karsaroth's recent activity

  1. Comment on McDonalds and Star Trek's "Red Alert" sound in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    Ahh ok, that makes sense. I agree with everyone else, it's the wrong sound for something that happens so often.

    Ahh ok, that makes sense. I agree with everyone else, it's the wrong sound for something that happens so often.

    3 votes

  2. Comment on McDonalds and Star Trek's "Red Alert" sound in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    No, it's been around for quite a while in Aus at least. But all the rest you mentioned is very true here too, though I think some places still let you grab your own napkins etc... Much like every...

    No, it's been around for quite a while in Aus at least. But all the rest you mentioned is very true here too, though I think some places still let you grab your own napkins etc...

    Much like every other company, fire half the people, push the work into the customer and call it an App.

    2 votes

  3. Comment on McDonalds and Star Trek's "Red Alert" sound in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    I agree, I wish I knew what triggers it! Until yesterday I had kind of assumed it was a global thing. I've never noticed what it was meant to signify, but it is common enough that it isn't some...

    I agree, I wish I knew what triggers it! Until yesterday I had kind of assumed it was a global thing. I've never noticed what it was meant to signify, but it is common enough that it isn't some major emergency.

  4. Comment on McDonalds and Star Trek's "Red Alert" sound in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    Yeah, it's that sound, though it only plays the rising tone once, if I remember right. And I don't know anyone who's worked there, so I don't know what it is used for exactly, though it's common...

    Yeah, it's that sound, though it only plays the rising tone once, if I remember right.

    And I don't know anyone who's worked there, so I don't know what it is used for exactly, though it's common enough that you might hear it a few times each time you visit.

    1 vote

  5. McDonalds and Star Trek's "Red Alert" sound

    ~talk Ask
    I played a game of the Free Stars demo with my son recently, and when your ship is close to exploding, an alert very similar to the Star Trek red alert sounds starts playing. My son instantly said...

    I played a game of the Free Stars demo with my son recently, and when your ship is close to exploding, an alert very similar to the Star Trek red alert sounds starts playing.

    My son instantly said "it sounds like McDonalds", and I was a little shocked because the first place I heard that sound was on TV when a captain called for Red Alert. But for him, it's completely different: you hear the same sound used as an alarm behind the counter at McDonalds, and that's his association.

    Just a short anecdote, I'm sad that McDonalds has co-opted that sound. I do wonder though, is that only in McDonalds in Australia, or is it in places like the US too?

    15 votes

  6. Comment on All eighty books banned in Minnesota last year came from one school in ~books

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    Yeah, I was uncertain about the article at first, but based on what everyone has shared, it all seems pretty gross. It sucks that people can be so horrible, and just get away with it. Hopefully...

    Yeah, I was uncertain about the article at first, but based on what everyone has shared, it all seems pretty gross.

    It sucks that people can be so horrible, and just get away with it.

    Hopefully the assistant librarian (I've forgotten their name sorry) will get a better job at a place that will actually respect them.

    1 vote

  7. Comment on All eighty books banned in Minnesota last year came from one school in ~books

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    Yeah, the scapegoating is clear, though unfortunately that seems to happen in most industries, save the organisation by firing someone looks like the go-to.

    Yeah, the scapegoating is clear, though unfortunately that seems to happen in most industries, save the organisation by firing someone looks like the go-to.

    2 votes

  8. Comment on All eighty books banned in Minnesota last year came from one school in ~books

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    I've no reason to doubt you on the account. It's not like things are that much better here in Aus. Follow up question if you have the time, is a school like that for just young kids or is it like...

    I've no reason to doubt you on the account. It's not like things are that much better here in Aus.

    Follow up question if you have the time, is a school like that for just young kids or is it like a K-12 country school like we have here?

  9. Comment on All eighty books banned in Minnesota last year came from one school in ~books

    karsaroth
    Link
    I'll add a comment as someone outside the US, and a parent. I don't think the full list is shared anywhere, but it seems disingenuous to be pointing out a bunch on the list that seem harmless when...

    I'll add a comment as someone outside the US, and a parent. I don't think the full list is shared anywhere, but it seems disingenuous to be pointing out a bunch on the list that seem harmless when the parents are complaining about "inappropriate sexual content".

    Now, the full list might vindicate the librarian (and probably will is my guess), but this article doesn't feel very impartial.

    1 vote

  10. Comment on What single episode of a show would you recommend as a standalone? in ~tv

    karsaroth
    Link
    Bluey Season 2 episode 24: "Flat pack" There're a lot of good standalone episodes in that show, even for adults. But if you want a demonstration of how much depth an episode of the show can pack...

    Bluey Season 2 episode 24: "Flat pack"

    There're a lot of good standalone episodes in that show, even for adults. But if you want a demonstration of how much depth an episode of the show can pack into a few minutes, then that's the one.

    10 votes

  11. Comment on Reversiology: a free Reversi trainer with a coach that explains your mistakes in ~games.tabletop

    karsaroth
    Link
    Had a quick go, it's nice to see a lot of the tools you might get in a chess game. I've always understood the importance of corners, but more than that I didn't know. Very cool!

    Had a quick go, it's nice to see a lot of the tools you might get in a chess game. I've always understood the importance of corners, but more than that I didn't know. Very cool!

    1 vote

  12. Comment on Anyone have a pebble? in ~tech

    karsaroth
    Link
    I'm really happy to have one again. I wore out the old one, and it was so sad to see what became of smart watches. The colour display is new for me so I'm really enjoying that extra aspect.

    I'm really happy to have one again. I wore out the old one, and it was so sad to see what became of smart watches.

    The colour display is new for me so I'm really enjoying that extra aspect.

    4 votes

  13. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    karsaroth
    Link
    I've been playing three games regularly at the moment: Big Walk: lots of chill fun with friends, and for me at least, the first game to feel like it's set in my home country. It's a cooperative...

    I've been playing three games regularly at the moment:

    Big Walk: lots of chill fun with friends, and for me at least, the first game to feel like it's set in my home country. It's a cooperative puzzle game with wonderful attention to sound, lighting and the general experience of a low stakes outdoor adventure.

    Nuclear Option: Despite the name, nukes only play a small part in the gameplay (though a significant one when they are used). The reality is, it's a clever, semi-realistic flight "Sim", but without the downside of focus on realism to the detriment of gameplay and balance.

    DCS: This one is the full flight Sim experience, but I enjoy learning the different aircraft. Had a fun moment recently, and decided to upload it: https://youtu.be/UbrJGRc0GuA

    1 vote

  14. Comment on Looking for an app to help with some reading practice for a five year old in ~tech

    karsaroth
    Link
    I don't know if this is feasible, but there was a Scribblenauts game that came out on PC quite a while back which genuinely helped my kids with their reading because the solutions require you to...

    I don't know if this is feasible, but there was a Scribblenauts game that came out on PC quite a while back which genuinely helped my kids with their reading because the solutions require you to type out words. If a similar game exists on mobile devices it could be worth a try.

    3 votes

  15. Comment on When did you realize you were different? in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    Well if it helps at all, I don't think you're mad. Brains just work differently for different people. You and I have a rarer brain but that doesn't mean it's broken, just that the world was built...

    Well if it helps at all, I don't think you're mad. Brains just work differently for different people. You and I have a rarer brain but that doesn't mean it's broken, just that the world was built for the most common type, not us. Like living in Japan as a tall person, or trying to reach the top shelf as a short person.

    At least, that's how I see it. But regardless, thanks for sharing, it's hard to find people like me.

    5 votes

  16. Comment on When did you realize you were different? in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link
    It started with being from a different country, I thought I didn't fit in because I was an immigrant. People were curious, but not super welcoming when I was a little kid (with some exceptions)....

    It started with being from a different country, I thought I didn't fit in because I was an immigrant. People were curious, but not super welcoming when I was a little kid (with some exceptions).

    Then I thought it was just not fitting in with most of the people at school. Perhaps I was just unlucky?

    For a while I was sure it was to do with my religious beliefs, and perhaps to a degree it was, but that wasn't really it either, not fully. Plus the schools I attended were supposed to match my beliefs anyway.

    Once I started working, I thought it was a skill I was missing, so I tried to pick it up. I practiced with clients, colleagues and bosses, with everyone I met, but somehow I never quite got fully accepted by most people.

    It was only once my kids had started to grow up, and with a little gentle prodding from my wife, I finally got a diagnosis for Autism, and everything suddenly made so much more sense.

    To answer some of the remaining questions: For so long I kind of felt like an alien in a human body, playing the part only at a surface level. I don't think that's gone away, but I understand why, and can navigate the consequences better.

    13 votes

  17. Comment on A random sci-fi question for you in ~talk

    karsaroth
    Link
    Thanks for the responses all, as some people clearly saw, I mixed together Australia's first fleet experience with thoughts of The Expanse, since I was recently re-watching it, and came up with...

    Thanks for the responses all, as some people clearly saw, I mixed together Australia's first fleet experience with thoughts of The Expanse, since I was recently re-watching it, and came up with this question in my head.

    Personally, if my currently life was still in play, I'd probably choose Mars, so I'd have a chance of seeing my family again - but if not, New Mongolia all the way, because I doubt I could actually handle the claustrophobia without loosing it, and the idea of a new world is enticing, even if it'll be hard to survive.

    But when I asked my wife this question, she reminded me that some women were given the option of traveling on the first fleet to Australia, or be hanged...and some chose the hanging. Perhaps sitting in a reasonably comfortable first world life and pondering the question is quite different to what reality might be.

    1 vote

  18. A random sci-fi question for you

    ~talk Ask (survey)
    You've just been convicted by the UN security council for being a Tildes user, and have been sentenced to 7 years in a penal colony, but you get a choice. Do you choose either: 1: Mars - 7 years...

    You've just been convicted by the UN security council for being a Tildes user, and have been sentenced to 7 years in a penal colony, but you get a choice. Do you choose either:

    1: Mars - 7 years without ever being able to go outside without a suit on, but afterwards you could travel back to Earth, if you desired.

    2: New Mongolia: An Earth-like planet, almost as if Earth was new again. But it's a one way trip.

    (Asking for a friend)

    29 votes

  19. Comment on Updates to store tags: additions, removals, and edits in ~games

    karsaroth
    Link
    A way to easily find the max supported players in multiplayer games (also PvP vs Coop players) would be nice. I always thought the tag system would be the best place.

    A way to easily find the max supported players in multiplayer games (also PvP vs Coop players) would be nice. I always thought the tag system would be the best place.

    9 votes

  20. Comment on AI Coding agents are the opposite of what I want in ~comp

    karsaroth
    Link Parent
    I think the first complaint was loudest, but the second has been there from the beginning too, and is becoming more obvious now that the tools are getting better, producing less slop. Its not...

    I think the first complaint was loudest, but the second has been there from the beginning too, and is becoming more obvious now that the tools are getting better, producing less slop.

    Its not surprising to me though that people complain about their job expectations shifting. How many F1 drivers would enjoy switching to an overview position for an AI driver? How many airline pilots want to sit in a 99-100% automated cockpit? How many chefs want to manage an assembly line of robot cooks?

    And that's just how technological progress works of course, but it shouldn't surprise you that people will dislike their key skills being automated away.

    4 votes