caliper's recent activity
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
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Comment on Can we maybe have an informal agreement to avoid posting articles that require you to sell your firstborn child to the devil just to read them? in ~tildes
caliper (edited )Link ParentThat’s good advice too. Although that still means you have to do something while browsing, those cookie popups will still be there and the cookies also while the browser is open. On second...That’s good advice too. Although that still means you have to do something while browsing, those cookie popups will still be there and the cookies also while the browser is open. On second thought, how often do you close the browser? On my devices, the browser is only closed when the device needs a reboot or when Firefox requires a restart. Uptime on my laptop is usually weeks, if not months.
A much better addition is by @d32 in another topic:
Minor correction: it's not about cookies actually, at all. Cookies are an implementation detail. Those popups are asking for your consent to being tracked by the site, which can come in various forms and technical implementations. Calling it "cookies" misses the point. It can mean gathering your data, correlating it with data from other sources, using it to determine strategy to adjust your views, selling it to the american government - anything.
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Comment on Can we maybe have an informal agreement to avoid posting articles that require you to sell your firstborn child to the devil just to read them? in ~tildes
caliper Link ParentUnfortunately I don’t. When I looked I couldn’t find an alternative that does block those. I hope somebody will swoop in and tell us both!Unfortunately I don’t. When I looked I couldn’t find an alternative that does block those. I hope somebody will swoop in and tell us both!
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Comment on Can we maybe have an informal agreement to avoid posting articles that require you to sell your firstborn child to the devil just to read them? in ~tildes
caliper Link ParentJust a heads up: last time I checked, consent-o-matic did not turn off “legitimate interest” toggles. Aren’t those the real evil consents?Just a heads up: last time I checked, consent-o-matic did not turn off “legitimate interest” toggles. Aren’t those the real evil consents?
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Comment on Can I hope to defeat telematics in a new car? in ~transport
caliper Link ParentWhy be protective about the VIN? It’s not private and can, on most (all?) modern cars, be read through the windshield.Why be protective about the VIN? It’s not private and can, on most (all?) modern cars, be read through the windshield.
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Comment on A lot at steak: US beef and cattle prices soar to record highs in ~food
caliper Link ParentThat’s awesome. How has the change been? And if beef prices would drop again, do you think you’d switch back again?That’s awesome. How has the change been? And if beef prices would drop again, do you think you’d switch back again?
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Comment on A lot at steak: US beef and cattle prices soar to record highs in ~food
caliper LinkIf this would lead to overall lower beef consumption it would be a net positive, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. For now it just seems like dumb policy (tariffs) at work, which...If this would lead to overall lower beef consumption it would be a net positive, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. For now it just seems like dumb policy (tariffs) at work, which is hitting people already struggling. Not a sustainable way to achieve a positive goal. It’s pretty depressing to watch from a distance, because it all feels so incredibly pointless.
I don’t currently live in the US, but when I did I was always so surprised about produce prices. Cooking yourself using fresh products was often more expensive than buying processed or even fast food. It baffled me because the part of Europe I came from was the other way around. Growing up, going to McDonalds was a luxury that we couldn’t afford. Anybody have an idea why this is/was the case?
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Comment on NATO alphabet in ~talk
caliper Link ParentOh man, I want to be on a call with a random person where they say “…and R as in Rectum”. I would totally lose it and laugh uncontrollably.Oh man, I want to be on a call with a random person where they say “…and R as in Rectum”. I would totally lose it and laugh uncontrollably.
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Comment on Things to do when you've lost your job in ~talk
caliper LinkTalk to people, in person. I’ve found most of my jobs by talking to friends, friends of friends, etc. Ask people to have a coffee with you and tell you about their work because you’re not sure...Talk to people, in person. I’ve found most of my jobs by talking to friends, friends of friends, etc. Ask people to have a coffee with you and tell you about their work because you’re not sure what your next step in your career should be. Don’t ask if they are hiring! Bring some home baked cookies. Have a fun conversation. Ask lots of questions about their job, the industry, etc. If they think you’re a valuable addition to the team, they will ask you to formally apply. Rules and hiring freezes mean nothing if someone wants you on the team. Follow up with a “thank you”. If you feel it’s a place where you want to work, ask if they think a spot will open up soon.
I’ve been on the interviewer side of the table many times and what I’m looking for is a personal connection. If someone is smart and seems like a good fit for the company culture, they will get the job regardless of missing checkboxes on their resume.
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Comment on Idle complaints of indebtedness and isolation in ~talk
caliper LinkYou are in poverty, something I suspect not many here have been in. I come from a poor family, but we were never in the place you are. It seems like you are barely keeping your head above water....You are in poverty, something I suspect not many here have been in. I come from a poor family, but we were never in the place you are. It seems like you are barely keeping your head above water. You’re already listing a bunch of things breaking down and a big setback could get you in real trouble.
Part of being in financial trouble is worrying and stress. This has a significant impact on your health. Take care of yourself and please don’t feel “others have it worse, so I shouldn’t complain”, because that is not true. You have a right to feel bad, it sounds like you are really in a very tough situation.Have you considered getting help? There is, or should be, no shame in going to food banks or soup kitchens. Are there any programs in your area to support people in need? You might qualify for assistance. Around here, libraries often organize programs to connect people. And even if it is just to warm up and chill for a bit, it might be nice to hang out for a couple of hours in a corner of the library with a book. Take care of your mental health.
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Comment on Automotive repair costs on modern vehicles. Any horror stories? in ~transport
caliper Link ParentThat sucks. It feels so wrong to be the one paying for damages caused by something out of your control. Your car must be glad to have you as an owner though. Hope it keeps on purring!That sucks. It feels so wrong to be the one paying for damages caused by something out of your control. Your car must be glad to have you as an owner though. Hope it keeps on purring!
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Comment on Automotive repair costs on modern vehicles. Any horror stories? in ~transport
caliper LinkI’ve caved after decades of old cars. The family is happy, I’ve got some more time to do other stuff. But I know I’m getting rid of this car before simple things will break. The car has been good...I’ve caved after decades of old cars. The family is happy, I’ve got some more time to do other stuff. But I know I’m getting rid of this car before simple things will break. The car has been good to me so far.
Besides the idiocracy of needing a whole headlight unit replaced for the most basic things, do realize there is an insane markup on those parts. Shops will sell you OEM compatible parts for OEM dealer prices. I’ve had a headlight unit replaced with a $90 part, only for my insurance to be billed a cool $600. Labor was a separate item on that bill.
As a home mechanic, I often feel the whole car industry is just filled with scammers. From manufacturers to dealers, mechanics to insurers. I rarely feel I’m not being ripped off.
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Comment on Struggling in my relationship in ~life
caliper Link ParentBecause discussing things that sound like divorce can be very stressful for kids. I know my kids overhear me and my wife sometimes and then quietly worry.Because discussing things that sound like divorce can be very stressful for kids. I know my kids overhear me and my wife sometimes and then quietly worry.
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Comment on Struggling in my relationship in ~life
caliper LinkThis sounds terrible and it sounds like you are at the end of your rope. The financial part and hoarding especially sound so very stressful to me. The lack of intimacy, the difference in parenting...This sounds terrible and it sounds like you are at the end of your rope. The financial part and hoarding especially sound so very stressful to me. The lack of intimacy, the difference in parenting styles, sharing the housekeeping workload: those things I can see you’d be able to work through. But if somebody is sabotaging your life financially and clogging up the house, I don’t think I could go on with that in my life.
It sounds like you may have a really good relationship with your father in law, have you considered having a really frank talk with him to see what he thinks is going on? Your partner sounds like he may have bigger issues they need to work on.
It really does sound like you’ve made up your mind. The best of luck to you.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: Week 3 Updates in ~creative.timasomo
caliper Link ParentWho doesn’t love a good jig! When I was still earning a living as a furniture maker, my shop was filled with jigs from finished jobs. Often just glued and screwed together pieces of scrap MDF, but...Who doesn’t love a good jig! When I was still earning a living as a furniture maker, my shop was filled with jigs from finished jobs. Often just glued and screwed together pieces of scrap MDF, but also sometimes more intricate with adjustable pieces. They usually ended up in the trash after a year or so. But making jigs, that was one of the best parts of woodworking!
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Comment on Recommendations for a Linux based job/ticket management system in ~tech
caliper LinkHave you considered CalDAV reminders? It is very basic and not at all like Jira-like solutions, but very easy to set up and share across devices and platforms. It seems to tick most of your...Have you considered CalDAV reminders? It is very basic and not at all like Jira-like solutions, but very easy to set up and share across devices and platforms. It seems to tick most of your requirements, so maybe just good enough to use? I run a davical server, but there’s probably more modern options available.
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
caliper LinkI'm sorry for responding this late. My social anxiety really kicked in when replies started coming in. This is my attempt to show I read all the comments and want to thank everybody so much for...I'm sorry for responding this late. My social anxiety really kicked in when replies started coming in. This is my attempt to show I read all the comments and want to thank everybody so much for the thoughtful replies.
It is very helpful for me and my wife to read your insights, and above all, it is good for us to know we aren't crazy thinking the psychologist is talking out of their ass. Among all the great tips and personal stories, getting a second opinion is definitely the number one suggestion. I'm going to discuss this with my son to make sure he is on board with seeing another person. We'll make extra sure this time we end up with somebody that is familiar with ADHD. In addition, there's a ton of things we can work on/try at home. Hopefully we'll find something that works for my son.
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
caliper Link ParentThe only reason we went to this psychologist was to get the okay to try medication, which our family doctor requires. We had Apple screentime. We had app limits. We had passwords. But in the end,...Are psychologists even able to prescribe medication in your area? You might want to consider seeing a psychiatrist and a different psychologist.
The only reason we went to this psychologist was to get the okay to try medication, which our family doctor requires.
Would he agree to hard limits enforced via Apple's screentime or whatever the equivalent is for the Android?
We had Apple screentime. We had app limits. We had passwords. But in the end, he found out you can change the date or timezone to get around it. It came to light when SSL certificates were considered expired by Safari, and the browser wouldn't load anything. It cracked me up, but at the same time we were screwed at that point. He's found other ways to get around rules, so in the end we've decided that having those limits was impossible to enforce. It made family life miserable, especially for his younger brother.
Do you say "yes" to everything non-device? It's never easy nor convenient, but I will say yes to anything non device related.
This is an eyeopener. I really need to do this more. He loves board games. I hate board games because I'm too competitive and can't enjoy a game unless I'm winning. But he would love it if I would play more often. So I should suck it up more often and just do this for him.
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
caliper Link ParentSo glad to get your opinion, sorry to break your Tildes hiatus! This is somewhat painful to read, but maybe I'm projecting fears I've had over the years. I've always wondered if all the things...So glad to get your opinion, sorry to break your Tildes hiatus!
Like you, my mom looked for so much additional support (tutors, programs, engaging material) and very little of it panned out. I do have a few thoughts on what I’d do differently
This is somewhat painful to read, but maybe I'm projecting fears I've had over the years. I've always wondered if all the things we've tried, had any negative impact on his self esteem. It feels like we're always trying to fix something.
When you say you'd want to do things differently, what are you thinking of?
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
caliper Link ParentThis is such an amazing response, I'm so grateful you took the time to write all this up! My wife is not a Tilderino and she was blown away somebody would give such a detailed response. There are...This is such an amazing response, I'm so grateful you took the time to write all this up! My wife is not a Tilderino and she was blown away somebody would give such a detailed response. There are quite a few things we have tried over the years already, but also so much that is new to me and my wife. Enough to try, and it makes me hopeful we're going to figure out some things that genuinely work for our son.
We moved a month or two ago. We went from a smaller town with lots of green to a small quaint city. Our dog is loving it so far! She seems more alive here. Each walk we do a different route and there’s a lot of things for her to sniff and people to meet. We adopted her at a year and a half, and I think her street life is showing. She’s finding things to eat everywhere. I’m still unsure if I should try to avoid this or just let her have her fun time.
Our cat is less happy. He used to roam the neighborhood and trot along when we’d go for walks with the dog. Now he’s more confined to indoors. We’ve got a small patio for him to enjoy some fresh air, but it is clearly a downgrade for him. So far we’ve only been able to take him on a walk early on a Sunday morning. He was skittish with all the people that were already around, but he stayed close to us. I hope we can make this our new routine.