jcd's recent activity
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Comment on How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers in ~science
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Comment on How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers in ~science
jcd (edited )Link ParentOn the subject of learning to read, we were taught to read (my mother tongue is phonetic but not English) as follows: p-o-n-y (read the letters one by one) -> po-ny (convert to syllables) -> pony...On the subject of learning to read, we were taught to read (my mother tongue is phonetic but not English) as follows:
p-o-n-y (read the letters one by one) ->
po-ny (convert to syllables) ->
pony (get the word).After a little while (for me AFAIR, within 1-2 years), this process converges to #1 (you read the word as a whole sequence of letters). It makes sense that way, as it is very fast and also helps with correct spelling (ever worse on the internet nowadays, implying that people might not be learning to read in this way).
Anyway, #1 leads to problems when you don't actually know the word. Then comes #2 and #3 to help the reader infer the words or general meaning, but these can only work only if you don't know only a few words on each sentence. If you don't know many words, it will be a problem.
Also, beyond these, one can infer the meaning of an unknown word by thinking of known words sharing a similar root (+context).
In the end, I'd still think that such problems come not from the method but its application in schools. Of course no method can be perfect.
Btw I have no backing in phonics as a field of knowledge (as you see i was taught to read in the phonic way) but I still find the subject interesting (linguistics in general).
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Comment on How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers in ~science
jcd LinkI don't get it: I've used the same strategies (#1 and #3 exactly like that, plus a variation of #2), but it never hindered me. Instead, reading always has been one of the things I am good at, be...I don't get it: I've used the same strategies (#1 and #3 exactly like that, plus a variation of #2), but it never hindered me.
Instead, reading always has been one of the things I am good at, be it for my job or entertainment or when I took foreign language courses.
I think that likely no learning method is applicable to everyone: A good teacher might be able to identify what is good for whom.
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Comment on At the end of our ropes in ~health.mental
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Comment on Help choosing a new linux computer? in ~tech
jcd Link ParentI agree. Tbh I do use Arch, but I started on Mint (which should be close to Ubuntu as far as ease of use / support is concerned). No point for newcomers to go into deep OS journeys. They can do...I agree. Tbh I do use Arch, but I started on Mint (which should be close to Ubuntu as far as ease of use / support is concerned).
No point for newcomers to go into deep OS journeys. They can do that on their own pace
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Comment on Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without an online account in ~tech
jcd (edited )Link ParentBeen using linux as main OS for 12 years, so for some it is most definitely ready now. I game on it (among other stuff). But, I keep a dual boot Win10 around (same as yours), which i use once is a...Been using linux as main OS for 12 years, so for some it is most definitely ready now. I game on it (among other stuff).
But, I keep a dual boot Win10 around (same as yours), which i use once is a blue moon for compat reasons (very occasionally wine can't do the job).
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Comment on Deus Ex Remastered | Announcement trailer in ~games
jcd Link ParentDeus Ex is excellent indeed. No actual need for a remaster. IIRC, the BG EE editions feature new (recreated from scratch) assets, because the originals were destroyed in a flood. So they do create...Deus Ex is excellent indeed. No actual need for a remaster.
IIRC, the BG EE editions feature new (recreated from scratch) assets, because the originals were destroyed in a flood. So they do create some additional value.
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Comment on New electric-powered locomotive designed for harsh winters unveiled near Edmonton Canada in ~transport
jcd (edited )LinkAccording to the article, the locomotive will be powered both by a battery and by overhead lines. So my questions are, (1) why a battery if it will rely on overhead lines and (2) why is it a big...According to the article, the locomotive will be powered both by a battery and by overhead lines. So my questions are, (1) why a battery if it will rely on overhead lines and (2) why is it a big deal to have an electric powered locomotive in Canada, if the battery is optionally used?
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Comment on Nvidia, AMD agree to pay US government 15% of AI chip sales to China in ~tech
jcd Link ParentWho pays for his golfing trips on his golfing courses, (reportedly hundrends of millions per year) I wonder.Who pays for his golfing trips on his golfing courses, (reportedly hundrends of millions per year) I wonder.
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Comment on New Android phones, stock or flash? in ~tech
jcd Link ParentI still don't get why the HW manufacturer has a say in the SW I can and cannot use (other than tech limitations). Same for right to open / repair. IMO its dystopicI still don't get why the HW manufacturer has a say in the SW I can and cannot use (other than tech limitations). Same for right to open / repair.
IMO its dystopic
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Comment on New Android phones, stock or flash? in ~tech
jcd LinkI personally root + flash a custom rom the moment I get a new phone. LOS is pretty good compared to most stocks: Better performance, battery use, support, less bloat. Of course then I need to play...I personally root + flash a custom rom the moment I get a new phone. LOS is pretty good compared to most stocks: Better performance, battery use, support, less bloat. Of course then I need to play games to make apps that hate rooted/custom ROMs work, but I gladly pay that price.
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Comment on How is Linux these days? in ~comp
jcd LinkI've been using linux as main desktop OS for 15 years now. My use is general: media/gaming/code stuff. IMO Linux has never been better and is still going in the right direction. The only hitch can...I've been using linux as main desktop OS for 15 years now. My use is general: media/gaming/code stuff. IMO Linux has never been better and is still going in the right direction.
The only hitch can be the X/Wayland thing, but Wayland is close to covering 99% of peoples needs. We do need a little more compositor options, but kde is nice. No real windows compatibility problems for a while, except for MS software of course.
In comparison, i actively dislike the Windows experience forced on me by work, which is is getting worse all the time.
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Comment on 'I can't drink the water' - Life next to a US data centre in ~enviro
jcd (edited )Link ParentBoycotting LLMs makes their training and their supporting data centres less profitable. Its just slow/ long term. Also, it is against the tide and wont succeed in 2025/2026.Boycotting LLMs makes their training and their supporting data centres less profitable. Its just slow/ long term. Also, it is against the tide and wont succeed in 2025/2026.
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Comment on Weather forecast is for extreme heat in Europe. Heat related deaths are expected. in ~enviro
jcd (edited )Link ParentJust come to Greece and see: Summer temperature range 40-28C (heatwaves clock 40-45-48C) Window shutters + screens in mostly every home AC galore (though I prefer roof fans) Houses built to...Just come to Greece and see:
- Summer temperature range 40-28C (heatwaves clock 40-45-48C)
- Window shutters + screens in mostly every home
- AC galore (though I prefer roof fans)
- Houses built to dissipate heat, not trap it.
Point is that Europe is too big and our climate diverse enough, so such generalizations can't/don't apply
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Comment on Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
jcd (edited )Link ParentNorris seems a bit faster, but Piastri seems to handle pressure better. It is interesting to see their competition -esp. because McLaren allows it (which is good IMO)- In the end I tend to bet on...Norris seems a bit faster, but Piastri seems to handle pressure better.
It is interesting to see their competition -esp. because McLaren allows it (which is good IMO)-
In the end I tend to bet on Piastri, but it remains to be seen. Lando may well get "in the zone" for a few races and win them all.
Also it IS possible that Max can "steal" the championship from under both their noses.
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Comment on What caused the power outage in Portugal and Spain? in ~engineering
jcd (edited )Link ParentNope. EU frequency went below 50Hz (eg.49.8) then came the shedding. That hints at supply deficit. But I agree that the oscillations are a strong hint to find the real problem. By my el.eng....Nope. EU frequency went below 50Hz (eg.49.8) then came the shedding. That hints at supply deficit.
But I agree that the oscillations are a strong hint to find the real problem. By my el.eng. training I would think of transient phenomena though I wont dare speculate for their cause.
Also, REE is regarded as a highly competent TSO (and their RES management practices are world-leading afaik), so I suspect the cause to be something highly unusual (to catch them unawares)
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Comment on Power outages in Spain, other EU areas in ~enviro
jcd (edited )Link ParentThe graph is based on entso-e transparency platform data, which should not be entirely reliable after such an outage. But yes, this is a huge blackout. The director of REE mentioned something...The graph is based on entso-e transparency platform data, which should not be entirely reliable after such an outage. But yes, this is a huge blackout. The director of REE mentioned something about an extreme oscillation, but no news yet of the cause.
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Comment on Assassins Creed Shadows and stealth in ~games
jcd (edited )LinkI have only played the old thief games (thief 1, 2 and deadly shadows) and dishonored (not AC). I found thief 2 really amazing, but all those games require a level of time and effort/energy that I...I have only played the old thief games (thief 1, 2 and deadly shadows) and dishonored (not AC).
I found thief 2 really amazing, but all those games require a level of time and effort/energy that I haven't nowadays.
Stealth games can be very fun, but not possible in my current life phase.
Honorable mention on a good FOSS stealth game (built like and by fans of the thief series): https://www.thedarkmod.com/main/
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Comment on AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reviews and launch in ~games
jcd Link ParentTheir next gen will change the architecture (UDNA vs RDNA). Might as well end this round on a 9xxx, then start fresh next yearTheir next gen will change the architecture (UDNA vs RDNA). Might as well end this round on a 9xxx, then start fresh next year
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Comment on US tariff war risks sinking world into new Great Depression, International Chamber of Commerce warns in ~finance
jcd Link ParentMusk fancies himself as dr. Moriarty? But he is too high profile for the job.Musk fancies himself as dr. Moriarty?
But he is too high profile for the job.
I recognized that in my last sentence, yes!
But I do keep the notion that kids will converge into the same reading mode (little of both?) as they become more experienced.