Kerry56's recent activity
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Comment on McDonald’s built a 515-page dossier on me in ~tech
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Comment on What lesser-known sci-fi reads do you recommend? in ~books
Kerry56 Link ParentDid you ever read To Say Nothing about the Dog? It is one of my favorites by Willis, along with The Doomsday Book. I haven't read Bellwether, so that's on the list of books to read now.Did you ever read To Say Nothing about the Dog? It is one of my favorites by Willis, along with The Doomsday Book. I haven't read Bellwether, so that's on the list of books to read now.
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Comment on Neo: A novel-writing tool created by a novelist in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkNo Linux version. I've gotten inured to the process of writing with LibreOffice, though formatting is still a chore and a half. In the past, I'd output in .docx and import the manuscript to my...No Linux version.
I've gotten inured to the process of writing with LibreOffice, though formatting is still a chore and a half. In the past, I'd output in .docx and import the manuscript to my sole remaining Windows machine so I could use the formatting tools within Word, but I haven't been doing that for a couple of years now.
I must admit, my writing has slowed so much, I can hardly call myself a writer anymore. The current novel has been chugging along, and I barely have 33k words. Most of my work for last month or two has been rewriting existing chapters.
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Comment on What lesser-known sci-fi reads do you recommend? in ~books
Kerry56 LinkI like Martha Wells's writing, especially her early work. More on the lines of fantasy is The Death of the Necromancer. And she has one that is closer to regular sci-fi called City of Bones....I like Martha Wells's writing, especially her early work.
More on the lines of fantasy is The Death of the Necromancer.
And she has one that is closer to regular sci-fi called City of Bones. Unfortunately, it has the same title as a book by Cassandra Clare, and it has been overshadowed and mostly forgotten.
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Comment on Another week on Linux in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkI'm not a particularly adept person when it comes to technical issues. That said, I've been using Linux Mint for longer than I can remember now... nine years or so? I rarely run into problems. And...I'm not a particularly adept person when it comes to technical issues. That said, I've been using Linux Mint for longer than I can remember now... nine years or so? I rarely run into problems. And on those occasions, it usually only takes a quick stop in the Linux Mint forums to find the solutions.
My printer works perfectly well. I have no problems with my monitors, and I use Mint on three different computers, one of which is hooked straight to a big screen TV. Playing videos on that TV is simple using VLC.
I don't really push the boundaries though, and most of the time I'm just using a browser. Now and again, I'll work with videos and MKVToolnix and Handbrake are fine for that. Still learning Kdenlive.
Frustration with Linux, like other operating systems, depends on what you're trying to do, and which tools you're using. Playing old games on my one remaining Windows machine turned out to be the most aggravating day I've had in a while.
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Comment on Neuroscientists find logical reasoning does not involve language-processing parts of the brain in ~science
Kerry56 LinkAnd then there people like me, who internally verbalize all the time. It doesn't lead to more articulate communication however, as I tend to stop and start, trying to find the exact word and...And then there people like me, who internally verbalize all the time. It doesn't lead to more articulate communication however, as I tend to stop and start, trying to find the exact word and meaning I'm trying to convey.
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Comment on Worse on Purpose: a site that tracks which brands are still worth their old reputation and which have been enshittified in ~enviro
Kerry56 Link ParentJM Audio Editions doesn't have any models with ANC, and as far as I am aware, they don't have any wireless models. Their market is squarely in the audiophile realm. They do sell Hifiman headphones...JM Audio Editions doesn't have any models with ANC, and as far as I am aware, they don't have any wireless models. Their market is squarely in the audiophile realm. They do sell Hifiman headphones on their site, but I'm not a fan of that brand.
I do have to make one amendment to my post. JM Audio changed their policy, and no longer have lifetime warranties. My guess is that it was just too expensive for a small company to bear. The warranty is now only one year, though it is transferrable to a second-hand purchaser.
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Comment on US general warns he lacks sufficient forces to protect Israel amid Iran war in ~society
Kerry56 LinkI'm a little confused about this one. Don't we provide huge amounts of military supplies and weapons to Israel so they can defend themselves?I'm a little confused about this one. Don't we provide huge amounts of military supplies and weapons to Israel so they can defend themselves?
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Comment on Worse on Purpose: a site that tracks which brands are still worth their old reputation and which have been enshittified in ~enviro
Kerry56 Link ParentThe only battery powered tools I use are made by Makita. Started using them in the 90's in my woodworking shop, and it is one brand that is still top quality. Not inexpensive, however, and not...The only battery powered tools I use are made by Makita. Started using them in the 90's in my woodworking shop, and it is one brand that is still top quality. Not inexpensive, however, and not really targeted at the DIY crowd. They make the approved list at the site.
There aren't too many other brands that I can recommend with no reservations, though I will give a nod to JM Audio Editions. They make excellent headphones, with each set tuned to your individual specifications. Basically, they are hand-made, and they are as good as anything you can find on the market. One reason I really like this company is their customer service. They will exchange emails with you till they are sure they know exactly what sound you want from their headphones. Also, they have a lifetime guarantee, that applies even to second-hand purchases. I know this is true, as I broke an adjustment post on my set, (bought used), and they offered to fix it for free. I had to pay shipping to them, but not shipping back to me. I went ahead and had them upgrade the headband and retune the headphones, so I spent a little on those two options, but I could have had them repaired for free. They even included a free set of earpads. You don't see customer service like this anymore.
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Comment on Survey: The temperature in my room now is _____ and it feels _____ in ~talk
Kerry56 Link81F and 49% humidity, which doesn't feel bad. Humidity is very high for my region at this time of year however. My AC is on and will drop the temperature down to 78 soon. That's the temp I keep my...81F and 49% humidity, which doesn't feel bad. Humidity is very high for my region at this time of year however.
My AC is on and will drop the temperature down to 78 soon. That's the temp I keep my house overnight, and it often feels a little too cool while the AC blower is going.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Kerry56 LinkI watched Disclosure Day tonight. Every director has hits and misses if they stay in the game long enough, and Spielberg is no exception to this truism. Disclosure Day isn't a complete dud, but it...I watched Disclosure Day tonight. Every director has hits and misses if they stay in the game long enough, and Spielberg is no exception to this truism. Disclosure Day isn't a complete dud, but it is well down the list of his movies.
Spoiler
I hate that he used the cliche of the big-eyed aliens. -
Comment on There are three types of farters. Which one are you? in ~science
Kerry56 LinkBack when I drank a lot of soda-pop, I could fart on demand. A skill I've lost now.Back when I drank a lot of soda-pop, I could fart on demand. A skill I've lost now.
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Comment on How long can I go with an obsolete phone? in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkMy thanks to everyone who has replied. I'm pretty sure my current phone will continue to function well for me in the roles that I expect from it for many months to come. Battery life is still very...My thanks to everyone who has replied.
I'm pretty sure my current phone will continue to function well for me in the roles that I expect from it for many months to come. Battery life is still very good. But security is a primary concern, and freedom from the Google Overlord would be a plus.
You've hit most of the viewpoints I've been bouncing around in my skull for a while, so maybe I understand the options well enough. I'll probably mull this one over for a while yet. Maybe I'll look at the new Motorola phones with GrapheneOS, but as I mentioned, I think they'll be more than a Pixel 10a.
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Comment on How long can I go with an obsolete phone? in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentYeah, I'm probably overreacting to possible threats, but like you, I prefer to keep updated on security whenever possible. This, more than functionality, is the reason I'm considering a new phone....Yeah, I'm probably overreacting to possible threats, but like you, I prefer to keep updated on security whenever possible.
This, more than functionality, is the reason I'm considering a new phone.
I'd wait for a new Motorola with GrapheneOS, but it looks like they are concentrating on premium models first, and they'll be out of my price range.
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Comment on How long can I go with an obsolete phone? in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentI'm pretty sure I got the phone in Dec of 2022. The battery is not easily replaceable, no.I'm pretty sure I got the phone in Dec of 2022. The battery is not easily replaceable, no.
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How long can I go with an obsolete phone?
Right now, I have a Samsung Galaxy A12 phone, which has done everything I need for quite some time. It was bottom of the barrel in the Samsung lineup, and it quit receiving updates of any kind...
Right now, I have a Samsung Galaxy A12 phone, which has done everything I need for quite some time. It was bottom of the barrel in the Samsung lineup, and it quit receiving updates of any kind back in November of 2024. For a cheap phone, I've been pleased with it.
My use case is unusual. I rarely use my phone to go online, but on occasion, I am forced to do so. Most of the time I use it to make calls, or send and receive texts. SMS is fine for me. I don't play games on it, though I do use the camera now and again.
One slightly unusual task is tethering. When my internet goes down on my computers at home, the mobile network is often still available, so I tether my desktop to the phone connection. Visible will slow the connection speed tremendously, so I use an app that disguises the tether connection, and I get full speeds. So I need this app to work when the main internet connection goes wonky.
One year and eight months without security updates makes me a little more cautious about using the phone for anything online. I don't use it for bank accounts or credit cards, no instant payments of any kind, and there are no passwords saved within it. Even if I still got updates, I wouldn't use it for any type of financial transactions. I don't even check email with it.
In reality, a dumb phone would probably work for me, but Visible is notoriously picky about Android phones they will accept. And I don't use Apple for anything. No plans to change that.
I have been more and more interested in ditching Google software. I was recently forced to switch to Google Messages, since Samsung is turning their messaging app out to pasture. A Pixel 10a with GrapheneOS is something I'm considering. Visible will accept any modern Pixel phone, so they aren't a problem.
The question is, is any change necessary with how little I use the phone online? Perhaps I should just wait till the battery dies, but that doesn't help me in my efforts to de-Googlize.
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Comment on Sam Neill, Jurassic Park star, dies at 78 in ~movies
Kerry56 LinkI really liked his performance in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Reliably good acting from him, no matter the role.I really liked his performance in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Reliably good acting from him, no matter the role.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Kerry56 LinkI watched Backrooms recently. It was odd and unsettling, but ultimately it just didn't deliver a good payoff. The reveal near the end was hokey at best.I watched Backrooms recently. It was odd and unsettling, but ultimately it just didn't deliver a good payoff. The reveal near the end was hokey at best.
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
Kerry56 LinkI don't have many preferences in cookware materials. Over the years, I've tossed out most of the cast iron pans I had, due to them warping. I bought a carbon steel skillet and hated it. The...I don't have many preferences in cookware materials. Over the years, I've tossed out most of the cast iron pans I had, due to them warping. I bought a carbon steel skillet and hated it. The seasoning would pop off that thing if you said a cross word to it. And it warped even on medium heat. It's long gone in the trash.
What I'm left with is a hodge-podge of cookware I've bought or inherited. Most of my pans and skillets are stainless steel, with copper bottoms. Some of them date back to the 1960's. I don't have any issues with them, since I don't expect them to have much, if any non-stick properties. They're not hard to clean.
The two cast-iron pans I have left are a small skillet, which I use to bake cornbread, and a round griddle, which would be great for making pancakes, if I liked pancakes, which I don't. So, I pull it out to warm tortillas, or make grilled-cheese sandwiches.
I also have a heavy aluminum sauce pan, 10" across, which I use quite often. It is anodized, so no weird tastes added due to the aluminium, and it works just fine with acidic sauces.
For eggs, or sauces that will stick easily (honey and soy sauce is a common culprit), I use non-stick cookware from Tramontina. Since I use them sparingly, the non-stick coatings are holding up quite well. By the way, why not clean non-stick in a dishwasher? It's not like the other dishes and silverware are going flying around in there. The soap is not harsh, and the temperatures in the dishwasher don't come close to what the pans face on the stovetop. It's a bit of advice that makes no sense to me.
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Comment on Re-watched the Bourne Trilogy after several years, I understand now why it was so influential in ~movies
Kerry56 (edited )LinkFor some people the shaky cam got to be too much, especially in the second movie. I know several who even became a little nauseous in the fight scenes. I watched the first John Wick movie and...For some people the shaky cam got to be too much, especially in the second movie. I know several who even became a little nauseous in the fight scenes.
I watched the first John Wick movie and disliked it intensely, so I haven't bothered with the others. But I find the Bourne movies to be vastly superior to that first Wick movie. They feel more focused and less super-hero inspired.
Even the last two Bourne movies are better than John Wick, though the quality does drop off from the original trilogy.
I don't eat at fast food restaurants often enough to be tracked, and I'm certainly not on anyone's loyalty plan, but I'm sure I would be very uncomfortable about the amount of information that Amazon has on me.