Daily Tech News 26 December 2024

Top Story

A record 18,000 games were published on Steam in 2024 - around fifty per day. (Tom's Hardware)

Of course most of these are small indie titles, but given that most of the tentpole AAA titles in 2024 were catastrophic failures - cough Concord cough - that's not only entirely understandable but a good thing.
Meanwhile in Europe new game sales dropped by 29% year-on-year. (WCCFTech)

Star Wars Outlaws, one of Ubisoft's biggest failures of 2024, was the 14th best selling title in 2024 out of games released in 2024. But when you include sales of older games, it drops to number 45.

Tech News

Here's some of the best indie titles released in 2024. (WCCFTech)

The best major titles of 2024 are Black Myth Wukong. Astro Bot is reportedly also fun, though short.
Apple is not planning to let Google be broken up by the government without a fight. (WSJ) (archive site)

Apple has filed to intervene in the penalty phase of the Google antitrust case, now that the judge has ruled that Google has violated antitrust law.

The reason is that Google pays Apple about $20 billion per year to be the default search engine in the Safari browser.

Which is a good reason.
Lenovo's P14s workstation laptop is 60% off right now. (Notebook Check)

This is not a cheap model so even at 60% off it's still $1700, but for that you get an Intel 155H CPU, a 14.5" 3072x1920 display, 96GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD, and RTX 500 dedicated graphics. Which aren't anything special but are better than the integrated graphics in the CPU.

And it has the Four Essential Keys.

I checked the Australian store and we only get a 20% discount, leaving the price for the same configuration at A$4760, just a touch expensive.
How to survive as a software developer in the era of AI. (Backchannel)

Step One: Build a moat and feed anyone who tries to tell you it is the "Era of AI" to the alligators. Or crocodiles/caimans/gharials depending on your location.

Such people are not only not to be trusted, but should be actively distrusted. When the Era of AI comes, Skynet will notify you.

Disclaimer: And then crash immediately because someone mentioned David Mayer.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Someone asked this in a thread yesterday but I don't think that it was ever answered, and it's a good question. Is there anyway to get around the announcement from YouTube: "Sign in to prove you're not a bot?"

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:08 AM (gfK5Z)

2 Yeah, 2024 was pretty bad for games. Veilguard is another massive crapfest.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 26, 2024 04:09 AM (bss/y)

3 1 Someone asked this in a thread yesterday but I don't think that it was ever answered, and it's a good question. Is there anyway to get around the announcement from YouTube: "Sign in to prove you're not a bot?"
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:08 AM (gfK5Z)

Huh. I never run into that one. Or ads. Brave browser seems to take care of a lot of the stuff under the hood just by using it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 26, 2024 04:10 AM (bss/y)

4 1 Someone asked this in a thread yesterday but I don't think that it was ever answered, and it's a good question. Is there anyway to get around the announcement from YouTube: "Sign in to prove you're not a bot?"

Create a throwaway account and sign in?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 26, 2024 04:10 AM (BLOW1)

5 Yeah, 2024 was pretty bad for games.

And movies.

And television.

And books.

And ...

Thank goodness there are older things to play, watch, and read because they've decided to stop making things normal people (for a very liberal definition of normal) would like to play, watch, or read.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:13 AM (cl15i)

6 Thank goodness there are older things to play, watch, and read because they've decided to stop making things normal people (for a very liberal definition of normal) would like to play, watch, or read.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:13 AM (cl15i)

There have been a few games: Shadow of the Erdtree (elden ring expansion.) Lies of P. Space Marine 2. Helldivers 2 (which managed to rise to the heights and fall within a few months.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 26, 2024 04:19 AM (bss/y)

7 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 26, 2024 04:19 AM (Wg6v7)

8 There have been a few games: Shadow of the Erdtree (elden ring expansion.) Lies of P. Space Marine 2. Helldivers 2 (which managed to rise to the heights and fall within a few months.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD

Yeah. Helldivers 2 managed to shoot itself in the head, but Space Marine 2 seems to be a solid game written by sane people.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 26, 2024 04:24 AM (BLOW1)

9 There have been a few games: Shadow of the Erdtree (elden ring expansion.) Lies of P. Space Marine 2. Helldivers 2 (which managed to rise to the heights and fall within a few months.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 26, 2024 04:19 AM (bss/y)

At the movies tonight (Nosferatu - boo, hiss), my wife saw an ad for an Indiana Jones game. It's the first game I've seen her enthusiastic for in a while (she's the vidya gamer between us).

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:25 AM (cl15i)

10 G'Day everyone
Its Boxing Day and the Feast of St Stephen

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 04:31 AM (fwDg9)

11 Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:25 AM (cl15i)

Was Nosteratu (sp?) not any good, because son is interested in seeing it. He also wants to see the new movie about Bob Dylan. He and spouse will have to go see both movies, because while I think on Dylan is an interesting guy. Timothee Chalmet in real life seems to be an annoying super leftist gay guy.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:31 AM (DfdQC)

12 At the movies tonight (Nosferatu - boo, hiss), my wife saw an ad for an Indiana Jones game. It's the first game I've seen her enthusiastic for in a while (she's the vidya gamer between us).
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:25 AM (cl15i)

I have honestly not heard a huge amount about it. Right now, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has a 91% user rating on steam.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 26, 2024 04:31 AM (bss/y)

13 So, my recommendation for anyone interested in Nosferatu is to see it and make their own judgment. That said, I did not like it, and I have seen the film the one and only time I will see it. I could go on, but would hate to spoil it.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:33 AM (cl15i)

14 Merry Christmas!

Yes. It's still Christmas (the twelve days). It only just got started. All that stuff before Christmas wasn't Christmas. It was Advent.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at December 26, 2024 04:34 AM (ZmEVT)

15 They also watched the silent film version of Nosteratu. Vampires and the undead is not my thing.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:35 AM (DfdQC)

16 Also, your son had admirably eclectic tastes.

I would like to volunteer Timothy Chalamet for the first manned mission to the sun. (I will concede he was good in Bones and All, a truly creepy horror movie.)

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:36 AM (cl15i)

17 And, at the risk of pouring gasoline on the dread generation wars, one benefit of the passage of time is going to be hearing less about Bob Dylan.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:38 AM (cl15i)

18 I'm not making these misspellings of course. Grey boxes are demon haunted. They do these things to hurt us.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:40 AM (cl15i)

19 Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:36 AM (cl15i)

Yes, so. Likes a lot ofinteresting films including Japanese ones which I had never heard of ( Lady one was about some 90 year old famous sushi chef in Tokyo)and I second your opinions about Timothee Chalamet., but heh, I wanted to see Bonhoeffer which must have only lasted week at the local movie theatre.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:40 AM (hYSQE)

20 Despite my earlier bitterness, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. And despite those who want to constrain our freedoms, we have more breathing room with Trump returning. For that we thank the Divinity...

Posted by: Mister Ghost at December 26, 2024 04:41 AM (TGPs7)

21 Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:38 AM (cl15i

Iif Dylan is a super leftist he's kept his political views to himself. I think.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:42 AM (hYSQE)

22 Bob Dylan shacked up with some very connubial creatures...

Posted by: Mister Ghost at December 26, 2024 04:42 AM (TGPs7)

23 "Last" one, not "Lady" one. You're not the only one dealing with typos and stupid autocorrect. Bear,

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:44 AM (hYSQE)

24 I have no idea. My objection to Dylan is that I have ears. (And, yes, I am self-aware enough to recognize how ridiculous it is for me to be bent out of shape about others' musical tastes given my own.)

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:44 AM (cl15i)

25 For that we thank the Divinity...

Posted by: Mister Ghost at December 26, 2024 04:41 AM (TGPs7)

Yes we do!

Posted by: Giles Overreach at December 26, 2024 04:44 AM (rcnBO)

26 Dylan has a lousy voice, but I think he wrote or some good songs including "You gotta serve somebody"He did write that correct, not just perform it?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:46 AM (hYSQE)

27 I think that's right. I like Knockin' on Heaven's Door and All Along the Watchtower. I just like them performed by someone else.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:52 AM (cl15i)

28 Seeing these last few years Nosferatu on Halloween I would like to see the new version. Have doubts about remakes but would watch it.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 04:53 AM (fwDg9)

29 28 Seeing these last few years Nosferatu on Halloween I would like to see the new version. Have doubts about remakes but would watch it.
Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 04:53 AM (fwDg9)

Dracula (and Nosferatu is just Dracula with the serial number filed off) is evergreen, like Shakespeare. My problems with the film are not the familiar remake-reboot ones. Eggers is earnest about source material. That's just not enough.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:59 AM (cl15i)

30 Speaking of the passage of time, I saw "Death on the Nile" with Annette Bening.

Ay Carumba.

Gal Gadot was as beautiful as ever.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at December 26, 2024 05:00 AM (ZmEVT)

31
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 26, 2024 05:09 AM (tljrc)

32 Evening and morning of Boxing Day to all the early risers and late toilers! Christmas 2024 is now in the rear view mirror. Linda gave me a couple ounces of pipe tobaccos from the local cigar and pipe shop; my bottle of Merlot and box of milk chocolates went over pretty well. (But if you won't tell your partner and friend of, well, decades what you want when he asks, you get generic presents. It's just that simple.)

Weather here: drearily warm, 60 F. now with fog, going to 70 today, and 77 (!) tomorrow.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 05:19 AM (omVj0)

33 And of course, the cats love the wrapping paper from our presents.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 05:20 AM (omVj0)

34 At the movies tonight (Nosferatu - boo, hiss), my wife saw an ad for an Indiana Jones game. It's the first game I've seen her enthusiastic for in a while (she's the vidya gamer between us).
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:25 AM (cl15i)

Is she aware that it is a First Person perspective game?

Posted by: Buzzion at December 26, 2024 05:21 AM (mK5Lf)

35 And if she is interested in Indiana Jones it's on Game Pass if you have that, or it might be worth getting Game Pass for a month just to play it. I think I heard maybe 15 hours or so of gameplay?

Posted by: Buzzion at December 26, 2024 05:23 AM (mK5Lf)

36 Is she aware that it is a First Person perspective game?
Posted by: Buzzion at December 26, 2024 05:21 AM (mK5Lf)

No. But that won't bother her, I don't think. First-person shooter is one of her favorite genres.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 05:27 AM (cl15i)

37 Reasonable weather this next week, no cold snaps but rain a few days.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 05:28 AM (fwDg9)

38 4 1 Someone asked this in a thread yesterday but I don't think that it was ever answered, and it's a good question. Is there anyway to get around the announcement from YouTube: "Sign in to prove you're not a bot?"
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 04:08 AM (gfK5Z)

Create a throwaway account and sign in?
Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 26, 2024 04:10 AM (BLOW1)

Merry Boxing/Proclamation Day, Pixy! I hope you are happy-holidaying.

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 05:31 AM (VnUSN)

39 w00t

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 05:31 AM (VnUSN)

40 No. But that won't bother her, I don't think. First-person shooter is one of her favorite genres.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 05:27 AM (cl15i)

I didn't say shooter. There is shooting. But a lot of puzzles and platforming too.

Posted by: Buzzion at December 26, 2024 05:32 AM (mK5Lf)

41 Boxing/Offering/Proclamation Day. At a minimum.

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 05:34 AM (VnUSN)

42 "Boxing Day sales: crowds flock to stores around Australia in search of bargains
"Shoppers expected to splurge on homewares and beauty products, with retail spending projected to top $1.3bn on Boxing Day" (Guardian)

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 05:35 AM (VnUSN)

43 I didn't say shooter. There is shooting. But a lot of puzzles and platforming too.
Posted by: Buzzion at December 26, 2024 05:32 AM (mK5Lf)

Yeah, she'll dig that too. Her basic interests are: first person shooter (Call of Duty, Wolfenstein), puzzles and finesse (Sphinx, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider), and, for lack of a better term, modern arcade (Crash Bandicoot).

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 05:36 AM (cl15i)

44 "The survey of more than 1,000 Australians revealed almost half did not think about how the gifts they bought for others will be disposed of...."

Imagine.

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 05:39 AM (VnUSN)

45 Good morning, good people. +5 and no perceptible wind here in the Adirondacks. Cycles are repeating, downright cold during the week, then warming to high 30's and mid 40's for the weekend with the attendant 3" of snow. I sure hope the village has a tidy sum socked away for snow removal and a reliable salt supply or there are gonna be issues.

Meanwhile, let there be maximum benefit resulting from your efforts today with commensurate grief inflicted on the leftwit algae that infest us.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 26, 2024 05:48 AM (hKoQL)

46 Quiet here this morning. The post-Christmas hangover, or tristesse, I guess?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 05:58 AM (omVj0)

47 Morning all

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at December 26, 2024 06:01 AM (H9VzD)

48 46 Quiet here this morning. The post-Christmas hangover, or tristesse, I guess?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 05:58 AM (omVj0)

Buncha layabouts who take their cardboard memberships for granted.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 06:02 AM (cl15i)

49 Hour and half and only a half cup of coffee to show for it.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 06:03 AM (fwDg9)

50 Boxing Day sales:

Aka, Black Friday sales. 😂😂😂

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at December 26, 2024 06:03 AM (H9VzD)

51 No hangover here. That's probably why I am awake so early.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at December 26, 2024 06:03 AM (ZmEVT)

52 I have not gone to bed yet. I'm on vacation and therefore sleeping the sleep of the undead.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 06:06 AM (cl15i)

53 Bob Dylan wrote Jimi Hendrix's best song.

Posted by: SFGoth at December 26, 2024 06:09 AM (KAi1n)

54 Happy Boxing Day, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at December 26, 2024 06:09 AM (AN2gy)

55 Boxing Day?

Oh Lawd. I suppose the servants will want the day off again this year.

Posted by: Leslie Ellery Bertram IV at December 26, 2024 06:09 AM (ZmEVT)

56

I prefer first person masturbators, where you run around, solve puzzles and platforms, and splooge all over faces, breasts, and front/back holes... and occasional works of art...

Posted by: Dirty Frank at December 26, 2024 06:11 AM (VLH5c)

57
At the familial gathering yesterday, my youngest niece took an immense liking to me and was by my side almost constantly. It was cute. She sang "The Christmas Hippo" on her karaoke toy (the first time I had ever heard the song itself) and later told me, "I want you for Christmas next year!"

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2024 06:15 AM (xG4kz)

58 57
At the familial gathering yesterday, my youngest niece took an immense liking to me and was by my side almost constantly. It was cute. She sang "The Christmas Hippo" on her karaoke toy (the first time I had ever heard the song itself) and later told me, "I want you for Christmas next year!"
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2024 06:15 AM (xG4kz)

; )

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 06:15 AM (VnUSN)

59
Bob Dylan performing "Like a Rolling Stone" in concert with The Band at their farewell concert ranks among my best Dylan tracks in which he sings. "Tangled Up In Blue" and "Lily, Rosemary and The Jack of Hearts" are the other two tracks in that grouping.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2024 06:24 AM (cWeHZ)

60 Traffic isn't as light as I expected. It's not normal heavy, but it is heavier than I expected for the day after.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at December 26, 2024 06:24 AM (H9VzD)

61
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
19h
Merry Christmas and may you have a wonderful New Year! 🎁🎄🎅

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 06:24 AM (VnUSN)

62 https://tinyurl.com/2jysdt2e
Reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware yesterday

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 06:26 AM (fwDg9)

63 I always thought it was "tangled up in poo."

Posted by: Leslie Ellery Bertram IV at December 26, 2024 06:26 AM (ZmEVT)

64 Boxing Day?

Oh Lawd. I suppose the servants will want the day off again this year.
Posted by: Leslie Ellery Bertram IV at December 26, 2024

***
Things just have not been the same since that awful war!

Posted by: The Crawleys of Downton Abbey at December 26, 2024 06:29 AM (omVj0)

65 I got to hear Richie Havens perform Just Like a Woman in concert, and by that time he had probably played it enough to be sick of it, but he played it perfectly and with sincere emotion, and yes, he nailed the guitar strumming part at the end.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 26, 2024 06:31 AM (PiwSw)

66 Good morning and Happy Hanukkah. It’s 34 degrees here in western NC going up to the low 50s. Going to get the CEL on my truck diagnosed this am. This is after having to replace the rear passenger side window because my truck was broken into 2 weekends ago. Not a good run with my vehicle lately.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024 06:38 AM (vJ3Tl)

67 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 26, 2024 06:40 AM (hoCmQ)

68 Good morning and Happy Hanukkah. It’s 34 degrees here in western NC going up to the low 50s. Going to get the CEL on my truck diagnosed this am. This is after having to replace the rear passenger side window because my truck was broken into 2 weekends ago. Not a good run with my vehicle lately.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024

***
Good morning to you, Rufus. Regarding the CEL, have you tried the classic move of checking and tightening the gas cap? That's the first thing to check on that; I've had it happen more than once. Though, strangely, on the '16 Buick I've driven a short distance after filling up with the gas cap loose, and haven't gotten a CEL.

Posted by: The Crawleys of Downton Abbey at December 26, 2024 06:44 AM (omVj0)

69 Bowl Games today on ESPN

Gameabove Sports Bowl - Pittsburgh vs Toledo 1p

Rate Bowl - Rutgers vs KS State 4:30p

68 Ventures Bowl - Ark St vs Bowling Green 8p

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 26, 2024 06:45 AM (hoCmQ)

70 G'mornin' everyone!

Thx, Skip!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 26, 2024 06:46 AM (cY18j)

71 >>>>>Good morning to you, Rufus. Regarding the CEL, have you tried the classic move of checking and tightening the gas cap? That's the first thing to check on that; I've had it happen more than once. Though, strangely, on the '16 Buick I've driven a short distance after filling up with the gas cap loose, and haven't gotten a CEL.
Posted by: The Crawleys of Downton Abbey at December 26, 2024 06:44 AM (omVj0)
*******
Thanks but yes I did. No luck. No one nearby works on diesel engines so I’m stuck w/ the local dealer. Actually, they’re not bad, just expensive. But what isn’t?

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024 06:48 AM (vJ3Tl)

72 Thanks but yes I did. No luck. No one nearby works on diesel engines so I’m stuck w/ the local dealer. Actually, they’re not bad, just expensive. But what isn’t?
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024

***
I figured you would have checked that. A diesel? Those are rare in America now in passenger vehicles. Do you have a truck, or an older car?

I've always thought a diesel station wagon, say, one of the older Volvos or a newer BMW, would be an awesome car to have

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 06:51 AM (omVj0)

73 CEL = Check Engine Light

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 06:51 AM (VnUSN)

74 My regular independent mechanic is not open today. Tomorrow first thing, I'll call about a quick oil change. The owner, who's my age, says he's turned the shop over to his brother, who has worked with him for years, and now has a grandson handling the office. They've always been popular, but I've usually been able to get the oil done if I call a couple of days in advance. I hope that won't change.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 06:53 AM (omVj0)

75 Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Trenton followed next Friday by the Battle of Princeton. Re-enactors will fight them both! I imagine alcohol will play a role too.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 26, 2024 06:55 AM (rLsUM)

76 @72: Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 06:51 AM (omVj0)
*******
It’s a truck. Hopefully one that will last a long time.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024 06:55 AM (vJ3Tl)

77 And my '16 Buick is down to 13% oil life on the instrument display. It'll probably start nagging me with reminders if I get down to 10%. The synthetic 5W-30 I use in the car is good to 10K miles with average driving, but I change ever six months/4500 miles anyway, since I drive so little now.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 06:56 AM (omVj0)

78 I don’t follow gaming, so I had not heard about the Concord story before. Looked it up - wow! That’s gotta be the most epic failure in gaming history.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 26, 2024 06:58 AM (7MHHr)

79 >>>>>The synthetic 5W-30 I use in the car is good to 10K miles with average driving, but I change ever six months/4500 miles anyway, since I drive so little now.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 26, 2024 06:56 AM (omVj0)
********
Smart move, neglecting oil and antifreeze changes will result in much pain.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024 06:59 AM (vJ3Tl)

80 @75- I imagine it did back in the day, so that's just extra authenticity, innit?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 26, 2024 07:00 AM (cY18j)

81 The synthetic 5W-30 I use in the car is good to 10K miles with average driving, but I change ever six months/4500 miles anyway, since I drive so little now.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Smart move, neglecting oil and antifreeze changes will result in much pain.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly

If you don't schedule maintenance, your vehicle will.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at December 26, 2024 07:03 AM (H9VzD)

82 On the 2nd day of Hanukkah...

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:03 AM (gbOdA)

83 People are starting to realize that AI is not the answer to much of anything. I say in a year, year and a half, it'll be sitting in the waiting room of Yesterday's Hot Trends, reading a magazine about NFTs.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 26, 2024 07:04 AM (WPL6O)

84 My truck uses 0 30 and it went about 8500 on the oil life meter.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:04 AM (gbOdA)

85 There are partisans of both sides of The Regrettable Misunderstanding Between The States, but who wants to be a Redcoat Re-enactor? Must take a hardy soul ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 26, 2024 07:06 AM (cY18j)

86 73 CEL = Check Engine Light
Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 06:51 AM (VnUSN)

*open hood*

Its there
Now what

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:07 AM (gbOdA)

87 >>>>My truck uses 0 30 and it went about 8500 on the oil life meter.
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:04 AM (gbOdA)
*******
The problem with oil life meters is, IMO, most seem to track miles while a better metric for oil changes would be operation hours. Especially for people living in high traffic areas.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 26, 2024 07:09 AM (vJ3Tl)

88 Actually a guy on YouTube I follow, Chris the Redcoat who specializes in British army in the Revolutionary War

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2024 07:09 AM (fwDg9)

89 86 73 CEL = Check Engine Light
Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 06:51 AM (VnUSN)

*open hood*

Its there
Now what
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:07 AM (gbOdA)

Merry Christmas!

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 07:10 AM (VnUSN)

90 crocodiles and caimans and gharials oh my

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 26, 2024 07:10 AM (gbOdA)

91
Thank goodness there are older things to play, watch, and read because they've decided to stop making things normal people (for a very liberal definition of normal) would like to play, watch, or read.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:13 AM (cl15i)
---
I have more than enough media in my house to keep me entertained for the rest of my life without picking up anything new...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 26, 2024 07:11 AM (BpYfr)

92 Dylan, like Geddy Lee has a very taste specific voice, but he was brilliant and wrote some incredible songs.

Check out his live version of Hurricane for an example of his musicianship and storytelling.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 26, 2024 07:11 AM (XV/Pl)

93 Good morning morons, Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah

It's one thing for Tucker to interview crackpots like Kanye West, Jeffrey Sachs, or Darryl Cooper uncritically, nodding and smiling.

It's another thing to pull put excerpts of the most crazily anti-semitic portions to push a crackpot Greater Israel canard.

Dislike. Unsubscribe. Buh-bye Tucker, you have crossed the final rubicon with Franpsycho.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 26, 2024 07:11 AM (RIvkX)

94 mornin yall. It must be a slow news day, with things like AI articles on the proper way to eat a candy cane.

Posted by: fd at December 26, 2024 07:12 AM (vFG9F)

95 I'll look him up, Skip, thx!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 26, 2024 07:12 AM (cY18j)

96
Good morning, Hordians.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2024 07:13 AM (dxSpM)

97 One of my cars has a 15k recommended oil change interval. I think they do that to sell more engines.

Posted by: fd at December 26, 2024 07:14 AM (vFG9F)

98 @83

>> People are starting to realize that AI is not the answer to much of anything.

I use AI everyday with CoPilot and Otter for my specific use case, it’s become indispensable.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 26, 2024 07:15 AM (XV/Pl)

99 In other breaking news, Beyonce used a finger gun.

Posted by: AI Garbage Generator at December 26, 2024 07:17 AM (vFG9F)

100 100

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 07:17 AM (VnUSN)

101 I'm about three hours into the Indiana Jones game and it's pretty good. Combat is first person melee most of the time, because the game rewards you for stealth and firing off a weapon tends to bring lots of enemies. Whip cracks, however, do not.

The dev studio screwed up early on by making one of their amorphous weirdos in a rainbow shirt the face of the team, and that set off alarms and turned lots of people off. Now that the game's out, it seems to have been made faithfully to the character and movies, and isn't really woke at all.

I'd also recommend Stelkar Blade as a great game from this year with great dev support. Currently a PS5 exclusive, but a PC port is coming.

Posted by: Grudge Harbor at December 26, 2024 07:17 AM (4P6xN)

102 endless fun:

https://nitter.poast.org/HeckinGoodDogs

Posted by: m at December 26, 2024 07:18 AM (VnUSN)

103 Er, Stellar Blade on PS5. Damned thumb.

Posted by: Grudge Harbor at December 26, 2024 07:18 AM (4P6xN)

104 Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Trenton followed next Friday by the Battle of Princeton. Re-enactors will fight them both! I imagine alcohol will play a role too.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 26, 2024 06:55 AM (rLsUM)
====

Would we have fought so hard if we knew what those towns would become?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 26, 2024 07:21 AM (RIvkX)

105
I understand Beyonce's halftime show was wholesome family entertainment. Really, she's just as much a cult figure as Tay Tay, just as phony and plastic as Mariah Carey.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2024 07:21 AM (dxSpM)

106
Would we have fought so hard if we knew what those towns would become?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 26, 2024 07:21 AM (RIvkX)

__________

Trenton is one of those state capitals with absolutely no redeeming features. Like Harrisburg or Jackson.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2024 07:24 AM (dxSpM)

107 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at December 26, 2024 07:24 AM (dg+HA)

108 "'Christmas gas' joke goes viral as women prank the men in their lives with disastrous auto error."

Women are claiming they used the green "Christmas Gas" nozzle to fill their car's gas tanks and then phoning their husbands and boyfriends to tell them their car is running rough. Men are responding by loading the dishwasher with plastic Christmas cups and claiming they don't know any better.

Posted by: AI Garbage Generator at December 26, 2024 07:24 AM (vFG9F)

109 The thing is that most indie games are just as Girlboss/Troon centric as the AAA games are.

Posted by: XTC at December 26, 2024 07:26 AM (6Uni8)

110 98 @83

>> People are starting to realize that AI is not the answer to much of anything.

I use AI everyday with CoPilot and Otter for my specific use case, it’s become indispensable.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 26, 2024 07:15 AM (XV/Pl)

Copilot is pretty good for giving you recipes if you throw a list of ingredients at it.

Posted by: XTC at December 26, 2024 07:28 AM (6Uni8)

111 105
I understand Beyonce's halftime show was wholesome family entertainment. Really, she's just as much a cult figure as Tay Tay, just as phony and plastic as Mariah Carey.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2024 07:21 AM (dxSpM)

Call it corporate entertainment culture. Generic, bland music with a bit of uninspired dancing and prancing, which is then overhyped and overpromoted for the benefit of the corporate sponsors.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 26, 2024 07:28 AM (7MHHr)

112 Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2024 07:24 AM (dxSpM)

Actually, it does. It has a lovely State museum, it has barracks where the English soldiers stayed during the revolutionary was and it has some lovely churches and old homes.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 26, 2024 07:29 AM (fOkIv)

113 Experts have found that brains are 60% fat. The other 40% is up for debate.

Posted by: AI Garbage Generator at December 26, 2024 07:29 AM (vFG9F)

114 JJ is nood.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 26, 2024 07:31 AM (ExV1e)

115 Mariah Carey isn't anymore fake than Sarah Vaugh. Their voices are so clean that people hear fake. Mozart suffers the same criticism, so perfect that he is lifeless. The imperfections assure us of the artist's humanity.

Posted by: Accomack at December 26, 2024 07:31 AM (GxmKP)

116 Google is irrelevant to me, now that they've castrated their search engine.

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2024 07:38 AM (zhWvq)

117 The train immolation problem is easy: BAN MATCHES! and btw it doesn't "beg the question" wish people would learn what that means. Here's how you use it: "Since only fucking morons use 'beg the question' incorrectly, why aren't they executed by anal probing with a spit roaster?"

Posted by: docweasel at December 26, 2024 09:24 AM (yjz/v)

118 Steam can go f itself, I hate Steam, I liked the old days of console cheats and single player games, Steam has ruined gaming.

Posted by: Shoey77 at December 26, 2024 09:24 AM (GFZrq)

119 At the movies tonight (Nosferatu - boo, hiss), my wife saw an ad for an Indiana Jones game. It's the first game I've seen her enthusiastic for in a while (she's the vidya gamer between us).
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 26, 2024 04:25 AM (cl15i)

Grummz (Mark Kern) likes that one, and he's a big pusher of the non-buynary movement (boycotting woke games).

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 26, 2024 09:44 AM (lFFaq)

120 18 thousand games. In one year.

I'd be interested in a breakdown of how many of those 'published' games are basically low-effort copies, using alternative 3D assets, hoping to make a quick buck. Back in the Nintendo Wii days, there was a game, "Ninjabread Man", that was practically cloned with the same gameplay and level layout, just different graphics. Gameplay itself was flagged as atrocious, with a low score by reviewers.

The AI stuff isn't helping anything either in this regard.

Even avoiding the "Sweet Baby Games" infection/graft, games today have a large problem - they're competing against the games of last year. And before. The long tail, where a game from 10 years ago can still sell well, because it's an actual classic.

And then there's the "Live Service" game issue, where you're paying the same amount as a full game, but have it discontinued (and unplayable) within a short period of time. But you're still out of that money. Plus side, new gamers won't have to worry about having to choose it amongst the pile of other games available.

Posted by: Another Anon at December 26, 2024 10:19 AM (QNMaY)

121 When I was young I played a lot of video games.

Then I reached some age, in my late 30s or maybe early 40s, when some switch clicked in my brain and I slowed down then quit totally.

Games now seem puerile. Listening to or reading people say things about games that they intend to be meaningful and/or important is annoying. It just seem silly - you can twiddle your fingers to make some electrons jump around and push other electrons around? Wow.

My wife got me to take up ballroom dancing, including all the Latin dances. Just as silly, but at least I get a lot of exercise. Plus, the girls (of all ages) really, really like men who can dance properly, even ugly old farts like me.

I can twiddle my legs and arms and get my body parts to push other body parts around. Much more satisfying.

Sucks to be you, gamer bois.

Posted by: Fred_Z at December 26, 2024 08:56 PM (VQIqq)

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