devalexwhite's recent activity
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
devalexwhite LinkI've been working on wiring HotSync conduits so I can load up my Palm Pilot with internet content for offline consuming. So far I have a Wordle conduit that syncs the latest puzzle ID, and scripts...I've been working on wiring HotSync conduits so I can load up my Palm Pilot with internet content for offline consuming. So far I have a Wordle conduit that syncs the latest puzzle ID, and scripts for pulling articles from RSS. Want to write a VersaMail deserializer and conduit so I can sync email and send from my Palm Pilot's outbox. Have a couple other ideas I eventually want to get to as well such as a crossword of the day, daily weather (paired with a custom app), Gemini articles, Sudoku of the day, Kagi News (with a custom app), etc.
I love the idea of being connected in an offline, at your own pace, and this has been a great way for me to achieve that.
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Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk
devalexwhite Link ParentHaha well if you're in Columbus there's at least a good chance we've met!Haha well if you're in Columbus there's at least a good chance we've met!
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Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk
devalexwhite Link34/M/Ohio (US). Software engineering manager, dad of 2.34/M/Ohio (US). Software engineering manager, dad of 2.
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Comment on Leaving Apple behind after eighteen years in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentHuh might have to give it a try then! Personally I'd disagree on this, Id much rather have a map. My city has a lot of terrible merges that you need to get ready for in advance, and often the exit...Theres a hard to find (for me) toggle to get it working but then it works properly
Huh might have to give it a try then!
You don't need maps on your infotainment screen to get around.
Personally I'd disagree on this, Id much rather have a map. My city has a lot of terrible merges that you need to get ready for in advance, and often the exit splits so being able to see what's coming is very helpful. I would 100% miss a ton of exits with audio only.
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Comment on Leaving Apple behind after eighteen years in ~tech
devalexwhite LinkMy first computer was a Macintosh Performa, then a transparent blue iMac followed by various PowerBooks, Intel computers and finally the MacBook 14" M1. Like the author, I too have reached a point...My first computer was a Macintosh Performa, then a transparent blue iMac followed by various PowerBooks, Intel computers and finally the MacBook 14" M1. Like the author, I too have reached a point where I can't continue with Apple anymore (and Windows is absolutely not even on the table as an option), but for me it's more the degradation of the OS. Liquid glass, the new control panel, the hoops you jump through to open an app from the internet. It makes you feel like you don't own your OS.
Unlike the author, I don't care much about a "boring" computer, a Thinkpad would actually be my dream machine. Instead I'm using my old Surface Book 2 with Ubuntu and it's been perfect. I did run Asahi on my M1 for awhile, and while the Asahi team has knocked it out of the park, the battery life just wasn't there.
As for the phone, I also switched to a Pixel (9 Pro in my case). I didn't go down the Graphene OS route (I need Android Auto until I get my Garmin up and running again). Instead I've just stopped using my phone for anything but SMS and calls. Can't harvest my data if there's no data to harvest (I know, location, phone call records, etc they still got plenty to sell).
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Comment on Leave the phone, take a camera in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentThanks so much for reading! This is an excellent observation, there's a whole different set of social norms that come with a proper camera. It definitely depends on the situation for me. When...Thanks so much for reading!
You get to more things around to rid the scene of mess. You can tell people to smile, you can walk crab-like from side to side, bend your knees and do all the other things that get you those good shots and memories easily.
This is an excellent observation, there's a whole different set of social norms that come with a proper camera.
I'm also willing to lug a professional camera around because that's worth it too.
It definitely depends on the situation for me. When traveling, I take the a7 IV. I get a lot of joy out of framing shots and being technical about my settings, so a professional level camera adds to the experience and makes the trip more enjoyable. I also tend to make posters out of shots from the countries I visit, so I want a full-frame with high resolution RAW files.
For everyday events and celebrations, I want to be in the moment as much as possible, not adjusting aperture/ISO/shutter speed so a compact camera on auto works better in those situations.
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Comment on Leave the phone, take a camera in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentThank you! A digital TLR would be very cool! Heck I'd love to try an analog one, I honestly don't think I've seen one in person.excellent title.
Thank you!
I’d love to have a digital TLR, but it doesn’t seem to exist
A digital TLR would be very cool! Heck I'd love to try an analog one, I honestly don't think I've seen one in person.
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Comment on Leave the phone, take a camera in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentCompletely agree, heck just having a dedicated button to focus and snap makes a camera worth it.Completely agree, heck just having a dedicated button to focus and snap makes a camera worth it.
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Comment on Leave the phone, take a camera in ~tech
devalexwhite LinkHey all, I wrote this after daily driving a compact camera for the past couple of months. I've found a lot of benefits from using a dedicated device to take photos rather than my phone and wanted...Hey all, I wrote this after daily driving a compact camera for the past couple of months. I've found a lot of benefits from using a dedicated device to take photos rather than my phone and wanted to share what I've gotten out of it, as well as see what others think of the idea!
If posting your own links isn't allowed, please let me know and I'll refrain from doing so in the future!
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Leave the phone, take a camera
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Comment on Statement from Mozilla's new CEO in ~tech
devalexwhite LinkWaterfox has posted a reaction clarifying they will never include LLMs. As a long time Firefox user, I'll be migrating off after this CEO statement. Honestly I was already frustrated by the LLM...Waterfox has posted a reaction clarifying they will never include LLMs. As a long time Firefox user, I'll be migrating off after this CEO statement. Honestly I was already frustrated by the LLM features that had started showing up, so it's for the best.
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Comment on What's your favorite RSS reader? in ~comp
devalexwhite LinkI was using Newsflash on Linux, great app with a really nice GTK interface. Since then I started hosting FreshRSS though and use a script to pull from it, mark as read then convert and transfer...I was using Newsflash on Linux, great app with a really nice GTK interface. Since then I started hosting FreshRSS though and use a script to pull from it, mark as read then convert and transfer articles to my Palm Pilot for offline reading.
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Comment on Meet Pebble Index 01 - External memory for your brain in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentD'oh!D'oh!
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Comment on Meet Pebble Index 01 - External memory for your brain in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentHey! So I actually wrote about using a Palm Pilot on my blog. Long answer short though, for me I find a lot of the software on Palm to be better than the ad-riddled, privacy invasive, subscription...Hey! So I actually wrote about using a Palm Pilot on my blog.
Long answer short though, for me I find a lot of the software on Palm to be better than the ad-riddled, privacy invasive, subscription requiring iOS/Android alternatives. I typically carry my Palm in my pocket, and leave the phone in the car or at home. It's lighter, has a better battery, and isn't connected to the internet (so distraction free).
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Comment on Meet Pebble Index 01 - External memory for your brain in ~tech
devalexwhite Link ParentFunny enough, I actually use a Palm Pilot Tungsten T3 in my day to day to solve the exact use case of the Index 01. It has a dedicated button that you press and hold to instantly start recording a...I miss products that just work and never die.
Funny enough, I actually use a Palm Pilot Tungsten T3 in my day to day to solve the exact use case of the Index 01. It has a dedicated button that you press and hold to instantly start recording a voice memo. Great for ideas or noting todos that pop into my head before bed, no need to look at the screen. 22 years old and it the device works perfectly.
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Comment on Meet Pebble Index 01 - External memory for your brain in ~tech
devalexwhite (edited )LinkI can't help be feel like this is already ewaste, destined for the same landfill grave as countless Rabbit M1s and Humane Pins that came before. A few reasons I feel this way: It's expensive, $75...I can't help be feel like this is already ewaste, destined for the same landfill grave as countless
RabbitMQsRabbit M1s and Humane Pins that came before. A few reasons I feel this way:- It's expensive, $75 is way too much for plastic with a button and a mic. $100 is insane.
- It's a single use, disposable piece of tech. Sure it'll last a year or so, then it's garbage.
- It's less functional then any other smart ring out there. Heck, the functionality it DOES provide could have been done directly on the Pebble itself or with the programmable button on iPhones.
- Talking into your ring is not a social norm.
- Warranty is only 30 days, seems like they aren't too confident on the quality.
- Uses LLMs (even if local).
It feels like the target audience of people interested in Pebble watches and those that would be interested in disposable tech that uses LLMs are very different, which means targeting a completely new segment by a company that isn't a well known name.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
devalexwhite Link ParentLove the idea, especially rotted Halloween pumpkins (I may or may not have 1 slowly rotting on my patio...). I could see replacing snow particles with rain for spring.Love the idea, especially rotted Halloween pumpkins (I may or may not have 1 slowly rotting on my patio...). I could see replacing snow particles with rain for spring.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
devalexwhite Link ParentThank you! I actually went back and forth on the snowman getting buried or rising up, but I thought it was kind of a cool effect seeing him rise up. Logically though, totally agree with you!Thank you! I actually went back and forth on the snowman getting buried or rising up, but I thought it was kind of a cool effect seeing him rise up. Logically though, totally agree with you!
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
devalexwhite Link ParentThanks for pointing that out, should be fixed now! I was lazy originally and didn't add an event hander for browser resizing.Thanks for pointing that out, should be fixed now! I was lazy originally and didn't add an event hander for browser resizing.
Thanks! Yeah, I really feel like a modernized Palm Pilot device would really make a killing nowadays as people are getting more frustrated with how distracting smartphones are. A e-ink style device with a month long battery and keyboard that syncs content with your computer every morning and has no WiFi/Cell/etc would rock
Until then, Palm Pilots are awesome and pretty cheap on eBay.