@JCPhoenix@beehaw.org avatar

JCPhoenix

@JCPhoenix@beehaw.org

Internet Addict. Reddit refugee. Motorsports Enthusiast. Gamer. Traveler. Napper.

He/Him.

Also @JCPhoenix. @jcphoenix

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Moms for Liberty Completely Collapses in Former Strongholds (newrepublic.com)

Moms for Liberty experienced a meteoric rise at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, as local chapters sprang up to push back against coronavirus restrictions in schools. The organization soon expanded to pushing book bans and opposing discussion of LGBTQ issues and race and diversity in classrooms, prompting the Southern Poverty...

JCPhoenix,
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We’ll never get rid of these bigots. They’ve always existed. But at least they stayed away from library and school boards and other governance positions back then. Let’s hope they keep doing that going forward.

JCPhoenix,
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What is going on with Honda? Seems like once a month for the last several months, I’m hearing about a new recall with their cars. Or am I just seeing the same news being reported over and over?

I like Honda, I have a newish Honda, and it’s my second or third. “Luckily” only one of these recent recalls applies to my car. But damn, seems like quality is slipping.

If you’re curious if a recall applies to your vehicles, and you’re in the US, visit www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. Just need a VIN and it’ll tell you what recalls are in effect.

JCPhoenix,
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There are some instances still up, but I think the assumption is that eventually all of them will shutdown with time. I don’t know the exact reason for it (you can read more here), but something was changed on Twitter’s side that will end all of these.

JCPhoenix,
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I could see SCOTUS, as shit as they are, outright agreeing with the appeals court or just choosing not to hear the case and letting the decision stand (which I suppose is just “soft agreeing”). SCOTUS has crossed a lot of lines, but I feel like this is one line they’re not willing to cross and rightfully so.

Does this current decision cover the whole country? Or is this one of those things where Trump not having immunity only currently applies in this district, but it’s possible another district could (perplexingly) come to another conclusion?

What are your experiences with the Mandela Effect?

See title. For those who don’t know, the Mandela Effect is a phenomenon where a large group of people remember something differently than how it occurred. It’s named after Nelson Mandela because a significant number of people remembered him dying in prison in the 1980s, even though he actually passed away in 2013....

JCPhoenix,
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Yeah, I never understood that either. He was the president of South Africa from 1994-1999. Yes, he kept a lower profile in the 2000s, but I remember even as a kid/teen seeing articles and photos of him in the news. Bizarre.

Now the Berenstain Bears one, I understand. At the same time, I just chalk that up to spelling. For what reason would I need to know how to spell “Berenstain?”

JCPhoenix,
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Next you’re gonna tell me their hit album was called “Tabthamping” instead of “Tubthumping!” Where does it end?!

Honestly though, I thought the same!

JCPhoenix,
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My first name is already uncommon, or even rare. At least in the US; it might be more common in Europe, though still probably uncommon there.

But I always liked the name “Hiram.” Not just uncommon, old-timey as well.

JCPhoenix,
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When my brother and I lived together, we definitely texted each other, either via text or Discord. When we only lived in a 2bdr apartment. If we were in each of our rooms, with the doors open, we could easily just talk really loudly if we wanted to. But we typically had headsets on.

If I’m visiting my family, if there’s something I want to show them on the computer, I’ll often just drop it into our family Discord. Easier that way.

JCPhoenix,
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But if it’s not being developed (that’s my assumption as I haven’t touched WordPad in many, many years) and not many people are using it (again, I’m assuming based on my own personal experiences and those in the workplace), what’s wrong with removing a legacy system?

People complain all the time about Microsoft retaining legacy systems, often seemingly detrimentally, so here it is, an opportunity to remove a legacy system, but now it’s bad?

I get that not everyone has Word. But Word isn’t as paywalled as it once was. There’s the web version of Word, that’s free to use with a free Microsoft account. There’s Google Docs, also free with a gmail account. And there’s of course OpenOffice and LibreOffice, obviously free. So users have options for word processing that are better than WordPad.

JCPhoenix,
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While I have my W-2 and a bunch of 1099s and 1098s from various banks, I’m still waiting on a few more things. But yeah, definitely silly that I have to gather these forms, tabulate them in the 1040, and technically send them off to the IRS, when these banks have also filed these with the government already. Electronic filing or not, it’s annoying. It doesn’t take me long to do my taxes, maybe like 1-2hrs (and admittedly I use H&R Block via the IRS’ Free File program), but still. So stupid.

The IRS is trialing a “Direct File” system this year, but it’s not open to everyone. Hopefully that turns out alright. I know that still requires people to file in the first place, but I still think it’ll eventually get us to a point where the government “files for us” and we simply confirm the amounts. Anything that removes the influence of the proprietary tax software companies is a plus in my book.

JCPhoenix,
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Well at least they’ll get to use those fancy blue passports Brexiters were so excited about.

JCPhoenix,
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I’m not deep into it, but I’ve been trying to get deeper in with Home Assistant. I have several smart plugs, a smart thermostat, some Google Nest products, and even an indoor security camera.

What drove me to home automation, specifically the smart plugs where it all started, was that I live in an apartment. Most of the outlets aren’t connected to wall switches. So I’d have my various lamps around where the plugs/attached switches are like behind furniture or other awkward spots to reach to. It got annoying. The smart plugs solved that so I could turn them on/off from my phone.

Next, I started placing them on a schedule. So that when I got home (back when I was working from the office), I could come home to a lit house. Or if I fell asleep on the couch, all the lights will turn off at some point instead of being on all night. Or when I’m out of town, I can play with the lights to simulate someone being home.

Then I got a free Google Nest Mini (similar to an Amazon Echo). Controlling the lights from phone was great, but controlling via voice was even better! Because what if my phone wasn’t on me? Or battery dead? How about if I had guests who wanted to turn on/off lights? Now both bedrooms have one, plus the living/dining room. I can control everything from those, by voice.

The thermostat here, though digital, wasn’t even programmable. So I replaced it with a smart one, free from the power company. I can even control from my phone (or voice). Now I can schedule heating/cooling. During a trip, I’ll leave it outside of my at-home temp range to save money. But on the way back home, like from the airport, I can have it start heating/cooling so that by the time I get home, my apartment is ready for me.

Security camera is obvious. I travel a fair amount, so it’s an extra piece of mind.

Altogether, it’s about convenience and ease. These all solve or at least mitigate admittedly minor issues, but still, I don’t have to worry about them anymore. Some, especially the thermostat, even help me save money. And a couple even provide me with a bit more security (at least I feel that way).

JCPhoenix,
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Not getting a UPS for my server. Even though I’m pretty sure one of my VMs got corrupted (it won’t boot in ESXi anymore) after the server shutdown during a brownout several months back. I’ve had a server at home for like 4yrs now. Have experienced multiple brownouts. Still don’t have a UPS, even though I always look for one.

JCPhoenix,
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It is a homelab, so it’s all basically experimental. I don’t really need any of this.

But yes, I should absolutely just buy a UPS =x

JCPhoenix,
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So this is instead of the UPS, rather than in addition to?

I’m looking at one now and I’m assuming it’s like a big surge protector type thing. Do UPS have these built in?

JCPhoenix,
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Movies and TV are some peoples’ hobbies. I have a co-worker who used to spend $300/mo on a cable bill because she had all the movie channels and stuff. She watched tons of movies and shows. At first I thought she was weird for watching so much TV, but then I thought about how much gaming I do, and realized “Oh, that’s just her hobby like gaming is mine.” Granted, I’m not spending $300/mo on gaming, but people do tend to spend money on hobbies. Sometimes even more than $300/mo.

Anyway, I’ve been letting her use my Netflix account – surprisingly neither of us have seen anything from Netflix about it – for the last several years. She recently (finally) got a Smart TV so she cancelled her crazy-ass cable package and I think pays for YouTube TV now. I’m sure she’s watching just as much as TV and movies as ever, but at least she’s saving some money.

JCPhoenix,
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Gotcha, apologies for the misread!

Honestly, I was surprised too. I guess given how ubiquitous movies and television are, it never really occurred to me that it could be a hobby. And I bet most people don’t think of it as a hobby, either. When I think of a hobby related to TV/Movies, I think more like “film snobs” (for lack of a better term). Maybe people who watch the AFI 100 or whatever and know all about film and cinematography. But not people just watching TV like anyone else. But by definition, it’s a hobby. It’s “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.”

For my coworker, she’s single and childless. So she has tons of time to watch movies and shows outside of work. I’m the same, but I devote it mainly towards gaming. Though I could certainly stand to devote less time to my hobby. Or pick up some new ones at least!

Hope you’ll be able to find some more time to watch the movies and show you want!

JCPhoenix,
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Already donated to the group. And won’t be the last time. They have a great name, by the way: Missourians for Constitutional Freedom. It’s a very Republican-esque name that hides what they’re doing. Likes Moms for Liberty or Freedom Caucus or Lincoln Project. If there’s anything I’ve learned from the right, it’s that sometimes you gotta play like they do.

As a Missourian, I hope I’ll be able to sign the petition in my district. If we successfully get this onto the November ballot, I’m confident it’ll pass. Missouri may be deep red, but that’s only when it comes to electing politicians. When the people are able to vote on initiatives and referenda, the more “liberal” issues tend to win out. Recreational marijuana. Medicinal Marijuana. Lobbying/campaigning/redistricting reform (unfortunately this one got repealed, but just barely). Minimum wage increase. Idk if that’s because of the power of the cities, but then you’d think that our US senator and high state office elections would be more competitive, but they’re not.

Either way, let’s get this on this ballot!

JCPhoenix,
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You can use Nitter.net to help “expose” the tweets and threads. Here’s this one: nitter.net/CeciliaFae/status/1749183059877085396

JCPhoenix,
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PRC is Taiwan’s largest trading partner (2022 data). And According to this Reuter’s article from a few days ago, China is also Taiwan’s number one destination for investment. So I suppose it’s not surprising that the ruling class has connections to Chinese money and industry.

I guess in some ways, this is similar to the US and China as trading partners, even though they’re geopolitical rivals. Obviously Taiwan has a lot more to fear than the US does if things go south, but I wonder how much Taiwan-PRC economic ties play a role in preventing an outbreak of hostilities.

Though people said the same thing of Russia, especially after 2014 and look how that turned out. Of course, China isn’t Russia. So maybe it does help.

JCPhoenix,
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I thought the plane is supposed to be missing screws, not the passengers.

JCPhoenix,
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Doesn’t COPPA already require this for children under 13? This state bill raises it to under 16.

I guess it comes down to the particulars. Is there something more onerous in the Ohio bill than in COPPA? Because I don’t think I’ve heard of any company seriously getting mad that COPPA is a thing.

JCPhoenix,
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This is the third time I’ve seen this referenced. I looked this up and now I feed stupider for having read anything about it.

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