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apotheotic

@apotheotic@beehaw.org

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apotheotic ,
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Oh my god thank you for reminding me that tremulous existed. I spent so many hours playing that

Erenshor is a game that seeks to condense the MMORPG experience into a fully single-player title. ( massivelyop.com )

Looks to be really interesting, similar to the Everquest or WoW private servers with bots, or FFXIV's NPC dungeons, but actually designed from the ground up to be a single player experience where the bots actually play with you. Sounds neat.

apotheotic ,
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If this is interesting to you, try CrossCode

apotheotic ,
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Windows defender along with a system hardener (like hard_configurator) can actually be quite insanely strong, especially since windows defender starts working and blocking stuff long before non-system apps, which can be a big boon. This approach is also free (if you have windows) which seems to fit your needs!

apotheotic ,
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What's not simple about it, as a password manager?
Pop in the name/uri, pop in a username, pop in/generate a password
Bingo bango
Is there a level of complexity I'm missing, or alternatively is there a simpler approach?

apotheotic ,
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"It" might not even be human, and could be part of a species that naturally has blue hair pigment.

"It" is also a fantasy character casting magic spells - it wouldn't be far fetched that aesthetic magic exists.

apotheotic ,
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The Pathless is pretty awesome

Sky: Children of the Light is splendid

Horn is pretty neat but I guess its 12 years old now

Baba is You isn't originally a mobile game but it has a native version which is pretty excellent

To answer your question, its as others have mentioned: catching a whale is more lucrative than appealing to the average consumer. The entire micro transactions industry (which mobile gaming is built upon and makes it the most profitable portion of the gaming industry by a mile) is all about milking your customers for everything they have without them realising it. Why did we reach this point? Unregulated capitalism, probably.

Has ethernet become illegitimate? A librarian flipped out after spotting me using ethernet

I plugged into ethernet (as wifi w/captive portal does not work for me). I think clearnet worked but I have no interest in that. Egress Tor traffic was blocked and so was VPN. I’m not interested in editing all my scripts and configs to use clearnet, so the library’s internet is useless to me (unless I bother to try a tor...

apotheotic ,
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You need to really, deeply consider what your stance is when you're painting libraries and librarians as the bad guys.

apotheotic ,
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You have, throughout your comments, repeatedly spoken down toward librarians and libraries. You might not be painting them as malicious, but you're certainly not painting them as "trying their best" or "worth having an adult conversation with instead of misrepresenting my situation intentionally".

apotheotic ,
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I'm not writing a research paper, if you're unable to identify the things you've said which align with the things I've described then that's fair enough and perhaps we can end this interaction here.

Instagram Advertises Nonconsensual AI Nude Apps ( www.404media.co )

Instagram is profiting from several ads that invite people to create nonconsensual nude images with AI image generation apps, once again showing that some of the most harmful applications of AI tools are not hidden on the dark corners of the internet, but are actively promoted to users by social media companies unable or...

apotheotic ,
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It makes me sick to my stomach. Stay safe, everyone

apotheotic ,
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The developers finished the game out of their own pockets, the company was bankrupt. Once the game released they recouped their finances and then some, since it was a smash success and one of the best pieces of art in the games medium.

They are still making games and you're still supporting them if you buy it now :)

apotheotic ,
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Very worth the play - it's a beautiful experience.

apotheotic ,
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I find them neat, but there's just too many issues I can't overlook.

The environmental impact of these technologies is immense, and growing exponentially.

A vast amount of the training data used for the big llms and image generators is not in the public domain, which is at best ethically grey but at worst just blatantly exploiting artists and other professionals.

If there existed some alternatives to the big names that avoided both of these issues, I'd love to use them for code autocomplete and image generation for ttrpgs, but as it stands the moral cost is too high.

apotheotic ,
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I installed lawnchair from fdroid, maybe not v14 though

apotheotic ,
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Just checked, it's a 2019 version, lmao

apotheotic ,
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It was my understanding that the embroidery/pattern changes were based on how many times you had completed the game, but your point stands that it's easy to tell a first timer

apotheotic ,
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Journey is one of the most sublime works of art in the video games medium. I have it tattooed on half my fucking arm.

I got similar feelings of awe from Citizen Sleeper. They're vastly different games, but they both blew me away for what the "games as an art form" could be.

https://beehaw.org/pictrs/image/2980cb8f-9898-4cf9-8d1b-e56038fa20af.webp
https://beehaw.org/pictrs/image/9622b711-1da5-48ec-b4ef-a46297358f1f.webp

apotheotic ,
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Um, how about no? Love DDG but good lord are we just supposed to take openai's word for this privacy? Lol

apotheotic ,
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100 rolls is a staggeringly small sample size for a set with 20 possible outcomes, I would take this with a grain of salt (or a lot of salt in a glass of water? ;) )

In any case it's fun to do some experimenting like this, thanks for sharing!

apotheotic ,
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Seems like a good next step! Looking forward to seeing further updates!

apotheotic ,
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Men?

apotheotic ,
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Exactly this (sent from my Arch Thinkpad as a trans woman)

apotheotic ,
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Oh don't worry I know - I was implying that there's a heavy correlation between Thinkpad Arch users and trans girls, at least online. See !unixsocks

apotheotic ,
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As someone who is very much inside the queer bubble, and who thinks pluralkit is an essential tool to have in any discord server that considers itsself accessible or queer friendly: I strongly disagree that its the feature preventing FOSS alternatives from taking off. It could be a small factor in a sea of small factors, but I'd wager over 50% of discord users have never even seen PluralKit.

apotheotic ,
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How are they going to take the file off my computer?

apotheotic ,
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Right, but a store with DRM can effectively prevent me from playing the games, that's where my ownership effectively ends.

With GOG, there's no DRM. So in all senses except some weird philosophical context, I do own the game. I paid money and received a file(s) that I can relocate, make backups of, burn to disc, archive, etc.

You could argue that if they revoke the license and I continue using the file that I have on my computer, that I'm now committing piracy, but that's getting into a big technicality

apotheotic ,
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Baba is You - simplistic graphically, but immensely satisfying mechanically. Amazing puzzle game.

Celeste - gorgeous graphics and buttery smooth controls, a platformer that is encouraging and supportive all the way through but ranges from "easy as pie" to "hard as nails" as you progress. One of the most satisfying games to complete every level for. One of the best soundtracks ever. Trans rights!

Fez - another simple-ish at face value platformer game, but this time with puzzles as the main thread instead of action. Super satisfying puzzles and an amazing soundtrack.

Omori - an RPG which eventually deals with some heavy subject matter but does so tastefully and maturely. It's a splendid story either way you spin it, and lots of fun.

Undertale - same as above, but shorter and more "punchy". One of the best soundtracks in gaming, and a cast of characters you'll come to feel like your family. It's quite subversive for the genre, so it's a fun experience. It has an episodic sister game Deltarune which is still in the works.

Void Stranger - a block-pushing styled game, but incredibly subversive for the genre. Gorgeous visuals, great soundtrack, and some truly mindbending puzzles. It gets super hard, but it's also super satisfying to beat.

Stardew Valley - cozy farming game, really just oozing passion and love from the developer(s). Lots to do, many unique people to meet and things to see. Pretty graphics and stunning soundtrack. Fall in love with an NPC, marry them if you want. Or don't do any of that. Make your own fun in this one, there's a bunch of aspects to get into.

Citizen Sleeper - not technically 2d but may as well be. A gripping, beautiful sci-fi story, told in a tabletop RPG style. You won't be able to help falling in love with the rag-tag character cast, and shedding a few tears along the way. It's very down to earth but makes me long for the stars at the same time.

Ori and the Blind Forest/Ori and the Will of the Wisps - a drop dead gorgeous, lovingly crafted metroidvania with one of the best soundtracks you could ever ask for. Platforming is gorgeously refined, and the sequel improves upon the first game in many ways.

Hollow Knight - I could copy paste the majority of the Ori blurb here, however this game has a deeper focus on the deep, winding, sprawling exploration, and combat aspects. Gripping soundtrack and stunning stylised visuals. You will, however, join the wait for Silksong with the rest of us, which drives many people mad!

apotheotic ,
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Citizen Sleeper had many moments that I just breathed in and smiled about. It is a beautiful game with beautiful stories in it

The Last Campfire feels like you're being read a bedtime story, in the best way. I haven't quite felt anything like it from gaming.

apotheotic ,
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Not a boy but I'm fucking HERE for Outer Wilds. And TUNIC, in the same vein.

apotheotic ,
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Journey redefined how I look at video games and the world, and honestly changed the course of my life for the better.

TUNIC may truly be the best game of all time

Outer Wilds shares the top spot with TUNIC

Celeste is the best precision platformer, and easily in the top 5 games of all time, though I suppose it is, much like Outer Wilds, quite highly regarded game among people who know it exists

Citizen Sleeper is unparalleled, I can wholeheartedly say more people need to know about this gem

apotheotic ,
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Agreed! I don't know if I will ever again experience as much enjoyment from a game as I did from tunic, but that's okay, for having experienced tunic

apotheotic ,
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Heartily recommend playing it on controller if you can, and enjoy the ride!

Remember: You can do this!

apotheotic ,
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It is an incredibly challenging game, but unlike dark souls it's an incredibly challenging game that wants you to succeed. If you had the coordination for things like dmc or dark souls I have no doubt you'll be able to play all the content celeste has, with some perseverance!

Help with a simple and private phone

Hi everyone, I’m looking to possibly simply my smartphone setup. I would really love to keep it as a utility: phone, text, camera, GPS, web browser, notes, email, music player. Im think of switching to local NextCloud backup system as well. I currently have an iPhone but used to flash ROMs on Android phones, so I would be...

apotheotic ,
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Pixel with GrapheneOS - no contest. Been my daily driver for ages and I have no complaints in the slightest

apotheotic ,
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It’s simple. I didn’t yet realise I wasn’t a man.

apotheotic ,
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Depends on the environment you’re working in. If you’re doing a lot of collaboration, it might be that you want to choose whichever of the two is more legible (almost always the loop, but perhaps the recursion). If you are in an environment where the most efficient approach is prioritised over readability, perhaps recursion would have a strong case in some circumstances.

But I think, generally, you need to answer the underlying question, not “recursion or loop”. Can I improve code readability? Is this problem well suited to recursion? Am I just using recursion because it’s elegant? The correct approach will reveal itsself!

I use linux for the same reason I wear fuzzy socks and sweaters

My understanding of the history of fashion is that back in the 1950s America it was expected that you wore a suit/dress at work unless you had a different uniform. There were a bunch of very boring people who thought that we should be wearing office job garb all the time, because they wore suits so much it was their default...

apotheotic ,
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Oh, I thought this was going to be a post about you being trans. Threw me with the title /j

I feel like the Steam Deck is the best proof of Gabe Newell's quote that "piracy is a service issue."

They could have easily crammed the Steam Deck full of stuff to make it hard to use for piracy - locking down everything, making it usable only to play games you legitimately own, force you to go through who knows what hoops in order to play games on it. That’s what Nintendo or Apple or most other companies do....

apotheotic ,
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I think OP accidentally wrote Switch instead of Steamdeck

apotheotic ,
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They could have not built it on arch linux. They made decisions that were pro-consumer and thus they did not need to make decisions that were anti piracy

apotheotic ,
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This part of the graph (2009-2019) would be less steep, because this sharp drop would have happened earlier - we’d be further along the curve

Louis Rossman/FUTO's YouTube app, GrayJay, now supports Sponsorblock... and shames you if you use it

Seriously this was very surprising. I’ve been experimenting with GrayJay since it was announced and I largely think it’s a pretty sweet app. I know there are concerns over how it isn’t “true open source” but it’s a hell of a lot more open than ReVanced. Plus, I like the general design and philosophy of the app....

apotheotic ,
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In case anyone is wondering, here is the “shaming” that is done in the app. (images attached)

You’re not being shamed anywhere in this text. You are being presented factual information. Any shame that you feel as a result of being faced with information is pretty much entirely on you.

I have no qualms turning on sponsorblock and adblockers, I support the creators that I enjoy via other means.

If you are taking issue with the “don’t freeload” then I guess you perhaps feel bad being told that you’re freeloading? I won’t pretend to know what’s going on in your own brain. But you’re posting this in a piracy community so I don’t imagine it should be any surprise to you that you’re freeloading, lol. If ye choose to sail the seas, do it with pride, me hearty. And support small businesses, yarr.

image 1image 2

apotheotic ,
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YouTube absolutely can see which parts of videos people are actually engaging with. So can creators. And sponsors can request engagement metrics as part of their sponsorship deals.

Advertisers care about impressions and engagement. A person simply watching a sponsored segment is an impression. If people’s impression metrics for sponsored segments start dropping, they become less attractive to sponsors as they knew they’re going to get fewer impressions as part of the deal.

It may, or may not, be a very small impact but it is an impact nonetheless.

If nobody is watching sponsored segments (which we’ve established: YouTube itsself, creators, and sponsors can track) then companies don’t have any incentive to sponsor videos, and creators no longer get revenue from sponsorships. Sure, this is a very end of the line example, because there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t have sponsorblock installed and can’t be bothered to skip the segment.

apotheotic ,
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I mean, it applies equally here. Using apps that strip metrics and analytics, has a similar effect to using sponsorblock. I don’t think I was arguing against sponsorblock I was saying facts about it. I use sponsorblock, I use grayjay, and I pay content creators.

apotheotic ,
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I agree with you that clickthrough rate is a far more useful metric for advertisers, and is probably more widely used in sponsorship deals.

Creators faking impression metrics would be followed by the advertisers seeing weirdly low clickthrough ratios, seeing that somethings up, and the creator losing future deals from that advertiser, so it’s not something I would expect creators to do unless they think they’re smarter than multi million/billion dollar companies advertising departments.

Where does this assertion come from that people that use sponsorblock are somehow never going to buy products? People keep saying it but I just don’t get it. We live in a world where people buy things. Some products are relevant to some people and some aren’t to other people. I use sponsorblock and adblock, and if I were to somehow see an advert for a product that seemed like it perfectly fit a need that I had, I’d definitely consider getting the product.

apotheotic ,
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Okay, sure, that’s a nice story about yourself, but like, this doesn’t address the core of your assertion that people who use sponsorblock won’t buy products if they see ads for them. It doesn’t seem like the two are actually inherently related at all. (People who don’t want to watch adverts) are not necessarily (People who don’t buy products).

apotheotic ,
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I mean, sure, you can say I made a bad argument, I don’t entirely disagree given the context was originally about grayjay, but at this point I’m not even making my argument anymore I’m just trying to figure out why it seems to be a shared view. I want to understand, y’know?

And I don’t really think it’s fair to say my assertion was only backed up by that unlikely possibility, but I don’t fully stand behind my original argument in this context anymore anyway

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