SamusAu's recent activity
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Comment on AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead in ~life
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Comment on AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead in ~life
SamusAu Link ParentI think this is the bigger discussion that needs to happen. Like it or not AI is here to stay, and we do need to start showing how to use it responsibly. The calls to flat out ban it just remind...C) AI can be used responsibly.
So a better policy would be teaching students how to use AI well, rather than being a Luddite about it.
I think this is the bigger discussion that needs to happen. Like it or not AI is here to stay, and we do need to start showing how to use it responsibly. The calls to flat out ban it just remind me of the people from my childhood who wouldn't let their kids use computers or screens at all. Like sure, less screen time is good and I get where you are coming from, but a giant portion of the working / real world is computers and screens. It doesn't actually help to hide those things away. I think AI is in that same boat.
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Comment on AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead in ~life
SamusAu LinkA few years ago my middle schooler had to write a one page paper on something, and instead turned in 10+ pages of AI slop. Her punishment? She had to write the paper out by hand and turn it in,...A few years ago my middle schooler had to write a one page paper on something, and instead turned in 10+ pages of AI slop. Her punishment? She had to write the paper out by hand and turn it in, and if it happened again she would only be allowed to turn in hand written assignments. She could still use the computer for research, drafts, etc, but the final copy had to be hand written. I thought that was a great middle ground, and a way to still get the benefits of technology.
She was less impressed.
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Comment on What's something you've moved on from? in ~talk
SamusAu Link ParentI will admit switching everything to linux at home did give me the first spark of enjoyment I've gotten out of tech in a while. I'm firmly in the windows world professionally, so it was cool to...I still enjoy tech when I can tinker with it myself (home server, linux, personal projects, etc)
I will admit switching everything to linux at home did give me the first spark of enjoyment I've gotten out of tech in a while. I'm firmly in the windows world professionally, so it was cool to tinker again, try some new things out. And just getting away from Windows 11 which had been the bane of my existence at work. Even then though, I'm on the user end of things at home. I can play the odd game, get to a web browser and stream media, that's about all I need.
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Comment on What's something you've moved on from? in ~talk
SamusAu LinkAs a few other people have said weed / alcohol and video games Ill leave those out, but I agree with what everyone has said on those. My addition is... Tech in general This is the one I thought of...As a few other people have said weed / alcohol and video games Ill leave those out, but I agree with what everyone has said on those. My addition is...
Tech in general
This is the one I thought of when I clicked on this post. And to be clear I'm not moved on - probably never will be - but I can feel the shift. I work in IT, my entire career has been tech based, and I just don't have any sort of passion for it at all anymore. I hate the direction modern IT / tech is taking, how most every product is just a way to suck data out of you to then turn around and show you more ads, not to help solve a problem. I hate how disposable everything is in the world of tech, both hardware and software wise. We (very seldom) actually fix anything now, and as we are seeing a lot of tech has been weaponized against us. I love fixing things and helping people. I've pulled every appliance in my house apart to repair them, I've stopped and changed peoples tires just to help. Precious little in the world of tech is about that anymore.
In my own little ways I've started pulling back. I'm off Windows at home, I ditched my smart watch for an analog one, have started carrying a pen and note pad with me. And I really do enjoy those things. My hobbies have been headed more towards things you do with your hands for years, fixing cars, gardening, home improvements, that sort of thing. I use to have a huge home lab setup, would love learning new things in the world of tech, but now its just a job.
I feel like I need to insert the Grandpa Simpson yelling at clouds picture here.
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
SamusAu LinkA foster kid yelling "I'M TRYING" at me. Years ago we had a foster kid I'll call B. B and his siblings had lived through some truly horrific abuse. He was practically incapable of regulating his...A foster kid yelling "I'M TRYING" at me. Years ago we had a foster kid I'll call B. B and his siblings had lived through some truly horrific abuse. He was practically incapable of regulating his emotions, and even then the only emotion he really knew was anger. It took nothing to set that off, even the most minor of thing would send him into a fit for 10 ~ 30min at a time - hitting anyone, breaking toys, making holes in walls, etc. as that is all he had even known or seen out of the adults in his life. He was by far the hardest child we have ever had in our home.
I don't remember what set him off this time, but I do remember it was minor and not really his fault. I managed to get him to his room before he went fully ballistic, and in an exacerbated sigh I said 'B just calm down'
"I'M TRYING"
The shock of him yelling that and not his usual string of swear words at me snapped me to attention, and god dam he was right. I cant even describe it, but you could just see he really was trying to calm himself down - something he had been talking about in therapy but had never done in practice. His anger this time wasn't at whatever had just happened, it was at himself, while trying so very hard to do something he had never done before. Ever since then anytime I'm met with strong emotions from a child I hear that same yell, slow myself down and pay attention. It has helped me catch things I would have 100% missed before B came into our home.
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Comment on What are some of your "life hacks" you use regularly? in ~talk
SamusAu LinkFor a few years now I've started my days with a goal of doing just 3 things. These 3 things are usually, but not always, trivial. Like if I knuckled down and just knocked them out I'd be done in...For a few years now I've started my days with a goal of doing just 3 things. These 3 things are usually, but not always, trivial. Like if I knuckled down and just knocked them out I'd be done in 15min or less. But the snowball effect of only committing to doing 3 things and then getting them done almost always gets me motivated to do more. Today for example, one of the things I committed to was just loading up the silverware in the dishwasher. Not rising things off, not fully loading and starting it, not hand washing pots and pans, just getting knives and forks in. But after getting that done it wasn't much more work to do plates and bowls, then before you know it there are only dirty pots and pans on the counter, so you wash those and dam if the kitchen isn't half way clean.
It doesn't always work. There are plenty of times I'd just throw silverware in then walk away. And that's OK. I think to really get this to work you have to be serious that these 3 things are all you have to do. Sometimes you do more, sometimes that's it. But for me at least most days just getting those small wins turned into a lot more.
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Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk
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Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk
SamusAu Link ParentI'll see that and raise - We should bring back shooting as a sport through out school. Marksman, 3 gun, old school, whatever. Teach shooting along with safety.I'll see that and raise - We should bring back shooting as a sport through out school. Marksman, 3 gun, old school, whatever. Teach shooting along with safety.
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Comment on Donald Trump Department of Justice is looking at ways to ban transgender Americans from owning guns, sources say in ~lgbt
SamusAu LinkSo, 2A people, why aren't you in the streets over this?! From my cold, dead hands remember?! Oh because hate comes first. If you think this stops with people you don't like I've got bad news. No...So, 2A people, why aren't you in the streets over this?! From my cold, dead hands remember?! Oh because hate comes first. If you think this stops with people you don't like I've got bad news. No dictatorship wants an armed population.
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Comment on Can we talk about used cars, and the near future of the car market in the US? in ~transport
SamusAu LinkKeep it. Regardless of the financial piece, or the fact it's a cool car, that story alone makes it priceless in my mind. The work you mentioned isn't near as bad as you think, doubly so when you...Keep it. Regardless of the financial piece, or the fact it's a cool car, that story alone makes it priceless in my mind. The work you mentioned isn't near as bad as you think, doubly so when you aren't daily driving the car and don't need it up and running by Monday morning. Also, having a working 2nd car can take the stress off when your main car has issues.
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Comment on Can we talk about used cars, and the near future of the car market in the US? in ~transport
SamusAu Link ParentYup I'm all Makita tools at home and my impact was closer to $400. Wish I had seen that one earlier! Rockauto have a few control arms for their 06 RSX that have the upper bushing, but no ball...Yup I'm all Makita tools at home and my impact was closer to $400. Wish I had seen that one earlier!
Rockauto have a few control arms for their 06 RSX that have the upper bushing, but no ball joint, so you are still stuck needing a press. Just an idea either way.
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Comment on Can we talk about used cars, and the near future of the car market in the US? in ~transport
SamusAu Link ParentYou can sometimes get control arms (and similar parts) with new bushing already pressed in for not much extra money, which takes care of the worst part of that job. Ive done my 04 crv with these...You can sometimes get control arms (and similar parts) with new bushing already pressed in for not much extra money, which takes care of the worst part of that job. Ive done my 04 crv with these and had no issues.
For the impact, if you don't already have other tools / batteries the Hercules 20v impact from Hobo Freight is more then enough for those of us on the shade tree end of the scale, and will go on sale for cheaper then list fairly often.
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Comment on Google may be close to launching YouTube Premium Lite in ~tech
SamusAu Link ParentThis has been my position for a while as well. YouTube is scummy, but I acknowledge things cost money. $5 a month for me, or $10 if I can attach it to my family plan and I might just bite....This has been my position for a while as well. YouTube is scummy, but I acknowledge things cost money. $5 a month for me, or $10 if I can attach it to my family plan and I might just bite.
Somewhat related, google get you billing system unified. It's a joke how many separate charges I see a month.
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Comment on What is your strangely specific phobia? in ~talk
SamusAu LinkSwimming next to large ships - think oil tanker size. Small boats no issue. Even in video games if I need to swim up to a ship I'll get goose bumps. In real life if I was lost at sea and some huge...Swimming next to large ships - think oil tanker size. Small boats no issue. Even in video games if I need to swim up to a ship I'll get goose bumps. In real life if I was lost at sea and some huge tanker found me - I think I'd just choose death.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
SamusAu Link ParentIts a condition of employment for these people I swear to God.More generally, it boggles my mind how eager people (especially executives) are to do things without any understanding of what they're doing.
Its a condition of employment for these people I swear to God.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
SamusAu (edited )LinkWell, I mainly have condolences. Our senior staff get some random hair up there arse once or twice a year about tech jargon that they think will change the world, and I'm typically the person that...Well, I mainly have condolences. Our senior staff get some random hair up there arse once or twice a year about tech jargon that they think will change the world, and I'm typically the person that bursts their bubble. So I get it, this is a shitty spot to be in.
But I've gotta ask, what is your actual job at this place? I'm an IT director and at first glance the warning sirens are going berserk in my brain. Considering their initial request (as you worded it) I don't think anything you can realistically deliver will hit the mark, especially not at version 1. Not to say it can't be done, but this sure sounds like it seriously exceeds what can be cobbled together without a more formal plan and budget. I'd say you need a small scale demo or proof of concept, then hit them with the reality that this shit does cost money, and if you really want this level of business intelligence you need to be willing to invest the man hours and dollars into it. There is no free lunch.
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Comment on Steam Replay 2024: Discussion topic in ~games
SamusAu LinkStardew Valley, Satisfactory & Red dead 2 are my top 3, and I want to say last year it was Stardew Valley, Factorio & Red dead 2. SDV the wife and I play religiously and 1.6 was just amazing, as...Stardew Valley, Satisfactory & Red dead 2 are my top 3, and I want to say last year it was Stardew Valley, Factorio & Red dead 2. SDV the wife and I play religiously and 1.6 was just amazing, as was playing the game again not modded to hell and back again. Probably my favorite game of all time, as an adult with limited time and too much stress its just such a calm experience (I say that as if I don't play to min/max the shit out of things, but still...). Satisfactory scratched the logic puzzle itch, a bit of a pain to build in but awesome none the less. RDR2 I finished last year, a masterpiece of a game for sure, but I was playing it an old arse PC with a 1070 - After getting a big upgrade Ive been playing back though with everything at ultra. Holy hell what a great looking game.
Also of note, the Steam median for games play is only 4?! I had 28 this year and felt like I didn't play that many new or different games.
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Comment on Car maintenance/replacement advice in ~transport
SamusAu LinkHow much oil is it burning though in a week / month? With your normal drive can you get by checking / topping off when you get gas, or is it burning it quick enough to need more every other day? I...How much oil is it burning though in a week / month? With your normal drive can you get by checking / topping off when you get gas, or is it burning it quick enough to need more every other day? I have a 2004 CRV that burns about 3/4s of a quart a month under normal driving. For that little I just keep a case of cheap, crappy synthetic oil in the car and top it off the 1st of every month. Been doing that for about 3 years without issue. If you are just looking to limp the car along for a year or so spending a hundred or two on oil might not be the worst idea.
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Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
SamusAu LinkGames with a forced stealth section when the rest of the game doesn't support or allow stealth at all. I don't mind a forced stealth section when the game at least allows you to play stealth...Games with a forced stealth section when the rest of the game doesn't support or allow stealth at all. I don't mind a forced stealth section when the game at least allows you to play stealth outside of that - Ghost Recon wildlands, Metro Exodus - games where you can legit play stealthy or can run and gun just fine. But when you are forced to play against the games mechanics to be stealthy drives me insane. The stealth level in the first Hotline Miami game is a great (or terrible) example. That is a game that was built around fast, efficient and brutal combat. But for 1 level lets just throw all that in the trash and make you basically guess your way though the level where none of your tools or skills from the rest of the game apply. And then after it, never use anything you might have gleaned from that section ever again.
She still thinks it was 'totally unfair', but she also hasn't turned in any AI nonsense since. I think it was an appropriate response from the school, and at no point did they outright say 'no AI'. We will see how she goes as things get harder towards the end of high school.