alf's recent activity

  1. Comment on Is there any interest in building a Tildes successor? in ~tildes

    alf
    Link
    Yes. As long as it was just Tildes but they implemented all the features that were already planned from the start and nothing more.

    Yes. As long as it was just Tildes but they implemented all the features that were already planned from the start and nothing more.

    3 votes

  2. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    (edited )
    Link
    An update I identified the issue with both Lock Me Out and Digital Detox (which in retrospect can also be uninstalled during a block). I have no idea why I arrived at that suspicion, but the issue...

    An update

    I identified the issue with both Lock Me Out and Digital Detox (which in retrospect can also be uninstalled during a block).

    I have no idea why I arrived at that suspicion, but the issue is that my phone was in Portuguese and these apps clearly work by identifying specific strings. Changing my phone to English made both work as intended, and the settings to stop and uninstall them are completely blocked!

    I don't mind using my phone in English but I'm used to Portuguese and that's a little annoying. This change in behavior was probably caused by some Android update along the way.

    Oh, well 🤣

    3 votes

  3. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    Link
    If anyone's curious, I found the almost perfect app for me: Digital Detox by Urbandroid on Android. It is free, blocks everything, and even prevents me from uninstalling it by replacing the lock...

    If anyone's curious, I found the almost perfect app for me: Digital Detox by Urbandroid on Android.

    It is free, blocks everything, and even prevents me from uninstalling it by replacing the lock screen with its own launcher containing only the items I've whitelisted. I also cannot access my default launcher, of course.

    I can set an amount to pay to end the blocks the same way as I could with Lock Me Out. So I chose a value that is substantial enough to deter my impulses but also not high enough that it imposes too much of a burden in case of an emergency.

    Thank you for all the suggestions, and give Digital Detox a chance if you have needs similar to mine!

    3 votes

  4. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    Link Parent
    What I described and more. WhatsApp is essentially the everything app in my country. All kinds of anxiety inducing solicitations you can possibly imagine go through WhatsApp.

    What I described and more. WhatsApp is essentially the everything app in my country. All kinds of anxiety inducing solicitations you can possibly imagine go through WhatsApp.

  5. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Unfortunately some apps are inescapable due to circumstances outside my control. WhatsApp, for example, is both socially and practically mandatory in my country. We use WhatsApp to make doctors...

    Unfortunately some apps are inescapable due to circumstances outside my control. WhatsApp, for example, is both socially and practically mandatory in my country. We use WhatsApp to make doctors appointments, be in touch with family and even interacting with companies, banks and governments. I already never had or already uninstalled many addictive apps such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, orTwitter. There is also the issue of being able to easily reinstall any app other Play Store. With Lock Me Out these apps remained blocked regardless.

  6. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    Link Parent
    I have not. If I understand correctly, someone would have to act as the "parent" in those cases? Perhaps my wife? It's definitely a possibility. I'll look into it. Thanks!

    I have not. If I understand correctly, someone would have to act as the "parent" in those cases? Perhaps my wife? It's definitely a possibility. I'll look into it. Thanks!

    3 votes

  7. Comment on Looking for an effective self-block application for Android in ~tech

    alf
    Link Parent
    Unfortunately anything that is not a hard block will work for me. I could buy a much crappier phone, that is certainly a possibility. But the reality is that I'll just keep using regardless of...

    Unfortunately anything that is not a hard block will work for me. I could buy a much crappier phone, that is certainly a possibility. But the reality is that I'll just keep using regardless of inconvenience, the impulse is way too strong.

    Thanks!

    1 vote

  8. Looking for an effective self-block application for Android

    ~tech Ask (recommendations)
    My phone is a Samsung A55. Fully updated. I have ADHD and autism, which is to say that I have a very obsessive personality. I have used various blockers over the years to prevent me from wasting...

    My phone is a Samsung A55. Fully updated.

    I have ADHD and autism, which is to say that I have a very obsessive personality. I have used various blockers over the years to prevent me from wasting time on apps and websites.

    Lock me Out has helped me for many years to curb my smartphone usage. Unfortunately, it stopped working, as it became easy to circumvent by either forcing the program to stop or uninstalling it. I have been in contact with the developer, but they weren't able to find a solution and eventually stopped responding to my emails.

    So I need an app that prevents me from disabling blocks at all.

    While I can pay for an app even if it is a little expensive, I cannot justify an expensive subscription priced in US dollars (although I might do so if there's no other alternative).

    Any suggestions that could help me out? I'm using my phone 24/7, I can't stand it anymore. And I cannot simply turn it off because I have a toddler, and I must be accessible to my wife for emergencies when she leaves the home with him.

    There are also many ways to use a smartphone that are actually useful, positive, and non-addictive. And I'd rather be able to access these functionalities.

    Thanks!

    17 votes

  9. Comment on Tildes Video Thread in ~misc

  10. Comment on World number-one Magnus Carlsen defeated Fabiano Caruana in the final classical game to win the inaugural 2024 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge in ~games.tabletop

    alf
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    "Freestyle chess" is the same as chess960 and Fischer Random Chess. chess960 is what people usually call it to avoid mentioning its creator Bobby Fischer. That's the first time I've seen it called...

    "Freestyle chess" is the same as chess960 and Fischer Random Chess. chess960 is what people usually call it to avoid mentioning its creator Bobby Fischer. That's the first time I've seen it called "Freestyle", I guess I'm just misinformed.

    3 votes

  11. Comment on Ding Liren wins 2023 FIDE World Championship in rapid tiebreak in ~games.tabletop

    alf
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    I just can't believe Nepo let this win escape through his fingers. He had it at one point. Ultimately, it comes down to personality and work ethic. Ding seemed totally willing to drive himself...

    I just can't believe Nepo let this win escape through his fingers. He had it at one point. Ultimately, it comes down to personality and work ethic. Ding seemed totally willing to drive himself crazy to squeeze every ounce of grey matter he could get. Looking at him during this match made me sad. On the other hand, Nepo is usually detached, bored, and a bit arrogant at the chessboard. I was rooting for Nepo once again, and I do believe he is the better chess player, but I came to terms with the fact that no one becomes world champion with that attitude. Nepo is always preserving himself from stress, and that is not something you can do at that level and win. Unless your name is Magnus, of course.

    Just look at the interview, Ding is falling apart, while Nepo looks just a little distraught.

    3 votes

  13. Comment on World Chess Championship game 8: More drama, Ding Liren misses big chance in ~games.tabletop

  17. Comment on Magnus Carlsen withdraws from Sinquefield Cup in ~games.tabletop

    alf
    (edited )
    Link
    chess.com Hans Niemann Report (direct link to the PDF, 72 pages). This is the report the WSJ commented on. Chess.com: 'Niemann Has Likely Cheated In More Than 100 Online Chess Games'. SHOCKING...

    chess.com Hans Niemann Report (direct link to the PDF, 72 pages). This is the report the WSJ commented on.

    Chess.com: 'Niemann Has Likely Cheated In More Than 100 Online Chess Games'.

    SHOCKING UPDATE: Chess Cheating Scandal (Gothamchess reaction to the WSJ report).

    Gothamchess coments on chess.com's report.

    GM Ben Finegold comments the WSJ article.

    5 votes

  18. Comment on Magnus Carlsen withdraws from Sinquefield Cup in ~games.tabletop

  19. Comment on Magnus Carlsen withdraws from Sinquefield Cup in ~games.tabletop

    alf
    (edited )
    Link
    A lot is being said about this drama. Instead of linking to every single thing I found in /r/chess, I'll just share these: GM Ben Finegold's latest take on the issue. It's over 1 hour, but he's...

    A lot is being said about this drama. Instead of linking to every single thing I found in /r/chess, I'll just share these:

    2 votes

  20. Comment on Magnus Carlsen withdraws from Sinquefield Cup in ~games.tabletop

    alf
    Link Parent
    Even though I'm definitely an evidence-first kind of guy, it is hard for me to ignore that Magnus is immensely credible and also competent enough in his domain for his concerns to have enormous...

    Even though I'm definitely an evidence-first kind of guy, it is hard for me to ignore that Magnus is immensely credible and also competent enough in his domain for his concerns to have enormous weight. I was not at all inclined to have an opinion on vague insinuations, but an actual statement, along with all the other circumstantial evidence, managed to persuade me in the direction of guilt -- but that is merely a conviction, not certainty.

    So this is just a personal opinion (and also a consequence that I am, admittedly, kinda tired of this whole thing), and I still believe that concrete evidence must surface in order to justify any actual measures taken against Hans, including the ban from chess.com. And I am still very critical of Magnus and chess.com's handling of the situation.

    1 vote