Sapholia's recent activity
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Comment on Tiny undervalued hardware companions in ~tech
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Comment on Steam Spring Sale suggestions in ~games
Sapholia Link ParentIf you like picross/nonograms I find those to be pretty ideal to play while listening to something. Most of the ones I've played are on platforms other than Steam, but for something similar I...If you like picross/nonograms I find those to be pretty ideal to play while listening to something. Most of the ones I've played are on platforms other than Steam, but for something similar I enjoyed my time with the Hexcells games. There's also always the free puzzles on the website Griddlers.net that I return to every so often.
I also used PowerWash Simulator for the same reason. After I was finished with it, I went on to try House Flipper (there's a second one now but I have not tried it), Viscera Cleanup Detail, and Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Like you said elsewhere, none of them quite hit the sweet spot PWS managed, but I did enjoy them to various degrees. They also sometimes come with periods in which you have to watch a cutscene or concentrate hard enough that you might find you've stopped listening to your podcast, so it's not quite as smooth an experience. House Flipper was the smoothest in that way, but it's also a bit jank overall. I did enjoy Hardspace the most as an actual game and if you're willing to pause your podcast every so often, it could be worth it.
There is, of course, always Vampire Survivors if you never caught that bug.
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Comment on What's a "house rule" that has made a game more fun for you? in ~games
Sapholia LinkIn rummy, our house rules are that an ace can be played on a run either before a two, after a king, or even wrap around (so a king-ace-two is a valid run). Given that everyone has the same chances...In rummy, our house rules are that an ace can be played on a run either before a two, after a king, or even wrap around (so a king-ace-two is a valid run). Given that everyone has the same chances of making that happen, it isn't as if it gives an unfair advantage, and honestly just makes the game more fun.
We also score at the end by giving aces 15 points, face cards 10 points, and the number cards are 5 points each. We don't usually keep a running score though, we just play it hand by hand.
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Comment on Game recommendations, specifically in ~games
Sapholia Link ParentI'd like to recommend Okami HD. It's often described as "Zelda but you're a dog", although it's definitely not just a carbon copy of the Zelda games. It's definitely got a touching story with...I'd like to recommend Okami HD. It's often described as "Zelda but you're a dog", although it's definitely not just a carbon copy of the Zelda games. It's definitely got a touching story with progressive reveals, and if you do well with Horizon-style combat you should be able to get Okami's down, which is simpler to execute IMO. I would say there are light puzzle elements, but it's more using the correct ability in particular spots (and coming back to previous areas once you've unlocked later abilities to complete sidequests). The art style and music are beautiful and the gameplay is fun and varied, inside* and out of combat.
That being said, it's an older game (PlayStation 2 era) and it does have some qualities that may make a modern gamer impatient. I think it holds up remarkably well, but the beginning, for instance, feels like it is particularly slow to open up the world to you. I hope you'll give it a chance!
*Although the combat can be mostly mindless button-mashing if you want it to, you also have the option to change it up or make it easier with your abilities, or use them to enact finishing moves that extract extra items from defeated monsters.
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Comment on Announcing the Tildes Backlog Burner event for 2023: Shrink your unplayed games list this November! in ~games
Sapholia LinkDo I qualify if I coincidentally started playing some of my backlog in mid-October? I've already got a few under my belt, be a shame to "waste" them as I'm now working on a bigger title.Do I qualify if I coincidentally started playing some of my backlog in mid-October? I've already got a few under my belt, be a shame to "waste" them as I'm now working on a bigger title.
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Comment on What rooms would you deem necessary for a house, and how necessary are they? in ~life.home_improvement
Sapholia LinkI mostly grew up without a basement (in Florida -- the terrain doesn't allow for them) but based on what I've seen out of state, I think they're a great catch-all place you can use or ignore as...I mostly grew up without a basement (in Florida -- the terrain doesn't allow for them) but based on what I've seen out of state, I think they're a great catch-all place you can use or ignore as needed. You can have your laundry area down there, use it for storage of linens and out-of-season clothing and whatever else, keep tools and outdoor appliances in there if you don't have a garage or shed (and a workbench if you're handy). And if it's unfinished it doesn't really require regular cleaning. No one will look askance at dust and a few cobwebs down there. I wish I could have a basement.
I don't really have a ranked list, but personally I'd love it if I could knock some of the necessary nooks like laundry room, linen closet, pantry, etc. down into a basement.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
Sapholia Link ParentHow about onion bhaji? If you don't have chickpea flour I found a recipe using wheat flour as a substitute.How about onion bhaji? If you don't have chickpea flour I found a recipe using wheat flour as a substitute.
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Comment on Does a motion sensor "point-n-click" mouse, akin to LG's magic remote, exist? in ~tech
Sapholia Link ParentI find it's a good angle for me to just have one right next to my thigh, but then I do tend to sit a bit more reclined than upright. My wrist tends to complain pretty severely if I don't get mouse...I find it's a good angle for me to just have one right next to my thigh, but then I do tend to sit a bit more reclined than upright. My wrist tends to complain pretty severely if I don't get mouse ergonomics right, but like I said, that's just how it works for me.
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Comment on Does a motion sensor "point-n-click" mouse, akin to LG's magic remote, exist? in ~tech
Sapholia LinkNot quite the same thing, but when I'm using a laptop on a bed or couch, I just use a wireless trackball with it. (Although come to think of it, I did also use this same solution when I used to...Not quite the same thing, but when I'm using a laptop on a bed or couch, I just use a wireless trackball with it. (Although come to think of it, I did also use this same solution when I used to have a home theater PC connected to my TV, along with a wireless keyboard.) You don't need a a surface that's hard or flat, you can just plop it down anywhere. I find it's pretty comfortable to just have it on the cushion/mattress next to me. This is the one I use (but they do have another for half the price): https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse.html
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Comment on Sony announces smaller PlayStation 5 design with option to add a disc drive to the Digital Edition console in ~games
Sapholia (edited )Link ParentIf you're a PSN account holder in the US you buy and activate a PS5 before Oct. 20, you can get a free game from the linked list. If you were already planning to get one of those games, you could...If you're a PSN account holder in the US you buy and activate a PS5 before Oct. 20, you can get a free game from the linked list. If you were already planning to get one of those games, you could look at it like a $70 discount. Not as good as an actual discount, I know.
However, there are some strange stipulations around this deal that aren't terribly clear. It seems you may need to be a PS4 owner who has not yet upgraded, but all Sony has said for certain is that it's "by invitation to eligible PSN accounts".
EDIT: So I actually came across this deal because, in the past few days, I did upgrade from a PS4 to a PS5, and I meet all the other requirements for the deal (US region, 18+, etc.), but I never received an invitation for it and the banner doesn't appear in the shop for me. I contacted customer support just to see if I could get them to activate it for me, but all they could tell me was "wait and see if it appears for you" and otherwise I guess I'm SOL. So definitely don't count on this promotion.
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Comment on As the Halloween season begins, what are your favorite spooky reads? in ~books
Sapholia LinkA couple of years ago I read and enjoyed A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. It's from the point of view of a canine familiar to someone who is involved in some strange happenings in...A couple of years ago I read and enjoyed A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. It's from the point of view of a canine familiar to someone who is involved in some strange happenings in London, and each chapter is one day (or night) in the month of October. It's good for a month-long readalong if you do a chapter a day, although the chapters are pretty short and I found it difficult not to read ahead because it was over so quickly. If you're used to long reading sessions like me, I suggest having another book to cut to after you've finished the daily chapter.
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Comment on I want to use a desk, but I can't get myself to stop using my bed due to a complex tangle of issues (autism, chronic pain, etc.). What should I do? in ~health
Sapholia LinkWhat sort of position are you in when you're in bed? Why do you feel it's bad for you? From your post, all the evidence points to it being better for you: for your chronic pain, for your sensory...What sort of position are you in when you're in bed? Why do you feel it's bad for you? From your post, all the evidence points to it being better for you: for your chronic pain, for your sensory issues, and for your mental health. Those are all big parts of your life and if you can (at least partially) manage them with the simple solution of working from bed, then I encourage you to embrace it. You have a long list of reasons why working in bed is what works best for you, but the only reason you can think of not to do it is because you "feel" like you shouldn't. Sitting for hours a day isn't actually very good for you; that's why there was a whole trend some years ago with standing desks and treadmill desks. I've never heard (though I'm far from an expert) that lying for hours is worse than sitting; the only reason I would expect it isn't recommended is because it's healthier to be regularly active, but that's not something everyone can do.
I should disclaim that I spend all day in bed myself. I don't have your host of issues, but it's mostly due to mental health. I've set things up with my laptop so that I'm not cramping myself to use it in strange positions. I have a bed wedge that keeps me semi-reclined, a lap desk that angles upward for ease of typing and to see the screen, and a trackball that I set on the bed next to me so I can use the mouse in a relaxed position. I have an issue with pain in my lower back sometimes, and I've found that this position is the least likely to cause a flare-up (which sitting up would frequently do). To me that says I'm being as gentle on my body as possible. Again, I'm no expert, but I'm sharing what I've found works for me personally.
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Comment on Short (< 1 hour) 2-player games to play during lunch in ~games.tabletop
Sapholia LinkI like Forbidden Island for co-op. My sister and I play it together (and you can add one or two more players if you like to expand your playing group sometimes). Setup is relatively quick but it...I like Forbidden Island for co-op. My sister and I play it together (and you can add one or two more players if you like to expand your playing group sometimes). Setup is relatively quick but it requires a medium amount of space, I'd say. None of our playthroughs have ever gone near to an hour of time.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Sapholia Link ParentIt's free on Android (the only IAP is an optional donate button, nothing that affects gameplay) and on itch.io, and $10 on Steam or GOG, so the barrier to entry is pretty low. I played it happily...It's free on Android (the only IAP is an optional donate button, nothing that affects gameplay) and on itch.io, and $10 on Steam or GOG, so the barrier to entry is pretty low. I played it happily on mobile for a long time before the PC version came out, at which point I bought both it and the original Pixel Dungeon (which SPD is a fork of) -- I figured it was worth it to throw $5 at the original creator as well.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Sapholia Link ParentThis is the only roguelike I've played that actually feels, to me, like playing the original Rogue (but with modern quality-of-life features). It really hits a sweet spot in my opinion. It feels...This is the only roguelike I've played that actually feels, to me, like playing the original Rogue (but with modern quality-of-life features). It really hits a sweet spot in my opinion. It feels so satisfying to gradually learn more about the game, and make each attempt that much more promising because of the strategies you've worked out on your own. I think this is one of those games in which it's best if you go in blind and learn on your own how to make the most of what you get, and leave looking at guides for later when you've already got a handle on things. Knowing everything right away is against the point!
I use a right-angle 3.5mm audio adapter myself for my earbuds. It's great for my laptop but especially good for video game controllers which often have the jack on the bottom of the controller, so if the cord sticks straight out it will poke wherever you rest the controller (whether for a moment here or there, or if you rest it somewhere as your regular playing position).
I found an FM transmitter to be sadly useless for me when I had an older car. If you live in an area with a lot of radio channels, there's too much airwave traffic to get a clear broadcast of your own music (if I'm recalling the issue correctly). In those days I simply wound up connecting my MP3 player to a tiny speaker and playing my music through that in the car. I'd just have to bring them inside every so often to charge, I believe.