Harrk

joined 2 years ago
[–] Harrk 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Recently I saw an article on more needs to be done about age verification because it’s easy for children to falsify it (and most do). On the other hand you have adults who falsify it because it’s nobody’s business how old you are.

Current protections that ask you to confirm your age are completely pointless.

Now if you were required to provide ID to access X service, would you? If we’re talking adult content then children will simply look elsewhere, taking them to potentially more dangerous areas of the internet. (Heck, so would adults) Same if you deny them social media.

But if we’re implementing verification regardless then it needs to come from a third party. And it also has to be easy. Like something you do only once.

First: I would allow children access to social media under a child account that has limited access and ability to be audited by a parent. This is important because you don’t want them going somewhere you have no control over. (Which they will)

Secondly: An age verification gateway that can be implemented by developers seeking to use it. Possibly managed by the government body responsible for issuing ID (or a partner). This would be taking a short video of yourself plus uploading ID. (Banks are doing this now)

Thirdly: ease of use. Majority of us have a google or apple account associated with whatever device we have. Let those accounts hook into the 2nd step and share if an account is a child/adult account with any social platforms you log in using it with.

Just a few thoughts that came to mind whilst waiting dinner. Feel free to tear it apart!

[–] Harrk 10 points 1 month ago

Remember when they tried that last time?

Look, I actually liked the Vita but only after I got one second hand after putting it off for years. The overpriced memory cards didn't exactly advertise the device well.

[–] Harrk 3 points 1 month ago

“An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded.”

[–] Harrk 15 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I pity the guy somewhat. It would be absolute gut wrenching knowing you’ve lost a life changing amount of money. But this reeks of desperation and taking out your anger on somebody else for your own mistake. Now he’s suing the council after failing to bribe them with something that may or may not be recoverable. And if successful, lines his own pockets at the expense of his community’s.

Accept the expensive life lesson for what it is and move on… It sucks but it’s your own flaming fault and nobody owes you a thing.

[–] Harrk 1 points 1 month ago

Sorry, the first book isn't all world building, it just starts off slower because of that. Several characters are introduced in their own parts of the world and various places in society which makes it feels a bit disjointed. It starts coming together eventually then you'll know if it's worth carrying on or not.

The switching of PoVs can be a bit frustrating, especially when you're starting to attach yourself to one character and then you're thrown into the shoes of another. The audiobook perhaps makes that worse with the switching of narrator between the male and female leads. It certainly threw me off at the start but I grew to appreciate it.

[–] Harrk 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I assume you mean Stormlight vs Mistborn? If I was recommending between those two, I would go definitely go Mistborn first. Not because I think it's better, but Stormlight is a little difficult to get going with and plans to span 10 books. Given that not a lot happens in the first part due to the world building happening across multiple characters individually, it takes a while for it to feel like it's moving somewhere. Mistborn on the other hand paces itself a lot quicker and the foreshadowing throughout is executed wonderfully.

[–] Harrk 5 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Mistborn is the book that got me into reading! It's one of my favourite books of all time due to how it changed me haha.

As for my little update. I put Morning Star on pause as I feel a bit burned out with the Red Rising series. I'm at the point where nothing really surprises me anymore and I feel that I'm not as invested as I was with the other Red Rising books.

Instead I've jumped back over to doing a Way of Kings re-read. The first time I listened to the audiobook so I'm eager to read it this timearound.

[–] Harrk 8 points 1 month ago

200 hours in for me and I just learned you can put gates over train tracks. 🤯 Found out by reading the in game manual that I was too proud to read beforehand. So uhm… read the manual.

[–] Harrk 1 points 1 month ago

I went through similar thoughts on whether or not to pick up a Quest 3 and after having one for 8 months I've not regretted it. The Quest 3 is a great all-rounder if you're looking for something accessible but also capable of PCVR.

The one thing I will say is accessories are often overlooked. You'll want to replace the headstrap with a better one. A battery pack if you want longer sessions. Wear glasses? Prescription lenses. A Wi-Fi 6/e router or better if you want to wirelessly tether to a PC for PCVR (plus the costs that come with a gaming computer).

While accessories may appear optional. If you're spending a load of cash on the headset, then sticking with a subpar experience seems silly. So research what you intend to use it for ahead of time and budget for what you feel is necessary.

[–] Harrk 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I finished Golden Son, the second in the Red Rising saga and moved right onto the third. It's difficult to get into specifics without spoiling but I can see why people had better opinions of the second book. The pacing was nonstop from one thing to another which was a step-up from the first book that held you in the same setting for 2/3rds of the book. Nothing prepared me for the conclusion either, even though there are a dozen hints along the way. Now I'm wondering how the third is going to top it. I've read quite a bit into it so far but it's only got an 'okay' from me, though the second felt the same in the beginning.

I'm planning to wrap up Morning Star in the following week, then I plan to reread Way of Kings in preparation for Winds and Truth next month.

[–] Harrk 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It was a surprise when I discovered it was a trilogy. Then another when I found out there’s a second trilogy after that! I’m going to be busy for a while haha. The first book had a bit of a pacing issue but the 2nd has been moving nonstop. I’m enjoying it a lot! I’d definitely recommend it.

Series aren’t usually a problem for me, once I get hooked I tend to binge through the rest. The sadness hits harder once you finish the last book though as the world you spent several months in comes to an end. Thankfully I’ve got quite a bit to go yet with the Red Rising world. I believe there’s even a seventh book releasing next year?

[–] Harrk 5 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Picked up Red Rising that was sat in my backlog for months. Blitzed right through it and now I'm on book 2, Golden Son. Despite the first book getting mixed reviews, I loved it and I heard that book 2/3 are even better so I'm super excited to keep going!

The Mary Sue is a bit overdone though. I thought book 2 was taking it a step back but then it comes back out of literally nowhere with forshadowing that was just, "meh".

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