JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on Fixing a Framework laptop bricked by a BIOS update in ~tech
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Comment on Why your Amazon order confirmation emails have become so unhelpful in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkA friend literally mentioned this last night. He ordered a cigar cutter from Amazon (I didn't even know they sold anything related to tobacco/nicotine). And he asked us what category the item was...A friend literally mentioned this last night. He ordered a cigar cutter from Amazon (I didn't even know they sold anything related to tobacco/nicotine). And he asked us what category the item was listed as in the email. I joked "circumcision tool." But apparently, I wasn't too far off: It was classified as medical.
I hadn't noticed the change since I've reduced my Amazon buying somewhat.
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Comment on Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 in ~movies
JCPhoenix Link ParentI remember her mostly from Heroes. Save the cheerleader, save the world. I actually never watched the show, but remember how she dominated the show's marketing. And apparently she also voiced...I remember her mostly from Heroes. Save the cheerleader, save the world. I actually never watched the show, but remember how she dominated the show's marketing. And apparently she also voiced Kairi from the game Kingdom Hearts! Didn't know that one.
Sad though. 36 is way too young. I didn't even know she was just a bit younger than me. I was in college when Heroes got popular.
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Comment on What game are you terrible at? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentFor me, I actually enjoy the macro. I love strategy and tactics. I pretty much only played Deadlock with friends and I often had my eyes on the mini map, mentioning in Discord where the opposing...For me, I actually enjoy the macro. I love strategy and tactics. I pretty much only played Deadlock with friends and I often had my eyes on the mini map, mentioning in Discord where the opposing players were, trying to predict where they would be, whether we should be hitting objectives or not, etc. I wasn't the shot caller, but I definitely was constantly reading the game state and trying to figure out what to do next and making suggestions. And there were definitely times we won because I was able to get my friends to get out of the solo/team fighting tunnel vision. Like forget the kills; we can win this right now if focus objectives!
Unfortunately, I'm just bad at the micro. Can't land my shots, can't build out a build (I pretty much just used public builds), I'm slow to farm, etc. Plus, the movement system in that game is crazy. I don't understand all the corner jumping and such.
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Comment on Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news in ~news
JCPhoenix LinkLate to the party, but just saw this: Air France Closes Paris Lounge Sauna After Passengers Apparently Turned It Into A Sex Den In some ways, this might be a twofer. One for the sauna in an...Late to the party, but just saw this: Air France Closes Paris Lounge Sauna After Passengers Apparently Turned It Into A Sex Den
I was looking forward to one of my favorite pre-flight rituals at Paris Charles de Gaulle: a sauna in the Air France Lounge in Terminal 2E, Hall L. Instead, I discovered that the sauna is gone for good, apparently because some passengers could not behave themselves.
In some ways, this might be a twofer. One for the sauna in an airport lounge (guess I'm not fancy enough to know about these things). Second, the sex den in an airport lounge. Mile high club not good enough anymore?
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Comment on New worlds, and what was your "Future Shock" moment? in ~life
JCPhoenix Link ParentYeah I had the same experience a few years back of looking at photos of people who never existed, who will never exist. It was a real WTF experience. Because the images looked real. Kids, adults,...Yeah I had the same experience a few years back of looking at photos of people who never existed, who will never exist. It was a real WTF experience. Because the images looked real. Kids, adults, teenagers, old people. Of all shapes and colors and stripes. Yet none of them are real.
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Comment on What game are you terrible at? in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkDeadlock. I very much like the idea of a shooter-MOBA. Unfortunately, I tend to be mid at best with FPS. Planetside 2 is the only one I ever got decent at and it took me years to get there. And...Deadlock. I very much like the idea of a shooter-MOBA. Unfortunately, I tend to be mid at best with FPS. Planetside 2 is the only one I ever got decent at and it took me years to get there. And MOBAs? Well, this is the first one I've played. I've done a game here or there of League and DOTA, but nothing sustained.
I think it also doesn't help that I'm terrible at builds and such. Sigh.
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Comment on Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO in ~news
JCPhoenix LinkProbably better to be in a federal prison rather than a state prison. Especially given the many problems surrounding the New York state prison system.But after Mangione entered the plea at Friday’s hastily scheduled hearing, his lawyers quickly sought to have the New York case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds. The state’s double jeopardy protections can kick in if a prior prosecution ends in a guilty plea.
Probably better to be in a federal prison rather than a state prison. Especially given the many problems surrounding the New York state prison system.
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Comment on Waving goodbye, carrying my bundle on a stick in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentI see your account is from April of this year. I may be wrong, but I thought it takes some time before a new user is potentially given invitation codes. I saw Deimos' thread like everyone else....I see your account is from April of this year. I may be wrong, but I thought it takes some time before a new user is potentially given invitation codes.
I saw Deimos' thread like everyone else. But perhaps I missed something. I know he said Tildes isn't looking to grow, but I didn't think that meant zero growth. But maybe I missed him clarifying in the comments. As far as I know, those who have available codes can still send out invitations (I have some still and I've been re-upped a couple times over the last few years). There's still the r/tildes thread that @cfabbro monitors.
In many ways, Tildes was never pro-growth. Or at least hasn't been in a looooong time. Probably since even before I got here in 2019. The fact that the site pop doubled in 2023 was because of an external reason, not anything Tildes did or decided to do. That was all reddit shenanigans and people looking for a new home. Many Tildoes just decided to respond to the call and send out invitations. That wasn't an official Tildes push as far as I'm aware.
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Comment on The US is recruiting gamers to solve its air traffic controller shortage in ~transport
JCPhoenix LinkI literally have a friend, a gamer(we're all gamers), who recently applied for an ATC position. He took the test and passed. I think he has a TJO pending background checks, but if that all goes...I literally have a friend, a gamer(we're all gamers), who recently applied for an ATC position. He took the test and passed. I think he has a TJO pending background checks, but if that all goes well, then he'll go to ATC school.
In some ways, I think it makes sense to recruit gamers for roles like this. Depending on the types of games one plays, I imagine there's some crossover in terms of skills and abilities.
Which is what he also said when I asked why the hell he wanted to be an ATC, knowing how insane the workloads and hours and stress can be. Plus, I never heard him ever express wanting to be an ATC before (his background is CS), even if we both occasionally watch Airforceproud95...
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Comment on New label suggestion: a removable "One-sided" label that gradually reduces the comment's visibility in ~tildes
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat's been my experience, too. I largely see the same usernames over and over. When I look at people's profiles, if their username isn't one I recognize, I still often see they've been a...That's been my experience, too. I largely see the same usernames over and over. When I look at people's profiles, if their username isn't one I recognize, I still often see they've been a community member for 2-3yrs at least. Now I'm not checking out everyone's profiles. But I look at enough and it's rare they're brand new. Which makes me think we're in a steady state.
@Bauke actually has a Tildes Statistics site. Though it only goes back 30 days.
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Comment on Tokyo, yeast, and expectations in ~travel
JCPhoenix LinkAppreciate the review of sorts. I'll be traveling to Japan in a couple months for the first time. Though I'll be the "child," since I'll be going with my parents. Hopefully no need to put me in a...Appreciate the review of sorts. I'll be traveling to Japan in a couple months for the first time. Though I'll be the "child," since I'll be going with my parents. Hopefully no need to put me in a stroller or high chair!
many restaurants will not give you a to go box, that's just not a thing there, so expect to simply waste food or money if you order a main for a toddler (because there is no kids meal) etc.
I guess I'm a little confused why you would order a separate meal for a toddler? Why not just feed them from your own plate/meal? Though I don't have kids, so maybe it's normal to get kids their own meal. Regardless, I could see how that and then the lack of ADA/stroller-friendlier spaces would be annoying to a parent. Especially on travel to a foreign country where it can be a little more stressful than usual.
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Comment on Armin van Buuren - Children (from 'Piano' album) (2026) in ~music
JCPhoenix LinkThe almighty algorithm surfaced this for me. Very different rendition and take on Robert Miles' classic trance hit, "Children."The almighty algorithm surfaced this for me. Very different rendition and take on Robert Miles' classic trance hit, "Children."
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Armin van Buuren - Children (from 'Piano' album) (2026)
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Comment on Spirit Halloween parent company to acquire Hot Topic in ~finance
JCPhoenix LinkHuh, didn't know Spencer's and Spirit Halloween (and Christmas? Never heard/seen that store) were owned by the same group. Honestly, didn't even know Spencer's was still around.Spencer Spirit Holdings’ portfolio includes Spencer’s, Spirit Halloween and Spirit Christmas, while Hot Topic’s portfolio includes its namesake brand, BoxLunch and Her Universe. The combined company will have over 3,000 stores across North America.
Huh, didn't know Spencer's and Spirit Halloween (and Christmas? Never heard/seen that store) were owned by the same group. Honestly, didn't even know Spencer's was still around.
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Comment on What are your memorable airport stories? in ~transport
JCPhoenix LinkWell, there was the infamous Delta Crowdstrike incident in 2024. Which I mentioned on Tildes when it was happening. That was "fun." At least got all my money back. Actually, a decent trip...Well, there was the infamous Delta Crowdstrike incident in 2024. Which I mentioned on Tildes when it was happening. That was "fun." At least got all my money back.
Actually, a decent trip disruption was when I was flying home from an overnight trip that I took for a job interview back in like 2016. RDU to MCI via MDW. When I got to my layover in Chicago, I found out that all flights were cancelled due to bad storms coming in. My flight to MCI was auto rebooked for like 7am the next morning.
Since it was weather-related, the airline wasn't going to put people up in hotels. Given that it was like 6pm in Chicago, I didn't exactly feel like spending the next 12ish hrs at Midway. But, since I had lived in Chicago previously, I knew my way around. So I made a little overnight trip of it. Booked a decent, but cheap hotel off North Michigan Avenue. Took the CTA "L" into the city and checked-in.
Unfortunately, the airline didn't release checked bags. So all I had was my backpack and laptop. All I was wearing was jeans and a t-shirt and a light jacket. And it was a little chilly in Chicago that evening, due to the storms that came through. So went to Marshall's to find a cheap long-sleeve button-up. Then went to CVS for a few toiletries and snacks. Then I think I hit up Portillo's for some Italian Beefs and otherwise just walked around town a bit sightseeing, before heading back to the hotel.
I did have to check out super early at like 4-5am to get back to Midway for my morning flight. But I think it was worth paying like $90 to get an actual bed and the ability to shower, and have privacy. And I got to get out into the city. Impromptu Chicago trip, essentially.
The other fun experience was in HKG. It was 2017 and I was flying back to the US from the Philippines. I got to HKG around 11pm and I had like a 12hr overnight layover. Initially, my plan was to try to leave the airport, but given that it was so late, there probably wasn't much I could've done in Hong Kong. So I just stayed in the airport. Most shops and restaurants were closing when I landed, which kinda sucked. But it was also super empty. So I just walked around, exploring the place, while playing PokemonGO for a few hours. Eventually I found a nice, comfy place to sleep. Pretty sure I was the only person in that entire wing. Which was weird to think about. But at least it was quiet. I think around 6am, things started opening up, so was able to get a coffee and re-up on snacks.
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Comment on People who have run events on Tildes or maintaining long running series of posts, any lessons or advices? in ~tildes
JCPhoenix Link ParentHonestly? I don't always have something to say, lol. Like some races are just like, "Hmm, that was boring." But I gotta say something! In many ways, as a community builder -- and that's what I...Honestly? I don't always have something to say, lol. Like some races are just like, "Hmm, that was boring." But I gotta say something! In many ways, as a community builder -- and that's what I think the role is -- I gotta play the part. I am the "host," so I gotta try to be the host. If people need an "ice breaker" comment, then I'll provide one. Even if it's kinda meh.
Not everything has to be profound. I know here on Tildes it often feels like comments have to be academic and dissertation-like. I'm not saying that's what you're saying, but others have definitely pointed out that before about this site and community. And that's what prevents them from doing more than just lurking. The fear of not having something "substantial" to say. Which is unfortunate, to say the least.
The point of the community builder or host, I think, is to nudge things along. You don't have to be the heart of the party. If the topic is interesting, and people are conserving, that will usually get others talking. But someone has to start it, and that's usually the host. Also, the topic doesn't have to be long-lasting. If people are done with it after a day, so be it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI have tried it! Kinda forgot I had it though. I last played it in November 2023 and it seemed a bit rough at the time. But given it's been almost 3yrs, I should probably give Shadows of a Doubt a...I have tried it! Kinda forgot I had it though. I last played it in November 2023 and it seemed a bit rough at the time. But given it's been almost 3yrs, I should probably give Shadows of a Doubt a try again.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkPaper Perjury, which is a detective game (y'all know me and my detective games), recently came out with a couple free DLC cases. So I played the first bonus case over the weekend. And it was...Paper Perjury, which is a detective game (y'all know me and my detective games), recently came out with a couple free DLC cases. So I played the first bonus case over the weekend. And it was decent. PP is one of the easier detective games out there, so not much of a challenge. Started the second bonus case yesterday, too. Supposedly much shorter than the first.
Because I wanted more sleuthing, I randomly tried the demo for Cyberpunk Inquisitor. Which is basically a procedurally generated Clue-like whodunit game. At first I was like "Idk, do I really want to play cyberpunk Clue?" But it was surprisingly addicting. And the full game was on sale for like <$6. Since it's procedurally generated and there's a turn/time limit, and the choices the player makes matter, the player can't always solve a murder. Which is a nice change from these linear mystery/detective games.
On the not-a-detective-game side of things, picked up Norland. Thought it was gonna be like a medieval Rimworld, but it's really more like an RTS. Kinda like a mix between The Settlers and Warcraft. Seems a little clunky, but I'm willing to keep at it.
And then since Build 42 of Project Zomboid FINALLY released after about a year and a half, a few friends and I are back in zombie-filled 90s Kentucky. Haven't tried much of the new features yet, but the world does look better. Feels more polished than before. Since none of us have played in awhile, we're having to relearn it a bit.
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Comment on What are your favourite anime and/or manga? in ~anime
JCPhoenix LinkI don't really read manga, so the following are all anime: Ghost in the Shell, specifically SAC, 2nd Gig, and Arise, is probably favorite series. I watch those three series/seasons at least twice...I don't really read manga, so the following are all anime:
Ghost in the Shell, specifically SAC, 2nd Gig, and Arise, is probably favorite series. I watch those three series/seasons at least twice a year.
Psycho Pass is another I really like. Kinda got a similar feel to GitS and kinda asks the same philosophical questions.
Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, and Last Exile probably round out my top 5.
A former coworker got a Framework. And he's had/having some issues with the GPU module. I don't know exactly what, but he got the computer earlier this year, but has already had to work with Framework to get a replacement GPU. And before he left, he mentioned that he's still having problems and he's once again working with the company to resolve.
I'd like to one day get a Framework, not that I need one, but yeah, def some issues they need to work through.