Kerry56's recent activity
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Comment on US general warns he lacks sufficient forces to protect Israel amid Iran war in ~society
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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.
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Comment on To pay rent in Medieval England, catch some eels in ~food
Kerry56 LinkI wonder if they accepted shrieking eels as payment?I wonder if they accepted shrieking eels as payment?
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Kerry56 Link ParentI agree with your ranking of 40 Year Old Virgin. I'm not a fan, of the movie or the main actor in general. Been a long time since I watched The General, but I was impressed by Keaton, and felt...I agree with your ranking of 40 Year Old Virgin. I'm not a fan, of the movie or the main actor in general.
Been a long time since I watched The General, but I was impressed by Keaton, and felt this was a classic silent film. I've never seen 3 Ages. I should look it up.
Your ranking of Vertigo is interesting. It's not my favorite Hitchcock film, not even close, and not a favorite performance from the usually outstanding Stewart, but many consider this film one of Hitchcock's best.
I do not share your opinion of The Hunt for Red October. A pedestrian effort, mostly phoned in by Connery.
As for newer movies, I haven't found many I've wanted to watch. Pressure was ok, a half-step up from mediocre. I could barely make it through Kpop Demon Hunters last year, and Project Hail Mary was terribly disappointing.
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Comment on Brave Origin, a paid, premium version of Brave is now available in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentI am one of those weird people who almost never get online with my phone. My close-up vision is poor, and I rarely have reading glasses with me, so using a phone for the things most people do is...I am one of those weird people who almost never get online with my phone. My close-up vision is poor, and I rarely have reading glasses with me, so using a phone for the things most people do is just not convenient or comfortable for me. I do use Firefox on Android, but so infrequently, it hardly counts.
My opinions about browsers are based on useage on my desktop computers, and most of those are running Linux Mint.
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Comment on Brave Origin, a paid, premium version of Brave is now available in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkI use Firefox as my daily driver and see no reason to change, especially since I have all the extensions I need installed and working well. Eight extensions... is that a lot compared to you guys?...I use Firefox as my daily driver and see no reason to change, especially since I have all the extensions I need installed and working well. Eight extensions... is that a lot compared to you guys?
I have Waterfox as a backup, and have it set up in as complete a privacy mode as I can, with nothing saved from each session.
On the off chance I run into a site that requires Chrome or a Chromium based browser, I keep Ungoogled Chromium installed, but rarely use it.
Not sure I see the need for a paid browser.
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Comment on What's a game you're dying to play that doesn't exist? in ~games
Kerry56 Link ParentI liked the original Freelancer, but I played the Frontierspace mod until I had every section memorized. The Frontierspace mod was different from others in that it had a built-in quest. Of course,...I liked the original Freelancer, but I played the Frontierspace mod until I had every section memorized.
The Frontierspace mod was different from others in that it had a built-in quest. Of course, the mod expanded the number of systems and added other groups as well. The biggest problem with the mod was that it was developed by one guy, and he never got around to fixing all the bugs. But it was still very fun to play.
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Comment on Are there any games that had their development abandoned that you followed where you wish that continued/completed development? in ~games
Kerry56 LinkThe ending in Anachronox was satisfying in some ways, but the game was obviously set up for a sequel, which we never got. I'd love to see a continuation, with the same quality writing, and more...The ending in Anachronox was satisfying in some ways, but the game was obviously set up for a sequel, which we never got. I'd love to see a continuation, with the same quality writing, and more modern game-play and modern graphics. It will never happen, of course.
Outcast is another action/adventure game from the late Windows 98, early XP era that deserved a sequel, or even a remake. The voxel based graphics were blurry in the original. Great music in Outcast though, some of the best.
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Comment on Fortunately, there appear to be enough post oak trees to sustain Texas barbecue in ~enviro
Kerry56 LinkOut in West Texas, we use mesquite, which I prefer. It has a spicier flavor, with just a bit more bite. Huge numbers of mesquites in the state, but many are too small for use in BBQ pits.Out in West Texas, we use mesquite, which I prefer. It has a spicier flavor, with just a bit more bite.
Huge numbers of mesquites in the state, but many are too small for use in BBQ pits.
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?