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_mitch

118 karma · joined October 23, 2014

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_mitch··on The Revenge of the Hot Water Bottle
For those of us that live in a cold climate, counter butter isn't very spreadable during the winter. However, ghee is perfect for this application.
_mitch··on Learn X in Y Minutes
Same here. On my Android phone running Chrome, that page causes the browser and system UI to hang.
_mitch··on Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?
I'm the same way (switch between Linux, MacOS, and Windows) and use Karabiner-Elements on Mac to remap keys and standardize shortcuts.

https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/

_mitch··on The tools and tech I use to run a one-woman hardware company
I've found Chris Gammell's (Contextual Electronics) KiCad tutorials to be very practical and informative.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy2022BX6EspFAKBCgRuEuzap...

_mitch··on I guess I have to watch ads everywhere on my $1,500 LG TV now
If an app needs to connect to a Wi-Fi AP on the appliance, you have to allow location since having access to the Wi-Fi scan of networks that are in range can allow for some coarse geolocation, thanks to open source SSID databases [1]. I wish Android and iOS would add functionality that allowed an app to connect to a known SSID without access to the scan because the permission requirement is rightly off-putting.

[1] https://wigle.net/map?maplat=37.76559999999937&maplon=-122.4...

_mitch··on Signal is having technical difficulties
I see the banner in Android.
_mitch··on AT&T is selling your phone calls and text messages to marketers, how to opt out
Does this include MVNOs that use AT&T's network such as Net10?
_mitch··on Seattle-Area Patient With Coronavirus Dies
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), 15-20% of people infected require hospitalization. If this becomes widespread, it will overwhelm the US healthcare system. If that happens, anyone who needs urgent care for any reason, has fewer resources available to help them.
_mitch··on New Game: Minecraft Earth
In the official reveal trailer, they seriously have the actor take out their phone and walk backward into the road while looking at their phone. Who cleared that?

[1] https://youtu.be/dYKxBKj29dI

_mitch··on Review of Controls for Certain Emerging Technologies (2018)
There is a lot of promising and terrifying work going on in this space.

Promising: Using BCI to allow people with disabilities to communicate https://youtu.be/9m7-NzpIiXY

Terrifying: The government using the same principles to detect recognition during interrogation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206237/

_mitch··on Show HN: Simple but Powerful IDE for Databases
403 Error on this page: https://cms-alpha-www.sqlgate.com/pricing/subscription
_mitch··on Show HN: I made a platform for journalists to “open source” their fact checking
Just a couple quick feedback points:

I'd prefer if the currently selected fact text remained highlighted when the mouse is not hovered over it. That way you know what the active "Investigate >" link is referring to.

Also, for accessibility and convenience, it would be nice if you could tab through the instances of the fact text blocks.

_mitch··on 'Karma': A hack used by the UAE to break into iPhones of foes
That quote is attributed to a former NSA employee. Something being "like Christmas" is a popular American phrase that doesn't indicate one's religion.
_mitch··on Raspberry Pi Pet Detector Camera Using Python, TensorFlow, and Twilio [video]
It started with a small bell on a hook next to the door and I would take their paw and hit the bell before letting them outside. Eventually they caught on and I'd give them a lot of praise when they did it on their own. The next iteration was an analog setup and the latest uses a Raspberry Pi. I will say, I have three dogs and only one (the smartest) ever caught on with the bell and analog version. Two of them are able to use the newest version which is the easiest to trigger, since it has a touch surface that is 4x4 inches. The third dog has never caught on. But, he hates going outside, so it's likely he doesn't want to catch on.

I'm not exactly sure how they know when to expect me home, but they seem to have a decent sense of time or are sensitive enough to external triggers that condition them, like neighbors arriving home after work, rush hour traffic, etc.

They do exhibit certain behaviors when it's feeding time (hasn't been automated yet), which is the same every night and that is consistent through daylight savings changes and day lengths varying with seasons. So I assume they have some rudimentary sense of time.

_mitch··on Raspberry Pi Pet Detector Camera Using Python, TensorFlow, and Twilio [video]
It actually does this using MAC addresses. :-) It says "Where are you?" if not I'm not home and "We need to go outside" if I am home.
_mitch··on Raspberry Pi Pet Detector Camera Using Python, TensorFlow, and Twilio [video]
I have a capacitive touch button that my dogs press when they need/want to go outside that makes a noise and sends me an SMS. They used to have all hours access to it and when they expected me home at the end of the day, I would start receiving texts in rapid succession. Access was removed shortly thereafter. The novelty of getting drinks after work and receiving a "Where are you?" text from my dogs every three minutes wore off quickly.
_mitch··on 42 percent of new cancer patients lose their life savings
Do you have a source for that claim?
_mitch··on Slow leak detected aboard Space Station
Duck tape for applications needing large range of temperature stability and/or good electrical isolation. I saw it used extensively in aerospace electronics for commercial aircraft.
_mitch··on Anthony Bourdain has died
I had success when someone did this for me fifteen years ago after years in the dark. I was also ashamed of my feelings and hid them as a result of the stigma in society. No two people experiences of mental illness are the same, but I'm glad someone said something. I lied and acted like it was a ridiculous question multiple times before I finally admitted to myself that I needed to commit to getting help. I'm glad I did. No two experiences are the same, but if you're interested in talking more about it my contact info is in my profile.
_mitch··on Anthony Bourdain has died
I don't think OP was implying you should attempt to counsel the person. You don't need experience to check in on friends and coworkers if they seem off. Ask them if they're having thoughts of hurting themselves. Listen to their answer. If they are, encourage them to seek professional help; whether that is giving them the information to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or assisting in getting them in to see a mental health professional.