xethos's recent activity
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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
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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.
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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 ParentTo start, I hope you're doing (relatively) okay following yet another shooting. As to the renainder of your comment, the law currently dictates that, unless it's a second offense, the person is...To start, I hope you're doing (relatively) okay following yet another shooting.
As to the renainder of your comment, the law currently dictates that, unless it's a second offense, the person is all but guaranteed bail. Directly from the British Columbia Prosecution Service, “In other words, there is a presumption in our bail system that those charged with offences will be released on a form of bail unless there is sufficient cause for a detention order,”
People know the bail laws are lax, especially those that have dealt with the system previously, and for violent offenders especially I'd appreciate them being strengthened.
As far as crime statistics, it's currently roughly six per thousand annually. Putting aside that I do not believe for a moment that the distribution is actually random, that's 6 times higher than the likelyhood of Black men being killed at the hands of police in the States - numbers that sparked nationwide protests. While that's death rather than assault, we also have an assumption of safety in the Great White North - to the point that the event in TFA ties for one of the deadliest attacks in Canadian history, and the deadliest ever in Vancouver.
Regarding the crime statistics, assault has actually increased in the last decade, after hitting a low in 2016
As far as minimizing the risk, that simply isn't feasible beyond what's already being done. She drives during the winter months when it's darker, but travelling in a group, or at least during the morning rush, isn't practical for the times her classes are. Calling for help, and leaving quickly, is less effective when the danger is outside the station, and during the quiet hours of the early morning.
Bluntly, I have no appetite for those that would assault others, and between my fiancee's right to safety, and the rights of others for freedom of movement (after committing a violent offense), I have a strong preference for the former. And while I have no intention of voting Conservative, and believe "Tough on crime" doesn't lead to good places, I also think the balance is tilted a little too far.
As an addendum, if there's any better way to phrase it than catch and release, I'm all ears. I would prefer to avoid CPC talking points, and abhore their rhetoric. I would rather deal with the problem through the slow, measured, cautious response that the NDP has been rolling with for several years now. To reform the bail system takes time, and I'm glad it's not only being done, but done in a way that's not whiplashing back to American levels of punishment. It's just frustrating to live through the transition period.
(Post-post script: I hope this isn't too difficult to follow, it was put together on mobile on my way to work)
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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 ParentI typically appreciate your insights, and constantly find myself agreeing with you. I have no sympathy for the CPC, and don't appreciate their current party line. But my fiancee takes the Skytrain...I typically appreciate your insights, and constantly find myself agreeing with you. I have no sympathy for the CPC, and don't appreciate their current party line.
But my fiancee takes the Skytrain to her yoga classes several days a week. The number of times an individual will assault someone, be detained, released on bail, and assault another random stranger, all within 72 hours, is not something I'm okay with. This is so common I have to go back less than a fortnight to find another case of it happening again.
I'm sympathetic to individuals getting their life destroyed by being incarcerated, and I know the odds of something happening are infintesimal. But those odds apply to me, not the smaller, weaker women that routinely seem to be targeted.
I strive to be kind, and parent-poster was right: it's hard to be objective when you're concerned for those around you. With that in mind, and my routine respect for your cool-headed opinions, I'll ask: what's the better way to square the circle of "We shouldn't hold violent repeat offenders for under a fortnight" with "My fiancee might end up hospitalized next week"?
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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 ParentA federal, or even provincial, Mastodon server would be nice and something I could get behind. Conversely, falling for the "Open ecosystem" that Bluesky is and Twitter used to be would be a little...A federal, or even provincial, Mastodon server would be nice and something I could get behind. Conversely, falling for the "Open ecosystem" that Bluesky is and Twitter used to be would be a little sad - I'd hope we'd have learned our lesson the first time.
And while provincial Mastodon servers would allow for federation to other servers (both public and intra-provincial), and cities to add their own verifiable accounts without everyone having to administer a server, I'd settle for a basic HTML page with RSS.
Basic HTML & CSS (or at least a minimal amount of the modern hotness) would allow scaling both up and down, between desktop and mobile. It'd allow for accessibility features like screenreaders, and minimize server and client resource useage and attack surface, while maximizing the hiring pool that could (hopefully) maintain it.
Either of the above would also make for a very easy target for budget cuts though when "We could just go back to Twitter".
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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 ParentTerrorism typically requires a political or ideological component. Nobody actually agrees on a definition though - so the VPD can state that because it's not political, it's not terrorism. This...Terrorism typically requires a political or ideological component. Nobody actually agrees on a definition though - so the VPD can state that because it's not political, it's not terrorism. This also means it can't be textbook terrorism - there's no textbook to reference, and no universal agreement on what it actually requires.
There's all kinds of things we can say about this, calling it horrific, a failing of mental health services regarding a suspect "known to police" (per TFA), and even a byproduct of the catch-and-release system that's been going on for some time. "Textbook terrorism" isn't really one of them, and I think we have bigger discussions to have about how to prevent this from happening again, rather than quibbling with the VPD about what exactly constitutes terrorism.
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Comment on Passing the torch - Discord is getting a new CEO in ~tech
xethos Link ParentNotably, this isn't actually an answer to "How long ago was this". I agree with parent that Matrix required patience earlier on, but has made very noticable progress over the last 6-12 months,...Notably, this isn't actually an answer to "How long ago was this". I agree with parent that Matrix required patience earlier on, but has made very noticable progress over the last 6-12 months, with "Unable to Decrypt" errors becoming much less common, and on-boarding being more streamlined
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Comment on Why are integrated batteries so accepted? in ~tech
xethos Link ParentI intentionally didn't comment on battery life. I didn't say a 3.5mm jack is popular, or considered a required feature by the majority of consumers. I didn't say the iPhone 6 had a battery that...I intentionally didn't comment on battery life. I didn't say a 3.5mm jack is popular, or considered a required feature by the majority of consumers. I didn't say the iPhone 6 had a battery that was reasonably sized for a modern smartphone.
I am exclusively calling out the statement that dropping the 3.5mm jack allows for thinner smartphones.
Maybe dropping it allows for larger batteries, a better layout for other components, easier engineering, better water or dust proofing, or a litany of other benefits for both consumers and manufacturers.
Claiming it allows for thinner phones is the one and only claim I'm attempting to push back on.
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Comment on Why are integrated batteries so accepted? in ~tech
xethos Link ParentI won't argue with the battery life, but the thinnest iPhone ever appears to have been the iPhone 6 - that is, the one so thin it bent when put in back pockets. Notably, it also had a 3.5mm jack....A lot of people got grumpy over the removal of the 3.5mm jack, but it enables phones to be thinner and have better battery life
I won't argue with the battery life, but the thinnest iPhone ever appears to have been the iPhone 6 - that is, the one so thin it bent when put in back pockets. Notably, it also had a 3.5mm jack. I'm not sure you can claim "thinner" as an argument against the 3.5mm jack.
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Comment on Why are integrated batteries so accepted? in ~tech
xethos Link ParentI actually own 2 of these for use with my (currently inoperative for other reasons) Pinephone. I found it nice to not have to care about battery life, especially considering the abysmal battery...I actually own 2 of these for use with my (currently inoperative for other reasons) Pinephone. I found it nice to not have to care about battery life, especially considering the abysmal battery life the Pinephone Pro currently has in active use
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)