Mendanbar's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
Mendanbar (edited )LinkI saw others sharing plans here for awareness, so I'll share mine. :) My main goal (aside from socializing with all of you wonderful people) is to find and clear an ancient city pretty early on....I saw others sharing plans here for awareness, so I'll share mine. :)
My main goal (aside from socializing with all of you wonderful people) is to find and clear an ancient city pretty early on. Then I'm planning to slowly convert the space to an underground city inspired by The City of Ember. I recently read the book to one of my kids and thought it would be really cool to build something like it in Minecraft.
Edit: typo
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentI think I would vote to start with it and then maybe call a vote later to disable if it's getting irritating.I think I would vote to start with it and then maybe call a vote later to disable if it's getting irritating.
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Comment on Fizzy, a new source-available Kanban tool by 37signals in ~tech
Mendanbar Link ParentSorry I'm a bit out of the loop. Why would one want to distance from DHH? I did some googling and only found basic info about him being the creator of Ruby on Rails.Sorry I'm a bit out of the loop. Why would one want to distance from DHH? I did some googling and only found basic info about him being the creator of Ruby on Rails.
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Comment on Netflix kills casting from phones in ~tech
Mendanbar Link ParentI'm interested to hear about how you dual-run. I'm in the same boat with a lifetime Plex pass. I was happy with it for years but it's starting to concern me lately and I'd like to ease into...I'm interested to hear about how you dual-run. I'm in the same boat with a lifetime Plex pass. I was happy with it for years but it's starting to concern me lately and I'd like to ease into Jellyfin if possible.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Mendanbar LinkIt's been a tough month for me, and I haven't had a lot of time to play anything. But I did manage to finally play GRIS on the Switch (I bought it on sale over a year ago). It was such a lovely...It's been a tough month for me, and I haven't had a lot of time to play anything. But I did manage to finally play GRIS on the Switch (I bought it on sale over a year ago). It was such a lovely game, and exactly what I needed for an emotional boost. It's short (I think I finished the game in 2 sittings), but that's kind of what I needed. A bite sized experience meant to tell a story and uplift. :)
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Comment on Dell CEO pledges $6.25 billion to ‘Trump accounts’ for American children in ~society
Mendanbar Link ParentNot a chance. Partly because I wouldn't trust anything with the Trump name on it to actually work / give me any kind of benefit. But also because I've been really happy with the ISave (formerly...Not a chance. Partly because I wouldn't trust anything with the Trump name on it to actually work / give me any kind of benefit. But also because I've been really happy with the ISave (formerly College Savings Iowa) 529 plans I opened years ago thanks to a post by "The Simple Dollar". Unfortunately that blog appears to have disappeared from the internet, which makes me pretty sad.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure Schedule: September 2025 - March 2026 in ~games
Mendanbar LinkHi everyone, I've had some pretty catastrophic life changes happen in the last month so probably won't be very active in these CGA Threads for the next few rounds. I had hoped to play Wind Waker,...Hi everyone, I've had some pretty catastrophic life changes happen in the last month so probably won't be very active in these CGA Threads for the next few rounds. I had hoped to play Wind Waker, but I can't really make any guarantees at the moment. Please do keep me on the ping list, though, so I can live vicariously through you all. :)
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Comment on Cell phone advice in ~tech
Mendanbar Link ParentYep, I have a Moto G 5G from a few years ago and really like it. I got it specifically because Motorola puts less bloatware on the phone and seem to have more models with micro SD slots. If I had...Yep, I have a Moto G 5G from a few years ago and really like it. I got it specifically because Motorola puts less bloatware on the phone and seem to have more models with micro SD slots. If I had to buy another phone today I'd most likely go with another Motorola.
I also second the comment about the gsmarena phone finder. They make it easy to find phones with exactly the features desired.
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Comment on Microsoft is adding AI facial recognition to OneDrive and users can only turn it off three times a year in ~tech
Mendanbar Link ParentI'm not exactly new to Linux, but I chose Mint for my most recent gaming PC build and I can't imagine using anything else in the future. Mint is every bit as user friendly as MacOS and Windows....I'm not exactly new to Linux, but I chose Mint for my most recent gaming PC build and I can't imagine using anything else in the future. Mint is every bit as user friendly as MacOS and Windows. It's been such a joy to have the OS there when I need it with zero additional configuration. Literally the only config I've had to do relates to making the performance overlay work in steam. Everything else I've wanted to customize was right in the provided settings UI. I'm even using an Nvidia card, and it "just works".
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Comment on What are your favorite simple pleasures? in ~talk
Mendanbar Link ParentI once lived in an old house that had a window in the shower. I used to love taking a hot shower on a cold day and cracking that window to let in some of the cold/smells/sounds. I wish every house...I once lived in an old house that had a window in the shower. I used to love taking a hot shower on a cold day and cracking that window to let in some of the cold/smells/sounds. I wish every house had a shower window. :)
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentI haven't seen the Hermitcraft implementation of it yet, but I guess I was thinking the actual tildetown might be in the overworld and immediately accessible from the nether spawn hub. I'm...I haven't seen the Hermitcraft implementation of it yet, but I guess I was thinking the actual tildetown might be in the overworld and immediately accessible from the nether spawn hub. I'm thinking the nether start might just give us a head start on a hub network, while anyone joining hours or days later after the server start would just hop out to the overworld town.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentThe first thought I had is that it might encourage a spawn nether hub, which seems inline with some other things we've been discussing here. I'm personally in favor. My only request is that we...The first thought I had is that it might encourage a spawn nether hub, which seems inline with some other things we've been discussing here. I'm personally in favor. My only request is that we make sure spawn is in the nether wastes. All of the other biomes are too dangerous to tackle immediately IMO.
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Comment on Removing obfuscation in Minecraft Java Edition in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentMy kids use MCreator. I find it strikes a nice balance by offering point-and-click / drag-and-drop options, but also can be opened up further to learn the code behind.My kids use MCreator. I find it strikes a nice balance by offering point-and-click / drag-and-drop options, but also can be opened up further to learn the code behind.
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Chrono Trigger in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentI'm a firm believer that life is better with a soundtrack. Excellent choice, and congratulations!I'm a firm believer that life is better with a soundtrack. Excellent choice, and congratulations!
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Chrono Trigger in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentHoly shit! Pardon my language, but this is just so good. Thank you for sharing. I was hooked with the shredding guitars in the first track, but then the next two tracks are absolutely the best...Holy shit! Pardon my language, but this is just so good. Thank you for sharing. I was hooked with the shredding guitars in the first track, but then the next two tracks are absolutely the best renditions I've heard of my two favorite songs in game! What a magical way to end this month of the CGA. ❤️
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Chrono Trigger in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentApparently that's something that was added in later to tie in with Chrono Cross.baby was admittedly a touch baffling to me. Either I missed something in the story and this was supposed to be someone I recognized, or maybe it's setting up for the sequel?
Apparently that's something that was added in later to tie in with Chrono Cross.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentOK, I've watched this No Man's Sky dunk fest long enough without chiming in. :D Disclaimer: I'm not trying to change anyone's mind on the game. It's not for everyone for sure. But I did want to...OK, I've watched this No Man's Sky dunk fest long enough without chiming in. :D
Disclaimer: I'm not trying to change anyone's mind on the game. It's not for everyone for sure. But I did want to provide some perspective on why I have chosen to give NMS just over 700 hours of my time. :)
"Minecraft, but in space" is actually how someone sold me on the game. I had just finished Subnautica, and was looking for a new thing to try. I mentioned that I liked the base building, and also enjoyed playing Minecraft. The recommended I give NMS a try. It's not 100% accurate, as I think Minecraft is still superior as a sandbox experience. But the analogy fits well enough to get the initial point across.
To me, NMS is a giant space sandbox with a few interesting mini-game loops tacked on. It has a main story in the way that Minecraft does, where you can finish it anytime you want, and it largely comes and goes. If you look at groups like Hermitcraft (or even our own Tildes Minecraft server community), you'll see that the Ender Dragon fight happens practically at the beginning. I think in most Hermitcraft seasons it happens in the first or second episode. Once that's done, the full game opens up, and the creativity of the Hermits is set free. NMS is very similar. The main story quest is really just there as a guide to show players how to interact with the world, and once it's done you have access to most of what the game has to offer. From there it's a matter of making your own fun and telling your own story.
Here are a few activities that I like to do:
- Explore the empty space. I like to traverse the Sudzerbal galaxy (one of 256 galaxies in the game) looking for interesting planets where I can build outposts.
- Improve my freighter. Freighters are like huge mobile bases that you can build from scratch. I chose to make mine a large city with green spaces and separate buildings for each of the NPC merchants / other purposes.
- Take on side missions. There are NPCs in game that can give you missions to complete to make money, increase standing with factions, or unlock unique items.
- Find/build cool ships. Lots of options here. There are procedurally generated ships to find across the vast universe, as well as the ability to scrap and use parts to make your own.
- Tend to my settlement. This one doesn't hold my attention as much, but it's a fun little loop where you are slowly building up a town of NPCs.
None of the activities in game are deep experiences. It's why I'll tend to play the game intensely for a few weeks after a new update, and then put it down again until there's another new thing added. I sort of do the same with Minecraft (and Valheim). There is a certain familiarity and coziness to it when I return though, and I think that's part of what keeps me coming back.
It also feels a bit like a giant collaborative art project, since all players are essentially sharing the same game universe. I'll be the first to say that the multiplayer in NMS is not the best experience. It can be disappointing if you are expecting to have a polished co-op experience with friends. But as a loosely shared universe it's pretty cool. You may occasionally stumble across someone else's outpost, or seek out one of the few hub communities. It's neat to see how others have settled in to the game.
TLDR?
No Man's Sky is really a sandbox game at heart. So if you like games like Minecraft or lean into the sandbox aspects of games like Subnautica or Valheim, then you'll probably get something from NMS.
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Chrono Trigger in ~games
Mendanbar Link ParentSo there are some context clues, but I agree that I wouldn't have figured them out without looking up the guide. The solution was also really hard for me to execute on the DS, because there are a...So there are some context clues, but I agree that I wouldn't have figured them out without looking up the guide. The solution was also really hard for me to execute on the DS, because there are a couple of A button presses to get into the right state before it "accepts" the code. Anyway, here are the clues I noted:
- Lucca's mom is always sitting in the present scenes, and she has a melancholy way about her. I think this is meant to be a clue, and I did note her attitude in the beginning. I didn't connect any of it to an accident until later.
- There is a paper on a table that reads:
"The password is... The name of my lovely wife. Use it in an emergency" - Taban
- There is another paper that you can read after the event that changes based on the outcome. It's written by a young Lucca. I'm paraphrasing, but IIRC if you fail it reads something like: "I need to learn all about machines so I never again fail to help". If you succeed, she still decides to learn engineering, but because she (again paraphrasing) "wants to ensure machines are safe so that something like this can never again happen"
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Comment on What diagramming tools do folks use? in ~comp
Mendanbar Link ParentI was super confused about this, because I was just using the live editor last week and was like "WHAAAT? They are taking it away??". Oddly enough, they seem to have 3 different entry points to...I was super confused about this, because I was just using the live editor last week and was like "WHAAAT? They are taking it away??". Oddly enough, they seem to have 3 different entry points to live editors, and it's not clear to me who owns what:
- mermaid.live - This is the one I've been using, and it doesn't require login or bug me in any way (just an unobtrusive banner at the top that is easily dismissed).
- mermaid.chart/play - Found this one today while trying to make sense of it all. It appears to be the same thing as mermaid.live, but none of my preferences are carried over (maybe different cookies?)
- The "Try Editor" button on mermaid.js.org. This one brings up a signup. I've never used this entry point, and I'm not about to sign up now, so I can't confirm if the editor is the same as the others.
Super weird that there are so many paths here.
Awesome, the more the merrier (or maybe scarier). 🙂