Nsutdwa's recent activity
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Comment on I am angry at Google and wanted to share (rant) in ~tech
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Comment on Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
Nsutdwa Link ParentGreat thread, thanks for linking it, I hadn't seen it. I think if Piastri can tough it out to the end of the season and wring out a championship, it'll be the most satisfying resolution. I really...Great thread, thanks for linking it, I hadn't seen it. I think if Piastri can tough it out to the end of the season and wring out a championship, it'll be the most satisfying resolution. I really don't think he should have given way in Monza - I just can't see other past champions agreeing to help out their direct rival to undo a pretty routine racing incident. As that Reddit OP points out, the WCC has been well and truly secure for a very long time. Piastri should be laser focused - and if his direct rival has some bad luck, well, them's the breaks, hard cheese, crumbly cookie etc. etc.
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Comment on Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
Nsutdwa Link ParentI was a bit disappointed that Piastri kept on asking about it. I'm torn because I'd prefer both the McLaren drivers get real and get their elbows out - it's a WDC title and I find all this...I was a bit disappointed that Piastri kept on asking about it. I'm torn because I'd prefer both the McLaren drivers get real and get their elbows out - it's a WDC title and I find all this tiptoeing around rules of engagement "Papaya Rules" a bit sanctimonious, frankly. That said, perhaps Piastri simply was making the most of any means available to him and on the off chance that McLaren do force Norris to drop back, perhaps it's worth asking for... How many times do we hear drivers shooting off a pretty faux-indignant "Hey, did you see X do Y?!?!" message that is as much for the stewards as their actual team. I liked Piastri's image as unflappable, but it seems that when the pressure is really on, he's not that different. No iceman, anyway, given the lockups we've seen in his efforts to pass Norris in past races and flapped radio persona too.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
Nsutdwa Link ParentI sometimes fantasy-spec a home server (but what if I win the lottery? I have to be ready!) and honestly, trying to make ECC work is always a nightmare. I fully agree with leaving it out for a...I sometimes fantasy-spec a home server (but what if I win the lottery? I have to be ready!) and honestly, trying to make ECC work is always a nightmare. I fully agree with leaving it out for a budget- and sanity-friendly home build.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
Nsutdwa Link ParentThis is a great idea - how do you get it to always display the notes you want it to? Do you ever turn it off (software or hardware)? Edit: perhaps my first question isn't very clear. Do you have...This is a great idea - how do you get it to always display the notes you want it to? Do you ever turn it off (software or hardware)?
Edit: perhaps my first question isn't very clear. Do you have some way of forcing your OS to not use that monitor for whatever it fancies in the moment but only the note (app?) you want it to display there?
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Comment on What are some of your routines or habits? in ~life
Nsutdwa Link ParentI went to make an appointment at a new dentist recently and it was with a sinking heart that I saw their advice on brushing THREE times a day, when you wake up, just before going to bed, and after...I went to make an appointment at a new dentist recently and it was with a sinking heart that I saw their
propagandaadvice on brushing THREE times a day, when you wake up, just before going to bed, and after lunch (but not immediately, I assume, because I've read that's not advisable). Feels like I will never live up to (any of) my dentists' standards. -
Comment on The perfect lighting in ~life.home_improvement
Nsutdwa Link ParentAgreed, I'm always interested in seeing switches "in situ", as it were, because I just do not trust the online photos from manufacturers/marketers. Especially on AliExpress, photoshopping items...Agreed, I'm always interested in seeing switches "in situ", as it were, because I just do not trust the online photos from manufacturers/marketers. Especially on AliExpress, photoshopping items into backgrounds is too normalised, so you often don't know the true size of things until some blogger posts a review.
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Comment on The perfect lighting in ~life.home_improvement
Nsutdwa Link ParentI hear you on the size of them. Even though they bill themselves as being small (which they are) and they have lots of glossy pictures showing them just sliding into boxes just so easily behind...I hear you on the size of them. Even though they bill themselves as being small (which they are) and they have lots of glossy pictures showing them just sliding into boxes just so easily behind switches ... in reality I couldn't fit them behind the switches, and it wasn't a close-run thing either. In the end, I wired them up in the "junction boxes" (is that the word? I mean the little box embedded in the wall in [pretty much] each room with wires going to the lights/switches/plugs for that room). It meant getting pretty familiar with the wiring in the whole house (which actually prompted getting a pro in to fix things, because I'm self-aware enough to realise that recognising something is wrong is one thing, but knowing how to fix it, and to what standard(s) is quite another).
I absolutely adore the "sleep mode" thing, I love that I can come down all bleary-eyed in the morning and get showered/changed in 1% light. Small details like that add up to have a serious impact on my day-to-day quality of life.
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Comment on The perfect lighting in ~life.home_improvement
Nsutdwa Link ParentI gave a little rueful smile when I got to the line "Anyone who’s ever worked with smart bulbs before knows where this is going." I did, I have felt exactly this frustration, and it felt like...I gave a little rueful smile when I got to the line "Anyone who’s ever worked with smart bulbs before knows where this is going." I did, I have felt exactly this frustration, and it felt like every time I bought something (the smart bulbs were supposed to fix this!), I ended up having to set byzantine (not really, but it sure felt like it) rules to avoid messing things up. We were renting as well, so we couldn't do anything that involved touching the wiring or switches... My solution now in a new place, where the wiring is waaaaay newer and I am allowed to meddle with it is some nifty zigbee relays from sonoff. Zbminir2, to be specific.
The key is that this lets the normal switch on the wall work (a dealbreaking requirement for my partner, who had had enough of having to grab the phone to adjust lights, what a hero for sticking with my experiment for so long!), but they can work with a "disconnected relay", so clicking the switch doesn't actually break the circuit. This zbminir2 thing just notices that the voltage has changed (from 0 to 220ish, or vice versa) and sends the signal to the bulb to toggle on/off. Game changer, it's meant that I can combine cheap Ikea Tradfri bulbs (I do like the Hues, but I couldn't spring for them throughout the house, and Tradfris have slightly better CRI, I gather) with cheap everyday switch mechanisms.
I fully agree that the Adaptive Lighting integration is great, I signed up to push some cash their way, because the times that's saved my eyeballs from searing blue light late at night is unreal. On that note, when I'm walking home in the dark in the darker-eveninged seasons, I can't quite believe how many homes are still lit with a. a weird mix of colour temperatures or b. really harsh hospital clinic-esque colour temperatures. Warm lighting is absolutely essential for a cosy feeling, which I've learned over the years is what I want from my home.
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Comment on California attorney fined for using twenty-one AI hallucinated cases in court filing in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentMy management team recently revamped and reissued the "strategic plan" for the next half-dozen years or so, and one of the leading objectives is "use AI more" (I paraphrase, but I promise that is...My management team recently revamped and reissued the "strategic plan" for the next half-dozen years or so, and one of the leading objectives is "use AI more" (I paraphrase, but I promise that is exactly true to the spirit of the text). It goes on about "find strategic places to use AI". It's mad, the goal, in and of itself, surely shouldn't be "use AI", it should be "do X better, and if AI does that, great!"
Edit to add this interesting FT article I read today (sorry, not a share link, so there is a paywall, probably):
https://www.ft.com/content/e93e56df-dd9b-40c1-b77a-dba1ca01e473
It mentions the famous recent study at Microsoft/MIT Media Lab and quotes that work:
“When we spoke to executives, they would often say the internal tool was very successful,” said Challapally. “But when we spoke to employees, we found zero usage.”This rings very true in my workplace. Our execs are frothing at the mouth to say we're "leveraging cutting-edge technologies" and "becoming a global leader in AI", but... we're really not. And I truly do not believe that that should be the goal (at least with what we're calling AI at the moment, which is the only caveat I can fairly allow, I think).
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Comment on Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
Nsutdwa Link ParentI really didn't think Sainz would be able to stick it out to the end. I feel like I've seen so many races where someone has qualified surprisingly high for whatever quirk on Saturday, but then as...I really didn't think Sainz would be able to stick it out to the end. I feel like I've seen so many races where someone has qualified surprisingly high for whatever quirk on Saturday, but then as soon as they do their pit stops, they just get sucked back into the midfield. Williams did a great job and I hope Sainz and Albon can power that team up the standings. They're top of the midfield right now, 5th, which is a really strong position. I'd love to see one of the very top drivers go there, that would be such a stamp of approval.
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentThanks, that's good to know. I'd heard that it's a part that often breaks, and I'm lucky enough to live in a place where constant ice availability isn't a massive benefit, so I'd always just...Thanks, that's good to know. I'd heard that it's a part that often breaks, and I'm lucky enough to live in a place where constant ice availability isn't a massive benefit, so I'd always just dismissed fridges with one out of hand. Good to know I've also been shaving a bit off of my bills too!
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentI'm interested in your comment about efficiency - why would an ice dispenser make the fridge less efficient? My (aggressively un-engineer-y) thinking is that the dispenser must be cold to be...I'm interested in your comment about efficiency - why would an ice dispenser make the fridge less efficient? My (aggressively un-engineer-y) thinking is that the dispenser must be cold to be dispensing ice, so it shouldn't be a problem of a gap in insulation, but I'm either wrong or missing something, I imagine.
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentI've used my government's web pages. They're horrific (some of them still want me to somehow use Internet Explorer and run Java Applets, just some real abandonware-level stuff). I get where you're...I've used my government's web pages. They're horrific (some of them still want me to somehow use Internet Explorer and run Java Applets, just some real abandonware-level stuff). I get where you're coming from, I'd like it, but it feels like a fantasy.
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Comment on What's a setting that you'd recommend? in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentGreat find, thanks, I didn't know about that config setting. I remember being thoroughly annoyed by my visits to amiunique.org that would show me that I very much am unique, given the crazy detail...Great find, thanks, I didn't know about that config setting. I remember being thoroughly annoyed by my visits to amiunique.org that would show me that I very much am unique, given the crazy detail in the settings that are being broadcast by my browser of choice.
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Comment on What's a setting that you'd recommend? in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentI use an app called aodNotify that lets you have a notification light with various colours etc. I read that having part of your screen simulate a notification LED wasn't a good idea because it...I use an app called aodNotify that lets you have a notification light with various colours etc. I read that having part of your screen simulate a notification LED wasn't a good idea because it would probably burn out those pixels (or something, I only vaguely remember now). But now I have a thin border gently pulse all around the edge of my screen in various colours for various things for around 20/30 seconds (well, basically charging has one colour, my partner's messages have another, and everyone/thing else has another colour, I'm not really putting it throught its paces here).
I will clarify that I would absolutely love a dedicated multi-colour LED though. I limit the time of my notification flashing to avoid damaging those specific pixels, but I'd love a notification that could last for minutes/hours, so I could just glance at the phone and KNOW that nothing had come in since I last glanced in its direction.
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Comment on What's a setting that you'd recommend? in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link Parentas a non-mac user, what is the Spock button really? Is it that key with the squiggly square-ish symbol on it?as a non-mac user, what is the Spock button really? Is it that key with the squiggly square-ish symbol on it?
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Comment on What's a setting that you'd recommend? in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentI'm cursed with experiencing nausea if I drink tea first thing on an empty stomach (perhaps you're referring to the same thing?). I looked into it when I first put two and two together and it's...I'm cursed with experiencing nausea if I drink tea first thing on an empty stomach (perhaps you're referring to the same thing?). I looked into it when I first put two and two together and it's apparently not uncommon, so I'm also now a coffee first, tea later kind of person. We also drink lots of fridge tea, loose leaf tea brewed overnight in the fridge - it's a lovely, refreshing drink for lunchtimes in summer (is this "iced tea", or would that require a chunk of sugar?).
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Comment on A full body air dryer in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentIn the public toilet industry (I don't know what to call it, but I'm trying to cover all the services and products in publicly accessible toilets), there is a massive debate as to the benefits of...In the public toilet industry (I don't know what to call it, but I'm trying to cover all the services and products in publicly accessible toilets), there is a massive debate as to the benefits of paper towels/"real" towels/hand dryers, whether you're looking at hygiene (hand dryers spread germs around, not great for hospital toilets where people are perhaps couging germs into the air) or environmental friendliness ("real" towels are best, but they become havens for bacteria unless replaced regularly, which isn't great for the aformentioned environmental aspect) or price (paper towels, but customers hate bad paper towels that don't really work, so you probably shouldn't buy the cheapest ones, so they end up not being dead cheap).
When I read about this, I remember thinking that it was a real demonstration that there are areas/products that the normal person will interact with very, very regularly, but have no idea that there is such intense debate and work behind the scenes to make the environment that they are in and using.
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Comment on A full body air dryer in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentThey are definitely targeting that market. I used to be (a very long time ago) tangentially involved in marketing and selling this product and there were strict instructions to partitions...They are definitely targeting that market. I used to be (a very long time ago) tangentially involved in marketing and selling this product and there were strict instructions to partitions potential customers into different groups and NEVER mention to the e.g. corporate customers (wellness centres, hotels etc.) that this product could be a boon for those with limited mobility or for people who'd use the product because they had skin problems. The messaging was always focusing on "this is a superior option to a towel". It's fascinating, they had statistics for how much water you could save (from not having to wash towels), how much space you could save, how much theft (hotels + gyms) you could avoid.
Honestly, if it wasn't for the price, I could see this as a great option at home, purely for the reduced clutter. I know I have enough trouble storing bulky towels under the bed and in every nook and cranny of my small bathroom. Having said that, I suppose this doesn't obviate the need for a hair towel, if you have lots of hair that needs to be wrapped up and left to soak in conditioner or something else.
I've had that, but increasingly I just close the page. I've seen the Carrefour supermarket website blocks me when I'm on the VPN, so I just don't shop there. I wonder sometimes whether I should contact them and say, but I'm sure they don't care. I'd just be the weirdo shaking my fist at the virtual customer services counter...