mezze's recent activity
-
Comment on What keeps you up at night? in ~talk
-
Comment on Are you tech-savvy enough? in ~tech
mezze (edited )LinkI know this is kind of snarky, but I always found some truth in the line: "Linux is only free if you don't value your time". Having said that, macOS brings with it a whole other can of worms:...I know this is kind of snarky, but I always found some truth in the line:
"Linux is only free if you don't value your time".
Having said that, macOS brings with it a whole other can of worms: namely the worst window management in any modern OS. Still, I'm at an age with a house to manage, loving wife, two small children, dog, full-time job, and etc. that I want the peace of mind of knowing that if some Apple product I own breaks, I can drive 20-30 minutes to an Apple Store and have it fixed relatively quickly and pain-free.
-
Comment on LocalSend: a free, open-source, cross-platform app to share files to nearby devices in ~tech
mezze LinkAlong similar lines, check out Web Wormhole.Along similar lines, check out Web Wormhole.
-
Comment on What's the oldest tech you use, and why do you still use it? in ~tech
mezze LinkProbably my OG Chromecast that will turn 12 later this year. It's kind of slow, but it still works for streaming all sorts of things to keep myself and the kids entertained. It's one of those...Probably my OG Chromecast that will turn 12 later this year. It's kind of slow, but it still works for streaming all sorts of things to keep myself and the kids entertained. It's one of those single-purpose devices that I don't see myself replacing until it finally kicks the bucket. At $35 it's also been the best value in terms of price for usage over time.
-
Comment on Looking for mobile puzzle-ish games with a heavy emphasis on stats in ~games
mezze LinkI can't recommend Card Crawl highly enough. Not as heavy in the stats category, but it's so much fun and brilliantly-designed. I think you'd really enjoy it. Give it a spin and see if it's a good fit.I can't recommend Card Crawl highly enough. Not as heavy in the stats category, but it's so much fun and brilliantly-designed. I think you'd really enjoy it. Give it a spin and see if it's a good fit.
-
Comment on The real problem with toilet paper: Where it comes from in ~enviro
mezze LinkMan, not using a bidet or immediately showering after pooping is like wiping down a plate of spaghetti marinara and putting it back in the cupboard and calling it a day. The first thing I did when...Man, not using a bidet or immediately showering after pooping is like wiping down a plate of spaghetti marinara and putting it back in the cupboard and calling it a day. The first thing I did when I leased my first apartment and later bought a house was to install slow-close toilet seats and a bidet attachment on at least one toilet. Absolute game-changer.
-
Comment on New anti-obesity drugs will outperform Ozempic in ~health
mezze LinkNow if a pharmaceutical company could make something as effective as Retatrutide in pill form, it would be a game changer. I would have to imagine bariatric surgeons would be out of a job by then.Now if a pharmaceutical company could make something as effective as Retatrutide in pill form, it would be a game changer. I would have to imagine bariatric surgeons would be out of a job by then.
-
Comment on Pocket Casts’ web player is now available to all in ~tech
mezze LinkPocket Casts is by far and away my favorite podcast app. I’ve been using it for close to a decade and I’ve always felt it was criminally underrated. The UX is delightful and simple. Overcast is...Pocket Casts is by far and away my favorite podcast app. I’ve been using it for close to a decade and I’ve always felt it was criminally underrated. The UX is delightful and simple. Overcast is fine, but it doesn’t a hold candle to Pocket Casts in terms of usability and aesthetics. Give it a try if you haven’t.
-
Comment on What is your strangely specific phobia? in ~talk
mezze LinkI don't even know how to describe it or if there's a word for this, but I get an intense sense of dread with anything involving a predictable sense of momentum that's connected to something fixed....I don't even know how to describe it or if there's a word for this, but I get an intense sense of dread with anything involving a predictable sense of momentum that's connected to something fixed.
It can be anything like roller-coasters, carousels, and even park swings. I think the fear mostly comes from being out of control and "on rails". So while I could gently swing in a park, I never let myself go too high since then stopping would take more time. Things like drops on airplanes don't bother me as much since it's seemingly more random and not in a "fixed" position.
It's not motion sickness either, since I have no problem driving or riding in cars. Trains and subways are fine, for some reason. However, the rocking of a boat will send me into a panic though I never get seasick. It's very odd and I wish it weren't the case, but it's how I'm wired.
-
Comment on Microplastics can block blood vessels in mice brains, researchers find in ~health
mezze LinkWell, hopefully this doesn’t translate too well into humans, but a part of me thinks “why wouldn’t it?”. This is one of those issues I feel totally helpless about and have kind of resigned myself...Well, hopefully this doesn’t translate too well into humans, but a part of me thinks “why wouldn’t it?”.
This is one of those issues I feel totally helpless about and have kind of resigned myself to thinking it a miracle if I even reach 75-80 years-old despite leading a relatively healthy and active life sans the usual harmful vices.
We are all King Midas, but everything we touch around us turns to plastic and I don’t see this changing any time soon.
-
Comment on What do you use for 2fa? in ~tech
mezze LinkThis might seem kind of lame to the tech-savvy crowd here, but I just use the "new" Apple Passwords app. I migrated a dozen or so codes from Authy into Passwords, which has a handy OTP Codes...This might seem kind of lame to the tech-savvy crowd here, but I just use the "new" Apple Passwords app. I migrated a dozen or so codes from Authy into Passwords, which has a handy OTP Codes section.
I'm sure there are better options out there, but at this stage in my life managing a house, wife, kids, aging parents, dog, full-time job, etc., I value the simplicity of having iCloud sync my stuff across my devices which are mostly Apple.
I generate codes mostly on my phone, but sometimes I'll use the macOS app. So far, I've been very happy with the set-up and I'm not looking for an alternative.
-
Comment on Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO is ordered held without bail after brief court appearance in Pennsylvania in ~news
mezze Link ParentAll damning evidence aside, which may or may not have been elaborately planted, why pin it on someone from a family who's likely in the 1% of earners? I would expect a lowlife drifter type to take...All damning evidence aside, which may or may not have been elaborately planted, why pin it on someone from a family who's likely in the 1% of earners? I would expect a lowlife drifter type to take the fall, not someone with the suspect's background and family network.
-
Comment on American election mental health thread in ~health.mental
mezze LinkWhile I'm surprised and disappointed, I am not as shocked as I was in November 2016. I'll mostly just hope for the best and focus on things within my control like eating well, exercising, getting...While I'm surprised and disappointed, I am not as shocked as I was in November 2016.
I'll mostly just hope for the best and focus on things within my control like eating well, exercising, getting good rest, nurturing positive relationships with those around me, and keeping busy.
Hopefully we'll still have elections in 2028 and things can normalize. The pendulum feels like it has swung completely in the wrong direction, but hopefully things won't be as bad as I think.
-
Comment on Looking for slim wallet recommendations in ~life.style
mezze Link ParentThis is a fantastic wallet. I’ve been using mine for over a decade and will replace it with another when/if its time comes.This is a fantastic wallet. I’ve been using mine for over a decade and will replace it with another when/if its time comes.
-
Comment on Vox Media, on the hunt for new revenue streams, is exploring putting up a pay wall on The Verge in ~tech
mezze LinkI frequent The Verge and sometimes engage in their comments section as there's some good discourse to be found on the odd article, but I skim their headlines through an RSS reader as their site...I frequent The Verge and sometimes engage in their comments section as there's some good discourse to be found on the odd article, but I skim their headlines through an RSS reader as their site design is too "loud" to navigate peacefully.
I would probably go elsewhere for my daily dose of tech and tech-adjacent reporting if a broad paywall ever went up. As it is already, the number of affiliate link articles masquerading as deals they've surfaced just for readers is getting to be a bit too much. I've felt the screws tightening, so to speak, so this article tracks with my experience.
-
Comment on You're a cyclist who was just struck by a car driver. Here's why it was your fault. in ~transport
mezze (edited )Link ParentAgreed. I love cycling and the idea of commuting by bike or e-bike, but it's mostly something aspirational that I know I'll never feel comfortable doing in the US. Outside of moving to Utrecht,...Agreed. I love cycling and the idea of commuting by bike or e-bike, but it's mostly something aspirational that I know I'll never feel comfortable doing in the US. Outside of moving to Utrecht, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, etc., for me, cycling will remain a recreational activity done in a park well clear of any automobiles. However, I'm sure on a long enough timescale, personal mobility vehicles like bicycles will eventually win out, but I fear we were born too early.
-
Comment on EV discussion thread in ~transport
mezze Link ParentHa, those Neutral chapters within ATP are some of my favorite. Marco's experience with his Rivian repairs has put me off the brand. ~$30K is absolute bonkers to repair that rear quarter panel. I...Ha, those Neutral chapters within ATP are some of my favorite. Marco's experience with his Rivian repairs has put me off the brand. ~$30K is absolute bonkers to repair that rear quarter panel. I think I'll stick with my old Honda for a few more years until there's enough of a supply chain and service footprint for these BEV repair costs to come down.
-
Comment on iOS 18 is here with RCS and homepage customization features in ~tech
mezze LinkSeems like a solid update, though I'm finding the Control Center controls a bit harder to tap due to their smaller size on my iPhone 12 mini. Also, Calculator is slower to load, but everything...Seems like a solid update, though I'm finding the Control Center controls a bit harder to tap due to their smaller size on my iPhone 12 mini. Also, Calculator is slower to load, but everything else feels just as fast. I guess it's due to the Math Notes and conversion bloat? I'm glad to see expanded emoji support in iMessage tapbacks and the standalone Passwords app. Otherwise, it's been a pretty ho-hum year for the iPhone. Looking forward to finally upgrading to whatever iPhone 17 brings next year.
-
Comment on United States postal service debuts long-awaited new mail truck in ~transport
mezze LinkWhile it's ugly as sin, I appreciate the improved safety the giant windshield will provide through better visibility. Also, the lack of fumes. My goodness, those little mail trucks have no...While it's ugly as sin, I appreciate the improved safety the giant windshield will provide through better visibility. Also, the lack of fumes. My goodness, those little mail trucks have no business polluting neighborhoods as much as they do -- fumes and noise, alike. It ain't pretty, but it's still a huge win in my book.
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~science
mezze Link ParentMuscle is the currency of health. Think of it like a battery, where you want as much muscle mass as you can get while entering old age -- since it's harder to put on and maintain then due to an...Muscle is the currency of health. Think of it like a battery, where you want as much muscle mass as you can get while entering old age -- since it's harder to put on and maintain then due to an increasingly shitty deamination process, so you'll have to eat more total overall protein as well compared to when you were twenty years old.
You want this muscle to prevent falls, which are essentially a death sentence/crippling past a certain age. Of the controllable variables, I'd say physical health is 45% diet (maintaining ideal body mass for your sex, height, age, and frame size with about a gram of protein per pound of lean body mass and whatever calories you require to do the stuff you wanna do), 25% cardio, 25% resistance training, and 5% cold plunges, intermittent fasting, mushroom coffee enemas, tantric meditation, tongue scraping, bee sting therapy, celebrity doctor supplements, and journaling into a fancy Moleskine notebook. Oh, sleep is probably important too.
Quite literally last night, Formosan termites kept me up. It's swarming season in South Florida and I trenched the perimeter of my house ~8 years ago, but it must be time for another treatment as I found 100 or so crawling out of my ceiling light sockets. Which means they've formed mud tubes from the ground into my attic -- awesome. These things are something out of a horror film. A colony can eat nearly a pound of wood a day, so yeah, my trusses giving way and having my roof collapse on me keeps me up at night. Will have to get on that inspection and treatment this weekend. Count your blessings, cold weather climate folks.
Also, I guess my country's leadership is kind of shit too, but not as pressing at the moment.