Kryvens's recent activity
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
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Comment on Mountain biking advice in ~hobbies
Kryvens Link ParentMay your choice lead you to childlike glee (and the long and windy road towards having more bicycles than you know what to do with)!May your choice lead you to childlike glee (and the long and windy road towards having more bicycles than you know what to do with)!
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Comment on Mozilla sees surge in Firefox users thanks to EU’s Digital Markets Act in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentI am. It's on the desktop that it struggles...I am. It's on the desktop that it struggles...
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Comment on Mozilla sees surge in Firefox users thanks to EU’s Digital Markets Act in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentMinor necro here, but I wanted to report back that I've been using Orion exclusively since this post, and everything is working. The integration with 1Password still isn't as slick as it is on...Minor necro here, but I wanted to report back that I've been using Orion exclusively since this post, and everything is working. The integration with 1Password still isn't as slick as it is on chromium based browsers, but it works. Please don't use my previous comment as a reason not to try it out. You might like it!
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Comment on Mountain biking advice in ~hobbies
Kryvens LinkLots of useful opinions in here already, as is typical on Tildes. I'll try to keep my input short. Injuries You're on a bicycle, you can fall off. It can hurt. You can break stuff. The more aware...- Exemplary
Lots of useful opinions in here already, as is typical on Tildes. I'll try to keep my input short.
Injuries
You're on a bicycle, you can fall off. It can hurt. You can break stuff. The more aware you are of what you're doing and what your boundaries are, the less likely you are to hurt yourself. For reference, I prefer falling off on trails to falling off on the street. Concrete always hurts, but dirt can be quite soft!
In my experience, whilst the worst injuries happen when you're pushing boundaries, it's far more frequent to have a small off caused by loss of attention.
I can't/won't tell you that you won't hurt yourself, but it is in your hands...
Road use
All bikes are a compromise, pick the best compromise for your situation... Or buy more than one! I should probably add a warning here that cycling can become obsessive, and there's a healthy chance that you will end up with more bicycles than you ever thought any sane human would ever need.
I can not overstate this!
You can go downhilling on a TT bike. It will suck. It will be worse than a proper DH bike, by a huge margin, but you can do it. Similarly, you could take a monster DH beast and do a TT on it. You will come last, and you'll use at least 200% more energy than someone on a TT bike, but you can do it.
If you want light trail use, don't buy a bike with rear suspension. It adds weight, and you won't need it. Consider whether you want front suspension. It's not required for light trail use, and will only really make itself known when speeds/complexity increases.
When you're on the road, even if you can lock the shocks out, you're still carrying that extra weight. If you can't lock out, you're spending energy pushing the shocks instead of going down the road... Which might be fine, that's up to you!
Comfort & agility
- Road bikes are not uncomfortable. If you are uncomfortable on a road bike, you need a fitment. The riding position is different, not worse.
- Road bikes are agile. They may feel less agile as they generally use 700c wheels (29" diameter) vs traditional 26" MTB wheels. As MTB wheels have started to get larger (many offer a 29" diameter wheel), this is no longer the case, and people who feel MTB are more agile often have much wider bars .
Maintenance
Do not buy crap from large retailers or online stores. The bikes are made to a budget and are much more likely to break. There are exceptions to this, but they're few and far between... And often end up becoming reputable manufacturers of budget line bikes!
Assuming you have purchased a half-decent ride from a reputable manufacturer, maintenance is required. And the types of maintenance are broadly similar unless you have something from the ends of the spectrum.
- Almost all bikes have gears. Most of them are external cassettes. These require maintenance. Doesn't matter whether its road or mountain, you need to look after them.
- Even hub gears require maintenance. They're also heavier and harder to fix.
- Almost all bikes have brakes. Some are easier to fix than others, but even hydraulic brakes are easy to fix.
- Almost all bikes have tyres. In my experience you will spend longer fixing punctures than you will doing maintenance.
Road bikes are tough! Even fancypants carbon race bikes can cope with the abuse of a TdF or a Criterium. Have you seen the cobbled sections? over 100 riders doing 40+KPH along a cobbled road that's shaking them to bits?
Rockhopper
I don't know how they did it, but whoever was in Specialized's marketing department who managed it deserves a raise. Every time I see these discussions, the person looking has decided to base their opening request on a Rockhopper. Now don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Rockhopper. It's an excellent middle of the road bicycle... But it's also the type of bicycle that you will upgrade from, and it's not good enough to really upgrade if you get serious.
- want more leisurely comfort? Change type of bike
- want more road use? Change bike type
- want more aggressive MTB? Change bike
This leads me on to generic buying advice for bicycles for all walks of life:
Generic buying advice
Once you've decided on a manufacturer, buy the most expensive frame you can afford with the shittest components to get within your budget. Using Specialized as examples, if you are looking at a Rockhopper Comp for $900, can you stretch to a Chisel HT for $100 more?
The components will be worse, but the frame will be much more capable, and will likely last you much longer as it will give you a good sound base for upgrades.
If you don't know fit, buy from a shop with experts on hand. Talk to them. A lot. Make friends with them. Drink coffee with them. Learn from them. They have a wealth of experience to assist you in your purchasing process and will want you to leave with the perfect bike for you! Arguably, even if you do know fit, do the same. Support local businesses!
Final suggestion for @OP
I know you are looking at a MTB, but for your usage I would suggest a gravel bike. They're amazing for trails, and much, much, much better on road than even a rigid MTB. They're tough, capable, and really fun to ride!
Specialized do several including:
Diverge E5 - WhiteAnd my final recommendation is - Do it! Getting out on a bicycle makes you feel like an 8 year old again. Feel free to ignore all the advice above and buy a pink shopping bike with ribbons coming out of the bar grips if you like, just get out and ride!
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Comment on Mozilla sees surge in Firefox users thanks to EU’s Digital Markets Act in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentJust wanted to chip in here to say that as well as the plugins for safari noted in this thread already, you can also use Brave or Vivaldi, which both offer native ad blocking by default. I tend to...Just wanted to chip in here to say that as well as the plugins for safari noted in this thread already, you can also use Brave or Vivaldi, which both offer native ad blocking by default.
I tend to swap and change between the two because Vivaldi requires a ludicrous amount of configuration which irritates me, but Brave has a bunch of crypto crap built in that also irritates me. That said, I prefer either to Safari.
I would go all-in on Orion, but it still doesn't play well with 1Password.
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Comment on Apple stops offering end-to-end encrypted iCloud storage in the UK due to government spying demands in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentNo, but the key feature that I get from ADP is the knowledge that all of my iCloud account data is E2EE. If that is stripped away, you need to find a way to store backups, photos, etc using E2EE....No, but the key feature that I get from ADP is the knowledge that all of my iCloud account data is E2EE. If that is stripped away, you need to find a way to store backups, photos, etc using E2EE. This is made harder in the Apple ecosystem as there is no obvious way to back up the devices other than to use iCloud or a cable. I suspect this would be easier to achieve with Android, and believe some of the more privacy centred offerings such as GrapheneOS include solutions by default. I don’t know at this point how reliable they are, but that’s for future me to find out!
The real benefit you get from using de-googled AOSP is the de-googling. You get the flexibility of Android, the ability to roll your own solutions where necessary, and don’t have to accept Google as a solution for privacy.
I don’t like what Apple have done, but I applaud them for taking the stand. It will make my life more complicated as I will likely switch away from Apple and have to run some of my own services now, but that’s been something I’ve long been considering anyway!
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Comment on Apple stops offering end-to-end encrypted iCloud storage in the UK due to government spying demands in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentKey reason I was using it was because it satisfied my privacy requirements whilst taking almost no effort. If I’m going to have to fix it / fudge it / roll my own, I’d rather spend the energy...Key reason I was using it was because it satisfied my privacy requirements whilst taking almost no effort. If I’m going to have to fix it / fudge it / roll my own, I’d rather spend the energy required to move my iCloud account to another country to build a permanent solution.
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Comment on Apple stops offering end-to-end encrypted iCloud storage in the UK due to government spying demands in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentThanks, I’ll give it a look. I’ve heard it spoken about before in a vaguely negative way but I can’t remember why!Thanks, I’ll give it a look. I’ve heard it spoken about before in a vaguely negative way but I can’t remember why!
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Comment on Apple stops offering end-to-end encrypted iCloud storage in the UK due to government spying demands in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentI was deactivated last night. Very disappointed in this. Which leads me to an ask. I feel strongly about privacy, and would probably prefer criminals have access to my data than the idiots in...I was deactivated last night. Very disappointed in this.
Which leads me to an ask. I feel strongly about privacy, and would probably prefer criminals have access to my data than the idiots in government in the UK, but I’d prefer to keep it to myself thank-you-very-much-indeed.
One of the reasons I was in team Apple was their lesser of the evils standing compared to the likes of Google and Microsoft. Now I can’t rely on E2EE for my data with Apple, I’m looking for alternatives. Does anyone have any experience with AOSP / Linux phones and their suitability for daily driving? I am willing to give up some flexibility in favour of privacy, but need something that can function reliably as I use my phone a lot…
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Kryvens Link ParentI was happy with the standard controls so didn't mess with them I'm afraid. There were a few times where I felt that a keyboard/mouse combo would have made stuff a bit easier, but it's such a...I was happy with the standard controls so didn't mess with them I'm afraid. There were a few times where I felt that a keyboard/mouse combo would have made stuff a bit easier, but it's such a brain-off game that it felt wrong spending compute cycles making it more efficient :)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Kryvens Link ParentOoh, deck fan here. I've found since I had my deck that I've migrated most, if not quite all of my non-Nintendo gaming to deck. I'm generally not a fan of AAA games, so the lack of available...Ooh, deck fan here. I've found since I had my deck that I've migrated most, if not quite all of my non-Nintendo gaming to deck. I'm generally not a fan of AAA games, so the lack of available performance isn't a problem for me, and all the games I choose to run work just fine. Yes, Elden Ring looks nicer at 4K, but I can kill bosses in bed! :)
Here's a variety of games for you to look at that all work well on deck:
- Core Keeper (my current time consumer. Starting to get grindy now, but otherwise I've had fun so far!)
- Stardew Valley
- Terraria
- Dark Souls Remastered
- Dark Souls 2
- Dark Souls 3
- Elden Ring
- Hades
- TMNT: Splintered Fate
- Hollow Knight
- Skyrim
- Witcher 3
- Monster Hunter Rise (World also works, but Rise feels a better fit)
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
- Vampire Survivors
- Halls of Torment
- Dragons Dogma
- Another Crab's Treasure
- Blasphemous
- Slay the Spire
- Dave the Diver
- Death's Door
- Kill Knight
- Nine Sols
- Tunic
- Power wash simulator
- Euro truck simulator
- Teardown
I don't FPS anymore cos I'm old, but if you want to try, you can use Steam Input to modify controls to take advantage of the touch pads, which I use in more complex games to enable faster control inputs than you can get by default using standard controller settings.
EDIT: Argh, can't believe I forgot Cuphead!
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Comment on Single most useful program you daily use? in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentHave you tried Zed? I don't use an IDE every day so it's not on my list for this particular conversation, but it's an excellent IDE for Mac/Linux that's soon to be available for Windows...Have you tried Zed?
I don't use an IDE every day so it's not on my list for this particular conversation, but it's an excellent IDE for Mac/Linux that's soon to be available for Windows...
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Comment on Single most useful program you daily use? in ~tech
Kryvens LinkI'd say there are two things I can't live without. First is a local terminal. I've been working with *nix for so long now that I am appreciably faster manipulating files with command-line tools...I'd say there are two things I can't live without. First is a local terminal. I've been working with *nix for so long now that I am appreciably faster manipulating files with command-line tools such as sed, awk, grep, sort etc, and I've been using vi or derivatives for 20+ years. Still my go-to for text manipulation.
The other is Raycast - a shortcut tool for MacOS - but it's so much more than that.
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Comment on Looking for a simple lists app in ~tech
Kryvens (edited )LinkI have two suggestions, both of which fit the bill. First, and most simply is Magic Todo - https://goblin.tools. It's a super-simple todo list but I think it does exactly what you ask. edit - if...I have two suggestions, both of which fit the bill. First, and most simply is Magic Todo - https://goblin.tools. It's a super-simple todo list but I think it does exactly what you ask.
edit - if you're ND, it can also help you to break down tasks into more achievable tasks if that's something you struggle with, but you don't need to use it for that. It's available on web completely free, as well as both Android and iOS for a small fee
Second is more complex, but works really well for my particular brain. https://dynalist.io - This one is free to use but there is a premium option. If you're anything like me, the premium option is a downgrade as it allows you to have unlimited bookmarks as well as a bunch of integration guff that I just don't need.
It's an outliner, rather than a todo list, but it's by far and a way the most intuitive one I've found. I use it for notes, tasks, projects, meeting minutes, in fact, everything I write down goes in there so long as it's not sensitive - it's a cloud service, after all.
You can focus in on a very specific section, and then zoom out as far as you want in a second. There are apps for all platforms (well, at least for web, win, lin, mac, iOS, Android) and there are chromium & Firefox extensions too.
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Comment on I hate 2FA in ~tech
Kryvens Link ParentHave to chip in here. Before I start though, agree completely that the implementation of second factors, be it TOTP, passkeys, physical security tokens or anything else is often poor. There is a...Have to chip in here. Before I start though, agree completely that the implementation of second factors, be it TOTP, passkeys, physical security tokens or anything else is often poor. There is a huge amount of friction, far too much for most normal people to readily accept.
However, you might not be considering the way that most common compromises happen, which is via social engineering... We humans have always been creatures of habit[1], and are almost always the weakest link! We're also generally poor at assessing risk.
The more of these unimportant sites you have with local businesses which aren't secured, the higher your risk increases. They are unlikely to build sites from scratch, even less likely to pay for proper security testing, and if unimportant, are possibly also candidates for password reuse... BUT they might also contain nuggets of information about you that can be used to build a bigger picture:
- Hot Dong addiction uses your email address as a userid, and needs your address to deliver your schlongs
- Local artisan fried chicken addiction uses any old userid, doesn't do delivery so doesn't need your address but does store your bank card, and you can determine which card is on file from the last 4 digits of the card number.
- Local speed cubing club uses any old userid, your email address for sending invitations to speed cubing events, and secures your account using memorable information.
- You are a regular farcebook user who posts about your artisanal chicken and schlong sandwiches that you make for your speed cubing buddies...
If a naughty person decided they wanted to, they could find three possible targets for information, all from your public posts on farcebook. There's enough information in these poorly secured accounts, on potentially poorly secured websites to collate enough of your information to start really digging in to your life.
- Name
- Address
- Possible username
- Last 4 digits of bank card
- One piece of memorable information
that might be enough to get through telephone security with your cellphone provider, where they could request a password reset on your online account... Which could lead them to change your address, and order a new SIM. Now they have your phone.
I'm not fear mongering here. This stuff happens. You might not think you are at risk, because why would someone target me? But what if it was you? what if you, or someone you loved were defrauded of everything they have? Was that worth not securing Jimmy's Long Schlong?
[1] Our house was broken into some years ago, and after the fact, a nice police person talked us through some physical security in our home. Most of the boxes we had ticked, but one thing which absolutely amazed me was how she immediately knew where we would store our keys for cars, garages, front and back doors etc in the kitchen and hallway. We had them "safely hidden away" and used the same places as all other humans, supposedly. If the good guys know this, so do the bad guys[2].
[2] That said, our keys are now easily accessible if someone wants to steal them, as I'd rather lose a thing than have someone threaten the life of a loved one...
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
Kryvens Link ParentI'm not sure whether I love you or hate you just a little bit. I'm now completely obsessed with this game! I can't believe it's as good and as deep as it is, and having just scratched the surface...I'm not sure whether I love you or hate you just a little bit. I'm now completely obsessed with this game! I can't believe it's as good and as deep as it is, and having just scratched the surface I'm looking forward to seeing what else it has to offer.
If anyone else is considering having a look, it's amazing, so take that as either a recommendation or warning, depending on how much free time you have...
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Comment on The Game Awards 2023 winners: The full list in ~games
Kryvens Link ParentI have MH Rise, it’s a game I think I should like but I just can’t get in to it. I keep trying but after 30 mins or so, I just meh.I have MH Rise, it’s a game I think I should like but I just can’t get in to it. I keep trying but after 30 mins or so, I just meh.
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Comment on The Game Awards 2023 winners: The full list in ~games
Kryvens Link ParentI’ve platinumed Elden Ring twice now, once on Xbox and once on steam. I can’t say it’s for everyone but I was/am blown away. It was my first souls game and I’ve since purchased all DS games and a...I’ve platinumed Elden Ring twice now, once on Xbox and once on steam. I can’t say it’s for everyone but I was/am blown away. It was my first souls game and I’ve since purchased all DS games and a number of souls-likes because I think it might be my favourite game genre now.
People said it was too easy, too hard, too accessible, too inaccessible, rich in lore, completely lacking in lore, blah blah blah. Just try it, it might be your new obsession too!
I would heartily recommend it to anyone.
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Comment on Is an iPad enough for college students these days? in ~tech
Kryvens LinkUK based here so no direct correlation to college but I lived with a dental student at uni (many, many, many years ago) and there was a hell of a lot of work required both in and out of school for...UK based here so no direct correlation to college but I lived with a dental student at uni (many, many, many years ago) and there was a hell of a lot of work required both in and out of school for dentistry.
As such I am not sure that an iPad is the right approach, simply because it’s not as good at creating reams of documentation, and I say that as an owner and fan of the iPad Pro.
It might be sufficient with an external keyboard and display at home for long form documents but by the time you’ve got an iPad, case, pencil, external display, keyboard, mouse, dock blah blah you won’t be far off the price of an air.
More recently, my son went to uni and they gave him a recommendation for computer equipment that he would need. Does the college not offer similar?
I have a long history of gaming exclusivity.
It started with Half-life, then TFC, then CS, which was before my son was born. It wasn't necessarily the games so much as the competitive nature of them and the community that kept me there. Being quite competitive, we had matches twice a week and training almost every day - but it was the bants that mattered most.
Got in to WoW during the open beta and played exclusively through until the first xpac released, took a break for a couple of months but came back and played through for a few years until pandaria released, and I switched to GW2 for a year or so before going back to WoW... Where I stayed until the end of BFA, which was 2020 ish? When the latest xpac released, the thought of keeping 8+ toons raid ready filled me with apathy, and I quit. If you have a group of friends that you play with, the challenge of beating bosses at the highest level in MMOs is something you can't get anywhere else. 20 of you working at your best, learning together, failing together, and eventually winning makes most other gaming content feel pointless.
Nowadays, I get the single player version of that challenge from souls games (DS1, DS3, ER, Demon Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro) and Monster Hunter games. Other games I've sunk ridiculous amount of time in would include Minecraft, Pokémon, Zelda, actually many Nintendo franchises are games I love to pieces, but I wouldn't say that I play any of them "exclusively".
Oh, and FarmRPG. Because of a Tildes thread. It's gaming crack.