ResidueOfSanity's recent activity
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Comment on Paramount launches a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. in ~movies
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Comment on United Kingdom electric vehicle owners to face pay-per-mile tax in ~transport
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentMilage "correction" services are very common these days, I'm told ~£100 and 30 mins of a laptop hooked up to your car and "mileage errors" are corrected. I saw an investigation into the sales of...Milage "correction" services are very common these days, I'm told ~£100 and 30 mins of a laptop hooked up to your car and "mileage errors" are corrected.
I saw an investigation into the sales of ex police cars recently, and how it was blatantly obvious they were being routinely clocked post-auction. And the police apparently didn't care in the slightest.
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Comment on Want to get a 3D printer for miniatures that work well with open source software in ~hobbies
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI have a Prusa mk4s (upgraded from an mk4), and I only have Linux environments, so can offer some insight there. I've used octoprint which worked well, but for the moment I'm using Prusa's connect...I have a Prusa mk4s (upgraded from an mk4), and I only have Linux environments, so can offer some insight there.
I've used octoprint which worked well, but for the moment I'm using Prusa's connect system either pushing direct or via their cloud system - you can also just load prints via usb if you wish.
Prusa printers are definitely not the cheap option when buying new, but it's well worth checking out eBay as the second hand market is strong and both original and 3rd party parts are available easily.
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Comment on Looking for recommendations for a new home router in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI went the opnsense route about 5 years ago and have no regrets. I grabbed a cheap fanless bare bones PC off AliExpress, put a small SSD in and it's been running flawlessly since. I also second...I went the opnsense route about 5 years ago and have no regrets. I grabbed a cheap fanless bare bones PC off AliExpress, put a small SSD in and it's been running flawlessly since.
I also second the idea of keeping WiFi separate from the router, being able to upgrade your WiFi or router without affecting the other is always useful. Personally I've got a cheap Tenda mesh system in place right now, with 99% of the features turned off. It works, can't really recommend it though!
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Comment on Looking for a non-smart watch recommendation in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentHow did you manage that?! I've had my Withings Scanwatch watch for about 3.5 years and there isn't a mark on the face, despite me forgetting to remove it at times when doing DIY/construction. If I...The watch face gets quite scratched, but it's still readable
How did you manage that?! I've had my Withings Scanwatch watch for about 3.5 years and there isn't a mark on the face, despite me forgetting to remove it at times when doing DIY/construction.
If I look really hard there are some tiny marks on the case, still looks pretty close to perfect condition tbh. Good enough that my GF has invested in one recently.
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Comment on Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy has parted ways with its lead vocalist Alissa White-Gluz – announces upcoming release of her solo album in ~music
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI'm a huge Jinjer fan, but never liked Arch Enemy, your comment made me give this a go. Can't really see the Jinjer comparison personally, does not do anything for me any more than Arch Enemy. A...I'm a huge Jinjer fan, but never liked Arch Enemy, your comment made me give this a go.
Can't really see the Jinjer comparison personally, does not do anything for me any more than Arch Enemy. A lot lighter than anything Jinjer have made for a long time, instrumentally, and her voice feels a bit lacking for me also.
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Comment on Is vaping less harmful than smoking, and does it help people quit? in ~health
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentCaffeine is likely one, it's seriously deadly when concentrated. Like nicotine it evolved in plants as an insecticide.Caffeine is likely one, it's seriously deadly when concentrated. Like nicotine it evolved in plants as an insecticide.
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Comment on Reusable rockets are here, so why is NASA paying more to launch stuff to space? in ~space
ResidueOfSanity LinkI suspect there is a large element of they can charge whatever the hell they like when they have such little competition. SpaceX have offered significant savings of "the old way", but they are...I suspect there is a large element of they can charge whatever the hell they like when they have such little competition.
SpaceX have offered significant savings of "the old way", but they are under no obligation to keep their prices down when nobody else has launch capacity to replace them.
Arguably it is a good thing in the long term, encouraging more providers to enter the market when there is apparently scope for some profits. Arguably.
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
ResidueOfSanity LinkI've got inattentive-type ADHD and I've got to agree with all the other commenters that whoever is providing the diagnosis has no clue what ADHD is. Hyperfocus is a significant part of ADHD so...I've got inattentive-type ADHD and I've got to agree with all the other commenters that whoever is providing the diagnosis has no clue what ADHD is.
Hyperfocus is a significant part of ADHD so their rational for dismissing it is garbage. That does not mean it is ADHD, it means your son certainly appears to have multiple traits of ADHD and should talk to somebody who understands it.
I addition to finding somebody else to talk to your son I'd read up on how to work with, instead of against, ADHD. E.g. rather than trying to force concentration on one thing try to find ways to allow him to "nibble" at multiple tasks, so he can keep bouncing between multiple things as he gets bored/stuck/blocked. Making "some progress" on 3-5 things (e.g. multiple chores, homework subjects, books, etc) rather than trying to force completion on 1 is an adaption that works for many. And if he finds himself in hyperfocus on something useful try to avoid interruptions!
I'd also have a look at the @HealthyGamerGG youtube channel, they have some good content on ADHD.
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Comment on Help choosing a new linux computer? in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI've been a Linux desktop user for best part of 20 years, don't even have a Window partition anymore, and the occasional desire to try another distro never goes fully away! Personally I use...I've been a Linux desktop user for best part of 20 years, don't even have a Window partition anymore, and the occasional desire to try another distro never goes fully away!
Personally I use Ubuntu, on desktop and laptop, mostly because it "just works" the vast majority of the time and there is excellent information and support all over the web for when it does not. When I'm working I can't be bothered with dealing with OS issues and when I'm gaming I really can't be bothered with OS issues!
If you are just starting out with Linux and new hardware then I'd recommend at least a short time on Ubuntu, if only to build confidence that you got the hardware side sorted. Don't be afraid to reinstall to try new things, just keep a copy of your /home folder tree and and a fresh install, even on a new distro, will feel quick and easy.
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Comment on Proton batteries - new still-in-the-lab batteries that use hydrogen ions instead of lithium ions (also a different anode/cathode) in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI'm not convinced sodium-ion is a downgrade in anything but energy density, which for many applications isn't an issue already. They are already energy dense enough for vehicle use in China and...I'm not convinced sodium-ion is a downgrade in anything but energy density, which for many applications isn't an issue already. They are already energy dense enough for vehicle use in China and for applications like solar-paired batteries they appear to have most of the advantages of lithium and few of the disadvantages.
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Comment on Sweden's employment agency has been tracking the online locations of thousands of citizens claiming unemployment benefits in an effort to crack down on welfare fraud in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentGeolocation by IP isn't reliable at all using off the shelf solutions, as I know all too well from clients asking me to implement it on their applications. If the agency spent a serious amount of...Geolocation by IP isn't reliable at all using off the shelf solutions, as I know all too well from clients asking me to implement it on their applications.
If the agency spent a serious amount of time/effort/ money they might be able to get reliable results, but you can be sure the reason they reached for this approach is somebody sold it as the cheap and quick solution.
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Comment on What is a business/org that's so terrible no one should use if possible? in ~life
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentI've worked with, or been a customer of, almost every one of the UK high street banks and incompetence is kind of standard across the industry. Personally I've switched to using "challenger" banks...I've worked with, or been a customer of, almost every one of the UK high street banks and incompetence is kind of standard across the industry.
Personally I've switched to using "challenger" banks wherever possible, for over 5 years now and it's been comparatively great. My general rule is if they have a physical branch somewhere they are to be avoided if possible.
Anecdotally my partner and I both opened new current accounts at the same time a few years back. She went with Nationwide as there is a branch within 10mins walk of our house. I went with Starling, who don't have branches at all. My account was open in about 30mins, fully security cleared and active within 8 hours and my physical cards arrived in the post within 48 hours. I took Nationwide over 10 days and multiple physical visits to do the same.
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
ResidueOfSanity LinkBusiness Issues . Looking hopeful that I may be carrying a meaty snack.Business Issues . Looking hopeful that I may be carrying a meaty snack.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
ResidueOfSanity LinkAfter a decade of not being able to run, due to severe acid reflux, I've been able to start on a treadmill again after some general health improvements and management technique changes. And 4...After a decade of not being able to run, due to severe acid reflux, I've been able to start on a treadmill again after some general health improvements and management technique changes.
And 4 (short) runs in I've torn something in my right calf.
Oh well, I guess I'll be taking it easy for a while and working my way back up to it.
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Comment on Victories and challenges: An A[u]DHD community and support fortnightly thread #6 in ~health.mental
ResidueOfSanity LinkBizarrely work is something of a refuge at the moment, I'm involved in lots of interesting things (if occasionally frustrating) and its providing a distraction from near constant back-pain and the...Bizarrely work is something of a refuge at the moment, I'm involved in lots of interesting things (if occasionally frustrating) and its providing a distraction from near constant back-pain and the ever worsening political situation in the UK.
Trying to stay motivated to exercise daily and finding it something of a struggle. In the long term it will help my back problems, and general health, in the short term trying to get started exercising when you are in pain is not easy. Currently managing to do some exercise every day, even if it is small, to just keep the momentum going.
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Comment on What's your current PC wallpaper? in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity LinkThe Ubuntu default wallpaper, I rarely see the desktop so I've given up on my old galleries of images.The Ubuntu default wallpaper, I rarely see the desktop so I've given up on my old galleries of images.
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Comment on How can England possibly be running out of water? in ~enviro
ResidueOfSanity Link ParentYou are correct, and the UK has certainly had its share of poorly run public institutions in the past, however much of the mass-privatisation since the 80s was done for ideological reasons (and to...You are correct, and the UK has certainly had its share of poorly run public institutions in the past, however much of the mass-privatisation since the 80s was done for ideological reasons (and to enrich certain people .. allegedly) rather than because there were good business cases for the operations being privitised or any specific problem being "solved". In many cases it was also wildly unpopular.
In the specific case of the water utilities there is no competition, or possibility of competition being created, it was just handing monopolies over to private business.
In the specific case of Thames Water, which supplies my home, they have managed to bankrupt themselves while also failing to invest in infrastructure and the public are not happy. They are crying out that they need to heavily increase bills, well beyond the increases they are legally allowed, to fund tens of billion of urgently needed investment and additionally they have over £15 billion of debt. Inevitably questions have been asked about where on earth all the money has gone and it turns out over the last decade they have paid out tens of billions in share dividends (and hundreds of millions in bonuses to executives), while taking on dept and cutting infrastructure investment.
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Comment on How do you manage separate development environments on your computer? in ~tech
ResidueOfSanity LinkAt my company I develop the "full stack", including what is usually covered by sysadmin & devops, which means jumping between languages and language versions constantly. My general rule is to not...At my company I develop the "full stack", including what is usually covered by sysadmin & devops, which means jumping between languages and language versions constantly.
My general rule is to not even have the runtime, let alone the tool chain and dev environment, for any language installed on my workstation and do everything in docker.
I've got various editors installed and chrome/Firefox/etc but with everything else being in docker switching project is very fast as is switching desktop to laptop and similar.
I've been running this way for well over 5 years and I'm yet to find a significant drawback to the approach, for my way of working at least.
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Comment on How my life changed with ADHD medication in ~life
ResidueOfSanity LinkI was diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive sub-type (what used to be called ADD), two years ago at the grand old age of 41. I was offered medication at the time, but decided not to go ahead until...I was diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive sub-type (what used to be called ADD), two years ago at the grand old age of 41.
I was offered medication at the time, but decided not to go ahead until recently as I wanted time to learn more about it and basically think over my current and past life with the new knowledge about how my brain works to put it all in context.
Decided to start the medication process earlier this year, mostly as I wanted to see if treating my ADHD would allow me to get off one or more of my other medications. Being in the UK the process appears to be a bit different from the process described by Americans that I've seen much of online. I was started on a very low dose of Methylphenidate (Ritalin), and gradually stepped up each month after having plenty of time to adapt to any side-effects.
First few months the dose was low enough for any effect to hard to distinguish, some headaches but otherwise minimal side-effects.
Once I got up to ~30mg/day (now on 40mg/day, likely the dose for the foreseeable) the effects became very noticeable, mostly:
- sleep; this was a huge surprise, particularly as its a stimulant and NOT being able to sleep is a side-effect. I can now look back and realise I've not had more than a handful of "good" nights sleep in almost 30 years! I'm now getting to sleep quickly, sleeping deeply and waking up feeling rested. I can actually function in the mornings, and am apparently considerably less grumpy! I suspect for my long-term health this is going one of the most important changes.
- mental clarity; the noise level in my head being drastically reduced, I don't feel like I've "lost" too much of my ability to multi-task but I think I'm generally doing a better job staying on-task without having to exert a huge mental effort to do so
- anxiety/stress reduction; I've been on blood pressure drugs for years and drugs to reduce me clenching my teeth in my sleep, it took me a long time to realize a lot of the need for those was likely rooted in anxiety and stress. Its looking likely I'll be able to stop at least one of my regular drugs in the next few weeks and my blood pressure appears to be reducing slowly so hopefully more soon
- emotional stability; I think I'm a bit more "level" generally, likely a lot of this comes out of the "good sleep" but I suspect there is a direct effect also. I think my mood is generally a bit lighter and less low periods.
Has it all been positive? Kinda of yes, kind of no. But even most of the "bad" bits are likely a positive in the long-term.
In terms of the expected side-effects I've had some mild headaches and a frequently get a "tingling" on my tongue, but that is about it.
One of the big short-term painful, but long-term likely very good, elements has been realising how long I've been able to mentally skip-away from distressing/painful thoughts and not dealt emotionally with some things that have been bothering me for a long time. Now that my unconscious ability to change the subject until I'm no longer thinking about what is distressing has been stymied some stuff has been "bubbling up" to the surface. This has not been pleasant to deal with, but now that I have the "clarity" of thought to actually sit and work through my feelings properly I'm increasingly certain its going to be a strong-positive in the long-term. And certainly good for my blood pressure.
To get ahead of the inevitable NHS questions, so far I've done the whole process privately. Going via the NHS was likely to be a fairly extended process, one I may have had trouble sticking with as somebody with ADHD. Going private allowed me to accelerate the process considerably since I'm lucky enough to be able to afford it. Now that my medication has been stabilised there will be a treatment plan handover to the NHS in a few weeks time, and my medication supply will switch to NHS supplied so I don't have to pay for private prescriptions any more.
My understanding is that the netflix purchase does not include the news agencies, they are to be split off and Ellison is trying to pick them up ASAP.