Recent Posts

3876

Living Room / Re: Microsoft Surface RT - I got one.

« Last post by wraith808 on May 09, 2015, 10:15 PM »

Deozaan, the outlook is pretty bleak for you. Windows RT is officially dead as the word has come down from the mountaintop in Redmond.

This thing would be so amazing if I could just run my usual Windows programs. . .

Why, yes it would and...yes, those things are amazing when running Windows programs. Unfortunately, you have to pay a lot more money to get one of the Surfaces with the 'pro' moniker behind its name in order to do it.

-Innuendo (May 09, 2015, 09:26 PM)

Actually, you don't these days.  There are several tablet options with full windows 8.1, and as I noted in another thread, I just purchased one for $79.

The surface 3 was just released, and it also runs windows 8.1.

I've never used an RT device and I'm not too familiar with them, but I believe Microsoft's entire philosophy with the RT platform was that anything that an RT device could run would be offered through the Microsoft app store. I don't believe there's any way to 'side-load' apps on those things. I'd love to be told I'm wrong, but I don't believe I am.

-Innuendo (May 09, 2015, 09:26 PM)

You can actually put things on RT tablets without the app store- but it's not exactly straight forward.

http://www.maketeche...hout-storewindows-8/

http://blogs.msdn.co...microsoft-store.aspx

3877

General Software Discussion / Re: uBlock ad blocker and unwanted behavior

« Last post by wraith808 on May 08, 2015, 01:09 PM »

I'm still confused, however.  I never installed ublock origin from what I remember.  Just one day, the icon changed.  And then a little after, the behavior changed.  And that's when I took notice.

How did I get something else completely installed?  Unless they just completely changed the extension and name, then the functionality?  It seems like that is what happened... and for whatever reason... it appears shady.  There should be no way to completely change both the name and the extension without the extension being disabled until you re-confirm it so you know what happened.

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General Software Discussion / Re: uBlock ad blocker and unwanted behavior

« Last post by wraith808 on May 08, 2015, 11:30 AM »

I figured it out.  It's the difference between uBlock Origin and uBlock.  Someone forked the extension, and it shows up before, so I guess at some point I installed it instead?  But it doesn't make sense as I haven't really uninstalled and re-installed extensions- especially on all of my machines.  More if I find out more.

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General Software Discussion / uBlock ad blocker and unwanted behavior

« Last post by wraith808 on May 08, 2015, 11:26 AM »

I've been using uBlock for my ad blocker in Chrome for a while.  The memory footprint and cpu usage is a lot less than adblock plus, and it works well.  But recently, they added something where they block urls in requested popups by killing the tab.  It opens up the tab, then kills it.  And it's very hard to disable if you actually *want* to go to the link without disabling it for that entire domain.  So you end up not being able to click in e-mails to go to the location, even if you don't care- without potentially disabling it for those ones that directly use that domain.

Does anyone know how to disable the killing of tabs with uBlock?  I haven't been able to find it...

3880

Living Room / What happens when a Kickstarter project fails to launch?

« Last post by wraith808 on May 07, 2015, 07:05 PM »

I've posted a few other threads about failed kickstarters, but the articles behind those where no where as indepth as the treatment by the NY Times:

ZPM Espresso and the Rage of the Jilted Crowdfunder

One of the first quotes nails the whole thing, I think:

Kickstarter and its crowdfunding competitors have invented a new sort of economic relationship, and a corresponding frontier of Internet acrimony.

It's a very interesting read- and it's also interesting that even with the best of intent, things just fail.  How do you manage those expectations?  Especially when there's money involved from people that are not used to the market?

3881

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: O'Reilly ebooks & video training 50% off today

« Last post by wraith808 on May 07, 2015, 01:55 PM »

Pakt Publishing is also having a sale to commemorate anti-DRM day:

https://www.packtpub.com/all-books

All books are $10 today.

3882

Living Room / Re: Kickstarter Highlight: Onion Omega

« Last post by wraith808 on May 05, 2015, 01:26 PM »

Using a .io domain name instead of one of the major TLDs. -3 right off the top

-SeraphimLabs (May 05, 2015, 11:49 AM)

So you discredit all sites on a TLD rather than the specific sites?  Because there are more .com scams than there are .io domains in all likelihood.  Just saying...

3883

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by wraith808 on May 05, 2015, 08:08 AM »

This might be considered humor if it wasn't so sad...

Texas School Suspends 9-Year-Old For Terrorism Because He Brought Imaginary Hobbit Ring To Class

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General Software Discussion / Re: Favorite Windows Desktop Virtualizers?

« Last post by wraith808 on May 04, 2015, 01:13 PM »

I used to use AltDesk when I was concerned about such things. But the lag in switching screens for all products that do the same thing made it more efficient just to get monitors.

But if you're looking for free, these are good articles:

http://listoffreewar...al-desktop-managers/
http://www.ghacks.ne...anagers-for-windows/

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Living Room / Kickstarter Highlight: Onion Omega

« Last post by wraith808 on May 04, 2015, 11:17 AM »

Sorry about the lateness of this, but I just found out.  A very interesting project, bringing me out of my blah about posting projects...

	Onion Omega
Goal	$15,000 ($249,094 as of this posting)
End Date	2015-05-05
Project Creator(s)	Onion.io
Personal Rating:	Total Rating 9 - Cautiously Back It $25 - Rating Based on Working, Professional Looking Website (+1), First Project (-1), Backed 23 Projects (+2), Professional Looking video (+1), Working Prototypes (+5), Kickstarter Pick (+1)
Excerpt	Tiny dev board with Linux & WiFi. Create cool things with REST APIs, App Store, in-depth tutorials, and our awesome community!

3886

Living Room / Re: Technology moving anxiety...

« Last post by wraith808 on May 04, 2015, 10:39 AM »

I just moved, and it was pretty stressful technology wise- and it was only a mile!

-wraith808 (May 04, 2015, 10:24 AM)

Yes - it's like, "Oh, wait... I'm going to be without an Internet connection for **HOW LONG**???"

-Renegade (May 04, 2015, 10:35 AM)

Comcast screwed up the dates for the move, and I was so desperate that I actually tried to tap into someone else's modem using the backdoor comcast puts into all of its modems, when I said that I'd never do that.

3887

Living Room / Re: Technology moving anxiety...

« Last post by wraith808 on May 04, 2015, 10:24 AM »

well, you're moving?  that's a good thing?

I do feel you, however.  I just moved, and it was pretty stressful technology wise- and it was only a mile!

3888

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on May 03, 2015, 01:39 PM »

The hammer is to get holes in the drive to let the salt-water in.  I would have used some sort of awl... but it seemed to work pretty good.

3889

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: AdGuard Premium Lifetime on sale at StackSocial.com

« Last post by wraith808 on May 03, 2015, 01:38 PM »

StackSocial is a legitimate site.  They just normally do mac software.  I've bought quite a bit from them.  Seems like they're partnering up with BDJ to bring the two sides closer together.

3890

General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft is releasing a cross-platform code editor

« Last post by wraith808 on April 29, 2015, 01:43 PM »

I don't call collecting crash dumps 'spying' on you by definition.  It really depends on what is collected to a large extent.  That said, not to allow those to be cut off is not a good thing.  Though I do remember it for a few different products recently.  I think Atom does the same, but it's open source, so you can remove it in theory though most won't in practice.

3891

General Software Discussion / Re: New WordPress exploit makes it easy to hijack wp sites - fix just released

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 03:30 PM »

One of the nice things about WordPress is that it automatically updates itself with critical security updates, so issues like this get taken care of automatically.

That said, I just manually updated to 4.2.1 when I went to write a post on my site. So it's nice to know I'm safe from this particular exploit either way. :-D

-Deozaan (April 27, 2015, 03:16 PM)

Yes, I just had the flood of e-mails from my sites letting me know that they were updated.  A nice feeling.

3892

Living Room / Re: Your Stuff Really Is Breaking Faster Than It Used To

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 12:07 PM »

That isn't how design life works though. And the first generation of a product line is often overbuilt compared to those that follow because the typical use case has not been as well established. Later generations incorporate wear and failure analysis of previous generations, correcting weak spots while at the same time weakening strong points to cut costs.

According to the equations in my mechanical engineering books, automotive mechanisms should have a wear allowance sufficient for approximately 160,000 miles. This is pretty close to the factory warranty on most vehicles interestingly enough, the warranty expires around the time the vehicle is expected to have used up its designed-in wear tolerance.

Even though my car is currently at 202,000 with no major mechanical problems that I am aware of. It has gone well beyond its design life on most of its components, and other than the components I have replaced is a device which has exceeded its design specifications. On the other hand most cars of the same age have already been crushed for scrap, most of them due to wearing out or being damaged beyond where it is economical to repair.

Design life is not an exact science. You are designing to where the majority of a product will operate for the calculated time period without major issues. It is possible to exceed that lifetime if you take good care of your belongings or it was built with quality, but in the field most of what was produced is expected to be replaced failure or not.

-SeraphimLabs (April 27, 2015, 11:35 AM)

I also have an ipad 2.  And an ipad 3.  And they all still operate within specs, the only mitigating factor being software support.  There might be some truth of the matter when it comes to that variable, but the idea in question is that our phones have a designed lesser lifespan because of the fact that people don't keep them.  And what I'm positing is that there is no data that the companies are tailoring hardware considerations based upon the fact that first generation consumers are not keeping their devices.  And that it is well shown by looking at the secondary market that these devices still have consumers and that market is in fact, thriving.

3893

DC Gamer Club / Re: Steam Workshop changes to allow monetization

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 09:48 AM »

More info from Nexus: http://www.nexusmods.../skyrim/news/12459/?

3894

Living Room / Re: PayPal about to claim rights in all IP sold/licensed using PayPal for payments

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 09:41 AM »

That's why I didn't get it.  The first thing I thought was "Cool!  A way for them to monetize their contributions!"  I guess I was in the minority with that thought process.

-wraith808 (April 26, 2015, 10:05 PM)

I don't get the problem with (read: uproar about) the idea that modders should be able to charge for their work. But what I don't like about it is that the modder only gets a 25% cut. That's hardly worth it unless you charge a lot of money for your mod.

But that's off topic for this thread, so I'll stop here.

-Deozaan (April 26, 2015, 10:48 PM)

Maybe we should make a thread for that in the gamers club area.  Oh wait!  I already did!

3895

DC Gamer Club / Steam Workshop changes to allow monetization

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 09:41 AM »

Valve will allow people to monetize their creations through Steam Workshop.

Details are now on the Steam workshop page: https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/


When I first saw this, I thought, "Cool!"  They've had the ability on Skyrim Nexus for a while to pay people, and to have that same ability on Steam seemed like a cool idea.  After trying the modding, I know how much work these people put into this.  It could start a whole renaissance!

But whenever you put the idea of not free into an arena where free existed, people get upset.

Personally, I use Patreon a lot, to support micro projects for people that I think should be supported, and that release things that I use, and I love it.

The one thing that is still very bleh is the amount that they take.  For providing a service that allows delivery, the margins should be 15% on the outside, IMO.

But the idea is very cool and very needed IMO.  The only way to monetize these very useful skills shouldn't be by begging or hoping that you get picked up by a game company.

3896

Living Room / Re: Your Stuff Really Is Breaking Faster Than It Used To

« Last post by wraith808 on April 27, 2015, 09:04 AM »

Its not hyperbole if people are constantly replacing their phones because they have to have the latest fashionable new model even though their current one is still fully functional.

-SeraphimLabs (April 26, 2015, 06:12 PM)

The problem with that statement is that it isn't the devices.  It's the people.  Which isn't what this article was about.  So... hyperbole.

-wraith808 (April 26, 2015, 10:01 PM)

Not if after a generation or two the device was redesigned with a 1-2 year upgrade program in mind. If people aren't going to keep the same device for longer than that, why design the device to last longer? Make it last only as long as the average consumer will use it, and never mind the outliers that keep the same device for years on end they are obviously not the people you should be designing for.

-SeraphimLabs (April 26, 2015, 10:56 PM)

But there is no proof that they are.  As shown by the fact that my iPad 1 is still in excellent condition, and sells for 1/5 the price I bought it for 5 years ago.  There is the consumer use case, but the outliers are very much still there, especially with the upgrade policies as they are and breakage/loss.

3897

Living Room / Re: PayPal about to claim rights in all IP sold/licensed using PayPal for payments

« Last post by wraith808 on April 26, 2015, 10:05 PM »

If they are a hobby, then why do they hawk their wares asking for donations?  It's just codifying the fact that people put significant investment into these things- even if they are a hobby.  And many gamers think that this time should come for free.

Entitlement is the problem here.

That's why I didn't get it.  The first thing I thought was "Cool!  A way for them to monetize their contributions!"  I guess I was in the minority with that thought process.

There is a platform, Patreon.  And a lot of people are doing a lot of cool things because of people that are willing to donate to the little projects that they do on the side.  And I think that's a cool thing.  Which I guess is the reason that I don't see anything wrong with this.  If you don't want to monetize your contributions... then don't.  But that shouldn't stop those that want to.

3898

Living Room / Re: Your Stuff Really Is Breaking Faster Than It Used To

« Last post by wraith808 on April 26, 2015, 10:01 PM »

Its not hyperbole if people are constantly replacing their phones because they have to have the latest fashionable new model even though their current one is still fully functional.

-SeraphimLabs (April 26, 2015, 06:12 PM)

The problem with that statement is that it isn't the devices.  It's the people.  Which isn't what this article was about.  So... hyperbole.

3899

Living Room / Re: PayPal about to claim rights in all IP sold/licensed using PayPal for payments

« Last post by wraith808 on April 26, 2015, 05:41 PM »

there is an uproar over steam?

3900

Living Room / Re: Your Stuff Really Is Breaking Faster Than It Used To

« Last post by wraith808 on April 26, 2015, 05:40 PM »

^ I don't think so much because of the upgrades in functionality.  Before... screen?  What screen?  Now, the screen is the main part of the phone.  Consumes more battery, less resilient.  And that 1-2 year max on a phone is pure hyperbole.  I had a phone for 2 years, then passed it down to my wife for two more and my son is now using it.  I only passed it down and didn't keep it because my wife insisted that I get a new phone instead of her.  Then she passed it down because he didn't need a new phone.

What phone is that?  An iphone 4.