Behold, the body of Adonis and the brain of a squirrel.

[micah211]

Making alternate accounts for games and only playing 1 character or class the whole time?

[Deepfreeze32]

Being forced to watch boring videos is horrible?

You say boring...I say naptime, if there's an available wall/object/person you can prop yourself up on. Or daydream time. If the room is well lit and someone is going to be a dork about it...if your eyes are glazed and you're half a million miles away in your mind, fighting alien wildebeests with laser cannons...well, you're still technically watching the video.

That doesn't work so well when the video is a training video that you need to pay close attention to because there's a test at the end. Blargh.

So I recently got a cheap laptop, and I'm planning to load it with Linux. So since it's as good a time as any, what Linux distro do you use? And what Desktop Environment/Window Manager do you use?

I'm personally looking at Arch Linux, but I haven't fully decided on the desktop environment/window manager (All I know is NOT Unity, this laptop does not have the specs for it, lol)

[Chozon1]

Making alternate accounts for games and only playing 1 character or class the whole time?

It's not something I would do, personally. Unless I had a legitimate reason. For vanity sakes'? Like resetting your KDA, or win loss? No. That's for chumps. Same for classes; if it's only because I want someone to believe I've spent 15 hours with one character and one character alone, probably not. I feel like some of my history is lost. I know people who have done that because there's no way that low-light scrub of a Hunter just headshot'd the entire enemy team. XD

But...if an alt account would allow me access to different items, or a boost that's only available once, or something like that, I would consider it. I probably wouldn't do it, because I'm lazy and I like one email and password per game, but I would consider it. XD

That doesn't work so well when the video is a training video that you need to pay close attention to because there's a test at the end. Blargh.

So I recently got a cheap laptop, and I'm planning to load it with Linux. So since it's as good a time as any, what Linux distro do you use? And what Desktop Environment/Window Manager do you use?

I'm personally looking at Arch Linux, but I haven't fully decided on the desktop environment/window manager (All I know is NOT Unity, this laptop does not have the specs for it, lol)

That's true. But arguably if your job is concerned, it's not really boring anymore. XD Initiation videos FTW...gotta admit, a cynical part of my mind actually enjoys watching what is little more than blatant propaganda though.

Don't count out Unity until you try it. It scales remarkably well. It's runs fairly decent on my 2009-era lappy (2.4GHz Pentium dual core, 4GB RAM, integrated Intel graphics), at least to the point I haven't bothered to install Gnome. It's not zippy-fast, but it's enough to the point that my desire for potential speed gain has not outstripped my aforementioned laziness. >_> I like the shiny interface.

Which is, by the by, my alternative suggestion. Been a long while since I've used it, but from what I remember Gnome is basically an inverted Windows with a fairly low footprint. On my computer before this one, it ramped up the speed like crazy. I've heard about Xfce too, but I know nothing about it.

Favorite distro is tricky, as I found Ubuntu, and stuck with Ubuntu. I've never tried anything else, because Ubuntu has really not ever failed me. I have no complaints, it's easy for a scrub like me to work with, and it shares a lot of traits with Windows, so kid-Chozon could work it while he learned it. Got a huge community, so most problems just took a quick Google to fix...It too, works pretty dang good on the lappy. If I ever have to do a srs face reboot, I might look into Lubuntu or Xubuntu, which are supposed to be even lower footprint.

However, since you already know Linux, you might find it a bit restricting or hand holdy or something.

[Deepfreeze32]

It's not the hand-holding that really bothers me per se, it's that I'm not a huge fan of the Debian system that's under the hood. Fedora has been what I've used, but that's because I metaphorically grew up with Red Hat. XD

So I tried out Arch last night, and while I like how minimalist it is from a UI perspective, I have to say: Connecting to wifi manually sucks. I just can't get it to *bleep*ing work. You have to "set up" the interface, connect to a network, then use a separate program to enter your passkey (If you're using WPA/WPA2), AND THEN use dhcpcd to get an IP address. I spent at least an hour trying to get it to work. But because the errors were vague enough that a google search didn't yield anything, I was forced to concede defeat. I still have no idea if I wasn't quick enough, if I mistyped my password, of if the firmware/drivers were borked because the error messages were so general that google search results led me to rabbit holes I didn't need to pursue.

I'm tempted to go to a "normal" distribution, but I specifically wanted Arch because I don't have to fiddle with whatever the desktop environment that comes with some other distro is, because I want my laptop to boot to shell only at first, with the option to start whatever window manager suits my fancy. Most "normal" distros don't seem to have a version that is as "easy" to uninstall/disable the desktop environment as Arch makes it (Because Arch ships with no desktop environment at all). But at least those other distros might allow me to connect to the bloody wifi, so...

Guess I'll give it a shot this weekend when I can scrounge an ethernet cable. If I can get the system installed and updated (with a window manager), maybe then I can get the wifi working.


Worst experience trying to configure software?

[Chozon1]

Ew. Burn it. Destroy the plague carrier. Let loose the righteous wrath of all who prefer Linux to not be bleep'd to hipster computer oblivion. *drops welding mask and fires flame thrower*

I don't understand...why do you want that? I'm not being a turd, I honestly I don't understand. XD GUI's are the greatest thing to happen to computers since semiconductors. I cannot live without a GUI. <3

That aside, though it has been a long time and there's a fair chance I'm crossing memories with the time I had it dual-booted with Windows, it seems like when I was running Unity/Gnome it asked me each time which one I wanted to use before I logged in. Granted, you couldn't do anything with the computer without choosing, so I'm not sure that's what you want. But I could try and install gnome and see what options I get, if you'd like.

At the risk of sounding like one of those hipsters, pretty much anything with Windows. Most Ubuntu software issues I've encountered can be solved with a single command that I can copy/paste from helpful internet peoples. Windows...not even kinda that.

The one that comes to mind most clearly was when I was installing a new HDD into a Windows 7 laptop. Got everything plugged in and where it was supposed to go, and started reinstalling Windows...five hours later, Windows was installed. This was enough of a feat to cheer me, since it was my first major computer repair.

Granted, the lappy was acting a bit weird, but I started installing all the previous programs anyway, naively figuring it was because the computer was a clean slate. I updated all the pertinent drivers, then started with Norton Antivirus (because I'm paranoid about running a net connected computer without antivirals, and I knew I would need to spend time on the internet updating things and such).

Norton get's installed...and promptly deletes several key registry entries, .exe files, and a few livers and spleens Windows needs to survive. It even sucked away all the nice photo backgrounds, replacing them with the Windows XP era textures, and dropping the speed in half. The computer was basically gutted. IE, Firefox, anything I could have used to fix it...dead in the water. Couldn't even access files reliably.

I figured I had done something wrong, having never replaced a HDD before, so I rebooted the computer, restored Windows to normal, and got everything working again...Twenty minutes later, I tried to install Norton again. With the same results. Only a bit more screaming in pseudo-Russian.

(I'd like to point out, in the interest of not appearing to be a complete idiot, that it was my parents computer, and my dad had already spent $40 for Norton, and really wanted to use it. I figured if anything was going to break the computer, it would be that, so I started with it so I wouldn't achieve any other goals before crashing into the ground.)

This was particularly bothersome; instead of blindly leaping in again, I spent days digging around on the interwebs, inquiring unto my computer teacher (his response? "Well, don't install Norton again." -_- Thanks teach.), and digging around on the internet some more. I even pulled a few books out, got on a few forums. I reached for the horizon of my computer abilities.

Know what the problem was? I hadn't installed a driver for the new HDD. O_o I didn't even know HDD drivers existed. I still don't understand why they're necessary, actually. It's kinda obvious in hindsight, I guess; if you install something new, you install a driver for it, or it doesn't work. I just didn't think I would need one for an HDD, since it's basically a blank slate before you put an OS on it...I thought it was like RAM.

More importantly, I have no idea why such a critical driver wasn't stored in the recovery discs. XD Smooth one, HP. I had to go to HP's website and scrounge for it. I have no idea why Windows managed to install perfectly without it. I have no idea why it made Norton screw the whole thing up, even to this day; but for that particular computer, I needed a speed-enhancer driver from HP that I can't even remember the name of, for the computer to even function. When I got it installed, everything worked fine. Norton, even. Until it broke the computer in later adventures, anyway. Norton is my nemesis. It actually did a similar thing to a Windows 8 computer a year later, though that may have been indirectly my fault.

Incidentally, it may be a conspiracy theory, but I firmly believe that program was what burned out the old HDD to begin with; two weeks after installing the new drive, the computer sent up alerts that the constant HDD activity could cause it to fail, and that the new drive was already in danger. -_-

That's the worst, I think. Though it's not counting the hundred hours or so I've spent trying to get classical games working...

[micah211]

I did it to play overwatch, I made a Torbjorn account. It's a huge advantage knowing the maps when you play with lvl 4 noobs all the time.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/HZCtRG

Those specs? I've been reading a lot about how gaming laptops suck, especially for school.

[Deepfreeze32]

I still haven't gotten around to configuring that laptop...too lazy. XD

So, Persona 5 releases in a few weeks! I've found a scene from the Japanese game that shows one of the more interesting scenes (Awakening to a Persona), and I really like how they've handled it.

What do you think? Pay special attention to the music choices, as I think they really bring it together. If you care about spoilers, skip ahead to about 2:14.

[Chozon1]

I did it to play overwatch, I made a Torbjorn account. It's a huge advantage knowing the maps when you play with lvl 4 noobs all the time.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/HZCtRG

Those specs? I've been reading a lot about how gaming laptops suck, especially for school.

Enough to make me drool. O_o

Now for the ranty computer nerd.

On the surface, you could save $100 by using Linux, and probably still have access to most games. Plus, ladies dig a guy who uses Linux. >_> Either way, you might also want to dig around and see if, since you're a student, you can get a discounted copy of Windows 10. M$ used to do that. School stuff might not work on a Linux compy, though that depends.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm a crusty old Windows hater, and I will admit it. XD I hate paying for something I can get for free, too.

I'm not a fan of solid state drives either, though that's personal sentiment. If it were me, I'd buy a regular HDD at 7200, accept the marginal speed loss at boot and starting programs, and use the saved money to buff my Steam library. But then, I'm lazy, and don't like to fiddle with multiple large storage spaces in my computer; accidentally wiped out my OS one time because I got the drives mixed up. -_-

I'd like to say something negative about the CPU, but I think it's mostly the price throwing me for a loop; it costs more than my current lappy did. XD It's an i7 though, and dang, that's a speedy thing.

That's also probably one of the sweetest cases I've ever seen. I want to smoosh my face against it and watch the machine work. <3

Sadly, I haven't kept up with current GFX cards, so I can't say anything about it. Looks good though. ^_^ Seems like a very nice, very powerful computer, if a tad on the expensive side.

Also, don't forget to buy a static wristband. It's the $5 piece of plastic that can keep you from making a $300 piece of plastic. XD

I still haven't gotten around to configuring that laptop...too lazy. XD

So, Persona 5 releases in a few weeks! I've found a scene from the Japanese game that shows one of the more interesting scenes (Awakening to a Persona), and I really like how they've handled it.

What do you think? Pay special attention to the music choices, as I think they really bring it together. If you care about spoilers, skip ahead to about 2:14.

I didn't have much of an impact with me...It kinda felt like just another 'awakened hero' moment in anime.

I think it's probably because without the rest of the backstory, it just isn't poignant.

[micah211]

The graphics are the 3rd best from Nvidia, the best being 1080 and then TitanX.
I'm picking windows because I'll need it specifically for school, there's a program I found that can supposedly help me in Med School that they haven't made for anything else yet.
I already have a static band.
I'm not opposed to SSD so I decided to go with both.
The case is a really hard decision for me, I want something big enough and that looks nice, but don't want to spend the price of an NZXT, so the Eclipse is the next best thing for me. I wish I could get the Phanteks Enthoo Primo instead, it has rgb all the way down the side.

https://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-o ... a%20Chroma
This keyboard? (Completely ignore the fact that it isn't mechanical, I like membrane)

[Deepfreeze32]

You're the only person so far I've shown that to who didn't like it.


Well, have some battle music!



This is actually from the Action RPG SMT spin-off: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army, which may be more up your alley if you don't much care for turn-based combat.

Speaking of...

...super long combats in turn-based RPGs are annoying?

I was playing Tokyo Mirage Sessions, and got into a fight with this group of four enemies. One of them could attack twice (the jerk) and would hit weaknesses, another would sit there and cast seal (think silence in other RPGs: No spells) and heals, the other two would alternate between casting either a physical or magical reflection spell, or casting bodyguard (Which means they auto-intercept attacks meant for someone else). Fight took almost 45 minutes. Uuuuggggghhhhhhhh. lol.

[Chozon1]

The graphics are the 3rd best from Nvidia, the best being 1080 and then TitanX.
I'm picking windows because I'll need it specifically for school, there's a program I found that can supposedly help me in Med School that they haven't made for anything else yet.
I already have a static band.
I'm not opposed to SSD so I decided to go with both.
The case is a really hard decision for me, I want something big enough and that looks nice, but don't want to spend the price of an NZXT, so the Eclipse is the next best thing for me. I wish I could get the Phanteks Enthoo Primo instead, it has rgb all the way down the side.

https://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-o ... a%20Chroma
This keyboard? (Completely ignore the fact that it isn't mechanical, I like membrane)

Mechanical keyboards are one of the few nerdy things wherein I don't have a monkey in the tree. I like them, but I wouldn't pay exorbitantly extra for them. And as an author, I'm pretty sure the loud clacking would drive either me or my dog insane after awhile. XD

That keyboard...I don't know. I like the colors a lot...but it's pretty much a very expensive regular keyboard otherwise. It doesn't have media keys, or other control keys. WASD isn't highlighted or raised or anything. You're paying for the lights and the Razer logo.

Might just be me, but I need my media control keys. I know you can program keys for that function, and I'm pretty sure there's some combination of shift+ something that will do it already, but I'm lost without having my music controls on their own separate keypad. For that price, I'd also want a bunch of extra buttons I'll probably forget how to use, and the often-used-in-gaming keys highlighted, or given a different texture or something.

Is just me though.

You're the only person so far I've shown that to who didn't like it.


Well, have some battle music!

This is actually from the Action RPG SMT spin-off: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army, which may be more up your alley if you don't much care for turn-based combat.

Speaking of...

...super long combats in turn-based RPGs are annoying?

I was playing Tokyo Mirage Sessions, and got into a fight with this group of four enemies. One of them could attack twice (the jerk) and would hit weaknesses, another would sit there and cast seal (think silence in other RPGs: No spells) and heals, the other two would alternate between casting either a physical or magical reflection spell, or casting bodyguard (Which means they auto-intercept attacks meant for someone else). Fight took almost 45 minutes. Uuuuggggghhhhhhhh. lol.

I don't mean to be a difficult person. XD

I really liked that. ^_^ I don't see that ever getting old, actually.

That fight though...that's pretty terrible. That can potentially kill the game for me, actually. There's a tower in...FFIV, I think, where an enemy can self replicate, and does so pretty much every turn. If you are a high enough level and pull your punches, the thing is golden grind fodder; you can level up five times in one battle, as long as you have a method to reliably kill all of them in one hit.

If you cannot potentially kill all of them in one hit...may beans have mercy on your soul. It's entirely possible that fight will never end. My characters level were too low, and I had an encounter with two of them; they immediately replicated. I would manage to kill most of them in one round, but the ones that were left would replicate, and so on. O_o The tower was full of that enemy...I can't remember if I ever finished it, or just gave up.

I don't know if the super long combat scenario is the devs just being jerks, or if something was missed in testing, but come on. XD

[Deepfreeze32]

In context, I think it was a little less crazy than what you described (That sounds horrible), because it was meant to be a "test" for the heroes. I still think it bordered on bad design. XD

King Kong (the 2005 Peter Jackson version)? I just saw it tonight, and while I don't think it's quite as timeless as the original, I thought it did a very good job of keeping the spirit of the original (if certainly not the runtime). Hasn't aged as well as I would have liked, but it was still very compelling. Though I think they could have cut the running time down by at least an hour. XD

[Chozon1]

I haven't seen it, actually. I don't know why, because usually I would get hyped over that sorta thing. XD

Godzilla is more my flavor, I guess. Though 2014 Godzilla got me excited over Skull Island until I read some reviews...I'm less so now.

Jurassic Park Syndrome.

[micah211]

I believe the fact that the Ornata has hybrid keys adds to the price.

This one?

Spoiler:

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/produc ... g-keyboard

[Deepfreeze32]

So I beat Tokyo Mirage Sessions yesterday. Final boss fight took an hour and a half. @_@

And now I go on a JRPG break until Persona 5 comes out. XD


So on that note, here's one of the late-game boss themes from Persona 5 (Beware the Engrish lyrics...the singer is not so good at English pronunciation, so her singing comes out kinda garbled):



Thoughts?