virtualbub's recent activity
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Comment on 'Arc' browser is now available to download without a waitlist (for macOS) in ~tech
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Comment on Nostalgia -- what programs do you miss? in ~tech
virtualbub Link ParentI was pretty young myself, during that time I was roughly 14-16, though largely avoided the adult-themed/sex roleplay Palaces, I was there primarily to chat and play games with Final Fantasy/JRPG...I was pretty young myself, during that time I was roughly 14-16, though largely avoided the adult-themed/sex roleplay Palaces, I was there primarily to chat and play games with Final Fantasy/JRPG nerds like myself. But looking back it's definitely interesting to think about how unrestricted and open it all was. I miss the more wild west days of the Internet, but yeah, it wasn't super kid-friendly.
I feel similarly about wishing I had been a little older at that time. The connections I made with people weren't super meaningful, and by the time I reached college, Facebook had just come out. There was still optimism in my mind about everything getting better online at that time, but it quickly faded by around 2009 or so. The new social media paradigm never 100% clicked with me, especially how it evolved over time.
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Comment on Nostalgia -- what programs do you miss? in ~tech
virtualbub LinkJasc Paint Shop Pro 7 This was my introduction to photo editing, before I started using Photoshop. It was pretty powerful for what it was. Great for pixel art/spritework. I was made aware of it...Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7
This was my introduction to photo editing, before I started using Photoshop. It was pretty powerful for what it was. Great for pixel art/spritework. I was made aware of it from people on the Palace visual chat, because it was known for being great for making avatars. Animation Shop 3 was included and was also invaluable for making animated gifs.Speaking of which...
Palace Visual Chat
This was more popular in the 90s but I used it in the very early 2000s. People could create their own visual chats (palaces) and host them much like IRC. There was a built-in scripting language so you could do a lot with it, even create games, if you were creative and talented enough. -
Comment on Which Kindle/e-reader are you using? in ~books
virtualbub Link ParentI also use the Forma with KOReader installed, and you're right, once you get the hang of all its features, it's an extremely pleasant reading experience. I bought it primarily for reading...I also use the Forma with KOReader installed, and you're right, once you get the hang of all its features, it's an extremely pleasant reading experience. I bought it primarily for reading (DRM-free) manga, and the screen size and quality are adequate for most titles. I enjoy it almost as much as reading physical books, which is not something I expected to ever feel about an e-reader.
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Comment on Getting older and nostalgia - what do you miss? in ~talk
virtualbub LinkI'm also 36, and yes, the feelings of nostalgia have only gotten more pronounced over time. Which may sound obvious, but I can safely say that the "nostalgic" feelings I had when I was 25 or 18...I'm also 36, and yes, the feelings of nostalgia have only gotten more pronounced over time. Which may sound obvious, but I can safely say that the "nostalgic" feelings I had when I was 25 or 18 were completely different things which don't really get at what nostalgia, as I currently experience it, is about at all. And I'm sure my feelings will change yet again in another ten years.
Honestly, at this point, it's not really about the stuff. Sure, this might be another obvious one...it's about how that "stuff" made you feel, and being unable to recapture that feeling. But the deepest nostalgia for me is looking back at my various relationships, how things can never go back to the way they were, dwelling on regrets, and feeling hopeless about the fact that time keeps marching on at breakneck speed and there's nothing much left to latch onto to feel good about the future.
I know this sounds very fatalist and depressive. I just feel that as you get older, you have to learn how to accept certain things which, for those of us who struggle to live in the moment, is really hard.
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Comment on That essential morning coffee may be a placebo in ~food
virtualbub Link ParentI accidentally bought decaf once during the peak of my coffee usage (8+ cups a day, usually made on the stronger side). After getting through the first cup, I knew something was wrong but I...I accidentally bought decaf once during the peak of my coffee usage (8+ cups a day, usually made on the stronger side). After getting through the first cup, I knew something was wrong but I couldn't tell what. It was a significant feeling of dread that crept up out of nowhere. That's when I knew I had a real problem with caffeine.
So that's my anecdotal experience, take that for what you will.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this month? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
virtualbub Link ParentI have a soft spot for that era of Mixx/early Tokyopop but you're right, the quality was definitely lacking, especially compared to now. Dark Horse/Studio Proteus were the ones who definitely put...I have a soft spot for that era of Mixx/early Tokyopop but you're right, the quality was definitely lacking, especially compared to now. Dark Horse/Studio Proteus were the ones who definitely put a lot of love and care into their releases back then (RIP Toren Smith).
Also, that bit about explaining what a CD-ROM is is deeply upsetting to me.
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Comment on Does anyone else use Criticker for film and TV recommendations? in ~movies
virtualbub LinkI used to use it more actively, but it's kind of disappointing to see it's been extremely slow to modernize. I very much appreciate their recommendation system for movies and users, which is the...I used to use it more actively, but it's kind of disappointing to see it's been extremely slow to modernize. I very much appreciate their recommendation system for movies and users, which is the biggest draw over a site like Letterboxd. It also has a fantastic community of people who actually seem to care about the movies they watch. Letterboxd seems to have this really bizarre cult around the site itself where almost all top reviews read like someone trying real hard to be funny on Twitter.
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Comment on Spotify’s podcast plan is going off the rails in ~tech
virtualbub Link ParentThe crazy part is that from the get-go, the distribution model was inherently open and independent. That's literally what made podcasts what they are...they're audio files served via RSS, which is...The crazy part is that from the get-go, the distribution model was inherently open and independent. That's literally what made podcasts what they are...they're audio files served via RSS, which is still extremely effective even in 2023. It's always felt wrong to me when a show distributed outside of that original model was called a "podcast"...the traditional "radio show" makes more sense to my ears. Corporate backed and centrally distributed "podcasts" always struck me as a contradiction.
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Comment on Windows 98 icons are great in ~tech
virtualbub LinkLook, those icons were a big part of my adolescence and teen years and have a special place in my heart, but Macs and even other operating systems had comparably great icon sets around that time....Look, those icons were a big part of my adolescence and teen years and have a special place in my heart, but Macs and even other operating systems had comparably great icon sets around that time. Especially going way back the Apple's System 6 days...the icons and UI designed by Susan Kare inspired me in ways Microsoft never could. Microsoft's design sense was practical and effective, while Apple's was beautiful. Yes, even, or especially, before the launch of OSX.
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Comment on Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023 in ~games
virtualbub LinkNow that sure came out of left field. Looks great. Here's hoping SE takes a similar approach for future remakes. It'd be nice to see them take another stab at 3D FF remakes that stays true to the...Now that sure came out of left field. Looks great.
Here's hoping SE takes a similar approach for future remakes. It'd be nice to see them take another stab at 3D FF remakes that stays true to the original chibi art (since, obviously, mimicking Amano's illustrative style in a fully fleshed-out game would be nearly impossible).
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Comment on Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ live-action series: First look at Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko in ~tv
virtualbub (edited )Link ParentThat was my impression as well...the level of detail in matching the cartoon here is remarkable. But it's just that...excellent cosplay. Live action will not necessarily afford the same suspension...That was my impression as well...the level of detail in matching the cartoon here is remarkable. But it's just that...excellent cosplay. Live action will not necessarily afford the same suspension of disbelief. If the goal is to be as close to a 1:1 recreation as possible...what exactly is the point in all this?
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Comment on Considering image posts on Tildes in ~tildes
virtualbub Link ParentAs someone who has browsed Reddit to varying degrees since 2005, so I saw the full evolution of the site. It went from purely link aggregator, to links with comments...and slowly but surely, the...As someone who has browsed Reddit to varying degrees since 2005, so I saw the full evolution of the site. It went from purely link aggregator, to links with comments...and slowly but surely, the larger influx of users turned it effectively into a collection of message boards. Somewhere in between there is where the culture of Tildes more or less currently lies. It was around 2008 or so when image links started taking off, and comment threads became significantly less relevant. There was a lot of seepage from 4chan and Digg culture around this time. It was honestly depressing to see, as someone who would browse those other sites. Once the culture starts to shift, it's pretty much impossible to go back.
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Comment on What are some noteworthy games that aren't available through traditional/common means? in ~games
virtualbub LinkTriple Triad Online / Questria This is the "original" fan version of the card game from Final Fantasy VIII. It had some degree of popularity in the early 2000s (for what it was), and was a...Triple Triad Online / Questria
This is the "original" fan version of the card game from Final Fantasy VIII. It had some degree of popularity in the early 2000s (for what it was), and was a standalone Windows client, technically adware in order to pay the bills (back when the ad model tended to be frowned upon when it came to software. Had a pretty loyal fanbase and recreated the game mechanics well while adding some new features and tons of new cards.
Tetrinet
Arguably the best multiplayer Tetris that has existed. Had a good amount of popularity until its closure in 2007 at the request of the Tetris Company. Wikipedia states that there are still servers running, but sadly I can't imagine there are still any active players in 2023.
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Comment on Beehaw.org: defederating effective immediately from lemmy.world and sh.itjust.works in ~tech
virtualbub Link ParentI'm surprised this isn't brought up more..."Oh Nine Eff Nine" was a pretty bit deal at the time. DRM was a huge hot button issue in nerd circles around the mid aughts. Who can forget Sony's...I'm surprised this isn't brought up more..."Oh Nine Eff Nine" was a pretty bit deal at the time. DRM was a huge hot button issue in nerd circles around the mid aughts. Who can forget Sony's infamous rootkit scandal? It almost feels quaint now.
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Comment on Justice announce their return with plans for new album and tour in ~music
virtualbub (edited )Link ParentFor sure, this playlist is 100% personally tailored to my tastes...otherwise I could have just copy and pasted various French touch tracks + anything else Xavier and Gaspard were inspired by or...For sure, this playlist is 100% personally tailored to my tastes...otherwise I could have just copy and pasted various French touch tracks + anything else Xavier and Gaspard were inspired by or artists inspired by Justice. Which is probably more or less the bulk of it. Some of the bloghouse stuff can get kind of out there and might not be to the taste of a lot of people, I'll admit.
That said, I will swear up and down by Midnight Juggernauts as being criminally overlooked and sadly completely forgotten after the bloghouse boom ended (which makes sense, as they unofficially went on an indefinite hiatus). They collaborated with Justice on AVD (the track Ohio), and definitely have the same retro-inspired bent as Justice, even if they went about it in somewhat different ways. I'm happy to just now discover their first album Dystopia is back on Spotify, which I don't think it's been on there in a decade or so. Unfortunately their album The Crystal Axis still doesn't have the album version of the song Vital Signs so it's not going to have the proper transition that really starts the album off right. So if you can listen to that one through other means, that would be ideal.
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Comment on Justice announce their return with plans for new album and tour in ~music
virtualbub LinkJustice remains to this day one of my favorite musical acts ever. Their humble origins are inspiring, the sound they helped pioneer, their commitment to their personal vision...really have to...Justice remains to this day one of my favorite musical acts ever. Their humble origins are inspiring, the sound they helped pioneer, their commitment to their personal vision...really have to admire them. Plus, everything in their entire catalog manages to push all the right buttons for me. Excited to see what comes next...here's hoping its another radical departure in the same way AVD took everyone off guard.
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Comment on Justice announce their return with plans for new album and tour in ~music
virtualbub Link ParentI made this Spotify playlist containing tracks I'd associate with Justice and their sound in various ways. There are definitely tracks that most people would consider strangely absent and plenty...I made this Spotify playlist containing tracks I'd associate with Justice and their sound in various ways. There are definitely tracks that most people would consider strangely absent and plenty that are definitely a stretch, but the intent when I created this was to appeal to my specific tastes, and to give it a kind of flow (including, when possible, the end of the previous track and the beginning of the current track sharing a distinct commonality, almost as if it were mixed that way). Also, due to tracks being removed from the service all the time, there are some holes that weren't previously there. (The most recent of them I kept in there, and you'll see them grayed out if you have that enabled in your Spotify settings.)
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Comment on If you would like to add a feature to Tildes, what would you recommend? in ~tildes
virtualbub Link ParentNothing to do with the sidebar. I was referring to the whitespace to the right of the username, "link," "parent," etc. This would make expanding and collapsing generally easier on mobile so you...Nothing to do with the sidebar. I was referring to the whitespace to the right of the username, "link," "parent," etc. This would make expanding and collapsing generally easier on mobile so you don't have to tap the far left +/- icon, allowing tapping from the right side as well. I think at least making this an option would be good for accessibility reasons.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~music
virtualbub Link ParentIn the article they state this is simply a new process whereby they can separate Lennon's voice from the rest of the audio in order to create a new, proper mix. Nothing about recreating someone's...In the article they state this is simply a new process whereby they can separate Lennon's voice from the rest of the audio in order to create a new, proper mix. Nothing about recreating someone's voice from scratch...obviously that would be morally questionable and creatively bankrupt.
I think the possibilities here are really exciting. It'll be interesting to see all the remasters that start to come out because of this kind of tech.
It's funny, back in the day, Opera (before it got sold off) had built-in IRC support. No one has done anything like it since, that I know of. Then again, modern chat services don't use open protocols, so integrating services would be essentially impossible.
Old Opera and its spiritual successor, Vivaldi, do have web panel support, though. But I don't think any modern chat services allow themselves to be optimized in such a way anymore... it's all about prioritizing the mobile app.