xethos's recent activity
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
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Comment on Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home in ~travel
xethos Link ParentIt looks like stripping Kobo ebook DRM is easy, but I can't comment with any authority having never done so. I've almost exclusively used Anna's archive or LibGen, with one or two pulled from my...It looks like stripping Kobo ebook DRM is easy, but I can't comment with any authority having never done so. I've almost exclusively used Anna's archive or LibGen, with one or two pulled from my local library
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Comment on Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home in ~travel
xethos Link ParentBuying an eReader actually dramatically increased the number of books I go through. Seemingly infinite battery life, and being small and light enough to perpetually be on my person, made a big...Buying an eReader actually dramatically increased the number of books I go through. Seemingly infinite battery life, and being small and light enough to perpetually be on my person, made a big difference.
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Comment on Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home in ~travel
xethos Link ParentAnother vote for a Kobo (the B&W Clara for me, so easy to fit into a pocket or bag <3). Great battery life, and it acts like a USB drive you can just drag'n'drop books onto if you're not by the...Another vote for a Kobo (the B&W Clara for me, so easy to fit into a pocket or bag <3). Great battery life, and it acts like a USB drive you can just drag'n'drop books onto if you're not by the Calibre software - which is handy if you want to use a USB-C to C cable to download to, then copy books from, your phone when out of country.
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Comment on Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without an online account in ~tech
xethos Link ParentThought you were badmouthing a different community with the missing asteisk (and capitalized N) for a second there lol https://nixos.org/Thought you were badmouthing a different community with the missing asteisk (and capitalized N) for a second there lol
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
xethos Link ParentThe (original) cable I use with mine is thick enough that I don't hear it, but mine definitely do creak in some movements. Once they're seated on my head they're fine though, so it never really...The (original) cable I use with mine is thick enough that I don't hear it, but mine definitely do creak in some movements. Once they're seated on my head they're fine though, so it never really bothered me. The headband (on your HD550) being looser could be a bonus though - my ATH-M50's will press the arms of my glasses a little too tight over time
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Comment on British Columbia Premier David Eby announces new Prince George, Surrey involuntary care facilities in ~health.mental
xethos Link ParentI agree with pretty well everything you've said, notably that the majority of offenses are committed by a small group; getting the 100 worst off the streets will make an outsized difference. I'd...I agree with pretty well everything you've said, notably that the majority of offenses are committed by a small group; getting the 100 worst off the streets will make an outsized difference. I'd also like to point out that people are more likely to leave careers like healthcare if the work environment is poor - meaning no longer having to deal with the 100 worst aggressive addicts may actually help healthcare staffing, even accounting for staffing the two new facilities (four total).
I don't think there's any nation with a history of asylums that's both honest and pretty to look at, but I do trust my province to make the situation better for everyone by adding these. Right now, it's not too pretty either.
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Comment on Disney decides it hasn’t angered people enough, announces Disney+ price hikes in ~tv
xethos Link ParentI stole the hell out of most of Mankind is Obsolete's discography, to the point my LastFM-scrobbling-Subsonic server pegged them as one of my most listened to artists. A couple weeks ago I picked...I stole the hell out of most of Mankind is Obsolete's discography, to the point my LastFM-scrobbling-Subsonic server pegged them as one of my most listened to artists. A couple weeks ago I picked up an album I didn't have via Bandcamp, where one sets their own price (past an artist-set minimum).
My price was ~$100. Paying the artist [as] directly [as I can] ensures the money goes to (primarily) the people that made the music.
This, I think, leaves us with two takeaways:
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I would recommend "Rise", if one is looking for a new album to try
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Should any one, any where, ask "Does any one actually do this?", no matter how odd, someone will crawl out of the woodwork to say yes
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Comment on Sweden's employment agency has been tracking the online locations of thousands of citizens claiming unemployment benefits in an effort to crack down on welfare fraud in ~tech
xethos Link ParentI'd further point out that it's the likelyhood of getting caught that keeps many people honest. Enforcement is expensive, and if the job is done well, over a long period of time, they'll catch...I'd further point out that it's the likelyhood of getting caught that keeps many people honest. Enforcement is expensive, and if the job is done well, over a long period of time, they'll catch almost nobody - because everyone knows they'll get caught.
So to keep the state handing out benefits above reproach by the taxpaying population, there needs to be enforcement - even if, several years in, when they slow down catching people, it looks like a high cost for no results
I'd view it as the same as "Nobody speeds because they'd get caught", with a number of timed average-speed cameras seeming useless (because they never catch speeders anymore)
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Comment on iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air announced in ~tech
xethos Link ParentIt's niche, and definitely not for everyone, but I'm very excited about the BlackBerry Q20 revival that's currently in progress [0]. If your goals are "small size and not-gimped hardware", it...physical size was also enough to get me to switch ecosystems entirely
It's niche, and definitely not for everyone, but I'm very excited about the BlackBerry Q20 revival that's currently in progress [0]. If your goals are "small size and not-gimped hardware", it might be worth a look. Reasonable specs & camera, running up-to-date Android, in a properly-small size
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Comment on What is a business/org that's so terrible no one should use if possible? in ~life
xethos Link ParentYou're not wrong, but I do think it's ironic that it's simultaneously too niche for nearly all users (which yes, you're right), and that grandparent, the person complaining one cannot escape...You're not wrong, but I do think it's ironic that it's simultaneously too niche for nearly all users (which yes, you're right), and that grandparent, the person complaining one cannot escape Google when using Android, already has his cellphone set up this way
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Comment on US conservative news network Newsmax files antitrust lawsuit against Fox News in ~tv
xethos Link ParentI agree with pretty well everything you've said. I only wantd to say that it's a little odd to be surprised about anticlimactic or toothless antitrust rulings in the states. If one wants...I agree with pretty well everything you've said. I only wantd to say that it's a little odd to be surprised about anticlimactic or toothless antitrust rulings in the states.
If one wants regulators that are willing to regulate, one would be wise to look elsewhere.
(Though I suppose Doctorow could be read as disappointed more than surprised)
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Comment on What is a business/org that's so terrible no one should use if possible? in ~life
xethos Link ParentI'm no fan, but I've disabled Google services Framework, Google Play Services, and every other background Google service. NTFY provides real-time notifications, I don't use the Play Store, and I...I'm no fan, but
you cannot have a non-Apple phone and not have their grubby paws in them?
I've disabled Google services Framework, Google Play Services, and every other background Google service. NTFY provides real-time notifications, I don't use the Play Store, and I can see via Wireguard & PiHole that it's not reaching out to Google. Am I missing something, or is your GrapheneOS-running mobile not in a similar state?
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Comment on US conservative news network Newsmax files antitrust lawsuit against Fox News in ~tv
xethos Link ParentPeople will point to the Microsoft antitrust trial, but that one went pretty well the same - limited penalties, further weakened on appeal. What people seem to want to point to, or at least seem...People will point to the Microsoft antitrust trial, but that one went pretty well the same - limited penalties, further weakened on appeal.
What people seem to want to point to, or at least seem like they want to reference, is the Microsoft Vs. Europeon Union case, where Microsoft was pushed much more for interoperability.
Antitrust hasn't really been America's strong suit for quite some time now, and an imperfect ruling like we see here is historically in line with what we really ought to expect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Corp._v_European_Commission
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Comment on A US federal appellate court finds the National Labor Relations Board to be unconstitutional in ~society
xethos Link ParentAnd sad as it is, I would be surprised if Americans get those rights back without people dying for them again I think the weirdest part will be Americans dying, hopefully getting those rights...And sad as it is, I would be surprised if Americans get those rights back without people dying for them again
I think the weirdest part will be Americans dying, hopefully getting those rights back, and still not having a cultural sense of solidarity for the worker
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Comment on McDonald’s is cutting prices of its combo meals to convince customers it’s affordable again in ~food
xethos Link ParentLate, but me. I was working 3 jobs after graduating BCIT. It's been long enough that I don't recall exactly how many hours I worked weekly, but 50 to 70 was normal. I was doing keto, and the rest...Late, but me. I was working 3 jobs after graduating BCIT. It's been long enough that I don't recall exactly how many hours I worked weekly, but 50 to 70 was normal.
I was doing keto, and the rest of my family was decidedly not - meaning I was doing all my own cooking, in addition to all the same day-to-day, "keep your adult head above water" shit I do now at 30.
I get it, it's not easy, and the simplest way for me to have enough time to get an appropriate number of calories down my neck was to do keto. But it's also just doing what needs to be done.
Hell, one job was a bakery, and it was suggested we cut small pieces and share a slice of some of the new products "So we could tell customers how it is". This didn't work on keto, and I politely declined, every time.
Tell me it's hard, it's draining, it's monotonous and'll turn into a blur - we'll agree, and how. But please don't tell me it can't be done, or can't be maintained effectively indefinitely, because I am one of those poor bastards that has been there, done that.
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Comment on Designing a slide-out phone case with a keyboard in ~tech
xethos LinkNot what you asked for, but too dumb and fantastic not to point out: There's a BlackBerry Q20 (Classic) revival project. The goal is to reuse the body, keyboard, and screen, while updating the...Not what you asked for, but too dumb and fantastic not to point out: There's a BlackBerry Q20 (Classic) revival project. The goal is to reuse the body, keyboard, and screen, while updating the mainboard and OS.
Current status shows LCD display, digitiser, keyboard, trackpad, cameras, speakers, headphone jack, and modem all working, with Android booting, and apps opening. I made the call a few months ago that I'd rather burn the ~$400 CAD (at the time) than miss out if there's only one run produced.
While you might be able to fabricate something you're happy with, I'd be remiss not to extoll the BlackBerry keyboards for how satisfying they are to type on - not to mention the availability of spare parts (of which the Q20 has lots, for cheap)
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Comment on CareerBuilder + Monster, which once dominated online job boards, file for bankruptcy in ~finance
xethos Link ParentI found my previous position through Indeed, though I suspect my field (commercial vehicle maintenance) is rather far afield of what many here would doI found my previous position through Indeed, though I suspect my field (commercial vehicle maintenance) is rather far afield of what many here would do
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Comment on AMC to slash movie ticket prices by 50% on Wednesdays in ~movies
xethos Link ParentI mean I'm happy for you, but this is decidedly regional. I went to see the same movie, in the (more expensive) VIP theater with my fiancee this evening. A full fortnight after release, and when...I was able to watch Thunderbolts 7 days after release with almost no one else in the theater with me
I mean I'm happy for you, but this is decidedly regional. I went to see the same movie, in the (more expensive) VIP theater with my fiancee this evening. A full fortnight after release, and when we went to pick seats online four hours before the show, we had a choice of just six seats. We noticed on the way out that even the last four (that we didn't pick) seemed to have filled in too.
For better or for worse, the movie industry can still pack 'em in - even for the knock-off Avengerz (lol).
Even still, we're far more likely to watch something at home. Being able to discuss, in real-time, what's right or wrong about some media is absolutely killer. Not just the bathroom breaks, the attire, not sneaking in our own snacks, the money, the drive in or out, or even on-demand play/pause. It's sharing the media that makes it special, and for us that's frequently more than just enjoying it side-by-side in silence.
Thunderbolts* spoiler
Like our discussion of the timer in the incinerator. In-universe, somebody had to request that. It had to be calibrated and synced to the exact time for the fire to enter, as well as tested, installed, and paid for, all so people that won't be around in 180 seconds will know how much time is on the clock. Way more fun to call it out together instead of questioning it after
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Comment on Eleven people killed after SUV rams into Vancouver street festival - police "confident" not an act of terrorism in ~news
xethos Link ParentInarguably correct, and I couldn't help but think the same when writing my all-over-the-place reply. Without looking into the statistics, I'd assume driving (partially highway, some city) to her...The only solution would be to wrap your fiancee in a bubble and never let her leave home
Inarguably correct, and I couldn't help but think the same when writing my all-over-the-place reply. Without looking into the statistics, I'd assume driving (partially highway, some city) to her studio is the more-statistically-dangerous way to start her day - and "Never leave the house" is simply unrealistic
(From your own parent comment):
the media makes it feel huge
And again, I agree. The states are enough, but having it occur less than a click from me hits a little different, doubly so with so much of the media coverage
people accused of crimes also have rights, and the government should be really sure it's the right call before revoking those rights
The odds are low, but the consequences are large - but again, yeah, you're not wrong. As infrequent as it is, "If it bleeds, it leads" still holds true, and so this is frequently brought to our attention - despite how infrequent it actually may be
I appreciate the patience, and I'm glad you took the time to reply. It's just more than I expected to be dealing with this week.
No, but we could probably all do with fewer subscriptions, and good-enough audio quality, a portable format, and a relatively mechanically and tactile medium can be a nice change when everything else has switched to digital and touch-based.