qwed113's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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What’s your preferred work monitor setup?
Lately I’ve been experimenting with different desktop monitor setups, primarily for productivity-focused work as a systems engineer (coding, writing docs, Slack, email, terminals, etc.). Over the...
Lately I’ve been experimenting with different desktop monitor setups, primarily for productivity-focused work as a systems engineer (coding, writing docs, Slack, email, terminals, etc.). Over the past few years, I’ve rotated through:
• 3× 24” 1080p monitors
• 2× 24” 1080p monitors + laptop display
• 1× 32” 4K monitor + laptop display
• 1× 32” 4K monitor
• Laptop display only (on a stand)Surprisingly, I’ve found that I feel the most focused and productive when I use only my laptop display and rely on Alt-Tab to switch between apps.
With larger monitors or multiple displays I start to feel scattered. It almost turns into sensory overload, and my focus drops off.
Has anyone else experienced this? Do you find that larger or multiple monitors decrease your productivity? What setup works best for you?
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Comment on How do you remember? in ~tech
qwed113 LinkFor little projects I'm working on or longform notetaking/journaling, I have an Obsidian notebook that works across all my devices (Windows, Mac, iPhone). For time-sensitive reminders, I've found...For little projects I'm working on or longform notetaking/journaling, I have an Obsidian notebook that works across all my devices (Windows, Mac, iPhone).
For time-sensitive reminders, I've found Apple's Reminders app to work best for me. It has the most reliable notification system and cleanest interface I've seen. Combined with Apple's default Calendar app and widgets on iOS, I've been fairly pleased.
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Comment on Third spaces: What do we want, and how do we get them? in ~life
qwed113 Link ParentThis resonates with me a lot, especially as someone who has always lacked great social skills - I'm typically very poor at freeform small talk and socialization. My favorite third places recently...I personally find that third spaces work best for me if socializing isn't actually the point, strange as that may seem. There needs to be a draw to keep me coming back even while I barely know anyone.
This resonates with me a lot, especially as someone who has always lacked great social skills - I'm typically very poor at freeform small talk and socialization. My favorite third places recently have been pickup soccer (coordinated via an app) and rock climbing gyms. There are always opportunities to talk to people, but there is zero pressure to do so.
Sometimes I do strike up conversation which makes the experience more fun, but I more-so enjoy these third spaces because it's comforting to be around a group of strangers all working at similar goals for their own enjoyment. There's something very special and inspiring about that.
After recently going through a difficult breakup and various life changes, third spaces have become the largest contributor to my mental healing.
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Comment on I switched my gaming PC to Linux, and this time I think it's for good in ~comp
qwed113 LinkI'd love to make the switch to Linux on my gaming PC, but I still like playing games like Madden, FC, and Fortnite - none of which work without Windows due to anti-cheat.I'd love to make the switch to Linux on my gaming PC, but I still like playing games like Madden, FC, and Fortnite - none of which work without Windows due to anti-cheat.
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Comment on Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen releasing February 27th on Nintendo Switch in ~games
qwed113 LinkIt's nice to see an official way to play these games again. However, in a world where it is so easy to obtain ROMs of these games (whether that be through legally extracting them from the GBA...It's nice to see an official way to play these games again. However, in a world where it is so easy to obtain ROMs of these games (whether that be through legally extracting them from the GBA cartridge, or through other less legal file sharing websites), and then play them on a phone or cheap $50 retro handheld, it seems like Nintendo could have done more and either:
- Combined the two versions of this game into a single purchase (even if that was still $20)
- Offered both for something like $5 each
- Offered these (and all other) retro pokemon games as part of the NSO subscription
I don't necessarily blame Nintendo for going the route they did. It just feels a bit silly in today's world
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
qwed113 Link ParentI'm not sure if it would suit your needs, but have you looked into using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) instead of using Cygwin? It puts a native Linux system right inside your Windows OS that...I'm not sure if it would suit your needs, but have you looked into using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) instead of using Cygwin? It puts a native Linux system right inside your Windows OS that you can easily access with Windows Terminal. Performance is excellent and it allows you to use all your favorite linux commands
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Comment on Apple debuts iPhone 16e in ~tech
qwed113 Link ParentRegarding the PWM headaches, I've always been curious about this. Do you get headaches relatively instantly when viewing the screen - and at all brightness levels? Or is it only at lower brightnesses?Regarding the PWM headaches, I've always been curious about this. Do you get headaches relatively instantly when viewing the screen - and at all brightness levels? Or is it only at lower brightnesses?
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Comment on How often do you replace your phone? in ~tech
qwed113 LinkI typically spring for the latest high performing iPhone when it's time for me to upgrade. I enjoy the seemlessness of the Apple ecosystem (Apple Watch, fitness tracking, app store, apple music,...Are there any criteria you look for when picking new phones?
I typically spring for the latest high performing iPhone when it's time for me to upgrade. I enjoy the seemlessness of the Apple ecosystem (Apple Watch, fitness tracking, app store, apple music, imessage, photos, etc.)
Are you a brand loyalist, or do you shop around?
I used to be brand agnostic when I first started buying smartphones and experimented with various Android phones. Once my last Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S5) started not receiving phone calls and texts at random intervals, I decided enough was enough and went iPhone full time ever since. I loved the reliability of everything on my iPhone. Great quality of apps, good standby time, solid hardware. I had my iPhone 6s for 5 years without any problems.
I'm on an iPhone 13 Pro right now, and see no reason to upgrade after recently getting my battery replaced. If the new features in September are tantalizing enough, I will consider upgrading, but nothing in the past few years has given me the itch.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
qwed113 LinkA People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. I was in a Barnes and Noble poking around and found myself sitting in a chair for ~20 minutes reading through the beginning. Ended up buying...A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.
I was in a Barnes and Noble poking around and found myself sitting in a chair for ~20 minutes reading through the beginning. Ended up buying it on Kindle and it's been truly eye-opening.
It walks through the history of the United States ever since Columbus discovered it. The thing that sets it apart from other history books is the way it is written. I tend to get bored reading about history but the author describes things in a way that keeps my interest.
It's also a good refresher and reminder of America's roots and how it came to be what it is. There are graphic descriptions of slavery and Native American brutality that are depicted in a way that is more raw than what we all learned in school.
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Comment on I just switched to an iPhone, what should I do to make the most of this change? in ~tech
qwed113 LinkIf you have an interest in retro gaming and enjoy emulating games old Nintendo games, I highly recommend the new Delta emulator for iOS. Apple recently allowed developers to release emulator apps...If you have an interest in retro gaming and enjoy emulating games old Nintendo games, I highly recommend the new Delta emulator for iOS. Apple recently allowed developers to release emulator apps on the App Store.
It is extremely polished and I have yet to find a game that runs poorly on it.
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
qwed113 LinkHow bad I am at relationships, and that no matter how much progress I make to be better and form new connections - I always revert back to my "nature" of wanting to be a hermit because it consumes...How bad I am at relationships, and that no matter how much progress I make to be better and form new connections - I always revert back to my "nature" of wanting to be a hermit because it consumes so much less energy and lets me focus on the solitary tasks I actually want to be doing.
Looking back I've had some challenges making friends and maintaining them. Even the ones I have maintained (there's really only 1 or 2 people), I still feel a bit distant from (both physically and emotionally). In recent years I have become more social and even gotten into a romantic relationship with a lovely person -- but I've recently realized that I am just not cut out for any of it.
The life I want involves a lot of alone time with some occasional get togethers with my parents and siblings, and occasionally talking to 1 or 2 friends outside of work.
The argument could be made that I still haven't found the "right" people, but no matter who I find, I always end up feeling high and dry.
This was an aimless post and I'm currently exhausted - but the only time I feel truly connected with others is when I am interacting with them online and am far removed from their true personas. It seems like whenever I get too close to someone, I find something about them that repels me enough to never want to be around them again.
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Comment on Venting doesn't reduce anger, but doing calming activities does, study finds in ~science
qwed113 LinkThanks for sharing, this was a good read and something I needed to hear. As I have gotten older and accumulated more responsibilities (as many of us do), I realize that I often fall into traps of...Thanks for sharing, this was a good read and something I needed to hear.
As I have gotten older and accumulated more responsibilities (as many of us do), I realize that I often fall into traps of being irritated/angry on a semi-regular basis, far more than when I was younger. And I've found myself falling into patterns of raging/venting to my family and friends (something that provides temporarily relief, but I know isn't actually good for me or others).
And each time I realize I'm in one of those traps, the only thing that actually kicks off my recovery is some type of strenuous physical activity.
Physical activity puts my mind into a more "docile" state where I can easily pinpoint the things that are causing me distress so that I can then find ways to address them.
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Comment on Discord to start showing ads for gamers to boost revenue in ~tech
qwed113 Link ParentHow are you liking Matrix so far? I’ve heard mixed reviews that it can be quite buggy and slow to connect (particularly in the iOS app) - but I’m interested in giving it a try.How are you liking Matrix so far? I’ve heard mixed reviews that it can be quite buggy and slow to connect (particularly in the iOS app) - but I’m interested in giving it a try.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
qwed113 LinkBalatro (Nintendo Switch): For anyone who enjoys card games or deck-building games - this one is a real treat. Coupled with fun artwork, sound effects, and nice soundtrack - it really is a steal...Balatro (Nintendo Switch):
For anyone who enjoys card games or deck-building games - this one is a real treat. Coupled with fun artwork, sound effects, and nice soundtrack - it really is a steal at $15. My SO and I have been having a ton of fun playing this together. Even though it is single player, we enjoy co-strategizing.
Animal Crossing (Nintendo Switch):
I spent many years playing World of Warcraft. When life wasn’t going well for me, it was a pleasant escape into another dimension where I could always feel a sense of community and progression. I no longer play WoW because it requires a bit too much time and dedication, and I feel like Animal Crossing has somewhat filled the void (minus the excellent combat system from WoW of course). It has an incredibly relaxing gameplay loop that is easy to jump in and out of - and offers all the flexibility in the world to either play a lot or just a little.
Tetris Effect Connected (Steam on PC):
I’ve always loved Tetris on Gameboy and Switch. But I’ve recently realized I can be much faster playing on a keyboard, so I picked up a PC version of Tetris. This game also has great visual effects and music-syncing features. Really enjoying this in a dark room with headphones on.
RV There Yet has been a joy on Steam with a buddy! Fun animations and co-op puzzles.
I’ve also been playing my original copy of Pokemon Fire Red on my GBA SP since the new Switch version got announced. It’s inspired me to hop around and also play it on my Steam Deck OLED and Miyoo Mini+ via emulation. I’m tossing around the idea of picking up the new official Switch versions for both Fire Red and Leaf Green to build out an official team of Pokemon from both games and get all the legendaries/event pokemon. Still undecided on that route since I do like the fast-forward function, flexibility of ROMs, save-states, and OLED colors that are all available on the Deck.