JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on Accessing the internet through only google.com in ~tech
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkGood evening, gaming Tildoes! Here's my card for the month: JC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 0/25 Tradition Lost Aesthetic Love Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry Resistance...Good evening, gaming Tildoes!
Here's my card for the month:
JC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 0/25 Tradition Lost Aesthetic Love Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry Resistance Vulnerability ★ Wildcard Morality Chaos Balance Annihilation Duality Tension Identity Light Comfortable Survival Progress Brief Went with Flow for the first time to make it easier to slot games in. Also, 100% participating in the "Mellow May" variant of the Backlog Burner. Just gonna go at my own pace; no goals. Just keep the flow mellow and smooth. Like a good cigarette...(am I allowed to say that?)
Though, I do look forward to Kfwyre's descent into madness to get a blackout!
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Comment on New AI data center in Utah will generate and consume more than twice the amount of power the entire state uses in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentI thought Utah is one of those states where the federal government owns some insane amount of federal land-- like over 50% -- and the state is constantly trying to get some of that that "back" so...I thought Utah is one of those states where the federal government owns some insane amount of federal land-- like over 50% -- and the state is constantly trying to get some of that that "back" so they can sell and develop that land.
I know there's a lot of natural beauty in the state, I'm sure Utahns are willing to protect it. But only some of it. After all, the state has one of the largest open-pit mining ops in the world at Bingham Canyon.
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Comment on Announcing the Backlog Burner event for May 2026: Shrink your unplayed games list this coming month! in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentYeah same. Doing a 5x5 was a lot. I didn't even do a "blackout" but I think I still played 16 new games in a month, on top of my regular "everyday" games. To play, commentate a little, record,...Yeah same. Doing a 5x5 was a lot. I didn't even do a "blackout" but I think I still played 16 new games in a month, on top of my regular "everyday" games. To play, commentate a little, record, upload, write, and then post for each was a lot.
Plus, I haven't bought a whole lot of games since November. I mean, that's a good thing for reducing the backlog, but not necessarily for Backlog Bingo. I certainly still have a backlog (and, no, they're not all detective games!) so I'll have games. But the reality is that many of these games are still in the backlog...because I never cared or intended to play them. I probably got them free on Epic or wherever and was like "Sure, why not?" I get the point is to reduce the backlog, but I still have to want to play the game!
I think I'll still do a 5x5, but I'm going to choose Flow this time, which will be my first time using that "mode." That should make it easier to slot in games. More importantly, I'm not going to push myself to do four games a week like I did in November. I think that was too much. I'll just play as I want to play.
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Comment on What is your favorite dinosaur? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkI used to be partial to Triceratops. But I also think that was more related to Power Rangers and thinking Billy the Blue Ranger was cool. His Dinozord was a triceratops. These days, I think...I used to be partial to Triceratops. But I also think that was more related to Power Rangers and thinking Billy the Blue Ranger was cool. His Dinozord was a triceratops.
These days, I think Archaeopteryx and the like are cool.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
JCPhoenix LinkWitch Hat Atelier Go For It, Nakamura-kun! Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 1st Gig GitS:SAC is just one of my semiannual or maybe even seasonal, at this point, rewatches. Often just turn...- Witch Hat Atelier
- Go For It, Nakamura-kun!
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 1st Gig
GitS:SAC is just one of my semiannual or maybe even seasonal, at this point, rewatches. Often just turn it on for some background noise since I've seen all of SAC so many times, but then I actually end up watching it because it's so good.
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Comment on NCAA to expand March Madness men's and women's college basketball tournaments to 76 teams in 2027 in ~sports.basketball
JCPhoenix LinkThe long-awaited inevitability is nearly a reality. Both the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are expected to expand to 76 teams, effective next year, sources told CBS Sports on Tuesday.
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Expansion has been discussed and debated at the NCAA level for four years. Proponents — particularly conference commissioners, head coaches and NCAA president Charlie Baker — have celebrated the idea of more access. Inversely, adversaries insisted it would lessen the significance of the regular season, deteriorate the quality of March Madness and be a net-negative for the sport. In the end, the argument for a bigger tournament that will eventually generate additional revenue apparently won out.
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NCAA to expand March Madness men's and women's college basketball tournaments to 76 teams in 2027
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Comment on The great 2028 Olympic ticket crashout, explained (gifted link) in ~sports
JCPhoenix Link ParentI was able to see a little bit of FP1 at the inaugural Vegas race a few years back. Before it was cancelled 7min in because they didn't properly seal the manhole covers in the streets and damaged...I was able to see a little bit of FP1 at the inaugural Vegas race a few years back. Before it was cancelled 7min in because they didn't properly seal the manhole covers in the streets and damaged one of the Ferraris...
But I still had F1TV on my phone and some earbuds so I could see action elsewhere and listen to commentary. It was cool to be there, for sure. But yeah, F1TV is better.
Ofc, I'd like to go to a full race weekend. But probably gonna have to wait until its popularity dies back down. If it does. Or go to Europe. Though seems like every race, commentators mention the race being sold out.
That said, I'd be OK going to other series' events sorta in lieu of. Formula E and IndyCar are the two big ones. Not motorsports, but I went to a SailGP event a few years ago. Much, much cheaper.
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Comment on I love bioparks in ~travel
JCPhoenix Link ParentWorked in Overland Park for almost 20yrs yet somehow never made it to the Arboretum =( I remember going to Powell Gardens in MO, which is roughly an hour southeast of Kansas City. Think the last...Worked in Overland Park for almost 20yrs yet somehow never made it to the Arboretum =(
I remember going to Powell Gardens in MO, which is roughly an hour southeast of Kansas City. Think the last time I went there was in college with a girlfriend, but I always enjoyed it, even as a kid.
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Comment on The great 2028 Olympic ticket crashout, explained (gifted link) in ~sports
JCPhoenix Link ParentMy family lived in SLC during the 2002 Winter Games. I was only a young teen, but I do remember how exciting it all was. In the run-up, athletes came to our school (and many other local school) to...My family lived in SLC during the 2002 Winter Games. I was only a young teen, but I do remember how exciting it all was. In the run-up, athletes came to our school (and many other local school) to do demonstrations and such.
And while my family didn't go to any of the Olympic games -- they were expensive back then, too. Like probably $1000 for a family of four -- I think it was my mom who scored some free tickets from her work for a Paralympics hockey game. And that was a lot of fun. And impressive!
I'm pretty sure we went to at least one like free fan festival in downtown SLC. As far as merch, the big one that year was the Team USA Roots berets. Quite the hot commodity. Parents bought my brother and I one, which was cool (though I have no clue where those are anymore).
Idk. I understand the disappointment of wanting to go to something, but can't because ticket prices are absurd. For me, that'd be trying to see a Formula 1 race in the US. But the popularity of F1 is still so high, that prices are incredibly high. It sucks, but it is what it is. I don't have to see a race in person. And if I really, really want to, I could see one a lot cheaper by going overseas (the "joke" in F1 communities is that it's likely cheaper to fly to Europe to see an F1 race, than it is to see one in the US, even with hotel, food, transportation, etc). I get that that's still a privileged position.
But at the end of the day, no one needs to go see an F1 race or the Olympics. Yes, it'd be nice. Especially if it's in your hometown. But it's not a necessity. And like you said, there's plenty of other fun, free events that one could go to.
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Comment on Announcing the Backlog Burner event for May 2026: Shrink your unplayed games list this coming month! in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat's a good idea to include non-Steam games. I have tons of games I likely received free on GOG and Epic. Might even have a console game or two that I haven't played or barely played. But I...That's a good idea to include non-Steam games. I have tons of games I likely received free on GOG and Epic. Might even have a console game or two that I haven't played or barely played. But I never look at them for Backlog Bingo. Or ever, apparently!
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Comment on New AI data center in Utah will generate and consume more than twice the amount of power the entire state uses in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkI'm sure this will be great for the local Inversion during the winter.I'm sure this will be great for the local Inversion during the winter.
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Comment on Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same? in ~music
JCPhoenix Link ParentDoes Pandora still have the issue where if you skip songs too often, you end up just getting the same handful of songs over and over? That was my issues with Pandora back in the days before...Does Pandora still have the issue where if you skip songs too often, you end up just getting the same handful of songs over and over? That was my issues with Pandora back in the days before Spotify.
It started feeling too much like my local radio stations!
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Comment on Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same? in ~music
JCPhoenix Link ParentI just tried this last night, using one of their preset prompts. It is so ridiculously slow to make a list. I just wanted some music go to to bed to. Ended up just going to one of my "chill sleep"...I just tried this last night, using one of their preset prompts. It is so ridiculously slow to make a list. I just wanted some music go to to bed to. Ended up just going to one of my "chill sleep" playlists that I made.
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Comment on The great 2028 Olympic ticket crashout, explained (gifted link) in ~sports
JCPhoenix LinkArticle should be gifted; no paywallBuying tickets to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is kind of like having a megawealthy friend talk to you about the hobbies that they enjoy.
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How much would you pay to watch people gracefully sword fight? Do you think you could learn to love cricket if you were spending $100? Would you like to go into mild credit card debt to see a less beautiful version of tennis?
Article should be gifted; no paywall
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The great 2028 Olympic ticket crashout, explained (gifted link)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkI noticed that I had the demo version of The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy in my library. Guess I forgot I downloaded it at some point. So I gave it a try. In many ways, it's very similar to...I noticed that I had the demo version of The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy in my library. Guess I forgot I downloaded it at some point. So I gave it a try.
In many ways, it's very similar to the Danganronpa games. Style, music, general idea of a bunch of Japanese high schoolers getting kidnapped and locked in some abandoned high school in a world of ruin. Even has a non-human "mascot" character like Monokuma who directs/controls the students. This is the exact set-up of Danganronpa titles.
That said, it's not a mystery/detective game about a killing game. It's actually a tactical JRPG. With still some mystery elements. But it's not a killing game! Hell, the students can't even die! Well, they can die in battle, but they just get resurrected and sent back to the battlefields.
The proposition here is the students have to fight to defend this school against these weird monsters for 100 days before they can go back. While trying to figure out what these weird monsters are, why they were chosen, what happened to the "outside world" that they're now in, and if they can get back to their previous lives of peace and quiet back in the "Tokyo Residential Complex," which is like a gigantic enclosed dome they all lived in (can't even see the sky from inside it)
It was a little confusing at first because of the similarities to Danganronpa, yet I didn't see anything about Spike Chunsoft, the developers of Dangaronpa. However, the actual creator of Danganronpa, Kazutaka Kodaka, created his own studio, Too Kyo Games, and made The Hundred Line. So that's why it looks and feels so similar. Literally the same dude.
I like it so far. It mixes Danganronpa, Persona, and like maybe FFT (a very light version of it; nothing as indepth as FFT). There are a lot of cutscenes -- in many ways its a highly-interactive VN just like Danganronpa -- which can be annoying, but the dialog is at least decent and mostly voiced. Some of the humor is great. One character is like "Yesss! I've been kidnapped to partake in a killing game! I can't wait!!" but then is told something like "What?! What is wrong with you? Why would we have you kill each other??" obviously referencing the game's wild "cousins."
Anyway, the demo was like 3-5hrs long, which was great. Got a solid feel for the game. I ended up buying the full game last night (it's on sale 40% off on Steam until the 30th) I'm only on Day 9 in-game. I'll definitely keep playing this for awhile. I have heard it's a REALLY long game with multiple endings. And to see all the endings, you gotta spend potentially hundreds of hours playing it. Idk about all that, but I'd like to beat it at least once!
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Comment on SUPER ZSNES - SNES Emulator in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentAt the 20sec mark of the trailer that moocow linked, you can see what's really going on. Even on the F-Zero bit afterwards where they're demonstrating Mode 7, you can see it, too. Where there's an...At the 20sec mark of the trailer that moocow linked, you can see what's really going on. Even on the F-Zero bit afterwards where they're demonstrating Mode 7, you can see it, too. Where there's an invisible edge before the actual edge of the screen. When sprites hit that invisible edge, they disappear.
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Comment on Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold | Teaser trailer in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI always think MMOs are more fun with friends. It's a social game, right? However, it can be difficult to play with someone. Which sounds weird, because it's an MMO, right? FFXIV, to me, is a...I always think MMOs are more fun with friends. It's a social game, right? However, it can be difficult to play with someone. Which sounds weird, because it's an MMO, right?
FFXIV, to me, is a "multiplayer single-player" experience. In the sense that if you and a friend start at the same time, but one falls behind a bunch, you can still play together, but you're stuck doing content at the level of whoever is behind. Which can be boring for whoever is ahead. And there's really no way to help that person who's behind, other than them just speedrunning content. Which if you're playing for the story, doesn't really work.
At one point, at least two other IRL friends were playing with me. And we rarely were synced up story-wise and all that. So maybe two of us were a whole expansion ahead, but the third was behind. So that third person was often just doing stuff on their own, trying to get through the story. Maybe we'd party up for the third's required dungeons, but then once it finished, OK cool, everyone go back to what they were doing by themselves. Because even us two who were ahead weren't at the same point in the story, either.
There are things like PVP arenas that can be done by everyone (provided you've all unlocked it). And those are fun; my friends and I did that a bunch. Or just doing our daily quest instances that everyone has unlocked. We'd sometimes try the "Extreme" versions of bosses, totally blind (ie we didn't look up strats or mechanics). And that was a hoot, just trying to survive and learn it together, often with other randoms.
That said, I know people who are are playing together. There's one guy in my "Free Company" (guild) who rolled a new, additional character and is essentially replaying the game with his BF, who's new. So it is possible if people commit to it.
And if you're playing with others who have limited time to devote to the game, then hey, playing with friends may work out. And there are enough systems that if you do want to move ahead without friends, you can. There's matchmaking in this game for instances. Click a button and queue and you'll get placed with randoms for whatever instances you have access to. Or ask your FC mates (definitely should join an active FC).
As far as playing, casually, yeah this is a casual MMO, IMO. In higher levels, yes, you need to know what you're doing, how to play your class, understanding mechanics, but that comes with time and experience of playing the game.
To me, the draw of FFXIV is the story and the lore (though it can be a slog, especially the base game, "A Realm Reborn"). It is a Final Fantasy game, after all. And I'd say the vast majority of instances cater to the casual. Not saying instances, especially in later game, can't be challenging and fun. They absolutely can be. That's the other part I like. But you really should never get to a point where you're throwing your mouse at your screen because you can't get some main story boss. At the very least, you can easily get carried through regular content. And then take the time to learn it by redoing the boss over and over.
So yeah, I think FFXIV is very easy game to get into. Much easier to get into and maintain than other MMOs I've played over the years. I'd say give it a try for a week or two and see what you think.
How about I2P? I know there are some I2P exit nodes for access to the open Web. It's way slower than tor in my experience, but it could be an option.