artvandelay's recent activity
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Comment on Waymo has received their permit to operate at San Francisco International Airport in ~transport
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Comment on New electric-powered locomotive designed for harsh winters unveiled near Edmonton Canada in ~transport
artvandelay LinkDon't have much to say except "hell yeah". Reading the article, looks like locomotive is designed to operate with a full load at -40 for hours, which is super cool. It'll be deployed for short...Don't have much to say except "hell yeah". Reading the article, looks like locomotive is designed to operate with a full load at -40 for hours, which is super cool. It'll be deployed for short range things so range won't be a concern. It'll be cool to see how diesel locomotives eventually get replaced by electric ones, where possible.
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Comment on Known as 'the trip chocolate', Kvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor Norwegian adventures for generations in ~food
artvandelay LinkAbsolutely love Kvikk Lunsj! On the surface it may look like a KitKat but in my opinion, it's better. I like the chocolate they use more than KitKat too, has a nicer flavor without being overly sweetAbsolutely love Kvikk Lunsj! On the surface it may look like a KitKat but in my opinion, it's better. I like the chocolate they use more than KitKat too, has a nicer flavor without being overly sweet
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Comment on KDE launches its own distribution (again) in ~tech
artvandelay LinkInteresting to see. I was actually wondering not that long ago if KDE would create its own distro like GNOME OS and well, it looks like they were working on such a thing and it amounted to this!...Interesting to see. I was actually wondering not that long ago if KDE would create its own distro like GNOME OS and well, it looks like they were working on such a thing and it amounted to this! It's an interesting distro for sure. It uses Arch Linux packages as a base but it is not Arch-based. While it does duplicate some of the efforts in KDE Neon, this is meant to live alongside and it sounds like potentially supersede Neon. Will be cool to see where this goes!
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Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
artvandelay LinkDespite closely following the leaks, it's cool to see the final products. I'm surprised by how loud the orange on the Pro models really is. I do like the new design, just wish they made the lenses...Despite closely following the leaks, it's cool to see the final products.
I'm surprised by how loud the orange on the Pro models really is. I do like the new design, just wish they made the lenses flush with the plateau, much like how Google did with the Pixels. Apple really seem to have taken thermals seriously with this generation of Pro. The vapor chamber combined with the aluminum unibody should cool the A19 Pro really well and keep the chassis cool as well. I'm not a serious enough photographer or videographer to appreciate the camera improvements, besides the square selfie sensor which is cool. I do think my favorite of the Pro color is the silver+white combo surprisingly enough, it really brings me back to the Apple designs of the late 2000s like the original Mac mini and the original Apple TV.
The regular 17 seems like the value play here. You get a proper LTPO 1-120Hz OLED display, good enough dual camera system, compact-ish chassis, and I think the best colors of all iPhones announced this event. I love the green and the purple. I'd be interested in seeing how this device holds up.
The Air is an interesting device overall. I was skeptical of the S25 Edge when it came out earlier in the year but I sorta understood the hype when I first held the device at Best Buy. It's kinda unreal holding a super thin device with a big screen. I can definitely see this device being engineering practice in a way for Apple's rumored upcoming folding iPhone. I also do wonder what battery life will be like. I know the S25 Edge struggles with battery but I think Apple can optimize their way to some half-decent battery life.
I know this article focuses on the iPhone but the Airpods really caught my attention. I have the USB-C Airpods Pros 2 from 2023 and they've held up fantastic and the ANC is surreal at times. I can't imagine what improving on this ANC would be like, it might give my WH-1000XM4s a run for their money.
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Comment on What is a business/org that's so terrible no one should use if possible? in ~life
artvandelay Link ParentI nearly didn't sign the lease for my current place when I thought that Comcast was the only option for an ISP. Comcast had a monopoly on service in my parents' area for a number of years and they...I nearly didn't sign the lease for my current place when I thought that Comcast was the only option for an ISP. Comcast had a monopoly on service in my parents' area for a number of years and they were a pain to deal with. AT&T came and liberated us (though they're not much better haha)
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
artvandelay LinkFollowing up from my post from last week, I finally got the offer letter for the job I interviewed for 2 weeks ago! Super happy with this offer, it gives me the title/level upgrade I wanted and a...Following up from my post from last week, I finally got the offer letter for the job I interviewed for 2 weeks ago! Super happy with this offer, it gives me the title/level upgrade I wanted and a 30% raise! I still haven't accepted it just yet but I'll probably do so later today and celebrate.
Besides that, I didn't too too much this week, I felt rather lazy at work given the news above and my manager was out sick for most of the week. I do feel a bit sad having to tender my resignation though. I've come to enjoy working with the people on my team and my org but all good things must come to an end I suppose.
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Comment on Hector (cloud) in ~enviro
artvandelay LinkFunny to see this. I'm well familiar with Karl the Fog in San Francisco and wondered if other parts of the world had something similar. Interesting to see that the cloud forms in the same spot and...Funny to see this. I'm well familiar with Karl the Fog in San Francisco and wondered if other parts of the world had something similar. Interesting to see that the cloud forms in the same spot and became a bit of a navigational aid for pilots.
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Comment on Atlassian acquires The Browser Company (Arc, Dia) in ~tech
artvandelay LinkIt'll be interesting to see where Atlassian takes Arc and Dia. From what I heard from friends at Atlassian, the CEO is a big lover of Arc and has gone back and forth before with The Browser...It'll be interesting to see where Atlassian takes Arc and Dia. From what I heard from friends at Atlassian, the CEO is a big lover of Arc and has gone back and forth before with The Browser Company to improve Arc. The acquisition announcement is heavily focused on Dia but it also sounds like Arc isn't going to die immediately so it'll be cool to see where they take it.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
artvandelay LinkRecently watched the South Indian movie Maareesan (2025). What a great movie! It starts off as a quirky con-drama but then evolves into so much more. The movie starts off a little slow but reaches...Recently watched the South Indian movie Maareesan (2025). What a great movie! It starts off as a quirky con-drama but then evolves into so much more. The movie starts off a little slow but reaches a tipping point and then things move fast with amazing twists and a beautiful climax. I've watched many movies with Vadivelu, who's a well-known comedic actor, but this is the only movie I've watched with him in a more serious role. I think his acting here is a bit weaker than normal but he still does a fantastic job. Definitely recommend checking it out!
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
artvandelay Link ParentI'll definitely keep my post here updated! Tildes has been a really supportive platform from the very start of this journey so I wouldn't be where I am without Tildes.I'll definitely keep my post here updated! Tildes has been a really supportive platform from the very start of this journey so I wouldn't be where I am without Tildes.
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Comment on Hollow Knight: Silksong will cost $20, releases Thursday at 7 am PDT/10 am EDT in ~games
artvandelay Link ParentThrough a quick calculation, $15 in Feb 2017 (when Hollow Knight first released) is $19.89 in July 2025 so the $20 final price tag isn't really too different haha.Through a quick calculation, $15 in Feb 2017 (when Hollow Knight first released) is $19.89 in July 2025 so the $20 final price tag isn't really too different haha.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
artvandelay LinkFor those following along with my job hop saga, I passed the final interview from last week and I'm just about to wrap up the team matching process! I matched with a decent sounding team,...For those following along with my job hop saga, I passed the final interview from last week and I'm just about to wrap up the team matching process! I matched with a decent sounding team, hopefully the manager didn't misrepresent the team when we briefly spoke. I haven't fully committed to this team just yet though, I've got some people I know at this company so I'm asking them if they can see if there's any headcount for mid-level engineering positions that I can join. I'm also just waiting on the final offer letter and the salary numbers. I have a rough idea of what I can expect but it'd be nice to have final confirmation.
Related to that, my performance review process at work just finished and I received an "exceeds expectations" rating and I also got details about our annual raise and bonus. I got a solid 4.8% raise, which I'm happy about. I just find the timing of all this kinda funny since, if I do end up signing the offer letter for the job mentioned above, I'd only get one paycheck at this new base pay amount before I leave haha. Thankfully, my bonus would get paid out to me regardless of me leaving.
Besides that, I also finally went on a road trip I've been talking about doing for a while. After plans to go on this road trip with friends fell through a few weeks ago, I decided to just go solo. It was overall a pretty chill trip, had some good food and snacks before making my way back home.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
artvandelay Link ParentYeah I'm slowly going through his discography now after hearing Kadoshin haha, he's got some great music!Yeah I'm slowly going through his discography now after hearing Kadoshin haha, he's got some great music!
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
artvandelay LinkAfter a quick trip down memory lane last time, this time I've been listening a bunch of jazz-type music this week, lots of good ones! brother by AMHO: Chill little modern jazz and R&B crossover...After a quick trip down memory lane last time, this time I've been listening a bunch of jazz-type music this week, lots of good ones!
brother by AMHO: Chill little modern jazz and R&B crossover piece with some warm piano chords, subtle synths and laid-back drums.
Kadoshin by Jesus Molina: Contemporary jazz/gospel fusion with some beautiful piano mixed with electric bass and fluid drums. A perfect combo of worshipful chord progressions and modern jazz.
Spiral Dream by COSMOS (unofficial YouTube Link): Quintessential Japanese city-pop/jazz-fusion from the 80s. Bright synths, electric pianos, and funky bass. Love it!
And last but not least:
Explorer by T-SQUARE: Beautiful jazz fusion with sax, electric guitar, and bass that is just pure sex. That bassy intro is just so addicting.
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
artvandelay LinkI recently finished Breaking Bad (2008). I've managed to watch bits and pieces of it over the years from my dad rewatching the show a thousand times so I had an idea of the overall story and most...I recently finished Breaking Bad (2008). I've managed to watch bits and pieces of it over the years from my dad rewatching the show a thousand times so I had an idea of the overall story and most of the twists and turns. That being said, it was still nice filing in the remaining gaps of the parts of the show I didn't get to watch. I'll be honest, I did find season 5 a bit rushed but those last few episodes were still amazing. I think season 4 is definitely the best of the 5. I'll probably watch Better Call Saul next and El Camino but I might stagger them with some other shows in between.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
artvandelay LinkI watched Naked Gun (2025) yesterday and I really enjoyed it! I haven't watched the classic Police Squad films but I have watched clips of them so I sort of had an idea of what to expect going in....I watched Naked Gun (2025) yesterday and I really enjoyed it! I haven't watched the classic Police Squad films but I have watched clips of them so I sort of had an idea of what to expect going in. Still, I enjoyed the dumb humor of the movie and it was just what I needed. Definitely recommend giving it a watch!
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Comment on What's your current PC wallpaper? in ~tech
artvandelay LinkI'm currently in a city-scape phase of wallpapers. On my laptop, I've got Apple's animated wallpaper of NYC. On my desktop, I've got a static wallpaper of San Francisco. I don't change my...I'm currently in a city-scape phase of wallpapers. On my laptop, I've got Apple's animated wallpaper of NYC. On my desktop, I've got a static wallpaper of San Francisco. I don't change my wallpaper too often, maybe once a year, or even less frequently.
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Comment on Valve's secretive 'Fremont' gaming device surfaces in benchmarks in ~games
artvandelay LinkDefinitely an interesting device, especially as a revival of the Steam Box concept of the early 2010s. I've had a Steam Deck for almost a year now and it's a great little mobile PC. The SteamOS...Definitely an interesting device, especially as a revival of the Steam Box concept of the early 2010s. I've had a Steam Deck for almost a year now and it's a great little mobile PC. The SteamOS experience is really polished, same with Proton. I haven't had to do any sort of manual configuration to get things to work right. There's a healthy customization community and it just feels like a console that I can play computer games on. With Xbox slowly declining, I wonder if Steam could slowly take its place with a new SteamBox, especially for the right price.
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Comment on Always invest in good tires in ~transport
artvandelay (edited )LinkIt's amazing what the difference between worn tires and good tires can be. When I first got my car in highschool, a 2001 Accord, I didn't realize how old the tires on it were. They were actually...It's amazing what the difference between worn tires and good tires can be. When I first got my car in highschool, a 2001 Accord, I didn't realize how old the tires on it were. They were actually starting to dry-rot from how old they were. I'm ashamed that I didn't realize how bad they were earlier. I eventually replaced the tires 6 months later and the car felt insanely different. I could feel the difference just turning the steering wheel as I backed out of the parking spot at the tire shop. Similar to your story, the ride was instantly better, the car was slightly less noisy (it was still an 18 year old car at that point), and the car rode better too. It made the old tires feel like they were rocks.
Thanks for the reminder that I should replace the tires on my car though, I'm nearing the EoL mileage on my current set!
They've been slowly doing so at some BART stations. Dublin/Pleasanton comes to mind but they also just built a massive new parking garage alongside the new housing directly outside the station.