ShroudedScribe's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on New "old school" gadgets? in ~tech
ShroudedScribe LinkMost of the devices aren't for me personally, but Techmoan on YouTube reviews a number of products like this. Most recently a couple of newly produced Boomboxes that can play physical formats. I...Most of the devices aren't for me personally, but Techmoan on YouTube reviews a number of products like this. Most recently a couple of newly produced Boomboxes that can play physical formats.
I find most of his videos interesting but just not things I would buy. :)
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Comment on TSA announces TSA Gold+ in ~transport
ShroudedScribe Link ParentIf this is true then I'm all for it. I wish the website listed SFO as a case study or other example instead of being overly vague about everything.If this is true then I'm all for it. I wish the website listed SFO as a case study or other example instead of being overly vague about everything.
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Comment on TSA announces TSA Gold+ in ~transport
ShroudedScribe LinkThis is a very vague program description. All I'm getting from the website is that private capital and vendors will be invited to build TSA screening solutions, which is somehow subsidized at no...This is a very vague program description. All I'm getting from the website is that private capital and vendors will be invited to build TSA screening solutions, which is somehow subsidized at no cost to the airports.
Call me a pessimist, but this feels like an extension of lobbying-tied favors similar to how military contracts are won. Even though the TSA certainly could benefit from some innovation (but I have other strong feelings about that too).
What does it mean to opt-in to TSA Gold+?
TSA Gold+ will allow airports to voluntarily opt-in to a tailored security screening service unique to each airport’s needs and space configuration. Airports that opt-in will work with TSA and prospective vendors to develop and deploy solutions that leverage private-sector investment, cutting-edge technology, and human capital. This approach ensures airports meet robust federal security standards while driving operational excellence and responding to consumer needs.
Will TSA Gold+ cost money?
TSA Gold+ airports receive staffing, technology, and maintenance at no additional cost to airports. By enabling direct investment - without waiting on lengthy budget cycles - TSA Gold+ unlocks new revenue streams, empowers local decision-making, and accelerates the deployment of cutting-edge solutions nationwide.
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Comment on Does anyone use self-hosted recipe server/software like Mealie? in ~food
ShroudedScribe LinkI run Mealie, but an older version of it for now. My only word of warning about it is that the author/maintainer has introduced multiple breaking changes in updates in the past. So don't just...I run Mealie, but an older version of it for now. My only word of warning about it is that the author/maintainer has introduced multiple breaking changes in updates in the past. So don't just auto-update or blindly update your image version, be sure to read the changelog.
Other than that I do like it a lot, it's a great recipe book that translates ingredients effectively into a shopping list.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
ShroudedScribe (edited )LinkGot my first bingo! ...But it felt rather unsatisfying. Let's start with my card and I'll explain. ShroudedScribe's Backlog Bingo Card Free Standard bingo 9/25 ElectronicSuper Joy JARS The...Got my first bingo! ...But it felt rather unsatisfying. Let's start with my card and I'll explain.
ShroudedScribe's Backlog Bingo Card
Free Standard bingo 9/25 Electronic
Super
JoyJARS DelverThe Talos
PrincipleZero Escape
The Nonary
GamesAirport
CEOLost NovaKnights of Penand Paper+1 EditionBrokenAgeSavant
AscentOverlord WanderlustRebirth★ Into
the
BreachCopy
KittyFlotsam Yuppie
PsychoYou Suckat ParkingRoundabout GemCraft
Chasing
ShadowsNot Tonight Machinika:MuseumHueUnholy
HeightsPikuniku I continued my bingo card with You Suck at Parking, which was a fun puzzle reflex game at first, but quickly hit a difficulty curve that frustrated me. I guess I just suck at parking. Clocked about an hour in this one and don't see myself coming back to it.
I then went for my first bingo with Delver, and this game is just... not for me. The graphics scream first-person minecraft, but that's really not what this is. And maybe it's my fault for having that slight expectation. It's more like a less intense Doom meets RPG-style inventory management and leveling. I could see myself enjoying a game like that at some point, but this was not the right time, and I didn't love the execution. Accidentally throwing away a decent weapon and blowing myself up with an explosive pot were the first two moments of frustration. Getting lost in a maze was the last straw. Ended this one with probably 45min play time, and I probably won't go back.
That made my first bingo! But feeling kind of down with how those two games went, I wanted more, so I gave the next game a try.
I tried out Wanderlust Rebirth, and this is admittedly not quite my type of game either. It's like a real-time JRPG, and meh, it just didn't hit right. The scoring system is a bit of a deterrent for me, as I generally don't like to compete with myself in that way. I also know the game can be played multiplayer co-op, but I don't think I would enjoy it any more that way. The story seems like it might be decent, but the humor wasn't my cup of tea, and this gameplay style didn't resonate with me. I bailed on this one maybe 30 minutes in.
Lost Nova is now one of my favorite gaming experiences and everyone should buy it now - it's on sale for $1.49. This game is in the "cozy" genre, featuring no combat and very little challenge. I think it's best to go in without any spoilers, so I won't say much else beyond this - it really hit me in the feels. The message is very good and something I needed to hear (and a lot of users of this site probably do as well). I played this one all the way through (only took about 3 hours), but didn't finish the post-story extras, though I might go back if I want some comfort on a later day.
Last night I started playing Broken Age, and I'm really enjoying this point-and-click. It took a bit to grab me (I started with Shay's story, if anyone is curious), but the humor is quite good once you settle into it. I'm halfway through the game and plan on completing it over the next couple days.
That gives me a couple of options for my next bingo, though it'll take at least 2 more games. I might go the Airport CEO + Savant Ascent route, but I'm trying to lean towards the games I'm feeling the most at any moment and not just forcing it.
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Comment on Energy supplier abandons Lake Tahoe residents to serve data centers in ~tech
ShroudedScribe LinkThis isn't the full story. From https://fortune.com/2026/05/12/lake-tahoe-data-center-49000-residents-power-source/ I'm all for bashing the insane growth of data centers but this isn't the reason...This isn't the full story.
Katie Jo Collier, a spokesperson for the utility, said the transition was rooted in a longtime understanding with Liberty “well before data center load growth was a consideration,” calling it “a planned transition for many years, not a reaction to recent developments.” NV Energy sold its California electric assets to Liberty in 2009 and agreed to keep supplying power temporarily. That arrangement was extended in 2015, again in 2020, and once more in late 2025, and each time because Liberty had not yet secured an independent supply, a timeline corroborated by regulatory documents reviewed by Fortune.
From https://fortune.com/2026/05/12/lake-tahoe-data-center-49000-residents-power-source/
I'm all for bashing the insane growth of data centers but this isn't the reason things are going down this way.
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Comment on I think that we won’t see any new and radical new gaming input devices or form factors anymore in ~games
ShroudedScribe LinkIn my undereducated opinion, I think we may see some stagnation here due to increased prices and reduced supply for various components. It's probably a better business decision for larger...In my undereducated opinion, I think we may see some stagnation here due to increased prices and reduced supply for various components. It's probably a better business decision for larger companies to use this time to build "more of the same" if they feel confident it's a safe seller. Taking risks that may otherwise cut sales from that group is, well, risky, and even moreso when margins get thinner.
However, this won't last forever. There will be a day when RAM prices go back down (at least somewhat, and especially when purchased at scale), and similar happens to other components.
I have no clue how input devices will evolve past where they are, but that's really the point of this conversation- predicting if there still is an unknown. And I refuse to believe the market has exhausted every possible type of input that can establish moderate success.
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Comment on Di.gg AI preview in ~tech
ShroudedScribe LinkIt never clicked for me that this site would be entirely AI articles. I thought it would be more general, and just "curated" by an AI. I did see one article about Neuralink after scrolling for a...It never clicked for me that this site would be entirely AI articles. I thought it would be more general, and just "curated" by an AI.
I did see one article about Neuralink after scrolling for a while, but that was the only non-AI one I found.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
ShroudedScribe Link ParentI am almost exclusively a single-player gamer, so I'll let you know how Wanderlust goes solo (if I get there). And I've heard good things about Zero Escape and know it is a bit outside of my usual...I am almost exclusively a single-player gamer, so I'll let you know how Wanderlust goes solo (if I get there).
And I've heard good things about Zero Escape and know it is a bit outside of my usual gaming genre zone, so I thought it'd be a good fit for the bingo card.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
ShroudedScribe Link ParentThe purpose of this event is for me to reduce my backlog, not add to it!! Tametsi looks like something I'd be interested in. If you want a less-challenging minesweeper variant (but with some...The purpose of this event is for me to reduce my backlog, not add to it!! Tametsi looks like something I'd be interested in.
If you want a less-challenging minesweeper variant (but with some unique twists), Coinsweeper recently came out and I've been enjoying it between playing other games.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
ShroudedScribe LinkShroudedScribe's Backlog Bingo card as of 5/8. Free Standard bingo 0/25 ElectronicSuper Joy JARS Delver The TalosPrinciple Zero EscapeThe NonaryGames Airport CEO Lost Nova Broken Age Savant Ascent...ShroudedScribe's Backlog Bingo card as of 5/8.
Free Standard bingo 0/25 Electronic
Super
JoyJARS Delver The Talos
PrincipleZero Escape
The Nonary
GamesAirport
CEOLost Nova Knights of Pen
and Paper+1 EditionBroken
AgeSavant
AscentOverlord Wanderlust
Rebirth★ Into
the
BreachCopy
KittyFlotsam Yuppie
PsychoYou Suck
at ParkingRoundabout GemCraft
Chasing
ShadowsNot Tonight Machinika:MuseumHueUnholy
HeightsPikuniku Over the past week, played the following:
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Knights of Pen and Paper: This one was just okay to me. I appreciated it more this time compared to the 10min or so I played many years ago, now that I have some Dungeons & Dragons experience behind me. Even so, it just feels very grindy, moreso like a JRPG without a very compelling story. Calling it quits on this one, but played for over an hour, so marking it off.
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Machinika: Museum: I really liked this short game, where you are exploring alien artifacts in a 3D spatial puzzler format. Nothing too deep here, but it was interesting enough (and short enough) that I completed it. Admittedly, I don't see myself buying the sequel unless it's in a bundle with other items I'm interested in. Marking it off.
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Hue: Technically still in-progress, but I can tell I'm over halfway through. Very fun puzzle platformer that isn't too difficult overall (which is my preferred difficulty level). It really shines in the visuals department, proving that an indie game without detailed sprites or graphics can still be beautiful and engaging. Marking it off (even though I'm going to complete it in the next day or two before going to something else).
Next Bingo Strategy: If I take on Delver and You Suck at Parking, I will have a bingo! So probably going to focus on those next. But at this pace, I should be able to get at least two bingos.
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Comment on What's your dream job? in ~life
ShroudedScribe LinkI would love to be a Systems Administrator (SysAdmin), but I feel like I'm too far into my career to make that pivot. I love tinkering with my homelab and have leveraged that to get experience in...I would love to be a Systems Administrator (SysAdmin), but I feel like I'm too far into my career to make that pivot. I love tinkering with my homelab and have leveraged that to get experience in docker/podman, networking, ansible, and some other marketable skills. I recently obtained a Bachelor's in IT, which included relevant coursework.
But I cannot start at the bottom with help desk (again, did that at my very first job). I'm now a consultant for some specific software, have been for years now, and feel very trapped. There are other positions I'd like to pivot to, and have somewhat more of a chance to do - Business Analyst type roles, as an example - but my dream job would be SysAdmin.
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Comment on Looking for general monitor advice in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentHDR may be the difference. I got it to where I like it on Windows (set the color to Reference Mode in the NVIDIA control panel) and have used HDR since day one or two. Or maybe I just got a...HDR may be the difference. I got it to where I like it on Windows (set the color to Reference Mode in the NVIDIA control panel) and have used HDR since day one or two.
Or maybe I just got a defective unit somehow. Either way, I'll be swapping it under warranty at some point.
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Comment on Looking for general monitor advice in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentMy Alienware OLED has burn-in from the Windows taskbar, which became apparent maybe 1 year into ownership, if not less. I did (and do) everything they encourage, including the maintenance...My Alienware OLED has burn-in from the Windows taskbar, which became apparent maybe 1 year into ownership, if not less. I did (and do) everything they encourage, including the maintenance refreshes every 4(?) hours.
There is a warranty that covers burn in, but you can only claim it once, so I'm waiting a bit longer before taking advantage of it.
I would be curious if other OLEDs have figured out how to avoid burn in.
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Comment on Looking for general monitor advice in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentSlightly off topic, but I'm really bummed that rtings decided to paygate a lot of their data. I acknowledge they do a ton of work to get that data, and they have to make money somehow, but I wish...Slightly off topic, but I'm really bummed that rtings decided to paygate a lot of their data. I acknowledge they do a ton of work to get that data, and they have to make money somehow, but I wish would have come up with another method to generate revenue.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
ShroudedScribe (edited )LinkI went ahead and did the A-Z card and filled in some backlog entries that looked the most interesting to me. All of these games I've either never played, or put in less than 15 minutes. I had to...I went ahead and did the A-Z card and filled in some backlog entries that looked the most interesting to me. All of these games I've either never played, or put in less than 15 minutes. I had to cheat with one of the letters and put in two "Y" games instead.
Not sure yet how I'm going to consider completion criteria... maybe giving these games at least 1 hour? Then I could at least mentally move them from "unplayed" to "stalled"!
ShroudedScribe's Backlog Bingo Card
Free Standard bingo 0/25 Electronic
Super
JoyJARS Delver The Talos
PrincipleZero Escape
The Nonary
GamesAirport
CEOLost Nova Knights of Pen
and Paper
+1 EditionBroken
AgeSavant
AscentOverlord Wanderlust
Rebirth★ Into
the
BreachCopy
KittyFlotsam Yuppie
PsychoYou Suck
at ParkingRoundabout GemCraft
Chasing
ShadowsNot Tonight Machinika:
MuseumHue Unholy
HeightsPikuniku -
Comment on Announcing the Backlog Burner event for May 2026: Shrink your unplayed games list this coming month! in ~games
ShroudedScribe Link ParentAny advice for playing Fallout 1 & 2? They're so different from modern games that I feel like my brain can't wrap around playing them correctly.Any advice for playing Fallout 1 & 2? They're so different from modern games that I feel like my brain can't wrap around playing them correctly.
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Comment on Lost/losing the drive for friendship in ~health.mental
ShroudedScribe Link ParentI would love this, but unfortunately the only one in the area, in addition to being a bit of a drive and being more class-oriented, has a $75/mo membership fee, and additional costs for the...I would love this, but unfortunately the only one in the area, in addition to being a bit of a drive and being more class-oriented, has a $75/mo membership fee, and additional costs for the (mandatory) classes. It's a little steep for someone who is more interested in the social aspect.
I'll keep searching for similar places/groups though.
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Comment on Lost/losing the drive for friendship in ~health.mental
ShroudedScribe Link ParentMost of my hobbies are indoors, admittedly... homelab/technology, trying to get into soldering, etc. I want to get into astronomy, but due to the high temps here the groups only meet up maybe 3...Most of my hobbies are indoors, admittedly... homelab/technology, trying to get into soldering, etc.
I want to get into astronomy, but due to the high temps here the groups only meet up maybe 3 months out of the year. The heat is probably a driver for a lack of social events in general, honestly.
I distracted myself from Backlog Bingo by purchasing Rune Dice, which has been a lot of fun. The combining of dice with each throw is a neat enough gimmick that it feels like there's a bit of skill involved while still having some of that roguelike randomness. And it's very satisfying to see the dice jump around, especially if you can get multiple chains going at once.