rubix's recent activity
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
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Comment on Here are your choices for a self-hosted ebook server in ~books
rubix Link ParentJust set up a Booklore instance on my home server and I'm really liking it! Managing metadata feels significantly less clunky than Calibre. Searching for and swapping covers is super easy. The...Just set up a Booklore instance on my home server and I'm really liking it! Managing metadata feels significantly less clunky than Calibre. Searching for and swapping covers is super easy. The OPDS server setup was fairly easy and I can now sync with koreader which is extra handy since I'm using a Pocketbook device.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
rubix Link ParentThis isn't entirely true, hot tea and other drinks in the winter is absolutely normal in Russia. However, I was surprised that street vendor ice cream sells very well in the winter. They don't...This isn't entirely true, hot tea and other drinks in the winter is absolutely normal in Russia.
However, I was surprised that street vendor ice cream sells very well in the winter. They don't need freezers so it's easy to set up a table to sell it. It also doesn't melt on you while you're eating it!
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Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
rubix LinkSpeaking of Macbooks, my last personal one lasted just over a decade of very frequent use before the battery finally gave out. I used that as an excuse to upgrade to the newer M-series chip which...Speaking of Macbooks, my last personal one lasted just over a decade of very frequent use before the battery finally gave out. I used that as an excuse to upgrade to the newer M-series chip which has been such a huge performance increase and felt very worthwhile.
It sounds like your Macbook was already used? If not, you should have easily been under warranty to get it fixed. All my work Macbooks have never had any issues either, other than eventually being replaced for more performant machines.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
rubix Link ParentThere Is No Antimemetics Division sounded right up my alley when I saw your post and I'm about halfway through right now! As a massive fan of the video game Control, this book feels like a perfect...There Is No Antimemetics Division sounded right up my alley when I saw your post and I'm about halfway through right now! As a massive fan of the video game Control, this book feels like a perfect accompaniment.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
rubix LinkI just caught up on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Over the last couple of weeks I breezed through the entire series and it's been so much fun! Really looking forward to the next entry in May....I just caught up on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Over the last couple of weeks I breezed through the entire series and it's been so much fun! Really looking forward to the next entry in May.
After DCC I was ready for a change of pace and opted for The Killing Star by Charles R. Pellegrino and George Zebrowski. It's speculative fiction that starts similarly to DCC where first contact proves to be devastating to humans. Sober in tone and an intriguing thought piece on what would actually happen in such an event.
Then I finally went back and finished King of Ashes by S.A. Crosby. In the end, I found it an enjoyable, fairly quick read, but probably not something I would revisit. I suppose my interests right now are more focused on sci-fi and some non-fiction. Eventually I'd like to check out All the Sinners Bleed or some of his other works, but I won't be rushing to them.
I'm now juggling two books, the first of which I'm halfway through; Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It's been ages since I've read a book in preparation for the film adaptation coming out. It's also my first Weir novel and I can see why he's so popular. The writing is snappy and entertaining. The Martian and Artemis seem like great future reads based on my taste right now.
The other book I started up is Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang. This one came as a recommendation from a friend currently working through it. The subject is of immense interest examining China's technological and geopolitical rise while comparing it against America's current, more lawyerly, state.
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List animals until failure
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Comment on Looking for a simple lists app in ~tech
rubix Link ParentNot OP, but I'm a very dedicated Obsidian user. The only plugin I consider a necessity is the community Kanban plugin. I keep a very basic board going for my personal life tasks with three...Not OP, but I'm a very dedicated Obsidian user.
The only plugin I consider a necessity is the community Kanban plugin. I keep a very basic board going for my personal life tasks with three columns; Ready, Doing, and Done. If I'm diving into a specific hobby or project, I'll make a folder for it and create an extra board for that folder with specific tasks when I'm focused on it.
For most everything else I just maintain a light organization of top level folders and create documents inside them as I need to write things down. Spending too much time tailoring an organization system bogs me down and ends up eating my time. Obsidian has solid searching and tagging which is easier to use than most of the Obsidian setups I've seen described on YouTube and Reddit.
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Comment on Is it possible to live without WhatsApp? in ~tech
rubix Link ParentI haven't used FB or any of the company's products in at least a decade. At this point I no longer know what I'm missing, if anything. When I cut it out of my life I did spend a bit of time...I haven't used FB or any of the company's products in at least a decade. At this point I no longer know what I'm missing, if anything. When I cut it out of my life I did spend a bit of time identifying what value I felt I was getting from it and figured out where else to get that information.
Your local newspapers very likely have event listings for your community. If you frequent a few specific venues, sign up for their newsletters to stay apprised of their events.
I've never really understood the argument that without FB it would be difficult to stay in communication with people, but everyone has different situations and needs so I'm not trying to downplay them. We do live in a world awash with communication choices that may just require a touch of intention; email, text, phone calls, Telegram/Signal/Discord/Slack. There are plenty of options. In fact, I feel that my communications with family and friends have improved due to the intentionality required.
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Comment on At CES 2026: A thumb-sized device that runs a fully isolated OS on your phone or PC in ~tech
rubix Link ParentThis feels like an ad rather than a genuine postThis feels like an ad rather than a genuine post
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Comment on How I stopped cooking breakfast every day - baked oats in ~food
rubix LinkI often like to make a batch of plain oats for a few days and put a faster breakfast together. This recipe looks pretty tasty which might be a fun change, but I usually prefer savory oats. My go...I often like to make a batch of plain oats for a few days and put a faster breakfast together. This recipe looks pretty tasty which might be a fun change, but I usually prefer savory oats. My go to is with green onions, a sunny side up or soft boiled egg, soy sauce, and a bit of chili crisp. Or if I'm feeling lazy for dinner, I'll make the same but sub the egg for a can of sardines or tuna in oil.
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How I stopped cooking breakfast every day - baked oats
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Comment on Pasta al formaggio (mac & cheese): Italian chef Paolo Lopriore rewrites the American classic recipe in ~food
rubix Link ParentYou make your mac and cheese with tomato sauce?You make your mac and cheese with tomato sauce?
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Comment on Pasta al formaggio (mac & cheese): Italian chef Paolo Lopriore rewrites the American classic recipe in ~food
rubix LinkI've never considered cooking the pasta directly in the bechamel before. Going to have to try this next time I make mac and cheese!I've never considered cooking the pasta directly in the bechamel before. Going to have to try this next time I make mac and cheese!
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
rubix Link ParentThanks, the conveniences really are great. I might not need my entire library in my pocket at all time, but it sure is handy. The entire series is readily available through my library using Libby...Thanks, the conveniences really are great. I might not need my entire library in my pocket at all time, but it sure is handy.
The entire series is readily available through my library using Libby and luckily without a wait queue right now. I'm loading them onto the Pocketbook using Libby through their website after I check it out.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
rubix LinkI picked up an ereader for a myself as a Christmas gift, the Pocketbook Verse Pro, and am really appreciating the convenience of it. It's also been helping me to read more by being readily...I picked up an ereader for a myself as a Christmas gift, the Pocketbook Verse Pro, and am really appreciating the convenience of it. It's also been helping me to read more by being readily available everywhere I go.
I breezed through the first Dungeon Crawler Carl book. It's full of pop culture and gaming/rpg references ala Ready Player One without any of the nostalgia fetishization. Currently on the second book Carl's Doomsday Scenario.
Alongside that series, I'm juggling King of Ashes by S.A. Crosby. This is my first book of his and it's a captivating crime novel. Fairly intense in parts so I'm finding it enjoyable to bounce between the two. I discovered this from Anthony Jeselnik's 2025 recommendations.
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Comment on Anthony Jeselnik’s top ten books of 2025 in ~books
rubix LinkI don't watch much of Anthony Jeselnik’s comedy, but was recommended this on YouTube a few days ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see him such a prolific reader. His reviews are concise and...I don't watch much of Anthony Jeselnik’s comedy, but was recommended this on YouTube a few days ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see him such a prolific reader. His reviews are concise and informative without being overly revealing.
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Anthony Jeselnik’s top ten books of 2025
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Comment on Food: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~food
rubix LinkOver the last year, I've finally gotten into the regular habit of making chicken stock and beef stock/modern demi glace. Picked up a chinois and a big stock pot from a restaurant supply store....Over the last year, I've finally gotten into the regular habit of making chicken stock and beef stock/modern demi glace. Picked up a chinois and a big stock pot from a restaurant supply store. After 4 batches they've already paid for themselves. My soups and sauces taste worlds better all the time in a way that my guests aren't usually able to describe!
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Comment on For those who didn't know, find what you want to watch and for how much on services! (justwatch.com) in ~movies
rubix Link ParentThere are a few really good boutique physical media stores online: The Atomic Movie Store DiabolikDVD OrbitDVD Vinegar Syndrome There are still plenty of older or less popular titles unavailable...There are a few really good boutique physical media stores online:
There are still plenty of older or less popular titles unavailable anywhere. For those titles, I'll use blu-ray.com to determine if a physical release is available at all, what formats were printed, and what regions they were released in. Then it comes to hunting it down on eBay or elsewhere.
In the last couple weeks I finished Project Hail Mary and am now thoroughly waiting in anticipation for the film adaptation. I've got tickets for an early 70mm screening in a couple weeks.
I also read We Are Legion (We Are Bob). Really fun, but not entirely to my taste. I may continue with the series eventually, but I'm in no rush. Reading about a programmer who loves making Star Trek and other contemporary nerdy references just didn't engage me.
A few days ago I picked up There Is No Antimemetics Division after seeing @HelmetTesterTJ mention it in the last thread. Really enjoyed the blend of sci-fi and cosmic horror! I may circle back to their other recommendations of The Ministry of Time and Lexicon.
The general premise of forgetting important things lead me to my next pick, The Memory Police. I'm just over halfway through and it's a very fun change of pace from all the sci-fi I've been reading, focusing more on magical realism I suppose.