Isaac's recent activity
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Comment on Taylor Swift does not exist in ~music
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Comment on RIP Omegle 2009-2023 in ~tech
Isaac LinkThat's a damn shame. I spent a lot of time on Omegle during the long Melbourne lockdowns of 2020-21, and then an injury that kept me housebound for the better part of a year when most people were...That's a damn shame. I spent a lot of time on Omegle during the long Melbourne lockdowns of 2020-21, and then an injury that kept me housebound for the better part of a year when most people were returning to social spaces. With Music and Jamming tags, playing for, with and played to by musicians around the world, Omegle played a non-trivial role in maintaining my mental health for two years of near-total isolation.
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Comment on Israel’s apologists are showing they couldn’t care less about Palestinian lives in ~society
Isaac Link ParentDo you also call apartheid apartheid when it occurs - as defined by the Rome Statute - as at present in Australia? Or every time you think of China, do you mention textbook the textbook,...Do you also call apartheid apartheid when it occurs - as defined by the Rome Statute - as at present in Australia? Or every time you think of China, do you mention textbook the textbook, systematic apartheid as is occurring right now?
Or does that exclusively occur to you when talking about Israel?
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Comment on Pens and writing! in ~hobbies
Isaac LinkWhy's that? They're really not much of a hassle. Cheap to buy, easy to learn to use and opens up a whole world of ink choices. Even starting simple with a Diamine Jet Black. A bottle will last a...didn't want to bother with converters.
Why's that? They're really not much of a hassle. Cheap to buy, easy to learn to use and opens up a whole world of ink choices. Even starting simple with a Diamine Jet Black. A bottle will last a lot of writing, and I find having that is way less cognitive effort than keeping track of how many cartridges you need on hand.
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Comment on What are you favourite grim, dark, atmospheric films? in ~movies
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Comment on What's your favorite dinosaur? in ~science
Isaac LinkAustralovenator, a half-tonne megaraptor from Australia with huge slashing claws on its hands. I remember getting so excited when its discovery was reported in 2009, that we had a home-grown...Australovenator, a half-tonne megaraptor from Australia with huge slashing claws on its hands.
I remember getting so excited when its discovery was reported in 2009, that we had a home-grown metal-as-hell theropod predator.
During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Melbourne Museum put on these virtual visits presentations where if you signed up early enough, you could have questions in the live chat answered by paleontologists in real time.
I asked about ongoing research on Australovenator a decade on, and the resident paleontologist got really animated talking about developments over the years since discovery. Almost like he'd been hoping someone would ask about them. I was super stoked to be part of that moment. If 'venator wasn't cemented as my favourite dinosaur by then, that absolutely sealed it.
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Comment on What's your favorite dinosaur? in ~science
Isaac Link ParentThe 'raptors in Jurassic Park were based on Deinonychus antirrhopus, which were for a time classified as Velociraptor antirrhopus, as in a larger species in the same genus as the now type-species,...The 'raptors in Jurassic Park were based on Deinonychus antirrhopus, which were for a time classified as Velociraptor antirrhopus, as in a larger species in the same genus as the now type-species, Velociraptor mongoliensis. Taxonomic convention moved on, but the movies kept the old naming schema from the novel - which was appropriate when it was written, probably because it sounded cooler.
Utahraptor was discovered later, and were even larger.
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Comment on Google sued for negligence after man drove off collapsed bridge while following map directions in ~tech
Isaac Link ParentGoogle Maps used to point my address to an overgrown laneway behind the house with no access to the property. I requested a correction (to, you know, the street address?) and it took around two...Google Maps used to point my address to an overgrown laneway behind the house with no access to the property. I requested a correction (to, you know, the street address?) and it took around two months to be actioned. I thought that was bad enough, but the only consequence was I had to give directions to a few Uber drivers in that time.
I can imagine there's a more rigorous review process for data updates to a public road than a single home. But years?
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
Isaac LinkBalkan cuisine is a big deal at our house, despite none of us having any background in there region. However there is a sizeable Serbian/Croatian community in my suburb, that the local supermarket...Balkan cuisine is a big deal at our house, despite none of us having any background in there region. However there is a sizeable Serbian/Croatian community in my suburb, that the local supermarket caters to with traditional ingredients.
Some highlights:
Ajvar is a roasted red pepper relish and it is one of the most delicious things to ever come out of a jar. Can be mild or spicy. Either way, a bold and kinda complex flavour. Put it on anything. I'll eat it on fries, on an English muffin with an egg as a snack.
Pljeskavica are Balkan-style hamburgers, served on pita bread, spread with aforementioned ajvar, with kajmak (clotted cream), onions, pickles, etc. There's a bunch of regional variations of serving/toppings so a bit of scope for personal preference while still being authentic to the area in general.
Moussaka, the Bulgarian version thereof is a little different to the better-known Greek dish, with potatoes instead of eggplant, and a kind of yoghurt egg custard on top rather than bechamel.
Those just off the top of my head that I've cooked/eaten recently. Also lucky to be able to get fresh Bulgarian feta locally too, which is the king of fetas. Perfectly hits the sweet spot of crumbly and creamy. All feta is wonderful, Bulgarian is the platonic ideal.
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Comment on Should I use third party firewall or antivirus on Windows (or elsewhere)? Which one? in ~tech
Isaac Link ParentI remember around 20 years ago Avast was the shit. Effective, unobtrusive, and the full version free for personal users (supported off enterprise subscriptions). Cue enshittification.I remember around 20 years ago Avast was the shit. Effective, unobtrusive, and the full version free for personal users (supported off enterprise subscriptions). Cue enshittification.
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Comment on Hunter Biden indicted on US federal gun charges in ~society
Isaac Link ParentYes I don't see the political ideology that advocates for a small government that stays out of the market's way and simultaneously regulates who can receive health care on theological grounds is...Yes I don't see the political ideology that advocates for a small government that stays out of the market's way and simultaneously regulates who can receive health care on theological grounds is going to have an issue with another bit of cognitive dissonance
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Isaac Link ParentSecond for Humankind. Although I don't understand how I'm so terrible at it. I've been playing Civilization since the original, and while I wouldn't call myself an expert, I reckon I've put 10,000...Second for Humankind. Although I don't understand how I'm so terrible at it. I've been playing Civilization since the original, and while I wouldn't call myself an expert, I reckon I've put 10,000 hours in over decades and honed pretty effective intuitions.
Playing Humankind with the same intuitions on autopilot, building units and improving cities in what feels like "obvious" ways gets me consistently wrecked by the AI on Normal difficulty by the middle ages. It's very humbling and I still can't even work out why I can't manage to balance expansion, development and defence effectively.
Many of the game's systems are either similar to Civ's, or entirely novel. It's the nuances of the former that seem to trip me up in non-obvious ways. I'll have to dedicate some time to learning these in-depth and retraining my instincts.
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Comment on What is a simple tech tip that changed how you use your computer or other devices in a significant way? in ~tech
Isaac Link ParentThis is also native in Windows now, but I think Mint+Cinnamon did it first. With a 21:9 monitor it's as good as two screens.This is also native in Windows now, but I think Mint+Cinnamon did it first.
With a 21:9 monitor it's as good as two screens.
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Comment on What is a simple tech tip that changed how you use your computer or other devices in a significant way? in ~tech
Isaac Link ParentAnd depending on the program, Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Y to undo the undo if you want what you did backAnd depending on the program, Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Y to undo the undo if you want what you did back
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Comment on What is a simple tech tip that changed how you use your computer or other devices in a significant way? in ~tech
Isaac Link ParentI set this up as a custom shortcut before a Windows update made the exact same thing native. I felt a weird sympatico moment with Microsoft devs. In fact, I only discovered it because I used it...I set this up as a custom shortcut before a Windows update made the exact same thing native. I felt a weird sympatico moment with Microsoft devs. In fact, I only discovered it because I used it out of muscle memory when it dawned on me that I hadn't set it up on the particular PC I was using that day.
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Comment on ‘Unhappy hour’: UK pub chains adopt surge pricing for pints in ~food
Isaac Link ParentIt relies on nobody having heard of Cost-Volume Profit. Some costs scale with demand, such as staffing in this example. But many costs, like rent on the premises, energy (you're still running the...It relies on nobody having heard of Cost-Volume Profit. Some costs scale with demand, such as staffing in this example. But many costs, like rent on the premises, energy (you're still running the AC in a pub with three customers in the middle of the day) are independent.
So in theory, during busy periods, they're already making more profit per pint served even with extra staff.
It's possible there's a threshold jump in variable cost, like their licensing requires hiring security as soon as there's >X patrons on the premises. If that wasn't planned in advance, like for a sporting event, I'm sure no-notice on-call bouncers exist and would charge a higher rate.
But Occam's razor, absent a scenario I just made up off the top of my head, it's a cash grab that presumes their customers will accept an untruth. Or, assholery.
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Comment on Short(er) easy reading fantasy series that isn't YA or Discworld in ~books
Isaac LinkI'd suggest anything by Robert Rankin. Most of his novels are self-contained, although with recurring characters, settings, plot elements and running jokes that get funnier or more interesting the...I'd suggest anything by Robert Rankin. Most of his novels are self-contained, although with recurring characters, settings, plot elements and running jokes that get funnier or more interesting the more you encounter them, but the order isn't particularly important (outside of a few connected series').
Many of the book titles are pretty cringe puns, but the wiring itself is much wittier and some of the most inventive fantasy / magical realism.
I picked up one of his books off a library shelf purely because the title font on the spine made me think of Terry Pratchett. Loved it and ended up buying a heap of his work over the years.
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Comment on Do you replay video games? in ~games
Isaac LinkYes. I only typically have a few hours a week to game. There's a lot of games out there (and in my library) that I still want to experience, but at the same time sometimes I know exactly what vibe...Yes. I only typically have a few hours a week to game. There's a lot of games out there (and in my library) that I still want to experience, but at the same time sometimes I know exactly what vibe I feel like, and may not want to spend a limited window learning new mechanics. So I'll keep some new games and some old favourites installed. The latter I don't care if I don't finish a playthrough again. I just want to jump into Days Gone for an hour here or there because I know I'll enjoy it.
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Comment on ‘Rebel canning’ is having a moment, whether or not it should in ~food
Isaac Link ParentThis is exactly the spirit of the Darwin AwardsThis is exactly the spirit of the Darwin Awards
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Comment on What music would you want to listen to going into a war? in ~music
This guy should be writing at 1900hotdog.com