runningskull's recent activity
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Comment on Noita: A magnificent misfortune simulator in ~games
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Comment on Good domain registrars? in ~comp
runningskull LinkI’ve been very happy with iwantmyname.com - they have an awesome search interface that I use all the time (searches all tld’s at once) and a simple/elegant admin panel. I’ve only had to interact...I’ve been very happy with iwantmyname.com - they have an awesome search interface that I use all the time (searches all tld’s at once) and a simple/elegant admin panel. I’ve only had to interact with their support once, but they were fast, friendly, and helpful.
👍👍 will buy from them again.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
runningskull LinkBeen digging the a.m. ambient playlist in the morning while going for walks, housecleaning, etc. Very calming. Also discovered the “microhouse” genre as a label for a kind of work music I’ve liked...Been digging the a.m. ambient playlist in the morning while going for walks, housecleaning, etc. Very calming.
Also discovered the “microhouse” genre as a label for a kind of work music I’ve liked for a long time. Lots and lots of it in this Spotify playlist.
Both of those I found by branching out from stuff I heard on SomaFM which I discovered recently and is so so good :chef_kiss:
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Comment on Finalists announced for 2020 Independent Games Festival awards in ~games
runningskull LinkHere’s a recent episode of The Spelunky Showlike (the best gamedev podcast going imho) where a number of these games are mentioned and they go a little bit in depth about what makes them good. I’m...Here’s a recent episode of The Spelunky Showlike (the best gamedev podcast going imho) where a number of these games are mentioned and they go a little bit in depth about what makes them good.
I’m 🤞🤞 that A Short Hike comes to Switch or PS4. Seems tailor-made to win my heart.
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Comment on SomaFM - SF 10-33 (SF Police scanner w/ reverb over ambient music) in ~music
runningskull LinkThis is really cool - just what I didn’t know I was looking for right at this moment. In fact, I didn’t know about somafm at all and holy cow this is great stuff. You opened a door for me. Thanks!This is really cool - just what I didn’t know I was looking for right at this moment. In fact, I didn’t know about somafm at all and holy cow this is great stuff. You opened a door for me. Thanks!
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Comment on Software disenchantment in ~comp
runningskull LinkHere’s a Twitter polemic from a few days ago that shares a similar disenchantment but approaches the issue from a more humanistic, design-oriented perspective. She rails against poor design...Here’s a Twitter polemic from a few days ago that shares a similar disenchantment but approaches the issue from a more humanistic, design-oriented perspective.
She rails against poor design decisions, offers better alternatives, and digs into the underlying reasons why the poor decisions were made in the first place and why so much software seems to keep getting worse. And she provides lots of examples and resources for further exploration.
It’s incisive, unsparing, righteously indignant, and hilarious. Also very long ;-) (100+ tweets) — worth it though if you’re interested in these things.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
runningskull (edited )LinkMainly The Afterlife, the latest release from The Comet is Coming - probably my favorite band of the past decade. Like always, it’ll fling your soul into outer space, though most of these tracks...Mainly The Afterlife, the latest release from The Comet is Coming - probably my favorite band of the past decade. Like always, it’ll fling your soul into outer space, though most of these tracks feel a bit darker and more introspective than previous albums. More like drifting between galaxies than dancing with a supernova. “Lifeforce Part II” is a bouncy exception. And we’re treated to the longest Joshua Idehen track to date. This time it feels more like his poetry shaped the music than the other way around, and I dig it. Overall a very solid album that’s surprising and potent and unlike anything else out there.
(If you’re just discovering the band, their first release Prophecy is the most approachable place to start imho. It’s so damn fun.)
Also Spotify’s decade roundup brought me back to Caravan Palace’s earliest album - it’s been a long time, and I forgot how much I enjoy it. Electro-swing, what a thing :-) — I’d love recommendations with a similar vibe.
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Comment on Out of all the books you read this year, which ones were your favorites? in ~books
runningskull Link ParentIntriguing... I think you got me. I’ll commit to at least cracking open The Dark Forest ;-)Intriguing... I think you got me. I’ll commit to at least cracking open The Dark Forest ;-)
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~comp
runningskull LinkTangentially related, I’ve been (slowly) working my way through The Little Typer. It’s a deep dive on dependent types, starting with the very basics and building up a toy language one step at a...Tangentially related, I’ve been (slowly) working my way through The Little Typer. It’s a deep dive on dependent types, starting with the very basics and building up a toy language one step at a time. I can feel it gradually changing how I think about programming (hell, how I think about thinking).
It’s really, really enjoyable. The format is very approachable, even fun. Rigorous and demanding, yet doesn’t take itself too seriously. Some lisp experience is helpful, but probably (maybe?) not necessary. But do yourself a favor and learn lisp anyway ;-)
Two thumbs up, highly recommended.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
runningskull Link ParentYou’re spot on about the coercive incentive structure between Brave and “content creators”, which they spin as an unalloyed good (and which can/will change at any time). It’s disingenuous at best,...You’re spot on about the coercive incentive structure between Brave and “content creators”, which they spin as an unalloyed good (and which can/will change at any time). It’s disingenuous at best, borderline nefarious. And it doesn’t lend confidence to their other explanations.
For instance, as to
why Brave's ad economy couldn't simply be a webextension
in theory, they are making significant changes to how your browsing data is stored and distributed (ie. not sending it to any third parties). They couldn’t do this without full control of the browser. The telemetry is baked in deep, and extensions are pretty neutered.
Though given their propensity to play fast and loose, I’m skeptical they’re being forthright about this (and even if they are, this can/will change at any time)
It would be interesting to see an in-depth analysis about what data is being sent where.
Shady, shady, shady
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Comment on Out of all the books you read this year, which ones were your favorites? in ~books
runningskull Link ParentHeh yeah - I get that. It’s the first thing I’ve read from her. Actually The Cows would be perfect as a day-at-a-time calendar. Each paragraph is a different day (or seems to be) and it’s super...Heh yeah - I get that. It’s the first thing I’ve read from her. Actually The Cows would be perfect as a day-at-a-time calendar. Each paragraph is a different day (or seems to be) and it’s super short, <40 pages.
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Comment on Out of all the books you read this year, which ones were your favorites? in ~books
runningskull (edited )Link Parent(Very mild spoiler alert?) — As a lifelong sci-fi fan who had become a bit disillusioned with the genre, this book was a breath of fresh air. It’s pleasantly different in a way I can’t put my...(Very mild spoiler alert?) — As a lifelong sci-fi fan who had become a bit disillusioned with the genre, this book was a breath of fresh air. It’s pleasantly different in a way I can’t put my finger on. Interesting history, cool ideas backed up by good science, and genuinely interesting philosophy as the driving force. I loved it... right up until the end. The sophons are so far from anything realistic, they might as well be magic from a high fantasy series. It left a bad taste in my mouth - to the point where I didn’t bother with the next book.
A friend I trust tells me I should get over it and continue because the series gets even better. And most of the internet seems to agree. I’m inclined to follow his advice, but whenever I think I’m ready I cringe a little and read something else instead.
Am I being unfair? Or dense? (no one else seems to mind the reveal) How do you feel the rest of the series stacks up?
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Comment on Out of all the books you read this year, which ones were your favorites? in ~books
runningskull (edited )LinkFrench Exit by Patrick deWitt / a delight to read. The prose is like candy, the main character is hilariously awful, and so lovable. The Name of the World by Denis Johnson / I thought I didn’t...French Exit by Patrick deWitt / a delight to read. The prose is like candy, the main character is hilariously awful, and so lovable.
The Name of the World by Denis Johnson / I thought I didn’t like it, but so many scenes - even specific phrases - have wormed their way into my brain and pop up unbidden once a week or so. No one packs as much punch per word as Denis Johnson (maybe pick up Jesus’ Son as your first taste)
The Cows by Lydia Davis / hard to describe. I’ve never read anything quite like this and I loved it.
Bad Acts and Guilty Minds by Leo Katz / ignited an interest in the underlying philosophy of criminal law and what it says about how we view our own behavior. Sounds weighty, but the author has a deft touch and makes it really a fun read. And it’s perfectly happy to be digested in small chunks spread out over time.
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Comment on Best Illusion of the Year 2019 - Winners announced in ~arts
runningskull LinkIf you like illusions, @AkiyoshiKitaoka is a great follow on Twitter. Posts a lot of experiments, some misses but lots of interesting hits. Also check out the Poemotion series of books which are a...If you like illusions, @AkiyoshiKitaoka is a great follow on Twitter. Posts a lot of experiments, some misses but lots of interesting hits. Also check out the Poemotion series of books which are a real joy.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
runningskull LinkWork Music Hongkong Remastered by Monolake - My all-time favorite work music. Just this side of white noise, barebones rhythms that give me a lift but don’t steal my focus. Good for deep thinking....Work Music
- Hongkong Remastered by Monolake - My all-time favorite work music. Just this side of white noise, barebones rhythms that give me a lift but don’t steal my focus. Good for deep thinking.
- A Minor Thought by Moomin - A bit more going on, small phrases that loop and gradually shift. Good day-to-day work music.
- Cohesion by Anchorsong - a lot more going on, blurs the line between rhythm and melody. Good for “I know what I need to do, I just have to knuckle down and do it”.
Listen Music
- Milestones by Miles Davis - a perennial favorite. Late-50s bop is my happy place.
- Marquee Moon by Television - “punk rock for the jazz set”. My go-to driving down the highway album.
The Spelunky Showlike podcast has been doing a series with Bennett Foddy where they explore and analyze the game. There’s four episodes so far (almost 6 hours worth) and this week they’re recording the series finale with the Noita devs, which I’m eagerly awaiting.
Great podcast in general and I’ve enjoyed the Noita series in particular. 👍👍 recommended.