but when you don't have a mouse, it is far more accurate and considerably faster and easier to use than a touchpad. It allows you to have...Use Trackpoint on a Thinkpad.
Most people seem to hate it, but when you don't have a mouse, it is far more accurate and considerably faster and easier to use than a touchpad. It allows you to have a middle mouse click without using "gestures", it takes-up less space and you can actually use it to play action games on the go.
I can't think of any other atypical stuff I do, at the moment.
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Comment on [SOLVED] Is there an easy way to tell if a laptop has USB-C charging? in ~tech
BeardyHat LinkKind of an offhand idea, but I do wonder if you could buy something like a portable monitor and then hook it up via your Phone and stream to Moonlight from there. Then just attach a Bluetooth...Kind of an offhand idea, but I do wonder if you could buy something like a portable monitor and then hook it up via your Phone and stream to Moonlight from there. Then just attach a Bluetooth gamepad to your phone and you're (theoretically) off to the races.
I don't have a portable monitor, so I'm unable to test such a thing. If it worked, it'd be a cheap alternative and no need to have a full blown laptop to act as just a streaming machine.
Also, I do believe anything with a USB-C port can charge off of it. It just depends on how much juice you're needing. I have a thin and light ultrabook that charges exclusively off USB-C power, as it only needs 65w to charge, but I have another, considerably more powerful ultrabook that will charge off a 65w USB-C, but will throttle itself heavily and possibly lose battery (just slower) with such a low power charger. It comes with it's own 230w proprietary charger as standard.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentStill don't have any clan ones yet, but I picked-up a mission where I had to take down a 60T and 100T mech respectively. The BA's did an awesome job knocking the 60-tonner over, making it easy...Still don't have any clan ones yet, but I picked-up a mission where I had to take down a 60T and 100T mech respectively. The BA's did an awesome job knocking the 60-tonner over, making it easy pickings for my considerably lighter Lance's. One of my BA's did get shot and messed-up pretty bad, so the pilot is in the med bay for like 45 days(!) and the other somehow got injured when it jumped off? Not sure what happened there.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentOh wow, thanks! I had done some Googling and saw people saying to just reload the mission, so I had done that at least once, but didn't see any other advice. I had figured they probably thought...Oh wow, thanks! I had done some Googling and saw people saying to just reload the mission, so I had done that at least once, but didn't see any other advice.
I had figured they probably thought about the issue, but had no idea. That's exciting!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentAh, alright. I ended up not playing at all yesterday, but I'm hoping to jump back in soon. The system I'm in has plenty of missions, but I need to upgrade my mech bay so I can get two other mechs...Ah, alright.
I ended up not playing at all yesterday, but I'm hoping to jump back in soon. The system I'm in has plenty of missions, but I need to upgrade my mech bay so I can get two other mechs together to drop.
I also want to find an LRM tank, as it's been the case a few times now that my scimitar gets dropped somewhere it can't move at all, so I figure LRMs should at least help with that.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentI have been using some. I currently have the Schimitar (I think that was its name?) which comes on every mission with me and then...an APC of some sort that's carting along whatever BA I'm...I have been using some. I currently have the Schimitar (I think that was its name?) which comes on every mission with me and then...an APC of some sort that's carting along whatever BA I'm bringing (I only have two types right now). I'm really enjoying having them along for the ride, though admittedly, my BA hasn't done a ton yet. Brought down only one mech in one mission so far, because my APC is slow and I don't have any Mechs that can carry them yet.
Also, that makes great sense to use them as little mobile Sensor Lock dudes so you don't waste your turn on your Mech. I'm going to have to try that!
Also, I'm not sure what LAM's are?
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Comment on The death of simple racing games in ~games
BeardyHat LinkMy favorite racing game is still Outrun 2006, which I generally play on PSP. I am a car guy, I enjoy working on cars and have my own project car, but I just don't care about racing or realism in...My favorite racing game is still Outrun 2006, which I generally play on PSP.
I am a car guy, I enjoy working on cars and have my own project car, but I just don't care about racing or realism in my games. The last major AAA racing game I really enjoyed beyond Outrun (which I hadn't played at the time anyway) was Need for Speed Underground 2. It had that sort of fetishization of cars without trying to be something like iRacing or Assetto Corsa.
He mentioned that this is a greater issue in the gaming space in general, losing mid tier games, which really became evident to me a year or two ago when I went looking for an arcade style/sim-lite style WW2 air combat game. Most flight games out there these days have an excessive level of simulation, which I'm just not interested in; make me feel like a combat pilot without having me worry about trim, choke, etc, etc. I just want to pretend I'm the greatest WW2 ace there ever was.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentSo far, I've been a little lucky in that the last mission or two the AI hasn't moved around much, so I've killed them way faster. But yeah, I've given two or three of my pilots Sensor Lock and...So far, I've been a little lucky in that the last mission or two the AI hasn't moved around much, so I've killed them way faster. But yeah, I've given two or three of my pilots Sensor Lock and then also have a BAP on my Shadow Hawk for those opportunities.
So far, it's been great and I actually feel like the load times aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. Maybe they were worse with BEX, but I might just be misremembering on the whole.
Ahh, ok. I've only been running an APC right now to get them around, but that's because it's all I have for transport right now. I'm still pretty small on the whole, but I was running two BAs in my last mission.
Been trying not to go to crazy hiring a ton of people to pilot them, so I don't go broke. But I also can't really afford anymore of the stores right now, but that's probably because I've been tending towards salvage for my missions over money.