Ruthalas's recent activity
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Comment on Why you shouldn't help your coworkers unless they ask in ~life
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Comment on Patreon, Kickstarter and the new patrons of the arts in ~arts
Ruthalas LinkHere's a link to the archived page, if you are stopped by the paywall.Here's a link to the archived page, if you are stopped by the paywall.
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Comment on A good alternative to ________ is ________. in ~talk
Ruthalas (edited )Link ParentI found Rambox this past weekend and second this recommendation! I had been using Franz (which is a similar tool), but was becoming frustrated with the way it was handling upgrades, nag screens,...I found Rambox this past weekend and second this recommendation!
I had been using Franz (which is a similar tool), but was becoming frustrated with the way it was handling upgrades, nag screens, and how it didn't support the last few services I wanted it to.
Rambox has filled those needs nicely!
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Comment on Slack is banning users who have visited US-sanctioned countries (including Iran and Cuba) while using its app in ~tech
Ruthalas Link ParentRocket.Chat and Mattermost seem to be gaining traction. I host a Rocket.Chat instance for my friends, and I see small companies using both of those occasionally for team communications.Rocket.Chat and Mattermost seem to be gaining traction.
I host a Rocket.Chat instance for my friends, and I see small companies using both of those occasionally for team communications.
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Comment on What are some good open source games? in ~games
Ruthalas Link ParentIs there any sort of campaign, or is it soley multiplayer? (Does it support local LAN?)Is there any sort of campaign, or is it soley multiplayer? (Does it support local LAN?)
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Comment on Male disposability and far left hypocrisy in ~life
Ruthalas (edited )Link ParentI agree. She generally communicated her points thoughtfully.I agree. She generally communicated her points thoughtfully.
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Comment on How we lost our ambitions for the tech-enabled home in ~design
Ruthalas Link ParentIf you happen to be somewhat technologically savvy, tools like Home Assistant can be used to put together a completely local automated home. That's a bit different from what an 'assistant' like...If you happen to be somewhat technologically savvy, tools like Home Assistant can be used to put together a completely local automated home.
That's a bit different from what an 'assistant' like Alexa or Google provide, but it is a fine option that avoids the potential issues of the third-party recording devices.
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Comment on Your ideal smartphone in 2019? in ~tech
Ruthalas Link ParentIndeed! Not OP, but these are the reasons I currently purchase budget Motorola devices.Indeed! Not OP, but these are the reasons I currently purchase budget Motorola devices.
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Comment on Any advice for a first time DM? in ~games.tabletop
Ruthalas (edited )LinkTo add to the other excellent posts here- I have found this tool to be useful: The Same Page Tool It's a short questionnaire for your players that helps you get an idea what they will be looking...To add to the other excellent posts here- I have found this tool to be useful:
It's a short questionnaire for your players that helps you get an idea what they will be looking for.
I've found it to be very helpful in getting everyone on the same page before the first session.For example, the first question is:
Do you play to win?
a) Yes, you totally play to win! The win conditions are…
b) Good play isn’t a win/lose kind of thingThe group I DM for is composed of about half story and role-play lovers, and half for whom the fun is in the rules and min-maxing stats and combat effectiveness.
That's a bit tricky when designing sessions, but is invaluable to know. A session where the players only talk to villagers to gather intel may bore the stat-lovers, unless you think to work in a framework for intimidation roles and knowledge checks for them to focus on. Conversely, a session that is combat heavy may put your story-focused players to sleep unless you give a little time to the antagonist to express his motives, or flesh out the minions with some simple dialog to help them dig into your setting. -
Comment on This staircase from the Eiffel Tower is for sale in ~humanities.history
Ruthalas Link ParentIt may be that the bottom picture is representative of the inclusion on the tower, but there are a variety of orientations based on position within the structure. ie: There are clockwise and...It may be that the bottom picture is representative of the inclusion on the tower, but there are a variety of orientations based on position within the structure.
ie: There are clockwise and counterclockwise sets in different parts of the tower, and the photo happens not to match the specific orientation of this one.
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Comment on I found the best burger place in America. And then I killed it. in ~food
Ruthalas LinkThis is a well-written article, and a somewhat surreal read for me. I visited Stanichs some time after the Thrillist list, and before its eventual closing. I had been recommended it by a friend...This is a well-written article, and a somewhat surreal read for me.
I visited Stanichs some time after the Thrillist list, and before its eventual closing.
I had been recommended it by a friend who knew I was visiting Portland, and I decided to stop by just before heading out.The place was a bit hard to find (oddly placed amid residential areas), and the the parking was a bit unconventional, but I snapped a photo of myself and the sign before having a burger.
I recall being a bit confused- ordering was a vague, unstated process that involved directly speaking with the fry-cook and then letting the cashier know what you'd asked for (as I recall). Looking back I can see how it was geared toward the regulars and local folks who'd be more familiar with the proprietors. Maybe I came after the staff had begun to grow weary of the encroaching tourists. The burger was good, and the trip otherwise unremarkable.
It's odd to think I was a small part of that story.
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Comment on Prompted by a recent post, I asked myself: is collecting digital media really considered hoarding? in ~talk
Ruthalas LinkTo build off of what others have said, especially rez, I think the key dinstinction would likely be the mental state associated with the behavior. If your media gathering has harmful effects, such...To build off of what others have said, especially rez, I think the key dinstinction would likely be the mental state associated with the behavior.
If your media gathering has harmful effects, such as taking time that should be used elsewhere, or money you cannot afford to spend, it may indeed be a harmful behavior. Additionally, if your media gathering is complusive and is not accompanied by some level of organization, it may be worth examining the motives behind it.
Hoarding typically isn't an issue because the person acquires items, but instead because they acquire items of no value, beyond what they reasonably need and can store, and do so to the detriment of their health. If someone has unlimited space, and keeps items neatly stored, and doesn't collect in ways harmful to their well-being, they are more likely to be termed a collector than a hoarder.
For the sake of disclosure, I have ~20TB of storage composed of a variety of media and the personal documents of friends and family.
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Comment on The Magic Leap con in ~tech
Ruthalas Link ParentI am not sure an 'overlay' on a mobile device is comparable to something that can sit in your field of view relative to objects. Navigation prompts on the road while riding a bike, or nametags...I am not sure an 'overlay' on a mobile device is comparable to something that can sit in your field of view relative to objects.
Navigation prompts on the road while riding a bike, or nametags associated with convention attendees next to their heads seem like reasonably unique value-adds that a mobile device could not provide in the same way.
I don't foresee these being consistently visible the entire time you wear a display, but simply used when they'd be helpful.
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Comment on The Magic Leap con in ~tech
Ruthalas Link ParentHey man! Thanks for the links- I only just saw them (still getting used to Tildes). Progress is slowly being made! There are some interesting options being developed for optics that seem like they...Hey man!
Thanks for the links- I only just saw them (still getting used to Tildes).
Progress is slowly being made! There are some interesting options being developed for optics that seem like they may drive the coming glasses-style options.
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Comment on The Magic Leap con in ~tech
Ruthalas Link ParentIn my opinion, the main uses will begin to proliferate when the technology begins to edge into sunglasses-sized devices. At the moment any value proposition is pretty evenly balanced by...In my opinion, the main uses will begin to proliferate when the technology begins to edge into sunglasses-sized devices.
At the moment any value proposition is pretty evenly balanced by inconvenience, and the enthusiasts who are driving sales are simply those willing to overlook these inconveniences.
However, once a pair of sunglasses can overlay menus and shop hours on buildings, or hover names next to associates, or similar simple things, I think AR will start gaining traction among the general population.
Agreed.
Additionally, depending on how forthright you are with your friends, asking them directly if they are interested in advice can be a good approach. (It need to be coupled with an easy way to decline though.)
Ex: Hey, I've experienced that before, are you open to advice, or would you just prefer a sounding board or commiseration?