Protected's recent activity
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Comment on Your favourite karaoke songs? in ~music
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Comment on Is there a FLAC equivalent for digital comics? in ~comics
Protected (edited )Link ParentLet me piggyback here just to advise: Always use .cbz (zip) and never one of the other formats for the container, even if they can shave off a few bytes. zip is supported in pretty much every...Let me piggyback here just to advise:
Always use .cbz (zip) and never one of the other formats for the container, even if they can shave off a few bytes.
zip is supported in pretty much every platform under the sun. There's an order of magnitude more tooling and it's typically all free to use, making new implementations easier to test (contrast with .rar/.cbr whose creation uses a closed and proprietary tool). Your archives will be much more portable.
And most importantly, .zip decompression is very performant. You may want to read your comics in a platform with relatively low hardware resources, or in a browser. There, using .cbz instead of, say, .cb7 can make a significant difference.
Recently someone was having trouble loading a >500mb cbr using Emby and I had to explain to them that the upstream dependency we use that decompresses .rar (embedded libarchive) doesn't support file by file decompression, so opening such an archive requires a considerable amount of RAM. Not so for zip.js!
If you want to optimize for size, always do it on the pages, not the container!
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Comment on Your favourite karaoke songs? in ~music
Protected Link ParentIf you'll actually be searching for karaoke videos, Karaoke Nerds has a database with "everything" (excluding some more casual or domain-specific creations). The search here works much better than...If you'll actually be searching for karaoke videos, Karaoke Nerds has a database with "everything" (excluding some more casual or domain-specific creations). The search here works much better than Youtube's incomprehensible search results. A little planet icon next to a result denotes a video that can be viewed online (click for link), the little down arrow icon denotes the video can be downloaded, and a little checkmark indicates a high quality/reliability creator from the youtube community. Keep in mind Karafun videos are all listed as "Karaoke Version".
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Comment on Your favourite karaoke songs? in ~music
Protected Link ParentKiss from a Rose is definitely one of my favorites!Kiss from a Rose is definitely one of my favorites!
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Comment on Your favourite karaoke songs? in ~music
Protected LinkI've been keeping a list for a couple of years now with a few hundred songs that I know I can sing, then I won't forget them and it's much easier to choose something. I try to not go too long...I've been keeping a list for a couple of years now with a few hundred songs that I know I can sing, then I won't forget them and it's much easier to choose something. I try to not go too long without singing most of them but I confess there are a few I'm a little rusty with.
I have a small number of what I consider "warm-up songs" - I like to sing them first because they stretch the vocal cords. David Bowie in general is very good for that, especially because he would often sing a little wobbly anyway so it doesn't matter if your own voice is still wobbly when you sing. Like Life on Mars, or Space Oddity. House of the Rising Sun is another good one, or Creep even. Or I'm A Believer. Things that start low and then go high!
"Boomer" music oriented catalogues don't bother me since I'm a big fan of classic rock and prog rock. And with a big overlap, I also love songs that get everyone singing together. So give me a good Piano Man or Bohemian Rhapsody any day.
Finally, I can sing almost everything in my channel, although a few of the videos there I made as jokes (try to guess which!) The longer songs are some of my favorites but they tend to be super unpopular, hehe.
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Comment on Adults are earning college degrees online in weeks, alarming US educators in ~society
Protected Link ParentI'm not saying it's right or desirable, only that it's what's happening. A lot of people are making the decision to attend college because they're sold on the notion that that's what you must do...I'm not saying it's right or desirable, only that it's what's happening.
A lot of people are making the decision to attend college because they're sold on the notion that that's what you must do in order to be allowed to subsist. They choose a specialization and enroll in an institution that can provide a degree for that specialization that they still know very little about. They make this decision from a position of ignorance and even if they change their mind later, they're trapped by the investment in time and/or money that they made. If they make it through college, the breadth of that education is certainly useful. But way before they have the wisdom to understand that, many will make decisions like getting a cheap online degree. Or having AI write their papers and essays, or whatever other shortcuts will help them get past this hurdle.
It's interesting, because all the jobs you listed are jobs that I would very much prefer were done by people who are truly invested in those subjects, except perhaps librarian (no shade intended toward librarians, I value you!) The others can kind of ruin people's lives in a major way if they're bad at what they do. I've met some "therapists"...
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Comment on Adults are earning college degrees online in weeks, alarming US educators in ~society
Protected Link ParentAs it should, but I'm afraid of that that will do to the reputation of higher education as a whole. I think we're on the same page, but as an European, allow me to point out that these are...If you could get a good job by passing an exam and skipping the classes then this scheme would fall apart
As it should, but I'm afraid of that that will do to the reputation of higher education as a whole.
Personal growth is great, but it doesn't pay the bills and the amount you pay for it should be limited.
I think we're on the same page, but as an European, allow me to point out that these are fundamentally separate problems. I would hope that if the higher education scam were to fall apart, this would make education cheaper, but in a capitalist society wouldn't it make it even more expensive? If fewer people were to seek it out, it would turn into a luxury, niche "product".
We already have cheap and subsidized higher education in Europe, so I greatly recommend doing things out way in order to accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, the relationship between degrees and jobs on this side of the pond remains just as dysfunctional.
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Comment on Adults are earning college degrees online in weeks, alarming US educators in ~society
Protected Link ParentUnfortunately I don't think that's how it will turn out. I'm pretty sure we've had people involved in hiring processes write right here on Tildes that they don't look at education at all. For the...Unfortunately I don't think that's how it will turn out. I'm pretty sure we've had people involved in hiring processes write right here on Tildes that they don't look at education at all. For the purpose of acquiring a job that provides a livable wage, almost all education is just turning into a slow, expensive waste of time, better skipped and cheated through.
To save higher education we must separate those two expectations again. To be clear, I'm not arguing that it's in any way bad or undesirable for everyone to be educated; I wish everyone could be. But what we have now as a status quo is a predatory scam that ruthlessly exploits the young and the poor alike by creating a massive supply pool of financially precarious, easily replaceable workers who aren't valued for their expertise and whose employer, more often than not, will not even invest in them.
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Comment on Adults are earning college degrees online in weeks, alarming US educators in ~society
Protected Link ParentI can confirm that it would have been quite literally impossible to learn everything I learned in my 5 year degree in just a few months. In fact, I have serious doubts it's even possible to learn...I can confirm that it would have been quite literally impossible to learn everything I learned in my 5 year degree in just a few months. In fact, I have serious doubts it's even possible to learn it properly in the supposed 5 years, given how dense the course work was.
As with so many other things, this is about how the processes associated with higher education have been co-opted for other purposes while it's "impossible" to do things differently because a lot of people would stand to lose a lot of money.
We should return to a culture of on-the-job training coupled with much more lightweight base certification requirements for junior applicants. A lot of people don't really want or need higher education. But I suppose then an industry's expertise would be held by the senior workers in that field, making layoffs and mistreatment much more difficult, and we can't be having that, now, can we?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected Link ParentI think I agree with everything you wrote. This is the big one though; it's a common criticism. I really wish they'd done it differently.I think I agree with everything you wrote.
Another minor gripe is the manner in which you lock in translations.
This is the big one though; it's a common criticism. I really wish they'd done it differently.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected LinkI've been playing Double Fine's Keeper. I learned from Dan Floyd's Best Game Animation of 2025 video that we're supposed to be boycotting Microsoft, and I would definitely have considered joining...I've been playing Double Fine's Keeper. I learned from Dan Floyd's Best Game Animation of 2025 video that we're supposed to be boycotting Microsoft, and I would definitely have considered joining in, but unfortunately by then I had already purchased this (during the spring sale).
Typically I play every Double Fine game (sooner or later). If you're familiar with them, you might know that they are fairly polished and stylistically consistent but they often choose deliberately simple or stylized art, with elements such as faux paper craft, cartoonish characters, etc. Without looking into it, I personally see Keeper as a massive, massive flex by Lee Petty and their entire art department. The game is gorgeous, with extremely intricate 3D sets rendered in clashing, psychadelic colors, excellent animation and camera work. Terrifying corruption monsters with all of the tentacles and spider legs give way to chunks of rock floating on cotton candy clouds or cities inhabited by clockwork creatures.
You go through all of this as a sentient lighthouse with legs (because of course you do) and her very smart bird companion. What are we trying to accomplish? I'm not fully sure yet. I can tell that there's world building behind all of this, but Keeper doesn't waste your time with something as crass as words. There is no inventory or dialogue, and everything that happens is fully immersive and conveyed through animation. The lighthouse seems to be at odds with the eldritch darkness, which makes sense. I'm sure I will find out what happens soon enough, since I suspect this is not a super long game. I'm thinking maybe 6 hours?
There are platforming elements as the lighthouse's capabilities change over time, and puzzle solving elements thanks to our bird companion's help, but I would hesitate to call this a puzzle-platformer. The world of Keeper feels very rich, but our traversal of it is also a carefully curated experience. You can shine your light on the many cute/odd insects, plants and mechanisms, all of which are animated for you, but exploration is limited, not only because the lighthouse's movement isn't super fluid by default, but also because you never really control the camera (the right analog stick is instead reserved for aiming your light). Fixed camera angles or automated cameras are very good at telling you where you should go - there isn't even a hint of incompetence in any aspect of this game's development - but if you try to defy them and go down a different path - even paths that don't seem all that obstructed - you invariably run into an invisible wall. Keep your hands inside the ride at all times!
This doesn't bother me. I enjoy a good quasi-walking simulator. If it doesn't bother you, either, then I recommend Keeper, for however much money you think it's worth (waiting for a sale is always an option!) If you play it, let me know what your favorite alien plant or creature was!
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Comment on Which covers did it better than (or put a fresh twist on) the original? in ~music
Protected Link ParentI can reluctantly accept that. I tend to not prefer any Disturbed covers. But I do love me a good videogame OST metal cover!I can reluctantly accept that. I tend to not prefer any Disturbed covers. But I do love me a good videogame OST metal cover!
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Comment on Which covers did it better than (or put a fresh twist on) the original? in ~music
Protected Link ParentNoooo, Simon & Garfunkel forever! I think the only covers of mainstream songs I strictly prefer to originals are Michael Buble's. Best version of Feeling Good!Noooo, Simon & Garfunkel forever!
I think the only covers of mainstream songs I strictly prefer to originals are Michael Buble's. Best version of Feeling Good!
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Comment on How are we all feeling about piracy these days? in ~movies
Protected Link Parent@Sunbutt23 any particular reason you ignored me?@Sunbutt23 any particular reason you ignored me?
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Comment on Any male victims from female abuse? in ~life.men
Protected Link ParentHoly shit, I'm just now recontextualizing the behavior of a couple of teachers I had as a kid...The scrutiny on boys was intense, the bias placed front and center
Holy shit, I'm just now recontextualizing the behavior of a couple of teachers I had as a kid...
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Comment on How are we all feeling about piracy these days? in ~movies
Protected Link ParentI'm already slated to purchase a Kobo, don't worry! The timing hasn't worked out yet (my kindle is >10 years old at this point so it's not like I bought a new one). But here it's been impossible...I'm already slated to purchase a Kobo, don't worry! The timing hasn't worked out yet (my kindle is >10 years old at this point so it's not like I bought a new one).
But here it's been impossible to avoid Amazon for physical books.
I have yet to pirate a book, ever. I'm vaguely aware of some places where that might be accomplished though.
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Comment on How are we all feeling about piracy these days? in ~movies
Protected Link ParentI pay for most things, but attempts to avoid contributing to the profits of certain horrifying companies might lead me to choose a different way sometimes. (I don't seem to be able to avoid them...I pay for most things, but attempts to avoid contributing to the profits of certain horrifying companies might lead me to choose a different way sometimes.
(I don't seem to be able to avoid them when it comes to book purchases, but that industry is uniquely fucked.)
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Comment on How are we all feeling about piracy these days? in ~movies
Protected (edited )Link ParentI'll take one, please, could come in handy. I guess I should reciprocate by offering invites to bakabt, a really good private tracker for all things anime and manga, usually focusing on best...I'll take one, please, could come in handy.
I guess I should reciprocate by offering invites to bakabt, a really good private tracker for all things anime and manga, usually focusing on best quality fansubs. But I must insist that any takers are well behaved seeders.
EDIT: 1/3 invites have been given out.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected Link ParentI also finished the Riven-like Neyyah just now, with my friends! It took us 22 hours. Yeah. Pretty decent game for lovers of the genre. Huge amount of work for such a large scale single...I also finished the Riven-like Neyyah just now, with my friends! It took us 22 hours.
Yeah. Pretty decent game for lovers of the genre. Huge amount of work for such a large scale single interconnected puzzle game with prerenders and FMV characters. We had fun! But I still think the lore needed an editor. Why the hell did they need a fake word to refer to Earth? Just call it Earth! You already have a hundred made up words and this is a videogame! I would also have appreciated a better fast travel system (though it's great they had fast travel at all). There was quite a bit of unnecessary travel back and forth slowing down the final portion of the game (we knew exactly where we were going by then).
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected Link ParentDifferent tastes I guess :) It's not like I can't see why people wouldn't like UNBEATABLE's story mode. I have friends who like the slowest, most repetitive, most time-disrespectful JRPGs on...Different tastes I guess :) It's not like I can't see why people wouldn't like UNBEATABLE's story mode. I have friends who like the slowest, most repetitive, most time-disrespectful JRPGs on earth, and those sometimes make me want to punch my brain right through my skull. I'm an impatient bastard and I need a good story flow and characters I can love; a relatively recent example is Until Then.
Thanks for the insight about the star system. UNBEATABLE does have a fair amount of jank even in Arcade mode. In one of my songs, playing Critical made me lose the full combo status and even after I did full combo again it's still not back. Gone for good I guess!
If you can full combo anything on Unbeatable you're way better at this stuff than I am. Sometimes my body can't quite keep up with my brain (though I guess that is the game), which is why I like Beat Saber. Us humans are very good at performing natural motions and choreography with our limbs; it's very low friction compared to traditional rhythm game input schemes.
Drastic Hammer is not bad! I actually quite like a good half of the songs available in a rhythm game context. Some others aren't very good rhythm songs, which makes them less fun. Am I too simple if I say I quite enjoy the final Bookend Song medley?
Tenacious D is a whole mood. With the right group, the Pick of Destiny soundtrack can be a lot of fun. Surprisingly many millennials know it well enough to sing it.