hellojavalad's recent activity
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Comment on ESPN buys NFL Media, RedZone in major sports deal in ~sports.american_football
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad LinkI have been playing a lot of Final Fantasy VII Remake. This is the second Final Fantasy I have made large progress in - I played the Pixel Remaster of FFI and fell off FFII early on. The gameplay...I have been playing a lot of Final Fantasy VII Remake. This is the second Final Fantasy I have made large progress in - I played the Pixel Remaster of FFI and fell off FFII early on.
The gameplay was not my cup of tea at first, but it has grown on me a lot. It took me a long time to grow on the characters. It doesn't help that I don't like a lot of common anime characteristics - for example a lot of women giggling to show how playful/cute they are. That said by the halfway mark when you are infiltrating a mob boss's mansion the characters have grown on you quite a bit. And this game will always be fondly remembered for the "Nailed it. I know" dialogue between Tifa and Cloud, I haven't literally laughed out loud in a game for a long time but I was almost beside myself laughing at that point.
I am in the second to last chapter and have some complaints, particuarly since I peeked ahead at the next chapter in a guide. The game suddenly is just dumping boss fight after boss fight after boss fight, with bosses having multiple stages. Its not necessarily hard, but it is kind of exhausting. Hoping they give for information about Sephiroth because I know knothing about him other then a) He's the bad guy and b) He kills Aerith in the original game at some point. The pacing is kind of a mess.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentI played a little bit on Gamepass when it launched. Has the gameplay changed a lot? I felt the first person shooting experience was middling and there was a large emphasis on melee (Which I...I played a little bit on Gamepass when it launched. Has the gameplay changed a lot? I felt the first person shooting experience was middling and there was a large emphasis on melee (Which I understand is the emphasis in the Vermintide games). Did the FPS portion of it improved or emphasized more?
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Comment on BuzzFeed sold 'Hot Ones' studio for $82.5 million to consortium including First We Feast's founder, host Sean Evans, Crooked Media, Mythical Entertainment, and Soros Fund Management. in ~tech
hellojavalad LinkMy first take of seeing Crooked Media and Soros Fund Management being investors is that they trying to answer the call for 'The left needs a Joe Rogan'. IIRC Harris was willing to go on Hot Ones...My first take of seeing Crooked Media and Soros Fund Management being investors is that they trying to answer the call for 'The left needs a Joe Rogan'. IIRC Harris was willing to go on Hot Ones but they declined because they didn't want to do politics - I assume that won't be the case moving forward.
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Comment on This is the largest vehicle on Earth. But why was it built? in ~engineering
hellojavalad LinkI'm assuming it's because to fight against Godzillas we simply are not able. Franky, doom robots from the he future can be met with no defense. We need to make a machine that is totally great -...I'm assuming it's because to fight against Godzillas we simply are not able. Franky, doom robots from the he future can be met with no defense. We need to make a machine that is totally great - perhaps a massive steel leviathan with blades covered in gore (from our enemies that we need to be de-meated)
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Comment on New gaming PCs - price sanity check and recommendations? in ~games
hellojavalad LinkSomeone already suggested http://www.logicalincrements.com/ and I would recommend using it as a starting point. When it comes to PC part prices, I feel like waiting is always a fool's errand. The...Someone already suggested http://www.logicalincrements.com/ and I would recommend using it as a starting point.
When it comes to PC part prices, I feel like waiting is always a fool's errand. The latest and greatest GPU may be a few months away (and the previous gen price dropped), but by the time you wait for that the next CPU may be a few more months away - rinse and repeat. That being said, it seems relatively likely NVIDIA will release the 5080 and 5090 in January/February-ish.
It also kind of depends on what you want. Some questions you might want to consider:
- What resolution do you want to play? 1080p, 1440p, 4k (or other)?
- What kind of FPS do you want? 60, 90, 120, 144+? Do you have a monitor/TV that supports this via GSYNC or FreeSync?
- Do you want to run the most demanding games at max settings?
- Do you care about ray tracing?
- Do you care about features like supersampling (Such as DLSS and FSR) and NVIDIA's Frame Generation?
- Do you want to be 'future proof' at build - something that you aren't likely to feel major pressure to upgrade for 3-5 years? Or would you rather start with something that gets the job today at a lower cost and upgrade a part every other year or so?
In terms of the 4070, I have the 4070 TI Super (with a 7800X3d AMD processor), so a bit of a step up. I play in 1440p and newer released and graphically intense games usually run 90-120 FPS with DLSS on, usually with an additional 30-60 FPS with frame generation turned on. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 is still considered one of the best looking games with ray tracing and I think I was hitting that 90-120 FPS range with full path raytracing, though I did not play more than an hour or two of it (just wanted to see the visuals - I do not much care for the game even with the changes).
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Comment on What's on your Christmas wish list? in ~life
hellojavalad LinkWe had a house fire this year and a lot of things I would want are generally for my new 'man-cave' that I will be getting in the basement. Things like pegboard for hanging up things on the wall,...We had a house fire this year and a lot of things I would want are generally for my new 'man-cave' that I will be getting in the basement. Things like pegboard for hanging up things on the wall, replacing retro controllers, a chromecast, etc. Maybe some posters or art for the wall. Things like that.
My MIL likes doing stocking stuffers and I have gotten into Pokemon cards (the thing I am hyper-fixating on post election), so things like booster packs and what not.
New socks/underwear/gloves/basic t-shirts are always good. The stuff you never think about getting that you need.
Honestly, while it is nice to get stuff I always feel kind of awkward, especially if I get really nice things. I'm not very well off and I find that I receive better than I give out. Which isn't the point, and I am blessed to have family that simply does not care about such things, but I always wish I could do more.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad LinkPokemon The Card Game Pocket officially launched last week. I haven't played any collectable card games out of 2 or 3 MTG matches with a family member. I like it. It is really simple (your deck...Pokemon The Card Game Pocket officially launched last week. I haven't played any collectable card games out of 2 or 3 MTG matches with a family member.
I like it. It is really simple (your deck consists of 20 cards) and a match is 5-10 minutes (You need to get 3 'Points' by knocking out Pokemon, some Pokemon having a point value of 1 and others 2). Basically, I find that if I am playing a game with another person, I like quick matches and simple concepts, so this is right up my alley.
This is the first time I've played a gacha style game, and I get the addiction of collecting things for the first time. The art on these cards is amazing, and while I haven't drawn one yet, the immersive art cards are super cool (an animation that explores the environment that Pokemon is in). I actually went ahead and spent a bit of real world money, that is something I have NEVER done before in a game.
The solo battles are fairly good - you get rewards for meeting certain criteria. I wish there were more solo battles, and more specifically I wish there was a rogue-like mode. I don't play other digital card games, but it seems to me that you could do a lot of interesting things with something like that.
Anyways, I'm thinking about getting into the standard card game. I'm looking to pick up a couple of decks this week and mess around with PTGC Live. I touched it a little bit but it feels kind of janky, not very intuitive to use/things aren't explained well, and has no solo mode (other than a deck test feature) to practice on.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentI haven't touched Qud in a couple of weeks, but loaded it up last night. At this point I am pretty sure I built a PC with a 4070 TI Super, 7800x3d, and 32GB RAM so I can play Minecraft, Caves of...I haven't touched Qud in a couple of weeks, but loaded it up last night. At this point I am pretty sure I built a PC with a 4070 TI Super, 7800x3d, and 32GB RAM so I can play Minecraft, Caves of Qud, and Pokemon Blue/Silver lol.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
hellojavalad Link ParentI am definitely trying to increase communication. We have a weekly meeting with management, but I've been slowly trying to add regular short meetings with just the dev team. The goal is to help...I am definitely trying to increase communication. We have a weekly meeting with management, but I've been slowly trying to add regular short meetings with just the dev team. The goal is to help clear anything blocking progress, request help from the other devs, pitch new ideas, etc. The other developers are okay with this, but their 20 years of experience is mostly working on their own projects - maybe troubleshooting bugs reported from the end user - but otherwise not touching each other's work. So its remarkably different for them to collaborate - which is necessary with the goals management has.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
hellojavalad LinkI have more of a question. I work for a smallish company and we have three main developers, including myself. One of the problems we have is that communication is poor throughout the company,...I have more of a question. I work for a smallish company and we have three main developers, including myself. One of the problems we have is that communication is poor throughout the company, including the dev team (which has one full time remote worker, and two are in office 3-5 days a week). We have VERY little oversight (no one in the company is familiar with any kind of project management, we receive zero input from management outside of getting asked to work on specific tasks, with basically no follow up until it's complete). Is there any suggestions for project management? I am not team lead material but I'm trying to get kind get us more on the same page.
I'm thinking of kind of doing an AGILE methodology and using Jira's Kanban board. Any suggestions or materials to read/watch? I'm not looking to implement an immediate large change - I am the most junior member of the team with two years experience vs the other two having 20+ at this company. But something to install and slowly get everyone involved in.
Some details: all the devs are self-taught, though I have some college experience. We don't do what you would consider 'traditional' programming, like using a language like C++, Java, Python, etc. We use a program called FileMaker, a 'low-code', GUI oriented, database. If you aren't familiar, think MS Access with way better GUI tools and a custom scripting language where everything - code, editor, tables, GUI, lives in a single application.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentI miss fat Pikachu.I miss fat Pikachu.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentThanks! This looks like a good place to startThanks! This looks like a good place to start
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentAny suggestions for romhacks that just do things like remove forced HMs, or split physical/special, XP share, etc? I'm not looking for new content, nor difficulty/nuzlocke changes. Basically...Any suggestions for romhacks that just do things like remove forced HMs, or split physical/special, XP share, etc? I'm not looking for new content, nor difficulty/nuzlocke changes. Basically vanilla + QOL improvements.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad LinkI have been feeling very high anxiety this week. I've been playing the first God of War game with my recently created ROM library, but put it aside for my ultimate 'turn brain off' game: Pokemon....I have been feeling very high anxiety this week. I've been playing the first God of War game with my recently created ROM library, but put it aside for my ultimate 'turn brain off' game: Pokemon.
Specifically I am starting all the way back at Pokemon Blue with the plan to play all the mainline games through to Scarlet/Violet. Its the ultimate low-stakes game series, though the early generations are more difficult then what is to follow (Before Special/Physical split, no auto XP share, requiring an HM slave, box limitations, and a million glitches). I am generally playing with x3 speed as I have played these games a million times before, but the one thing that is negative about this is missing the music. The game just hits harder, probably the nostalgia portions of my brain specifically, when the music plays.
I will also say that I super adore the art of the first two gens of Pokemon. I can't tell if it's that is simply a childhood thing or the aesthetic of such a low-res game. The style also feels different from how Pokemon are designed today, though it's hard to express why. There is just something less 'cute' about them and more 'strange creature', though inherently one style isn't better than an other (nor is this meant to say Pokemon aren't sometimes alien-looking today). Kind of before they 'refined' how Pokemon look through the generations.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentNP. I believe I posted Retro Game Corp's website in my initial post. While he focuses specifically on portable devices, there are PC guides on there. His youtube channel is great.NP. I believe I posted Retro Game Corp's website in my initial post. While he focuses specifically on portable devices, there are PC guides on there. His youtube channel is great.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentIt won't boot up on it's own, you just run it like a regular application. It doesn't have a front end of it's own, it allows three ways to access your games 1) With ES-DE, this is the front end I...It won't boot up on it's own, you just run it like a regular application. It doesn't have a front end of it's own, it allows three ways to access your games 1) With ES-DE, this is the front end I was talking about earlier 2) Pegasus, which is an alternative front end 3) Steam ROM manager, which adds your games to Steam. This is one of the reasons why EmuDeck is popular as it was originally designed to work with the Steam Deck. So people could simply view their ROMs in Steam Big Picture mode (or whatever it is called on the Deck) alongside their PC game library. Doing this is not required, just another option to choose from.
As for if it requires Steam, my understanding is no - you can install it without Steam present (obviously this means you could not use option #3 above). However it does use Steam Input to navigate, though it should work without it. My understanding is that essentially Retroarch doesn't like a lot of controllers, but I think anything modern probably works just fine.
Yeah, Batocera and Lakka are Linux distros, so if you don't want to boot into a seperate OS to play them I wouldn't recomend this as a solution.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
hellojavalad Link ParentSo, I knew I wanted to have a nice visual front-end and years ago I tried to set up Emulation Station, but doing so was pretty tedious and time-consuming to tinker with. Basically after...So, I knew I wanted to have a nice visual front-end and years ago I tried to set up Emulation Station, but doing so was pretty tedious and time-consuming to tinker with. Basically after researching it came down to using Retrobat or Emudeck and while I had used Retrobat once in the past, wanted to give Emudeck a try.
The setup was simple, it sets up all the emulators for you (most via Retroarch, but things like Dolphin obviously are seperate). Its as simple as run the setup, drop your ROMs and BIOS into the appropriate folder, sign into Retro Achievements if you want achievements, choose the front end visuals you want, and then run the built in scraper to download box art/manuals/video clips. You generally have the same hotkeys set across the emulator to fast forward/rewind, save/load states, etc. Only problem is the time-consuming part of building a game library :)
tldr - Emudeck worked with pretty minimal setup and I liked it so much I'm just keeping it. By no means is it necessary, but you can watch Retro Game Corp's video on setup
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
hellojavalad Link ParentWhile I enjoy the books in a lot of ways, if you did not like the first book the rest are not dramatically different in how they are structured and written. I myself had this problem when reading...While I enjoy the books in a lot of ways, if you did not like the first book the rest are not dramatically different in how they are structured and written. I myself had this problem when reading The Wheel of Time novels. I did not care for the first one and gave up through the second one (My general understanding is the mid to mid-late portion of the series is generally poor before a stronger finish, which solidified my decision). So I totally get that feeling.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
hellojavalad LinkI have been reading the Book of the New Sun series after playing a game called Caves of Qud. It is an interesting series taking place on Earth so far into the future the sun is dimming. It has a...I have been reading the Book of the New Sun series after playing a game called Caves of Qud. It is an interesting series taking place on Earth so far into the future the sun is dimming. It has a medieval setting, mixed with future technology, so things like swords exist but so do androids, flying machines, and laser guns. It is a very alien world, where sometimes you need to carefully read a description or look up a word (the author purposefully uses archaic old english words, along with greek and other languages), sometimes just to get a feeling about what something is exactly.
While I like the prose and feel of the world, I do have some things I don't like. These books do not particuarly follow the structure of most books - there isn't really a middle beginning and end. In fact the first book starts with him in the city and ends with him reaching the wall at the end of the city and just ends.
Second, while I understand that Severian (the main character) is not supposed to be a reliable narrator, I kind of just roll my eyes as every single woman he meets has sex with him two minutes after meeting him. And even if he 'loves' a woman he'll sleep with the next one that strolls by and not really care about how it affects the other. Dude is just knee-deep in pussy and after a while I just rolled my eyes when a woman appears in a page, because he will have sex with her within the next ten pages lol.
I had never heard of the author, Gene Wolf, before. I like his writing style and wish I had heard of him before reading these books.
Benefits for the NFL is cutting costs and simplifying their official media. Then they also get a 10% ownership of the biggest sports media network, meaning they can apply pressure to feature more NFL segments and kill unfavorable stories - or at least help control the narrative. A small portion watch NFL network, but influencing what ESPN broadcasts is great for them.