pun-master-general's recent activity
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Comment on So what's up with Voat? in ~tech
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~comp
pun-master-general Link ParentDefinitely. Something like Python or C would be a much better place to start since they're a lot more intuitive for most folks. Although, I suppose if you had a heavy mathematical background, a...Definitely. Something like Python or C would be a much better place to start since they're a lot more intuitive for most folks. Although, I suppose if you had a heavy mathematical background, a functional language might not feel too foreign.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~comp
pun-master-general Link ParentAh, I wasn't aware of that. I had it recommended to me when I started, but I'm not too into Haskell or its community.Ah, I wasn't aware of that. I had it recommended to me when I started, but I'm not too into Haskell or its community.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~comp
pun-master-general LinkTo add to the ones that others have pointed out can be found for free, Learn You A Haskell is available free here: http://learnyouahaskell.com/ I had to work with Haskell recently and it was nice...To add to the ones that others have pointed out can be found for free, Learn You A Haskell is available free here: http://learnyouahaskell.com/
I had to work with Haskell recently and it was nice for getting the basics down, but Haskell probably isn't a great place to start if you're just beginning with programming.
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Comment on Thoughts on Free And Open Source Software in ~tech
pun-master-general Link ParentI think there's always something of a tension between having more control vs. having something that works out of the box. In some ways it mirrors the "PC vs. Console" debate. Yes, one gives you...I think there's always something of a tension between having more control vs. having something that works out of the box. In some ways it mirrors the "PC vs. Console" debate. Yes, one gives you more control and you can save money, but a lot of people are willing to pay extra for something that will "just work" without them having to fiddle with it. And I don't think that's necessarily just a matter of not wanting anything to do with computers, either.
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Comment on Would you want to work for a company that uses a coding test to select workers, even for non-coding positions? in ~talk
pun-master-general LinkI could see how some more abstract CS-type problems might lend themselves to a test of problem solving ability, but it sounds like what you're describing is just a test of whether or not you've...I could see how some more abstract CS-type problems might lend themselves to a test of problem solving ability, but it sounds like what you're describing is just a test of whether or not you've memorized sorts. That doesn't have anything to do with intelligence, in my experience. Especially if that sort of thing isn't relevant to the job in question, it certainly doesn't seem like a sensible test.
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Comment on Daily Tildes discussion - approaches to self-promotion in ~tildes.official
pun-master-general Link ParentThe issue at hand here is self-promotion, so it isn't really applicable to people talking about corporate products like McDonalds (assuming nobody here is secretly Ray Kroc, back from the dead)....if I say in a comment I like McDonald's new burger that technically could be seen as advertising.
The issue at hand here is self-promotion, so it isn't really applicable to people talking about corporate products like McDonalds (assuming nobody here is secretly Ray Kroc, back from the dead).
The issue is that self-promotion is often actually good content, and it can be a bit tough to determine what constitutes self promotion vs. good content that happens to be about something the poster owns.
For example, to go off of your bike route example, it's clearly self-promotion if I just make a post like "Hey, check out my bike route website!" But say I want to make a post in ~comp talking about a particularly interesting technical challenge I faced while making it, or my impressions of the language I wrote it in, and mention the site in the post. Is that self-promo? What if I don't mention the site in the post, but someone asks about it in the comments and I answer?
Personally, I think it's simpler to go with the rule that self-promo is OK provided a) it's relevant, b) it's infrequent, and c) regardless of frequency, it makes up a small minority of your posts and comments on the site. Reddit's old 9:1 rule (you should have nine regular posts or comments for every one self-promotion) or Deimos' own (paraphrased) rule of thumb "You can be a Tildes user with a website, but not a website with a Tildes account" are better than just blanket allowing it in comments or not allowing it in posts, IMO.
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Comment on Aliens: Colonial Marines' stupid AI may have been caused by a single typo in ~games
pun-master-general Link ParentThat was a bug in the original Civilization game, that happened because of an error where the game tried to calculate 1 - 2 and got a result of 255 due to wrap-around.That was a bug in the original Civilization game, that happened because of an error where the game tried to calculate 1 - 2 and got a result of 255 due to wrap-around.
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Comment on Facebook Says InfoWars, Which Reported That NASA Has a Slave Colony on Mars, Is a Valid Source of “Opinion and Analysis” in ~news
pun-master-general Link ParentAt the risk of sounding like an echo of the others... It's important to distinguish between freedom of speech in the sense of "the government shouldn't be able to punish you for your opinions" and...At the risk of sounding like an echo of the others...
It's important to distinguish between freedom of speech in the sense of "the government shouldn't be able to punish you for your opinions" and in the sense of "websites shouldn't be allowed to ban you for your opinions." The former is guaranteed by the US constitution. The latter is not, and for good reason.
A site like Facebook, Reddit, Tildes, whatever, is private property, and its owners have the right to determine what they will and won't host. Just like I don't have to let someone put political signs out on my lawn if I disagree with them, sites are under no obligation to host content they think is detrimental to the site or reflects poorly on them. Banning a group from Facebook doesn't infringe on their freedom of speech, because they can still express whatever views they like; they just can't use Facebook to spread them. XKCD has a great comic that sums it up pretty well.
There are sites dedicated to the "nothing should ever be banned" type of freedom of speech, and without moderation, they pretty much inevitably very quickly turn into complete shitholes as soon as they get a decently sized userbase (looking at you, Voat).
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Comment on Localization and Plurals in ~comp
pun-master-general Link ParentI've been studying Russian for a few years, and I've likewise always wondered about how strange it is. For any number ending in 1, except 11, you use the nominative singular (for example, 1...I've been studying Russian for a few years, and I've likewise always wondered about how strange it is. For any number ending in 1, except 11, you use the nominative singular (for example, 1 доллар, literally "1 dollar"). For any number ending in 2, 3, or 4, except 12, 13, or 14, you use genitive singular (for example, 2 доллара, "2 of dollar"). For anything else, you use genitive plural (5 долларов, "5 of dollars").
It's not tough to keep track of once you learn it, but I still have no idea what purpose that system serves. It seems bizarre coming from the English perspective of "it's singular if there's one of them, or plural otherwise".
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Comment on New hero first look - Wrecking Ball in ~games
pun-master-general Link ParentRight? No way there's room in Overwatch's continuity for a talking animal. That would just be crazy.Right? No way there's room in Overwatch's continuity for a talking animal. That would just be crazy.
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Comment on What have you been playing, and what do you think of it? in ~games
pun-master-general LinkI've been playing the newest God of War recently. I never played any of the original games, so I wasn't on the hype train for the new one like a lot of people were, but after hearing so much about...I've been playing the newest God of War recently. I never played any of the original games, so I wasn't on the hype train for the new one like a lot of people were, but after hearing so much about how it's one of the best games of the console generation, I decided to buy it last weekend.
It really is incredible. I'm only about halfway through so far, but it definitely deserves the praise it gets. The graphics, gameplay, acting, and story are all fantastic. There are a few things that I think could have been improved on a bit, but overall it's definitely a masterpiece.
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Comment on "Dungeons & Dragons" and other TTRPGs are pretty misunderstood. What questions about the hobby would you like answered by those who play? in ~games
pun-master-general Link ParentI'll second that recommendation. I certainly wouldn't use TAZ as a reference for the rules (God knows they abandon them all the time for the sake of Rule of Cool, not that that's a bad thing) but...I'll second that recommendation. I certainly wouldn't use TAZ as a reference for the rules (God knows they abandon them all the time for the sake of Rule of Cool, not that that's a bad thing) but it would be a good way to get a feel for how the game works in general.
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Comment on Podcast Recommendations in ~talk
pun-master-general Link ParentSeconding this and the recommendation below for The Adventure Zone. Both are great shows that are a lot of fun, and they're what got me into podcasts in the first place.Seconding this and the recommendation below for The Adventure Zone. Both are great shows that are a lot of fun, and they're what got me into podcasts in the first place.
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Comment on In reversal, Trump signs order stopping family separation in ~news
pun-master-general Link ParentWhat other reason, other than the massive outcry and pressure to change it from all sides, would Trump have to reverse his own administration's policy?What other reason, other than the massive outcry and pressure to change it from all sides, would Trump have to reverse his own administration's policy?
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Comment on In reversal, Trump signs order stopping family separation in ~news
pun-master-general LinkThis is definitely a step forward, but the order doesn't do anything to change the "zero tolerance" policy of detaining everyone who crosses the border. At least now the families will be together,...This is definitely a step forward, but the order doesn't do anything to change the "zero tolerance" policy of detaining everyone who crosses the border. At least now the families will be together, but, as an American, it's absolutely shameful that we're still going to be locking up those who are fleeing to us for asylum.
This country was built on the idea of coming here in search of a better life. What sort of hypocrites are we if we punish others for doing just that?
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Comment on In reversal, Trump signs order stopping family separation in ~news
pun-master-general Link ParentHe's not overstepping his authority at all with the reversals. The family separations are a result of his administration's policy (anyone claiming it's from a previous administration is either...He's not overstepping his authority at all with the reversals. The family separations are a result of his administration's policy (anyone claiming it's from a previous administration is either misinformed, being intentionally misleading, or flat out lying). There's no law requiring it. The executive order is just him directing the executive branch (which he is the head of, and it's literally his job to direct) to detain families together instead of separately.
There's nothing "monarchial" about it at all.
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Comment on There’s a slew of “potential new” Star Trek shows underway, per report in ~tv
pun-master-general Link ParentI'd definitely recommend watching just the TOS highlights, not the whole thing (unless you become a mega fan and want to watch the rest for fun). It's got some really good episodes, but a lot of...I'd definitely recommend watching just the TOS highlights, not the whole thing (unless you become a mega fan and want to watch the rest for fun). It's got some really good episodes, but a lot of it was just bad. As Phillip J. Fry put it:
You know, 1966? 79 episodes, about 30 good ones.
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Comment on Who's your team? in ~sports
pun-master-general Link ParentDefinitely, that was a real shame. I was hoping either the Lightning or Vegas would take the cup, but it does certainly seem like the Capitals earned it this time.Definitely, that was a real shame. I was hoping either the Lightning or Vegas would take the cup, but it does certainly seem like the Capitals earned it this time.
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Comment on Who's your team? in ~sports
pun-master-general Link ParentThe issue is that the system also makes it impossible to recover from being a team that hasn't historically been good. The rankings end up being as much about popularity as they do wins. All four...It's really hard to recover from one loss (and near impossible for two losses).
The issue is that the system also makes it impossible to recover from being a team that hasn't historically been good. The rankings end up being as much about popularity as they do wins. All four of the playoff teams had recovered from a loss (if you can count Alabama not dropping out of the top four after their loss as a recovery), whereas UCF had no losses to recover from and didn't make it anywhere near the top four.
Even if it devalues the regular season more, I'd rather see a larger playoff. That way, the champion is more representative of who was actually the best team in the league, not who was the best of the four teams that the committee thought would make a good show.
I once read an article that had a quote that seemed to hit the nail on the head. I can't remember the exact phrasing, but it was along the lines of "If you build a community where the defining feature is that it's against witchhunting, no matter how principled your objection to it is, you'll quickly find it ends up being about 1% people who are morally opposed to witchhunting and 99% witches."
In the case of voat, really the only feature that distinguished it from Reddit was a lack of moderation. Of course, that draws along some of the hardline anti-censorship crowd who are opposed to having any sort of restrictions on content on moral grounds, but the vast majority of Reddit users aren't going to care enough about that to switch to a new site. The ones who do are the ones who find themselves getting consistently censored on Reddit - that is to say, the racists, the sexists, the homophobes, the [insert group of bigots who any reasonable community won't give a platform to]. And as more and more of the people who just want a place to spew hate speech show up, it becomes more and more about them and starts a feedback loop where anybody else is even less likely to join.
Now, if you had a site that had a draw of its own AS WELL AS being devoted to free speech, it might not go to shit quite so quickly (though I'd wager it eventually would unless it added in moderation), but when the site is "It's just a smaller Reddit, but nobody will stop you from being an asshole", it's kind of inevitable that the people who got kicked off of Reddit for being too big of assholes will take over there.