secret_online's recent activity
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Comment on Announcing the eighth annual Tildes' Make Something Month (Timasomo)! in ~tildes
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
secret_online LinkI had a DM through CurseForge (of all places) wondering whether I could port v2 (a complete rewrite) of my Tiny Flowers Minecraft mod to 1.21.1, which is a somewhat popular version of Minecraft...I had a DM through CurseForge (of all places) wondering whether I could port v2 (a complete rewrite) of my Tiny Flowers Minecraft mod to 1.21.1, which is a somewhat popular version of Minecraft for mods. I originally released v2 for 26.1 (released early this year) because it made for a good cutover point, and I could always try to backport it later. Well, now is later.
Of course CurseForge, being CurseForge, highlights the most recently released file for your mod, not the one for the most recent version of the game, and I want the most recently released file to be for 26.3. I don't want it to be just an empty release So now was as good a time as any to implement a feature I've been thinking of: allowing the tiny flowers to be put in a Flower Pot. This wasn't so bad, a bit more than a day's work over the weekend. At least I'll have something substantial to release for newer versions of the game and I can ensure that the latest version of the game is highlighted on CurseForge.
Now on to backporting. My plan is to go back through some major versions step by step, so I don't dealing with 2 years' worth of game changes all at once. Starting with the current version of the game (26.3), I've gone back to 26.2 and 26.1.2. These weren't so bad, there were some minor changes here and there, mostly slight refactoring to some of the game's classes that I happen to depend on.
My next milestone is the version just before 26.1: 1.21.11, which, as of writing, is what I'm still working on. There have been four major flavours of pain:
- Major refactors. Mojang is constantly refactoring the game, for the better, but this means that going back in time is an annoyance.
- Classes have moved. This is somewhat related to the above, but with one extra twist: mappings. Prior to 26.1 the Minecraft .jar files were obfuscated. In order to actually work on the codebase the obfuscated classes need to be remapped, and of course, there are competing standards. The mod template I'm using uses mojmaps, Mojang's official mappings. But anything related to the Fabric modloader, including the very useful mcsrc.dev, uses Yarn mappings which have much less legal potential surrounding them when it comes to tooling. Luckily there's mappings.dev to help translate between them. So quite often I'm copying class/method names into mappings.dev to find out what they're really called so I can use them. It's just an extra layer of work on top of my existing lack of familiarity with Minecraft's code.
- This is the last one I need to figure out. Rendering completely changed. Because the tiny flowers are data-driven I can't easily use the blockstate system to render the flowers, and instead load the models and send them off myself. This is a problem when Mojang completely changes how rendering works. Every class has changed, models are more explicit in the split between unbaked and baked, and tinting (for changing things like grass colour) is completely different. I've written some code that look kinda hacky but doesn't work yet, but at least the game runs now and I can start playing around some more.
Oh, and remember how my target version was 1.21.1 and I'm only at 1.21.11? There's still another year's worth of game development I need to go backwards through. There are things I know have changed in the game that will affect me (Wildflowers and Leaf Litter were only added in 1.21.4, and that came with a minor change to Pink Petals), but there's probably more that I don't know. I don't have to do this backport, but I've set it to myself as a challenge so I'm going to give it the best I've got.
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Comment on Minecraft developer Mojang has announced that the Sift is coming to Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027 – the game's first new dimension in over fourteen years in ~games
secret_online LinkI'm going to wait to pass judgement until I've at least played Minecraft: Dungeons 2 to see what it feels like there before thinking about how it would feel in the main game. I'm seeing a lot more...I'm going to wait to pass judgement until I've at least played Minecraft: Dungeons 2 to see what it feels like there before thinking about how it would feel in the main game. I'm seeing a lot more pastel colours compared to the overworld's more realistic colours, the Nether's deeper colours, and The End's washed out tones. I do wonder what the long-term plan is for the dimension, whether it's going to be a one and done or whether it will see updates over time. Especially because there's already a mostly abandoned dimension in the game already.
Speaking of, it's odd/sad that they're going with an entirely new dimension while The End is still so barren. The End isn't really a fun place to explore. There are mods that have made it better for exploration, but I feel there needs to be some other reason to explore The End that isn't just "get elytra and boxes from one structure".
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 6 spoilers Definitely not their proudest moment (though not as bad as throwing away a skip that's valid for the next prefecture). Adam and Tom ended up doing 3 mind meld challenges in a...Episode 6 spoilers
Definitely not their proudest moment (though not as bad as throwing away a skip that's valid for the next prefecture).
Adam and Tom ended up doing 3 mind meld challenges in a row between last episode and this. It was a bit shaky with the convenience store, but they got it in the end. This one felt a lot easier to strategise around, which I think Adam knew by rejecting the first spot Tom picked. The spot they ended up going for had far fewer things to pick from.
On the podcast Ben said he still wears the hat he bought from the baseball game. Apparently there was some sort of collab going on between the team and Nintendo which is why there were Pokémon on them.
Sam spent so long skipping those stones. I think it was harder because they were throwing from higher above the water. I'm slightly upset that Adam and Tom didn't scoop them here, but they should be able to do the ghost platform challenge here, right? I believe they were the only ones to leave at that station.
It's insane that over the course of one game day that Sam and Ben cleared 8 prefectures, 4 of them with skips. I know they have been planning for this, but it's still crazy to see.
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Comment on Using ASCII art to prove that I, not an LLM, wrote something in ~tech
secret_online Link ParentYour mobile-friendly link at the top links to example.com, not the mobile friendly version.Your mobile-friendly link at the top links to example.com, not the mobile friendly version.
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Comment on There's a new "Google Jail" for independent wikis in ~tech
secret_online Link ParentThat's good to know. I have a side project I've kept on a subdomain of my personal site that I've been considering moving to a new domain. Given the fuss, I think it's fine on the subdomain for...That's good to know. I have a side project I've kept on a subdomain of my personal site that I've been considering moving to a new domain. Given the fuss, I think it's fine on the subdomain for now.
I wonder if the way to do this is to have the new domain 301 to the old domain for however long the jail sentence is, then once that's over swap the redirect the other way and use the domain change tool in the search console.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 4 spoilers It's amazing how close this race is at this point. I mean, here they are in Kyoto where I'm sure they'll have a lovely evening of not talking to each other because they need...Episode 4 spoilers
It's amazing how close this race is at this point. I mean, here they are in Kyoto where I'm sure they'll have a lovely evening of not talking to each other because they need alone time off-camera.
I wonder how the closeness is going to change as they take the different routes. Ben and Sam obviously have their mega move that gets them to the Tokyo metro area, but they still need to make their way through a few prefectures and will generally have slower non-shinkansen trains. Tom and Adam will have ok speed trains, but they'll be less frequent so they'll need to be good at challenges to not be waiting around for expresses.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentI believe they filmed for 7 days, not 5. Still, Episode 4 spoilers Day 3 started with Tom being recognised which was the end of episode 2, and ended with them meeting up in Kyoto at the end of...I believe they filmed for 7 days, not 5. Still,
Episode 4 spoilers
Day 3 started with Tom being recognised which was the end of episode 2, and ended with them meeting up in Kyoto at the end of episode 4. Two whole episodes worth of good footage for a single real-life day.
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Comment on What are your "how on earth did I not learn this sooner" tech moments? in ~tech
secret_online Link ParentI have F5 bound to one of the closest extra buttons on my mouse, and it gets plenty of use. Not a huge amount, but it's multiple times a day for sure. If your mouse has extra buttons beyond M4 and...F5 to refresh
I have F5 bound to one of the closest extra buttons on my mouse, and it gets plenty of use. Not a huge amount, but it's multiple times a day for sure. If your mouse has extra buttons beyond M4 and M5 (keep those for back and forward, also two very nice things to have), then I can recommend rebinding a button to F5.
It also helps that F5 is often quicksave in games (mostly RPGs), so having that to hand is convenient.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 2 spoilers Hey, at least Adam bought a rod this time, and even recognised that the fish we're going for his rather than Tom's net. Maybe the net could work as long as they stay quiet and...Episode 2 spoilers
Hey, at least Adam bought a rod this time, and even recognised that the fish we're going for his rather than Tom's net. Maybe the net could work as long as they stay quiet and don't move at all, even in anticipation. It doesn't take much movement in the water to spook a fish.
Hopefully both teams vote to remove the challenge in the next rest period, considering both teams have now attempted and failed it.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 2 spoilers I get that, and Tom was absolutely the right person for them to pick. We paused as the challenge card was being read out so there was enough time to read the card and for all of...Episode 2 spoilers
I get that, and Tom was absolutely the right person for them to pick.
We paused as the challenge card was being read out so there was enough time to read the card and for all of us to discuss. One point that was brought up was that it's unknown how much of Tom's internet fame would carry over to a Japanese audience. That turned out not to matter in this instance, since it was a tourist who happened to be at the same station that recognised him instead.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 2 spoilers My watch party couldn't believe it. We all went crazy as soon as it happened. Adam and Tom had an incredibly rough ending to the previous day with the fishing, so to immediately...Episode 2 spoilers
My watch party couldn't believe it. We all went crazy as soon as it happened. Adam and Tom had an incredibly rough ending to the previous day with the fishing, so to immediately complete a 5 card challenge at the start of the next day was amazing luck. I can't wait to see what Sam and Ben have to say when they get told about it.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 1 spoilers It's the longest episode they've put out... by a whole 4 seconds! The next longest is the finale of Shengen Showdown, which features, of all people, Tom Scott. I agree that it...Episode 1 spoilers
It's the longest episode they've put out... by a whole 4 seconds! The next longest is the finale of Shengen Showdown, which features, of all people, Tom Scott.
I agree that it was likely this long to have the whole story arc of the scavenger hunt. I think the only other point where it could be cut is after they complete the Suikawari challenge because it's the first time that team makes any meaningful progress, but stretching it out to the end of the scavenger hunt makes for better storytelling.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
secret_online Link ParentEpisode 1 spoilers I will admit, the group I watch with all started laughing when the Snack Zone music started playing, but we quickly sobered up when we saw the text overlay.Episode 1 spoilers
I will admit, the group I watch with all started laughing when the Snack Zone music started playing, but we quickly sobered up when we saw the text overlay.
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Comment on A simple fix for exemplary tags - only give it to posts you disagree with in ~tildes
secret_online Link ParentI don't think they should be. One response I received was a little more personal than just "thank you for your opinion", and while not identifying of that person, I'm almost certain it would not...It seems like making that response visible to everyone and not just the author would be the next logical step,
I don't think they should be. One response I received was a little more personal than just "thank you for your opinion", and while not identifying of that person, I'm almost certain it would not have been given if they knew that it would be visible. It's a safety thing and, given the context of the thread I'm thinking of, that safety was a feature.
I know you don't think it needs changing right now (you say as much), but I don't think it's as simple as just "make it all public".
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Comment on Supersonic trebuchet in ~engineering
secret_online Link ParentThere's a direct mention and even a clip of that video included. Tom's goal is to go supersonic purely based on dropping a weight rather than stored energy. It's a different engineering challenge,...There's a direct mention and even a clip of that video included. Tom's goal is to go supersonic purely based on dropping a weight rather than stored energy. It's a different engineering challenge, and I think it's worth the watch.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly - Season ending on Sunday August 30th! in ~games
secret_online LinkI had a feeling this would come sooner or later. I just didn't got the groove this season, and while I found purpose while Eth was online, as soon as he stopped I just ran out of steam. I'll try...I had a feeling this would come sooner or later.
I just didn't got the groove this season, and while I found purpose while Eth was online, as soon as he stopped I just ran out of steam.
I'll try and be on for the final day before the server shuts down so I can say hi to everyone and bye to the builds. Everyone's builds were really cool this season, from the small to the large. I appreciate that we saw all sorts of experience levels with the game, because we were all new once and we've all changed as the game has too.
Thank you @teaearlgraycold for hosting this again. It's been fun playing with other Tildepeople in the seasons I've joined.
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Comment on Defective D&D magic items in ~games.tabletop
secret_online (edited )LinkIn the campaign I'm currently playing in, my character has a Bag of Holding Toast, somewhat similar to your Bag of Withholding. Bag of Holding Toast Wondrous Item, Uncommon A bright pink backpack...In the campaign I'm currently playing in, my character has a Bag of Holding Toast, somewhat similar to your Bag of Withholding.
Bag of Holding Toast
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
A bright pink backpack that mostly functions like a Bag of Holding, but it seems to know when you're feeling a bit peckish.
When retrieving an item, make a DC 10+<number of hours since the creature has last eaten> Constitution saving throw.
- On a pass, the intended item comes out.
- On a fail, the creature instead pulls out a delicious piece of cinnamon toast. Upon consuming the toast, gain 1d8 temporary hit points.
Once a roll has been made, the outcome is the same for any creature for the next hour.
Upon searching online, it turns out there's a version of it already, but I like this variant for the hunger mechanic and because it feels silly rather than mean. The fail condition still having something helpful sets the tone quite nicely. The "hours since last eaten" means having stopped to eat, so snacking on the go doesn't count. We also just have an agreement that the party won't abuse it because we're reasonable people who know how to talk to each other.
It has featured in a few moments in the campaign:
- There have been two times I've reached into the bag wanting the toast. The first was for the temp HP, but the second was to comfort someone who we'd just saved.
- There was also the time that I had put a rather precious gem that were retrieving for a powerful figure in there, and when we were presenting it to that powerful figure I had to reach in and pull out that gem... and not the toast... and it had been hours since I'd eaten... and if I pulled out toast it was not going to be good... But luckily for the party I exactly met the DC and pulled out... well, I pulled out the cushion that the gem was displayed on first and then pull out the gem so I could present the gem on the cushion but you get the point.
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Comment on What JavaScript framework should I use? in ~comp
secret_online LinkThis isn't a complete answer to everything, just another data point to add alongside the other discussions here. I was going to come in here to also suggest Svelte, but you'll almost certainly...This isn't a complete answer to everything, just another data point to add alongside the other discussions here.
I also just don't get on with React's endless
use effectgarbageI was going to come in here to also suggest Svelte, but you'll almost certainly need some level of
$effectgiven what some of the tools doing. Svelte's runes are a similar enough model, so if you're not enjoying (as stated elsewhere in this thread) that way of thinking then drop it.Otherwise, if you think you can get away with plain HTML and JS then why not try that for a couple of the tools and see how you go? I see some people have also suggested Web Components; they aren't my favourite so I personally would be starting without them and then add them in later on for things that need a more component-y model.
and have little love for TypeScript
I will admit it took me a lot of time and pain to understand how the Typescript compiler wanted to be fought against. It's now ingrained in my head, to the point that I now find its type system to be incredibly expressive. It was a long journey.
If you find yourself still wanting a semi-typed experience with plain JS, most editors allow you to run the Typescript language server over JS files, and will pick up JSDoc comments like
/** @type {number} */as a way of selectively adding types to otherwise untyped code.I'm looking for fast build times, a smart-ish compiler that can ideally hot reload and give me insights into bad practices
Vite is the compiler behind pretty much everything except Next.js at this point (well, and anything still using webpack). It'll give you your hot reload. It will, however, still minify and bundle everything, which I saw you comment on in other comments.
As for insights into bad practices, this is usually covered off by a combination of compiler plugins (if you're using a framework) or ESLint plugins. I suppose it depends on what you mean by "bad practices" and what you want them to prevent you from doing.
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Comment on How to write English prose in ~books
secret_online (edited )LinkI don't think I'll be reading much of this author's writing. I do love English as a language, for the same reasons too. You could hardly design a language as incoherent that people would actually...I don't think I'll be reading much of this author's writing. I do love English as a language, for the same reasons too. You could hardly design a language as incoherent that people would actually use, but biology has taught us that evolution optimises for just good enough. Languages evolve, as is acknowledged, adored, then scorned in the same essay. The author's need to use precisely the right word for a situation dictates most of it, much to the dismay of their editor (as admitted directly in the piece). They seem to be at peace with this, for which I congratulate them. It's clear they're a better writer than I.
I liked that the motivation for the rules were plainly present. Some were just "other person is wrong", which I find the least compelling form of justification in the entire thing and it's unfortunate that it takes the better part of 17 rules to get past that, only for your eyes to be caught in the brambles of #18's presentation. In charcoal-grey it's trying to say "just use the big words when you want to", but it's instead written in purple so sumptuous that it's outside the gamut of human vision and I can't perceive the colour anymore. Or anything else for that matter.
The next one's good, though, and the one that I tell anyone who sends me writing to review. It's just good, clear advice.
- Always read what you have written aloud. No matter how elaborate your prose, it must flow; it must feel genuinely continuous. This is not to say one must imitate natural speech; it is only to say that one must try to capture its rhythms. If what you have written is awkward on your tongue, then it is awkward on the page.
I'm not sure I'll be able to commit just yet, but that's what the next couple of days are for organising. Please add me to the list, if nothing else it'll be a reminder to see what everyone else is up to.