Lurker > WTGHookshot

This technology seems pointless from my perspective. It still requires human workers. I feel the money and technology should be spent towards AI that replaces human workers and human executives.

MICHALECOLE posted...

Do they even really do anything?

My friend has cystic fibrosis and three cats. He hadn't bothered with air filters until I mentioned it when visiting him (as his place was dusty and cat hair everywhere). He bought two afterwards and has talked how much cleaner his place is and how better his breathing is.

So, yes, getting the right ones do actually work.

I have one, but sadly, because I am moving in less than two weeks and will be out of town for a few days between now and then, it was already packed away and stored unfortunately.

I have a Mooka Air Purifier, HEPA.

Glob posted...

That does sound like vanity publishing to me. Theyll let you publish anything on your own dime and then offer you no support for marketing and distribution afterwards.

If my research into vanity publishing vs. self-publishing is correct, then vanity publishers:
-usually keep the copyright and such.
-can also sometimes have creative control on things like the covers (or not offer any type of service regarding it and just force you with something that is stock).
-tend to be more expensive than self-publishing because they make their profit from the author, not the sales of the books.
-tend to control the price, not the author.

That's why I want to go the self-publishing route: I'm in full control.

Glob posted...

Self-publishing is really just a case of stumping up the money. From the sound of it, youre essentially looking for vanity publishers. Theres plenty of those out there.

That's why I'm saving up (for self-publishing).

Not really looking for vanity publishers as I want to retain control of the copyright, the editorial process, and the publishing process, including marketing and distribution, personally.

I hope no deal is reached and they strike. And I hope the strike lasts for at least a year.

mobilebloechel posted...

Do you not know how to read? Cause you were told why in the topic

I agree with TC. That was an ineffective answer. To me, that is just further proof this board will be shut down in the coming months.

modena posted...

I follow a couple of YT'ers that are in Canada and this is the worst I've ever seen up there. One in BC already had to evacuate.

Similarly, I was talking with a friend of mine who lives along the New York/Canada border. She has friends who live in Nova Scotia and they had to abandon their home.

Enclave posted...

Forest fire smoke is going to be one of our primary exports until climate change is dealt with or some of the worlds most important forests are burned to the ground.

Climate change won't be dealt with. While mankind has accelerated climate change, it was inevitable and will be inevitable, even if mankind staves off its own influence on climate change.

MedeaLysistrata posted...

no escape from climate change

Another reason why I bring it up.

Back on 261, people in the eastern half of Canada/US would often bring up "sucks to live on the west coast with those wildfires, but what do you expect?" This is just a perfect example how nowhere is "safe."

AnsestralRecall posted...

Western Canadian wildfires have been affecting the upper Midwest for years now

That's why I point out in the "TL;DR" of the opening post that it is common elsewhere, but not common to affect some of the largest population centers of the mid-west and Atlantic sea board. Places like NYC, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, Nashville, Indianapolis, Columbus, Raleigh, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, and more.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYqwiJB5Gpvb_oz_GM6JjlHqCcoCsbwYohXA&usqp=CAU

https://cmg-cmg-tv-10040-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/tJf0n_XouSgHo5KRsgpPuZP1Uxg=/1440x810/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/PHEXQK7YTSFBCNOCHZ7GRPKWGA.jpeg

Comparison images of a map of North America at night (first link) and the impact zone of the current smoke (second link). That's why I bring it up. Not saying it's not common elsewhere, just stating it's not common in that particular bubble of population density along the Atlantic and Mid-west together.

I normally do not post topics myself, but this is an interesting phenomenon that I have never experienced in my life until now. I've known of the wildfires in California and along the west coast. I've known there to be wildfires in Canada before. However, I have never seen such far-reaching consequences of such. As this board is "Current Events" and this is indeed a current event, I figured I would bring it up, that it has more place being discussed than topics like "Check out this chick!"

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna87732

Millions of people in the eastern United States faced unhealthy air quality conditions on Tuesday, as smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada wafts over much of the country.

An air quality advisory was in effect for several regions of New York state on Tuesday. Air monitoring stations on Tuesday afternoon in some parts of New York City showed measures considered unhealthy for anyone.

It marked the second day that hazy skies across a wide swath of the country. Smoke blanketed the landscape from the Ohio Valley to as far south as the Carolinas on Monday. Air quality advisories were in effect Monday in southeastern Minnesota and parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as well as in more than 60 counties in Wisconsin on Monday.

The spike in air pollution comes from wildfires that have been raging in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. `

A band of smoke from wildfires in Quebec will continue to linger across east central and southeast Minnesota today due to very light winds, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency tweeted Monday, adding that air quality should improve in the evening as thunderstorms help disperse smoke particles from the air.

Canada is experiencing one of the worst starts to its wildfire season ever recorded. More than 6.7 million acres in the country have already burned in 2023, federal officials said last week.

In Quebec, around 14,000 people were forced to evacuate, and more than 150 fires are still ablaze in the province, according to CBC News. Further east, in Nova Scotia, officials said Sunday that one wildfire had been contained but a second, covering nearly 100 square miles, was still burning out of control, The Associated Press reported.

In recent days, smoke from the fires has been drifting over the northeastern United States and settling across the Midwest. Alerts warning of elevated concentrations of air pollution were issued across the regions particularly for sensitive groups that include children, older adults, and people with asthma and other pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Air pollution from wildfire smoke has become a significant health risk in the U.S. and is growing worse. Stanford University researchers found that the number of people who experienced at least one day with unhealthy air quality because of smoke rose by 27 times over the last decade.

Small particles in smoke that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter about 4% of the diameter of an average human hair are of particular concern to air quality researchers.

These are the particles that are small enough to breathe in and can cause cardiovascular issues, said Brett Palm, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

Exposure to this kind of pollution can cause inflammation and weaken the immune system, particularly when the tiny particles penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Particulate pollution may increase risk of asthma, lung cancer or other chronic lung diseases, particularly in vulnerable groups like older people, pregnant people, infants and children.

Wildfire smoke exposure might increase the risk of respiratory disease. Increases of Covid-19 and influenza have also been linked to wildfire smoke.

Palm said the situation unfolding in the Midwest highlights the longer-term risks of wildfires, particularly as climate change creates warmer and drier conditions that make these blazes more likely to occur and more severe when they do.

Over the last decade or so, these fires have been increasing and are having increasing impacts not just where the fires are, but far downwind from there, he said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency along with partner agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA maintains an interactive map of air quality data called AirNow that allows users to see the locations of active fires and assess local conditions and risks.

TL;DR - Canada is having the worst start to wildfire season in its history and the smoke from said fires is mixing with the jetstream and dissipating all along the Atlantic seaboard, where increased toxins are being felt even as far south as the Carolinas and throughout the Mid-West and North Atlantic states and provinces. Air quality measurements for large swaths of some of the most populated areas within the US and Canada are in the Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous regions of the Air Quality Index, which means potential impacts to health.

For those in the impacted zones (like myself), stay safe, don't over exert yourself, and try to stay some place with filtered air. For those in the paths of the wildfires, please be safe and evacuate if you feel you are in harm's path or directed to by any officials.

Glob posted...

The first thing Id always recommend is to the get the relevant writers and artists yearbook. From there, you can start to tweak your approach, targeting publishers and agents that are actually likely to at least look at your work.

I went through an agent rather than directly to a publisher, as a good agent can get you a foot in the door at places that simply dont accept unsolicited manuscripts.

From finishing a first draft of my first novel to publication took just over two years. Ive been told thats faster than most, but it felt like there were a lot of knockbacks along the way.

I'll admit, I want to publish my writing but I'm pretty sure at this point I don't want to go down the route of going through an actual publisher. I'm not in it for the money or the accolades or for people to even like my work. I write as a necessity to let my creativity out, instead of bottling it up until I explode.

I started looking at query letters, agents, and publishers and all that jazz, but the more I dug into it, I realized I don't think I want to do that. All of that is focused on trying to sell the book to an audience, to make money, to get a fanbase, to get recognition, etc. I don't care about any of that. I'm fine with having one fan or one million fans, as long as the work written is my own, not something crafted, modified, and pushed out by a committee of agents, editors, reviewers, illustrators, photographers, etc. As I'd read editor, agent, publisher, etc. comments on other people's works and how they were trying to push something to be marketable, it made me realize that self-publishing is probably more the route for me, rather than traditional publishing. Like, one of the common questions in my research I see asked by the agents, publishers, etc. is "who is your target audience?" My answer is always "me" (and by extension, people like me). I'm not targeting anyone specifically. I'm not targeting a specific genre. I just don't think my writing and I fit well into the traditional publishing model.

Whether an afterlife is real or not, I don't see a point in trying to save the human aspects of Earth. Keep humans around, and, eventually, you'll just be back to having to save Earth again and again and again.

STEROLIZER posted...

The whole misinformation rule really should only apply to politics.

So, if someone is asking for help on how to fix their system, you think it should be fine to purposely give them information that bricks their system in the guise of "helping" (knowing full well the advice given will ruin their system)?

MarthGoomba posted...

Only being able to play as Clive is a guaranteed never buy for me

There are various story moments where you play as other characters. However, those are predetermined (think Roxas at the beginning of Kingdom Hearts 2) rather than selectable.

Xenogears15 posted...

Normally I'd agree, but the dude at the helm is actually a really good director: he turned the failure that was FFXIV into probably the single best MMO ever.

In your situation though, I'd definitely say wait for the demo and reviews, though. But I got a feeling this one will be good.

Just want to point out, Yoshi-P is the producer, not the director. So, a little less "at the helm" and more like the King giving orders to the ship captain who is "at the helm."

ANort175 posted...

If it lasts until December we'll eventually have a "Fandom Nuclear Winter" topic and that would be kinda cool.

The topic? I don't think this board itself will last until December, let alone the topic itself (unless it transitions to a different board and picked up there).

Xenogears15 posted...

I...don't understand this logic. A company with multiple teams to work on multiple projects isn't allowed to release said multiple projects or they earn your scorn? What?

Furthermore, they seem to be under the impression that team sizes being huge is a good thing. Apparently they haven't heard about how Final Fantasy XIII's development was running behind schedule so they pillaged staff from other teams to augment their team and all it led to was a bunch of people twiddling their thumbs, spending weeks designing a single rock, because the team size was too large for the managers to probably manage every single staff member properly.

greenjeans posted...

Quit spewing sewage

Why do I feel like you are just trying to pick a fight in order for this topic posts to increase enough for it to get closed?

Hoodroar posted...

All of those places are terrible but the difference is that either the whole site is like that or the forum is extremely niche.

I just don't even visit NeoGAF, ResetEra, or chans.

Tails subreddit is trivial enough to be ignored

261 was the Politics section of a broader website. It had no right to be so much worse than the rest of the forum.

...have you been on the rest of the forum?

I can't state that every single board was as bad as 261, but the console boards, definitely certain game boards (like anything Zelda, anything Sonic, anything Final Fantasy-related), and a number of other community/special interest boards are as bad, if not worse, than 261. Either you are blind to it or just don't seemingly visit those other boards.

I would love to, but I don't have a PS5 and refuse to get one. That means "no," I won't be getting Final Fantasy XVI. I will get the game if it comes to a DRM-free service on PC or some console that isn't a Playstation, Xbox, or Nintendo console, but not before then.

Shame, too, as Final Fantasy is my favorite series ever.

Will this topic reach 500?

BakonBitz posted...

Some are turning conspiracy theorist and thinking that the green words in each of these "updates" is the real message.

It's entirely possible. Square-Enix has been known to do that, time from time.

DnDer posted...

What? She's the one on the left.

I'm stating the bikini top is missing on the one on the right.

Xenogears15 posted...

Except SE has posted videos of how the world map works: like FFX, but with larger zones. They've stated that most zones are several kilometers in size, so take that as you will.

The bolded is what I'm getting at. The game hasn't been released yet, so we can only go off of what they state.

That said, I thought there were only 4 zones that were several kilometers in size?

https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-16s-world-has-large-maps-but-no-optional-dungeons

Yes, right there is where they state they have 4 larger zones, which are 2 km by 2 km. That's not "most zones." (Unless there are like only 8-10 zones in the entire game.)

metallica846 posted...

If Steve-O can get better I truly believe Bam can break his cycle too.

There's a difference, though: Steve-O chose to get better. Bam has not.

Not one bit. I love the device. It's really going to come in handy next week when I have to travel out of town for work, for instance. Also, the customization of control schemes is pretty unrivaled (at least in my experience).

As for the battery, I think this is a bit of a moot point. What handheld gaming device doesn't have a short battery these days? The Switch dies quickly. Many of the Steam Deck competitor handheld PCs die quickly. Many gaming laptops die quickly. Cell phones and tablets when playing intensive games die quickly. The Vita and 3DS batteries weren't all that long either.

At least with USB-C charging, I can plug in a battery pack to charge it while I'm not playing but on the go.

Will_VIIII posted...

Rehab

Rehab only works if you commit to it, though.

Punished_Blinx posted...

It glows for the players benefit so you always have a reference point for Sam in the dark.

It doesn't actually glow from the perspective of others.

This. It would be extremely frustrating if you couldn't see where your character is, especially in a stealth game.

Ruvan22 posted...

Ahh my apologies, I had him mixed up with MaxEffingBemis (as the latter responded to him)

But if even that bill didn't get passed, what makes you recommend Humble Novice to petition his state government for an even bigger bill? As in it seems unlikely to get passed....

Unlikely to get passed, yes. But other than pay out of pocket for these people to move, what other way would there be to get the fund that Humble_Novice wished there was in place? I'm not saying it's likely to happen. Just saying if they want said fund, then they either need to group together and pitch in as a group or they need to petition some form of government to set up some fund (and there's no way that the federal government would sponsor such a thing, as it is a state-related item). So, it's either a 0% chance of said fund being put together if Humble and like-minded individuals do nothing versus a 1-2% chance a fund gets put together by petitioning some form of government to do it. Not likely, but it's still above a 0% chance (doing nothing but "wishing" for it).

KTG2 posted...

I remember when I booted up KH3 not having touched the series since 2 and there were somehow multiple characters I had absolutely no fucking clue about in the slightest

Feel like they could have done a better job not letting those games get so far up their own ass. Or at least numbered them better.

Did you not go to the recap before playing? I remember when I booted it up, it recommended I go check it out before playing.

I can't say much on that subject. I like that they didn't just relegate those non-numbered games as spin-offs, personally, and instead are important to the overall story.

I'm honestly not sure how well they could have numbered them because they don't exactly fall perfectly in line with a timeline.

For instance, instead of calling it Birth by Sleep, they could have maybe called it Kingdom Hearts 0. Instead of calling it Chain of Memories, they could have maybe called it Kingdom Hearts 1.5. But after that, it gets a little more confusing. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days takes place during the ending of Kingdom Hearts 1, during Chain of Memories, and up to the beginning of Kingdom Hearts 2. So, numbering sequence, it's actually somewhat like 1+1.5+2 in terms of when it takes place. Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Fragmentary Passage could maybe be considered Kingdom Hearts 0.5 because it generally takes place between Birth by Sleep and 1. But the issue with having Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep called Kingdom Hearts 0 is that Kingdom Hearts X Unchained comes before Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep in terms of the timeline. So, what number would you use then? Kingdom Hearts: Coded comes after Kingdom Hearts 2 so you could maybe call it 2.5... but then Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance comes after Coded but before Kingdom Hearts 3, so would that be Kingdom Hearts 2.75 then? See, the numbering scheme would get all kinds of confusing regardless.

pikachupwnage posted...

1000$ one time upfront or 200$ a month possibly for many years.

hmmmm, which is better?

While I don't disagree, what do you think "lease-to-own" programs for cars or "rent-to-own" programs for furniture, electronics, etc. (or cell phone contracts where you don't buy the phone outright but pay monthly payments with interest in order to get the phone at a cheaper cost upfront) are about? Same model. Big difference in those programs lead to you owning the items in the end, whereas this you do not, but in terms of the people this attracts, it is most likely the same type of people, where they have no savings but can afford to go piece by piece a little easier. Not a fan of the program myself, but I can see how some people would want it (though I would recommend those people to not do this, as it's pretty predatory).

Ruvan22 posted...

A) The poster was asking for help getting out of FL, where he resides now - I was asking if there were state programs that pay to move residents in their own to move out, permanently.

Which poster are you referring to? The poster I responded to was Humble_Novice who does not reside in FL.

No, states aren't paying for people to move out of the states. I was stating to Humble_Novice (who does not reside in FL) to petition their state (whatever non-FL state that is) to set up some sort of "refugee" type fund.

B) Do you have a link to the CA program? All I can find is this, which says you'll receive care, not that CA would pay for an out of state person to get travel there..

https://abortion.ca.gov/getting-an-abortion/how-to-pay-for-an-abortion/

I do not. It was something posted on 261 many months ago, which we can no longer access for me to find the link. It might have just been a proposed bill, not one that was approved yet. Or it might have been more of a local county bill in CA, rather than a state-wide bill. I do remember a topic made about it, though, but can't access it due to the new Fandom blocking of that board, unfortunately. Perhaps one of the other 261 refugees saved the link somewhere or remembers what I am referring to.

Strider102 posted...

I, for one, can not wait for the numerous topics from people starting on Part 2 asking if they have to play Part 1 or want detailed explanations of Part 1.

It'll most likely be like Kingdom Hearts III, where they give you a premier/log/recap of the previous game.

Xenogears15 posted...

I've been saying for awhile now: I think we need to expect FFVIIR2 to have an open world akin to FFXVI's. It's the most recent FF and XVI will likely copy from that, if only to save time.

So much more open than FFVIIR1, but not as open world as the original.

The problem is, FFXVI isn't out, so no one but the developers truly know how open it is or not.

MaxEffingBemis posted...

This is the sequel to the remake right? Isnt it supposed to be coming out this year or do you think they push it to next year

It was originally slated for "Winter 2023." That means it was originally slate to release between late November 2023 and early April 2024.

KTG2 posted...

I hope I'm not too far out on a limb hoping that the game world is large and open with things to explore.

There's no reason they couldn't make a world like the one in Xenoblade 3 on the PS5, so that's kind of my bare minimum expectation. Can't wait to be disappointed.

If that's your expectation, yes, you will be disappointed.

At best, most likely it will be partially open with some large zone areas connected by hallways. Think God of War 2018 or older Zelda games (i.e., Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess).

UnfairRepresent posted...

That sounds like criticizing them taking artistic liberties to me

Then feel free to take it as such. It just seems like they went the route of gender swapping but then missed the opportunity to stop reinforcing gender stereotypes/standards. All the power to them, but it just seems like wasted potential to make a point.

Hambo posted...

"Missing" implies that it should be there. It's better this way.

To go for authenticity, yes, I am indeed implying it should be there.
Giacomo_Hawkins posted...

Sure, and Han Solo would not expose his midriff. Both costumes are alluding to the original outfits, but more scantily clad. I'd opt for putting the dude in strappy gladiator sandals, but the cosplayers' choices are fine.

Eh, maybe to you. I would state not adhering to the outfits as they were originally when gender swapping the people donning them is a failed opportunity and just reinforces certain gender standards (i.e., "okay" for "men" to be topless but not for "women," "okay"/"natural" for "women" to expose midriff but not for "men").

Not criticizing them taking artistic liberties. Just stating it's a failed opportunity. Like if they gender swapped a male knight character in full plate armor to be a female knight character in bikini armor (or vice versa).

Personally, I hope the tentative agreement falls apart and the DGA is forced to go on strike.

Hambo posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/6/6/AADHstAAEil6.jpg
Helloooo, princess.

And this one confirms it. Top is missing.

Anarchy_Juiblex posted...

Because it doesn't match the rest of the Slave Leia outfit.

It also appears he's missing the top as well.

Iamdepressed posted...

Am I supposed to accept that our world is a horrible place to live?

Now you are learning.

Ruvan22 posted...

Do local/state politicians create funds to get constituents out said state?

Some places have, I believe. For instance, I remember California setting up some laws/programs to help those from states where abortion was banned to get an abortion in California instead and then pay any legal fees to fight the home state from coming after them.

I imagine some places could set up similar. If not, then those with like minds could set up GoFundMe pages for those they are trying to help move and contribute themselves.

Unknown5uspect posted...

Why are the security deposits so high in Florida?

I can't speak to Florida specifically, but where I live in upstate NY, security deposits are usually 1-3 months rent. Considering the average rent in my local area is about $1,000, the security deposit is approximately $1,000-$3,000.

Humble_Novice posted...

Who in their right minds would want to live in that crap-tier state? I wish there was a fund to help evacuate non-Republicans from Florida.

You can always petition your local/state politicians to set up said fund. Or if that doesn't work, you can always set one up with like-minded folks yourselves and contribute the funds out-of-pocket (rather than via taxes).

Noname12 posted...

Youre supposed to eat it while driving home

Ew. I don't eat in my vehicle (nor do I allow anyone else to).