cutmetal's recent activity
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Comment on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is reaching end of standard support soon: April 2025. Plan to upgrade soon! in ~tech
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Comment on Honda and Nissan announce plans to merge, creating world's third-largest automaker in ~transport
cutmetal LinkWhat you guys have already said about the sadness of corporate mergers etc is spot on. But from a simpler standpoint I think this merger makes sense, in that these brands are complimentary. Honda...What you guys have already said about the sadness of corporate mergers etc is spot on. But from a simpler standpoint I think this merger makes sense, in that these brands are complimentary. Honda is known for industry-leading quality but doesn't make trucks except the Ridgeline, which is really just an SUV wearing a truck's skin. Meanwhile Nissan is one of the few foreign players managing to compete in the US truck market, though RIP Titan. And Mitsubishi does quality economy cars in a way that neither of the others do, while also bringing some historical enthusiast credentials as well.
(I've never owned a car from any of them, though my partner has a Mitsubishi Mirage that she loves (adorably named Rain Drop). It's probably overly optimistic to think that this merger could retain the best of each company, but if anyone could pull that off I'd bet on the Japanese.)
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Comment on Disney pulls transgender storyline from Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’ streaming series in ~tv
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Comment on Disney pulls transgender storyline from Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’ streaming series in ~tv
cutmetal Link ParentNon-Twitter link: https://archive.org/details/ksnx09Non-Twitter link: https://archive.org/details/ksnx09
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Comment on What have you spent "too much time" trying to fix or streamline? in ~talk
cutmetal Link ParentAw shucks, thanks! 😅 It is interesting that the Tacoma and Hilux don't even share a platform. I found this, but tldr is that Tacomas are designed ground-up for comfort, Hiluxes for ruggedness:...Aw shucks, thanks! 😅
It is interesting that the Tacoma and Hilux don't even share a platform. I found this, but tldr is that Tacomas are designed ground-up for comfort, Hiluxes for ruggedness: https://www.topspeed.com/why-the-toyota-tacoma-is-not-an-american-hilux/
Kei trucks are the coolest, one day I hope to import one too!
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Comment on What have you spent "too much time" trying to fix or streamline? in ~talk
cutmetal Link ParentHaha, I love hearing the non-American take on our trucks, thanks for sharing! You weren't far off. I went F-150 mostly because I like single cabs, and because the new 4th gen Tacomas reportedly...- Exemplary
Haha, I love hearing the non-American take on our trucks, thanks for sharing! You weren't far off.
I went F-150 mostly because I like single cabs, and because the new 4th gen Tacomas reportedly have some QC issues and less power than the F-150 at nearly the same price. Meanwhile the V8 in the F-150 has been out for over 10 years, at this point they've worked out the kinks. I could be wrong, but I suspect the long-term reliability on these new Tacomas with the 4-cylinder turbo won't be up to Toyota historical standards. But I do really REALLY like that they ditched the rear seats and jump doors on the new Tacoma Xtracab. The Frontier's smallest cab has jump doors and rear seats, sort of the worst of both worlds IMO. And the Frontiers are also priced up too close to Tacomas, more than they're worth, also IMO. In the end I must have done the same math as a lot of other people - F-150 is the best selling vehicle ever in the US. Kinda makes me feel like a normie, but it also feels like a well-considered and correct call, so I'm OK with that.
My configuration of F-150 (V8, 4x4, single cab, short bed) was hard to find. There's like 1000 F-150s at dealerships within 50 miles of me, but in the ~2 weeks I was looking this is only the third truck in this configuration I found. Tacomas with the Xtracab in 4x4 are even rarer - there were zero on lots near me that I saw. People buy them sight unseen while they're in transit from the factory. I think the manufacturers don't like to build these cheaper units, profit margins are higher on the higher-volume, larger trucks at higher trim levels.
(Another big reason I went Ford is because they have a promo financing offer - 60 months at 1.9% is completely unbeatable right now. Normal rates are closer to 5%, more for used vehicles.)
Regarding your breakdown of the different models, here's how I see it:
- Tacoma - Japanese peak reliability, at least that's the historical perception, but you have to pay for it
- Tundra - Japanese reliability, but for Americans who want a giant truck
- Nissan Frontier - Japanese reliability, less so than Toyota, and accordingly downmarket styling/materials
- Nissan Titan - same as the Tundra, but the model just died - I think 2023 or 24 was the last year
- Honda Ridgeline, Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz - faux trucks, fine for hauling a few things but not serious usage. I love small trucks, but not unibody trucks. The Japanese automakers sold compact body-on-frame trucks here in the 70s and 80s and still do globally. My theory is that there is still a market for such a truck in the US, but the automakers collude to not sell such a truck in order to force people to buy more expensive models
- Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon - the midsize domestics. I would absolutely have gone with one of these, but they're only sold as crew cabs. The ranger we get here is different than the Ranger that Ford sells globally
- Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Canyon - the full size domestics. Of these, the F-150 seemed to me to have the best reliability, was the cheapest, and I don't think the GMs come in single cab or V8 any more. The aluminum bed and body on the Ford did give me pause, but it wasn't enough to tip the scales.
- (formerly Dodge) Ram - Stellantis trash, they're riding a once-decent reputation into the ground
This list doesn't cover EVs, all of which are crew cab only. Also doesn't cover larger trucks like F-Super Duty (F-250+) etc, though plenty of people do actually daily drive those monstrosities.
To answer some questions you had:
- I didn't go Tundra because I wasn't actually looking for a large truck. I only went full-size because the other things I wanted in a truck weren't available in a smaller model.
- My understanding is that GMCs are the same as Chevys, but more upmarket. It's definitely confusing and idk why General Motors does it that way.
- Tacomas are similar to Hiluxes, but while maybe sharing many of the same design goals they don't have a common lineage. Tacomas are designed for the US market, where most of them will just be pavement princesses. Hiluxes are designed more for actual truck stuff, for places where trucks aren't primarily a status symbol. Same deal for the US Ranger vs the global Ranger.
Sorry for the wall of text lol, I fucking love trucks 😅
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Comment on What have you spent "too much time" trying to fix or streamline? in ~talk
cutmetal Link ParentAbsolutely, 20 years later and it's like canbus window controls and headlights that need to be paired, like how will these vehicles still be on the road 20 years from now? Sort of, but the new...I think part of the 'Why the fuck am I even bothering?' feeling I get comes from the tech change. A 2003 Tacoma is firmly in the (theoretically) internal combustion engine truck that could (theoretically) last half a century.
Absolutely, 20 years later and it's like canbus window controls and headlights that need to be paired, like how will these vehicles still be on the road 20 years from now?
Every time I work on my gas engined car with all the mechanical complexity involved in the chassis, suspension, differential drive system and gearbox, it feels like I'm chipping away at flint hand knives while the neighbours are all happily using bronze
Sort of, but the new thing isn't wholly better than the old thing, there are tradeoffs.
(Typing this from the finance office of a Ford dealership 🙃 F-150, 'Murica)
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Comment on What have you spent "too much time" trying to fix or streamline? in ~talk
cutmetal LinkIn 2020 a used car dealer ripped me off big time on a 2003 Tacoma. In an effort to keep the truck on the road and because I'm fucking stubborn, I've put nearly as much money into it as I...In 2020 a used car dealer ripped me off big time on a 2003 Tacoma. In an effort to keep the truck on the road and because I'm fucking stubborn, I've put nearly as much money into it as I originally paid for it, as well as a LOT of time including:
- Buying a welder, learning to weld, and fixing the heavily rusted rear half of the frame, largely with Safe-T-Cap products from autorust.com. Bought a new replacement crossmember for the fuel tank and new hitch mount. All rusty surfaces deflaked and POR-15'd per their arduous three step process. Rust encapsulator products poured and sprayed inside the frame rails.
- All new rear suspension - leafs, hangers, shocks, u bolts, plates, bump stops.
- Rebuilt rear axles (paid a shop to do this, I don't have a press or space for one or the specific-purpose tool) to get new bearings and backing plates installed.
- Every brake component rear of the cab, including learning to flare lines and making all new ones. On the front, new calipers, rotors, pads, some new lines.
- Every single component of the fuel system rear of the engine.
- Every light bulb and exterior light housing except the third brake light replaced.
- Tons of misc: front mud flaps, new radio, fumoto valve, diff and tcase oil changed, new plugs, new spark plugs, new fasteners for almost every one I took out.
In progress:
- I've been trying to make the 4wd work again, but after replacing the tcase actuator and front diff actuator still nothing. Pretty sure it's an issue with some sensor or wiring harness or the 4wd computer. Took the truck to a Toyota dealer and another independent shop but neither could tell me what the problem was, both wanted to drop the tcase which would cost a lot and imo probably lead nowhere.
- The second shop pointed out that the crossmember that the front LCA attaches to is nearly rusted out, but it appears that Toyota doesn't make that part any more, and I didn't have any luck finding it online. Most of these in junkyards will be quite rusty too.
Not in progress, but going to need very soon:
- Cab mounts are very bad, need to cut them off and weld new ones on. Got new bushings, need to find new bolts but no luck so far.
- Exhaust is on its last legs, need to order and install new. Should be easy and not too expensive.
- To get rear mud flaps installed I need to order these expensive brackets from Toyota.
- The bed floor is rusting out, pretty bad now in a few spots.
- The original wheels are starting to look pretty bad, need at least to refinish them somehow. The tires have a ton of tread but are like 10 years old.
- There are big scratches on the doors and roof, need to see if this touch-up paint can fix them.
- The front suspension needs to be done, probably with some lift components to match the rear.
- The radio stopped working for like a year but that's magically healed.
- I no longer like the aftermarket light fixtures and grille and badges on the outside, want to go back to stock look.
So yeah I think I'm selling this guy. It's fun as a project, and I learned so much from owning it, but what I really need is a reliable truck so I can do my other projects.
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Comment on New website shows you how much Google AI can learn from your photos in ~tech
cutmetal Link ParentThanks! I'll add Immich to my list to evaluate. (Rather than "state of the art" I think what I meant was more like "the top choice".)Thanks! I'll add Immich to my list to evaluate. (Rather than "state of the art" I think what I meant was more like "the top choice".)
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Comment on New website shows you how much Google AI can learn from your photos in ~tech
cutmetal LinkHas anyone here set up their own self-hosted Google photos alternative? I've had Photoprism on my list to try out for ages. Is that still the state of the art in the world of FOSS self-hosted...Has anyone here set up their own self-hosted Google photos alternative? I've had Photoprism on my list to try out for ages. Is that still the state of the art in the world of FOSS self-hosted photo sync/indexing?
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Comment on Caves of Qud releases version 1.0 today in ~games
cutmetal LinkI just picked it up, really hoping it will play OK on my new framework 13, but probably I'll have to use the desktop.I just picked it up, really hoping it will play OK on my new framework 13, but probably I'll have to use the desktop.
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Comment on Thoughts on the perception of public figures in ~society
cutmetal Link ParentAre you saying that, if you didn't have a buzz cut in the years following 9/11, you would be called out? I was a rural teenager then, and while the country was definitely very hoorah, I can't...Are you saying that, if you didn't have a buzz cut in the years following 9/11, you would be called out?
I was a rural teenager then, and while the country was definitely very hoorah, I can't imagine folks being called out for not having the right haircut.
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Comment on Where does your username come from? (Following up on last year's thread) in ~tildes
cutmetal Link ParentEvery time I see your username it reminds me of a CLI tool I wrote and used heavily at my last job, which I called "cdb". We used subversion for version control, and I would usually have like 10...Every time I see your username it reminds me of a CLI tool I wrote and used heavily at my last job, which I called "cdb".
We used subversion for version control, and I would usually have like 10 copies of the source tree checked out where I'd be working on different things, plus in each one I'd frequently need to jump between trunk and various branches and tags. All of the directories I cared about were like 10 path components away from every other one, so cdb was born to let me create named bookmarks into these various deep directories. So rather than typing
cd ~/code/checkouts/zelazny/trunk/all/linuxI would make a bookmark to that dir called "ztl" and just typecdb ztl. Rather than typingcp ~/code/checkouts/zelazny/trunk/all/linux/file.py ~/code/checkouts/vinge/branches/branch_a/all/linux/I'd type "cp `ztl`/file.py `vbal`/" .Anyway it was really useful for that, just wanted to share :)
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Comment on ‘Red One’ down: How Dwayne Johnson’s tardiness led to a $250 million runaway production in ~movies
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Comment on Dwayne Johnson became the world’s biggest movie star. Now he’s trying to disappear. in ~movies
cutmetal Link ParentIf you like Violent Night then you may enjoy Fatman and Bad Santa. Red One is apparently a stinker, and idk if a PG-13 film would really scratch the same itch anyway.If you like Violent Night then you may enjoy Fatman and Bad Santa. Red One is apparently a stinker, and idk if a PG-13 film would really scratch the same itch anyway.
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Comment on Dwayne Johnson became the world’s biggest movie star. Now he’s trying to disappear. in ~movies
cutmetal Link ParentPerhaps they're referring to the bad reviews Red One got? If there's some other fiasco with that movie I didn't see it.Perhaps they're referring to the bad reviews Red One got? If there's some other fiasco with that movie I didn't see it.
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Comment on Don't contribute anything relevant in web forums like Reddit in ~tech
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Comment on US Election Distractions Thread in ~talk
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Comment on Touchscreens are out, and tactile controls are back. Rachel Plotnick's "re-buttonization" expertise is in demand. in ~design
cutmetal Link ParentMan I'm with you on that. I drive a higher-trim current-gen Mazda 3, the upper trims come with a "fancy" climate system where you set your desired temperature in Fahrenheit. Then it does math...Man I'm with you on that. I drive a higher-trim current-gen Mazda 3, the upper trims come with a "fancy" climate system where you set your desired temperature in Fahrenheit. Then it does math based on the outside temperature to decide how hot or cold the air blowing into the car should be.
But in a car the air blows directly on you, so usually what I have to do is reverse-engineer this algorithmic temperature adjustment - for instance, if I want cold air but it's 72° out, I have to set the car temp way low.
Pretty sure that Mazda management decided that upper trims needed a fancier climate system, the designers designed something that sounded good on paper, then the engineers built it and realized it sucked, but the people up the chain didn't care because buyers wouldn't realize how much it sucked until they'd lived with it for a while.
(That aside, most other things about this car are great! 😊)
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Comment on Paper: Feminism in Programming Language Design in ~comp
cutmetal Link ParentHTML + CSS is executable in the same sense that Minecraft is executable - technically it's true, but it wasn't designed for that and nobody will choose it to do useful work. It seems clear to me...HTML + CSS is executable in the same sense that Minecraft is executable - technically it's true, but it wasn't designed for that and nobody will choose it to do useful work. It seems clear to me that the author's claim that HTML is executable was an oversight or misunderstanding. And, honestly, a pretty severe one - if your position is that you can speak authoritatively on programming language design, then you shouldn't make rookie mistakes like that.
Nitpick: snaps can access files anywhere on the system, not just in $HOME.
https://snapcraft.io/docs/system-files-interface