Log archive of EquestriaDaily for Sunday, 2020-12-06

00:00 <Dappled> It is said that if you want to divine the will of the gods of agriculture, you must leave some milk to curdle, then remove the curds and examine what remains.

00:00 <Dappled> After all, the gods work in mysterious wheys.

00:01 <Cepheid> ....

00:01 <Cepheid> I am going to murder you.

00:01 <Schism> I, personally, prefer the gods of beer.  They, at least, have an appreciation for the quantum foam.

00:01 <Cepheid> That joke was slightly less terrible, so you get to live.  For now.  As your punishment.

00:02 <Schism> Though admittedly, while some claim that the gods of bread are the yeast, I've found naan finer.

00:02 * Dappled claps his hooves together happily.

00:03 <Cepheid> That one actually flies over my head.

00:03 <Schism> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naan

00:04 * Dappled has Naan in his house. Is good bread.

00:04 * Schism has curry in her apartment. Noms upon it with naan.

00:04 *** Joins: cabbage (cabbage@Pony-aj9mbi.dynamic.sonic.net)

00:04 <Schism> Especially the eggplant and chickpea bhartha.

00:04 <Cepheid> I know what Naan is.  I just didn't get the joke overall.

00:04 <Schism> Naan finer?

00:05 <Dappled> Or is it the "are the Yeast"

00:05 <Cepheid> Both parts.

00:05 <Schism> Naan can be pronounced 'none'.

00:06 <Schism> But at least that doesn't compare to the old story of the destitute banker who opened a bakery.

00:06 <Schism> Why, you might ask?

00:06 <Cepheid> Even taking that into consideration, the joke still doesn't make sense to me.  In any case, it's moot.

00:06 <Schism> Well, you'll hate this punchline, Cepheid.

00:06 <Schism> It's because he kneads the dough.

00:07 <Cepheid> I need more seroquel.

00:07 * Cepheid goes to drug herself up more.

00:08 <Schism> Admittedly, usually bread puns don't make me smile.  More of a rye grimace.

00:08 <Cepheid> Put more simply: "You ever tell a joke so bad that someone wanted to drug themselves to unconsciousness that much faster?"

00:08 * Schism pats the Cepheid, and offers her some of this rum. Or just a kahlua-and-chocolate-milk.

00:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: New Magazine Comic Starring Sunset Shimmer - Friendship Cake [ https://tinyurl.com/yymnx3zl ]

00:11 *** Joins: Heartbreak (Heartbreak@Pony-gja4ce.mn.comcast.net)

00:11 * Schism hugs the HB. And the Jet.

00:12 <Cepheid> Honestly, if I've already consumed seroquel, then I'd rather not drink alcoholic stuff.  I'm actually kind of terrified what a combination of the two would do to me.

00:12 <Schism> Probably cause you to sleep for a day.

00:13 <Cepheid> The seroquel as is, is pretty danged potent.  Makes melatonin supplements look like children's candy.

00:13 <Schism> That or something like that Miltank.

00:14 <Cepheid> 50mg is not enough to guarantee a knockout.  75mg is pretty likely.  100mg is guaranteed.  125mg is "okay, we no longer have to worry about them for the next 30 or so hours."

00:14 <Cepheid> Interestingly?

00:15 <Cepheid> My sister, who weighs considerably less than me, was also prescribed seroquel, the same type I have, and the dosage they started her off at?  100mg.  I weigh more, and they started me at 50mg.

00:15 <Schism> Perhaps they wanted to test how it would interact with you on a lower level first, considering that your medical history was written by Leo Tolstoy.

00:16 <Schism> Or possibly Victor Hugo.

00:16 <Cepheid> Heh.

00:16 <Cepheid> Well, the psychs were confused by it a tad.

00:17 <Cepheid> Typical doses range from 100-200mg for starting, up to 200-400mg for longer term.

00:17 <Cepheid> They were confused as to why I was only at 50mg.

00:17 <Schism> Hm.

00:17 * Schism also twitches once again at the thought of doctors. "Slowly moving forwards."

00:18 <Schism> Next week I expect a call from my new GP, who is actually familiar with trans patients and thus able to work with me.  My previous GP was kind enough to provide a referral.  And the new one is in the same building, which is a five-minute walk from my place.

00:18 <Cepheid> Interestingly, apparently this medication is used for treatment of the manic episodes of bipolar.

00:18 <Cepheid> But in the form of "It knocks me out."

00:19 <Schism> Well, in smaller doses, I wonder if it might provide some benefit, but yeah.

00:19 <Cepheid> Even at 25mg, it's overpowering.

00:19 * Schism watches Korone pet a cute dog.

00:19 <Cepheid> I can resist it, but basically, if I take any of the stuff before bed, I may as well get INTO bed right there and then.

00:20 * Schism mms.

00:20 <Cepheid> As for the rest of the day I'll be in a cloudy, foggy state, or asleep.

00:20 <Cepheid> No, for the manic parts, typically lithium is used.

00:21 <Schism> I can see that.

00:21 <Cepheid> The psychs again, were interested in the fact that I am *NOT* on lithium.

00:22 <Dappled> so they had an ion-your litium intake?

00:22 <Dappled> ba-dum tsh.

00:22 * Dappled runs away.

00:23 * Cepheid gets the Death Note.

00:23 <Cepheid> ... Wait, I can't use this as I don't know Dappled's real name.

00:23 <Dappled> Woo!

00:24 <Schism> Might I suggest instead Dokuro-chan's bat?

00:24 <Cepheid> People who dislike cosplayers are just upset that they can't cosplay their favourite sports player.

00:25 <Dappled> You should not suggest that.

00:25 <Cepheid> ...

00:25 <Schism> The bat that can do anything, Excalibolg!

00:25 <Dappled> But sports players are the easiest to cosplay. Look this shirt has the number 12 on it, now i'm cosplaying as one of dozens if not hundreds of sports players.

00:26 <Cepheid> "Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan"

00:26 <Schism> Cepheid: Well, perhaps Lyrical Tokarev, then?

00:26 <Cepheid> That's a hell of a name for a light novel series.

00:26 <Schism> !link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_EA6V2Kes

00:26 <DerpyBot> Twilight told me this video is about Dai Mahou Touge: Opening (Magical Lyrical Tokerav)

00:26 <Cepheid> Dappled:  Until you try to actually play a sport, then realize you're out of shape and can't.

00:27 <Cepheid> I am familiar with Lyrical Tokarev, and that opening.  It's not the first time you've mentioned either to me, Schism. :P

00:27 <Dappled> Many people cosplay as things they can't do.

00:27 <Schism> I know, I know.

00:27 <Dappled> Like many comic book fans dress up as their favorite characters despite not being able to do things dodge when I punch them in the face.

00:28 <Cepheid> Heh.

00:29 * Dappled has also never been to a convention. Cause oklahoma is the worst.

00:30 <Cepheid> And, really, these days, who'd want to go?

00:30 <Cepheid> It's bad enough we have con crud.  Now we have con covid.

00:32 <Ali> Can't, conventions are banned

00:32 <Cepheid> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5wtop-q40E

00:32 <Cepheid> This seems relevant to you Schism.

00:33 <Schism> Seems about right.

00:33 <Schism> Snow's thankfully not that deep, but I'd be tempted to dive into a snowdrift and just sit there for winter at this point.

00:34 <Cepheid> !link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKYAFe0AReQ For the Tetris goers.

00:34 <DerpyBot> I need to ask Twilight about that one.

00:34 <DerpyBot> Twilight told me this video is about The Real BIG BRAIN Korone

00:35 <Cepheid> This one is actually impressive.

00:35 <Schism> New hire: "How do you do x?" Me: "For the fifth time, y.  Let me walk you through this process.  If you need to write it down in a Notepad window and you're not sure how, you can open one up by clicking on the Start button and then throwing your computer out your window."

00:36 <Schism> This is not hyperbole.  Well, my response is.

00:37 <Schism> While I do understand that we need to take on a lot of new hires for the season, and that many of them are ill suited for the position, there is a certain level of responsibility when it comes to _paying attention to how things work,_ and I would rather that 19 of a new hire's 23 calls not turn out to require my intervention.

00:38 <Schism> I should say initially ill-suited, because most grow into it.

00:38 <Cepheid> Welcome to the hell that is rapid hiring of new people to meet demand.

00:38 <Cepheid> And then laying them off when the demand goes down.

00:39 <Schism> To be quite honest, most of them lay themselves off by then.

00:39 <Cepheid> Admittedly this is true, especially with telephone work like that, yes.

00:40 * Dappled can't wait to move to a post scarcity economy.

00:40 <Schism> I will admit, I appreciate the vast majority of the new hires.  They're quick, they are striving to learn, and they're adapting well to the high pressure.  But there's always one or two...

00:40 <Schism> Oh gods, I'm a manager now.

00:41 * Dappled is a second to his supe. If they ever try to move him up they will have to increase his pay by at least 700%.

00:43 <Cepheid> I get a job as a code monkey, I'm staying a danged code monkey.

00:43 <Cepheid> You don't want to see me in that position anymore?  Throw me in an empty, unused, dark office, tell me to keep coding, and just close the door.

00:44 <Schism> When Cephy came to a set of two open doors, she entered the door on her left.

00:45 * Dappled should check to see how long it's been since he played. He really wants that achievement.

00:45 <Schism> You know, I think it's been well over a year for me.  I should perhaps just grab that one.

00:45 <Dappled> I thought it was 5.

00:45 <Schism> Oh right.  Well, a few more years then, Stanley can wait.

00:46 <Cepheid> Achievement based on number of years since you last played?

00:46 <Dappled> Yeah.

00:46 <Schism> Yup.  Which is right up there with Braid for sheer ridiculosity, but I have to admit, in this case, it fits.

00:47 * Dappled has a little over a year before he can get it.

00:47 * Cepheid adjusts the last-modified time and date of the save file.

00:47 <Schism> Randomly, did you know that there's now a game about a raccoon skateboarding across the freeway?

00:47 <Schism> In 1980s style?

00:48 <Cepheid> I did not, but honestly that doesn't shock me.

00:49 <Schism> Tanuki Sunset.  Looks fairly good, but I've yet to actually see any gameplay vids, so while I am intrigued, I am also unsure.

00:50 <Schism> Stanley Parable.  Hm.  "Last played: Apr. 2, 2014".

00:50 <Schism> And no, I shan't be getting the "Play Stanley Parable for the Entire Duration of a Tuesday" achievement... right now.

00:51 *** Quits: ArchPegasusMichael (Poni@Keep.In.A.Friendly.And.Pony.Place) (Quit: Leaving)

00:51 <Cepheid> The problem with achievements based on time, is you have to be very careful about how they are implemented.

00:52 <Cepheid> The best way is to rely on a centralized system that tracks when the player last played a game, rather than utilizing say, a local-to-the-player save file.

00:53 <Cepheid> Because save file times can be modified via various methods.

00:53 <Cepheid> You also can't rely on the local clock, because people can just adjust it to get the achievement, then restore the clock.

00:53 <Schism> Oh, the creators of the Stanley Parable were having fun with that.  There's one console command which unlocks an achievement.  Except that it requires the tilde.  And the console is broken in the game to preclude the tilde key from being used.

00:53 <Cepheid> I can see a way around that.

00:54 <Schism> And if you bind a key to a console command with a tilde, it resets the keybind file.

00:54 <Cepheid> Not via that method, mind.

00:54 <Schism> I'd not _normally_ spoil this, but the game's 6 years old anyway.

00:55 <Cepheid> First, you open the console, type in a string, any string.  Open a memory editor, search for that string, the more unique, the better.  Then you modify the memory via said editor, and return to the game, and press whatever key "enters the command"

00:55 <Schism> Also a possibility!  And probably better than the other workaround.

00:55 <Cepheid> Also, if the console supports copy and paste, you could just type the string in a text editor, copy it, then paste it into the console.

00:56 *** Quits: libre_hackerman (libre_hacke@Pony-bq9bqt.30kq.ur8g.c50f.2a01.IP) (Quit: segmentation fault (core dumped))

00:56 <Schism> Well, I do have this installed, may as well get one achievement.

00:57 <Cepheid> Is it the command name itself that requires a tilde?  Or is it a parameter to the command?

00:57 *** Joins: ArchPegasusMichael (Poni@Keep.In.A.Friendly.And.Pony.Place)

00:57 * Dappled becomes an Eevee and runs off to form a rescue team.

00:58 <Cepheid> Because if it's the command name itself, you can also just edit the memory, find the original command name in memory, and change the relevant character to one you *CAN* type.

00:59 <Cepheid> Of course, this won't work if the console is implemented in such a way that the commands are hashed, and the relevant chunk of code is determined by the hash of the command string.

01:00 <Cepheid> Ultimately, the best approach is all about how clever the devs expected their players to be.

01:01 <Cepheid> No matter what you do, players can, and will, find a way to break the game.

01:01 <Cepheid> Otherwise, tool-assisted speedrunning wouldn't be a thing.

01:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: Say Something Nice About Cheerilee  [ https://tinyurl.com/y2seze66 ]

01:13 * Schism spends a few joyous minutes in the broom closet. She just... drinks it all in. It's a very beautifully, well-designed broom closet.

01:14 <Schism> And yay.  Achievement collected legitimately.  X3

01:15 <Dappled> As it should be.

01:16 <Cepheid> Screw that.

01:16 * Cepheid writes program to hack all the achievements.

01:16 <Cepheid> Normally, one would argue that it'd probably take less time to just play the game, but...

01:17 <Cepheid> With one achievement linked to the amount of time since you last played?

01:18 <Schism> Cephy, the only three achievements which are THAT hard to get are the 'play for an entire Tuesday', the 'don't play for five years', and the 'set up a keybind to a specific character set' ones.  And the first and third are easily obtained.

01:18 <Dappled> What about the achievement that can't be obtained.

01:19 <Dappled> Unachievable.

01:19 <Schism> That is the third.

01:19 <Dappled> Oh.

01:20 <Dappled> Then how do you jump?

01:20 <Dappled> You can't jump.

01:20 <Schism> Dappled.

01:21 * Schism boops Dappled's nose. "8."

01:21 * Dappled falls over.

01:21 * Schism boops Dappled's nose. "8."

01:21 * Dappled doesn't understand that one iether.

01:21 <Schism> It's a reference to the Stanley Parable Demo, which you really should play.  It's its own thing.  And an actual demonstration, no less.

01:22 <Schism> https://imgur.com/a/WBY1FEv

01:23 * Dappled has no achievements.

01:23 * Dappled has to get the 5 year one first.

01:24 <Schism> You did play the game at least once, so that it has a baseline for how long it's been since you've played?

01:24 <Dappled> Steam does say that i have a last played. But I suspect that I played before achievements were added.

01:24 <Schism> Shouldn't be a problem.

01:25 * Dappled did get lots of achievements when he played FTL after they added it.

01:33 <Cepheid> https://imgur.com/gallery/Dg9z5aW

01:40 <Schism> Well, I'm not as sodden as all that, but after today, I may have taken one too many.

01:41 * Lumindia boops Schism.

01:41 <Cepheid> Meanwhile, I feel kinda like how that squirrel does.

01:43 * Lumindia checks last played date

01:43 <Lumindia> 2013

01:44 * Schism nodnods to Lumindia, and provides a thumbs-up.

01:44 <Lumindia> i'll do that tomorrow

01:45 * Schism uses Substitute, and leaves behind a plush Schism for Lumin to snuggle.

01:46 <Lumindia> o vo

01:46 * Lumindia snuggles hte plush

01:48 * Cyan_Spark chirps

01:51 *** Quits: Jackie (Jarva@Pony-qhu.kqe.18.182.IP) (Connection closed)

02:00 *** Joins: ADragonDreaming (~Mibbit@Pony-0he86q.mi.comcast.net)

02:06 <Schism> Shoes locked in.  At least they are really _cute_ shoes.  Not that I'm usually given towards them: I have one pair of general sneakers, one pair of boots, and that's it.  But if I'm going to have a pair of free shoes, they're going to reflect me.

02:07 <Ali> Gee thanks game, I choose a civ with a tundra bonus ability, and you put me in rainforest, this is exactly the opposite of where this civ should start.

02:08 * Schism looks at Ali, then looks at her RNG. "Would you like me to napalm this set of dice?"

02:08 <ADragonDreaming> Civ 6?

02:08 <Ali> Eeyup

02:08 <Ali> I'm trying Peter

02:08 <Ali> Who gets +1 faith and production to tundra tiles

02:08 <ADragonDreaming> dem russkies.

02:09 <Schism> You could strike south...

02:09 <ADragonDreaming> or North.

02:09 <Schism> Well, rainforest.  She'd have better luck moving towards Antarctica.

02:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Calpain: Nightly Discussion #2364 [ https://tinyurl.com/yy8gakkd ]

02:10 <ADragonDreaming> assuming that the land is mirroring real-world biome distribution.

02:10 <Schism> Maybe.  I suppose that might be India.

02:10 <Schism> True.

02:10 <ADragonDreaming> Also, point of order: Seattle is Rainforest.

02:10 <ADragonDreaming> or was.

02:10 <Schism> Fair point.

02:34 * Angeline pounces around.

02:34 * Angeline pounces Dappled?

02:35 * Angeline pounces Ali.

02:35 * Angeline pounces everypony.

02:35 * Ali snugs Angeline tightly

02:45 * Dappled belatedly waves to the Angeline. Sup?

02:45 * Angeline hugs Dappled!

02:45 <Angeline> Are you excited for five days from now

02:45 * Dappled headtilts.

02:45 * Dappled is unaware of anything happening on the 10th.

02:46 <Angeline> Wake the buck up, 'Samurai', we've got a city to burn!

02:46 <Dappled> Oh, yeah, no. That's not coming out.

02:46 <Dappled> It's a ploy for the developers to hang out with Keanu that went to far.

02:47 * Dappled will wait for it to be released cause it's gotten pushed back so many times he trusts its date less than people expected Duke Nukem Forever to actually release.

02:53 *** Quits: Golden (uid250033@Pony-sd90bk.tooting.irccloud.com) (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)

02:55 * Dappled also waits for small child to bed so I can play more Bloodborne.

03:05 <NitroTheFurry> Yay! Bloodborne!

03:06 * Dappled 's going to use the Dolls Sliders and attempt to come help people.

03:07 <NitroTheFurry> Dolls sliders?

03:08 <Dappled> using the character creation sliders to match my character's look to the Doll.

03:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: Wat: 9+ The Great Hippo War [ https://tinyurl.com/yxqozj9o ]

03:10 <NitroTheFurry> Ah

03:30 *** Quits: Angeline (Scootaloo@I.Will.Fly.Higher) (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)

03:49 *** Quits: Pony|85813 (Pony85813@Pony-taj8dp.cable.virginm.net) (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)

05:08 *** Quits: NitroTheFurry (Nitro@Pony-qk3k7e.open.airstreamcomm.net) (Connection closed)

05:34 *** Joins: NitroTheFurry (Nitro@Pony-qk3k7e.open.airstreamcomm.net)

06:49 *** Quits: cabbage (cabbage@Pony-aj9mbi.dynamic.sonic.net) (Connection closed)

07:35 *** Joins: ConfusionRift (ConfusionRi@Pony-g9d.ofe.132.45.IP)

07:35 *** ChanServ sets mode: +o ConfusionRift

07:36 <ConfusionRift> Hello everypony.

07:36 *** Joins: Golden (uid250033@Pony-sd90bk.tooting.irccloud.com)

07:36 <Golden> I got a six axis!!!

07:36 <ConfusionRift> Huzzah!!!

07:36 <ConfusionRift> An official one, right?

07:36 <Golden> I can finally continue to play sly thieves in time, and yes it is official

07:37 <ConfusionRift> Nice.

07:39 <Golden> Did the fishing mission, and got the gold magnet from the safe

07:43 <ConfusionRift> Still have to go back to that one.

08:08 <ConfusionRift> I played it for like an hour, something happened (don't remember), and just kinda went to something else.

08:09 <ConfusionRift> Oh wait... I got the PS4 around that time. (shrugs)

08:09 <ConfusionRift> I got Sly 4 pretty late.

08:10 *** Quits: PinkieShy (coolm@Pony-ck81je.67-212-45-net.sccoast.net) (Connection closed)

08:14 * Ali flops into the ConfusionRift

08:14 * ConfusionRift huggles Ali.

08:17 * Ali leans into the ConfusionRift hugs, unicorn needs them.

08:20 <ConfusionRift> Yeah, it's getting that crazy.

08:20 * ConfusionRift needed them hugs as well.

08:47 * Dappled returns. He has achieved the elusive cold soda. One that requires him not to drink a soda before putting it in a fridge for many hours.

08:48 * Dappled sees the above conversation and becomes confused. Why does golden need a throttle and joystick for a Sly Cooper game?

08:49 <Golden> Thieves in time basically require a Dualshock 3 six axis controller to do mandatory missions in the game

08:49 <ConfusionRift> Because gimmick PS3 game.

08:49 * Dappled stares at his ps3. It had controllers that were good for flight simulator games?

08:51 <ConfusionRift> There are games that require the use of the Sixaxis module in the PS3 official controllers for certain things. For the most part, are just gimmicks, and were added as a "look what the controller can do!" factor.

08:52 <ConfusionRift> Some games you can turn it off, some you can't. Others don't even use it, because... well... it wasn't that great.

08:52 <ConfusionRift> By not great, it was more of hammed on to you, just for the sake of it.

08:52 <Dappled> But throttle and joysticks are already six axis.

08:52 <Dappled> That seems unnecessarily complex and designed for confusion.

08:54 <ConfusionRift> In most cases, it was unnecessary, yes. The problem is, if the game was designed to use this thing, you have no choice but to use it.

08:54 <ConfusionRift> In this case, some missions require of the Sixaxis motion controls. If you don't have it, you can't finish them.

08:55 <ConfusionRift> The worst part is some games REQUIRE a controller with Sixaxis, even when turned off. (stares at Socom)

08:56 * Dappled 's glade Demon's Souls didn't require it.

08:56 * Dappled is also glad.

08:57 <ConfusionRift> Uuuhhh, I'm not picturing Dark/Demon Souls using motion controls. (shutters)

08:57 <ConfusionRift> *now

08:57 <Dappled> Look if someone can lead a bunny around a DDR pad to beat the Cleric Beast in Bloodborne, how bad could it be?

08:58 <Dappled> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGcdHLVWTa4

08:58 * ConfusionRift puts Dark Souls, then gives Dappled a Wiimote. "Have fun."

08:58 <Dappled> Just look at this.

09:00 * Dappled believes in the bunny!

09:16 * Dappled also go bed. And by bed I mean lie there, play pokemon and watch Murphy's Law

09:17 <ConfusionRift> Pffft!

09:35 * Ali flops back over ConfusionRift and Dappled and keeps grumping at civ six

09:35 <ConfusionRift> o_0

09:35 <Ali> When I want on a contenent with 5 AIs

09:36 <Ali> Please don't keep putting them right next to me.

09:36 * Ali flops, she has the crappiest luck of all ponies in the world

09:43 <NitroTheFurry> Thats pretty cool Dappled

09:54 <ConfusionRift> Hmm, can't be as failing at a 90% chance. :P

10:31 *** Joins: RazorSharpFang (RazorSharpF@Pony-9hn.8e0.219.203.IP)

11:05 *** Quits: Ali (Ali@Pony-n3j093.iplsin.sbcglobal.net) (Quit: Leaving)

11:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Calpain: Morning Discussion #2136 [ https://tinyurl.com/y484zhw5 ]

11:58 * Lumindia awakens

12:03 * Schism wakes up, noms upon super-spicy curry.

12:03 <Schism> Sometimes this is a better choice than coffee.  o3o

12:04 * Lumindia snuggles the Schism

12:04 <Lumindia> Miaou

12:04 <Schism> aeiou

12:05 * Lumindia brushes

12:05 * Schism is not a very snuggly changeling this morning. Hasn't properly eaten yet, for one thing.

12:05 * Lumindia feedfs with love

12:05 <Lumindia> O vO

12:06 <Schism> Also, I get to prepare for another 10 hour shift wiiith... ah, that set of shoes, right.

12:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: Fanfiction Updates - December 6th  [ https://tinyurl.com/yyar8dzb ]

12:15 *** Quits: Golden (uid250033@Pony-sd90bk.tooting.irccloud.com) (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)

12:18 *** Joins: Angeline (Scootaloo@I.Will.Fly.Higher)

12:21 *** Quits: ConfusionRift (ConfusionRi@Pony-g9d.ofe.132.45.IP) (Quit: Recharging the batteries. Laters! *shutdown*)

13:14 * Cepheid flops.

13:25 <Cyan_Spark> Razor the investor

13:25 <Cyan_Spark> Fancy seeing you on a weekend

13:38 <RazorSharpFang> Yee

13:43 *** Quits: Angeline (Scootaloo@I.Will.Fly.Higher) (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)

13:55 <Cepheid> So, how is everyone this morning?

13:55 <RazorSharpFang> Pretty swell. About to sleep I think.

13:57 <Cepheid> I'm not too bad, myself.  Eyes and nose are a little blah.

14:01 <RazorSharpFang> I got assigned on my covered calls, so I had to sell them at the agreed upon price. Bought at 29, sold for 29.5, but since AT&T was trading for 29.52, selling the call was technically a small loss.

14:10 <Cepheid> Cats seem to be going nuts.

14:10 <Cepheid> Or at least, Spitfire is.  Tizzy's just looking on.

14:23 <Schism> Getting an escalated call one minute before break.  What a pleasure.  What a joy unmatched.

14:24 <Schism> (That's when someone's upset and wants to talk to a supervisor.)

14:24 <RazorSharpFang> "I'm upset because you're not perfect" "... Well, excuse me for not being perfect"

14:25 <Cepheid> Meanwhile, I'm seeing a mysterious surge of a certain type of post on Imgur.

14:25 <Cepheid> The type of post that requires the response of "Okay, you need to talk to someone, or go to the ER right now."

14:28 <Cepheid> Hum.

14:29 <Cepheid> UK students are fed up with being cash-cows for universities, and are staging protests and strikes.

14:29 <Cepheid> If it wasn't for the fact that I know I'd start losing my mind in doing so, I'd start encouraging students here in Canada to do the same.

14:30 <Cepheid> Especially given that this semester was done entirely online, not in classrooms, and we have access to none of the services of the university, and in many cases are being told that the various departments will not be answering phones or answering inbox messages, less e-mails at that..

14:30 <Cepheid> Our tuition should be cut back in terms of cost.

14:31 <RazorSharpFang> Well, good luck convincing the institution of that.

14:32 <Cepheid> That's part of the problem for me.

14:32 <Cepheid> The institution has money, I'm just a lowly student, and not even a good grade-A student or anything like that.

14:33 <Cepheid> The university and it's legal defense teams would apply various fallacies and arguments against me that I cannot defend against.

14:35 * Cepheid takes deep breaths.

14:35 <RazorSharpFang> Incidentally are you familiar with RealPolitik?

14:35 <Cepheid> No.

14:36 <RazorSharpFang> Are you familiar with Dialectical Materialism ?

14:37 <Cepheid> I am not.

14:37 <RazorSharpFang> Well, there goes that idea(s) then.

14:37 <Cepheid> See, therein lies the other half of the problem.  No political or ideological experience.

14:37 <Cepheid> I am also, in general, not a person you want on your side in a fight or argument.

14:37 <Cepheid> We've seen my temper.

14:37 <Cepheid> One wrong word, one wrong sentence, and my mood goes supernova.

14:38 <Cepheid> No warning.

14:38 <Cepheid> So I have to rely on other people to speak up for me, because I most certainly cannot.

14:39 <Cepheid> I mean, hells alive, as is, I am working to contain rage and frustration.

14:40 <Cepheid> I don't understand how you people do it.  It's threatening to overwhelm me.  My lungs feel cold, and like they're being crushed.  My heart feels like it's being crushed, my stomach is churning, and my arms are tense, my hands are shaking..

14:40 <Cepheid> I have to force myself to breathe.

14:40 <RazorSharpFang> Well, I don't understand anything.

14:43 <Cepheid> I mean more in the sense of "How do you keep control?"  The sensations and physical effects feel overwhelming to me.

14:44 <Cepheid> It's like trying to contain a bomb that's continually exploding, with your hands and arms.

14:45 <RazorSharpFang> I'm not sure how I do anything at all ever.

14:47 <RazorSharpFang> In the sense that I can't tell you how I'm keeping things under control. How I'm not acting out my outrage at the world not being perfect.

14:50 <Cepheid> In this case it's not so much a case of perfection, it's more a case of...  You're reducing the quality of education, not performing any of your duties properly, and you're still charging us full price for your services.  Why?

14:50 <RazorSharpFang> No, I just picked something that I'm outraged about.

14:50 <Cepheid> Ah.

14:50 <Cepheid> Just an example, then.

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14:55 <Cepheid> It's annoying too, because the sensation is persistent, even if I'm not actively thinking about what's causing it.

14:56 <Cepheid> Though, analysis indicates that's not 100% true.  I'm irritated at the university right now.  I have some schoolwork I still need to do(I'm going to finish my Japanese class at the least), and now, I don't want to do it because I'm irritated at the university.

15:05 <Cepheid> I wonder if this is what hyperfixation is.

15:06 <Cepheid> Something agitated/distressed/bothered me, and now my mind simply cannot, will not, let it go.  It's affecting my ability to make decisions, and causing me stress and causing me to feel emotions that I cannot get a grip on.

15:10 <RazorSharpFang> I presume you can't just "don't think about it" about it.

15:10 <Cepheid> Nope.

15:10 <Cepheid> It's a feedback loop.

15:10 <Cepheid> I feel the emotions, the stress, the tension.

15:11 <Cepheid> Which leads me to think about why I feel all that.

15:11 <Cepheid> Which leads me to further stress myself, make the tension worse, etc.

15:11 <Cepheid> This is what mental illness is like.

15:11 <Cepheid> And it's terrible when you are mentally aware it is happening.

15:13 <Cepheid> You know it's happening.  You want to stop it.  But that in itself causes you to further focus on it, thus it perpetuates and/or gets worse.

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15:13 <Cepheid> And eventually, it just... you hit a wall, a breaking point.

15:13 <Cepheid> In some cases, literally.

15:13 * Cepheid covers bruising on left arm.

15:14 * Cepheid is currently trying to distract herself with tech stuff.

15:14 <Cepheid> For example, I'm reading up on LZ77, LZ78, and thinking about how it might be implemented in a multithreaded context.

15:15 <Cepheid> This is actually an area where being good at proofs, mathematics, and extensive data analysis would be good.

15:15 <Cepheid> But the best I can do is think about how to implement existing solutions in such a way that multiple threads could work on them.

15:16 <Cepheid> Simplest solution would be to chunk a file into multiples of a block size, and then compress each block using a specific algorithm, then store it in the compressed file.

15:17 <Cepheid> In this manner, the uncompressed data will never be larger than the specified block size, and each block is distinct from every other block.  Thus, each block can be worked on individually by a different thread.

15:17 <RazorSharpFang> I know absolutely nothing about this. Is this similar to LZMA?

15:17 <Cepheid> LZMA is based off of it.

15:18 <Cepheid> Usually, any algorithm starting with the letters L or LZ are typically based off of LZ77 or LZ78, or are related to them in some way.

15:18 <Cepheid> This isn't ALWAYS the case, though, but it seems to be "the standard" for most cases.

15:20 <Cepheid> LZ4, LZSFE, LZJB, LZMA, LZO, LZRW, LZS, LZSS, LZW, LZWL, LZX.  Exceptions to the rule are Brotli, DEFLATE, Snappy, and Zstandard.  And here is another sentence that has a lot of words to get around the uppercase restrictions of this channel.  Why do we even still have that in place?

15:21 <Cepheid> Whether or not my idea above would actually improve performance in any way shape or form is up for debate.

15:21 <Cepheid> But it's not exactly a unique idea.  It's been implemented for some LZ compression formats.

15:22 <Cepheid> Microsoft with it's HTML help files(.CHM files) implemented a blocked LZX with block sizes of 64kb to speed up random access.

15:23 <Cepheid> It wasn't used for multithreaded decompression, but it did allow accessing arbitrary locations in the file a bit more efficiently, because LZ compression methods are typically sliding window-based algorithms.  Meaning in order to access the middle of a file, you have to start from the beginning of the file and process data up to that point.

15:23 <Cyan_Spark> Hey RazorSharpFang

15:23 <Cyan_Spark> I found Rolls Royce

15:23 * Cepheid actually managed to implement a decompressor once. Back in December of last year.

15:23 <Cyan_Spark> I was looking at RRU.BE for a long time wondering why my broker didn't have it

15:24 <Cyan_Spark> turns out I shoulda been looking at RYCEY

15:24 <RazorSharpFang> Cyan_Spark, Oh?

15:24 <Cepheid> I was working on some ROM hacking for a DS game, Etrian Odyssey 3.  In order to figure out how the game worked though through decompilation, I had to run the game's program through an LZ decompression algorithm.

15:25 <Cepheid> DS games after a certain point apparently started implementing compression for the program code.  The end-result is a ROM that has some bootstrapping code to initialize the DS to a sane state, and then run a decompressor on a chunk of data, and then after the decompressor is done running, it jumps to a location in the decompressed data to execute code.

15:25 <Cyan_Spark> I heard on the grapevine that RYCEY gets paid based on engine hours used, researching whether this is accurate information now

15:26 * Cepheid shall BRB.

15:26 <ADragonDreaming> Cepheid: https://imgur.com/gallery/toUduzb

15:26 <Cyan_Spark> Yes, apparently: https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases-archive/yr-2012/121030-the-hour.aspx

15:26 <ADragonDreaming> I have no idea if it will be effective for you but worth a shot?

15:26 <Cyan_Spark> The business model is called "Power by the hour"

15:28 <Cepheid> I'll keep it in mind if the tinnitus pops up again.  Or, at least, try to keep it in mind.

15:28 <Cepheid> Right now, it's not there.  It's just the usual sound that I can only hear if I focus on it.

15:28 <Cepheid> Sounds like waves.

15:31 <Cepheid> Oh, huh.  LZ4 is a multithreaded LZ algorithm, so yeah, my idea's moot.

15:34 <Cepheid> ... And has a completely open spec for the block format, so if one wanted to implement decompression, it's easy to do.

15:41 <Finwe> Good afternoon, my perissodactyls of minute stature.

15:41 <Cepheid> Morning.

15:43 *** Quits: RazorSharpFang (RazorSharpF@Pony-9hn.8e0.219.203.IP) (Connection closed)

15:45 <Finwe> Today we're given a set of groups of strings and need to find out the sum of numbers of characters occurring at least once within a group, and the sum of numbers of characters occurring in every string within a group.

15:46 <Finwe> My solutions are https://github.com/vhalkola/aoc2020/blob/main/aoc6a and https://github.com/vhalkola/aoc2020/blob/main/aoc6b

15:47 * Cepheid takes a looksee.

15:49 <Cepheid> Again, seems a straightforward problem.

15:50 <Finwe> Yup.

15:51 <Cepheid> Quickest solution to come to mind is to create a set for each group, and for each set of answers, add each letter to the set.  Since the set can only contain unique instances, duplicate instances will be ignored.  At the end of the group, add the size of the set to a sum.

15:51 <Cepheid> It won't be the fastest solution in terms of performance, but it will work.

15:52 <Finwe> That's what I do in aoc6a.

15:53 <Cepheid> Mmhmm.

15:54 <Cepheid> Hilariously, if you were to express this problem to me verbally, I would not be able to answer it.

15:54 <Finwe> Using the set of keys in a hash as my set.

15:54 <Cepheid> Mmhmm.

15:55 <Cepheid> A typical, simple implementation of a set in a programming language is usually implemented as a hash table.

15:58 <Finwe> In the second part I use superpositions.

15:59 <Cepheid> In this case though, a simple solution is more just to "Search for the character in a string.  If it doesn't exist, add it to the string."

15:59 <Cepheid> 26 possible characters isn't a lot to search through.

15:59 <Cepheid> Unfortunately, I don't know what aoc6b's requirements are, so I can't comment on it.

16:02 <Finwe> Cepheid: Find all letters that are present on every line within a group, and compute the sum of numbers of these letters.

16:02 <Cepheid> Isn't that aoc6a?

16:04 <Finwe> No, that's finding those that occur at least once within a group.

16:05 <Cepheid> Oh, this wants the number of occurrences of each letter in a group?  And then to sum those numbers?

16:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Makenshi: Best Of P@D Musicians & Charity Compilation Album: Ponies at Dawn - Introspection [ https://tinyurl.com/yxvqxh3b ]

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18:02 <Schism> You know, I make a point of saying, "The only stupid question is the one you don't know the answer to."  I think I'm going to have to amend that with "and can't look up."

18:03 <Schism> or*

18:03 <Schism> Er, nevermind.  Whatever, you know what I mean.

18:11 <Cepheid> Yep.

18:11 <Schism> I know that it's only one or two new hires who are demonstrating an unwillingness to learn, but ye gods.

18:15 * Cepheid hangs up a Christmas Wreath containing a picture of Khan Noonian Singh. It's the Wreath of Khan.

18:15 <Cepheid> ...

18:15 <Cepheid> Oh my gods, we have a wreath above our fireplace mantle.  I have GOT to do this.

18:15 <Cepheid> Just so I can piss off my dad.

18:15 * Schism adds some sriracha and some vegetables and an egg to her noodle bowl for lunch.

18:17 <Schism> Cepheid: I'd order a noodle soup online, but I'm worried that a camelid might be the one to press the doorbell.

18:17 <Cepheid> I'll have to wait for the parents to disappear from the house for a bit though before I do it.

18:17 <Schism> And then I'd be answering a ramen llama ding-dong.

18:23 <Cepheid> I wish I had knowledge of the ability to express something that I am *GOING* to do in Japanese.  Because I am going to kill you. :P

18:48 <ADragonDreaming> I take it your dad has a low view of puns?

18:48 <ADragonDreaming> Schism: but isn't the point of asking questions to find the answer?

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18:52 <Schism> Adra: Except if you already /know/ the answer... or can easily look it up without clogging up the queue by asking a superior... then that, that is a foolish question.

18:52 <ADragonDreaming> Oh, I see.

18:52 <ADragonDreaming> You didn't mean to say 'don't know"

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18:53 <ADragonDreaming> You meant "already know how to answer."

18:55 <Schism> Oh.  Yeah.

18:55 <Schism> I'm sorry, I'm tired today for some reason.  It's been a long two weeks.

19:00 <ADragonDreaming> "For some reason."

19:00 <ADragonDreaming> That reason being 13.5 hour days.

19:01 <ADragonDreaming> (or basically anything over 8 hours)

19:04 <ADragonDreaming> How ya feeling today, Schism and Cepheid ?

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19:13 *** ChanServ sets mode: +qo Ali Ali

19:20 <Cepheid> Better.

19:20 <Cepheid> Eyes itch like hell, but I think that's just the sinus stuff.

19:22 <ADragonDreaming> Ben Stein has a solution for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcH-3d-BZn4

19:22 <ADragonDreaming> "Wow."

19:26 <ADragonDreaming> Huh. He was the monotone teacher in Ferris Bueller's day off. This is I did not know.

19:29 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Penny Wrights: Equestria Girls A Case For the Bass Episode Follow Up [ https://tinyurl.com/y4fxyqes ]

19:32 <ADragonDreaming> hm. Need three Velkhana Cyrstals for everything.

19:51 <Cepheid> I'm unfortunately busy today for a bit.  Have to write out a script, and then translate it for a group project that should have been done a week ago.

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20:01 <ADragonDreaming> nae worries.

20:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Calpain: Comic: Silly Lyra - Low Key / Please, get up / Random Sketches 133-136 / BoE 8:18 [ https://tinyurl.com/y4kzkx8z ]

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20:45 <Schism> 2 hours left of work.  And then I believe I'm going to sleep for 12 hours.

20:46 * Schism also tries to stretch: her left arm is aching for some reason.

20:46 <ADragonDreaming> "So, what should we name it?" "Grrrwwwl." "Itchy armpit it is."

21:06 <Cepheid> I really just want to take a drill, attach a small, brush-like attachment to it, ram it up my nose and turn it onto high.

21:09 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: iTunes My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Comic #92 3 Page Preview Released  [ https://tinyurl.com/y38vhhsg ]

21:13 <Ali> I doubt that would help

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21:19 <Cepheid> And yet, that is how my nose and eyes feel.

21:29 *** Quits: NitroTheFurry (Nitro@Pony-qk3k7e.open.airstreamcomm.net) (Connection closed)

21:47 <Cepheid> The thing about script writing for a language class:  You're limited to what you know, and there's only so much you can say, as a result.

21:48 <Cepheid> For example, one of the lines in our script is "How did she get ahead of us?"  We have not yet learned how to ask "How did <x> do <y>?" and similar "how?" questions.

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22:48 * Schism rolls a Clementine a Cepheid.

22:48 * Schism then follows it up with two more clementines. Then three. Then 10,000 clementine oranges rolling off a mountaintop.

22:50 * Cepheid noms.

22:50 * Cepheid tries to keep them down, but stress levels be through the roof. Wants to be done with this semester.

22:51 <Schism> Can't blame you...

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23:08 * Cepheid gives Schism cardboard fox ears and a cardboard fox tail.

23:09 * Schism now apparently has two pairs of fox ears and five tails.

23:10 <Cepheid> Heh.

23:11 <Cepheid> https://twitter.com/ceroblitz/status/1326726282055352320/photo/1 Cardboard Dragon.

23:12 <Schism> Still love those croissant dragons.

23:19 <Cepheid> https://twitter.com/paranormal_2ch/status/1335721960823791618

23:19 <Cepheid> https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/at3ro2/croissant_dragons/ These?

23:19 <DerpyBot> New post on Equestria Daily by Sethisto: Drawfriend Stuff (Pony Art Gallery) #3542 [ https://tinyurl.com/y37xd6wr ]

23:22 <Schism> Yuppers.

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23:35 * Schism attempts to massage her shoulder. Her left side's been aching all day, like all the diodes are worn out.

23:39 * Cepheid will have to make some recordings of her wheezy breathing for this little presentation, heh.

23:41 <Cepheid> Man.

23:41 <Cepheid> Why the hell is "we/us" so far into the textbook?

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