Tiraon's recent activity
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Comment on Wallet voting in ~life
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentI could only see this being a discount if the there is a choice between that exact same model without basicaly any adversial internet enabled functionality or a complete breakdown of the price. As...I could only see this being a discount if the there is a choice between that exact same model without basicaly any adversial internet enabled functionality or a complete breakdown of the price.
As it is there is no transparency, only unilateraly adjusting the sw remotely for a single party benefit.
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
Tiraon LinkSeems to be a pretty predictable course. Internet enabled appliance in a market where personal ownership of digital devices is for practical purposes fragile has(depending on the device) analytics...Seems to be a pretty predictable course. Internet enabled appliance in a market where personal ownership of digital devices is for practical purposes fragile has(depending on the device) analytics and ads potential or in other words monetization potential.
We have seen it with tvs where it is practically impossible to buy just a panel or cars that come standard with infotainment and internet connectivity.
Standard end user can try to not buy in to these trends when they still have a choice which they seem unwilling to do in order to get temporary convenience. Or they plain do not care, I assume due to the negative externalities being minimally obscured.
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Comment on My guess and opinion on the common blockers to Linux adoption in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentGenerally I am advocating that they should care otherwise someone else will be glad to care instead of them. But as we are seeing the main concern they will have is not aligned to the user. Main...Generally I am advocating that they should care otherwise someone else will be glad to care instead of them. But as we are seeing the main concern they will have is not aligned to the user.
Main point I think is that IMO society actually glorifies computer illiteracy leading a lot of people to this attitude but I don't have any answers.
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Comment on My guess and opinion on the common blockers to Linux adoption in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentI don't think terminal usage is actually required for the basic use* on the commonly recommended beginner distros. For some tasks it is simply easier, more convenient and possible to automate but...I don't think terminal usage is actually required for the basic use* on the commonly recommended beginner distros. For some tasks it is simply easier, more convenient and possible to automate but there are are gui utilities for the common usage.
Also what is so hard about terminal aside from perception of it being hard? There is not some magical ability needed to use it. It is not as intuitive to find the actions needed for someone not technically inclined but also no need to do anything complex for that probable use case.
Also why does Windows get a pass? Magical terminal incantations and registry edits are not some unknown occurence.
Mandatory asterisk is setup, not needed usually but especially laptops or proprietary desktops can have problems sometimes.
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My guess and opinion on the common blockers to Linux adoption
The big one seems to be the inability to buy a mainstream device with a Linux distribution preinstalled. The few options I know of are niche devices or sometimes single models usually marketed as...
The big one seems to be the inability to buy a mainstream device with a Linux distribution preinstalled. The few options I know of are niche devices or sometimes single models usually marketed as dev devices. It is also near impossible to even find something without any os installed. Even manufacturer like Framework doesn't offer Linux preinstalled laptops or even just fully assembled ones but without os.
Lacking third party software and hardware support. This is a very real problem and something that can make Linux unviable for specific use cases but also something that will never resolve without higher adoption in personal computing, my guess is at tenth of marketshare we would start seeing it being treated as a serious option. It is amazing that something like wine exists and how well it works but it still can't do everything and it is worse than native support. Similarly not many people are willing to even consider VMs or dual booting for specific workflows that need Windows.
Fragmentation of distros and ways to do things but with standard recommended beginner distros this seems to me more of a perception then a clear problem for most use cases for majority users who would theoretically migrate.
A fallacy where people value a thing perceived to be free less also seems to play a role along with public perception of Linux and its users. Slogans such as Linux is only free if you don't value your time which is ironically IMO more true of Windows these days with the cost usually part of the price of the device and not really perceived or considered by the average buyer.
This seems similar to the usual jokes about vegans and other ill formed perceptions. My guess is that it is the result of people plain ignoring things that have potentional to be uncomfortable along with those with niche opinions being more likely to have considered them and to have strong reasons to hold them along with wanting to at least tell people what they are.
I am just plain ignoring Mac here to be more concise and because I have zero experience with them.
36 votes -
Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentDespite a massive push to make phones basically mandatory it is still possible to minimize their use. Personally I prefer to do that when possible as the experience is simply not good, both...Modern life happens through our phones
Despite a massive push to make phones basically mandatory it is still possible to minimize their use. Personally I prefer to do that when possible as the experience is simply not good, both because of sw and form factor.
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Microsoft testing new AI features in Windows 11 File Explorer
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Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentI suppose it could be taken that way. In any case I simply prioritize different kind of utlity in likely different circumstances and was completely ignored along with anyone else with those...I suppose it could be taken that way. In any case I simply prioritize different kind of utlity in likely different circumstances and was completely ignored along with anyone else with those preferences for decade or more and I am not particularly enthusiastic about that. I also admit I do consider the current trends over specializing but it is in a direction I don't care about already.
I also don't think these preferences are incompatible even on a single device but I probably could have written it a less combative tone.
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Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentEveryones use case and preferences are different but in the current market only the side that centers around preferences you wrote about wins. There is massive lack of choice around fundamentals...Everyones use case and preferences are different but in the current market only the side that centers around preferences you wrote about wins.
There is massive lack of choice around fundamentals in the smartphone market and I don't personally think any perceived lack of market demand is the root cause.
As a sidenote I have sadly given up on removable battery for now but more battery life has value of its own.
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Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
Tiraon LinkI am not the target audience for this (even though the show the other duopolist puts on might change at least part of why) so IDK. Especially the Air is truly ugly and I suspect the camera bump...I am not the target audience for this (even though the show the other duopolist puts on might change at least part of why) so IDK. Especially the Air is truly ugly and I suspect the camera bump causing that might be actual problem for everyday use.
I know I gripe in the wrong place but why is there not even a single mainstream phone model that prioritizes actual utility? Do people truly care about the fractions of a milimetre less thickness with every model, especially when that comes with smaller battery, camera bump and excuses how removable battery and ports have to be sacrificed for it? The things that actually matter for everyday usage.
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Comment on New linux user: dual boot Mint install fatal error in ~comp
Tiraon LinkI would add that the another thing I would try personally would be to verify the integrity of the usb image. There should be an option right at boot for some distributions, but I not sure about...I would add that the another thing I would try personally would be to verify the integrity of the usb image. There should be an option right at boot for some distributions, but I not sure about Linux Mint. The live image can run fine in some cases even if it is corrupted but the installation will fail. Relevant especially if the usb stick is older and or cheaper one.
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Comment on Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentTechnical solution will do zero for the various malicious sw present and in some cases endorsed on the play store. It is malicious differently but it does do damage. Standard expectation of bare...Technical solution will do zero for the various malicious sw present and in some cases endorsed on the play store. It is malicious differently but it does do damage. Standard expectation of bare basic computer literacy would help in both situations.
Then there are the implications of the owner of the device being flat out unable to do something without approval of a remote third commercial party, especially for something as important as smartphone. There is a toggle already, that should be enough.
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Comment on Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store in ~tech
Tiraon LinkI mean anything running Android was never actually open or actually owned by the one who nominally bought it. I suppose they decided they don't need to pretend as hard. By now it seems the main...I mean anything running Android was never actually open or actually owned by the one who nominally bought it. I suppose they decided they don't need to pretend as hard. By now it seems the main difference against ios will soon the choice of aesthetic and that Apple overlords it openly instead of pretending they don't.
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Germany legal case alleging adblockers violate copyright
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Comment on Which other sites do you visit? in ~tech
Tiraon (edited )Linkmobileread.com - a general e-reading forum mostly tuned to hardware and calibre(ebook management sw) opengameart.org - also a forum but mostly a repository of permissive license game assets...mobileread.com - a general e-reading forum mostly tuned to hardware and calibre(ebook management sw)
opengameart.org - also a forum but mostly a repository of permissive license game assets
archiveofourown.org - fiction but mostly fanfiction site
royalroad.com - fiction site. Generally litrpgs and generally direct to Amazon hopefuls but there are several gems present. Some of them migrated from their own sites
forums.sufficientvelocity.com, forums.spacebattles.com fiction, fanfiction and quest(collaborative, at least those I follow, online fiction format) sites. Though I am mostly there for specific stories
dropout.tv - streaming service of generally improv comedy
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Comment on Reddit will block the Internet Archive in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentFor me a big problem is that I usually go to a random news site from a link. Right now options usually range from subscription paywall to accessing the article somehow with difficulty to not...For me a big problem is that I usually go to a random news site from a link. Right now options usually range from subscription paywall to accessing the article somehow with difficulty to not accessing the article. What I choose varies but a recurring 5-10 dollars a subscription for a site I am likely to see a handful of times that month at most is a lot, not mentioning the possibility of forgetting to cancel. If they simply had the option to prepay for that amount for lets say fifty articles(entirely random number), personally I would be significantly more willing to pay.
It is that way with most subscriptions. They are absolutely terrible monetization method for the end user for a large number of content services. Right up there with ads and selling data and attention. Though better that the currently favorite pioneered method of having all of them.
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Recommendations for a obscure newer games
What are some newer obscure titles that you would personally recommend? Let's say something from a five years ago and that is really unlikely to be known by somone else unless you told them about...
What are some newer obscure titles that you would personally recommend?
Let's say something from a five years ago and that is really unlikely to be known by somone else unless you told them about it. But it really is not that important.
I am looking for some small studio or personnal project that manages to take whatever it is based around and create an entertaining experience.
Also I am posting this as hopefully a way to surface smaller titles that someone considers good.
32 votes -
On the low intentionality of modern technology
I feel like writing another rant, why not. I guess it visibly started about the time Windows 10 released and probably earlier with smartphones but it is really going into overdrive lately....
I feel like writing another rant, why not.
I guess it visibly started about the time Windows 10 released and probably earlier with smartphones but it is really going into overdrive lately. Especially with all the AI(it is like exponential being used to mean a lot, really. Words have meanings, being minimally precise is not waste of time) being shoved into everything.
Statistical based autocomplete being added everywhere whether it makes sense or not or whether the user wants it or not. They will get it anyway. It makes sense somewhere, in some situations when the user deliberately invokes that.
Settings that really should be standard user accessible are just not and in very lucky cases there are not too painful workarounds. Just several examples. Search bar in address bar(I could write a rant on this alone, is having to decide before using one or the other really that inconvenient?). Forced internet search in Windows start menu search. Automagically starting downloads without any user involvement. Also defaults such as hiding extensions automatically on Windows explorer.
Constant ui reshuffles, generally for the worse(at least from the point of valuing utility and good sized monitor). Less information, straight up insulting language. Uh, oops something broke. This is prevalent even in Linux on some distros. What the hell, why? What broke? Would it be that much effort to link high level overview and logs locations? Or at least start treating the user like an adult again?
Search engines straight up ignoring the actual query entered. I can get any amount of low quality and irrelevant results(not even one or the other, they have to have it both ways) I want but a relevant result on the first page is a miracle regardless if it is actually useful or not. My guess is they simply throw the text into the nearest mainstream bucket with zero regard for nuance and specificity.
Algorithmic content recommendations. That is to say black box content reshuffling made by entity concerned with ads and engagement. Hiding crowd sourced signs of content helpfulness(dislikes).
Forced internet connection, forced online accounts, forced permanent or regular internet connectivity. Forced updates, forced telemetry.
Inability or strong discouragement to take control of the user owned devices. Smartphones, consoles, smart things generally.
Zero chance of being able to read and understand all of the TOS that are thrown everywhere but a strong pressure to accept them anyway. Sometimes after the end user paid already.
It is not hard to see the benefits for one side but I don't understand end users who embrace this. Do they really think it benefits them? It does not take all that much effort to be a generation or two behind the latest user hostile trends even if opting out completely is next to impossible.
40 votes -
Comment on New Android phones, stock or flash? in ~tech
Tiraon Link ParentI went this route due to artificial restrictions placed on the Android ecosystem and even with usage of Universal Android Debloater the experience is bad. I cannot imagine the nightmare of using...I went this route due to artificial restrictions placed on the Android ecosystem and even with usage of Universal Android Debloater the experience is bad. I cannot imagine the nightmare of using the stock bloat daily.
It will of course vary with manufacturer but I personally know of zero ones that are actually good instead of varying levels of bad.
Part of the article is basically that individual action is ineffective. I mean yes on an absolute scale when adding up that single action but that is also true of all the individual actions that contributed to the society today.
I choose to think of it as what trajectory are my choices towards. It is not perfect but not participating in various social media, trying to vote and research who I vote for, trying to at least research my major purchases as practical, trying to avoid harmful trends or the omnipresent ads and other actions are as much as I can do.
If most people acted not even altruistically but simply with enlightened self intetest, we would live in a different society.
Burning out on trying to do too much is counterproductive but it is always possible to minimize ones own actions that don't seem like having a great effect generally.