Crossroads's recent activity
-
Comment on Deciding whether to continue with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in ~health
-
Comment on What makes you chew fire? in ~talk
Crossroads Link ParentI absolutely love Malazan: Book of the Fallen, despite how jarring the first half of the first book is in terms of narration. I tend to recommend it to any of my friends that haven't heard of it...I absolutely love Malazan: Book of the Fallen, despite how jarring the first half of the first book is in terms of narration. I tend to recommend it to any of my friends that haven't heard of it and enjoy fantasy.
It is right up there with LOTR and The Wheel of Time for me, and probably a few other series. I have a lot of "favorite" fantasy books/series.
-
Comment on What makes you chew fire? in ~talk
Crossroads Link ParentBetween ASOIF, Rothfuss and other forever-unfinished fantasy series I'm glad that Sanderson at least completes the other 99% of his series that he sets up. Personally, I'll take one dropped sequel...Between ASOIF, Rothfuss and other forever-unfinished fantasy series I'm glad that Sanderson at least completes the other 99% of his series that he sets up.
Personally, I'll take one dropped sequel over an entire story not being finished indefinitely, even if I have smaller gripes with Sanderson's writing style sometimes. He's fun to read, for the most part as well.
-
Comment on What makes you chew fire? in ~talk
Crossroads Link ParentSanderson is a fun writer to read, but I find that a lot of his action scenes are written sorta like movie action scenes or anime fights - whether that is Mistborn or Stormlight Archive. I didn't...Sanderson is a fun writer to read, but I find that a lot of his action scenes are written sorta like movie action scenes or anime fights - whether that is Mistborn or Stormlight Archive. I didn't pick up on it at first but now I can't "unsee" it. I don't think it makes his action scenes bad or anything, just not your traditional fantasy sword and board stuff for the most part.
It worked really well for The Last Battle in The Wheel of Time, actually. If you can get into that larger than life sort of headspace, it seems a bit less silly when you read his standalone works, because I think that's just how he writes action scenes.
Mistborn is a bit more YA in terms of feel than Stormlight for sure, but I think it's still a fun read if you can look past some of it's flaws.
-
Comment on Join Brad Leone as he travels to Dublin, Ireland and gets a special, VIP behind-the-scenes tour at the world famous Guinness Factory | Local Legends in ~food
Crossroads Link ParentI'd guess they're talking about when he was doing "It's Alive" and gave bad information about canning seafood. Bon Appétit pulled the episode but I can't think of anything else he's ever done...I'd guess they're talking about when he was doing "It's Alive" and gave bad information about canning seafood.
Bon Appétit pulled the episode but I can't think of anything else he's ever done that's unsafe or misinformation in particular so it could be something else totally that I don't know about either.
-
Comment on Police bodycam shows sheriff hunting for 'obscene' books at library in ~books
Crossroads (edited )Link ParentYou and I both, but I think I turned out the better for it looking back on it now. I'm sure it would be frowned upon these days, in some circles. King was (is?) a writer plagued by substance abuse...You and I both, but I think I turned out the better for it looking back on it now.
I'm sure it would be frowned upon these days, in some circles.
King was (is?) a writer plagued by substance abuse and psychological issues but I don't think that invalidates his output or makes his his work any the less for it.
Plenty of artists have issues and make art despite or in spite of it.
-
Comment on Online anonymity: study found ‘stable pseudonyms’ created a more civil environment than real user names in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentThank you so much for the condensed information, I figure I have a lot of reading and research to do in terms of pixel art and how to get the particular look and style I'm going for. I am not a...Thank you so much for the condensed information, I figure I have a lot of reading and research to do in terms of pixel art and how to get the particular look and style I'm going for. I am not a traditional artist, but I tend to do well in pixel art so I think that may play to my strengths.
Either way, I very much value your input and advice, and I'll look more into the steps you've outlined! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
-
Comment on Online anonymity: study found ‘stable pseudonyms’ created a more civil environment than real user names in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentI'd like to revisit this comment and say how much I appreciate how in depth and comprehensive it is in regards to the question I asked. You are very kind to expand so much on a simple question I...I'd like to revisit this comment and say how much I appreciate how in depth and comprehensive it is in regards to the question I asked. You are very kind to expand so much on a simple question I asked, and I really do appreciate your input and wisdom.
-
Comment on Frequent/long-term use of the Apple Vision Pro may rewire our brains in unexpected ways in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentI feel the spirit of this comment and generally agree with the sentiment, in some aspects. I'm not sure how things will play out but I'll probably be an old grey codger long before we understand...I feel the spirit of this comment and generally agree with the sentiment, in some aspects. I'm not sure how things will play out but I'll probably be an old grey codger long before we understand even how the internet and social media has shaped the human mind and also communication in general.
-
Comment on Frequent/long-term use of the Apple Vision Pro may rewire our brains in unexpected ways in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentI don't think Black Mirror is as much "PHONE BAD?" as much as it asks some pertinent questions that prompt the viewer to think about their engagement with technology and how it is impacting their...I don't think Black Mirror is as much "PHONE BAD?" as much as it asks some pertinent questions that prompt the viewer to think about their engagement with technology and how it is impacting their lives. If more people are turning away from integrating software and hardware solutions into their daily lives and maybe eventually even themselves and their own bodies (at some far flung, or maybe not so far flung future time)...well, that's choice for a person to make for themselves if you ask me.
I don't think "PHONE BAD" but I do think that we're still figuring out the impact of widespread social media and personal device use on a psychological level, and it probably is re-shaping how our brains are wired to some degree. How much of a degree is that? I dunno, I'm not a professional sociologist or a psychologist so my input is just spurious data and personal opinion on my part.
If we're still figuring all this out now, I can see why someone would be hesitant to fully embrace whatever the newest thing is without a bit of scrutiny. I think it's smarter to be suspicious than to just embrace something just because it promises to do something better than whatever it is replacing.
-
Comment on Online anonymity: study found ‘stable pseudonyms’ created a more civil environment than real user names in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentHow do you make resource packs? Could I use Aesprite to edit the files?How do you make resource packs? Could I use Aesprite to edit the files?
-
Comment on Piracy is surging again because streaming execs ignored the lessons of the past in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentStarting off, I'd like to apologize. I wasn't trying to fight although I think my tone was certainly not conducive to constructive conversation. I'm sorry if that came off that way. I guess that...I am not sure if I just failed to write coherently or if we are back at reddit as far as discussions go where things get fought over based on things that haven't been said. I'll give it one more try.
Starting off, I'd like to apologize. I wasn't trying to fight although I think my tone was certainly not conducive to constructive conversation. I'm sorry if that came off that way.
I guess that doesn't help when people are trying to learn about emulation because I've been engaged with that community here and there for probably close to twenty years so I sometimes make assumptions that people may know about options available when they're just looking for more information in general.
This means that all of the above is extra effort that is not needed as they already have the cartridges they care about. They are effectively making the argument that if they can they buy new media physically whenever possible so they know they won't lose access to it through companies fucking around.
Certainly. We can't trust our games will be available forever as a digital service/live service or what have you. In that case, I'd suggest that the OP with the games they'd like to keep, find a device online that will allow them to rip the games and safely store or play them on their preferred device. It also does make a case for buying physical games, but that can be challenging based on system, availability, or price gouging if it's a popular title in the "retro gaming" market.
As for modern digital games, if you want to own them, than GoG is kinda the only way to go as far as I know in terms of DRM free "what you see is what you own" sort of purchases in the digital space.
-
Comment on Piracy is surging again because streaming execs ignored the lessons of the past in ~tech
Crossroads (edited )Link ParentIt's not hard. Most emulators out there that are easily accessible aren't deprecated. Most emulators made in the past fifteen years will run on most laptops that aren't fifteen or twenty years...It's not hard. Most emulators out there that are easily accessible aren't deprecated. Most emulators made in the past fifteen years will run on most laptops that aren't fifteen or twenty years old. Some will, though if you have a really, really old desktop or laptop. If that's the case, then you might have more issues on hand than figuring out an emulator though.
That isn't taking into account rom carts you can just plug into the original hardware if someone isn't too braindead to put roms onto a cart and plug it into a console and then navigate to the roms to play them. That applies to consoles and handheld consoles, too these days.
If that's too hard, there's always Nintendo Switch Online Plus which is $50 a year to emulate whatever Nintendo decides your $50/year is worth on a Switch, mostly with the exact same roms you can get for free online.
Acting like you have to research emulators in 2024 is kinda weird, it's not like you can't just search for help across tons of threads all over the internet for almost any emulated video game system. Mabye in the early to mid 2000s, you'd have to do some digging but it's long past that point.
Sticking to hardware these days is more aesthetic than practical. I can buy a rom cart for my Sega Genesis that can run every game ever made for it, for a fraction of the price of buying one or two two first party physical carts. There are plug and play mods for most popular newer consoles now that require nothing more than a screwdriver and the willingness to plug in something. Sometimes all you have to do is flash some firmware, if you're so inclined. The PS2 and PS3 are very easy to crack that way.
Anyone buying straight up physical games for old consoles has more money than sense these days, considering the inflated price that "classic" physical games are seeing at the moment.
-
Comment on I'm thoroughly done with my choices being only "yes" or "not now" in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentI wish Linux did have a bit more third party compatibility, and it's not like larger music software or music hardware manufacturers exactly develop for Linux - some do, or include a native version...I wish Linux did have a bit more third party compatibility, and it's not like larger music software or music hardware manufacturers exactly develop for Linux - some do, or include a native version of software, which is nice when it happens. I don't expect it though.
That's just my use case though, and I mostly produce music and play games on my desktop with a bit of art related stuff on the side.
I was pretty frustrated trying to find a distro that had less small annoyances that just got in my way once I dug into it. I didnt find one that made me say "I want to stick with this, everything works just fine".
Maybe that distro is out there somewhere for me, and maybe one day I'll find it.
-
Comment on I'm thoroughly done with my choices being only "yes" or "not now" in ~tech
Crossroads Link ParentI got tired of constantly fighting my DAW on Manjaro. I got tired of my MIDI controllers not working correctly, even when properly mapped and setup. I tried Pipewire, too. My experience with Mint,..."And also why I do not understand why so many people cling to convenience of for example Windows"
I got tired of constantly fighting my DAW on Manjaro. I got tired of my MIDI controllers not working correctly, even when properly mapped and setup. I tried Pipewire, too. My experience with Mint, and several other flavors of Linux over several months was pretty hodge-podge and varied when it came to things working better, or worse, or at all.
Converting VST to .so files sometimes worked, and sometimes my DAW (or three, I tried a few other ones just in case) wouldn't even recognize the converted VSTs anyways. Wine and various Wine wrappers don't always work for specific VST host/DAW software that runs flawlessly on Windows without me having to dig through repositories and the internet.
Proton works great for gaming - until it doesn't, and you spend more time troubleshooting down the line of Proton installs rather than actually playing the games you wanna play. Wrappers sometimes work and sometimes don't when it comes to launching non-Steam games like, Epic or GoG storefront games.
I don't consider myself tech illiterate, I just got tired of trying to find hacky ways to get stuff to work on Linux that literally "just works" on Windows. Call me lazy, I don't care. I just want my shit to work so I can use it, or play games, or whatever it is I'd like to do at the moment.
I'd rather have a working PC than a Linux box that almost does everything I could do in Windows just fine. I'll take the tradeoff and ride Windows 10 til EOL and see where Linux is then.
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
Crossroads LinkJust post whatever it is you're feeling and let the comments go at it, if you feel like you do. Have a conversation about whatever it is in the comments. Discussion from all sides was what the...Just post whatever it is you're feeling and let the comments go at it, if you feel like you do. Have a conversation about whatever it is in the comments. Discussion from all sides was what the internet usually amounted to "back in the day" when you posted much of anything.
Best way that we had in the "old internet" was people posting comments or IMing/emailing you about something you posted. Or if you were on IRC, you could get some real time (probably not politically correct these days) feedback about your opinion in real time.
People are faster to jump on you more recently if you deviate from accepted norms that are put forth as accepted consensual reality, but I guess that's all relative depending on the circles you run in, or post in.
Or maybe it's more platform-ized in terms of who and what gets responded to, and the tone and nature of the response. I dunno. I don't have social media outside of Tildes.
I'm just some random internet person and I'm happy to keep it that way these days.
-
Comment on The myth of the unemployed US college grad in ~life
Crossroads Link ParentNo one convinced me to not finish college. Life did that for me through various challenges that cropped up when I was trying to work myself through community college after high school. It is...No one convinced me to not finish college. Life did that for me through various challenges that cropped up when I was trying to work myself through community college after high school.
It is expensive, if you're working class, even with FAFSA. Those loans don't go away and followed me for years until I was able to pay them off - with my tax returns, once I wasn't making poverty level wages because the government ended up just garnishing my returns for a couple years in a row. I wasn't ever in a position to pay on them prior to that point.
I'd love to go to college, or rather - I'd love to go to college about a decade or fifteen years ago when it was marginally more affordable if you graduated and got a job with your newly minted degree.
These days, I'm less inclined to want to go, not because I dislike higher education but because it's even more expensive than it used to be, and there's no way in hell short of winning the lottery that I'd be able to return and finish anything I'm interested in pursuing.
-
Comment on Creative Card Chaos is the No 1 (and 2) card based TTRPG on DTRPG. Thank you so much! in ~games.tabletop
Crossroads Link ParentI went to the English version of DTRPG and everything was in English. The system looks really neat! Right here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/451573/creative-card-chaos-core-rulebookI went to the English version of DTRPG and everything was in English. The system looks really neat!
Right here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/451573/creative-card-chaos-core-rulebook
-
Comment on New College: How Ron DeSantis is forcing Florida brain drain by targeting an LGBTQ+ campus in ~lgbt
Crossroads Link ParentI hear you, but you pointed it out yourself - people are fickle and misinformed. I guess I'd also add that people generally don't keep up with politics outside of major events in my experience, at...I hear you, but you pointed it out yourself - people are fickle and misinformed.
I guess I'd also add that people generally don't keep up with politics outside of major events in my experience, at least where I am.
Even then, I see people trying to talk about situations that have nuance and they choose to just go with the most braindead take.
I guess thinking more than in binary terms is too much to ask. It's very frustrating. These sorts of people choose to deny reality and facts on multiple levels. It makes reaching people that don't agree fairly difficult and feel fruitless.
All this is of course, anecdotal evidence and may not even matter. I deal with blue collar people every day. These people also vote, so...yea. It's equal parts scary and sad.
All I can do is stay informed of my local and state candidates the best I can, and vote straight Dem in a semi rural and fairly red part of my state.
I kinda see where you and the previous poster are coming from and want to offer my own experience and frustration there. I don't know what to do other than to vote as best I can on the information I have avaliable.
-
Comment on Heilung - Anoana (Live, 2023) in ~music
Crossroads Link ParentYea, I was aware that they stood against hate speech, harassment, racism, etc which is why I was confused by the other poster's comment. But that incident does add some context. As for pagans and...Yea, I was aware that they stood against hate speech, harassment, racism, etc which is why I was confused by the other poster's comment. But that incident does add some context.
As for pagans and dealing with neonazis, there are people that tried (and continue to try) to co-opt the modern revival of Norse paganism and try to hijack it to make it racist or only about white people.
Religious organizations built around modern Norse paganism (heathens) have created charters or organizations to combat that - (HUAR - Heathens United Against Rascism, and TAC - The Asatru Communty, and more) that disavowed these types of people and actively fight to keep them out of those religions and to try to keep them from even getting in.
Damn, this is heavy.
I have no advice or guidance for you but I wish you the best and least painful path forward that makes you the most happy, and that gives you the ability to spend your time as you would like to on your own terms.