devilized's recent activity
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Comment on Inside Iron Mountain: It’s time to talk about hard drives in ~tech
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Comment on Addressing the cause of collapsing fertility: status in ~life
devilized LinkOne that strikes me as odd in this article and similar ones is the use of the term fertility. I always thought that fertility represented the ability to have children, not the willingness. When...One that strikes me as odd in this article and similar ones is the use of the term fertility. I always thought that fertility represented the ability to have children, not the willingness. When was this term used interchangeably? Technology and medical advances such as IVF has helped actual fertility, but the willingness to have children due to a variety of social and economical reasons is what has decreased.
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Comment on Solar will get too cheap to connect to the power grid in ~enviro
devilized LinkThe challenge with electricity sources like wind and solar are that neither are reliably available, even from day to day. Snow storm or a bunch of heavily cloudy days? Insufficient solar for...The challenge with electricity sources like wind and solar are that neither are reliably available, even from day to day. Snow storm or a bunch of heavily cloudy days? Insufficient solar for several days. Electricity usage is also heavily seasonal in some regions based on the needs of heating and cooling during weather. So unless you're willing to risk that to live off-grid (most people are not), you still need the same amount of electrical generation and transmission infrastructure as if you had no solar at all. The only resource that solar saves is the fuel needed to generate power during peak demands. The power plants and infrastructure still need to be built and sized at full consumer capability. The only way to avoid this would be to have enough power storage for the worst-case scenarios, like multiple days of freezing-cold temperatures with little to no usable sunlight.
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Comment on Volvo Cars has abandoned its plan to become a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030 due to weakening consumer demand for pure electric vehicles in ~transport
devilized LinkNot surprising at all. Ford has been pulling back as well. The national infrastructure required for a complete shift to EV, along with the cost will take decades to get to a place where people are...Not surprising at all. Ford has been pulling back as well. The national infrastructure required for a complete shift to EV, along with the cost will take decades to get to a place where people are comfortable making the switch.
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Comment on Volvo Cars has abandoned its plan to become a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030 due to weakening consumer demand for pure electric vehicles in ~transport
devilized Link ParentI'm one of these people. And even though I could technically afford an EV, I'm not buying one right now because: The ROI over an ICE vehicle is poor. For most vehicles, I would need to drive ~100k...But there are so many car-buyers today for whom $30k or $50k is not expensive who are still choosing not to buy EVs.
I'm one of these people. And even though I could technically afford an EV, I'm not buying one right now because:
- The ROI over an ICE vehicle is poor. For most vehicles, I would need to drive ~100k miles before the cost difference between an EV and ICE version of the same vehicle is met. And the minimal cost of an oil change 1-2x a year or whatever other maintenance that gets cited here barely factors.
- Charging infrastructure in my area, as soon as you leave our city is poor. I own a cabin out in the mountains, and charging infrastructure out there is largely unavailable.
- The experience of having to charge on road trips is poor. I don't want to stop for 30 minutes, hoping that I find an available charger that works with my vehicle and is actually operational, and at a greater frequency than I have to stop for gas.
Many of practical downsides of an EV would be mitigated by a PHEV, but nobody makes one that I want.
Charging infrastructure is getting better, yes. But it's still not good, and I am willing to wait until it is before buying an EV. Until then, I will continue with the option that is most cost-effective and convenient for my personal use case.
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Comment on My experience buying a used low-range EV a year later in ~transport
devilized Link ParentThis is ultimately how all 220v appliances in your house work. Residential electrical service in the US typically provides 2x 110v inverted-phase lines from the utility. For 220v appliances,...This is ultimately how all 220v appliances in your house work. Residential electrical service in the US typically provides 2x 110v inverted-phase lines from the utility. For 220v appliances, they're joining them at the panel. For this application, the device is doing the same thing for you. I would have to imagine that the device would be able to safely shut down if it loses one of the phases.
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Comment on How do you shave? in ~life.men
devilized LinkI typically use a double-edge safety razor (for the past decade or so). I started with a cheap one, and once I got the hang of it, moved to a very nice one (Rockwell 6s). There's a bit of a...I typically use a double-edge safety razor (for the past decade or so). I started with a cheap one, and once I got the hang of it, moved to a very nice one (Rockwell 6s). There's a bit of a learning curve, and you have to find out which blade works best for you, but once you get through that, it's nice paying $20 for a 3-4 year supply of blades. It can, however, be a bit of a rabbit hole for some people who get sucked into it as a hobby and buy lots of handles, brushes, soaps, etc. but I keep it pretty simple.
I still use a cartridge razor when I travel because you can't carry DE blades onto an airplane, but that's about the only time.
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Comment on Google must destroy $5 billion worth of user data illegally collected in Incognito Mode in ~tech
devilized Link ParentWill they, though? You're not allowed to take a deduction unrealized revenue, and I don't think that this would fall under a capital expense or asset deprecation. They also paid $12B in income...Will they, though? You're not allowed to take a deduction unrealized revenue, and I don't think that this would fall under a capital expense or asset deprecation. They also paid $12B in income taxes last year. You can certainly argue that it's too low / not enough, but they do pay taxes.
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Comment on The US government spends millions to open grocery stores in food deserts. The real test is their survival. in ~food
devilized Link ParentTotally agree. Less competition is never a good thing. I'm hopeful that the FTC is successful in the block of the Kroger / Albertsons merger. When Kroger merged with Harris Teeter, the results...Totally agree. Less competition is never a good thing. I'm hopeful that the FTC is successful in the block of the Kroger / Albertsons merger. When Kroger merged with Harris Teeter, the results were terrible here. I don't wish that on people elsewhere.
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Comment on The US government spends millions to open grocery stores in food deserts. The real test is their survival. in ~food
devilized Link ParentWalmart's net margins were still only in the 2-3% range, though. Their profit increased because their revenue increased. In fact, their margins today are lower than 10 years ago. Kroger is in the...- Exemplary
Walmart's net margins were still only in the 2-3% range, though. Their profit increased because their revenue increased. In fact, their margins today are lower than 10 years ago.
Kroger is in the same boat with profit margins in the 1-2% range but with steadily increasing revenue (and therefore dollar profit) driven by price increases and acquisitions/mergers with other grocery chains over the years.
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Comment on The US government spends millions to open grocery stores in food deserts. The real test is their survival. in ~food
devilized LinkGrocery is such a complicated industry for this type of thing. At your large grocers, the model is similar to Walmart where margins are razor thin (typically around 2% net) and the money is made...Grocery is such a complicated industry for this type of thing. At your large grocers, the model is similar to Walmart where margins are razor thin (typically around 2% net) and the money is made from volume. These food deserts exist because they can't be price competitive with larger grocers, and people seem to be willing to drive long distances to do their full-cart grocery shopping. It's nice that the government is helping with some of the up-front capital costs, but grocery stores still have high operating costs once they're built.
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Comment on "A total of 203,946 employees have been laid off across more than 165 tech companies worldwide since the start of 2024, with firms such as Dell, Intel, and Tesla leading the cuts" in ~tech
devilized LinkI'm likely to be part of this statistic at some point this year. I fit the demographic - highly-paid tech worker which puts a target on my back when it comes to cost cutting. Fortunately, I've...I'm likely to be part of this statistic at some point this year. I fit the demographic - highly-paid tech worker which puts a target on my back when it comes to cost cutting. Fortunately, I've been fiscally responsible and have enough money to weather the storm and/or pivot careers if it comes down to that, but it still sucks to be on the chopping block for a job and company that I enjoy.
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Comment on "A total of 203,946 employees have been laid off across more than 165 tech companies worldwide since the start of 2024, with firms such as Dell, Intel, and Tesla leading the cuts" in ~tech
devilized Link ParentIt is a relatively small number in terms of quantity of jobs, but these are high-paying jobs and as a result, those people have more discretionary spending. As this continues, it will have a...It is a relatively small number in terms of quantity of jobs, but these are high-paying jobs and as a result, those people have more discretionary spending. As this continues, it will have a trickle-down impact on other industries. Consumers have already been pulling back on spending.
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Comment on ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ struts past $1B global box office; soon to become biggest R-rated movie ever worldwide in ~movies
devilized Link ParentWe just saw it yesterday and enjoyed it. If you don't like the Deadpool character/concept, you won't like this one either. But I thought it was overall a fun movie, even if the overall plot line...We just saw it yesterday and enjoyed it. If you don't like the Deadpool character/concept, you won't like this one either. But I thought it was overall a fun movie, even if the overall plot line was a little cheesy. One thing that stuck out for me in a positive way was the music. I usually don't notice music in movies but really enjoyed the soundtrack from this one.
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Comment on Help! I need a new fridge (and microwave). in ~life.home_improvement
devilized LinkI like Whirlpool for refrigerators. I have two of them, and a full standup freezer. The only thing I had to fix across all 3 over the past 7-15 years is replacing the thermistor and a light on one...I like Whirlpool for refrigerators. I have two of them, and a full standup freezer. The only thing I had to fix across all 3 over the past 7-15 years is replacing the thermistor and a light on one of the fridges which was an easy fix. Parts are easy to get. Samsung appliances are absolutely awful and LG has continued issues with refrigerators in particular. Bosch can be a good option but at a higher price.
For a microwave, mine is an Electrolux but it's built into the wall above my wall oven so you probably don't want that. A Toshiba EM131A5C should check all your boxes for a countertop microwave.
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Comment on Seasonal hobbies: What are your summer/winter hobbies? in ~hobbies
devilized Link ParentYeah that sounds absolutely awful. Safety is definitely a concern, though. You don't get the same kind of potential for recovery if you hit ice on a bike compared to a car.Yeah that sounds absolutely awful. Safety is definitely a concern, though. You don't get the same kind of potential for recovery if you hit ice on a bike compared to a car.
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Comment on Seasonal hobbies: What are your summer/winter hobbies? in ~hobbies
devilized LinkI think the only hobby of mine that's seasonal is my motorcycle. I mostly ride during the spring and fall. It's pretty miserable in the summer with wearing gear in all the heat, and riding below...I think the only hobby of mine that's seasonal is my motorcycle. I mostly ride during the spring and fall. It's pretty miserable in the summer with wearing gear in all the heat, and riding below about 40 degrees is just not fun.
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Comment on A eulogy for DevOps in ~comp
devilized LinkHmm, my team still does devops and it's been fine. It's not perfectly balanced, we do have some who prefer the ops work and some who prefer dev but at the end of the day, everyone does at least a...Hmm, my team still does devops and it's been fine. It's not perfectly balanced, we do have some who prefer the ops work and some who prefer dev but at the end of the day, everyone does at least a little of both.
I actually enjoy doing both. I like to be able to fiddle in the whole stack to get something working, tested or fixed. But I also came from an ops background before doing more dev.
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Comment on Barcelona plans to ban all short-term rentals for tourists from 2029 in ~travel
devilized Link ParentThis is our primary driver for AirBNBs as well. I like to visit a place for more than just a couple of days, and to really get to know the area beyond the typical tourist stuff. But I also get...I really dislike hotels. I wish more had kitchens and laundry machines.
This is our primary driver for AirBNBs as well. I like to visit a place for more than just a couple of days, and to really get to know the area beyond the typical tourist stuff. But I also get tired of eating out 3 meals per day, so I'll go to a grocery and get ingredients to cook some of our meals.
That being said, this won't stop tourism, but it will make it more expensive. I suppose that's good for people who are willing to shell out the extra money for a bit more of an exclusive experience, but bad for those who will be priced out of visiting.
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Comment on Self-serve dashboards don't work in ~comp
devilized LinkWe've actually had decent luck with Tableau in terms of giving non-technical people access to queryable data. You do have to set up the base reports but then they can apply filters as they please....We've actually had decent luck with Tableau in terms of giving non-technical people access to queryable data. You do have to set up the base reports but then they can apply filters as they please. And it's also easy enough that you can have a mildly-proficient technical person build dashboards instead of a developer creating homegrown tools..
I agree, I feel like this is something that's been known for a while. I worked for a public school district a while back that had a 30-year records retention policy. And as a result, the only two mediums that were allowed for long-term record storage were paper, and microfiche. This was in 2010. Even at that time, nothing else was proven to reliably store records for that duration.