TBDBITLtrpt13's recent activity

  1. Comment on Are there any games that had their development abandoned that you followed where you wish that continued/completed development? in ~games

    TBDBITLtrpt13
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    Conker's Other Bad Day Sequel to Conker's Bad Fur Day that wound up getting scrapped when Rare got bought out by Microsoft. I know it's pretty lowbrow humor, but it will always hold a special...

    Conker's Other Bad Day

    Sequel to Conker's Bad Fur Day that wound up getting scrapped when Rare got bought out by Microsoft. I know it's pretty lowbrow humor, but it will always hold a special place in my heart as it was one of my first videogames (via emulation)

    2 votes

  2. Comment on Demand is booming for new no tech, repairable tractor in ~transport

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    This is technically outdated information, since I'm operating on info I heard last year, but I have no reason to believe it's not still accurate. The subscription charge is actually based on area...

    This is technically outdated information, since I'm operating on info I heard last year, but I have no reason to believe it's not still accurate.

    The subscription charge is actually based on area NOT sprayed, since the technology is saving you money that you would have been spending on the chemicals getting applied. But there are different tiers of the subscription that were locked to maximum application speeds.

    JD truly is the Apple of the farming world, complete with the diehard fanboys that couldn't possibly fathom the implication that their beloved brand nearly singlehandedly destroyed an entire industry because of greed.

    5 votes

  3. Comment on Demand is booming for new no tech, repairable tractor in ~transport

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Other (in my opinion) amazing things that technologically loaded farm machinery can do: Sprayers can be fitted with a camera system that, when paired with individual nozzle control, can shut off...

    Other (in my opinion) amazing things that technologically loaded farm machinery can do:

    Sprayers can be fitted with a camera system that, when paired with individual nozzle control, can shut off the spray when it isn't needed and only turn the spray on when it detects weeds. This saves money on chemicals while also lowering the amount of chemicals that wind up uselessly getting sprayed on otherwise "clean" ground
    Downside: JD, the biggest company to my knowledge using this technology, charges a subscription fee for using it. The fee goes up the faster you want to drive the sprayer. Plus, JD knows how much chemicals cost, so they can hover at a price point that's saving you money, but a fraction of what you're saving on unused chemical.

    Tractors can steer themselves, which allows the operator to focus on other things, which could include keeping an eye on the machinery to make sure everything is running the way it's supposed to or maybe watch downloaded episodes of TV shows and play games on a Steam Deck.

    Also the auto steer thing makes it so that you can plant between last year's crop residue, which allows the plants to grow without having to work their way through old, deteriorating crop residue.

    Source: am a farmer and it's currently spraying season

    The downside to all of this is that more often than necessary, farmers have to get service calls out to the machine if anything goes wrong. Farmers could swap out that one sensor that's gone bad and isn't even necessary to keep the tractor running, but now you have to spend $250+ just to get someone out to the tractor to hook up a laptop and press two buttons and leave. I'm so glad we don't run JD equipment but that kind of thing is happening with more and more brands

    8 votes

  4. Comment on Anyone playing Subnautica 2? in ~games

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    All the above information was what I was able to glean from other people's reviews and comments; I actually bothered to scan the EULA a little bit and it seems less user hostile than everyone made...

    All the above information was what I was able to glean from other people's reviews and comments; I actually bothered to scan the EULA a little bit and it seems less user hostile than everyone made it sound.

    Notable differences between the popular story and reality:
    -Multiple licenses are needed for playing the game on different devices AT THE SAME TIME (which is standard across all Steam games already)
    -VPNs are not allowed for bypassing regional game restrictions (much less hostile than "no VPNs at all)

    There's an additional forced arbitration clause, but again that seems fairly standard in EULAs anymore.

    6 votes

  5. Comment on Anyone playing Subnautica 2? in ~games

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    The EULA for Subnautica 2 is uncommonly user hostile. No VPN usage is allowed, if you play the game on multiple devices you're required to buy multiple licenses to the game, no streaming or video...

    The EULA for Subnautica 2 is uncommonly user hostile. No VPN usage is allowed, if you play the game on multiple devices you're required to buy multiple licenses to the game, no streaming or video capture is allowed to be broadcast without an explicit disclaimer that Krafton does not approve, any streaming material belongs to Krafton, simply buying the game prohibits you openly speaking negatively about Krafton on top of all the usual "you own nothing and we can take it away for any reason with no warning" crap. Also if you breach the Subnautica 2 EULA Krafton reserves the right to remove your access to all Krafton games. At one point I think they even try to imply they will delete your Steam account if you refuse to follow the EULA, which isn't even something they're capable of doing.

    I think all of the user hostile language is just intended to convince as many people as possible to avoid buying the game. Krafton's CEO doesn't want to pay the bonus to Unknown Worlds because he's an idiot so he's doing whatever he can to tank the game's sales thus not triggering the bonus. If someone does anything that might breach the EULA, they could risk losing everything. (If they erroneously believe the EULA is actually legally binding)

    1 vote

  6. Comment on Anyone playing Subnautica 2? in ~games

    TBDBITLtrpt13
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    I've bought it (mostly to spite Krafton) but I'm currently sitting on it for a while to let all the Early Access hiccups get ironed out. Just finished another playthrough of Subnautica 1 yesterday...

    I've bought it (mostly to spite Krafton) but I'm currently sitting on it for a while to let all the Early Access hiccups get ironed out. Just finished another playthrough of Subnautica 1 yesterday and I'm considering starting Below Zero again, though I've not actually completed that game. I bought BZ on day 1 and played through it before they massively changed the plot (I think you could only progress to finding the island base and then the game went "yep this is all we've got so far") and when I came back a few months later the plot was entirely different and for some reason that kind of dissuaded me from playing more. I really should give it another shot.

    I'm additionally hesitant to actually start playing Subnautica 2 until they finalize things legally with Krafton. I'm sure 90% of the EULA is not legally enforceable, even in the states where "consumer protections" is the punchline to a joke rather than anything actually protective. However, I'm also not keen on risking losing my access to all my Subnautica games because I use a VPN and play on multiple devices. The EULA seems to me to be another blatantly obvious attempt to dissuade people from buying the game, all so Krafton doesn't have to pay the devs what they're owed. Fingers all the way crossed, in a year or two Unknown Worlds will be out from under Krafton's control and they'll retain ownership of the subnautica IP.

    2 votes

  7. Comment on New "old school" gadgets? in ~tech

  8. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Youtube Revanced. Basically adblock plus sponsorblock in app form

    Youtube Revanced. Basically adblock plus sponsorblock in app form

    3 votes

  9. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Believe me I know it...really not fond of the modern smartphone market trends.

    Believe me I know it...really not fond of the modern smartphone market trends.

    1 vote

  10. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
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    Thanks so much everyone for the comments. I've read through them all (and I'll continue to do so) Does anyone have any experience with Ulefone? I didn't know they existed prior to GSMArena tossing...

    Thanks so much everyone for the comments. I've read through them all (and I'll continue to do so)

    Does anyone have any experience with Ulefone? I didn't know they existed prior to GSMArena tossing them in my search results and now I'm gently wondering what the catch is. Probably should've mentioned so earlier but I couldn't care less about having a phone the size and weight of a brick. I'd happily take improved durability and features at the cost of.....all aesthetics

    1 vote

  11. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Fairphones really intrigue me but they also have basically zero presence in the states.

    Fairphones really intrigue me but they also have basically zero presence in the states.

    1 vote

  12. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    I'm VERY new to the world of Linux as an OS (started my first laptop running Mint in October) but this intrigues me. Is it particularly difficult to get Linux running on phones? Also I assume I'd...

    I'm VERY new to the world of Linux as an OS (started my first laptop running Mint in October) but this intrigues me. Is it particularly difficult to get Linux running on phones? Also I assume I'd probably have to switch away from Poweramp, which would be sad

  13. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Thanks for this write up. I was leaning towards a Moto G but I also discovered they're notorious about providing one year of software updates and then abandoning them forever. Good to know they...

    Thanks for this write up. I was leaning towards a Moto G but I also discovered they're notorious about providing one year of software updates and then abandoning them forever. Good to know they also have Bluetooth issues.

    1 vote

  14. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Work combined with the fact that I'm a tall and not particularly coordinated person means it's been dropped onto concrete and submerged in dust more than once. It's been through a fair amount of...

    Work combined with the fact that I'm a tall and not particularly coordinated person means it's been dropped onto concrete and submerged in dust more than once. It's been through a fair amount of abuse over the years.

  15. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Yeah I loved this phone but I also loathe how Sony's response to its myriad Bluetooth issues has been "try using Sony branded headphones" My $30 Tozo earbuds worked just fine on every other phone...

    Yeah I loved this phone but I also loathe how Sony's response to its myriad Bluetooth issues has been "try using Sony branded headphones"

    My $30 Tozo earbuds worked just fine on every other phone I've had; why do I need to go spend $200+ because Sony doesn't want to play nice?

    2 votes

  16. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    My reasoning on no Apple: -I work in areas that have spotty or no cell service and wifi, and considering the fact that I mostly use my phone as a video-and-music device, I need extra storage space...
    • Exemplary

    My reasoning on no Apple:
    -I work in areas that have spotty or no cell service and wifi, and considering the fact that I mostly use my phone as a video-and-music device, I need extra storage space which Apple doesn't provide
    -I only own PC products, so I wouldn't gain any utility out of cross-device features
    -Youtube Revanced

    My emotional reason for no Apple:
    -At least in the US, Apple fanboys can be absolutely insufferable. Years of giving (in my opinion) perfectly logical and rational reasons behind my choice to stick with Android are often met with a condescending "but who would want to do that" or "lol just get an apple you idiot" which is the most effective deterrent possible to getting someone to make the change.

    Budget is preferably below 1k, and so long as it has a micro SD slot I'm fine with anything above 128GB, since I use a 512GB micro SD currently

    10 votes

  17. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    I've come to the realization that this phone is honestly way too nice and powerful for my usage. I don't care about recording video in 4k or playing games on my phone, so I really don't need to be...

    I've come to the realization that this phone is honestly way too nice and powerful for my usage. I don't care about recording video in 4k or playing games on my phone, so I really don't need to be dropping massive amounts of money on flagship models anymore. I just want a phone that can hold a ton of music and video files and isn't slow AF. (I work in areas without wifi or cell service often, hence my need for extra storage)

    4 votes

  18. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Has Samsung improved their back glass? My previous phone to this current one was a Note 8 and that back glass would shatter if you looked at it wrong.

    Has Samsung improved their back glass? My previous phone to this current one was a Note 8 and that back glass would shatter if you looked at it wrong.

    2 votes

  19. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    TBDBITLtrpt13
    Link Parent
    Sadly I'm in the US; hopefully the EU making removable batteries a thing again will bleed over into the US market?

    Sadly I'm in the US; hopefully the EU making removable batteries a thing again will bleed over into the US market?

    2 votes

  20. Smartphone recommendations?

    ~tech Ask (recommendations)
    I've been rocking a Sony Xperia 1 IV for the last 3.5 years or so and, save for some persistent and irritating Bluetooth issues (audio quality drops for no reason) I've really enjoyed it. However,...

    I've been rocking a Sony Xperia 1 IV for the last 3.5 years or so and, save for some persistent and irritating Bluetooth issues (audio quality drops for no reason) I've really enjoyed it.

    However, as of a month or so ago, the Bluetooth issues have graduated to "untenable" level, and considering its age, it's time for a new phone.

    I almost entirely use my smartphone for watching YouTube, listening to music, watching videos, and reading books. I don't use it to play games or surf social media at all. Occasionally I'll take photos, but I don't need anything better than "takes decent photos"

    My hard requirements:
    Not an Apple
    MicroSD card

    My strong wants:
    No back glass
    Durable
    Headphone jack
    Decent audio quality

    Does anyone have any recommendations?

    33 votes