ackables's recent activity
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Comment on Part of me wishes it wasn't true but: AI coding is legit in ~tech
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Comment on Zen browser / chrome alternatives in ~tech
ackables Link ParentI would use safari, but my laptop only has 8GB of RAM, so it doesn’t work well with lots of tabs open. Safari is pretty memory efficient, but Orion has more memory saving features that lets me...I would use safari, but my laptop only has 8GB of RAM, so it doesn’t work well with lots of tabs open. Safari is pretty memory efficient, but Orion has more memory saving features that lets me keep my tabs open.
I also like the built in ad blocker because I don’t really want to fiddle with finding a good one for safari. I tried Ad Guard, but it uses a surprisingly large amount of CPU and RAM.
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Comment on Zen browser / chrome alternatives in ~tech
ackables LinkIf you are on MacOS, the Orion browser is great. It’s privacy focused and has nice features for reducing RAM usage while still keeping all of your tabs open.If you are on MacOS, the Orion browser is great. It’s privacy focused and has nice features for reducing RAM usage while still keeping all of your tabs open.
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Comment on What is going on with the Epstein files? in ~society
ackables Link ParentHe may be the one politician who is consistent in his values and actions.He may be the one politician who is consistent in his values and actions.
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Comment on The death of punctuation in ~humanities.languages
ackables LinkI like using proper punctuation, but there are some peculiarities depending on the medium. When I’m texting, I leave the final sentence unpunctuated unless it’s with an exclamation point or...I like using proper punctuation, but there are some peculiarities depending on the medium. When I’m texting, I leave the final sentence unpunctuated unless it’s with an exclamation point or question mark. Ending with a period feels too heavy unless you’re trying to convey a serious tone.
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Comment on How long do homemade olives stay safe? in ~food
ackables Link ParentI second this comment. I worked in the spice industry for a few years and had to deal with storing a variety of spices in a way that kept them safe for human consumption. Buying some pH test...I second this comment. I worked in the spice industry for a few years and had to deal with storing a variety of spices in a way that kept them safe for human consumption. Buying some pH test strips and making sure the acidity of your homemade olives are within an acceptable range will be your best bet for keeping them safe to eat.
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
ackables Link ParentOne thing I saw mentioned is the HDMI port on the Steam Machine has CEC enabled which would allow you to have the Steam Machine automatically turn on when you turn on your TV. That feature is...One thing I saw mentioned is the HDMI port on the Steam Machine has CEC enabled which would allow you to have the Steam Machine automatically turn on when you turn on your TV. That feature is harder to find on PC components.
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Comment on Looking for watch recommendations as my partners Apple Watch doesn't even last a day anymore in ~tech
ackables LinkWhat Apple Watch does she have? If it’s fairly old, the battery may be significantly better on newer models. The Apple Watch Ultra also has a bigger battery than the standard Apple Watch. I have a...What Apple Watch does she have? If it’s fairly old, the battery may be significantly better on newer models. The Apple Watch Ultra also has a bigger battery than the standard Apple Watch.
I have a Garmin Forerunner 255 and I love it, but I love it because it’s not as connected as Apple Watches. I don’t like having phone features on my watch because I really don’t want to be notified of Uber Eats promotions on my wrist.
If you are in the Apple ecosystem and want all of the connectivity features, the Apple Watch is hard to beat.
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Comment on UC San Diego sees students’ math skills plummet in ~society
ackables Link ParentIt’s kind of funny that the SAT and ACT were being phased out of admissions because of the inequality in the amount of preparation resources students from different backgrounds can afford. Now...It’s kind of funny that the SAT and ACT were being phased out of admissions because of the inequality in the amount of preparation resources students from different backgrounds can afford. Now that standardized testing has been phased out, we are rediscovering the reason why standardized testing was created in the first place. A pure skill based assessment is the best way to judge students individually on merit.
We keep trying to find ways to even the playing field between students of different socioeconomic backgrounds in college admissions, but always ignore the obvious source of the problem. We need equity in preK-12 education, then a merit based approach to college admissions will cease to be problematic.
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
ackables Link ParentDeckard was a cooler name, but I can see how the similarity to “Steam Deck” would probably cause a lot of confusion.Deckard was a cooler name, but I can see how the similarity to “Steam Deck” would probably cause a lot of confusion.
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
ackables Link ParentI’ll have to wait for long term reviews to really know how comfortable it is for long sessions, but I think the emphasis on flat screen gaming will make this way more useful than the Quest lineup....I’ll have to wait for long term reviews to really know how comfortable it is for long sessions, but I think the emphasis on flat screen gaming will make this way more useful than the Quest lineup.
It’s risky to buy hardware that plays games that you are unsure you will enjoy, but if you can just default to playing the games you know you already like, comfort becomes the biggest hurdle to overcome.
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
ackables Link ParentFoveated rendering requires the developers to modify their games, but foveated streaming allows any game being streamed to the Frame to look better. I think foveated streaming is an awesome...Foveated rendering requires the developers to modify their games, but foveated streaming allows any game being streamed to the Frame to look better.
I think foveated streaming is an awesome feature that is meant to enable pcvr titles that aren’t efficient enough to run on the onboard mobile chip to be streamed from a more powerful pc. I think the hope is that if foveated streaming is a decent enough workaround to enable mass adoption of the Frame, foveated rendering will become more common in future game updates and new titles.
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
ackables LinkI’m interested in the Steam Frame but I’m going to have to wait and see how well it works for productivity. I have a Quest 2, but I don’t use it much because it’s uncomfortable to wear, the IPD...I’m interested in the Steam Frame but I’m going to have to wait and see how well it works for productivity. I have a Quest 2, but I don’t use it much because it’s uncomfortable to wear, the IPD adjustments aren’t exactly right for me, the lenses aren’t very good, and the resolution isn’t good enough for reading text comfortably. I also don’t play a ton of VR games, so having a HMD that was designed with flat screen gaming in mind is definitely appealing. I am open to VR titles though, so having access to pcvr titles like Half Life: Alex would be great over the lackluster games on the Quest store.
I am more certain that I would want the Steam Machine. People are complaining that it only has 8GB of VRAM, but my current PC has a 2060 with 6GB of VRAM, so the Steam Machine spec sounds pretty good to me! Small form factor PCs have always seemed appealing, but basically having a guarantee that it would be able to play games well is nice for peace of mind.
Also somewhat unrelated, but Tildes was listed as a source in Kagi News!
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Comment on Things to do when you've lost your job in ~talk
ackables Link ParentYeah it’s basically the company creating a paper trail so they can fire you “for cause” which prevents you from getting unemployment benefits in the US. It’s shitty that they use a process that in...Yeah it’s basically the company creating a paper trail so they can fire you “for cause” which prevents you from getting unemployment benefits in the US.
It’s shitty that they use a process that in some cases can actually be your manager wanting you to improve instead of a soft launch of being fired. They will never tell you what the context of being put on a PIP is for legal reasons. Even if it is a genuine effort to help you improve, you have to assume the worst, so PIP ends up being a self fulfilling prophecy that you’ll leave the company one way or another.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 3 in ~society
ackables Link ParentI think it was a fumble on Trump’s end. He could have tried to squash the conspiracy theories early on to prevent it from ever turning towards himself, but instead he encouraged the theories to...I think it was a fumble on Trump’s end. He could have tried to squash the conspiracy theories early on to prevent it from ever turning towards himself, but instead he encouraged the theories to attack his opponents. If he never gave any credibility to it, people wouldn’t be demanding to see the Epstein files which incriminate him.
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Comment on Two signs that Democrats flipped Donald Trump supporters on Tuesday (gifted link) in ~society
ackables Link ParentI’m with you there. I also want to see positive change in the country. I’m more getting at the fact that if an election decides whether progress will be made vs the state of the country being...I’m with you there. I also want to see positive change in the country.
I’m more getting at the fact that if an election decides whether progress will be made vs the state of the country being frozen for a few years, it’s much less stressful for me. When the choices are between status quo or fucking up domestic and foreign policy for decades, election outcomes are much more anxiety inducing.
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Comment on Two signs that Democrats flipped Donald Trump supporters on Tuesday (gifted link) in ~society
ackables Link ParentIf the Republican Party broadly moves towards the center, it will be a win for all. If a moderate republican is the worst case scenario for any election, I’ll sleep just fine at night.If the Republican Party broadly moves towards the center, it will be a win for all. If a moderate republican is the worst case scenario for any election, I’ll sleep just fine at night.
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Comment on Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist... in ~travel
ackables Link ParentI found one that had a whole dentist tool set and dentist chair. It was a great gift for my dad.I found one that had a whole dentist tool set and dentist chair. It was a great gift for my dad.
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Comment on Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist... in ~travel
ackables LinkOP I don’t have a ton of advice on where to go, but as far as how to navigate the city, I can’t recommend Apple Maps enough. When I was there with my FIL, he was using Google Maps, and I was using...OP I don’t have a ton of advice on where to go, but as far as how to navigate the city, I can’t recommend Apple Maps enough.
When I was there with my FIL, he was using Google Maps, and I was using Apple Maps. Apple Maps has way better transit directions and detailed maps of the various station entrances. He got confused fairly often using Google Maps, but I never got lost when I had Apple Maps running.
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Comment on Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist... in ~travel
ackables Link ParentAlso want to endorse Yoyogi Park. I stayed in Shinjuku and was able to run down to Yoyogi Park, run some laps, and take the train back. Maybe it was just the Yoyogi Park crowd, but everyone there...Also want to endorse Yoyogi Park. I stayed in Shinjuku and was able to run down to Yoyogi Park, run some laps, and take the train back.
Maybe it was just the Yoyogi Park crowd, but everyone there were very fast runners. I was doing 8 min miles and everyone else was running sub 6 min miles without breaking a sweat.
I think of it as more of an advanced autocomplete with a large context window. If you can plan a project, know what data structures you want to use, what methods you want to implement, and vaguely how you want them to be implemented, AI coding assistants work great. If you only know vaguely what you want an entire project to accomplish, AI will make a lot of assumptions and probably not do what you wanted.
It’s like if you were an English speaking author who needed to write a book for a Spanish language market. You think in English, but have to write your English thoughts in Spanish. You may have a great book in English fairly quickly, but you do a lot of back and forth revisions with the editor to perfect the Spanish translation. If you had a dedicated translator, you could spend your time writing the best book you can and let someone else deal with the translation.
AI coding assistants are the same. Computer scientists can focus on the math behind new algorithms or program design while the coding assistants implement their designs into a coding language.