derekiscool's recent activity
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Comment on 1 in 8 Billion - Browser game, free, life sim with real statistics from 172 countries in ~games
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Comment on I deliberately bet like a problem gambler. DraftKings made me a VIP. in ~tech
derekiscool Link ParentThis part is such a huge problem. Having to actually GO somewhere adds a hurdle that makes it that much harder to get exposed and drawn into addiction. But with gambling apps, it takes all of 5...The gambling apps use the same techniques that were developed in Las Vegas casinos.
This part is such a huge problem. Having to actually GO somewhere adds a hurdle that makes it that much harder to get exposed and drawn into addiction.
But with gambling apps, it takes all of 5 minutes to get started, literally anywhere (where it's legal) and any time. Bathroom break during work? Perfect time to place a few bets for tonight's events. It's always within arms reach. It's the equivalent of having a bookie follow you around 24/7, constantly nudging you and subtlety promising that you'll win big.
Sadly, the only way this gets addressed is with reform and regulations, which seems to be completely off the tabl in the near future.
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Comment on When instructed to make a “New Yorker-style cartoon,” ChatGPT is adding real New Yorker cartoonists’ signatures to its output in ~tech
derekiscool LinkThis sure feels like some pretty concrete evidence that LLMs are, in fact, built and reliant upon intellectual theft. I wish that our society was built to deal with this situation. It sure doesn't...This sure feels like some pretty concrete evidence that LLMs are, in fact, built and reliant upon intellectual theft.
I wish that our society was built to deal with this situation. It sure doesn't feel great that the collective works of our entire planet are somehow being stolen and turned into trillions for the ultra-wealthy. I'd be shocked if there were any repercussions for this.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentI've never played any of the other Ratchet and Clank games either, but Rift Apart was one of my favorite games on PS5. It was pretty much bug-free on console, so it's a bit sad to see that it...I've never played any of the other Ratchet and Clank games either, but Rift Apart was one of my favorite games on PS5. It was pretty much bug-free on console, so it's a bit sad to see that it didn't get the same love for the PC release.
The other standout game that I absolutely loved is Returnal (which I also played on PC without any major bugs).
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Comment on A reckoning in Springfield, Ohio: The truck driver who struck and killed Pierre Damas Bel in ~society
derekiscool LinkI live in this area of the state, so it feels a bit more personal than most similar news. It's just an absolute tragedy that this happened, especially when you look at the events that led to it....I live in this area of the state, so it feels a bit more personal than most similar news.
It's just an absolute tragedy that this happened, especially when you look at the events that led to it. It literally all started with a random, extremely bigoted Facebook post.
The Haitian people of Springfield have arguably saved the city from total despair. Were it not for them, we'd be talking about it the same way we talk about places like Gary, Indiana or Flint, Michigan. It's still far from perfect, but the Haitian people have unquestionably made it a better place.
Pierre is an obvious standout example of this. A young man, no different than any American citizen, with a bright future who just wanted to make his way in the world.
And the reward they, like Pierre, get for being upstanding members of the community is to be treated like criminals and unwanted second class peoples. It's just disgusting to think how hateful people can be.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentSquadrons when it first came out was one of the coolest VR experiences IMO, so that's a good choice! It actually felt like an unfair advantage being able to turn your head and track other ships so...Squadrons when it first came out was one of the coolest VR experiences IMO, so that's a good choice! It actually felt like an unfair advantage being able to turn your head and track other ships so easily haha.
I'm really hoping the new pod racing game has a VR mode, because I think that would be an absolute blast.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentOh sorry, I think I misunderstood the original question completely. I've only tried streaming via the windows steam client, not Linux. In windows at least, desktop view works perfectly fine, but I...Oh sorry, I think I misunderstood the original question completely. I've only tried streaming via the windows steam client, not Linux.
In windows at least, desktop view works perfectly fine, but I can't say for Linux. I do have a separate Linux PC though, so I might try it out with that if I find the time
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentI got mine yesterday, it was shockingly good honestly. In regular VR games it there wasn't any noticeable latency. Even in high intense stuff like iRacing it was barely noticeable. And the image...Was the remote desktop view working well? I was unable to get a good desktop experience out of SteamVR over Steam Link when connecting to a Linux PC (it used to work on Windows).
I got mine yesterday, it was shockingly good honestly. In regular VR games it there wasn't any noticeable latency. Even in high intense stuff like iRacing it was barely noticeable. And the image quality looked as good as if it were hardwired to me.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentI don't think this will be a problem. Lots of people are using very old VR headsets just fine. Your worry about only using it a few times is valid though. I can't really tell you if that will...then I would need to buy a current model to enjoy the current VR games
I don't think this will be a problem. Lots of people are using very old VR headsets just fine.
Your worry about only using it a few times is valid though. I can't really tell you if that will happen or not, but I can tell the VR gaming space is obviously much thinner than regular PC gaming.
Some of the best uses are sims, if you're into that. Flight sims, racing sims, etc.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentThe official supplier for the frame is Zenni Optical. You can just manually input your prescription and buy them online. I imagine other suppliers will pop up at some point, but Zenni is currently...The official supplier for the frame is Zenni Optical. You can just manually input your prescription and buy them online.
I imagine other suppliers will pop up at some point, but Zenni is currently the only option AFAIK
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Comment on Anthropic's IPO prospectus shows sweeping AI vision, surging costs in ~finance
derekiscool Link ParentA $2 trillion valuation for a company that made $4.6 billion in revenue is so insane, I don't even know how to process it. Surely that's too insane even for this marketA $2 trillion valuation for a company that made $4.6 billion in revenue is so insane, I don't even know how to process it. Surely that's too insane even for this market
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Comment on Who gets the Steam Frame? Did Valve pick you for the first wave? in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentGot mine yesterday. It is soooo much more comfortable than my old headset (vive pro 2). It actually looks clearer too, despite a lower pixel count. My guess is because the screen door effect is so...Got mine yesterday. It is soooo much more comfortable than my old headset (vive pro 2). It actually looks clearer too, despite a lower pixel count. My guess is because the screen door effect is so minimal.
My biggest worry was latency while streaming, but it wasn't noticeable in most games I tried. It was really only noticeable in iRacing, but even then it wasn't terrible. I probably won't race online with it, but it could be done if you can handle the slight latency. Eventually I want to get the HD camera and figure out an AR setup.
The pass through camera obviously isn't amazing, but I expected a bit worse based on the reviews. It's kinda fun to see the world in IR tbh.
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Comment on These cookies are 3D-printed and made of recycled plastic in ~science
derekiscool Link ParentThis was my understanding as well. The article states the plastic gets converted (though I suppose it doesn't specify all of the plastic gets converted).I think the point of the yeast is to concert the plastic to something else that is digestible. In theory there shouldn't actually be any plastic left at the end of the process.
This was my understanding as well. The article states the plastic gets converted (though I suppose it doesn't specify all of the plastic gets converted).
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Comment on Who gets the Steam Frame? Did Valve pick you for the first wave? in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentMy 256gb Frame is scheduled to arrive tomorrow (US). I got my order email last Monday. Random side note, I also just got the order email for a Steam Machine after joining the queue at the...My 256gb Frame is scheduled to arrive tomorrow (US). I got my order email last Monday.
Random side note, I also just got the order email for a Steam Machine after joining the queue at the announcement. I've cooled on that though and won't be ordering one
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Comment on What is your dream game? in ~games
derekiscool (edited )LinkTwo of my fondest memories are when I first started playing WoW during the WotLK era (with no prior knowledge) and the early years of Minecraft (first played allll the way back pre-alpha). What I...Two of my fondest memories are when I first started playing WoW during the WotLK era (with no prior knowledge) and the early years of Minecraft (first played allll the way back pre-alpha). What I loved was the feeling of this massive, unknown world. There was so much to explore, discover, and learn.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of my favorite all-time TV shows are also about exploration and discovery (Star Trek TNG and DS9, Stargate SG1).
So my dream game is whatever could possibly re-capture that feeling. I've played No Man's Sky, which does come close but feels a bit too barren and formulaic. Maybe I'm just too old now for a game to give me that sort of feeling, but that's the dream.
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Comment on Who gets the Steam Frame? Did Valve pick you for the first wave? in ~games
derekiscool Link ParentIn this context - able to transit video and data to a PC over a cable rather than wirelessly, which would come with a very solid reduction in latency.In this context - able to transit video and data to a PC over a cable rather than wirelessly, which would come with a very solid reduction in latency.
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Comment on Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges in ~tech
derekiscool Link ParentI've read that most EULAs and TOSs are filled with entirely unlawful statements and agreements, and almost never hold up in court. The problem is that you have to actually take it to court, which...I've read that most EULAs and TOSs are filled with entirely unlawful statements and agreements, and almost never hold up in court. The problem is that you have to actually take it to court, which is obviously pretty much impossible for any regular person against a trillion dollar company.
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Comment on Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges in ~tech
derekiscool LinkI know most here are probably in the same boat as me, but what's the actual point of a "smart fridge"? Why would you need any extra tech in a cold box for your food? In what way does having...I know most here are probably in the same boat as me, but what's the actual point of a "smart fridge"? Why would you need any extra tech in a cold box for your food? In what way does having internet connectivity in your fridge make it any better?
I don't understand why anybody would buy something like this.
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Comment on Realizing I could run as far as my mental state carried me made me become addicted to distance running. Anyone else been enjoying running/long runs? in ~hobbies
derekiscool Link ParentOh and for training tips, if you don't want to pay for a coach (which isn't really necessary), I would highy recommend Daniels' Running Formula. Or Pfitzinger's books, which are also great. It's...Oh and for training tips, if you don't want to pay for a coach (which isn't really necessary), I would highy recommend Daniels' Running Formula. Or Pfitzinger's books, which are also great.
It's one of best tools for actually creating a personalized training plan that can be used by anybody from total beginners to elite-level runners. Plus it's got all of the theory behind everything if you're interested in that, too.
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Comment on Realizing I could run as far as my mental state carried me made me become addicted to distance running. Anyone else been enjoying running/long runs? in ~hobbies
derekiscool LinkOh definitely. I ran completive Cross Country and Track from high school through college, so have been pretty into it for well over half my life. The longest race I've actually done is a 10k in...Oh definitely. I ran completive Cross Country and Track from high school through college, so have been pretty into it for well over half my life. The longest race I've actually done is a 10k in XC, but obviously at the collegiate level I was doing some pretty long runs during training.
Nothing beats the feeling of getting into an almost flow-state during a run. You feel like you could keep going forever, and even if you start pushing hard and it gets painful, it somehow feels good.
I've gotten out of shape with the busy-ness of life and a young toddler, but the addiction is still there deep down.
I was born as a German woman into a decent family. Had a pretty great life, except for some struggles in my 40s after my husband hit me and we divorced. Sadly died a bit young at 61, shortly after my daughter's wedding due to COPD.
I love this though. I only spent a few minutes on it, but I feel weirdly connected to the person I generated.