scojjac's recent activity

  1. Comment on Meta wins emergency arbitration ruling on tell-all book, Careless People by former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams - book promotion to be limited in ~books

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    Good catch, have been using the phone in Spanish and sometimes forget about that detail. Updated my post.

    Good catch, have been using the phone in Spanish and sometimes forget about that detail. Updated my post.

    2 votes

  2. Comment on Meta wins emergency arbitration ruling on tell-all book, Careless People by former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams - book promotion to be limited in ~books

    scojjac
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Available from Kobo as an ebook or audiobook. Available from Bookshop.org in hardback. Let your friends know! Post it on your blog!

    Available from Kobo as an ebook or audiobook. Available from Bookshop.org in hardback.

    Let your friends know! Post it on your blog!

    24 votes

  3. Comment on Digg is relaunching under Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    The problem is they will demand their capital provide a return and will have a hard time seeing how to do that in a people-respecting way. My fuzzy memory doesn't give Ohanian or Williams much...

    The problem is they will demand their capital provide a return and will have a hard time seeing how to do that in a people-respecting way. My fuzzy memory doesn't give Ohanian or Williams much credit for making good decisions in this area.

    Digg (new) will probably be nice until more people start using it. Meta tried so-called AI forward moderation and it was a disaster for user experience.

    Pretty much everything they said makes me want to stay far away from the site.

    49 votes

  4. Comment on Apple's software quality crisis: when premium hardware meets subpar software in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link
    This point about features versus optimization is key. Snow Leopard is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, macOS update ever. It had zero new user-facing features; it was all about...

    This point about features versus optimization is key. Snow Leopard is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, macOS update ever. It had zero new user-facing features; it was all about optimization under the hood. I would love to see Apple take more time to do that kind of work.

    At this point it feels like their hardware is well ahead of their software. For example, Apple silicon is heavily optimized to eke out every bit of performance while maintaining long battery life.

    The iPad in particular suffers from software that severely underserves its hardware.

    34 votes

  5. Comment on How often do you replace your phone? in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link
    I replace when it breaks or no longer receives software updates. Last replacement was after 4 years and I'm on year 3 of my current phone. I would rather do a battery replacement than buy a new...

    I replace when it breaks or no longer receives software updates. Last replacement was after 4 years and I'm on year 3 of my current phone. I would rather do a battery replacement than buy a new phone especially if it is less than 4 years old.

    I've always gone with the pro/premium iPhone and now prefer smaller sizes. With the maturity of phone tech and my efforts to minimize phone usage, I'm starting to think a lower end iPhone would be sufficient.

    3 votes

  6. Comment on No, privacy is not dead: Beware the all-or-nothing mindset in ~tech

    scojjac
    (edited )
    Link
    Why do we have locks on doors or bars on windows? Why do we lock the car when we walk away from it? Why do we bother putting a cheap lock on a file cabinet? It's some level of deterrent. Don't...

    Why do we have locks on doors or bars on windows? Why do we lock the car when we walk away from it? Why do we bother putting a cheap lock on a file cabinet? It's some level of deterrent. Don't make it easier for anyone to warrantlessly search or access what isn't theirs.

    I appreciate the perspective in the article. "Cherish the win." Don't push people away by telling them they need to do more, faster. WhatsApp isn't as good as Signal and I would love to have more contacts on a service that collects less metadata. But it's better than an MMS or RCS group! "Privacy is a culture we need to build ... Tolerate imperfection and treasure improvement."

    20 votes

  7. Comment on Audio enthusiasts share your audio setups in ~hobbies

    scojjac
    Link
    I consider myself an audio enthusiast but I highly doubt my setup reflects that. I have a Yamaha RX-V677 receiver connected to Klipsh R-41M bookshelf speakers and a Sony subwoofer. It's plenty for...

    I consider myself an audio enthusiast but I highly doubt my setup reflects that.

    I have a Yamaha RX-V677 receiver connected to Klipsh R-41M bookshelf speakers and a Sony subwoofer. It's plenty for the bedroom/office. Typical input is Spotify Connect now that I downgraded from Tidal (I would cast from Tidal to my Chromecast dongle but it is not as slick as Connect). I want to add a turntable, which will require a built-in or discrete pre-amp. Decision/research fatigue has hampered that.

    Bose QC35II for noise canceling over ears, a gift and adequate. AirPods Pro that I would not buy again, less because of the audio quality and more because of everything else. Audio Technica ATX-M50 for the digital piano.

    Bose SoundLink Flex for portable Bluetooth speaker. It's OK, I wouldn't give it a strong recommendation, though.

    2 votes

  8. Comment on At what age do you consider someone to be an adult? in ~talk

    scojjac
    Link
    Twenty-seven is probably when I felt more established and self-aware. Other people considered me relatively mature around 24–25, I think. I don't think the age should legally be changed; it would...

    Twenty-seven is probably when I felt more established and self-aware. Other people considered me relatively mature around 24–25, I think.

    I don't think the age should legally be changed; it would be more appropriate to rein in predatory practices (like egregious student loans in the US). We do children a great disservice by how much we infantilize them and take away autonomy. Taking on greater responsibility is part of growing up.

    2 votes

  9. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    PayPal's original purpose was to create an internet currency that would replace the US dollar. He wanted to add a payment platform to Twitter/X as well. So that tracks.

    PayPal's original purpose was to create an internet currency that would replace the US dollar. He wanted to add a payment platform to Twitter/X as well. So that tracks.

    3 votes

  10. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    I'll have to investigate how; they were through TreasuryDirect so I think they have to be transferred to a broker first. I suppose I might lose some on the transaction.

    I'll have to investigate how; they were through TreasuryDirect so I think they have to be transferred to a broker first. I suppose I might lose some on the transaction.

  11. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link
    I want to thank everyone for the discussion; there are certainly some interesting perspectives here. Trying to take life day by day and remain adaptable.

    I want to thank everyone for the discussion; there are certainly some interesting perspectives here. Trying to take life day by day and remain adaptable.

    4 votes

  12. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    I'm not sure anything that has to do with Russia infiltrating and destabilizing the US can truly be considered a deranged conspiracy. There's a very real possibility that this is part of the...

    I'm not sure anything that has to do with Russia infiltrating and destabilizing the US can truly be considered a deranged conspiracy. There's a very real possibility that this is part of the motivation for what is happening.

    2 votes

  13. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    I believe they're conceited enough to believe they can control the crash in a way that benefits them. They're so insanely wealthy that they can insulate themselves.

    I believe they're conceited enough to believe they can control the crash in a way that benefits them. They're so insanely wealthy that they can insulate themselves.

    4 votes

  14. Comment on Worried about my US treasury bills in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    I'm concerned about the initial investment being returned than the interest, since it's my last bit of savings that hasn't been obliterated by post-pandemic "inflation". Either way, you're right...

    I'm concerned about the initial investment being returned than the interest, since it's my last bit of savings that hasn't been obliterated by post-pandemic "inflation". Either way, you're right it's not likely to matter, since the money would essentially become valueless.

    I believe there's a genuine desire and motivation to destroy the dollar, destabilize the US economy, and loot the Treasury. Also a good chance that money will be funneled to Russia and the tech oligarchs.

    That anyone, including my father who has two federal retirements, thinks this crypto paradise is an improvement for the average person is mind-boggling to me.

    4 votes

  15. Worried about my US treasury bills

    ~society Ask
    With the way a certain billionaire has taken control of the US Treasury and begun to halt payments, I'm concerned that my T bills will not get paid out when they mature in April. I'm not really...

    With the way a certain billionaire has taken control of the US Treasury and begun to halt payments, I'm concerned that my T bills will not get paid out when they mature in April.

    I'm not really sure there's anything to be done about it, but it's stressing me out. See if I ever invest in them again.

    12 votes

  16. Comment on What are everyone’s favourite pens and stationery items? in ~creative

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    Safari with Aurora Black is a workhorse. There are fancier smoother pens, but this is a great affordable option. Also a big fan of Kaweco Sport, which holds ink a remarkably long time. Notebooks...

    Safari with Aurora Black is a workhorse. There are fancier smoother pens, but this is a great affordable option. Also a big fan of Kaweco Sport, which holds ink a remarkably long time.

    Notebooks with Tomoe River paper are nice, even JetPens Kanso ones. I find Rhodia paper too smooth/glossy.

    1 vote

  17. Comment on TCL's bet on screens that look like paper in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link
    Now that we all piled on about the links, I should say something about the actual topic. ;) It's nice to have something other than Samsung Frame and other display techonologies entering the mix. I...

    Now that we all piled on about the links, I should say something about the actual topic. ;)

    It's nice to have something other than Samsung Frame and other display techonologies entering the mix. I definitely feel overwhelmed by display time, so a display that is more paperlike in appearance and its effects on our eyes is welcome.

    10 votes

  18. Comment on TCL's bet on screens that look like paper in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    I understand. The accessibility issue is that the hyperlink text acts as a description of what will be found at the link. People who use screen readers will often tab through the links, so instead...

    I understand. The accessibility issue is that the hyperlink text acts as a description of what will be found at the link. People who use screen readers will often tab through the links, so instead of hearing "Marques Brownlee tested", they may hear "h-t-t-p-s-colon-slash-slash..."

    This is also why it's not a good practice to make the text something like "click here" or "learn more".

    11 votes

  19. Comment on TCL's bet on screens that look like paper in ~tech

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    For accessibility and overall readability, hyperlinks should be part of the text, not after the statement. As one example, "Marques Brownlee tested" would be better than putting the link after the...

    For accessibility and overall readability, hyperlinks should be part of the text, not after the statement. As one example, "Marques Brownlee tested" would be better than putting the link after the sentence.

    Alternatively, you could go Wikipedia-style and put all the references at the bottom. That's not as web native, but it keeps the post flowing.

    7 votes

  20. Comment on Proton CEO tweets support for Donald Trump's Department of Justice pick and the US Republican Party in ~society

    scojjac
    Link Parent
    Certainly, and there's a similar pattern today. It's a tough pill to swallow, but these purchasing decisions do not make a difference. These people have so much more money, power, and influence,...

    Certainly, and there's a similar pattern today. It's a tough pill to swallow, but these purchasing decisions do not make a difference. These people have so much more money, power, and influence, it's incomprehensible.

    Recognizing what we can control and what we cannot is important to happiness. Make the decision that helps you sleep at night. My great-grandfather served in the US military during WWII. He despised seeing someone he believed to be a "Hitlerite" in the US government. And he took Bayer Back and Body every day because it helped to relieve his aches and pains.

    5 votes