pienix's recent activity
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Comment on Seeking recommendations for a solo journey to London in ~travel
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Comment on What's your go-to hot sauce? in ~food
pienix Link ParentFrom the Tabasco brand I actually prefer the Habanero Sauce. It's quite hot (at least for me), and I really like the fruity taste.From the Tabasco brand I actually prefer the Habanero Sauce. It's quite hot (at least for me), and I really like the fruity taste.
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Comment on Could a space traveler accelerate at 1g forever? in ~space
pienix Link ParentWell, that's a coincidence. I'm literally working through Reynolds' Revelation Space series right now. Currently on Redemption Ark. So I might encounter it sooner than I'd expect.Well, that's a coincidence. I'm literally working through Reynolds' Revelation Space series right now. Currently on Redemption Ark. So I might encounter it sooner than I'd expect.
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Comment on Could a space traveler accelerate at 1g forever? in ~space
pienix Link ParentIn the book Tau Zero they 'solve' both issues (getting rid of the hydrogen in the path, and the fuel) by having a system that collects the hydrogen and uses this as fuel through fusion. I put...In the book Tau Zero they 'solve' both issues (getting rid of the hydrogen in the path, and the fuel) by having a system that collects the hydrogen and uses this as fuel through fusion.
I put "solve" in quotes, because it obviously doesn't eliminate either problem completely, but I thought it was an interesting concept.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix Link ParentThere is a lot of Czech history being explained in the game. I can imagine that it's extra interesting if you're already somewhat familiar with it, or if you're from the region the game takes...There is a lot of Czech history being explained in the game. I can imagine that it's extra interesting if you're already somewhat familiar with it, or if you're from the region the game takes place in.
Forbidden West is also on my wishlist, btw. I really enjoyed Zero Dawn!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix LinkRecently started playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance as it was (kinda) recommended before playing the second game in the series. Holy shit, I love it. I like how it is grounded in realism. You're...Recently started playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance as it was (kinda) recommended before playing the second game in the series.
Holy shit, I love it. I like how it is grounded in realism. You're not the chosen one, or dragonborn. You're just a dude trying to survive in medieval Bohemia. The main historical figures (kings, lords, etc) are actually real, and also the main cities/town have real history. I'm usually not a fan when a game forces you to do mundain tasks like sleeping or eating, but it just works, here (maybe because it all feels so real). You plan your trip to another town, arrive in the late afternoon, get to know the town, find an inn to pass the night, do some reading before going to bed, wake up early, find a bite to eat, and do the mission you came to do.
The game came out in 2018, the animations are quite dated, but the game (especially the nature) is so beautiful. I rarely use the fast travel, because I just enjoy walking or riding my horse, from one place to the other.
I'm about 30 hours in, and I feel like I just started to scratch the surface. I have a feeling this will be a long game, and I'm all for it!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix Link ParentWell, I'm about halfway (I assume) so I cannot say for sure, but for now I'd say I haven't encountered any bad puzzles. I had to look up the puzzles you mentioned to know what you meant, and I...Well, I'm about halfway (I assume) so I cannot say for sure, but for now I'd say I haven't encountered any bad puzzles.
I had to look up the puzzles you mentioned to know what you meant, and I (slightly) remember them. It looks like it is more based on trial and error and luck to find the correct placement, rather than logic. That's not the case currently in Talos 2. They all seem to have a good balance between challenging enough (albeit on the easier side), without being frustrating.
But, as I said, I still need to do the harder puzzles.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix Link ParentYes, you're absolutely right! I often find myself finding the highest point in the environment and just looking around.Yes, you're absolutely right! I often find myself finding the highest point in the environment and just looking around.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix LinkAs the perpetual patient gamer, I'm currently making my way through The Talos Principle 2. I really enjoyed the first game. Fun gameplay, interesting and sometimes (often?) challenging puzzles,...As the perpetual patient gamer, I'm currently making my way through The Talos Principle 2. I really enjoyed the first game. Fun gameplay, interesting and sometimes (often?) challenging puzzles, and an engaging lore.
The second game is more of the same. And I mean this in the most positive way. It's more of the same that made the first game great, but with enough differences to make it feel new. There are enough new devices in the puzzles to make them challenging and fun to explore (although generally I feel they are a bit easier, but perhaps that might change later in the game). While the story/lore was never the main point in the games, the concept and philosophical aspects of the first game were engaging, and the second game builds on that in a very interesting way without feeling repetitive.
All in all, if you enjoyed the first game, you'll enjoy the second! -
Comment on What lesser-known alternative would you recommend as a substitute for something more popular? in ~talk
pienix LinkThis is a good opportunity to plug the following site: https://www.goeuropean.org/ It provides European alternatives for the big American brands, something I'd like to focus on for the foreseeable...This is a good opportunity to plug the following site: https://www.goeuropean.org/
It provides European alternatives for the big American brands, something I'd like to focus on for the foreseeable future.
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Comment on Firefox now supports native vertical tabs in 136.0 release in ~tech
pienix Link ParentI've been using the Sideberry add-on for a while now (which basically does the same thing, including tab grouping), and I get what you're saying. It took a while to get used to it, but now it...I've been using the Sideberry add-on for a while now (which basically does the same thing, including tab grouping), and I get what you're saying.
It took a while to get used to it, but now it absolutely doesn't bother me any longer, and it's so much easier to find back tabs when you continuously have dozens of them open.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
pienix Link ParentOn The Outer Wilds: I assume you have played the DLC?On The Outer Wilds: I assume you have played the DLC?
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Comment on Everything is Chrome in ~tech
pienix Link ParentI made the switch for the same reason, and haven't found a reason to switch back. But what made me love Firefox is their Containers. It allows to group tabs into completely separate cookie...I made the switch for the same reason, and haven't found a reason to switch back. But what made me love Firefox is their Containers.
It allows to group tabs into completely separate cookie 'pockets' (or containers). I have personal accounts with several companies, all in the MS Office 365 space. I can be logged in in all of them in the same browser, without them interfering with each other because they're all in their own container. I can choose to open a new tab or link in a specific container. No more juggling with the accounts, it just works. I also use it to keep my social media browsing separate from everything else.
I don't know if this would convince a normie, though.
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Comment on Everything is Chrome in ~tech
pienix Link ParentIn my opinion it's even less concerning than that. IIRC, what they removed was not 'we won't sell your data you entered in the browser', but 'we won't use your data you entered in the browser'....In my opinion it's even less concerning than that. IIRC, what they removed was not 'we won't sell your data you entered in the browser', but 'we won't use your data you entered in the browser'.
Obviously, a browser needs to use that data to function properly. I think it was just an overzealous legal team who wanted to dot the i's and 'fix' the terms.
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Comment on "The Bullshit Machines" - A free humanities course on LLMs for college freshmen from UW professors in ~humanities
pienix Link ParentI tend to agree with this take. Claiming an LLM is just a fancy text predictor is the same as claiming a fully self-driving car is the same as a horse carriage because they both have wheels. I...I tend to agree with this take. Claiming an LLM is just a fancy text predictor is the same as claiming a fully self-driving car is the same as a horse carriage because they both have wheels.
I would also like to point to the recent 3blue1brown videos on YouTube (I think there are a total of 7 now, but the last three tackle the LLMs specifically) which go into the mathematics of how certain concepts or 'understandings' (e.g. the similar difference between man/woman, king/queen, nephew/niece) are represented in the model, and where and how facts are stored.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
pienix LinkJust finished Plague Tale: Innocence. The game gets fairly good reviews overall, I but found it quite disappointing. The story (which I expected to be quite strong in a game like that) is...Just finished Plague Tale: Innocence. The game gets fairly good reviews overall, I but found it quite disappointing.
The story (which I expected to be quite strong in a game like that) is wafer-thin and very short. I'm not a particularly fast gamer, and I finished the game in just over 10 hours.
The gameplay (especially the first half/ three quarters) is very linear, not innovative, and not very diverse. It's basically 'go to area with guards/rats' , 'find way to get past guards/rats' , 'go to next area'. The equipment you need to get past the enemy is conveniently always in reach. Perhaps there is more than one way to solve these little 'puzzles', but there is always one extremely straightforward approach that makes them unchallenging. Yes, the rats are a fun gimmick, but after a couple of areas they are just another obstacle.
It changes a bit in the last part of the game, which I enjoyed more, but it doesn't make up for the whole game.
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Comment on Candy Crush, Tinder, MyFitnessPal: See the thousands of apps hijacked to spy on your location in ~tech
pienix Link ParentDepending on your level of technical expertise, I would suggest setting up a PiHole. It's quite easy to set up, and you have full control over what gets through. Combining it with a PiVPN ensures...Depending on your level of technical expertise, I would suggest setting up a PiHole. It's quite easy to set up, and you have full control over what gets through.
Combining it with a PiVPN ensures ad blocking on the go.
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Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books
pienix LinkVernor Vinge has some pretty hard science fiction, although it depends on your definition. I would call The Martian quite hard. Fire upon the Deep, and Deepness in the Sky, I've really enjoyed, as...Vernor Vinge has some pretty hard science fiction, although it depends on your definition. I would call The Martian quite hard.
Fire upon the Deep, and Deepness in the Sky, I've really enjoyed, as well as the duology Across Realtime (The Peace War, and Marooned in Realtime)
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Comment on American election mental health thread in ~health.mental
pienix Link ParentYeah, I agree. It's not a republican problem, it's a democrat problem. Trump had a couple of million votes less than against Biden. Kamala has 15 million (!) fewer votes than Biden had. Where were...Yeah, I agree. It's not a republican problem, it's a democrat problem.
Trump had a couple of million votes less than against Biden. Kamala has 15 million (!) fewer votes than Biden had. Where were all these voters? Why didn't they bother to show up? Or how did they come to the conclusion that now is a good time to vote third party?
It's ridiculous. I'm not American, but I dreaded this day and my worst fears came true. This will affect the world and there isn't a goddamn thing I can do.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
pienix Link ParentYeah, that's definitely the plan! Just finished Edgedancer, so now I'll start Oathbringer, and then on to Dawnshard. I already had to look up who Rysn was again. I tend to forget the characters...Yeah, that's definitely the plan! Just finished Edgedancer, so now I'll start Oathbringer, and then on to Dawnshard.
I already had to look up who Rysn was again. I tend to forget the characters introduced in these interludes. But it comes back quickly, especially with the help of coppermind.net :-)
I loved the Novelty Automation! When reading this topic I was trying to remember the name (it has been a while), but you beat me to it. I still have the picture of the 'picture booth', there. There are indeed some machines that require 2 players, but if I remember correctly there's enough to do for one player as well.
If you like history, I'd also recommend theLondon Transport Museum , and the HMS Belfast . I wouldn't call these 'unknown gems', so they might already be in your plans.