tea_spirit's recent activity
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Comment on Scientists are researching a device that can induce lucid dreams on demand in ~tech
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Comment on The best robot vacuum for me is the one I hacked in ~tech
tea_spirit LinkI find it interesting that the author plainly defines Valetudo as a custom firmware replacement, whereas the project’s github page very clearly states it is not a custom firmware. The project acts...I find it interesting that the author plainly defines Valetudo as a custom firmware replacement, whereas the project’s github page very clearly states it is not a custom firmware.
The project acts as a replacement cloud, which seems far less intrusive (or risky) to me than flashing custom firmware onto the vacuum. Just surprised the author missed that relatively important piece of information.
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Comment on iOS 17 could break crucial diabetic glucose monitor alerts, manufacturer warns in ~tech
tea_spirit LinkDevil’s in the details here, but it sounds to me like the blame is on Abbott’s dev team here. Apple doesn’t just drop iOS versions out of nowhere; the beta has been out for months and developers...Devil’s in the details here, but it sounds to me like the blame is on Abbott’s dev team here. Apple doesn’t just drop iOS versions out of nowhere; the beta has been out for months and developers have had plenty of time to test and fix issues with their app.
I don’t disagree with the author suggesting that maybe not everything should be a smartphone app, but the headline reads as though Apple is breaking these devices. This sounds to me like a failing on the part of the app developers for not preparing their software for a major OS update.
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Comment on Smartwatch primarily for notifications and battery life? in ~tech
tea_spirit Link ParentMy Bangle was the only thing I’ve had shipped from the UK to the US, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. I’m pretty sure any tariffs were added onto the price at checkout, and it just arrived...My Bangle was the only thing I’ve had shipped from the UK to the US, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. I’m pretty sure any tariffs were added onto the price at checkout, and it just arrived like any other package for me.
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Comment on Smartwatch primarily for notifications and battery life? in ~tech
tea_spirit Link ParentI wouldn’t recommend it if your primary focus is fitness tracking. The ‘Recorder’ and ‘Run’ apps together work well for tracking my runs (especially with a GPS fix), but there is no built-in...I wouldn’t recommend it if your primary focus is fitness tracking. The ‘Recorder’ and ‘Run’ apps together work well for tracking my runs (especially with a GPS fix), but there is no built-in syncing of that data to your phone. You can actually view your routes on the watch though, which is nice.
I’ve read that Android devices can automatically sync their exercise logs with Gadgetbridge, but no dice on iOS. Of course, you’re free to download those files or even roll your own syncing solution if you so choose.
Maybe others here use the Bangle for other types of exercise, but I only use it for running. It works well for me personally, but I wouldn’t call it a main selling point.
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Comment on Smartwatch primarily for notifications and battery life? in ~tech
tea_spirit LinkIt’s definitely not for everyone, but I’d really like to mention the Bangle.js 2. It’s an open source, hackable smartwatch with some impressive features for the low (<$100) price. If you had a...It’s definitely not for everyone, but I’d really like to mention the Bangle.js 2. It’s an open source, hackable smartwatch with some impressive features for the low (<$100) price. If you had a Pebble watch back in the day, it’s the closest thing to a successor since they went under.
To match your points, it’s got an advertised 4 week battery life (I regularly get more than a week with the heart rate monitor on), small form factor, and no company collecting your data. Since it’s incredibly customizable and open source, you can choose exactly what data is collected and exactly where it goes. There’s no proprietary app (yet), just a web app store that you can host yourself if you’re so inclined. If you know any javascript (or want to learn), you can write your own apps or hack any existing ones to your liking. It also has an always-on, sunlight-readable screen which you didn’t mention but is possibly my favorite feature.
To be completely transparent, it’s not what I would consider a polished experience; it’s definitely a hacker’s watch. All the apps are either written by the one guy behind the project or other community members who have since contributed their own work. Functionality with Android is impressive, but iOS isn’t as good. I get notifications and can use the app store, but I can’t tie actions into my iPhone the way that Android users can.
As someone who loves tinkering with gadgets and open source software, and hates the fact that everything out there tries to steal and sell your personal data, I love my Bangle. Definitely not for someone who wants an Apple-esque experience, but you don’t need to be an engineer to get it working either. I think it’s worth a look, in any case.
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Comment on What password management solution do you use and why? in ~tech
tea_spirit LinkI also use KeePassXC, but I use Nextcloud to keep my database file synced. KeePassXC just has a simple, clean interface without any of the bloat I’ve found in some other applications. My Nextcloud...I also use KeePassXC, but I use Nextcloud to keep my database file synced. KeePassXC just has a simple, clean interface without any of the bloat I’ve found in some other applications. My Nextcloud instance is self-hosted as well, which makes me feel a lot more comfortable as my passwords aren’t being held hostage by any company or cloud service I don’t have control over.
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Comment on Let's talk Local LLMs - So many questions in ~tech
tea_spirit LinkI’m not usually one for video tutorials (just give me a list of steps to follow please), but I was trying too hard to figure out how to run an LLM until I came across this channel. It’s pretty...I’m not usually one for video tutorials (just give me a list of steps to follow please), but I was trying too hard to figure out how to run an LLM until I came across this channel. It’s pretty straightforward and aimed at people who aren’t very technical, but I’ve found the videos incredibly helpful.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using a web UI off the bat, and the Oobabooga project you mentioned works great. The video I linked literally walks you through every step in setting it up including downloading a model, so it’ll get you up and running in no time.
As far as requirements go, like another poster mentioned, VRAM is the biggest bottleneck. I’ve got an 8GB card and I’ve struggled to run any 13B models. I can get them loaded in, but they run out of memory as soon as a question is asked. I’ve had good experience with 7B models, though. You can always offload some layers to the CPU, but that will drastically increase the time it takes for responses to be generated.
I’d definitely recommend poking around that channel. I swing back to it every now and again to see if anything new and exciting has popped up, and there’s usually something fun to play with every time.
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Comment on Are there any stand-up paddle boarders here? in ~sports
tea_spirit LinkI’ve recently bought a pair of these inflatable paddle boards, and I’m pretty impressed. I was hesitant about getting something inflatable, but the price tag was just too hard to beat and the...I’ve recently bought a pair of these inflatable paddle boards, and I’m pretty impressed. I was hesitant about getting something inflatable, but the price tag was just too hard to beat and the reviews looked solid.
We’ve only taken them out on the lake once so far, but they performed great! Stable as any board I’ve been on, and plenty of room to paddle in whatever position felt comfortable. Inflating them takes a bit of time and elbow grease if you’re using the manual pump, but nothing too ridiculous.
Super excited to try them out again this weekend!
Do you happen to remember any of the resources you used to learn how to practice? I’ve always been interested in “encouraging” a lucid dream, but nothing’s ever worked for me. Would love to know what made it click for you.
I could always try another round of googling, if you don’t. Vaporware or not, the article’s got me motivated to try again lol