NomadicCoder's recent activity
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Comment on How do you know where to start with prolific authors? in ~books
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder Link ParentI also love trains. We have a train that runs from our small town to New York City that I would love to use when going to the city (somewhat frequently to visit family), but unfortunately every...I also love trains. We have a train that runs from our small town to New York City that I would love to use when going to the city (somewhat frequently to visit family), but unfortunately every time I need to go I either need the car for one reason or another or don't have time, so I end up flying. My wife, on the other hand, hates the train, but whenever she goes alone she inevitably finds the train to be the most suitable way to get there. Life just isn't fair that way. haha
I'd LOVE to have 7 hours to just sit back and look out the window while reading a book.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder Link ParentUnfortunately I didn't do it myself, had it done -- I guess my wording was ambiguous. I have glued a sole back on a pair of Chacos, but that was easier. :) Speaking of Chacos, I have some of the...Unfortunately I didn't do it myself, had it done -- I guess my wording was ambiguous. I have glued a sole back on a pair of Chacos, but that was easier. :) Speaking of Chacos, I have some of the old school ones form back when they were still made in Colorado (before being bought and moved to China) that have had 4 soles on them -- too bad the new ones aren't as durable.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder Link ParentYou’re not making it easy to continue to avoid unnecessary consumption. :) I’ll probably try one when my IKEA moka pot fails. The handle is a bit wobbly, so it might be time sooner than later.You’re not making it easy to continue to avoid unnecessary consumption. :)
I’ll probably try one when my IKEA moka pot fails. The handle is a bit wobbly, so it might be time sooner than later.
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Comment on Russian jokes about Vladimir Putin and the war in ~society
NomadicCoder Link ParentYes -- it's horrible. She also lost a very close friend to Trumpism and the related COVID selfishness. I've lost most contact with my extended family here because of Trumpism. It's a disaster...Yes -- it's horrible. She also lost a very close friend to Trumpism and the related COVID selfishness. I've lost most contact with my extended family here because of Trumpism. It's a disaster what's happening, worldwide.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder Link ParentYes, I imagine they do taste different, which is part of my curiosity. I like the very strong extraction of a Moka Pot style brew, but some describe the Aeropress as being espresso like as well....Yes, I imagine they do taste different, which is part of my curiosity. I like the very strong extraction of a Moka Pot style brew, but some describe the Aeropress as being espresso like as well.
Maybe some day I’ll try one.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder Link ParentI use a stainless steel "moka pot" style coffee maker. Super simple, just 3 pieces and a silicone seal. I really enjoy it. The Aeropress has appealed to me before because I've heard so much good...I use a stainless steel "moka pot" style coffee maker. Super simple, just 3 pieces and a silicone seal. I really enjoy it. The Aeropress has appealed to me before because I've heard so much good stuff about it, but I've never had the opportunity to try one. Have you tried a moka pot style coffee maker? How do they compare?
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder LinkI've already posted an answer with a specific item, but a more general answer is that I also love well-used high quality items. I've learned that I'd much rather have fewer high quality items than...I've already posted an answer with a specific item, but a more general answer is that I also love well-used high quality items. I've learned that I'd much rather have fewer high quality items than more new and shiny items. Grant Peterson, the founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works, coined a term that I think perfectly describes my view: Beausage
https://accidentalrandonneur.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/that-thing-called-beausage/
Similar to the concept of wabi-sabi, but I really like beausage, or beausification (my personal take on it) because it's more directly describes in my native tongue what it is -- beauty through usage. I love things that take on a patina and become better and have more character with age.
A few examples:
- My military surplus canvas rucksack -- 20+ years old now, replaced the clips and straps, replaced the draw-string, etc, and it just looks better and better (IMO) the more that I use it.
- My old steel bicycle with a diverse collection of random parts that weren't designed to work together, but rides like a dream
- Resolable leather boots that I've resoled 3 times (even though I'm vegetarian, I choose to use high quality real leather for items where the synthetic version ends up causing more pollution and waste, most "vegan leather" is landfill plastic trash)
- Opinel knife w/ carbon steel blade (love the patina on the carbon steel and the oiled wood handle -- it'll last a lifetime)
Most products now are made with synthetic materials that just look like trash after a while, so I've been really focused on spending a bit more up front for materials that age with grace, which is unfortunately becoming hard to do.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
NomadicCoder LinkMy campervan. I built it out from an empty metal box on wheels over two years of weekends. We love it and have even given it a name, by which we refer to it. Every time I go somewhere in it I'm so...My campervan.
I built it out from an empty metal box on wheels over two years of weekends. We love it and have even given it a name, by which we refer to it. Every time I go somewhere in it I'm so happy and we both sleep so well -- better than at home. It has taken us across the US, on many trips deep into the forest, has been our temporary home when our house was being remodeled, etc. I couldn't imagine replacing it with some fancy pre-built RV -- we rented one in NZ and it was nowhere as nice as ours, even though on paper it should have been nicer.
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Comment on Russian jokes about Vladimir Putin and the war in ~society
NomadicCoder Link ParentI’m not from Russia, but my wife is. She still has friends and family there. I can’t extrapolate too much, but: One is married to a Ukrainian wife whose family still lives there. Obviously they’re...I’m not from Russia, but my wife is. She still has friends and family there. I can’t extrapolate too much, but:
One is married to a Ukrainian wife whose family still lives there. Obviously they’re not in favor.
One has a son in the US, wants to come here too. Speaks much more freely when visiting than on the phone, definitely hates Putin and the war. Sadly she seems to have few people in Russia that she can associate with and has cut off relations with many over this.
One of those many is also a friend of my wife — fully brainwashed and supports it all. They’ve nearly lost all contact because conversations always end heated — after a lifetime of being best friends.
One is very wealthy and benefits from the corruption, basically has the attitude of “as long as I don’t lose my stuff” — their relationship is also severely strained. Her husband has a Ukrainian last name, but has always lived in Russia.
We have a Ukraine flag bumper sticker on our car. We frequently get thumbs up and friendly waves from truck drivers with Ukrainian names on their truck door, many from Canada that are driving through (we live near the border), but one of our neighbors who was born in a Russian speaking part of Ukraine hates it and is very much in favor of Russia taking the territory. That makes no sense to me.
A bunch of anecdotes don’t add up to data, but maybe give you some kind of answer.
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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
NomadicCoder Link ParentLooks just like a phone: https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2 :) (the original Palma is probably cheaper now since the 2 was just released)Looks just like a phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
:) (the original Palma is probably cheaper now since the 2 was just released)
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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
NomadicCoder LinkCan you bring another device? An eInk based ebook reader is easier on the eyes and can help you focus on books. Lots of low cost or free books out there, or if you get one that can support library...Can you bring another device? An eInk based ebook reader is easier on the eyes and can help you focus on books. Lots of low cost or free books out there, or if you get one that can support library checkouts you can checkout books for free from your local library (I'm assuming the US, or some other country with Libby access)
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Comment on In the real world, existing EV batteries may last up to 40% longer than expected from lab tests in ~transport
NomadicCoder Link ParentI went XC skiing yesterday in VT and was happy to see that they had 4 EV chargers (probably the slow 7 kwh ones) at the resort. I'm sure that a portion of that energy was going to warming the...I went XC skiing yesterday in VT and was happy to see that they had 4 EV chargers (probably the slow 7 kwh ones) at the resort. I'm sure that a portion of that energy was going to warming the battery pack since it was well below freezing, but I saw at least 8 EVs taking turns for the charger throughout the day (many of the longer trails were still closed, so was doing shorter loops that passed the parking lot).
One of the biggest things detractors like to bring up is that EVs just can't work in cold climates, but I see a lot of EVs here in our rather severe climate, and they seem to be OK.
I don't currently own one, I tend to keep my vehicles until the wheels fall off and EVs weren't quite ready for my needs last time around, but we live in a rural area with only one car and my wife is traveling more and more these days leaving me without any way to leave the house when it's too cold to cycle, so I'm very seriously considering a small Bolt or similar for a runabout car, leaving our 10 year old Subaru for the most sloppy snow days and trips that involve long dirt roads or similar needs for the AWD.
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Comment on New website shows you how much Google AI can learn from your photos in ~tech
NomadicCoder LinkI gave it a picture of me petting a cat, showing only my arm and it said that I appeared to be in my early twenties. I’m flattered. :) Overall it was fairly good at extracting details. I gave it...I gave it a picture of me petting a cat, showing only my arm and it said that I appeared to be in my early twenties. I’m flattered. :)
Overall it was fairly good at extracting details. I gave it one that mostly obscured my face and it basically called me a hippie. Also flattered. :)
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Comment on US President Joe Biden pardons son in ~society
NomadicCoder Link ParentIt should not. What does matter is that Hunter was basically railroaded. My understanding, from memory so some details may be slightly incorrect: He was charged for something that few have been,...It should not.
What does matter is that Hunter was basically railroaded. My understanding, from memory so some details may be slightly incorrect:
He was charged for something that few have been, even after paying the taxes, which for others has led to the charges being dropped. He also had a plea deal that the DOJ agreed to, but a Republican appointed (Trump?) judge denied against the protestation of the prosecutors.
Also, I have no doubt that the republicans taking over would have contributed to prosecute him unfairly for political reasons.
For this reason I don’t fault Biden for the pardon. Pardons are meant to undo unjust sentences, which this was.
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Comment on Don't call it a Substack in ~tech
NomadicCoder LinkAs a person who casually browses Substack periodically, I’m surprised by the article and comments here — I had no idea it was at all controversial. I’m curious how you all feel about Medium. I...As a person who casually browses Substack periodically, I’m surprised by the article and comments here — I had no idea it was at all controversial.
I’m curious how you all feel about Medium. I found some interesting blogs there a while back and signed up since it seemed worthwhile to support the authors. Hopefully it’s not similarly tainted.
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Comment on Balancing self-expression and parents in ~life
NomadicCoder LinkDo not feel guilty for advocating for yourself — there’s always somebody who had it worse, doesn’t change your experience nor how it affects you; you deserve to seek improvement of your lived...I feel somewhat entitled that I'm even asking this when LGBTQ+ people in some places of the world are in actual danger
Do not feel guilty for advocating for yourself — there’s always somebody who had it worse, doesn’t change your experience nor how it affects you; you deserve to seek improvement of your lived experience as much as anybody.
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Comment on Heat pumps used to struggle in the cold. Not anymore. in ~enviro
NomadicCoder Link ParentGoing on year three here without any problems on a Daikin 3 zone heat pump, in an area with temps well below zero (C, and even F) in the winter.Going on year three here without any problems on a Daikin 3 zone heat pump, in an area with temps well below zero (C, and even F) in the winter.
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Comment on Good software development habits in ~comp
NomadicCoder Link ParentI hate squash commits. I try to key my local history meaningful, with individual commits being small atomic units of work (added button, renamed variable, etc), each with a task ID heading the...I hate squash commits. I try to key my local history meaningful, with individual commits being small atomic units of work (added button, renamed variable, etc), each with a task ID heading the commit message and a more detailed reason as well. Squash commits throw all of that information away and make it harder to understand why a particular line was added/modified using blame later on. I clean my history and frequently use amend and rebasing to keep it clean and logical.
They also break the ability for go t to know which branches are merged and which aren’t.
A single commit per ticket is not enough granularity.
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Comment on Why I will always be angry about software engineering in ~comp
NomadicCoder LinkThis is why I've stayed in the medical device sphere even though the pay is very good, but far less than many other industries using the same technologies. I feel like my work has value and that...I was paid spectacularly well, but nothing I produced had any value.
This is why I've stayed in the medical device sphere even though the pay is very good, but far less than many other industries using the same technologies. I feel like my work has value and that in itself is a huge motivator and I can be proud of what I produce.
With authors like Pratchett (Discworld, mentioned elsewhere in this thread) I've followed the charts to keep some semblance of narrative order.
With other authors I typically look at a few of their most popular books and choose the one that looks most interesting to me and read from there, which gives me a sense of whether I want to read more of their works.
I've also asked people I know who were fans of the author. I used to work with a guy who was a huge fan of H.P. Lovecraft and that inspired me to read a few of his works. The first one (the title of which I've forgotten) which my coworker recommended was really good, but the subsequent ones I didn't enjoy nearly as much, so I stopped reading his work.