chromakode's recent activity
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Comment on Writing toy code with ChatGPT is a blast in ~comp
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Comment on How do you do, fellow web developers? A growing disconnect. in ~comp
chromakode (edited )LinkI watched this pilot last week and had similar feelings about the "computer science" questions (a friend had sent me the call for participants, since I'm in Portland). I had a pretty strong...I watched this pilot last week and had similar feelings about the "computer science" questions (a friend had sent me the call for participants, since I'm in Portland). I had a pretty strong reaction to it too.
From the first few minutes it becomes abundantly clear this is content marketing. The purpose of the game show is to appeal to customers of companies targeting web developers. While I resonate with the evergreen premise that context is lost when newer generations enter the scene, "devrel" media tends to be even more disconnected because its incentives aren't always aligned with reality.
It's true and interesting that the solutions we cooked up in 2010 have shaped reality for engineers working now -- to the extent that the original problems they solved are obscured. In my professional life I have the honor of working with some truly phenomenal developers, who are often now 10-15 years younger than me. They're very much rooted in the real world and understand the difference between computer science and web frameworks. I wouldn't worry or project too much from a marketing project that slightly missed the mark in a few places.
My conclusion after watching the full pilot was that it misses the mark in a different way: it reduces skill and mastery to memorizing little factoids or having seen a piece of code before. Coding (at least for humans, still) is a creative art. While I think the quiz show is a fun concept, the knowledge it showcases is easily the least interesting or fun part of making things with computers, and I don't think we need to create more content that lionizes it.
However, if anyone wants to make long form content breaking down cool strudel.cc tracks, I'd watch that all day...
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Comment on A few questions about replacing our clothes washing machine in ~life
chromakode (edited )LinkI'll second @vord's enthusiasm for the GE Ultrafast Combo. It's everything I've ever wanted in a washing machine. Washes, dries, dispenses detergent from a huge reservoir, no vent, energy...I'll second @vord's enthusiasm for the GE Ultrafast Combo. It's everything I've ever wanted in a washing machine. Washes, dries, dispenses detergent from a huge reservoir, no vent, energy efficient, gentle on clothes, and will agitate clothes left in the drum regularly so they don't wrinkle.
You just yeet a reasonably large pile of laundry in there and in 2.5 hours it's fresh and warm. It was especially amazing the week we had COVID -- chuck all the pajamas in and forget about it. Sometimes when my favorite day clothes are running low, I schedule a full cycle when I'm going to bed, so that when I wake up my clothes are ready.
It's also a big energy efficiency win, as all heat pump dryers are, because you're not pushing conditioned air out your dryer vent, and it uses less electricity. It's also gentler on clothes because it uses less heat to remove water from the air. A rare case for an appliance where you win on efficiency, ease of install, and usability!
One of the things you'll read about this and similar machines is problems with lint buildup. It's true, some lint needs to occasionally be manually cleaned from the drawer space so it doesn't build up on the condenser fins. We got one around the beginning of the year, so while I can't speak to its longevity, our condenser looks great and there's been no degradation in drying performance. I hope that based on the popularity of this design, the lint management will be improved in future iterations.
The other notable drawback to this unit is that it's an um, absolute unit. It's really heavy. Moving it up or down stairs is an ordeal.
Still, I love this machine. One of my favorite appliances ever. I never want to go back to having to interrupt my day to manually transfer clothes from one machine to another. We got one and kept our old dryer, figuring if the drying wasn't good enough we'd just have a fancy washing machine. The drying is absolutely good enough, and generates much less lint!
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Comment on Portland Airport grows with expansive mass timber roof canopy in ~transport
chromakode LinkIt's one of the most impressive experiences I've had with architecture in memory. Honestly took my breath away the first time I was in there!It's one of the most impressive experiences I've had with architecture in memory. Honestly took my breath away the first time I was in there!
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Comment on Reusing plastic water bottles, to-go containers? Scientists say that’s a bad idea. in ~health
chromakode Link ParentYou can bake silicone for 10-20m at 300F to get rid of the smell issue.You can bake silicone for 10-20m at 300F to get rid of the smell issue.
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Comment on Programming/gaming monitor recommendations in ~tech
chromakode Link ParentOLED monitors have a large bag of tricks to reduce burn-in effects, but the jury is still out on how effective they'll be for desktop use, since the desktop is a less established market and harder...OLED monitors have a large bag of tricks to reduce burn-in effects, but the jury is still out on how effective they'll be for desktop use, since the desktop is a less established market and harder use case than televisions. The monitor runs an "image cleaning routine" during long periods while the display is idle which resolves short term persistence effects. There's also imperceptible pixel shifting over time to prevent static items from burning specific pixels.
In practice some of the tricks (e.g. dimming large white areas on the screen) are more noticable to me than occasional image persistence (which does happen), but it hasn't been particularly annoying. 70% of the time I'm looking at white on black IDE text, and for that use case (QD-)OLED is unbeaten and quite efficient.
I accept that this monitor is a consumable which may burn in over time. My biggest concern with that is on ecological grounds. As a business expense it's well worth it for the QOL; I stare at this thing for 10+ hours a day including personal use.
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Comment on Programming/gaming monitor recommendations in ~tech
chromakode (edited )LinkI upgraded this year to an LG 32GS95UE-B, a 4K 32" WOLED monitor. Previously, I used a 27" 1440p IPS monitor. I spend the majority of my time programming, with some gaming. I enjoy fast paced...I upgraded this year to an LG 32GS95UE-B, a 4K 32" WOLED monitor. Previously, I used a 27" 1440p IPS monitor. I spend the majority of my time programming, with some gaming. I enjoy fast paced games, but I also notice and appreciate the smoothness of regular desktop motion at 144Hz and above.
If budget allows, these days I'd prioritize an OLED or QD-OLED monitor for coding, thanks to the deeper blacks and better color gamut. I was very interested in QD-OLED displays, but this latest (3rd) generation has a semi gloss coating and issues in bright rooms (look up "raised blacks"). I work in a bright room, so I went with the LG, and I don't regret it. Text is less sharp than a Mac retina display, but it's no longer distractingly pixelated like my 27" 1440p. I have good eyesight and I can faintly see the pixels if I get closer to my monitor, but from 2ft away it's fine. I appreciate having the additional physical screen deal estate.
Display technology is improving rapidly right now, and I anticipate future QD-OLEDs tipping the balance with better coatings and color vibrancy. Both the LG and Samsung displays in this class are a bit immature, as the tech is coming downstream from TVs which are more mass market than computer displays. I wouldn't necessarily wait though -- the ergonomic improvements were very worthwhile IME -- but don't be surprised if a screen you get becomes obsolete next year.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
chromakode Link ParentAmazing game. I played through it this year as well. You're in for a treat!Amazing game. I played through it this year as well. You're in for a treat!
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Comment on Looking for slim wallet recommendations in ~life.style
chromakode LinkI love my Hawbuck Dyneema wallet. It fits the bill of carrying up to 8-10 cards + cash. It's only $35, water repellant, and USA made. I doubt it's physically possible to make a smaller or lighter...I love my Hawbuck Dyneema wallet. It fits the bill of carrying up to 8-10 cards + cash. It's only $35, water repellant, and USA made. I doubt it's physically possible to make a smaller or lighter wallet. The fabric wears a bit over time, though mine has held up well, only gaining character.
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AI and the American smile
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Comment on How do you shave? in ~life.men
chromakode LinkAfter ~20 years using a cartridge and shaving cream, I switched to a OneBlade in 2023. During the pandemic, I gave up my beard for better face mask protection. Wet shaving every few days was...After ~20 years using a cartridge and shaving cream, I switched to a OneBlade in 2023. During the pandemic, I gave up my beard for better face mask protection. Wet shaving every few days was getting really tedious.
I love it! I don't mind at all that it's a less close shave. I prefer the look of a little shadow, and it irritates my face less than razors ever did. It's also way faster than cartridge shaving: much less setup and less time spent rinsing the blade. I haven't noticed a functional difference between shaving wet and dry. It's also more multipurpose than a razor, since you can use it unguarded to square up sideburns, and you can add a guard to trim beards.
I also like that for travel, it's small and easy to pack, and the battery lasts for weeks. Very similar to an electric toothbrush in this regard. It's also nicely waterproof, so I usually keep it in the shower and let the water rinse the cuttings away. I do have to sometimes fix a couple missed hairs, but on the balance it's been a really nice QOL upgrade!
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Eiffel Tower will keep Olympic rings permanently, Mayor says
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Comment on Recommendations for smart temperature sensors in ~life.home_improvement
chromakode LinkMany Zigbee motion sensors contain temperature sensors, which you can automate around easily with Home Assistant (and set up motion based lighting!). I have both indoor and outdoor Hue sensors...Many Zigbee motion sensors contain temperature sensors, which you can automate around easily with Home Assistant (and set up motion based lighting!). I have both indoor and outdoor Hue sensors which provide temp. Also, Ecobee thermostats support adding wireless room sensors that do temperature + presence, which you can tie into Home Assistant as well.
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Comment on Google Pixel 9 launch event live coverage: all the news in ~tech
chromakode Link ParentAgreed. I chose my Pixel 6 Pro for the telephoto camera, and it has been well worth it. It enables shots with a fundamentally different feel due to perspective compression. Very happy to have the...Agreed. I chose my Pixel 6 Pro for the telephoto camera, and it has been well worth it. It enables shots with a fundamentally different feel due to perspective compression. Very happy to have the smaller option this time around. The 6 Pro is just a bit too big and heavy, especially in a case.
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Comment on An uncompromising guide to sleep masks (for side-sleepers) in ~health
chromakode Link ParentThat's fantastic to hear, thanks for the update! I'm really impressed by that mask. I plan to test it out more too. Getting to sleep faster without any discomfort through the night sounds like an...That's fantastic to hear, thanks for the update! I'm really impressed by that mask. I plan to test it out more too. Getting to sleep faster without any discomfort through the night sounds like an epic win to me! IME feeling refreshed comes from consistency and sleep balance more than a single session, though masks can help me stay asleep when it gets brighter in the morning.
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Comment on .Com prices go up at the end of the month in ~comp
chromakode Link ParentGandi was acquired a year ago and started jacking up rates. I switched to Porkbun and it's been great.Gandi was acquired a year ago and started jacking up rates. I switched to Porkbun and it's been great.
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Comment on An uncompromising guide to sleep masks (for side-sleepers) in ~health
chromakode Link ParentHow'd it go? Did you find a mask you liked?How'd it go? Did you find a mask you liked?
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Comment on Webcam recommendations? in ~tech
chromakode LinkThe most interesting webcam on the market currently (imho) is the Insta360 Link, because it comes with a built-in gimbal and can track you around the room. It's too bad they've taken to scummy...The most interesting webcam on the market currently (imho) is the Insta360 Link, because it comes with a built-in gimbal and can track you around the room. It's too bad they've taken to scummy non-disclosed influencer marketing tactics recently, though.
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Comment on Computer monitors that are good for watching videos? in ~tech
chromakode Linkrtings tests this! You could use their table tool to filter out monitors with a high angle before their colors wash out from below: https://www.rtings.com/monitor/tools/table/142373rtings tests this! You could use their table tool to filter out monitors with a high angle before their colors wash out from below: https://www.rtings.com/monitor/tools/table/142373
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Comment on Framework 16: Additional hardware questions in ~comp
chromakode Link ParentFaster and more power efficient, yes! Unfortunately, the WD.BLACK drives have also garnered a bad reputation in the years since for having a high failure rate.Faster and more power efficient, yes! Unfortunately, the WD.BLACK drives have also garnered a bad reputation in the years since for having a high failure rate.
Agreed, one of my favorite impacts of LLMs is reducing the barrier to getting started creating things with code.
Small nit though: I was not expecting the game to make sound, and tapping it woke up my partner. It's a good idea to note when UI uses sound with a "turn your sound on" hint or similar.