aernox'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 Getting tired of Firefox in ~tech
aernox Link ParentNot OP but just to add: For LibreWolf on Windows, you can enable the option to add a tiny update checking utility (LibreWolf WinUpdater) during installation, which you can run manually at any time...I'm not against software updates, in fact, I like them quite a bit. I just don't like it when it breaks basic functionality. Not having my browser regularly update is some kind of a horror story for me, for obvious reasons.
Not OP but just to add: For LibreWolf on Windows, you can enable the option to add a tiny update checking utility (LibreWolf WinUpdater) during installation, which you can run manually at any time to check for updates, or schedule a task for automated update checks. It seems to work with the portable version as well. There's also the option of using package managers (Chocolatey, Scoop, WinGet). So if that was your only concern about LibreWolf (which I'd recommend too, btw), you might want to consider giving it a try (if your situation allows and you're willing to switch browsers over this issue, of course).
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
aernox LinkI just finished the main story of Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen this weekend and I liked it very much. I've played some of the newer Pokémon games before, but I wanted to start playing the series from...I just finished the main story of Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen this weekend and I liked it very much. I've played some of the newer Pokémon games before, but I wanted to start playing the series from the beginning since I'd heard that the earlier games were supposed to be better. Instead of going for Red/Blue, however, I opted for the remakes (FireRed in my case), as I feared that the black-and-white of the original games might put me off, at least on my first playthrough of the region.
Perhaps controversially, I decided to strictly follow a walkthrough. This might be off-putting to people who prefer to discover things on their own, but after some thought and trying both ways, I came to the conclusion that I prefer to follow a guide, as I don't enjoy getting stuck and not being able to progress without help (which happened a lot), or missing out on certain Pokémon that I could catch in the wild. I think this playstyle provided some structure and allowed me to play in a more organized manner, which I feel suited my goal of playing for story first; it didn't ruin the fun for me at all.
I chose Bulbasaur as my starter Pokémon because I was curious to see what it could do as a grass/poison type, and I made sure to catch a Pikachu early in the game :D Progressing through all the gyms felt really rewarding, and I enjoyed the Team Rocket side story. I didn't feel the need to grind at all, perhaps because Bulbasaur provided the easiest experience, although I would have liked to have had the Exp. Share much earlier instead of constantly having to switch out low-level Pokémon during battles so they could gain XP and level up.
I especially liked the simplicity of the Kanto region; it has a very honest and cozy feel to it. The rival's constant smugness, even after losing, is also pretty funny, haha. And I appreciated the mysteriousness with which the Legendary Pokémon were introduced; it made those battles feel much more meaningful. The only rather big thing I didn't care for was the fact that you can't catch all 151 Pokémon without trading with others. I initially wanted to complete the Pokédex, but then I saw that certain Pokémon are only available in one game version, and since I was playing alone in an emulator, it seemed more trouble than it was worth. You can also only get one of the Legendary Beasts (Entei in my case), but since they're from a different gen, I don't think it's too bad. I'm rather disappointed that Mew is only available through an event, though.
Still, I really enjoyed playing through the game, and I kind of just want to roam around with my Pokémon team now (and maybe start reading the manga to get a better feel for the world) before moving on to the next game in the series.
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Comment on People with a "second brain": Why? How? in ~life
aernox LinkI feel that the term "second brain" is unfortunately heavily commercialized, with all its associations with expensive courses and books, so I refer to my organizational system as a personal wiki...I feel that the term "second brain" is unfortunately heavily commercialized, with all its associations with expensive courses and books, so I refer to my organizational system as a personal wiki or simply a digital notebook – but that's just what I've decided to do for myself.
I have created one wiki for my personal life and one for my school activities. I'm mainly going to talk about the former here, as school-related stuff may be off-topic for this discussion (so nothing about tasks, mail, and calendars, for instance).
To answer the "why" part of your question, the main purpose of my notebook is to collect any kind of information I receive or create myself. This clears my mind in the short term and allows me to refer back to pieces of knowledge later on. Also, it just feels good to have everything in one place and to declutter my digital space.
Now for the "how" part, which I didn't see much of in this thread (yay, my chance to contribute original ideas and not just badly rehash what others have already articulated better): When I first decided on a structure, I was thinking about how I would broadly categorize my life, so I created a few main areas/contexts. Although I can see the argument for a tag-based design (and I've been trying to implement it in a complementary way without success so far), I'm more comfortable with a hierarchical structure; it's also quite easy to keep track of as I don't have that many categories – there are just under 15 right now [1], and I'll probably need to reduce that.
I believe that a system that basically manages everything that goes on in your life is fundamentally messy and will always be a work in progress. No concept, not even the fundamental design of the notebook, is set in stone, and I occasionally take time to think about whether a change is needed to ensure the system's long-term scalability. Still, I think it's best to have a simple and adaptable framework (plain text files, libre software, high speed, offline workflow …).
I aim to review my notes often, to monitor the structure, and to delete and improve my notes (I like the metaphor of repeatedly tending to a digital garden, watering the plants and pulling out the weeds). I've thought about making this easier by automatically prioritizing certain notes for the review (think spaced repetition without the flashcards), but I don't know how to implement this with the software I'm using.
Maybe this comment has derailed from the topic at hand, and it's become somewhat rambly, but hopefully it's of some use; I see a lot of posts on the web that focus on what concrete tools are being used but not what workflows (the more abstract organization behind it all) people are implementing. I'm not sure if I should mention the tool I use; it's an important part of my process, but maybe that would make my statement seem insincere.
[1] To be specific, the more important ones for me personally are: Finance (for storing receipts), Hobbies (books, comics, movies, games …), Knowledge (mostly notes on health topics like nutrition and exercise, as my study material is stored elsewhere), Lifestyle (notes on how I actually implement this knowledge in my life, so stuff like self-care), Medical things (like prescriptions), Productivity (describing my study workflows), a scratchpad for quick notes, Thoughts (essays I've written myself and ones I've found on the web that seemed interesting), and Recipes. I also have a to-do list of tasks I want to do sometime in the future; anything I think of doing during the day goes straight in here without a deadline.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
aernox LinkI recently read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick for class, and I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I watched the movie (Blade Runner, 1982) beforehand and...I recently read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick for class, and I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I watched the movie (Blade Runner, 1982) beforehand and liked it very much, but I felt the book was more thought-provoking and it made me want to discuss its themes a lot more. What stood out to me during reading was the way in which the novel created suspense: It wasn't so much the concern about whether Deckard could retire the androids or not but rather the constant subtle uncertainty in the background of who might be human or non-human, what the difference between them really is, and whether it even matters. The book raises so many questions, and it's fun to think about them.
And then, just a few days ago, I started and finished reading The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (even though I'm not a sci-fi fan, I kind of want to explore the genre now), and I enjoyed it even more than Androids. I watched the 1960 movie last year, so I was already familiar with the book's plot, but what I guess I liked most is the way it is written. Beyond the concept of future social degeneration and the pretty cool Morlocks (I adored the creepiness with which they were introduced), I appreciate Wells' writing style and might try to read another of his works next.
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Comment on Minimalist android launcher suggestions in ~tech
aernox LinkI'm using Discreet Launcher. It's available on F-Droid, but I believe you can get it on Google Play too. I've set it up so my home screen only displays the time, and I can immediately access my...I'm using Discreet Launcher. It's available on F-Droid, but I believe you can get it on Google Play too.
I've set it up so my home screen only displays the time, and I can immediately access my most-used apps with a left or right swipe or a double tap. That functionality is particularly handy if you only use a few apps regularly I think.
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Comment on Which board games have you all been playing? (to 6th August) in ~games.tabletop
aernox Link ParentOh wow, I wasn't aware of that. Yup, the one where you move pieces around and collect objects. I used to play it a lot, and it was nice to revisit.Oh wow, I wasn't aware of that. Yup, the one where you move pieces around and collect objects. I used to play it a lot, and it was nice to revisit.
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Comment on Which board games have you all been playing? (to 6th August) in ~games.tabletop
aernox LinkI played some Labyrinth with my parents yesterday, and it was a lot of fun. Its rules are easy to understand and I like the simplicity of its gameplay. We're going to try to tackle Talisman next,...I played some Labyrinth with my parents yesterday, and it was a lot of fun. Its rules are easy to understand and I like the simplicity of its gameplay.
We're going to try to tackle Talisman next, so that will be quite a step up in complexity. I'm really excited, but I'll have to familiarize myself with how it's played, which I find somewhat daunting as a board game novice. Let's see how it goes.
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Comment on Best FOSS app for Lemmy? in ~tech
aernox LinkSorry for not having a suggestion; feel free to mark as off topic. When I saw that the Sync for Lemmy app has trackers and ads, I was confused. How is it possible that a for-profit company can...Sorry for not having a suggestion; feel free to mark as off topic.
When I saw that the Sync for Lemmy app has trackers and ads, I was confused.
How is it possible that a for-profit company can develop a proprietary app to browse/use a FOSS project like Lemmy? Does the license not protect against that? And if not (as it seems to be the case), what could you do as a developer to shield your project from this?
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Comment on What do you recommend for sunscreen? in ~health
aernox Link ParentSure! Excuse my messy citations. The general consensus on the matter that I could find seems to be that titanium dioxide (and zinc oxide) protect from UV mostly by absorption, somewhat by...Sure! Excuse my messy citations.
The general consensus on the matter that I could find seems to be that titanium dioxide (and zinc oxide) protect from UV mostly by absorption, somewhat by scattering, and not much by reflection.
My original comment wasn't very nuanced, so yes, it does reflect UV but to a very insignificant extent. People and companies have exaggerated and maliciously used the argument to mean that that's the only thing it does, so that organic sunscreens can be demonized instead ("chemical sunscreens take UV and get absorbed into your body, while mineral sunscreens stay on top and get rid of UV!!").
Anyway, on to the evidence:
"Micronized inorganic oxides used in sunscreens (TiO 2 and ZnO) attenuate UV mainly by absorption and some scattering" [1]
"Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide UV protection primarily via absorption of UV radiation and not through significant reflection or scattering" [2]
"ZnO and TiO2 nanomaterials are efficient absorbers of UV radiation; they absorb both UVB and UVA radiation and re-emit it as less damaging UVA, as visible fluorescence or heat" [3]
It also doesn't appear to be a recent finding; one study from 1990 found that both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide absorb UV light: "Physical sunscreens have been described as compounds that attenuate radiation through scattering. This work indicates that physical sunscreens can be also strong absorbers of ultraviolet radiation as well as good scatterers of visible light" [4]
Concerning the question of why this seems to be the case, it largely boils down to particle size and chemical composition:
When light hits a particle, it can either be reflected, scattered, or absorbed.
The particle size of the commonly used titanium dioxide nanoparticles of the titanium-containing ore rutile titanium dioxide is less than 100 nm.
Rutile Titanium dioxide is preferred for sunscreen formulation because it is more photostable than other TiO2 polymorphs, such as anatase titanium dioxide. Nanoparticles of it are used in sunscreen because (1) they're transparent rather than white and stay transparent on the skin and because (2) larger-sized titanium dioxide exhibits weaker UV attenuation. So basically, the right form of the compound + smaller particle size means better protection and minimized white cast. Generally speaking, for submicrometer particles, the amount of reflection is very small compared to the amount of scattering and absorption [5].
~ I'm glad you've had such a good experience with your current sunscreen!
[1] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2013.08.022
[2] https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12214
[3] https://doi.org/10.1166/jbn.2010.1144
[4] Sayre, R. et al. Physical Sunscreens. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. 1990, 43, 103–109
[5] Shaath, N. Sunscreens: Regulations and Commercial Development, Third Edition (2005), p. 246 -
Comment on What do you recommend for sunscreen? in ~health
aernox Link ParentOrganic ("chemical") and inorganic ("mineral") UV filters completely overlap in regards to acute toxicity, so in a way, none is really better or worse than the other; practically speaking,...If you are going to be in water, specifically a body of water that contains marine life, chemical sunscreens are more likely to be harmful.
Organic ("chemical") and inorganic ("mineral") UV filters completely overlap in regards to acute toxicity, so in a way, none is really better or worse than the other; practically speaking, sunscreen on the whole doesn't seem to have much of an impact on marine life at all though (à la the dose makes the poison). Certain sunscreen products being labelled "reef-safe" is really just a marketing story; there shouldn't be any worry about harming marine life when choosing sunscreen.
Mineral sunscreens work by reflecting UV rays away from the skin.
This is actually a pretty widespread misconception; mineral sunscreens – just like chemical sunscreens – work by mostly absorbing UV and converting it into a different type of energy, usually heat (but yeah, as you said, the amount of heat produced isn't very significant, and its origin is more the visible light and infrared that come from sunlight, and only a minor part is actually UV). A small portion of it does get scattered, though for the most part toward the skin. But thanks for saying state-of-the-art chemical sunscreens are safe; too many people believe otherwise.
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Comment on Looking for short beard and face care tips in ~life.men
aernox Link Parent(not op, sorry) TL;DR it prevents and treats dry skin. The main thing a good moisturizer does is maintain adequate moisture levels in the skin's topical layers by minimizing trans-epidermal water...- Exemplary
(not op, sorry)
TL;DR it prevents and treats dry skin.The main thing a good moisturizer does is maintain adequate moisture levels in the skin's topical layers by minimizing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), which can be caused by external factors like air pollution, sun exposure, physical scrubbing, and even harsh surfactants in a cleanser (generally not a problem in modern formulations though).
The skin's so-called natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is its natural balance of ingredients that serves to maintain proper skin hydration (which leads to better functioning of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, preservation of elasticity, and protection from damage). NMF levels tend to decline with age, which leads to dry skin; we want to keep them high enough.
Moisturization generally works in 3 ways; specific classes of ingredients do different things: Occlusives trap in water and reduce TEWL that way (the better ones, think petrolatum and mineral oil, tend to feel greasy in high concentrations). Humectants (e.g. glycerin, hyaluronic acid) enhance surface water availability by drawing out water from the deeper levels of the skin (where there's enough supply, so no need to worry), getting it into the outer layers. Finally, emollients give the perception of soft, smooth skin by filling in the spaces between desquamating corneocytes (outer-layer skin cells that are currently being shed); they're very diverse, though many emollients also work by occlusivity and include oils and dimethicone.
A basic moisturizer may include a subset or all of those 3 types of moisturizing ingredients. That said, you might not like the feel of a very heavy cream and be better off with a light gel instead, or on the other side of the spectrum, you may deem it appropriate to apply moisturizer before sunscreen (which is by itself a good moisturizer) in the morning; that depends on the dryness/oiliness of your individual skin, so listen to it and choose a product that feels good. Personally, I leave out moisturizers in the summer time entirely and opt for a hydrating liquid product (toner) instead.
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Comment on What do you recommend for sunscreen? in ~health
aernox Link ParentTretinoin actually doesn't make your skin more sensitive to the sun (as in negatively impact the minimal erythema dose aka cause redness). It can even inhibit activation of collagenase, which gets...Tretinoin actually doesn't make your skin more sensitive to the sun (as in negatively impact the minimal erythema dose aka cause redness). It can even inhibit activation of collagenase, which gets upregulated during sun exposure and breaks up collagen.
Of course, using sunscreen is a great habit anyhow and definitely necessary to prevent and reduce photoaging on top of tretinoin.
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Comment on What do you recommend for sunscreen? in ~health
aernox LinkI'd recommend the UVMune 400 range from La Roche-Posay; personally, I like the non-tinted fluid (SPF 50+ PPD 46). It's the first (and so far only, afaik) sunscreen on the market with the new...I'd recommend the UVMune 400 range from La Roche-Posay; personally, I like the non-tinted fluid (SPF 50+ PPD 46).
It's the first (and so far only, afaik) sunscreen on the market with the new Mexoryl 400 filter, a sunscreen agent that specifically targets the UVA I ("ultra long UVA") region (with a pretty high absorption peak at 385 nm), which is known to exacerbate some skin conditions like melasma or rosacea and contribute to the formation of solar lentigines ("sun spots"). So if you're already applying sunscreen but are struggling with any of those issues and haven't determined a cause, this might be something worth looking into.
The product is basically a step up from the brand's previous "invisible fluid" / "shaka fluid". It's not very greasy on the skin (but that depends on how much you apply; it still feels better than any other sunscreen I've tried though) and does not leave a white cast. I haven't looked into it, but it's very unlikely that you can get it in the US, because it's using newer filters.
All in all, a very enjoyable sunscreen product and probably the best one I've used.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
aernox LinkI've been playing Rayman Redemption these past few days and I'm enjoying it very much. It's a fan-made remaster of an old 2D side-scrolling platformer (Rayman) from 1995, which was my favorite...I've been playing Rayman Redemption these past few days and I'm enjoying it very much. It's a fan-made remaster of an old 2D side-scrolling platformer (Rayman) from 1995, which was my favorite game growing up, even though it's before my time.
I especially like the level of detail that was put into the game; you can really tell that its creation comes from a source of passion. I've been wanting to play it for some time now and I'm happy I finally did.
Some levels from the (very artistically creative) original game have been enhanced, new levels were added, and the controls feel very smooth. Also, the game overall is much easier than the original (if you ever played it, you'll know it's very challenging), which I appreciate, because I personally despise having to re-play levels over and over again.
The awesome soundtrack was kept and so, the entire ambience of the original (which for me always felt quite relaxing for the most part) is preserved.
I could say more, but maybe this is getting boring to read.
I'm about half-way through, and it's been a very nice experience so far; if you like soothing 2D platformers (both musically and graphically) and want to unwind, I'd definitely recommend checking out this game!
I just finished playing Bus Driver, a 2007 simulator game from the same developers as Euro/American Truck Simulator. I went for the Gold Edition, which has extra levels and buses compared to the standard version. Basically, you drive your bus along a set route and have to stop at each bus stop to deliver passengers to their destination while obeying traffic rules.
There are 36 routes in total (6 tiers of 6 routes), each of which takes about 10 minutes to complete, although the later ones can take longer – the final one takes almost an hour and goes around the entire map. I liked that the map was varied; you drive through rain and snow, on hills and in the city. Overall, the game is quite easy, although following all traffic rules and arriving on time is basically impossible for the first five tiers. One thing I really didn't like was the fact that traffic lights are only green for a very short time, so sometimes when you're approaching a traffic light you have to stop well in advance even if it's just turned green. So no matter what you do, you'll lose points for either running a red light, overbraking, or not arriving on time. The points system is very forgiving, though, and as long as you're not completely reckless, you'll be fine.
The game is a bit older, and you can see that some mechanics haven't been worked out yet. Graphically, it's fine for what it is. I liked the intro music and enjoyed the general atmosphere, and I can see myself replaying some levels again from time to time for fun.