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aplc0r

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WriterdeckOS 9 months ago

While I don't have a use for this, I do like the idea of purposeful modes in computing. Obviously there is a lot you can do with shortcuts and preferences, but its nice to have a limited to base to start with.

I think this is even more important with a mobile platform since for one, battery and processing power is at a premium, and two anything with notifications could take you out of your desired "mode" if you don't wrangle them properly.

Something I've always wanted in a smartphone is to be able to boot into a "camera only" mode. There have been many times where all I need my phone for is as a camera, and I don't want it wasting resources/battery doing anything else. If this mode were light enough, it could boot up in the same amount of time as a normal digital camera, allowing your the phone to be truly off while you're not taking pictures. I do often take a digital camera with me, but sometimes I don't want the bulk or maybe I didn't initially plan to take a lot of pictures.

The only location in Minnesota was also owned by this franchisee. It was a real shock when it closed since it always seemed to be busy. If there was a movie we really wanted to see in the theater, the drafthouse was always the first choice.

I encountered many of these tar covered PCs doing retail computer repair. One of the worst I can remember was a wood shop PC of a heavy smoker. The combination of tar and sawdust absolutely glued everything in place. Dead mice and roaches were common. However, the only computer I remember saying we wouldn't touch was a slim desktop where someone had vomited into the vent on the top.

I recently went down a rabbit hole of playing early home flight simulators. One that stuck with me was Tomcat F-14 for the Atari 2600. A combat flight simulator on a system with one button seemed impossible.

I tried playing it without any information at first, but couldn't figure out the controls. So I looked up the manual and found that it used the Game Select and Difficulty switches for additional controls. Having the left and right difficulty switches for the arresting hook and landing gear felt surprisingly cool. I didn't have a lot of games for the 2600 growing up, so I'm sure there are lot of examples of clever controls, but this would have blown my mind as a kid.

https://archive.org/details/Tomcat_The_F-14_Flight_Simulator...

Thank you for reminding me! I actually own the printed zines for EXA Punks. They also came with a secret envelope to be opened at a certain point in the game. I ordered them mostly out of a love for anything Zachtronics did. I don't have the Shenzen I/O one, but should really get it printed. If I recall there was also a physical manual for TIS-100 at some point.

I recently picked up a copy of this from a retro game store while on vacation. The box was covered in dust and slightly damaged on the corners. To my surprise everything inside was in mint condition. Simulators obviously have a higher standard of documentation, but it really made me miss game manuals in general.

Tunic, a game released last year, contained an in game manual in the style of older games. I personally found it legitimately useful, and fangamer recently released a hardcover version that is now out of stock.

https://www.fangamer.com/products/tunic-hardcover-manual

Recently I was trying to take a picture of my sleeping cat. I used the double tap power button shortcut to open the camera as I normally do, but it didn't show up for some reason so I did the shortcut again. The phone started a loud siren and showed a countdown to calling 911. I was able to stop it before the call went out, but suffice to say capturing the peaceful moment was no longer possible.

Hill start assist is a thing in "modern" manual transmissions. It automatically holds the brake for you as you engage the clutch so you don't roll back. After burning the clutch in my previous car when I was stuck climbing a packed parking ramp, it felt like magic the first time it kicked in.

Stop and go traffic can still be brutal. At least one of your legs gets a free workout.

My favorite feeds for virtual planespotting:

https://youtu.be/nPsaWA2HkCY - Reagan National Airport (DCA) - Occasional V22 Osprey and Blackhawks

https://youtu.be/bqiZ2xih6Jk - Prague (PRG) - Nice mix of big international jets and small local flights

https://youtu.be/z5lYsvOwxHI - Lake Hood Seaplane Base - Constant seaplane action during the warm months, and heavy cargo flights from ANC

https://youtu.be/7jMqwnKIfWA - Naha Aiport (OKA) - Constant traffic and the occasional fighter sortie from the JASDF airbase

Interesting to look at the various satellite map sources of the ship breaking yard. On Bing/Google Maps you can see two carriers in different levels of disassembly. On DDG you can see one with most of the deck still installed.

Bing: https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=6054227b-9030-4624-9ed6-e3540...

Google: https://goo.gl/maps/CXtTFMzjvUav3U6z7

DDG: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=25.970727153134153%2C+-97.3...

I've reported so many of these. Every time there is a SpaceX launch these fake videos fill up my recommendations from "ElonMusk" and "Space X"

As a Minnesotan, I don't really understand the focus on Paul Bunyan in the design. Is that really what we're most known for? Looks like a great design for a craft beer label though.

I have rudder pedals for flight simulators under my desk. Most of the time they just sit there not being used. This inspires me to find more uses for them. Since they offer analog inputs, maybe scrolling or volume control.

While certainly not as cheap, the Casio Wave Ceptor watches have great utility. My favorite travel watch is the WVA-M640-1AJF. It is always accurate, always charged, and allows me to quickly see what time it is in another time zone. Before I bought it, I forgot that there were watches focused on function over form. Don't get me wrong, I love a good looking watch, but sometimes you want a tool over an art piece.