folekaule
@folekaule@lemmy.world
- Comment on Me as a server 2 weeks ago:
My extroverted friend:
502 Bad gateway - Comment on Fire ants will form rafts after floods. Some being able to stay afloat for weeks! 2 weeks ago:
I remember hearing about this in reports from major hurricanes in the South. Sounds pretty horrifying to be stranded on a roof or floating around on your own makeshift raft and then happening upon one of these ant rafts of doom.
- Comment on Why does not a CR (Carriage Return) automatically start a new line on some online text editors? 2 weeks ago:
There is a theory in UX that says that it is a bad design when it violates the users expectations of how they think it should work. In this case, the interface may not be clear enough about what you’re actually typing. You’re not typing WYSIWYG text, as you stated in your edit, you are in fact typing source code, or more specifically: markup, in a language punningly called Markdown.
Some of the confusion in the other replies come from your use of the term Carriage Return (CR) which has a very specific meaning to programmers and does not refer to the Return/Enter key. I won’t go into that more here, since that’s another tangent.
Anyway, Markdown is designed to be a lightweight markup language, so you can focus mostly on content and apply light formatting where needed for emphasis or bolding. As such, it’s a good fit for online comments, provided the users are familiar with it, or enough contextual help is available.
Part of Markdown is that it needs two line breaks or two spaces at the end of a line to introduce a forced line break. This is just a choice the creators made of how things should work in Markdown (more on that below). In HTML, for example, you would use
<br>instead.To your question as to why go through that trouble and not just use the newline characters as-is, the most likely reason people prefer it is text editors. By allowing you to break up long passages of text with single line breaks, you don’t need to rely on the editor’s word-wrap function to keep the full lines visible in your editor.
Markdown is mostly authored more like source code than prose. Moreover, as it is “code”, it may be subject to automated reformatting that could impose its own line-length rules, etc. and that would ruin the formatting. This often results in long lines being wrapped twice: at the intended point and the forced breakpoint and it looks terrible.
The original Markdown spec by John Gruber explains it like this:
Paragraphs and Line Breaks
A paragraph is simply one or more consecutive lines of text, separated by one or more blank lines. (A blank line is any line that looks like a blank line — a line containing nothing but spaces or tabs is considered blank.) Normal paragraphs should not be indented with spaces or tabs.
The implication of the “one or more consecutive lines of text” rule is that Markdown supports “hard-wrapped” text paragraphs. This differs significantly from most other text-to-HTML formatters (including Movable Type’s “Convert Line Breaks” option) which translate every line break character in a paragraph into a <br /> tag.
When you do want to insert a <br /> break tag using Markdown, you end a line with two or more spaces, then type return.
Yes, this takes a tad more effort to create a <br />, but a simplistic “every line break is a <br />” rule wouldn’t work for Markdown. Markdown’s email-style blockquoting and multi-paragraph list items work best — and look better — when you format them with hard breaks.
You can argue that that makes it not a good fit for online comment editing, and I would say you have a great point, but it’s also very popular and works well for the most common cases. (Especially with programmers because it has many nice features for us.)
Many web apps do allow you to switch between HTML content editing mode (WYSIWYG) and Markdown. I imagine the reason why not more apps do it is just because it’s more code to write, test, and maintain.
I usually recommend people learn more about Markdown to avoid being frustrated by the quirks, and maybe even find some handy tricks they didn’t already know. On the other side of the screen, as developers, we need to keep in mind that not everyone knows Markdown, and we need to make sure it’s obvious to users what it is they are editing and where to find information about it.
- Comment on Gamers Nexus disappointment :( 4 weeks ago:
No problem. I just spent a few minutes prompting Gemini and requested that it provided sources. I think it’s about right, because it matches what I remember (LTT had a YT privilege to replace videos in situ, where as GN did not), but the usual AI caveats apply. Sorry if that seems low-effort, but I don’t see a rule against quoting AI, and I’m not that invested in this either. (Mods: please take this down if it’s against any rules).
The response it gave me at first was a bit too long for this post so I asked it to summarize, and I’ve added the other sources it gave me to the bottom.
Here is a condensed summary of the controversy:
- The Core Issue: In August 2023, the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus (GN) published a massive 44-minute exposé criticizing Linus Tech Tips (LTT) for rushing content, which led to significant data and testing errors in their hardware reviews.
- The “VIP” Privilege: GN revealed that instead of taking down flawed videos and losing their algorithmic momentum, LTT was using a backdoor YouTube privilege—available only to massive creators through a partner manager—to silently replace the source video file on the backend after publication.
- The Proof: GN proved this by comparing the YouTube versions of LTT’s videos to versions syndicated on the Chinese platform Bilibili. Because LTT didn’t have the same VIP privilege on Bilibili, the original uncorrected videos containing glaring data errors were still live there, while the YouTube versions had been magically fixed.
- The Fallout: GN argued this was an unfair advantage that allowed LTT to prioritize quantity over quality without facing the massive financial and algorithmic penalties that regular creators face when forced to re-upload. Following the intense community backlash, LTT paused their entire production schedule to overhaul their quality control labs and promised full transparency regarding future video corrections.
Why GamersNexus Hates LinusTechTips
This video essay provides a comprehensive retrospective and breakdown of the entire Gamers Nexus and Linus > Tech Tips controversy, providing further context on the claims and the resulting fallout.
Sources:
- Comment on 4 weeks ago:
Yep. A lot of things would go sideways in healthcare if the Internet was down for an extended period of time. Yes, there are paper-based backup processes and so on, but they can only hold for so long. I don’t think people realize how much stuff is already in the cloud that we all depend on.
- Comment on 4 weeks ago:
It depends how long it lasts. A day, two days, forever?
We can probably deal with a day, but it would be very very expensive and take a while to clean up.
Permanent? That would be extremely bad. Entire industries would collapse, with unemployment skyrocketing. Financial losses of unprecedented scale. I don’t even know where to start.
- Comment on Gamers Nexus disappointment :( 4 weeks ago:
It could definitely be me misremembering. I’ll see tonight if I can find it. Either way, it would be GN making that claim, so not exactly an independent source.
- Comment on 4 weeks ago:
Yes. Red Solo cups. Solo makes large reinforced plastic cups that are cheap and disposable, yet very sturdy. These aren’t your grandma’s flimsy paper cups.
We don’t use them for fancy dinner parties (well, most of us) but they’re great for backyard barbecues, college parties, etc.
- Comment on Gamers Nexus disappointment :( 4 weeks ago:
If I remember correctly, YouTube treats/treated some big time creators differently and gives them access to actually do in video edits. LTT had this access, GN did not. It’s been a long time since and I’m not on my computer right now so I don’t have a source, but that’s my memory of it.
- Comment on 4 weeks ago:
I’m aware, but when I talk to regular people here in the Midwest, they will not be thinking heat pumps if you call them AC. I’m just trying to make sure everyone is on the same page.
- Comment on 4 weeks ago:
AC in the US aren’t (usually) heat pumps. The most common setup here is a furnace for heating (usually natural gas) plus AC, connected to the same central air unit. Heat pumps are pretty common, but not nearly as universal.
Just mentioning it because “AC” isn’t usually used to refer to heat pumps here.
- Comment on A proprietary Linux distro 4 weeks ago:
It depends. If they modify or link to GPL components, yes they have to publish it. If it’s LGPL, then maybe no. Anyone can freely distribute GPL software that is unmodified and standalone.
Of course, they could just choose to be in violation of the license if nobody sues them.
- Comment on [deleted] 5 weeks ago:
Universities often have subscriptions to those services. Maybe you can ask a someone at one to download them.
Usually this would be through their library and require them to log in to do it, so don’t redistribute them if you get a copy.
- Comment on "Linux? Those guys who like to talk about themselves?" 5 weeks ago:
Yep I think we’re on the same page. Let’s take care of the Bettys and accept that the Linuses will be happier staying on Windows.
- Comment on "Linux? Those guys who like to talk about themselves?" 5 weeks ago:
I don’t think being afraid is a big problem, if you are also motivated to try it. If you’re afraid and have a good experience anyway, that’s a good thing. If you were afraid and have a bad experience, you’ll likely not try it again for a long time, if ever. The key difference is what kind of experience you have. If the bad experience can be avoided in the first place, for example by telling that their game will not work, then nothing was lost. They may try again when they’re bored with that game.
If they have a community to help them make the right decision and choices along the way, they can have a good experience. I think the point I’m trying to emphasize is that the community should try hard to set them up for success rather than cheerleading: “go for it! it worked great for me!”
I hear your point about Linus (of LTT) and yes he gave Linux “bad press”, but I think it helps balance the hype with some realism of “it doesn’t work for everyone”.
I wouldn’t call Linus an average user though. I liked watching Switch and Click’s journey with Linux. She starts out knowing basically nothing, but with a can-do and eager-to-learn attitude. She worked through it and now has become quite the Linux power user. I think that that is more encouraging and relatable to the average computer user. I think it’s the way to go in general: be encouraging and positive, but also be honest about the rough edges.
It’s also about setting realistic expectations and not overselling the product. Tons of people install Linux on either bleeding edge hardware (no vendor support) or an older, secondary computer (well supported, but slow) and they experience that as “Linux is bad”.
They may expect their proprietary software to work and it doesn’t. Then they have to go back to Windows after they had finally worked up the courage to try Linux. I think it’s fine to say “I don’t think Linux will work well for you” before they get into that situation.
I, myself, despite having used Linux off and on since the mid-90s, didn’t fully commit to a Linux desktop until a year ago. I built a new PC for it, knowing it would run only Linux and with parts I knew would work. I knew exactly which programs I had to give up on and find alternatives for. I made an informed choice and I’ve never been happier with my PC after switching.
- Comment on "Linux? Those guys who like to talk about themselves?" 5 weeks ago:
Exactly. If we want people to switch to Linux, we need to make sure they are going to have a good experience. That means to accept that there are still some use cases that Windows is better for, at least for some people. If all you use your gaming rig for is LoL or you spend 99% of your workday in Excel, it doesn’t make sense to switch. Linux will be there for them when they’re ready.
- Comment on People who work in medical offices, has anyone ever called to verify a doctor note for work or school? 1 month ago:
Your insurance doesn’t cover multisyllabic answers, sorry.
- Comment on 1 month ago:
People already prompt their AI to do this.
Personally I think trying to detect AI is a lost cause and they need to do something different. Back in my day all tests were in person with no tools except a calculator, but I can see how that won’t scale.
- Comment on I am fully optimized. AMA 1 month ago:
Are you a level 7 turtle?
- Comment on Memories of defragging your computer 2 months ago:
Obligatory “I can hear this GIF”
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
Ok, I see what you’re saying now. Yes, 100%, we should take care of everyone’s basic needs as a society and that’s far from working. I think where my (in retrospect, very poorly worded) original post came from is that people think that is works like a bank and that the intent is that you just withdraw it later like tax-free savings and then are surprised to learn that the math includes accounting for people dying off before they can collect benefits. I think people should know that they are paying into a pool and by design “their money” is being paid out to other people, and that it is on the whole a good thing.
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
But isn’t thay the reality now? Even though it wasn’t meant that way, it has been changed over the years. I’m genuinely curious. I’m not saying it should be that way, just that my understanding of how it works was that you can’t expect to get your deductions back.
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
Oh I see what you mean. Yes we agree on that. Anything already taken out you keep. But you can’t take out a lump sum of everything you had put in. So I think we understand that part the same way.
Thanks for the clarification and bearing with me.
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
I see…I was thinking in terms of health insurance where you do get “payouts” regularly. I was unaware that you can pass down social security benefits (sorry from your spouse getting more benefits).
My understanding was you can’t take it now than X amount per month, so you can’t “take it with you”. Market fluctuation aside, my retirement savings (minus taxes) can go to my children as inheritance.
Thank you for the explanation.
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
Honest question: how is it different from de facto insurance when you don’t get to withdraw everything you put into it, or pass it down when you die? I would like to know where my understanding of it is incorrect.
- Comment on This is a shitpost 2 months ago:
This is literally how all insurance works. Everyone pays into a pool to help the individuals that need it, knowing it could be them. Ideally, government insurance doesn’t also make a profit.
Social security isn’t a piggy bank. That’s what retirement savings are for.
- Comment on Where is your God now? 2 months ago:
I guess I use “mug” and “cup” somewhat interchangeably as “container for coffee”. I would say it’s not all that common for coffee, but as you probably know, Americans carry water bottles/jugs/mugs everywhere and those can be up to 64oz (1.8L).
Personally I have a travel mug for coffee that is 24oz (709ml) and that is about my entire coffee consumption for the day (I don’t drink coffee after lunch). On a coffee maker that is about 5 “cups”. I have regular ceramic cups that are about 16oz (473 ml).
- Comment on Where is your God now? 2 months ago:
For Americans: Half a liter (500ml) is about 17oz.
For Europeans: common mug sizes in America range from 16oz (473ml) to 24oz (709ml) or even 30 oz (887ml)
- Comment on America 3 months ago:
I guess you’re making a joke about .5 being half and .25 being quarter. We say half past 11 in the US too.
The real problem is languages that use “half 11” and it means 11:30 or 10:30 depending on where you are.
- Comment on How to be attractive 4 months ago:
95 in Europe is like 87 in the US. Different ratings.