sparkle's recent activity
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
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Comment on What does a newcomer moving to your town/city/state/country need to know? in ~life
sparkle Link ParentWhen I moved to where I live in the Prairies about five years ago, nobody could zipper merge. I'm proud to say that after a LOT of public shaming and passive aggressive construction signs, most...When I moved to where I live in the Prairies about five years ago, nobody could zipper merge. I'm proud to say that after a LOT of public shaming and passive aggressive construction signs, most people actually know how to zipper merge now! It's honestly been one of the biggest changes I've seen here.
My favourite moment though was overhearing a near collision of shopping carts in Costco. Conversation was something like:
Woman: wow no need to be so rude and push in front
Man: well I was trying to zipper merge, but you were just standing there urggghhhhh -
Comment on What does a newcomer moving to your town/city/state/country need to know? in ~life
sparkle Link ParentSpeaking of Texas asshole drivers, I have personally seen a lifted F250 use the shoulder as an actual lane on the interstate. For several miles. And the traffic wasn't even bad!Speaking of Texas asshole drivers, I have personally seen a lifted F250 use the shoulder as an actual lane on the interstate. For several miles. And the traffic wasn't even bad!
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Comment on shite: the little hot-reloadin' static site generator from shell (assumes Bash 4.4+) in ~comp
sparkle Link ParentMaybe it's because I've been reading your posts without properly covering Google's ears (or just tildes in general) but the other day I was recommended a 2 hour video that entailed nothing but...Maybe it's because I've been reading your posts without properly covering Google's ears (or just tildes in general) but the other day I was recommended a 2 hour video that entailed nothing but installing Void Linux (for the pure pleasure of starting a distro war) and configuring emacs.
Did I watch all of it? No, mostly because the uploader decided to include all of the livestream comments in the closed captions which was incredibly distracting and prevented me from actually being able to understand what he was saying. That and I use vim, but that's mostly cuz it was what I started using some twenty-five years ago and never considered there were other editors (besides nano) and didn't really even hear about emacs until much later in my Linux life and haven't had any need to consider switching, but I'm always eager to learn more!
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Comment on Spotify down? No, your Spotify mod was just blocked—here's why it won't work anymore. in ~tech
sparkle Link ParentPlaylists is one of the highlights for Plexamp for me, if not for the simple fact that it adds a button to add to your last added playlist. Makes things so much easier on mobile than most other...Playlists is one of the highlights for Plexamp for me, if not for the simple fact that it adds a button to add to your last added playlist. Makes things so much easier on mobile than most other players I've used where creating playlists is more of a chore.
The artist radio works pretty well, though most of my library is metal so of course I'll enjoy it all. I did try the AI DJs or whatever and they were hit or miss. Some weird recommendations like Taylor Swift in the "aggressive" mood AI playlist. To be fair, I was using the default settings (not sure if that is a local very light model doing the work or it goes to Plex servers) without any API access for advanced recommendations.
Overall a solid second from me for Plex and Plexamp. It's also free now (used to be paywalled behind PlexPass) and agree that it's also a very solid player (though why won't you respect my hardware media keys!!).
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Comment on Posteo.de or Mailbox.org - Struggling to find an alternative to Proton in ~tech
sparkle Link ParentNot that I think it makes too much of a difference (Swiss vs EU privacy laws are not my forte at all so I am possibly wrong) but Migadu's mail servers are located in FranceNot that I think it makes too much of a difference (Swiss vs EU privacy laws are not my forte at all so I am possibly wrong) but Migadu's mail servers are located in France
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Comment on Private spacecraft Blue Ghost lands successfully on moon in ~space
sparkle Link ParentThose moon whalers are really gonna throw a wrench in their doctorate programs..Those moon whalers are really gonna throw a wrench in their doctorate programs..
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Comment on Running ethernet in new home in ~life.home_improvement
sparkle Link(My experience comes from semi-professional installs, a few residentials, and my own 1977 Canadian home) Another for Cat6 - I actually ran Cat6A plenum rated because I wasn't sure of the building...(My experience comes from semi-professional installs, a few residentials, and my own 1977 Canadian home)
Another for Cat6 - I actually ran Cat6A plenum rated because I wasn't sure of the building codes here (new country and all for me). Overkill but honestly, price difference wasn't too much.
Basement/crawlspace is gold for getting access. It should be fairly obvious where the baseplates are (a lot of nails in a straight row). Barring that, attic access to the tops of walls is also pretty good. I have a few that I ran behind my baseboards because I didn't realize it was pretty much impossible to access the exterior walls from the basement.
For the upstairs, try to identify an existing cable drop for coax or telephone. Use those to help by either using them as fish lines or attach fish lines to them. There may be other utilities you can follow too, though if following power try not to run parallel if possible or at least keep it 6" away.
Finally, run everything twice! You never know when you'll need to expand capacity or one of them fails, future you will be grateful (if you plan to stay there for a long time).
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Comment on Are modern iPhones unusable without a case? in ~comp
sparkle Link ParentI was recently given a Samsung A16 for work and I regret not asking how big it was (my options were that or an iPhone 14). I still use a Pixel 4 as a personal device and I love the smaller size of...I was recently given a Samsung A16 for work and I regret not asking how big it was (my options were that or an iPhone 14). I still use a Pixel 4 as a personal device and I love the smaller size of it. I don't consider myself to have small hands but the Samsung is just massive! It's impossible for my thumb to move from the bottom to the top of the phone from my default holding position, who even is the target audience anymore? Just general consensus that bigger is better?
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Comment on Recommend me a racing/driving game on PC in ~games
sparkle Link ParentI haven't played 1 but have probably 20-30 hours on 2 and based on what I've read here, upgrades are entirely earned via races in 2, no money involved. Vehicles are less bulky and more streamlined...I haven't played 1 but have probably 20-30 hours on 2 and based on what I've read here, upgrades are entirely earned via races in 2, no money involved. Vehicles are less bulky and more streamlined (possibly). Controls I don't know about but I do like the simplicity of 2 on controller - accelerate, brake, steer, side-steer/flight on right stick, two boost buttons and that's it.
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Comment on Larry Ellison wants to put all US data in one big AI system in ~tech
sparkle Link ParentIsn't that the plot of Person of Interest? A "jailbreak" (backdoor) in an AI that spits out SSN of people in danger but not considered relevant to national security?Isn't that the plot of Person of Interest? A "jailbreak" (backdoor) in an AI that spits out SSN of people in danger but not considered relevant to national security?
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Comment on Inside inventor Simone Giertz’s small Los Angeles home, 58sqm/630sqft in ~design
sparkle Link ParentCan I ask what design software you used? I'm very much a "measure everything and visualize before buying" person and after five years in my place, still haven't bought much furniture beyond beds,...Can I ask what design software you used? I'm very much a "measure everything and visualize before buying" person and after five years in my place, still haven't bought much furniture beyond beds, a few tables, and a single couch primarily because I hate putting something together and realizing I didn't account for something that could have been prevented by simply planning it out better.
Love the place (though personally, the exercise equipment in the middle would become a trip hazard for me lol), it's a very creative use of a small space. I also enjoy designing small spaces and eventually want to turn the basement into a fully featured small space/hobby workshop that can be used as guest housing or just simply escaping lol.
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Comment on a/s/l? Tildes user survey question. in ~tildes
sparkle Link ParentBush rave? I've lived in MB for five years now and never heard of these :) though I guess we're not really Western Canada and I also don't seek out raves due to sensory issues (but I still wanna...Bush rave? I've lived in MB for five years now and never heard of these :) though I guess we're not really Western Canada and I also don't seek out raves due to sensory issues (but I still wanna go to them sometimes)
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Comment on As Internet enshittification marches on, here are some of the worst offenders in ~tech
sparkle Link ParentThey're headed that way though. Sure the "quests" aka ads are hideable for now, but eventually they'll remove that option "accidentally", walk it back after backlash, and then eventually bake the...They're headed that way though. Sure the "quests" aka ads are hideable for now, but eventually they'll remove that option "accidentally", walk it back after backlash, and then eventually bake the ads in some other way.
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Comment on Can you recommend tv shows with themes of grit, endurance, survival under hostile circumstances? in ~tv
sparkle LinkI'd like to toss The 100 in here, yes it's a CW show and the first season is really low budget teen angst, but it gets really good from there. Definitely a lot of grit, endurance, and survival in...I'd like to toss The 100 in here, yes it's a CW show and the first season is really low budget teen angst, but it gets really good from there. Definitely a lot of grit, endurance, and survival in there. The ending is controversial to say the least but meh if you don't get too heavily invested in it, it's not that bad really.
The spoiler free synopsis is "Humanity lives in one big space station after the earth is rendered uninhabitable by nuclear war. 100 delinquent teenagers are sentenced to go down to earth after a century and see if things are safe. Lord of the Flies meets Fallout"
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
sparkle Link ParentI have this exact same problem and while I've stared at it through countless kilometres of jogging, wondering how to design a custom 3D print or something, I have yet to actually do anything to...I have this exact same problem and while I've stared at it through countless kilometres of jogging, wondering how to design a custom 3D print or something, I have yet to actually do anything to fix it.
However! I did just have a thought while reading this and perhaps a universal/adjustable bicycle water bottle cage might be something you could look into? I imagine there has to be something out there that can clip onto a support bar on the treadmill and hold your water bottle in an easy to retrieve manner.
There probably actually are proper products, maybe like silicone squishy coozies, to help fill the void and reduce rattle but I can't think of any terms for a search.
Honorable intrusive thoughts suggestion: get a giant hamster water bottle, hang from ceiling.
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Comment on Recent Star Trek literature reading order flow chart in ~books
sparkle Link ParentThis was how I felt 25 years ago at the state of Star Trek literature. A lot of fascinating concepts but I just couldn't get into it because everything lacked flow and connection. And there were...With this many books, it seems not even worth starting because I can't imagine there would be much central plotting or quality control.
This was how I felt 25 years ago at the state of Star Trek literature. A lot of fascinating concepts but I just couldn't get into it because everything lacked flow and connection. And there were also some ridiculous inclusions into canon (iirc, back then all Star Trek media was considered canon) like the X-Men crossover series.
I also felt that they were too hung up on working existing characters into everything. My favourite Star Wars EU books were the ones that made the universe feel lived in by creating lovable characters that weren't featured predominantly in the movies, like the Rogue Squadron series. I feel like I do recall a few Star Trek books that did that, but they were too far detached from the universe that it felt like a whole other media franchise.
Anyway, I might look through some of these. I have always wanted to read some expanded universe stuff for Star Trek (and Stargate!) but never had a good starting point.
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Comment on Arch Enemy – Liars & Thieves (2024) in ~music
sparkle LinkThought for a second the new album dropped a month early and I briefly got very excited :) Nevertheless, eagerly looking forward to bingeing Blood Dynasty on repeat for a few weeks soon!Thought for a second the new album dropped a month early and I briefly got very excited :)
Nevertheless, eagerly looking forward to bingeing Blood Dynasty on repeat for a few weeks soon!
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Comment on TimeGuessr in ~games
sparkle (edited )LinkCool concept but the year slider is not very obvious nor easy to use on mobile :/ An input box or list would maybe be easier. Also I despise the UI of any embedded map, but this isn't the worst...Cool concept but the year slider is not very obvious nor easy to use on mobile :/ An input box or list would maybe be easier.
Also I despise the UI of any embedded map, but this isn't the worst I've used. Being able to tap on the image and flip back and forth is great, so long as you don't have clumsy fingers that pinch the wrong places lol
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Comment on A shower thought on cameras in ~talk
From 2013-2017 I pretty much exclusively played ArcheAge, a horrible Korean online casino MMO. I think at final count I had something like 20,000 hours logged, though much of it was AFK. A friend of mine has similar time logged on steam with a single do not recommend of "don't you even dare"
From 2018-2024 I pretty much exclusively played Final Fantasy XIV, though much less frequently as I discovered other outlets. But I still have close to 10,000 hours on it, with a good majority coming during lockdown.
But during that time I also was able to take breaks, I spent around 175 hours in Cyberpunk and the DLC, 150 hours in Euro Truck Simulator 2, and recently about 300 hours in Satisfactory. Though the last release of FFXIV was enough to make me take an extended break and during this time of not having a primary game, I've been kind of lost. Floated around lots of games, Control recently but also more Satisfactory, Minecraft, MSFS, etc. sometimes even in the same night. Strange times indeed...