creesch's recent activity
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Comment on Farscape available on YouTube in ~tv
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
creesch Link ParentI am okay with a cat or dog being named after me.I am okay with a cat or dog being named after me.
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
creesch Link ParentThere are programs to work with RAW image files. There are expensive options from Adobe (and probably affinity as well, but I am not sure) but also open source programs like darktable and rawtherapee.There are programs to work with RAW image files. There are expensive options from Adobe (and probably affinity as well, but I am not sure) but also open source programs like darktable and rawtherapee.
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
creesch LinkI don't have a definitive advice here, as a lot of it also comes down to personal preferences. So I am more or less providing my thoughts, but am not drawing a final conclusion. If you don't care...I don't have a definitive advice here, as a lot of it also comes down to personal preferences. So I am more or less providing my thoughts, but am not drawing a final conclusion.
If you don't care that much about detailed settings, the biggest advantage a dedicated camera has over a phone is the choice of lens. Because it isn't limited by the size constraints of having to fit in a phone body. The sensor also comes into play, but doesn't nearly affect the picture quality as much these days.
The Sony you are eyeing seems to be mostly aimed at vlogging. Which seems to be reflected in the lens. Which is a fixed focal length lens with no zoom, wide angle and can't be changed. So while you do get some benefits of a dedicated camera, they aren't as pronounced maybe compared to other cameras. You still get a wider field of view than on most phones, so for landscapes it might actually be a decent camera as well. But for some other things it might be less suitable.
If you don't have strong expectations here, then this camera with this lens is probably fine, and it will get you very decent photos. It also does have some other pretty decent features like the big fold out screen, good autofocus, good stabilization for videos, etc.
With that in mind, I think your hesitations in combination with the Sony model you have considered so far are valid ones. I am by no means an expert, but this camera specifically might not be as big of an upgrade visual compared to what you'll get with other cameras.
Other cameras can come with lenses that provide optical zoom, various fields of view, etc, etc. Not to mention cameras where the lens can be changed out for a different one depending on the circumstances. Which probably is overkill for what you are looking to do, but going for a compact mirrorless camera body with interchangeable lenses would allow you to at least pivot to a different type of lens down the line.
Having said that, if we move one from lenses, dedicated cameras also have some other benefits. Like bigger sensors (resulting in cleaner low light shots in some cases). You also tend to get better microphones (at least through external input), choices for light/flash, etc. Finally, cameras are just slightly more ergonomic for taking pictures. I mention these points last, as I am not sure how heavily they weigh into your considerations.
Finally, I should mention that some people find they make more intentional photos when they bring a dedicated camera, which in itself can result in more valuable memories and better pictures (due to framing, etc).
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Comment on OpenAI’s H1 2025: $4.3b in income, $13.5b in loss in ~tech
creesch Link ParentSure, I can adjust the base prompt and chose personalities (which all do the same thing behind the scenes). But that doesn't really change the fact that it really does feel like a different model...Sure, I can adjust the base prompt and chose personalities (which all do the same thing behind the scenes). But that doesn't really change the fact that it really does feel like a different model family. There are also some clear qualitative issues that can't really be fixed by tweaking the base prompt.
It's why I said it likes to talk around subjects, rather than respond to the actual question. The various 4 models and o3 did a much better job of responding to the prompt in a way that GPT-5 simply doesn't.
Which is fine, I am not really tied to chatGPT. My comment is more of an observation.
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Comment on OpenAI’s H1 2025: $4.3b in income, $13.5b in loss in ~tech
creesch Link Parentgpt-5 to me feels like an entirely different new model (family of models actually as there are multiple under the hood). Rather than a continuation, it has gotten much more verbose talking around...gpt-5 to me feels like an entirely different new model (family of models actually as there are multiple under the hood). Rather than a continuation, it has gotten much more verbose talking around the subject and direct question rather than about it.
In the context of this post I wonder if the goal with gpt-5 is cost reduction rather than overal improvement.
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Comment on OpenAI’s H1 2025: $4.3b in income, $13.5b in loss in ~tech
creesch Link ParentGenerally speaking though, documentation itself isn't enough to train LLMs on. At least not to the degree that they can semi reliably answer "how do I do X". Overly simplified they "learn" best...Generally speaking though, documentation itself isn't enough to train LLMs on. At least not to the degree that they can semi reliably answer "how do I do X".
Overly simplified they "learn" best from a wide array of examples and explanations.This is actually reflected in how well they currently are able to handle certain languages and technologies. The more popular they are the better models are with them. They are more likely to be able to output something related to Javascript compared to something that has less training material like C. Similarly they will be more likely to give a semi decent React answer compared to frameworks with a much smaller user base.
It's not to say they can't do it, RAG based systems can do fairly well. But the quality will not be the same. Which means that the risk of hallucinations, which is already there, will be bigger.
It also requires the documentation to be entire up to date and correct. Where with a wider training base gaps will be filled by examples.
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Comment on Swedish startup Saveggy launches pilot scheme for edible, plastic-free packaging for cucumbers – innovative solution made from just two ingredients: rapeseed oil and gluten-free oat oil in ~food
creesch Link ParentCould be, like I said I was more or less curious if there is some sort reasoning given for wrapping them. I also remember cucumbers just being available without plastic until fairly recently. But...Could be, like I said I was more or less curious if there is some sort reasoning given for wrapping them. I also remember cucumbers just being available without plastic until fairly recently. But I have no clue how many of those stores had to throw away compared to the plastic wrapped once.
I am sure someone determined enough could find it out. But for a Sunday evening this was enough Googling for me for now. Hence my last line about research funding as a general disclaimer to not take what I found at face value.
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Comment on Swedish startup Saveggy launches pilot scheme for edible, plastic-free packaging for cucumbers – innovative solution made from just two ingredients: rapeseed oil and gluten-free oat oil in ~food
creesch Link ParentApparently it has to do with oxygen regulation and the cucumber releasing less moisture. Which in turn makes them more shelf stable, making them last about three times longer. Which counter...Apparently it has to do with oxygen regulation and the cucumber releasing less moisture. Which in turn makes them more shelf stable, making them last about three times longer. Which counter intuitively makes plastic wrapped cucumbers have a more positive environment impact.
At least, according to the sources I found which are the Dutch nutrition center, which in turn cites research from the University of Wageningen.
For cucumbers, this mostly seems to apply outside of summer (outside their growing season when they are either imported or grown indoor).
No clue if all that research was actually funded by "big plastic", I was just curious if there was a reason and did some quick googling.
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
creesch Link ParentTo echo what @TaylorSwiftsPickles said, you should be able to unscrew it and get a smaller jack.To echo what @TaylorSwiftsPickles said, you should be able to unscrew it and get a smaller jack.
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
creesch Link ParentDT 700 pro x are the ones I got. Slightly better cushions and less hars treble which I find more pleasant. The cable is also replaceable and they even offer one with usb c and built in microphone....DT 700 pro x are the ones I got. Slightly better cushions and less hars treble which I find more pleasant. The cable is also replaceable and they even offer one with usb c and built in microphone. No clue how good that microphone is though.
They have one downside, the head band cushion has an issue with letting go very soon.
I use mine with an audio interface and seperate microphone. But all that does fall outside OPs budget. Figured I do info drop this for other people that are curious.
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Comment on How we're designing Audacity for the future in ~tech
creesch Link ParentOpen source projects in general. I honestly think most open source projects have a smaller team behind it than most people realize. In fact, outside bigger funded projects it often comes down to...apparently most people don't really want to work on
Open source projects in general. I honestly think most open source projects have a smaller team behind it than most people realize. In fact, outside bigger funded projects it often comes down to one or two core developers with some incidental contributions over the years.
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Comment on Google details Android developer certification requirement, and it’s as bad as we feared in ~tech
creesch Link ParentThere aren't that many hardware options out there that are open enough. Besides with Waydroid you are still running (outdated) android with extra steps and overhead. Not to mention that my bank...There aren't that many hardware options out there that are open enough. Besides with Waydroid you are still running (outdated) android with extra steps and overhead.
Not to mention that my bank uses their own app as a second factor to log into the website. Technically I can get a hardware type token device that is custom to my bank. But last time I checked they made it incredibly difficult to find out how to order it. To the point that I feel they only "offer" it to be able to claim that you don't strictly need an Android or iOS smartphone.
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Comment on Looking for music solutions for my car; can anyone recommend a digital audio player? in ~transport
creesch Link ParentFyi. Bluetooth on phones has a permission sort of system. You can simply set it to only do audio.Fyi. Bluetooth on phones has a permission sort of system. You can simply set it to only do audio.
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Comment on Looking for music solutions for my car; can anyone recommend a digital audio player? in ~transport
creesch LinkI assume for the moment that the player in your car is integrated in the dashboard and not one you can easily replace? Because if you can, there are plenty of car radios out there that can take...I assume for the moment that the player in your car is integrated in the dashboard and not one you can easily replace? Because if you can, there are plenty of car radios out there that can take usb sticks, memory cards, etc for playing back mp3s and such.
If that isn't an option, I have to assume your radio does have an aux in you can plug the player into?
Final question, by digital audio players, I assume you mean portable devices that are the modern continuation of "mp3 players"?
Because most modern players actually don't have physical controls as far as I know. Most of them that I have seen use a touch screen. Although I suppose you can mount those with a phone mount within reach.As far as physical controls go, if they do have them, they are too small and finicky to safely use while driving.
One thing to consider, audio players will also have a battery that will degrade. Bluetooth security I can't really comment on. But in my experience for audio streaming in a car context, it has been more than fine for me for years.
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Comment on What common misunderstanding do you want to clear up? in ~talk
creesch (edited )Link ParentDisclaimer beforehand, I fully agree. The Byzantine Empire is the Roman Empire for the majority of its existence. What I am about to say is more out of general historical interest and because I...Disclaimer beforehand, I fully agree. The Byzantine Empire is the Roman Empire for the majority of its existence. What I am about to say is more out of general historical interest and because I like talking about.
Things get a bit murkier around 1204 when Constantinople was lost due to the fourth crusade and the areas that remained under Byzantine control got split up in three successor states, all claiming to be legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire. Out of those, the Empire of Nicaea managed to reconquer Constantinople over half a century later.
To be clear, I think their claim was pretty legitimate. But as far as empires go, that was pretty the definitive start of the end as after that it only continued to shrink and lose territory on both sides of the Bosporus.
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Comment on Messenger, a cute little 3d browser game in ~games
creesch Link ParentAh, yeah I completely forgot but if you finish all quests you will get credits with those names. Good find on three.js, I think I have come across it before I remember this lovely little demoAh, yeah I completely forgot but if you finish all quests you will get credits with those names.
Good find on three.js, I think I have come across it before I remember this lovely little demo
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Comment on Messenger, a cute little 3d browser game in ~games
creesch Link ParentPretty sure this isn't unity, unity in the browser has a very distinct way of loading afaik. In fact, it seems to be a custom engine entirely. I have no idea who is actually behind it, other posts...Pretty sure this isn't unity, unity in the browser has a very distinct way of loading afaik. In fact, it seems to be a custom engine entirely.
I have no idea who is actually behind it, other posts on the internet mostly speculate as well. It's all very mysterious :) -
Comment on Messenger, a cute little 3d browser game in ~games
creesch Link ParentCan't comment on the latter bit. But the "trick" is that wherever you put down your finger is the center of a joystick. Basically, the circle you then see under your finger. The further you slide...Am I missing a trick or just notably bad at this
Can't comment on the latter bit. But the "trick" is that wherever you put down your finger is the center of a joystick. Basically, the circle you then see under your finger. The further you slide away from that middle point the bigger your movements will be.
So it only requires very subtle movements to let your character walk and change directions.
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Comment on Messenger, a cute little 3d browser game in ~games
creesch Link ParentI had one or two reply. Most people don't seem to know you can emote. If you look at them for a while you'll also notice it really is other people trying to figure out the game or doing quests.I had one or two reply. Most people don't seem to know you can emote. If you look at them for a while you'll also notice it really is other people trying to figure out the game or doing quests.
Oh man, loved that show way back. Curious to see how it held up.