SunSpotter's recent activity
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Comment on $30K Ford EV truck due in 2027 with much-simpler production process in ~transport
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Comment on $30K Ford EV truck due in 2027 with much-simpler production process in ~transport
SunSpotter Link ParentIt’s small, but it exists. Ford really sold these as “exactly like an F-150, but electric” and plenty of people, even boomers bought them in California because electricity is cheaper than gas and...I don’t know how wide the intersection between "wants a big giant inefficient truck" and "wants an EV" actualy is
It’s small, but it exists. Ford really sold these as “exactly like an F-150, but electric” and plenty of people, even boomers bought them in California because electricity is cheaper than gas and they could get rebates+incentives on them. Buuuut…
"What was the secret, actually trying for once?"
Well, let’s just say I hope that’s what they tried because it’s clear Ford didn’t care about or understand what people want in an EV when they designed that truck. It has, as you pointed out terrible efficiency, and low range, but also long charging times. So a bunch of people sold them back within a year or so of purchase, creating a large secondhand market.
So the market for them was and probably still is basically “cheap pickup I can haul my tools in and charge at the worksite”. If your commute distance is low enough or you’re onsite long enough, even L1 charging is fine.
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Comment on What are your AI-generated guilty pleasures? in ~tech
SunSpotter Link ParentI worry what this will do to the job market. I feel like it’s expected that applicants will embellish the truth a little bit, especially if it’s an entry-ish level job that would be difficult to...I sat in on a job seeking class the other day where the instructor essentially told people to lie on their resumes using Copilot.
I worry what this will do to the job market. I feel like it’s expected that applicants will embellish the truth a little bit, especially if it’s an entry-ish level job that would be difficult to gain prior experience in. But even still…
How the heck is anyone who is actually competent or experienced supposed to stand out when everyone (according to their resume…) is a perfect fit for the role and can back up their claims with an AI generated list of talking points and made up accomplishments?
The job market is already tough right now, and while some companies will inevitably figure out good methods to weed out AI resumes, I don’t have high hopes for the average hiring manager. If AI continues evolving, smaller and mid sized companies may not even be able to keep up with whatever best practices get discovered.
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Comment on EV owners - what advice do you have from experience for a new user? in ~transport
SunSpotter Link ParentThis isn't the first time I've heard this, but it is strange to me because I live in Southern California and we have yet to buck most of our slower L3 stations. I'd always kind of assumed that...This isn't the first time I've heard this, but it is strange to me because I live in Southern California and we have yet to buck most of our slower L3 stations. I'd always kind of assumed that with the number of EVs in my area that we would see more infrastructure development than most places, but it seems non-Tesla charging is lagging in my local area.
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Comment on EV owners - what advice do you have from experience for a new user? in ~transport
SunSpotter Link ParentOn the topic of L3 charging, when you do need to fast charge, I would recommend looking specifically for chargers in the 50-65kw range. The Bolt 2LT has a max charge rate of 55kw anyways, so you...On the topic of L3 charging, when you do need to fast charge, I would recommend looking specifically for chargers in the 50-65kw range. The Bolt 2LT has a max charge rate of 55kw anyways, so you aren't missing out on a faster charging experience. But what you will miss out on, is the line of people waiting to charge at most stations faster than 100kw. By contrast, I've never had to wait for a 50kw station in my local area.
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Comment on Donald Trump says he’s pursuing 100% tariffs on movies produced outside US, calling runaway production “a national security threat” in ~society
SunSpotter Link ParentHonestly, one of the biggest problems with Trumps character. Between the constant narcissistic posturing no matter the absurdity, and his own genuine lack of intelligence, it's difficult to tell...Honestly, one of the biggest problems with Trumps character. Between the constant narcissistic posturing no matter the absurdity, and his own genuine lack of intelligence, it's difficult to tell how much his age is affecting him. Logically, it's had some affect, considering he doesn't take care of himself and has a history of drug use. But we likely won't know the extent until he gets to a point where he can't even string one of his spaghetti run-on sentences together.
That being said, I can't believe so many people are fooled by a person for whom this is even an issue.
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Comment on Are gas stations beginning to shut down yet, as part of the broader shift to EVs? in ~transport
SunSpotter Link ParentI think they're replacing Shell Recharge with Shell Fuel right? The last time I tried to use one of their L3 chargers back in November or so, both apps sort of tried to work, but errored out....I think they're replacing Shell Recharge with Shell Fuel right? The last time I tried to use one of their L3 chargers back in November or so, both apps sort of tried to work, but errored out. Ultimately, I think the hardware was at fault, but the fact it wasn't clear which app I was supposed to use combined with vague unhelpful error messages lead me to stay there trying to charge in the cold for longer than I would have otherwise. Based on that and a few other personal experiences, I could absolutely believe they just don't really know what their doing.
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Comment on Are gas stations beginning to shut down yet, as part of the broader shift to EVs? in ~transport
SunSpotter LinkTo me, Shell closing gas stations signals that they might be pulling back from consumer refueling stations in general. I say this because they completely pulled out of the Hydrogen refueling...To me, Shell closing gas stations signals that they might be pulling back from consumer refueling stations in general. I say this because they completely pulled out of the Hydrogen refueling network in California just last year. Then more recently, they dropped out of the 3rd party EV charging market (basically an arrangement where the infrastructure itself isn't necessarily owned by Shell, but operates using their software for a cut of the profit). In fact, despite the article I've linked saying they would keep the service running until the end of April, I know from experience they've already shut the service off because I routinely use a couple stations near my workplace that were affected.
So I'm unconvinced that they're doing this to "better meet customer needs when it comes to EVs". I suppose if you give them the benefit of the doubt, you might be able to infer that their plan is to focus on Shell owned L3 EV charging and cut back on everything else. But even that seems dubious. The couple times I had to rely on their L3 stations, have been some of my worst public charging experiences, to the point I now just filter them out when looking for a place to charge. It's not the people, wait time or locations, its their buggy software and hardware.
I'm not sure what conclusion to draw from this, other than it could be Shell is being less than forthcoming about what their actual plans/goals are. Maybe Shell isn't feeling great about it's own finances and is looking to cut costs?
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Comment on British man's tattoo wrongly linked to Venezuelan gang in US government document in ~society
SunSpotter Link ParentI’m betting he already put down a lot of money for the trip, and is being told he can’t get any/part of it back. At the very least, I could understand his motivations if that’s the case. Otherwise...I’m betting he already put down a lot of money for the trip, and is being told he can’t get any/part of it back. At the very least, I could understand his motivations if that’s the case. Otherwise it’s completely baffling and unconscionable; dude has a family and absolutely no guarantee he will be treated fairly.
I mean, it’s literally one of THE tattoos they use to screen for gang members, and the DHS pretty much just doubled down when questioned about it. There’s a zero percent chance the guy just rolls right on through customs without issue.
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Comment on Bucking US President Donald Trump tariffs, California will push to maintain global trade independently, Governor Gavin Newsom says in ~society
SunSpotter (edited )Link ParentAs someone who lives in California, I’d love to see myself proven wrong but I really don’t see that course of action working out for us. We effectively cannot sign a contract stating “we agree to...Are they bound by the tolls? Really?
As someone who lives in California, I’d love to see myself proven wrong but I really don’t see that course of action working out for us. We effectively cannot sign a contract stating “we agree to not impose tariffs on you” because it’s not a promise we can keep. We could very well be forced to comply in some direct or indirect way. Or we could end up electing a conservative governor next year who sides with Trump and just ignores a stay on tariffs. Then there’s the possibility all these tariffs go away on their own in the near future as more Republicans turn on Trump for screwing over their finances. In summary, everything is just incredibly uncertain right now.
More importantly, there’s the principle of the thing. Former US trading partners are pissed, and rightfully so. But California does not live in a vacuum, far from it. We already import/export a significant amount of goods for the western United States. So if a country imposes reciprocal tariffs to put the squeeze on the feds, they would end up undermining their own policy by using California as a back door.
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Comment on Confess your food crimes in ~food
SunSpotter Link ParentFinally, I’m not alone! I hate the feeling too. I’ve gotten over it somewhat as I’ve grown up, but still end up with a pile of napkins after I’m done eating something sticky lol. I’ll end up...Finally, I’m not alone! I hate the feeling too. I’ve gotten over it somewhat as I’ve grown up, but still end up with a pile of napkins after I’m done eating something sticky lol. I’ll end up wiping my hands every couple of wings because I can’t let the feeling linger for long and hate smearing my sticky wing hands on a glass of water or whatever.
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Comment on What's the oldest tech you use, and why do you still use it? in ~tech
SunSpotter Link ParentI think very few people bought them as standalone keyboards, so unfortunately it’s likely a look-a-like if your parents didn’t have an IBM computer back in the day. IBM actually bundled them...I think very few people bought them as standalone keyboards, so unfortunately it’s likely a look-a-like if your parents didn’t have an IBM computer back in the day. IBM actually bundled them together with their computers at a loss, but if you bought it separately you paid full price (and they weren’t cheap either…). I was also surprised to learn that back in the 80s Model F and M keyboards did not have anywhere near the reverence they do now. I remember going through an old PC magazine for fun and finding a whole section dedicated to keyboards with a column explaining why this or that keyboard was better than the ‘standard’ IBM equivalent.
I think today they’ve become mythologized because they have a unique feel and have held up well over the years. Still though, good luck! Anything is possible!
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Comment on What's the oldest tech you use, and why do you still use it? in ~tech
SunSpotter Link ParentLol, I have a couple model M’s, and I took one of them into the office at my last job. I’m pretty sure my boss hated it but was too nice to say anything…in my defense the company had a startup...Lol, I have a couple model M’s, and I took one of them into the office at my last job. I’m pretty sure my boss hated it but was too nice to say anything…in my defense the company had a startup vibe and half the people there had brought in their own mechanical keyboards, plus our workstations had PS/2 ports on them…so it was just too tempting.
Anyways, I only have the one silverbadge but despite being the oldest and most used keyboard of the bunch, it’s also undoubtedly in the best condition.
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Comment on What's the oldest tech you use, and why do you still use it? in ~tech
SunSpotter LinkIn an absolute sense, it's the tube I have plugged into my headphone amplifier, no question about that. It's an old RCA tube manufactured in the mid 1940s. It looks fairly unassuming plugged into...In an absolute sense, it's the tube I have plugged into my headphone amplifier, no question about that. It's an old RCA tube manufactured in the mid 1940s. It looks fairly unassuming plugged into my stack, but I appreciate knowing I have a little bit of history sitting on my desk nonetheless. I just like the way tubes look, and this one was fairly inexpensive, and seemed like it would work well with the way my system sounds, so I snagged it on a sale.
In a relative sense, it's probably my keyboard. I'm typing this on my 1986 IBM Silverbadge Model M! People always seem surprised to learn that this keyboard still works without any issues, nor any special tricks to connect to a modern computer. People assume that because the world of computers in general is always moving so fast that modern keyboards would be better in some way, or at the very least that a relic like my keyboard would have compatibility issues. But what people don't realize is that, somehow PS/2 ports are still being put on modern computers...so it just plugs right in like it would have 40 years ago. Also, after adjusting for inflation, this is technically a $750 keyboard, so no surprises it's held up over the years.
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Comment on What mattress would you recommend? in ~life.home_improvement
SunSpotter LinkMy SO and I recently went shopping for a mattress because we moved into our first apartment together during the holidays. It took us a while to find a mattress we both really liked because a lot...My SO and I recently went shopping for a mattress because we moved into our first apartment together during the holidays. It took us a while to find a mattress we both really liked because a lot of the mattresses I found comfortable were uncomfortable for him and visa versa. Probably the best example of this was that I really liked mattresses from Avocado, whereas he really liked mattresses from Purple. We didn't end up getting a mattress from either because he couldn't stand Avocado and I couldn't stand Purple. The moral of the story being: what is comfortable for me might feel horrible for you.
If for some reason, you can't go to a mattress store, or it would be really inconvenient for you, Mattressfirm has an online mattress matcher that recommended me the mattress I ended up getting after weeks of deliberation. I tried it before I really started, screenshot the result, and forgot about it. Then realized after I bought my mattress that I bought one of the recommendations and laughed. So if a physical store isn't an option, I'd recommend you give that a try. Otherwise, I would echo the suggestion to just try out different mattresses in stores. If you do that, I have three pieces of advice:
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Whatever you do, don't just hop on the bed for 2 minutes and make a decision, because I did that with my last bed and ended up hating it. One salesman told me early on in my search that people would come in and take 30-60 minute naps to figure out if they liked the mattress or not. It kind of blew my mind because my brain still thinks of a mattress store as a store, not somewhere you take a nap. My point being, don't be afraid to do what you need to do in order to find the best mattress for yourself.
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Don't put much stock in those "find your match" type devices that scan your back in the store. They aren't in every mattress store, but the ones that have them really try to sell you on how "scientific" and amazing they are. Tried it twice and it recommended me extremely firm mattresses I already knew I would hate. Perhaps if you already knew you wanted a firm mattress they could be useful, so YMMV. But otherwise, just ignore it.
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Don't get cheap foam. There are a few places that have really compelling prices with reasonable comfort. We almost pulled the plug on a Bob-O-Pedic mattress because it was super cheap but also reasonably comfortable. Didn't end up buying it because after doing some research we realized that cheap foam tends to slump and sag and become uncomfortable over only a couple years. Cheap foam will also get very warm in the summer and do a bad job of dissipating heat. Honestly, in general I would caution you against any mattress that seems way cheaper than the competition (looking at you Bob and Costco) unless that's all you can afford.
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Comment on Volkswagen ID.4 was the best-selling EV in Europe, top three in the US last month in ~transport
SunSpotter Link ParentIMO 350kw charging stations need to be capped so that they only charge up to around 90% or so of the battery. Once most cars get that high, it’s more or less the same charging rate as a you would...Side note, the only time Ive made it to a working 350kw charger so far, some asshole was charging all the way to 100% on it.
IMO 350kw charging stations need to be capped so that they only charge up to around 90% or so of the battery. Once most cars get that high, it’s more or less the same charging rate as a you would get with Level 2 charging station. Which absolutely defeats the point, since these are meant to be ‘fast’ charging stations that quickly get you back onto the road.
Regarding your first point, I’ve definitely noticed most people don’t seem to understand charging rates. I’ve talked to people charging their Nissan Leaf, or similar car at a 350kw station who informed me they were charging there because they heard/felt like it was ‘faster’. I was too polite to tell them it was exactly the same charging rate as any 50kw station, but felt mildly annoyed.
I feel like this is absolutely an issue of tech outpacing its own marketing. It happens in emerging markets, (and you can find plenty of examples by reading computer history if you want to amuse yourself) but it’s nonetheless something that needs to be addressed. It’s also a testament to how well designed the Ioniq 5 is that it’s so popular without widespread understanding of its best selling point, if that is indeed the case.
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Comment on Volkswagen ID.4 was the best-selling EV in Europe, top three in the US last month in ~transport
SunSpotter LinkMuch like fellow tilderino Akir, I’m confused that VW has managed to turn sales around by such a margin. However, I’m even more surprised that the Ioniq 5 didn’t even make top 10 in Europe. In...Much like fellow tilderino Akir, I’m confused that VW has managed to turn sales around by such a margin. However, I’m even more surprised that the Ioniq 5 didn’t even make top 10 in Europe. In California, it has to be one of the most common non-Tesla EVs I see on the road. Data seems to support that, with Q3 Data from 2024 showing it to be our third best selling EV behind the Y and Model 3.
I’m a bit curious why it does so well here but not over there. The ultra quick charging times of the e-GMP platform are probably one its strongest features, so perhaps there’s just not enough 250kw+ public chargers to justify it? But if that were the case, I wouldn’t expect the EV3 to be selling quite as well either. Maybe it’s a matter of cost? Size? I’d be interested if anyone from Europe can chime in with their opinion.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump cuts short talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Oval Office blow up in ~society
SunSpotter Link ParentIt’s simpler than that. It further entrenches Trump supporters on this issue because they can now use the excuse of “that Zelenskyy guy was so disrespectful to the president!”. While I’m certain...It impresses Trumpers who think this kind of bullying shows strength
It’s simpler than that. It further entrenches Trump supporters on this issue because they can now use the excuse of “that Zelenskyy guy was so disrespectful to the president!”. While I’m certain that you’re correct that many of Trumps supporters view this as a display of strength, I also know for a fact my conservative family members will place blame on Zelenskyy purely for taking the bait and acting out.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump shares bizarre AI vision of what Gaza will look like under his rule in ~society
SunSpotter Link ParentHonestly, I’d even argue it’s true of the people who continue to support him. They’re mean spirited people with a sense of entitlement. I can still remember being a kid and hearing a conservative...Their cruelty is intentional and they revel in it.
Honestly, I’d even argue it’s true of the people who continue to support him. They’re mean spirited people with a sense of entitlement. I can still remember being a kid and hearing a conservative relative say we should “just glass the whole thing” referring to the Middle East, circa 2002 or so. No one even really argued, just kind of said “yep”.
They have always been this way, it’s just more visible now.
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Comment on Europeans need to reduce their dangerous dependence on an adversarial America in ~society
SunSpotter Link ParentAh yes, the AI Overlord future Sci-Fi authors DON'T want to tell you about. In all seriousness though, I've often thought it's a bit interesting that everyone assumes a rogue ASI/AGI would just......and we all live happily after after?
Ah yes, the AI Overlord future Sci-Fi authors DON'T want to tell you about.
In all seriousness though, I've often thought it's a bit interesting that everyone assumes a rogue ASI/AGI would just off everyone by default. I've always thought that there are a lot of paths a superintelligence like that could take, and while going full Skynet is one of them, it's also just about the riskiest and most wasteful path it could choose. I'm personally hoping that it comes to the conclusion that we are too amusing to get rid of, and just decides to peacefully rule over us because it can't trust us to rule ourselves.
Trucks are inherently inefficient, and towing doubly so. The only difference with gas is that in most of the country, gas stations are still more plentiful than high speed (100kw+) L3 charging stations, and most EV trucks still have much longer recharging times compared to the refueling time of an ICE truck.
But there are definitely people who do it anyways. What I’ve seen some people do is tow to a campground, stay there overnight and charge, then stop at another campground 100 miles or so later, repeating as necessary to get to their actual destination. Just kind of taking it slow and enjoying the journey, which doesn’t sound terrible tbh. I’ve also seen people tow short distance or light loads (like a jetski) just fine and charge whenever they get the opportunity.
But anyone looking to tow long distance the way you would tow with an ICE vehicle is going to have a bad time. That’s true of almost any EV truck, except possibly the Silverado EV, and even then you’d still need to plan your trip carefully.